My name is Laura Kemp and I’m an Educator who has always loved to write. I have a degree in creative writing from Western Michigan University where I studied under Stuart Dybek, and yes… he is as cool as he seems. Even more so.
Since graduation I’ve gotten married and now have four kids, six cats, one dog, three hamsters, four horses and innumerable chickens. I live on a small farm in southern Michigan but dream of the day when my husband and I can buy land up north and vanish into the woods.
This is a picture of the old Morris Homestead in Decatur, Michigan, the site of a pair of unsolved murders that I based Back Forty Farm on in the novel. The house has since burned down.
This is the breakwall in Rogers City, Michigan (aka Lantern Creek). I used to sit here and look at the Big Lake when there wasn’t a walkway. A fistfight breaks out here in my book. Can you see how dangerous that would be?
This is a part of the DreamCast game I played with my readers on my Instagram account. Can you guess who plays who in my imaginary movie version?
This is a picture of Esther Morris, the basis for the character of Esther Ebersole, and one of the two people murdered in the homestead in Decatur, Michigan. Isn’t she beautiful? I was haunted by her expression.
This is Ocqueoc Falls, the highest waterfall in MIchigan’s Lower Peninsula and the setting for most of the action in my novel. Also a good place to swim on a hot, summer day in Presque Isle County.
This is the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, and if you stand at this location at sunset, the light is supposed to come on even though electricity has been shut off for sixty years.
This is a collage I made from my Instagram posts for Woodys Book Tour, a fictional account of my BookBaby’s adventures. You can see she has been very busy, so go ahead and follow us!
Hay Lake just outside of St. Ignace, Michigan
Robinson’s Folly
Sugarloaf, Mackinac Island
The deck of The Pink Pony
View from the top of Robinson’s Folly
Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island
Mustang Lounge on Mackinac Island
When I’m not writing I love to hike with my Goldendoodle, swim, read, perform with my Celtic Band Si Bhaeg Si Mohr and act in musical theatre. I love to connect with my readers so drop me a line and let me know what you’re thinking!
Reviews:
I was a little apprehensive to read this because it was a very different type of book than I’m used to. So glad I did!
The characters were well developed and the story was very intriguing! Looking foward to the sequel!!!
Melissa
“Evening in the Yellow Wood” kept me on the edge of my chair from start to finish. I could not put it down! The book took unexpected twists, made me laugh an was heartwarming all at the same time. The descriptions of Michigan are priceless. Beautifully written!
Marc
Listen to my ‘Evening in the Yellow Wood’ Spotify playlist: