Karen Engstrom writes short stories and historical fiction. Shadowland is book two of a trilogy set in 1950’s northern Minnesota. The Fox, the first in the series, was published in 2024. Her short stories have been published in Minnesota Stories, A Collection of 28 Fiction Stories about the State We Love; Minnesota Not So Nice, Eighteen Tales of Bad Behavior; WINK Magazine; and The Star Tribune.
Karen has several projects on the constantly intrusive back burner, including the translation of her father’s journals from Swedish to English, an illustrated cookie cookbook, and a unique family keepsake yearless calendar.
When she’s not writing, Karen spends time making handcrafted fountain pen ink for a family company, Anderillium Inks. She is a native of Illinois and currently lives in Independence, MN, with her longtime partner and their ever-napping dog.
Stay tuned for Bear Season coming soon!
Books by Karen Engstrom:
Shadowland (2025)
The Fox (2024)
Short stories/Articles:
"My Music." WINK, Writers in the Know. February 1, 2025. (url)
"The Turquoise Reunion." Golden Ponderings: Stories that will give you smiles and gladness, frowns and sadness. 2023. pp. 31-36. (PDF)
"The Dishes." Golden Ponderings: Stories that will give you smiles and gladness, frowns and sadness. 2023. pp. 63-68 (PDF)
"A Trip to the Fair." Minnesota Not So Nice - Eighteen Tales of Bad Behavior. 2020. pp. 114-123 (PDF)
"The Horse." Minnesota Stories - A Collection of 28 Fiction Stories about the State We Love. 2022. pp. 107-117 (PDF)
"The Path in the Woods." WINK, Writers in the Know. Issue 14, 2020. pp. 14-15 (PDF)
"Giving up Lake Vermilion cabin met with bittersweet reflection." The Star Tribune. March 5, 2020 (PDF)