The Jefferson Public Library is hosting another author talk on Wednesday.

“The Journey of Karoline Olsen” is written by Ann Hanigan Kotz, who lives with her husband in Adel. The fictional book draws on real-life inspirations from Hanigan Kotz’ life, including Norwegian relatives who live in western Iowa, in towns like Soldier. The story is about Karoline Olsen’s journey to her husband’s hometown of Soldier, after he died in 1904 from a sudden burst appendix. 

Olsen has to make the trip from Cedar Falls and recounts her younger life with her husband, as they immigrated from Norway to America, and all the obstacles they both faced. 

A retired high school English teacher, Hanigan Kotz grew up with five siblings on a family farm southwest of Denison. However, it was only after she retired from teaching that she started her writing career and this is her first book that she’s published. 

The author talk and book signing will take place on Wednesday at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Copies of the book are available at the Jefferson Library or purchased at the event, and Hanigan Kotz will also autograph her novel. The event is free and open to the public.