After my grandmother passed away, we discovered a box of handwritten minutes and programs from her Wednesday Club in rural South Dakota — a women’s group that existed for over 60 years. These inspired me to create a fictional story about what might happen if a city girl was plopped into a rural women’s group.
Kristine Jensen – 2 February 2026
The Back Flap
Ivy Hanson is pretty sure her life is over. At sixteen, she’s been hastily dumped at her grandparents’ South Dakota farm while her mother chases Hollywood dreams. Stuck with a critical grandfather and a rural life she doesn’t understand, Ivy is isolated, friendless, and desperate to escape.
Then, her grandmother ropes her into the Wednesday Club, a group of six women who gather once a month to swap gossip, tackle community projects, and make sense of the turbulent world of 1963. Each of these women carries her own struggles, including Tillie, the aspiring artist stretched thin by motherhood; quirky Etola, desperate to find a husband; and Hattie, whose past holds painful secrets.
Over the months, Ivy navigates harsh realities—romantic disappointment, small-town life, and a terrifying experience with a horse—and through it all, the Wednesday Club women offer her something unexpected: a sense of home she’s never known. But when Ivy stumbles upon a shocking family secret, it threatens everything.
About the book
What is the book about?
When sixteen-year-old Ivy Hanson is dropped at her grandparents’ rural South Dakota farm for the summer, she expects isolation, not belonging. But as she’s drawn into her grandmother’s Wednesday Club — a circle of farm women carrying secrets of their own — she discovers connection, purpose, and a truth that could upend everything she thought she knew about her family.
When did you start writing the book?
I began working on the outline in 2018 and kicked off the writing at a women’s writing retreat in Croatia.
How long did it take you to write it?
Almost 4 years from beginning to the final draft (v12). Then I spent 18 months querying before I decided to self-publish.
Where did you get the idea from?
After my grandmother passed away, we discovered a box of handwritten minutes and programs from her Wednesday Club in rural South Dakota — a women’s group that existed for over 60 years. These inspired me to create a fictional story about what might happen if a city girl was plopped into a rural women’s group.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
It was most difficult to create the voice for my protagonist who is 16 years old. It was challenging to put myself back to that age, especially because the book is set in 1963.
What came easily?
The voices for the other characters – ranging in age from 20s to 50s — came more easily. The setting of rural South Dakota was also easy for me to remember since I grew up there.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are blends of people I’ve known in my life, but none of them are completely based on real people.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I have been influenced by writers from the Midwest or who write about rural life including William Ken Krueger, Louise Erdrich, Willa Cather, and Kent Haruf
Do you have a target reader?
Mostly women ages 30 and over, but I’ve had men read and enjoy my novel also.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I like to write from an outline and get all the way through a first draft before revising. I’m a strong believer in the value of beta readers.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Because I had multiple POVs and characters who each had their own story arc, I created a detailed Excel spreadsheet. I was open to new developments as I went along but mostly stuck to the outline.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I mostly waited until I had completed the first draft before editing. I wanted to just get the story down.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, I hired a developmental editor after draft #4.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes I listen to instrumental music or female vocalists, but mostly I like the silence for listening to my characters.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, and I got close a few times, but I wasn’t successful in getting an agent.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I grew tired of the querying process over the course of 18 months.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired a graphic designer to help me.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a detailed marketing plan that summarizes my priorities for each week and month.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Do your homework in advance of publishing the book: create a website, read a book or take a workshop on self-publishing, and build a mailing list. Plan to spend time promoting the book.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in South Dakota, and spent most of my adult life in the San Francisco Bay Area in California
Where do you live now?
I currently live in Eugene, Oregon
What would you like readers to know about you?
I love animals, gardening, baking, and dog agility. I am passionate about helping other women to build communities.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a sequel to Wednesday Club
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Wednesday Club from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
