CHRISTY C
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
“The anti-bullying novelist” Elaine Wolf: Q&A and Book Showcase
About The Author:
Known as “the anti-bullying novelist,” I write about what really goes on behind the closed gates and doors of our camps and schools. The issues I explore in my novels are those I am passionate about and know well.
I was a camper and camp counselor for many summers. When I entered “the real world,” I taught in public schools in California and New York. In my most recent teaching position, I served as a high school reading/language arts specialist, and then I became the district language arts chairperson. In that position, I designed and supervised reading/writing programs for students at all grade levels, facilitated reading groups and writers’ workshops, and selected books for classroom libraries as well as for ancillary and summer reading lists.
One of my greatest joys was getting wonderful books into the hands of students and teachers. In the time before Kindles, iPads, and Nooks, I spent countless hours stocking shelves with “good reads.” And I dreamed of seeing my books on those shelves. Now I am thrilled that my young adult novel, CAMP, will be there – and on eReaders too! And not long after that, my adult novel, Danny’s Mom, will be published.
My husband and I raised our children on Long Island, where in addition to teaching I was a co-facilitator of an adult writers’ workshop. Now we live in Northampton, Massachusetts, a community brimming with readers, writers, artists, and musicians. Shortly after moving here, I won a prize for short fiction (the perfect welcome for me). And soon I’ll have two novels out: CAMP and Danny’s Mom.
I feel as if I’m finally home.
Inquiries about Elaine
✻ Email
✻ Facebook
✻ Twitter
Inquiries about CAMP
Inquiries about Danny’s Mom
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BOOKS:
Book Description
A coming-of-age novel about bullying, mothers and daughters, and the collateral damage of family secrets
Every secret has a price.
For most girls, sleepaway camp is great fun. But for Amy Becker, it's a nightmare. Amy, whose home life is in turmoil, is sent to Camp Takawanda for Girls for the first time as a teenager. Although Amy swears she hates her German-immigrant mother, who is unduly harsh with Amy's autistic younger brother, Amy is less than thrilled about going to camp. At Takawanda she is subjected to a humiliating "initiation" and relentless bullying by the ringleader of the senior campers. As she struggles to stop the mean girls from tormenting her, Amy becomes more confident. Then a cousin reveals dark secrets about Amy's mother's past, which sets in motion a tragic event that changes Amy and her family forever.
Camp is a compelling coming-of-age novel about bullying, mothers and daughters, and the collateral damage of family secrets. It will resonate with a wide teenage readership. Camp will be a strong addition to school recommended reading and summer reading lists, and it is appropriate for anti-bullying programs. Mostly, though, Camp is a mother-daughter story for mothers and daughters to share.
For most girls, sleepaway camp is great fun. But for Amy Becker, it's a nightmare. Amy, whose home life is in turmoil, is sent to Camp Takawanda for Girls for the first time as a teenager. Although Amy swears she hates her German-immigrant mother, who is unduly harsh with Amy's autistic younger brother, Amy is less than thrilled about going to camp. At Takawanda she is subjected to a humiliating "initiation" and relentless bullying by the ringleader of the senior campers. As she struggles to stop the mean girls from tormenting her, Amy becomes more confident. Then a cousin reveals dark secrets about Amy's mother's past, which sets in motion a tragic event that changes Amy and her family forever.
Camp is a compelling coming-of-age novel about bullying, mothers and daughters, and the collateral damage of family secrets. It will resonate with a wide teenage readership. Camp will be a strong addition to school recommended reading and summer reading lists, and it is appropriate for anti-bullying programs. Mostly, though, Camp is a mother-daughter story for mothers and daughters to share.
Book Description
A compelling and timely novel about a grief-stricken mother who launches a one-woman campaign against bullying in the volatile high school where she works.
Beth Maller returns to her job as a high school guidance counselor shortly after her teenage son, Danny, is killed in a car accident. Beth didn’t want Danny to drive that snowy night, but her husband insisted the roads were safe. Beth blames him for Danny’s death, and she blames herself for allowing fear of confrontation to paralyze her. Now back at work, Beth rails against the everyday injustices she had overlooked until her world cracked open. Her new circumstances cause Beth to become a major player in the moral battles being waged at Meadow Brook High—where homophobia snakes through the halls, administrators cling to don’t-rock-the-boat policies, and mean girls practice bullying as if it were a sport. While Beth struggles to find her “new normal,” she learns to speak out, risking her career, her marriage, and the very life she’s learned to embrace.
Danny’s Mom illustrates what really goes on behind the closed doors of our schools, from the perspective of the adults who are charged with keeping our children safe. It is a powerful novel that will appeal to all readers, especially mothers, the millions of adults who work in our schools, and the LGBTQ community.
