About Jane Little Botkin

National award-winning author Jane Little Botkin melds personal narratives of American families, often with compelling stories of western women. Her books have won numerous awards in biography, western historical nonfiction, and women’s studies, including two Spur Awards, two Caroline Bancroft History Prizes, the Barbara Sudler Award for best book about the American West by a woman, Women Writing the West’s Willa Literary Award biography finalist, and Sarton Book Award finalist in women’s studies. Recently completed, The Pink Dress, Memoir of a Reluctant Beauty Queen will release August 27, 2004 (She Writes Press). She is currently working on a biography of Mary Ann (Molly) Goodnight for the University of Oklahoma Press, tentatively scheduled for release in early 2026. A member of Western Writers of America since 2017, Jane sits on its board of directors and serves as vice president. She also judges entries for the WWA's prestigious Spur Award, reviews new releases, and writes articles for various magazines. A late-bloomer, Jane served as a public-school teacher for thirty years before turning to historical investigation and writing. In 2008 the Texas state legislature honored her career in education by formal resolution. Now she blissfully escapes into her literary world in the remote White Mountain Wilderness near Nogal, New Mexico.