Former News-Press writer publishes book
Tim Miejan, a staff writer and editor with the St. Joseph News-Press from 1984-1995, recently self-published his first novel, Beyond the Wall (450 pages, $11.99 softcover, $22.99 hardcover, $3.99 Kindle, on Amazon), a powerful and thought-provoking tale that challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of a divided society. Beyond the Wall takes place in the distant future after a nationalist federation had separated from the United States and established patriarchal control behind a three-story wall in the American South.
Beyond the Wall raises important questions about the fragility of democracy and the consequences of unchecked extremism. The rise of the Conservative Federation and its controversial policies reverberate throughout the lives of the characters, giving the story a sense of urgency and realism. Simultaneously, the novel explores how citizens of the reconstituted United States are reflecting on the importance of unity, tolerance, and respect for democratic values as they work to create a more perfect union.
For 20 years after leaving the News-Press, Miejan served as managing editor and then co-publisher of The Edge, a monthly holistic magazine based in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The publication was sold during the pandemic. He and his wife relocated back to St. Joseph in 2015.
“The birth of this novel was inspired by Trump’s constant talk about building a wall during his first term as president,” Miejan said. “But what I didn’t expect was that his second term would, in many ways, pose more dangers than I imagined while writing this book.”
At its heart, Beyond the Wall is the story of the Blakeley family and its historic estate just south of Montgomery, Alabama. Parents Malcolm and Carol Sue are now in South Minneapolis, daughter Emily lives in St. Paul, and eldest son Seth is in St. Louis working for an intelligence group that was formed to monitor the Conservative Federation. Youngest son Tommy Lee, who wanted to protect the family home, stayed in Alabama when the federation carved out seven Southern states and put a wall around itself.
“The story is about the yearning to reunite Tommy with the family,” Miejan said.
After a detailed two-part introduction outlining the changes that transformed the United States, Beyond the Wall begins when Seth returns to the federation on a visitor’s visa for the second time to convince his brother to leave the family estate. The novel documents what takes place during the next seven days. The book takes readers inside both the Conservative Federation and the United States during that time.
“I like to think the book gives you an opportunity to travel within yourself during the journey to explore what you want to create — in this moment,” Miejan said. “In the book, we see two disparate groups of people doing just that, arriving at two very different places — and two very different states of mind.”
About the author
Tim Miejan, 64, was born in South Gate, California. He is a graduate of Norfolk (Nebraska) High School and Missouri Western State University. While in Minnesota working with The Edge, he regularly interviewed global transformational leaders on consciousness, spiritual awakening, and sustainable living. He has worked as a freelance editor, writer, website creator and manager, and graphic designer. His interviews have been reprinted by publications in Germany, Italy, and the United States. He was the editor and co-author of A Victim No More, with Lori Rekowski. His writing is included in Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort by Allen & Linda Anderson (New World Library). In 1995, when he and his wife married, they combined the first three letters of their surnames — hers, Mielke, and his, Janulewicz — and created Miejan.
