Karen Dustman’s nonfiction books explore Western and Florida history, forgotten communities, oral histories, memoir, and regional culture. Her fiction, written under the pen name Abby Rice, blends Southern atmosphere, hidden secrets, and small-town mystery.
Featured/Current Books:
Healing Plants of Nevada
A beautifully illustrated exploration of Nevada’s traditional plant knowledge and healing heritage.
Miami’s Great Hurricane of 1926
A gripping look at one of America’s most devastating storms — told through survivor accounts, rare photographs, and family stories.
Local & Regional Books:
Forgotten Tales of Carson Valley
Little-known stories, colorful characters, and hidden history from Nevada’s Carson Valley.
Silver Mountain City: Ghost of the Sierra
The story of a vanished Sierra mining town born during the Comstock era.
Bad Boys Miami: True Tales From Miami’s Past
True crime, scandal, and larger-than-life personalities from old Miami.
Writing & Research:
Writing a Memoir from Stuck to Finished
A practical and encouraging guide to turning personal memories into a completed memoir.
Productivity Hacks 101: The Power of Lists
Simple organizational strategies for writers, researchers, and busy creative lives.
Fiction: (under pen name Abby Rice)
Karen also writes fiction under the pen name Abby Rice, including the Zoe Nichols Van-Life Southern Mystery Series.