Catherine Friend (born March 15, 1957) is an American writer of adult nonfiction, fiction, and children's books. Her works have won her four Goldie Awards from the Golden Crown Literary Society, the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction, and Keystone to Reading Book Award for Primary. She was also a finalist for three Lambda Literary Awards and a Judy Grahn Award.
Friend received Bachelor of Arts in economics and Spanish, as well as a Master of Science in economics.
For 25 years, Friend and her wife, Melissa, lived on Rising Moon Farm, a small farm in southeastern Minnesota, where they raised sheep and used their wool for yarn. The farm was 53 acres and housed sheep, llamas, goats, steers, ducks, chickens, and peacocks.
Awards YearTitleAwardResultRef.2007Hit by a FarmGoldie Award for Lesbian Short Story/Essay CollectionsWinnerJudy Grahn Award for Lesbian NonfictionFinalistLambda Literary Award for Lesbian Memoir or BiographyFinalist2008A Pirate's HeartLambda Literary Award for Lesbian RomanceFinalistThe Crown of Valencia Goldie Award for Lesbian Speculative Fiction WinnerThe Spanish Pearl Goldie Award for Dramatic General FictionWinner2009Compassionate CarnivoreMinnesota Book Award for General NonfictionWinnerThe Perfect NestKeystone to Reading Book Award for Primary WinnerA Pirate's HeartGolldie Award for Historical RomanceWinner2012SheepishLambda Literary Award for Lesbian Memoir or BiographyFinalist
Publications
Books for adults
Fiction
A Pirate's Heart (2008) The Copper Egg (2016) Spark (2017)
Kate Vincent Adventures
The Spanish Pearl (2007) The Crown of Valencia (2007)
Nonfiction
Hit by a Farm: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Barn (2006) Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep, and Enough Wool to Save the Planet (2011) Compassionate Carnivore: Or, How to Keep Animals Happy, Save Old Macdonald's Farm, Reduce Your Hoofprint, and Still Eat Meat (2008)
Books for young people
My Head Is Full of Colors (1994) The Sawfin Stickleback: A Very Fishy Story, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (1994) Funny Ruby (2000) Silly Ruby (2000) Well Done Worm! with Kathy Caple (2000) The Perfect Nest, illustrated by John Manders (2007) Barn Boot Blues (2011) The Broken Elevator, illustrated by Craig Orback (2013)
Eddie the Raccoon series
Eddie the Raccoon (2004) Eddie and Little Skunk (2004) Eddie Digs a Hole (2004) Eddie In A Jam (2004) No Eggs for Eddie (2004)
References