Julie Schrader

Julie Schrader grew up and lives in Southern Minnesota. Her interest in history, genealogy, research, and writing led to her first book, The History of the Red Jacket Valley, published in 2001, the same year she established Minnesota Heritage Publishing. Local historical research led to a fascination with author Maud Hart Lovelace and her works resulting in two books, Maud Hart Lovelace’s Deep Valley and Discover Deep Valley. She edited two volumes of Collected Stories of Maud Hart Lovelace and Delos Lovelace and has republished three out of print books by Lovelace: The Black Angels, One Stayed at Welcome and The Tune is in the Tree. Released in 2020 was the Betsy, Tacy & Friends Paper Doll Book: The Hill Street Collection, illustrated by Eileen Rudisill Miller. She is the co-author of the Boy in Blue: Blue Earth County, MN Civil War Memorial on the history and re-creation of Mankato's Civil War memorial.

In 2004, Schrader organized a book festival in Mankato, MN. The hometown of Maud Hart Lovelace and setting for her Betsy-Tacy books, was a logical way to raise awareness for her childhood home, her books and to connect to the local literary community. The annual festival continued through 2007 and returned in 2015, making 2022 the 7th consecutive year of the festival.

See Maud Hart Lovelace's author page for more information about Lovelace reprinted books and the Betsy-Tacy Society page for Betsy-Tacy books.