Seneca, South Carolina, United States, 18th Sep 2024, -
 

J. Stanion’s novel My Place Among Them has been awarded second place in the Historical Fiction - Pre-2010 category at The Book Fest. The novel, which draws from a manuscript written by Stanion’s great-grandfather, explores the life of a boy who survives the Wounded Knee massacre and navigates the U.S. government’s Indian Education program.

The Book Fest’s announcement recognized the novel’s historical significance, stating, “The story of My Place Among Them presents an authentic portrayal of the cultural conflicts and personal sacrifices faced by Indigenous peoples during the early 20th century.”

In addition to this award, My Place Among Them has received several other honors, including the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award for Political Fiction of the Year 2023 and the BREW Seal of Excellence. The novel has been praised for its detailed exploration of the challenges faced by Indigenous children forced into government-run boarding schools. John Iron Horse, the protagonist, is an exceptional student who forms a bond with his teacher, Carter Heath, a white man working to support his family while seeking to improve the lives of Native Americans. As the story progresses, John is confronted with the difficult choice of sacrificing his native culture to survive in a world dominated by white society.

In her exclusive interview with FOX 40, J. Stanion reflects on her unexpected journey from a career in education to becoming an acclaimed author. She shares, “To be honest, it was only the commitment to my father that inspired me to become a published author. Since its publication, I’ve committed much more time to the world of literature and books…being an author has been way ‘outside the box’ of how I imagined my retirement.”

In another exclusive interview with The World's Best Magazine, J. Stanion revealed that her novel My Place Among Them stems from a promise she made to her father before he passed away. She shared, “The accolades indicate that others see the value of sharing details about government policies and their impact on individuals,” reflecting on the novel’s themes and the importance of telling stories often overlooked in historical records.

In My Place Among Them, J. Stanion brings to life a story deeply intertwined with her family’s legacy and Indigenous history. As highlighted in the article "J. Stanion: Crafting Historical Fiction Inspired by Family Heritage" published recently, Stanion’s novel was inspired by her great-grandfather’s manuscript, which chronicled life on Native American reservations. She shared also shared in the same article, “The original manuscript… was typed on the back of a car dealership’s stationary in 1920. The paper was fragile, the Victorian era writing was verbose and repetitive.”

In his article “J. Stanion’s Leap from Education to Literature: A Promised Journey Fulfilled,” Glenn Prior at Edublogs lauds J. Stanion for her exceptional transition from educator to bestselling author. Prior reflects on the personal vow that propelled her career change, quoting Stanion's sentiment: “I never dreamed I’d publish a novel after teaching school for 31 years, but I did. It was a labor of love.” He further emphasizes her dedication to historical accuracy and cultural respect, noting, “Stanion’s commitment to accurately portraying Indigenous history is evident in her meticulous research and the way she has respectfully woven cultural details into her narrative.” Prior’s article highlights Stanion’s remarkable journey and her significant impact on the literary world through My Place Among Them.

For J. Stanion, art is more than an aesthetic experience—it's a bridge to the past and a wellspring of inspiration. Her collection of Lakota Ledger art informs not only her creative vision but also the development of characters like John Iron Horse in My Place Among Them. As she mentioned in Vents Magazine, “When I am discouraged with my writing, I can always find inspiration by focusing on any one of the pieces in my collection.” This personal connection to art fuels Stanion’s storytelling, bringing depth and authenticity to her narratives, as she expressed in the same Vents magazine interview.

The Book Fest is a literary contest that recognizes outstanding works in various genres and categories. Its mission is to celebrate exceptional storytelling and the diversity of voices within the literary world.

For more information about the award, visit The Book Fest’s website. 

The book is available in digital, paperback, and hardbound editions through major retailer sites such as Amazon.

To know more about J. Stanion and her work, visit her official website, www.jstanion.com. 

About the Book
My Place Among Them is a historical novel that explores the U.S. government’s efforts to assimilate Native American children. The protagonist, John Iron Horse, must navigate the challenges of losing his cultural identity while trying to survive in a hostile world. The book has won awards such as the 2024 Silver Medal Global Book Award for Cultural Heritage Fiction and the BREW Seal of Excellence from The Chrysalis BREW Project.

About the Author
J. Stanion is a former teacher who transitioned to writing after a 31-year career. Her novel My Place Among Them has been honored with multiple awards for its portrayal of Indigenous history. Stanion’s work is inspired by her family’s legacy and her love for history. She currently lives on a farm, caring for her animals and collecting Indigenous artwork. Stanion, born Gwendolyn Mcphail, has also been seen on Newsweek, MSN News, Big News Network, Vents Magazine, Benzinga, Digital Journal, Google News, Bing News, and hundreds more of media sites.