Duprey publishes second memoir

After three and half years, local author Jamie Duprey is excited about the publication of her new book, “The Green-Clad Kicker,” which is the sequel to her debut memoir, “The Yellow Sports Bra.”

“The Green-Clad Kicker” was published Aug. 15. In celebration, there will be a book signing Saturday, Aug. 19 at Granite Sports in Hill City from 2-5 p.m. Here people can pick up the books they ordered or grab a signed copy of one or both of Duprey’s books. 

Duprey grew up in Montana and moved to Hill City almost exactly six years ago when her husband became the pastor at Community Lutheran Church. She has three children and taught elementary school for 12 years in four different states. 

Today, Duprey works as a life coach, at Granite Sports and as a church pianist and janitor among other things. 

At one point, “I decided I would try to write a book because I always wanted to,” said Duprey. 

Through an online class, Duprey decided to write a memoir about her time in high school because it was memorable. 

“It was very fresh in my mind and accurate and kind of a fun story with basketball as the focus,” Duprey said. 

She also had numerous journal entries and pictures to include in the book. Her mom and grandma journaled all the time so it was something Duprey picked up as well. 

“I rarely missed a day, especially in high school,” Duprey said. 

At the same time, Duprey had a brief, unique space of time where she had few obligations.

“So I sort of put my head down and didn’t say anything, and I wrote that first book in three and a half months,” she said. 

During the process, Duprey got into a steady rhythm. On Tuesdays she would read journals, look at scrapbooks and watch videos of basketball games in which she played. Then she would spend the next couple of days writing. She viewed it as a reward rather than an obligation. 

“It was all just new and fun,” said Duprey. 

When the book was ready, Duprey found a small indie publishing company from Montana that could do everything she didn’t have experience with.

“They were so great to work with so that was a gift,” Duprey said. 

One of the hardest parts was coming up with a title, but with a suggestion from her mom, Duprey decided on “The Yellow Sports Bra: A True Story of Love, Faith and Basketball.” 

“It’s a fun part of the story, and then I just thought it was a fun eye-catching title,” said Duprey.

The book was published March 2020 right before Covid hit. This made the release a little anticlimactic, but Duprey said it was nice to have the story shared. 

“That’s what I like, is just sharing the story and then getting to know people and hear about their stories. That’s the best part,” said Duprey. “It’s like having a cup of coffee with someone.” 

Duprey also said she was surprised by the wide audience that responded to her book. The story is enjoyable and brings up fun memories for people, she said. It is a coming-of-age story including things like basketball, friendships, growing up, a first love and teamwork. 

“Everyone goes through some version of that,” said Duprey. People of all ages connected with the story, she said, especially those from small towns. 

That summer Duprey continued on with her journals and tried to remember college. While her high school memories were fresh, Duprey said she had not thought through college as much because life happened fast. The process was almost like studying herself as an adolescent, she said. 

“I spent a lot of time looking through my college journals and scrapbooks,” said Duprey. “It’s kind of amazing how much time was spent just thinking about what I might write and getting into that mindset.” 

At this point, Duprey also had a full schedule again and could not prioritize her book in the same way. Still, she said the process was good. There was time to let the project rest while she thought and reflected. She also went on two writing retreats which allowed blocks of time to create content. 

“The Green-Clad Kicker: A True Story of Love, Sports and College” picks up almost right where the first one leaves off. In this book Duprey is entering college, leaving home for the first time, joining a new basketball team, starting adult life, becoming a teacher and meeting her forever love. 

This time Duprey figured out the title before even starting since she met her husband early on and he was the kicker on the football team. 

“Our love story is threaded throughout,” said Duprey. The story tells how they first met, about their first dates and how their relationship developed from there. 

Like the first book, “The Green-Clad Kicker” is humor-based and has journal entries written verbatim. 

However, editing this book was difficult. Duprey said it required being self-critical, which was very uncomfortable. Along with this, she said editing can be a lonely process since you are in your own head questing and doubting. 

“It’s intimate and vulnerable and you want to share. And you also realize that by sharing things with others, you’re opening yourself up in this very vulnerable way,” said Duprey. “But I learned a lot about myself, and the best part is just sharing the story with others.”

Duprey hopes that her books will serve as opportunities for her to have conversations with people, be there for them and encourage them in their own journeys. She hopes that by sharing her story others will feel safe to share theirs. 

“I think that both of these books are a tool to encourage people and to deepen relationships with them so that I can find out more about who they are and what makes them tick and what challenges they’re going through. And then they can see I’ve been there too,” said Duprey. “I hope people just enjoy the book. I hope that they find humor in the books too. It’s important to be able to laugh at ourselves.” 

Copies of “The Yellow Sports Bra” and “The Green-Clad Kicker” can be purchased locally at Granite Sports, Krull’s Market or Candyland. They will also be available at the Hill City Public Library. 

Duprey is always up for speaking opportunities as well. To learn more, visit coachduprey.com.