Elizabethtown College alumna Kristen Chase ‘96 announced the release of her debut novel, “A Thousand Miles to Graceland,” which is available now for pre-order and will be hitting the stands in January 2023.
Chase tells the story of Grace, an accountant stuck in the cycle of her predictable life, agreeing to drive her Elvis-obsessed mother to Graceland. Chase writes about the specific experiences that come with being a bi- and multi-racial individual by highlighting Grace’s struggles growing up Asian American on a military base in Texas, and the strain that has placed on the mother-daughter relationship.
Following her graduation from Etown, the Music Therapy alumna worked as a clinical music therapist and completed a graduate degree in music therapy at Michigan State University before beginning her career as the Director of Music Therapy at the Mississippi University for Women. Writing two therapy textbooks introduced Chase to the book publishing world, inspiring her shift in careers after the birth of her oldest daughter.
Beginning with a blog to share her experiences as a new mother, Chase’s career has expanded to a self-help book for moms, as well as developing a website founded for parents.
Chase shines light on the close-knit community found at Elizabethtown College. Noting the smaller class sizes and relationships with her professors, she says her experience at Etown prepared her with the practicalities of working both in and out of the classroom.
“I can’t say enough good things about a liberal arts degree,” Chase said. “I was so fortunate to take classes in history and psychology, and a variety of disciplines outside my major, as well as participate in theater. It’s the writing skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking I learned inside and outside of my music classes that helped me feel comfortable in a music therapy clinical setting, a music therapy classroom, and behind my desk as a novelist.”
Speaking to current Blue Jays, Chase suggests soaking up everything you can from the supportive Etown faculty.
“Beyond what’s taught in the classroom, the professors I had at Etown had so much to offer, and truly wanted to be there every single day,” Chase said. “I learned about myself and about my potential as a student and a person. I always felt so well cared for, which was especially important considering I started my education at Etown when I was just 16.”
