Seneca, South Carolina, United States, 28th Sep 2024, -
My Place Among Them, a historical novel by J. Stanion, has been named a finalist in the 2023 Laramie Book Awards for Americana Western Fiction. This competition, part of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs), recognizes outstanding works in the Americana and Western fiction genre. Stanion’s novel, based on a manuscript written by her great-grandfather, has been celebrated for its portrayal of Indigenous history and early North American life.
The Laramie Book Awards focus on books that explore Americana themes, First Nation stories, and the history of North America, especially those set in the West. My Place Among Them tells the story of John Iron Horse, a twelve-year-old Lakota boy who survives the Wounded Knee Massacre only to face the challenges of attending a government-run boarding school designed to assimilate Indigenous children. The novel also explores the evolving bond between John and his teacher, Carter Heath, a white man who gradually becomes an advocate for his Native American students.
In an interview, J. Stanion reflected on her background as a teacher and the role of education in shaping cultural identities. “As a former teacher, this work helped me understand how easily a teacher can influence students with their own beliefs,” she said. She noted the power of education in shaping or distorting cultural identities, both historically and today.
In an article titled “J. Stanion’s Creative Process: From Research to Storytelling,” J. Stanion highlighted the depth of her research process, stating, “When wording or descriptions conflicted with modern depictions of events or cultural practices, I reached out to tribal elders and other Lakota references for confirmation.” She elaborated, “I wanted the story to reflect both the emotional and historical truths of that time.”
In another article titled “J. Stanion’s Approach to Writing: Crafting Historical Fiction from Personal Legacy” highlights how J. Stanion's discovery of her great-grandfather’s manuscript became a pivotal moment for her writing career. This manuscript, combined with Stanion’s promise to her late father, profoundly influenced her approach to crafting My Place Among Them. The same article further emphasizes, “Her dedication to staying true to his perspective while weaving in modern research and cultural authenticity is a hallmark of her writing process,” showcasing Stanion’s commitment to blending personal legacy with historical accuracy. “Typed on the back of a car dealership’s stationery from the 1920s was J. Stanion’s great-grandfather’s forgotten manuscript. When she stumbled upon it, she knew she had uncovered more than just family history.”
On maintaining the integrity of her historical portrayal, J. Stanion shared in an interview, “Although Covid kept me from traveling throughout most of the research time for My Place Among Them, I was blessed with contacts that allowed me to reach out to tribal elders...I also made a point of purchasing relatively recently published books written by Indigenous authors as reference materials.”
J. Stanion’s journey as a collector has evolved from acquiring “modern” tourist pieces to valuing the historical and cultural significance of Indigenous art. In another interview, she shared: “The more I learned about Indigenous art and artists, the more I valued the pieces about which I knew the historical significance.”
My Place Among Them has received several other accolades, including the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award for Political Fiction of the Year 2023 and the BREW Seal of Excellence. The novel continues to receive recognition for its historical accuracy and its exploration of complex cultural identities in a transformative period of U.S. history.
For more information about the award, visit the Chanticleer Laramie page.
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
Set in the early 20th century, My Place Among Them follows John Iron Horse as he faces the challenges of attending a government-run boarding school. The novel captures the complexities of identity, culture, and survival in a changing world. It has received several accolades, including the 2023 NYC Big Book Award for Cultural Heritage and the BREW Seal of Excellence from The Chrysalis BREW Project.
About the Author
After three decades in education, J. Stanion embraced her passion for storytelling. She fulfilled her father’s wish by publishing My Place Among Them, a novel based on her great-grandfather’s experiences. Stanion’s work has been recognized for its historical depth and cultural accuracy. With media appearances including Newsweek and hundreds of other news and other sites, she now lives on a family farm, where she cares for horses and cattle while continuing to write.
