Elevation by Sheilah Vance

Let's meet in memory of Princess Diana, Mon. Aug. 31

Princess Diana's life and death had such an impact on me as both of us were women who faced the land mines of separation, divorce and dating again. I paid homage to our similar situations in the the first two pages of my novel, Land Mines, where I call her "the patron saint of women in bad marriages" and have the main character cry at Diana' death because it seemed like she was happy and pulling herself together after a bad marriage. Diana overcame many land mines in her life, and so have many of us. I'd like to get together with others who relate to Diana on Monday, August 31, the date she died, in her memory, toast (with a cup of tea) all of us who have overcome land mines in our own lives, and share what Diana's life and death meant to us.
If at least 10 people join this group and say they'd like to meet, I'll be at the Starbucks, 15 E. Lancaster Ave. in Paoli, at 7 p.m.

Check out the details on meetup.com at this link   http://www.meetup.com/In-Memory-of Princess-Diana.

Rest in Peace, Senator Kennedy

Senator Ted Kennedy was a great champion for justice and many of the causes about which I am most passionate, including education. 

One of the greatest thrills of my life was when I was in 8th grade and on a class trip to Washington.  We were standing on the Capitol steps when, who should start walking down them, but Senator Kennedy.  To me, he was like a rock star.  I ran over to him and shook his hand, and he gave me one of his beautiful smiles and a great hello. 

When I was in my 20s and working on Capitol Hill as a reporter, I covered education.  I recall still being thrilled to see Senator Kennedy passing me as I stood in line with the other reporters waiting to get into a hearing room as he and other legislators discussed such important issues as the Higher Education Act, Pell Grants, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  His eloquent and impassioned arguments for a broader federal role in education still ring in my ears. 

As I've worked in the field of education for most of my professional life, I have always cheered on Ted Kennedy as he fought for those who somehow always seem to be left behind.  We have lost a true champion of educational equity and opportunity.  I only hope that someone--or a whole group of folks--will pick up where he left off.  Peace--SV

My booksigning, Tues. 9/22, 7-9pm, Borders, Wynnewood, PA

Please join me at a booksigning/reading of Land Mines and my other books on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7 - 9pm, at Borders, 80 E. Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, PA.  Can't wait, and look forward to seeing you there.  Peace--SV

Call-in Wed. 8/12 with your divorce questions to "My Time with Kim Iverson"

Please join me on Wednesday, 8pm - 9 pm EST, as I am a guest on "Your Time with Kim Iverson" in the Lifeline segment, taking listener questions on topics related to divorce--what to expect, how to deal with it, etc. This syndicated show is broadcast on KAMX Austin-TX, KRSK Portland-OR, KALC Denver-CO, KFBZ Wichita-KS, KKSN Kansas City, WMC Memphis-TN, WZPL Indianapolis, WTSS Buffalo, WPTE Norfolk.

If you or your friends have questions and need answers, call in or listen in.

Julie and Julia: A motivational movie for writers

Loved the movie Julie and Julia. www.julieandjulia.com. It’s not just about a woman taking a year to cook all of Julia Child’s recipes. It’s great inspiration for writers, and publisher’s too. Julia Child took years to finish her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and endured numerous roadblocks and rejections from publishers before it went on to become a classic and perennial bestseller. Julie Powell thought her life was going nowhere until she decided to write a blog detailing her cooking Julia Child’s book in one year. The movie is so much about doing what you love and writing about it. So, writers–and readers–don’t be discouraged. Keep on keeping on! Get your book out there!

Julia and Julie: A motivational movie for writers

Loved the movie Julie and Julia. It's not just about a woman taking a year to cook all of Julia Child's recipes. It's great inspiration for writers, and publisher's too. Julia Child took years to finish her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and endured numerous roadblocks and rejections from publishers before it went on to become a classic and perennial bestseller. Julie thought her life was going nowhere until she decided to write a blog detailing her cooking Julia Child's book in one year. The movie is so much about doing what you love and writing about it. So, writers--and readers--don't be discouraged. Keep on keeping on! Get your book out there!

Three free books to book clubs during August...

August Special:

For the month of August, while supplies last, we will send a review copy of our award-winning books, “Land Mines“ by Sheilah Vance, and/or “A Christian Woman’s Journal to Weight Loss” by Patricia Thomas to any book club that would like to consider these books for their club’s reading. And, we will give you access to a digital review copy of our October 2009 fiction release, “Heads Deacon, Tails Devil” by P. J. McCalla. We only ask that the person reading the book please post a review on www.borders.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Amazon.com, and another review site such as www.Shelfari.com, www.Goodreads.com, or www.AuthorsDen.com. To obtain your free copy, please send an email to info@TheElevatorGroup.com with the name of your book club and your name and address. For more information about the books, see www.TheElevatorGroup.com.

3 free review books to book clubs in August

August Special: 

For the month of August, while supplies last, we will send a review copy of our award-winning books, “Land Mines“ by Sheilah Vance, and/or  “A Christian Woman’s Journal to Weight Loss” by Patricia Thomas to any book club that would like to consider these books for their club’s reading.  And, we will give you access to a digital review copy of our October 2009 fiction release, “Heads Deacon, Tails Devil” by P. J. McCalla.  We only ask that the person reading the book please post a review on www.borders.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Amazon.com, and another review site such as www.Shelfari.com, www.Goodreads.com, or www.AuthorsDen.com.  To obtain your free copy, please send an email to info@TheElevatorGroup.com with the name of your book club and your name and address. 

  

 

Ever wonder why some writers write and what to write about?

...from famed Argentine author, Jorge Luis Borges:  “All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely.  All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.”  Couldn’t have said it better myself.  So, when life gives me lemons, I pick up my pen and make lemonade.  And it tastes wonderful!

Ever wonder why some writers write? Here ' s why...

...from famed Argentine author, Jorge Luis Borges:  "All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely.  All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art."  Couldn't have said it better myself.  So, when life gives me lemons, I pick up my pen and make lemonade.  And it tastes wonderful!