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Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope
Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope
Published by Minnesota Historical Society Press
Posted by joy.the.curious on Nov 7, 2022 in Jacob | 25 comments
After much ado (and blood, and sweat and tears) we finally have some exciting news to report.
We have a book deal!!
Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope is Patty Wetterling’s much anticipated memoir, due out in the fall of 2023 and co-written by ME! Here’s the official announcement as it appeared on Publisher’s Marketplace over the weekend.
We have been so excited to share this news, and now that it’s officially official, we are finally able to share in full force. Both Patty and I are also especially grateful to our smart, talented, and warm-hearted agent, Delia Berrigan at Martin Literary Press for her ongoing support and guidance. After a slew of submissions, Delia actually found four publishers interested in publishing our story, then allowed us to “go with our gut” and pick the one we felt was the best fit. Without a doubt, we knew the one we wanted and couldn’t be happier with the place we landed.
Of course, we realize we still have a lot of work ahead of us. The editing process will soon begin in earnest with Ann Regan, our MNHS Press editor. But, Patty and I are both raring to go so we can turn this labor of love into something we are both proud to share with the world.
As you can imagine, writing a memoir is not easy, and this one in particular was especially challenging. Jacob’s kidnapping was so shocking, so frightening, and so overwhelming, it changed the way we raised our kids forever, as well as the way our kids grew up. Suddenly, there was a real fear that paralyzed us all, something we had never even considered before (or at least chosen not to believe). On that night in October 1989, we learned there really were strangers who hid in the dark, carried guns, and kidnapped innocent children. Equally shocking, we learned it could happen anywhere at any time… even to a nice, normal family who lived in a small, quiet town.
That was our perspective as Minnesotans. But, what about the mom’s perspective? How does a mom survive this most unimaginable terror? And, how deep does she have to dig within herself to not only survive, but to search for flaws within the system, advocate for change, and help pass laws that protect the rights and safety of all our children?
That’s Patty Wetterling. At five feet tall, she’s a tiny powerhouse of a mom that the rest of us look up to in awe and wonder. She is our Super Mom, even though she doesn’t see it that way at all. In fact, so many times as we were writing this book, I had to pause and remind her that she’s a pretty big deal.
“You know, Patty, there are other moms who have missing children,” I would tell her. “But they didn’t find the strength to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, march their way up Capitol Hill, and gain the attention of the President and Congress. YOU did that.”
“Hmm,” she replied. “I guess I did.”
And that, also, is Patty Wetterling. Humble. Raw. Real. And, pretty dang funny, too.
In 2015, when Patty first asked me to help her write this book, I signed up for a memoir class to help me learn more about the genre. Between theme, story structure, plot points, conflict, container, emotional beats, and inner monologue, I definitely learned a lot. But, the thing that stuck with me more than anything else was when the instructor said it takes most authors an average of seven years to write a memoir. Seven years! That seemed a lifetime away at the time. And yet, here we are, seven years down the road, with another year still to go.
Of course, the book we started out to write is not the book this story eventually became. Little did we know in early 2015 that a longtime suspect in Jacob’s case would be arrested in October, and less than a year later, that same suspect would lead authorities to Jacob’s remains. It was Labor Day weekend of 2016 and the whole world stopped at that point… not just for the Wetterling family, but for all of us. Because, after 27 years of hoping, praying, and wondering, Jacob had become our son, too.
It took two more years before we would start up again. For Patty, the grieving, confusion, anger, and self-doubt were paralyzing. After so many years of focus and purpose, she was suddenly faced with the agonizing question… “Who am I now?” It took both time and strength to refocus her efforts and continue the narrative.
Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope tells the whole story. It’s as raw and real as it gets, told from the heart of one amazing mom.
Patty, it’s been an honor and a privilege to work with you on this book. Thank you for your friendship, your trust, and your encouragement.
Now, let’s finish this thing.
Next time
This is really happening
25 Comments
Karen Pelligra | November 7, 2022 at 4:59 pm
So so proud of you Joy ! Sending love from Buffalo
Kurt Rolling | November 7, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Congratulations on your contract! I can’t wait to read
Tamara Lacroix | November 7, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Congratulations on writing and finishing this book, I very much look forward to reading it!
Vicki | November 7, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Can’t wait to buy the book! Very excited.
Congratulations!Bonnie West | November 7, 2022 at 5:16 pm
I love this. You are the best. and Patty is amazing and I will surely buy the book.
Karen | November 7, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Please let us know when we can order copies!
Sheila Joan Foss | November 7, 2022 at 5:51 pm
Congratulations !!!
Julie | November 7, 2022 at 5:55 pm
It’s been an emotional journey, Joy. You have so much to be proud of – Congratulations!
Jan Redman | November 7, 2022 at 6:38 pm
Joy, this is so exciting and awesome! Thank you for caring and advocating like you do!!!
Shelly Berg | November 7, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Joy and Patty, I am so dang proud of both of you! I know this book was written with so much love and tears! I am beaming with pride for my BFF. Congratulations!!
Ellen Jackelen | November 7, 2022 at 7:52 pm
Can’t wait to read this. I credit Joy and Patty for solving this crime when law enforcement fell short. My son was the same age as Jacob and we lived in a small town in Minnesota, so the case riveted so many of us for so many years.
Julie Deiley Wierzbinski | November 7, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Can’t wait to read it Joy. What a wonderful thing you are doing or I should say have done for so many years.
Lisa Reyant | November 7, 2022 at 8:25 pm
Congratulations, I can’t wait to read it! An incredible accomplishment.
Darci | November 7, 2022 at 8:33 pm
So great to hear! I felt like a part of everything when you first told me what you were doing… When you asked if I knew who Jacob Wetterling was….ummm yes. Curious… Definitely. Congrats!
Cathie Marty | November 7, 2022 at 9:51 pm
How exciting! I know you’ll write a wonderful book that I can’t wait to read!
Annette Benson | November 8, 2022 at 1:06 am
Incredible! Congratulations on this continuing journey. You all are amazing and inspiring.
Mabyn Armstrong | November 8, 2022 at 8:54 am
I can’t imagine the emotion of giving Jacob’s story of unbridled hope and perseverance a culmination after so many years.
I am so grateful to you Joy for having been instrumental is bringing this journey to closure. There are not any words to describe Patty’s unwavering tenacity over those 27 years. I only wish I could have carried more of that burden for her.
I believe the memoir will bring peace and integrity to counterbalance the heinous ending of Jacob’s story.
My heart is with you both.
Mabyn ArmstrongMaribeth Williamson | November 8, 2022 at 11:18 am
Congratulations! I am so excited for you both – I shared the news with my book club this morning! We will put it on our schedule for next year.
Mary Waters | November 10, 2022 at 1:35 pm
I anxioulsy wait for the release.
Laurie | November 10, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Bless you both for having the courage and fortitude to press on with this important book!
Kathy Garrett | November 10, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Congratulations Joy and Pattty! I’m sure there are tons of emotions with this news! Can’t wait till it’s printed!
Cindy Scott | November 11, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Congratulations and I look forward to the book!It is a story that needs to be told! Thanks!
Leanna (Fahlin) Zimmerman | November 12, 2022 at 10:57 am
Congratulations Joy! Will look forward to reading it!
P.M. | December 6, 2022 at 10:11 pm
I miss your writing Joy!! I look forward to buying the book.
Kristi Montoya | April 13, 2023 at 11:59 am
Joy, Thank you for your hard work & determination! You were instrumental in bringing closure to this saga… I have recommended your blog to so many people! Waiting patiently for the book! Kudos