Wisconsin Bookseller Achieves Her Dream -- Signs Two-Book Deal

Ellen Baker Photo: Jay Baker

Several years ago, Ellen Baker left her job as a museum curator at The Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center to become a part-time bookseller at J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, so she would have time to work on her novel. At the Superior, Wisconsin, bookstore, Baker found a supportive work environment where she could talk books, constantly discover new titles, and still have time to write. Her co-workers even offered feedback on the novel as it progressed. Now, those co-workers are sharing in the excitement of Baker's two-book deal with Random House and the upcoming publication of her debut novel this summer.

"We're sooo excited," said J.W. Beecroft Assistant Manager Carrie Sutherland. "When Ellen came to work here almost four years ago, one of my questions for her was, 'Why would you want to leave your career as a museum curator?' She said she wanted to work on her novel, but I had no idea it would become so ... big."

Baker's Keeping the House, a historical novel set in 1950s Wisconsin, is about a discontented young housewife, Dolly Magnuson, who gets tangled up in the mystery and scandal of an abandoned, and reputedly cursed, Victorian house. The story moves back and forth in time to tell Dolly's story, as well as the tale of what happened to tear apart the family that owned the old house. Along the way, it explores themes of wartime heroism and love.

Baker said that her novel "encompasses my lifelong interests in old houses, small towns, and family dramas, and incorporates some of the experiences I've had working at local historical societies in Wisconsin and at a World War II museum, where I had the opportunity to talk with people whose experiences of life in the first half of the 20th century were absolutely fascinating to me."

Bookselling, it turns out, proved an ideal career choice for Baker. "Having had the opportunity every day to talk about books with people -- both fellow booksellers and customers -- left me constantly thinking about ways to improve my own manuscript," she said. "I think it's the best 'day job' I could have as a writer; it definitely enhances and informs my fiction writing."

And she couldn't ask for better readers in her co-workers. "Right from the very beginning the management and staff knew my goals, and they were there for every step of the process," said Baker. "Some of the staff were reading and critiquing drafts for me. Everyone at the store has always been supportive, and it's just wonderful for me to have their enthusiasm behind me at this stage in the process."

For the staff at J.W. Beecroft, the experience provided a new perspective on the publishing process. "I know a lot of writers," said Sutherland. "But I don't think I've ever gotten an inside look at how a book develops from a manuscript to a finished project."

Once the book was sold, Sutherland explained, "Ellen would show us the book cover, or talk about the editing process, or tell us about going to New York and meeting Kate Medina in a corner office overlooking Central Park. It's been really interesting for us."

It wasn't a sure thing that J.W. Beecroft would be able to launch the book in Superior, but Sutherland was happy to report that with Random House's approval, "We're going to have the launch in the community, but not at the store." Noting that the event will be held in July, she added, "We thought Ellen's success was as a member of the community, not just as a staff member, so we'll hold the launch at the Richard I. Bong Heritage Center. It's a great facility, and it's also the museum where Ellen worked." --Karen Schechner