Publisher to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Forthcoming Novella
Fresh Water Press announces its first book of 2026—Bicentennial Eve: A Wisconsin Novella
When Fresh Water Press Editor Tara Huck discovered Author Julie Jacob’s story about a Wisconsin family preparing for the bicentennial celebration in 1976, she was instantly intrigued. With all the excitement surrounding next year’s 250th Birthday of the formation of the United States, it is an interesting time to revisit the idea of patriotism and family life from another era.
About the Book
Bicentennial Eve: A Wisconsin Novella is a gentle, slice-of-life tale of a family gathering for the fireworks on the eve of Independence Day. As the cast of characters go about their day, each of them struggles with their own passing of time. From Grandma Kitty’s quest for some adventure to young Skylar’s search for a taste of first love, each member of the Ames family is looking for a little independence of their own against the backdrop of a changing country.
Author Julie Jacob’s created a believable world in the fictional, Wisconsin Lakeshore community of Middleport. Her writing is impeccable, drawing the reader into the story with great attention to the cultural details of the times. Bicentennial Eve is more than a nice story; it is a testament to the lasting values that make up family and a look into the rural communities that make up America. The novella will be published in May 2026.
About the Author
Julie A. Jacob is a communications professional and freelance writer. She has an MFA in creative writing from Roosevelt University, and her creative nonfiction works and essays have been published in Midwest Prairie Review, On Wisconsin, Open, Under the Sun, and several editions of the TallGrass Writers Guild annual anthology. Some of her work is featured in a self-published collection of essays, Two States of Single: Essays on Love, Family, and Living Solo, available on Kindle. This is her first novel. She lives in southeastern Wisconsin with her poodle and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
The Author’s Connection to the Lakeshore
Fresh Water Press publishes authors with a connection to the Lakeshore, because the company values writers who are inspired by the landscapes of Wisconsin. Here Julie shares how the lake inspires her:
I grew up in Racine, so Lake Michigan has always been part of my life. We lived a couple of miles away from the lake, however, so it wasn’t something I saw every day. But I always knew it was there; it marked the east boundary of the city and was the source of cooling breezes in the summer and sharp winds in the winter.
I grew to love Lake Michigan during the years that I lived in Chicago. My shoebox-sized apartment had a beautiful view of Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan. I often would stand at my window watching the cars zip by on Lake Shore and, beyond that, Lake Michigan stretching out to the horizon. From spring until late fall, I’d walk or bike along the lakeshore path every evening after work. That path, which ran for miles parallel to the lake, was always crowded with joggers, bikers, and walkers, yet it was still a tranquil place. It was on those evening walks and bike rides that I gained confidence, worked out problems, and thought about my future.
When I moved back to my hometown nearly twenty years ago, I decided that I wanted to live as close as possible to Lake Michigan. I’m two blocks away. On misty nights I can hear the foghorns and on windy nights the waves pounding the shore. Almost every morning I walk along the street overlooking the lake; there’s a view of the lighthouse to the north and the harbor to the south. I love observing how the color and surface of Lake Michigan constantly change depending on the season, the wind, and the sky. Every day is a little different. The lake continues to be a source of inspiration and peace for me, and I’m so grateful to live near it.