Jan Baross

In a male-dominated culture, how does a fiercely independent woman contend with machismo and still find sexual and spiritual satisfaction? This is the question asked by author Jan Baross in her vibrant first novel, José Builds A Woman. Bringing her background as an artist to the written page, Baross paints a vivid portrait of Latin American culture with the brush of magical realism. Her writing celebrates the sensual, sexual, and supernatural as it challenges social and cultural taboos. It balances exaggerated masculinity with exhilarating feminine strength.

José Builds A Woman tells the story of Tortugina, a wild young woman who is destined to make her quiet family weep. Through the waters of the womb, Tortugina transfers her yearning for love and acceptance to her son, José, conceived during an otherworldly union with her drowned lover. It is José’s fate to also suffer the twining of flesh and spirit, earth and water, love and loss. In a melding of free spirits, earthly passions, and Latin American culture seasoned with irreverent humor, José Builds A Woman reminds us what means to be alive and in love.

For more information: ooligan.josebuildsawoman@pdx.edu

ISBN: 978-1-932010-14-5
5 ½” x 8 ½”, softcover
314 pages
$18.95

About the Author

Jan Baross

Most people would describe Jan Baross as a Renaissance woman, but she describes herself as someone who, “likes to expand the adventure in as many directions as possible.” Those directions, thus far, have taken her to teaching, photography, painting, filmmaking, and now writing.

Baross’ writing has been a diversified endeavor. She has authored several screenplays, some of which she later produced and directed. Her film reviews and articles have appeared in several publications in the US and in Mexico. She has served on the board of the Literary Arts Council, and wrote an opera libretto entitled Mata Hari, that debuted in Dallas, Texas. José Builds A Woman, Jan’s first novel, has already won the Kay Snow Award for First in Fiction 2003, and will be entered in several more literary contests following publication.

Like her character José, Jan has always been an artist. Her earliest artistic expression came in the form of painting. She has continued to paint all of her life, but only recently began showing her work in galleries and art centers around Oregon. Her travels to Mexico have influenced much of her art, down to the medium itself. She incorporates indigenous materials into her art, like the cochineal dye made from cactus insects. She used the bright red dye in painting the cover art for her novel, Jose Builds a Woman.

Jan’s career in filmmaking began in 1976 and now has over 40 documentary and animated films to her credit. Many of her films have won awards at several competitions including– The International Film and Video Festival, The Canadian International, The American Film Festival and The Athens Film Festival, just to name a few. After earning a Master of Arts in Communications, she became a film reviewer for the Corvallis Gazette–Times and the Oregon Journal. She has taught filmmaking at Oregon State University. Her films, Oregon Jews and Pioneer Women, aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting and the A&E channel respectively.

Jan has made the Pacific Northwest her home for over 30 years. She is currently at work on a new novel, and a series of travel sketchbooks filled with commentary on her adventures in Asia, Africa, Europe and unusual places like Afghanistan. She began traveling at age fifteen and has never stopped documenting her travels through her art and written observations.

Visit Jan’s website: www.barossmedia.com

Praise

Baross writes with a big, beautiful new voice, exuberant and full of gritty earth and bright skies. Tortugina is a heroine for the ages. Her story is about a commitment to love and honor, and self-respect against all odds, and along the way it’s a wild trip to the Mexico of our dark northern dreams. At the end, you not only want to cheer for Tortugina, you want to stay.
— Joanna Rose, author of Little Miss Strange

Sexy, enchanting, funny and well-told. Jan Baross spins a marvelous tale filled with fantasy and passion. I loved it.
— Iris Rainer Dart, author of Beaches