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The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is hosting a book launch celebrating acclaimed author Jocelyn Cullity’s newest historical fiction novel, The Nurse at Baker Hospital. Set against the localized backdrop of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, The Nurse at Baker Hospital follows nurse Della King, who lands a position at the prestigious Baker Hospital after her father's death leaves her on the brink of homelessness. While the hospital promises safety and purpose for Della and terminally ill patients arriving from across the country, she quickly discovers that a far darker reality lurks behind its walls. Cullity’s gripping narrative brings a dark chapter of regional history to life with suspense, atmosphere, and detailed period accuracy.
The novel draws its inspiration from one of the region’s most infamous chapters: the real Baker Hospital, a Depression-era clinic operated inside Eureka Springs’ historic Crescent Hotel by self-styled healer Norman Baker, whose fraudulent cancer treatments and unexplained patient deaths remain a well-known piece of local lore.
The event highlights the vibrant literary community of Eureka Springs and celebrates local stories that bring regional history to life on the national stage.
The launch event will feature a live reading by the author, a Q&A session, and a book signing.
Event Details:
Book Launch for The Nurse at Baker Hospital by Jocelyn Cullity
Where: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow, 515 Spring St., Eureka Springs, AR
When: October 23, 2026 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
About the Author
Jocelyn Cullity is an award-winning historical fiction author whose creative work centers on highlighting the roles of women at pivotal historical moments. Born in Australia and raised in Toronto, she earned a PhD in Creative Writing from Florida State University and an interdisciplinary MA from the University of Iowa. She currently serves as the Director of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing and Director of Creative Writing at the University of South Alabama.
Cullity is the author of Amah & the Silk-Winged Pigeons, winner of the 2018 Best Book Award in Historical Fiction, and The Envy of Paradise, a 2020 International Book Award finalist in Multicultural Fiction. She also directed the award-winning documentary film Going to the Sea, and her short fiction, essays, and scholarship have appeared in publications such as The Missouri Review, Blackbird, and African American Review. Her third novel, The Nurse at Baker Hospital, is published by Regal House Publishing.
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Event venue
515 Spring St, Eureka Springs, AR, United States, Arkansas 72632
Tickets
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