In the magazines

Heritage Quest. There is a website, and while you can't find most of my actual articles there, you can peruse the issues and see the titles of what I have written. Genealogy is a passion of mine, which began with the research I did on Dunnottar Castle and the Keith clan.
If you like what you see there, I strongly suggest that you order the CD with the back issues. There are loads of ideas for stories. There is nothing funnier than true life. Yes, you can pick and choose and then fictionalize facts so the ghosts of the ancestors of yesteryear don't come back to haunt you.
A current subscription is a great idea for a Christmas gift for your own family historian.


MinnDakota Memories and Mysteries

This started as two magazines, and about a year ago merged into one periodical. It is regional for the Minnesota, North and South Dakota, but where would Louie L'Amour have been without these states? (He was from North Dakota.)
There have been many article of wider interest, such as John D. Rockefeller's father. Did you know that he had two--and possibly three--wives at the same time and that he spent many years living in North Dakota? And almost everybody heard about the murder of Elizabeth Congdon supposedly by her daughter, Margery, in Duluth, MN years ago. But did you know that she was never convicted of the murder, yet she ended up in prison in AZ on an arson charge? And she is due for release in about a year?
Two years ago we did a book, HARD TIMES AND STRANGE TALES, which was a compilation of the best articles from the magazines. It was so popular in the region that in December, when a new Harry Potter book came out, WE OUTSOLD HARRY POTTER!
We are working on a new book for Christmas this year, with all new stories. Keep an eye open for it. I'll let you know when it is available.


BBW (Big Beautiful Woman). While I don't have an article in every issue, I have had numerous articles here. One of my favorites was "Fit As a Cello." Yes, just because you aren't a skinny little fiddle, that doesn't have to mean you can't be physically just as fit!


I have had numerous other article in a variety of magazines, including God's Revivalist, Decision, Message of the Cross, Worldwide Thrust, Christian Life, Woman's World, Historic Travel, and a whole bevvy more. The best way to find me is keep your eyes open. You just never know where I'll pop up next.

In the newspapers

My monthly genealogy column appears in the Grand Forks Herald. It is supposed to run the first Sunday of each month, but quite often it gets put aside until the second week. After all, there is nothing "time dated" when it comes to genealogy.
I quite often do book reviews for the Grand Forks Herald. (Other people's books; they think I'm prejudiced about my own!) Most often these are for books that have a regional flair, but that are not technically "local." Nationally known bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, is a favorite of mine. I did reviews on her Dakota trilogy. Kathleen Taylor does a mystery series with the amateur sleuth, Tory Bauer. These stories are set in South Dakota, and are fun, fun, fun. I have a review of her latest Tory Bauer mystery, Foreign Body," coming out in September in the GF Herald.

Books of my own books often appear in other papers across the country. There is nothing much more exciting than to have somebody send you a copy of a review by a total stranger from someplace you have never been.

OUT ON THE TOWN

Yes, even in a relatively small town like Grand Forks, ND, there is activity a brewin'. When you get nine female authors and one really brave male author, you just know things are bound to happen.
In July, 2000, the Grand Cities Authors Group was formed. The first place they appeared was at the local Ground Round REstaurant for a group booksigning and a chance for the general public to "meet the local celebrities." It was declared a roaring success, complete with newspaper coverage. Since then, there have been many other "sightings" at their "signings." They have been spotted at other restaurants, coffee houses, arts and crafts fairs, writers' conferences, and it is rumored that their next gig will be at a local bank. So, if you are in the area on Friday, Oct. 5th, stop in at Community National Bank on South Washington Street and say "Hi." We'll even pose for a picture with you--if you buy a book, that is!

IN MY SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS
Before the days of FirstPublish, I put out some small, non-fictions books. You can still obtain these from me at:
Janet Elaine Smith
P.O.Box 126
East Grand Forks, MN 56721

They are:
GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY
(A how-to genealogy book)

FUNNY BONE TICKLES
(Amusing tales on the way to finding your roots)

THE FLOOD OF THE MILENNIUM
(The story of the 1997 Grand Forks, ND flood; the worst in U.S. history)

THE HALLETT HISTORY
(The family history of Andrew Hallett, who came to MA in the early 1630's, and many of his descendants. Charts, family fables, historic documents.)
Cost per book is $20.00. Make checks payable to Janet E. Smith. (Includes shipping.)