Beth Maller returns to her job as a high school guidance counselor shortly after her teenage son, Danny, is killed in a car accident. Beth didn’t want Danny to drive that snowy night, but her husband insisted the roads were safe. Beth blames him for Danny’s death, and she blames herself for allowing fear of confrontation to paralyze her. Now back at work, Beth rails against the everyday injustices she had overlooked until her world cracked open. Her new circumstances cause Beth to become a major player in the moral battles being waged at Meadow Brook High—where homophobia snakes through the halls, administrators cling to don’t-rock-the-boat policies, and mean girls practice bullying as if it were a sport. While Beth struggles to find her “new normal,” she learns to speak out, risking her career, her marriage, and the very life she’s learned to embrace.
Danny’s Mom illustrates what really goes on behind the closed doors of our schools, from the perspective of the adults who are charged with keeping our children safe. It is a powerful novel that will appeal to all readers, especially mothers, the millions of adults who work in our schools, and the LGBTQ community.
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| Elaine at camp at the same age as Amy the main character in the novel CAMP |
Q. What inspires your writing?
A.
My novels, CAMP and DANNY'S MOM, were inspired by my work as a high school
teacher. I love teenagers -- and I'm troubled by the school and camp cultures
in which our teens are learning to navigate their worlds. I'm angry that the
adults we charge with keeping our children safe often turn their backs on the
victims and ignore the bullies. And as a parent, I was always haunted by the
knowledge that danger can be present when we're not around to protect our
children.
Q. What is your favorite thing about being an author?
A.
My favorite thing about being an author is creating characters and places that
are as real to me as…well, as real people and places! When I was writing CAMP
and DANNY'S MOM, the characters in those stories were my imaginary friends. I
wanted to take care of them and protect them -- yet they took on lives of their
own and often made bad choices, which resulted in serious consequences. I love
hearing the characters' voices in my head when I'm writing strong scenes. And I
love how my characters often lead me to reflect on my own life and the choices
I've made. I think that the process of writing makes me a more observant, more
appreciative, and more introspective person.
Q. What is the toughest part of being an author?
A.
For me, the toughest part of being an author was getting my books published.
Years ago, when my agent first submitted the manuscripts that became CAMP and
DANNY'S MOM, editors at the New York publishing houses said they "loved
the characters, loved the writing -- but bullying's too small a story." So
my novels sat on my desk for a long time. Last year, with bullying finally on
our national radar, my agent sent out CAMP and DANNY'S MOM again -- and this
time they both sold quickly. CAMP was just published in June, and DANNY'S MOM
will be out in November.
Q. If you could not be author, what would you do/be?
A.
I'm so glad to be an author! But if I couldn't be an author, I'd own an
independent bookstore, or work in a library, or facilitate writing workshops
for teens and adults. I'm happiest when surrounded by books and writing
projects.
Q. What would the story of your life be entitled?
A.
That's an easy one. The story of my life would be entitled PERSEVERANCE. Just
ask my friends and family, and they'll tell you that I never give up. If I
hadn't persevered, CAMP wouldn't be out there now, and my second novel, DANNY'S
MOM, wouldn't be coming out this November.
Q. What inspired the book cover of CAMP?
A.
My publisher was great about asking for my input when the designer was working
on the CAMP cover -- and after three designs that I felt didn't accurately
reflect the tone and story of CAMP, the designer sent me one that became the
actual cover. I'm really happy with the cover because it matches the image that
was in my head while I was writing the book. CAMP is a dark story (hence the
barbed wire), and the title (especially with the barbed wire) is a double
entendre. The main character, a teenager named Amy Becker, is on a journey (as
characters always are), so I wanted a path in an ominous camp setting. I think
the cover designer did a great job!
Q. What inspired your crusade against bullying?
A.
I didn't intend to become an anti-bullying crusader; I started by writing what
I hoped would be good, compelling novels. But because CAMP is set in a
sleepaway camp and DANNY'S MOM is set in a high school, it was impossible not
to write about bullying. So now I'm known as "the anti-bullying novelist,"
with books that show what really happens behind the closed gates and doors of
our camps and schools. I hope my novels are springboards to conversations about
bullying -- and that, in concert with the professionals in our communities, we
will keep these discussions going until our camps and schools are safe for all
kids. Yes, I am now a crusader -- and it's finally time for all of us to stand
up against bullying!
Q. What advice can you give parents who are dealing with
bullying behavior, whether that be their child is a victim or the perpetrator
of bullying?
A.
