J. M. Hochstetler is an award-winning author and editor specializing in historical fiction. Her acclaimed "American Patriot Series" stands as the only comprehensive historical fiction series chronicling the American Revolution, with its first installment, "Daughter of Liberty," named a finalist in the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards. She also coauthored the "Northkill Amish Series" with Bob Hostetler, a deeply researched work inspired by their shared Hochstetler ancestors' experiences during the French and Indian War. The series opener, "Northkill," earned Foreword Magazine's 2014 Indie Bronze Award for historical fiction, while its sequel, "The Return," received Interviews and Reviews' 2017 Silver Award and a spot among Shelf Unbound's 2018 Notable Indie Books. Her contemporary novella "One Holy Night" was honored as Christian Small Publishers' 2009 Book of the Year.
Born to Mennonite farmers in central Indiana, Hochstetler blends her academic background - including a degree from Indiana University - with a lifelong passion for history. Before founding Sheaf House Publishers, she served as an editor for the United Methodist Publishing House, refining her craft. Her works often explore themes of faith, resilience, and cultural clashes, informed by her ancestral research and membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she serves as a chapter historian.
Hochstetler continues to expand her literary contributions, most recently with "A Season for the Heart," which claimed the 2025 Christlit Book Award. Her meticulous attention to historical detail and ability to weave personal narratives into broader historical contexts have solidified her reputation as a distinctive voice in both historical and inspirational fiction.