Renowned author of fantasy, sci-fi, and children’s books Jane Yolen died at her home in Hatfield, Massachusetts, on June 11, four months after turning 87.
The Devil’s Arithmetic writer is survived by her three children, sons Adam Stemple and Jason Stemple, and daughter Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Adam is a folk-rock musician and fantasy author/ poet, while Jason is a photographer. Meanwhile, Heidi followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a children’s author.
The only daughter announced her mother’s death via Instagram. It showed her holding her mother’s hands, which had the tattoo of the name Jane Yolen.
“It is with profound sadness that I, along with my brothers @adamstemplebooks and @jasonstemplephoto, share the news of our mother, Jane Yolen’s passing. As you all probably know, she had one of the most brilliant creative minds of our time. This year, her 450th book was published.”
Heidi revealed her mother’s accomplishments in her tribute, including multiple literary awards and six honorary doctorates. The proud and grieving daughter also recalled how Jane Yolen “mentored, inspired and nurtured” other authors and illustrators over the years, both on and off page.
“But, beyond that, she was our mother and grandmother. We will put out more information later when we have time to gather. But, friends and fans alike, please know that she passed gently with no pain or stress, with my brother Adam’s music filling the room and me reading Owl Moon to her one last time. My brother Jason was by my side, and we felt the love of everyone who has been holding us in the light,” Heidi wrote.
She also asked for 24 hours to let herself and her brothers “power down.”
Jane Yolen’s other survivors include her six grandchildren and college boyfriend turned old-age lover, Peter Tacy, also an author-poet, according to her biography. Her husband and businessman, David W. Stemple, preceded her in death in March 2006. He succumbed to cancer.
All you need to know about Jane Yolen’s children
Jane Yolen married David W. Stemple in 1962. They first welcomed Heidi, who grew up not wanting to become a writer. In fact, she became a probation officer in Florida after graduating from college.
At 28, she joined the family business and even published her first short story, which she co-wrote with her mom. It appeared in a collection titled Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories.
Since then, Jane Yolen’s only daughter has published 35 books and several short stories and poems. Her primary readers are children.
Today, she lives on a farm in Massachusetts and is surrounded by her animal family. Every year, Heidi calls and counts owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count event.
According to Adam Stemple’s official website, he is not only a musician and author but also a blogger and an “unindicted co-conspirator.” His bio states:
“I’ve been playing music for nearly half a century… In that time, I’ve been in about a half-dozen bands, recorded or produced more albums than I can remember, and won a couple of Minnesota Music Awards. I’ve performed most genres at one time or another, but play mostly Irish music now.”
His Celtic-influenced folk-rock music first found a place in the band Cats Laughing between 1988 and 1996. He was their lead guitarist and vocalist and worked on the albums Bootleg Issue, Another Way to Travel, and A Long Time Gone. He reunited with them for the Minicon concert in April 2015.
Adam Stemple spent 12 years in the band Boiled in Lead, and was part of the albums Antler Dance, Songs for the Gypsy, and Alloy.
He later produced his former bandmate Steven Brust’s solo album, A Rose for Iconoclasts. Brust is an American-Hungarian sci-fi and fantasy author and a musician.
Today, Jane Yolen’s older son is a member of the Irish band Tim Malloys. He also spends his time writing novels and short stories. His first novel, Singer of Souls, came out in 2008, followed by its sequel, Steward of Song.
The mother-son duo co-wrote two book series, including Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairy Tale and The Seelie Wars. Adam’s other collaborators include Steven Brust and their other ex-bandmate, Emma Bull (of Cats Laughing fame), and they formed a writers’ group called the Pre-Joycean Fellowship.
Mr Stemple also wrote for the historical fiction magazine Paradox and partnered with poker champion Chris Wallace to pen the Push-Fold poker chart. Around the same time, Jane Yolen’s son ran and sold a poker training site.
Adam’s notable short story, A Piece of Flesh, won awards. Over the years, he has also authored novels such as The Boy from Buanfar, Deed of Empire, and Bad Company. His earliest book was The Lullaby Songbook. It was published when he was 16. For its visual adaptation, Adam arranged the music.
He has also written non-fiction, poems, and free stories for both children and young adults and has spoken at conventions, played at gigs, given speeches/ talks, and done readings.
“Though I consider myself primarily a fantasy novelist, I’ve actually published in a whole bunch of genres and formats. Horror, science fiction, literary short stories, picture books, graphic novels, historical fiction, music books, poetry—and probably some I’ve forgotten to name.” Adam writes on his website.
Some of his early jobs include picking corn, working in a warehouse, trading options, demoing houses, and delivering pizzas. While he was an alcoholic in his youth, Adam has been sober for over 15 years. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and children.
Jason Stemple is a professional fishing and outdoor photographer who films for shows like Saltwater Experience, Into the Blue, and Sweetwater. His work can be found on iCast.
Jane Yolen raised all his children in a small farming town in Massachusetts. From there, her youngest moved to Colorado for college and earned an associate’s degree in graphic design and photography. Thereafter, he also pursued skiing and fly-fishing (learned it from a Vietnamese sheetrocker), before becoming a guide on the Gunnison River.
Today, he is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Jason began his photography career at a resort in Kiawah Island, where he shot real estate, wildlife, and golf courses. Speaking with Tow Rowland on his podcast, Jane Yolen’s son explained:
“While out in the marsh shooting nature photography, I started photographing tailing redfish the same way I would photograph birds — as wildlife. That approach became my entry point into the fishing photography world. I eventually got published in magazines and built a website.”
His advice to up-and-coming photographers is to emphasize the basics before taking up actual jobs. Jason credits his parents for encouraging him to “get out and see the world.” His Instagram says he is also a freelancer, producer, and drone pilot.
Tributes are now pouring in for Jane Yolen.
Edited by Pallavi K