My Mother's Funeral: The Show
- 80 pages
- 3 hours of reading
A play exploring the inequalities we face around death, and the cost of turning your loved ones into art. Premiered by Paines Plough in 2024.
Kelly Jones, a former librarian and bookseller, has collaborated with writers of all ages. Her work often draws upon her deep engagement with the literary world. She resides near Seattle, Washington, with her partner and their chickens, who remain stubbornly non-magical, for now.






A play exploring the inequalities we face around death, and the cost of turning your loved ones into art. Premiered by Paines Plough in 2024.
Eloise's journey begins in a challenging childhood marked by familial rejection. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a perilous bike ride transports her to Victorian England. In this new era, she confronts the complexities of family and belonging, navigating a world vastly different from her own. As she adapts to her surroundings, Eloise embarks on a quest for acceptance and understanding, exploring themes of resilience and the search for identity amidst historical challenges.
The story intertwines the lives of Dana Pierson, a reporter, and Mia Antonelli, the grand-niece of her friend, as they navigate personal and communal crises. While Dana investigates a series of church arsons with State Fire Marshal Ryan Kelly, Mia and her friend Meagan delve into the haunting mystery of Dana's long-lost son, who vanished thirteen years prior. As these two quests unfold, secrets emerge, revealing deeper connections and the impact of unresolved trauma on their lives.
Set against the backdrop of a vibrant 1920s speakeasy, the story follows Nora, a daring and spirited woman who defies societal norms. As she navigates a world of jazz, flappers, and hidden dangers, Nora becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and romance. Her quest for independence leads her to confront her past and challenge the expectations placed upon her. With rich historical detail and a captivating narrative, the novel explores themes of freedom, identity, and the complexities of love in a transformative era.
Fiona wants to fix people's problems--but what if she's the one who needs help? Kelly Jones, author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, delivers a funny, take-charge heroine kids will love.Fiona may have problems, but she's no damsel in distress. She'd rather be the one wielding the wand in the she wants to be the fairy godperson. So when her mom sends her off to stay with relatives in a place called Cold Hope for the summer, Fiona decides it's time to start training for the role.And wow, do these people need help! Aunt Becky's bakery is failing, Great-uncle Timothy draws but never speaks, and Great-Aunt Alta is the gloomiest, doomiest woman she's ever met.But helping people in the real world isn't as easy as it sounds in fairy tales. Change is messy. What if she's actually making things worse?Still, with practice (and some deep breaths), Fiona will discover that sometimes messy is okay. Sometimes things do get worse before they get better. And sometimes trying to help fix other people's problems can help you work on your own...
The story follows American journalist Dana Pierson and Italian priest Giovanni Borelli as they investigate the mysterious destruction of valuable wine and the death of the estate's elderly caretaker. Their journey intertwines elements of intrigue and the rich backdrop of Italian vineyards, exploring themes of loss, justice, and the impact of greed on both people and tradition.
A new quirky-funny book from the author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer about a boy whose plans for the summer go sideways when the ghost of his great-great-grandmother demands his attention. HD Schenk is a maker--an inventor, someone who builds cool stuff. He's got a plan for the summer: he'll build his own computer and enter it in the county fair. Then everyone will know who he is and what he can do. To earn enough money for the parts he'll need, HD has promised to clear out his uncle's overflowing basement. No big deal, right? But there's more in that basement than HD bargained for. On his first trip down there, a voice only he can hear starts talking to him. About...sauerkraut? Who knew the ghost of his great-great-grandmother was haunting an old pickling crock? She's got a grand plan, too. She wants HD to help make her famous recipe for sauerkraut and enter it in the county fair so that she can be declared pickle queen. After some initial shock, HD is willing enough to help. This ghost is family, after all. But only HD can really see and hear his Oma, which is going to make it hard for her to win on her own... Kelly Jones spins a wonderfully goofy ghost tale that celebrates creative problem solving, family ties, and makers of every variety.
This laugh-out-loud sequel to Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer has EVEN MORE MAGIC CHICKENS!Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown is finally settling into her new home and her new role as keeper of some highly unusual poultry--chickens with secret superpowers!But the arrival of two new magical chickens for her flock and some unusual eggs to be incubated and hatched (what will their superpowers be?), plus an impending inspection from the Unusual Poultry Committee (who even knew this existed?) has Sophie feeling pretty stressed out. Her older cousin, Lupe, is coming to stay with her family, which is great--but will Lupe like chickens too? And on top of it all, Sophie's first day at her new school is rapidly approaching!In this wildly funny and quirky novel told in letters and lists and quizzes, Sophie learns that even an exceptional poultry farmer can use some help.
Exploring themes of love and loss in the aftermath of 9/11, this collection of poems delves into the emotional landscape shaped by tragedy and resilience. Notably, "Ruby-throated Goner" garnered recognition as a winner in the Indy Week's annual poetry contest in 2015, highlighting the poignant and impactful nature of the work.