NW Book Talk – Julie McDonald Zander 10-7-2026

Julie McDonald Zander – Bringing an Oregon Trail Pioneer’s Story to Life

Southwest Washington author, journalist, and historian Julie McDonald Zander joins Patty Grasher on Northwest Book Talk to discuss The Reluctant Pioneer, her historical novel inspired by the true story of Matilda Koontz Jackson. After discovering Matilda’s story while volunteering at a local museum, Julie spent five years researching Oregon Trail diaries, historical records, and firsthand accounts to understand how this remarkable woman survived a 2,000-mile journey west and the hardships that followed.

In this conversation:

• The real-life story behind The Reluctant Pioneer
• What women experienced while traveling the Oregon Trail
• Julie’s five years of historical research and her own journey retracing the trail
• Turning a nonfiction history into a compelling historical novel
• The role faith played in Matilda’s life and Julie’s portrayal of her
• Julie’s experiences with independent publishing and finding readers for regional historical fiction

Julie also shares how her career preserving personal and regional histories eventually led her into fiction—and why she now considers writing novels part of her “retirement plan.”

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