Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of resilience and revolution, all while swing dancing her way through life—meet Jodi Daynard! A historical novelist with a knack for breathing life into the past, Daynard’s bestselling Midwife trilogy has captivated over a quarter million readers. Her journey from self-publishing to literary stardom, paired with her vibrant passions for jazz clarinet and Lindy Hop, makes her a creative force worth discovering.
The Making of Jodi Daynard
Born with a storyteller’s heart, Jodi Daynard penned her first book in first grade, cheekily echoing Dr. Seuss. Though she once claimed history was her least favorite subject, her path led her to Columbia Graduate School for European History, where she fell in love with the human details of the past. Before her novels took flight, Daynard honed her craft through essays and stories in prestigious outlets like The New York Times Book Review and The Paris Review. Her early novels, now tucked away on floppy disks, were stepping stones to mastering her voice.
Daynard’s perseverance shone when she faced rejection for her debut, The Midwife’s Revolt. Editors doubted the market for American historical fiction, but she self-published, proving them wrong as the novel soared to bestseller status. Her teaching stints at Harvard, MIT, and Emerson College, alongside her role as fiction editor at Boston Review, shaped her disciplined yet creative approach.
Jodi Daynard’s Unforgettable Stories
Daynard’s Midwife trilogy, starting with The Midwife’s Revolt (2012), is her crowning achievement. Set during the American Revolution, it follows Lizzie Boylston, a widowed midwife who befriends Abigail Adams and solves murders threatening the rebellion. The novel’s vivid details and strong female protagonist earned it a Golden Quill from Lake Union Publishers for selling over 250,000 copies. Our Own Country (2016) shifts to Eliza Boylston, exploring a forbidden love story against the war’s chaos, while A More Perfect Union (2017) traces Johnny Watkins’ journey as a mixed-race man navigating identity in 1794.
Her standalone novel, A Transcontinental Affair (2019), whisks readers to 1870 aboard America’s first transcontinental train, weaving adventure, corruption, and female camaraderie. Daynard’s style blends meticulous research with emotional depth, illuminating the gap between America’s ideals and realities. Her novels, often revised over a dozen times, reflect her commitment to authenticity, drawn from diaries and historical minutiae.
Why Jodi Daynard Matters
Jodi Daynard’s impact lies in her ability to humanize history, especially through women’s resilience. Her Midwife trilogy reimagines the Revolutionary era, spotlighting unsung heroines and complex social dynamics. By self-publishing her debut, she inspired aspiring authors to trust their vision, showing that persistence can outshine doubt. Her work resonates with historical fiction fans who crave immersive, character-driven tales.
Beyond the page, Daynard’s life as a swing dancer and multi-instrumentalist infuses her stories with rhythm and joy. Her upcoming novel, Solo Flight, set in 1930s Harlem, promises to celebrate her love for swing and jazz, cementing her legacy as a storyteller who dances through time.
- Born: Details unavailable, but active since the 1980s
- Key Works: The Midwife’s Revolt, Our Own Country, A More Perfect Union, A Transcontinental Affair
- Notable: Golden Quill for The Midwife’s Revolt; taught at Harvard and MIT
Ready to step into Jodi Daynard’s world? Grab The Midwife’s Revolt and dive into her vibrant historical fiction!