“In this shrewd memoir, Erickson (Holy Rover) details how researching her Norwegian American heritage led to deep personal reflection. The modern ability to investigate one’s ancestry using DNA, she argues, can be more than just biology… Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Erickson traces the ‘spiritual DNA’ of her Norwegian ancestors, investigating how their heritage influenced their cultural practices and religious beliefs, especially in the Midwestern United States…. The Soul of the Family Tree posits that a spiritual grounding in one’s family history can combat ‘historical amnesia’ and nurture a sense of belonging.”
—Foreword Reviews

“Captivating. . . . I literally could not put this one down! Not only did I learn a great deal, I found the book to be very fascinating and entertaining. While I am not personally of Scandinavian descent, I now want to visit important places described in the book and I want to start researching the stories of my own ancestors. Highly recommended!”
—BRIAN ALLAIN, Founder of Writing for Your Life and How to Heal Our Divides

“Lori Erickson not only has the adventurous spirit of her Viking ancestors, but a sparkling sense of humor not generally associated with Olaf the Stout or Ivar the Boneless. Deftly navigating the promises and perils of DNA testing, ancient sagas, family lore, historical reenactments, homelands, hometowns, and stupid graffiti left behind by your ancestors, The Soul of the Family Tree takes us on a journey into human identity that’s both fun and profound.”
—SCOTT SAMUELSON, author of The Deepest Human Life and Seven Ways of Looking at Pointless Suffering

“Enthusiastic, intelligent, and willing to put on a funny Viking skirt and laugh at herself, Lori is the perfect guide for this kind of journey. She asks the questions we would be asking, and then she trots off to the next destination filled with boundless energy. . . . This truly entertaining book will be of special interest to anyone thinking of researching their own family tree or to anyone who’s ever looked at a map and dreamed, ‘So where do I come from, really?’”
—JUNE MELBY, author of My Family and Other Hazards: A Memoir

“Despite her digs at Swedes, Lori Erickson has put together a must read for all fans of genealogy. Her journey is one that will inspire everyone to dig in and experience the power of knowing their ancestral roots.” —BRIAN GERARD, pastor and winner of Swedish-American reality show Allt för Sverige, Season One

• Targeted outreach to relevant audiences including those interested in genealogy, travel writing, spirituality, and Norse and Viking history and culture.

• National publicity campaign and outreach to Norwegian countries.

• Extensive indie bookstore ARC mailing and LibraryThing giveaway for Indie Next and LibraryReads nominations.

• Dedicated e-blasts to reading groups to encourage book club adoption.

• Targeted publicity to mainstream and Christian media across TV, print, online, radio, and podcasts.

• Marketing & publicity contact: edrumheller@wjkbooks.com