Media Kit

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BIO

NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kim Michele Richardson has written six works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir. Her critically acclaimed, award-winning novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a Dolly Recommended Read, People Magazine, a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, a 2019 Forbes Best Historical Novel, 2020 PBS Readers Choice, an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow’s Translation of the Year. It was inspired by the factual "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, and fear during the Great Depression.

She spent over a decade researching the historical Kentucky Packhorse program and was also a contributor and researcher for the critically acclaimed PBS Television Documentary, “The Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is taught widely in high schools and college classrooms and has been adopted as a Common Read selection by states, cities, and colleges across the country and abroad, as well as translated into over 17 languages. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognized Kim Michele Richardson for her distinguished service to arts and culture with an honorary Doctor of Humanities (L.H.D) degree at EKU’s 2024 spring commencement.

In 2024, Gov. Beshear, Lt. Governor Coleman and the Kentucky Women’s Commission inducted Kim Michele into The Kentucky Women’s Remembered exhibit for her contributions to Kentucky. “May their stories remind generations to come of what it means to be an outstanding Kentucky woman,” Beshear said. A permanent portrait gallery is located in the state Capitol’s West Wing honoring Kentucky women who have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth.

Kim Michele’s fifth novel, a stand-alone and sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is The Book Woman’s Daughter, an instant NYT and USA TODAY bestseller is also a Common Read in many states. Her recent, Junia The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek is a children’s picture book. Kim Michele lives with her family in Kentucky and is the founder of Shy Rabbit, a writers residency and a literacy initiative, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond. To learn more, visit her on most social media websites.

MEDIA CLIPS

Herald-Leader | How Far Women Have Come & How Much Further We Need To Go

PBS | The Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia

PBS Blueridge | Write Around The Corner

American Writers Museum Podcast | Episode 105: Kim Michele Richardson

ABC News | Kentucky author raises over $25k for flood-ravaged libraries

Reading Group Choices | Interview with Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Reporter | The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Bas Bleu | The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Los Angeles Public Library | Interview With an Author: Kim Michelle Richardson

CBS Richmond | Story inspires Book Lady and Book Mom to deliver to neighborhoods in need

ABC Richmond | Two Chesterfield educators bring books right to students’ neighborhoods with bookmobiles 

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*DOWNLOAD THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK COMPANION BOOKLET FOR SCHOOLS & BOOKCLUBS

*DOWNLOAD THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER COMPANION BOOKLET FOR SCHOOLS & BOOKCLUBS

Educators and Book clubs please contact Kim Michele for additional free e-packet resources to enhance your classroom study and discussions.

Note: “Troublesome Book Woman” ℠ is a registered service mark