For years, Joy Neal Kidney carried a story she felt called to tell—a World War II family history marked by love, courage, and devastating loss. In the process of writing that story, she discovered something more: a gift for telling true American stories.
Beginning her freelance career in her forties, Joy went on to publish dozens of narratives in newspapers, magazines, and through the popular podcast Our American Stories. What started as a single story became a calling—to preserve the voices, memories, and moments that might otherwise be lost to time.
The Immigrant and the Outlaw gathers some of her most compelling work—stories rooted in Iowa soil yet echoing far beyond it. These are tales of grit and heritage, of war and family, of sacrifice and resilience. Stories of ordinary people whose lives reveal the quiet heroism woven through everyday American life.
Both deeply personal and richly historical, this collection offers a window into the heartland—and into the life of a writer who learned, story by story, how to tell what matters most.
These are stories worth remembering.
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Oh, I hope you’ll enjoy them! Available in paperback, hardbound, and ebook from Amazon.com and Amazon.uk.
In a week or so, autographed copies should be available locally at the Urbandale Machine Shed Restaurant and Beaverdale Books in Des Moines.
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Should you choose to share this post, I’d be so tickled, gratified, chuffed, mirthful, even giddy!
Congratulations Joy!! I just ordered my copy and can’t wait to read it.
Barbara, thank you so much!
…”a window into the heartland”…
Can’t wait to read, Joy! ❤️❤️❤️
Bless you, dear Vicki!
Right back to you! Blessings and loads of love!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations, Joy! 😍I have to turn my Kindle on and receive it.
Thanks, Tim. I need to check my Kindle as well!
Such a clever book birth announcement, Joy! Congratulations! 🎊💞🎊
Oh, thank you, Lori. I have so little energy so no book launch party, no book talks, I didn’t even have enough to set up a blog tour. I’m thankful this idea popped into my head, which made it fun!
It’s very clever and I love it!
This is an awesome statement about your book’s content: “…stories rooted in Iowa soil yet echoing far beyond it.” Congratulations on the birthday of “The Immigrant and the Outlaw,” another feather in your cap! 🙂
Nancy, those are Robin Grunder’s perfect words. She edits my books, taking my “plain midwestern prose” and makes me sound smart!
My copy showed up on my Kindle today. I’ll be reading it in the next month. Very much looking forward to it, Joy.
Thanks so much, Pete! I sure enjoyed reading your answers in the Sunshine Bloggers Award!
I just ordered my paperback copy! Sharing your post to help spread the word.
You’re a blessing, Liz. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Joy!
Congratulations Joy! Ordered my hardcover copy today; can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Bob. I think you’ll enjoy it!