I'm not a psychologist or trained bullying prevention counselor; I'm simply a
writer with hopes that my novels will help keep the bullying conversation going
-- in concert with professionals in our communities -- until our camps and
schools are safe for all children. As a former teacher and camp counselor, I
know that bullies can turn something as simple as waiting for a school bus --
or a camp bus -- into a nightmare. So I would encourage parents to become
informed about the bully-prevention policies in their children's camps and
schools, and to make bullying an ongoing conversation in their homes. I want
parents to do everything they can to ensure that their children are comfortable
speaking with them about ANYTHING. And parents shouldn't hesitate to call
guidance counselors and school administrators as soon as they perceive a
problem; they shouldn't wait for a bullying situation to get out of control
before seeking professional help. And if their children are the bullies, then I
hope they'll seek professional help too. Little bullies grow up to be big
bullies, and bullying is never OK. It's up to all of us to make sure our
children know that.
Q. What is your favorite book of all time?
A.
My favorite book of all time is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I've read it many times,
and Harper Lee is my idol!
Q. Which character from ANY book are you most like?
A.
Hmmm….that's a tough one. I think that, as a young girl, I was a combination of
Scout in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Justin Stokes in Gail Godwin's THE FINISHING
SCHOOL, and Amy Becker in my novel CAMP. As an adult, I really have a lot in
common with Beth Maller in my novel DANNY'S MOM.
Q. What character from all of your book are you most like?
A.
As I said, I'm a lot like Beth Maller in DANNY'S MOM. Fortunately, though,
Beth's story is fictional; I never experienced the tragedy she does.
Q. What is your favorite season?
A.
I live in New England, where my favorite season is fall. I love to take long
walks and enjoy the magnificent colors of the leaves. If you haven't seen New
England in the fall, you're truly missing out on great beauty!
Q. Tell me something interesting that happened while on a
book tour or while promoting your book.
A.
One of the best things that happened while promoting my book is that some of my
former students have found me on Facebook. I'm so happy to hear about their
lives, and I'm thrilled that they read to their children!
Q. Are you working on something new?
A.
DANNY'S MOM will be published in November. So I'm currently really busy with
CAMP promotion and DANNY'S MOM pre-publication work. But I do have ideas for
other books…so stay tuned.
Q. Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or
those that are just stopping by?
A. Sure. Please find ways to make your
communities kinder, gentler places for all children. I hope CAMP and DANNY'S
MOM will lead to discussions that end the bullying epidemic that threatens our
youths. I hope, too, that you'll find CAMP and DANNY'S MOM to be really good
reads. If you do, then please tell your friends and help spread the word even
more by posting reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, blogs, and
other online sites. I invite you to visit my site: authorelainewolf.com,
where you'll find more information about me and my novels, as well as links to
anti-bullying resources.
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Welcome Wednesday...
Take a look or join the Welcome Wednesday blog hop. Go out and explore other great blogs! If you want to add this blog hop to your blog, check out the details over at Take It From Me.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
REVIEW: ONE BREATH AWAY by Heather Gudenkauf
MY REVIEW:
I am not sure where Gundenkauf gets her ideas but I am glad that she puts pen to paper and get theses stories out into the world. ONE BREATH AWAY is a gripping tale told from several points of view giving you a story with depth, suspense and perspective. I absolutely loved this novel. It touched on one of my greatest fears, my child's school being invaded by an intruder. I devoured this novel to see how it would end. Gundenkauf created genius with this novel, it is quickly paced containing shorter chapters and has a very concise and tight story line. I rate it 5 stars and HIGHLY recommend it.
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Book Description
In her most emotionally charged novel to date, New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf explores the unspoken events that shape a community, the ties between parents and their children and how the fragile normalcy of our everyday life is so easily shattered.
In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.
Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.
As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.
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More on MMBBR with Heather:
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Monday, June 18, 2012
Blog Tour: UNLOCKED by Rachael O'Bryan: Q&A and Showcase
Book Description
This is a novel in stories about the impact people can have on a person's life. It discusses the main character Rebecca's relationships with some the athletes she met while working as a tutor in college. It's a book that deals with learning from one's mistakes and trying to move on. It touches on love, friendship, heartache, acceptance, and self-confidence, among other issues. The stories in this book are based on some of my own experiences and I hope that people will find them relatable.
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Author Bio:Rachael O'Bryan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended college at Temple University. After college she pursued her law degree, starting off at Tulane University and then graduating at American University. Rachael is a lawyer, but pursues writing in her free time. Besides writing Unlocked, she keeps a blog at http://rachaelsnewyork.blogspot.com. Also, on June 1st she launched her own business - an online women's magazine. The magazine is operated under Rachael Magazine LLC. The self-titled magazine is geared towards professional women in their 20s and 30s that want it all. You can subscribe athttp://rachaelmagazine.com. When Rachael isn't working, writing, or running her own business she enjoys reading, traveling, watching The New York Mets. and following the University of Louisville basketball team. She currently resides in New York City.
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Q&A:
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Q. What inspires your writing?
I think whatever is going on in my life at the moment inspires my writing. I find writing to be therapeutic. It helps me learn a lot about myself and helps me clear my head sometimes. I think also my desire to someday write full-time, to have a career I'm passionate about, pushes me to work hard on my writing.
