ISBN:1-930922-05-1 Softcover 5.5"  X8.5", 452 pages Price: $14.95 Publisher: j-Press Publishing 4796 126th St. N. White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Phone/Fax: 651-429-1819 E-Mail: sjackson@jpresspublishing.com Distributed by: Ingram, Baker & Taylor Orders may be made directly through j-Press by phone or by internet. Wholesale orders may be placed by phone.	Smoking at the Mayo by Diane Harstad In her memoir, Smoking at the Mayo,” Diane Harstad discovers a lot of irony in her life, but the true irony in her story occurs when she finds herself at the Mayo Clinic awaiting the results of another test for cancer—the very place where she had taught herself how to smoke many years earlier. For most, the bad news might have been devastating, but not for this irrepressible author. Returning at last (after a forty- year hiatus in the real-estate business) to her earliest ambition of becoming a writer, Diane began to compose her life story. Contrary to what one might expect, given the tragic circumstances, Smoking at the Mayo never sinks to whining or anger or resentment. Instead, Diane’s memoir is an unsentimental, often hilarious and outrageous tale of family, business, politics and history in Minnesota from a unique perspective. You’ll laugh through most of it, and cry some, too; but in the end you'll learn one of life's greatest lessons.
Reviews “This book is hot! A modern day Peyton Place .”—Ma Linger, radio legend. “ Hollywood said this story could never be filmed, and to prove, I made a bid on the radio rights.”—Cannon, radio legend “This memoir is pure Minnesotan and almost as funny as I am!”—Louie Anderson, comedian
About the Author Diane Harstad grew up at the bottom of “Pill Hill” in Rochester , Minnesota . After she graduated from high school and learned how to smoke, she attended the University of Minnesota , where she earned a B.A. in English, planning to write the “great American novel.” Instead, she met and married Keith Harstad, “the big Norwegian.” They started a family real-estate business. After forty years of building a successful business, which still exists today, Diane finally found the time to take up her ambition of writing once more. Smoking at the Mayo is the result.