Eilene Lyon's first book, Fortune's Frenzy: A California Gold Rush Odyssey, was a 2024 finalist for a Western Writers of America Spur Award. In it she relates her Indiana heritage and her ancestors' experiences seeking their fortunes during the gold rush. She writes regularly on her blog, Myricopia, and has published articles in local and regional genealogy and history magazines. A lover of the great outdoors, Eilene lives in Durango, Colorado, where she enjoys mountain biking, skiing, bird and plant identification, and hiking with her two enthusiastic mutts. She shares her passion for family history by giving presentations on research, writing, and genealogy to local, regional, and national audiences, helping others to know their ancestors with greater compassion and historical context.