Q. What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I write on the side, it's not my full-time job. However, I love doing something creative and producing something I'm very proud of. Also, I love it when people can relate to what I write. And, for this book in particular, I love that through the main character Rebecca I got to show people who I was. I'm generally a private person, so for my family and friends Rebecca's thoughts were a glimpse into my own personal thoughts and issues. Writing has helped me become a more open person I think. I keep a blog now (rachaelsnewyork.blogpost.com) about my life in New York where I share a lot, a little more censored now though after someone read it that I really didn't want to, but it's still a lot for me to put out there.
Q. What is the toughest part of being an author?
The first part that is tough for me is just making the time to write. I juggle a lot of things. I try to stay busy and sometimes writing gets pushed to the side. The second part that is tough is marketing the book. I self-published this book in November of 2010 and didn't really know how to market it. This is my first venture into marketing it - about a year and half later.
Q. If you could not be author, what would you do/be?
My day job is a lawyer, although it's not even my dream lawyer job. My dream lawyer position was always to work at a firm that serves as antitrust counsel for the NFL. I would also love to work in education policy and improve the education system in this country for all children. Also, I'm launching (or by the time this posts have launched) my own online magazine for women - www.rachaelmagazine.com. It should be launching late May/Early June.
Q. What would the story of your life be entitled?
Oh gosh that's hard. That reminds me one of the toughest things about being an author is coming up with interesting and appealing titles. So the most thoughtful answer I could come up with after talking to my friends was To Be Determined. I think it has two meanings - one is that my life is evolving and there are still things to come that will define who I am. My greatest achievements haven't happened yet I think. Also, it means that I'm a very determined, independent woman. I really try to accomplish all my goals with a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion.
Q. What is your favorite book of all time?
Another hard question. I'm a big fan The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I'm also a huge fan of Jhumpta Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth. And for classical literature I would go with Crime and Punishment.
Q. Which character from ANY book are you most like?
I read a lot more memoirs and non-fiction than fiction usually. However, I just joined a book club a couple months ago led by Meredith Schorr, author of Just Friends with Benefits. I recently read her book and definitely identified with the lead character Stephanie. I loved her relationship with Eric, that guy friend that is like your brother. It reminds me of my relationship with my friend Buchie a little (on the good days lol). And Stephanie at points tends to over think things or read into things too much and I'm guilty of doing that a lot.
Q. What character from all of your book are you most like?
Rebecca is everything I am/was. I was once the insecure girl that put everyone else first. I think I've changed a lot from the person Rebecca portrays. I think some things will never change - I'm still shy and I still have insecurities like everyone else in the world, but I'm much more confident. I'm who I think Rebecca was becoming as she reflects on her past relationships with people. And writing that book helped me take strides into becoming the person I am today.
Q. What is your favorite season?
Spring - I love to walk around the city and eat outside at all the amazing restaurants in New York. It's also not too humid yet.
Q. Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book(s).
I can't think of anything funny that happened. This is really my first effort in promoting the book. I can say though that as soon as I hit the last button to publish the book on lulu.com I panicked a little. I knew the book was based so much on things that happened to me and now everyone was going to know it. Also, when I moved to New York I told this guy I liked I wrote a book. He asked if he could read it and I was trying to find a polite way to say no. I don't like guys to read what I write when I first meet them. My writing can be very personal, especially a book like this that is based so much on my interactions with guys. The last thing you want it to look like is that you had so many issues with guys lol.
Q. Are you working on something new?
I'm working on a bunch of things right now. I'm about to launch my online magazine (mid May/Early June). I'm really excited about that. I've been working on it for about a year now I think and I'm really excited to have my own business, to have a platform to write on, and to provide a platform for others to share their writing. I'm also working on a memoir and I have an idea for a novel.
Q. Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?
I love my book. I did most of the editing myself. I had some help from friends in a couple places, but it's really like 98% all my work. It's a little scary to have people review it that don't know me, especially since I didn't have a skilled editor look at it, but I hope people find the book relatable and enjoyable. I also wanted to add a couple things that are different from my about the author page listed in the book. I no longer live in Maryland - I'm a New Yorker now! And I maintain a different blog than the one listed in the book it is rachaelsnewyork.blogspot.com. I also keep a sports blog, that I write on occasionally at storiesfromthestands.blogspot.com. And look out for my magazine set to launch June 1st at rachaelmagazine.com.
And finally I want to say to all the writers out their - I found my voice through writing. I find writing to be very empowering. Everyone writes for different reasons, but I think one thing everyone should remember is that when you write, write for yourself first. Don't write with the thought that you need to get a book deal to be rich, etc. - things don't usually work out that way. Write for yourself and if other people also enjoy it that's an added bonus.
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