Becky Grando
Becky Grando (publishes under R.A. Grando) placed an Honorable Mention in the 92nd Annual Writer's Digest competition in the Mainstream/Literary fiction category for her short story "The Symphony". Her name and title are mentioned on the WD website (https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions/announcing-the-winners-of-the-92nd-annual-writers-digest-writing-competition) and for those interested in reading the story, you can now find it posted on her website (https://ragrando.com/2023/10/18/honorable-mention). Enjoy!
Phyllis Gobbell
Phyllis Gobbell’s Notorious in Nashville is the latest in her Jordan Mayfair Mystery Series. The mystery is set in Nashville, where old and new collide. Amateur sleuth Jordan Mayfair tries to save a historic building from a crooked developer’s bulldozers, discovers what happened to songs a washed-up drunk named Notorious wrote, and solves a young truth-teller’s murder, but her greatest challenge comes when her daughter is kidnapped, and Jordan has only hours to find her.
Notorious in Nashville became available on October 25, 2023.
Sallie Bissell
After eight novels in the acclaimed Mary Crow mystery series, Sallie Bissell is pleased to announce her first stand-alone novel, “The Cassandra Curse” (Atmosphere,2023). Set in Charleston, South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York, the story is about Augusta Delaney and her desperate search for her missing twin brother. It’s been well-received by critics, with the Midwest Book Review writing “Sallie Bissell creates a compelling story that centers on dreams, recovered memories and truths…Bissell’s ability to unlock key moments of realization and transformation…creates an engrossing story of intrigue and psychological discovery” It’s available on Amazon, and at salliebissell.com. Sallie is soon travelling to Scotland to research the sequel, with the working title of “Cassandra’s Revenge”.
Jean Heaton Lovell
New member Jean Heaton Lovell was the Keynote Speaker at the 65th Annual Detroit Bishop's Dinner on October 10, 2023. The dinner is an annual fundraiser and an opportunity to raise awareness of the GuestHouse ministry of saving lives and strengthening the area's Catholic community. Jean is the author of Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality, published by Loyola Press.
Beth Frerking
After 36 years in education, Beth Frerking has retired. She taught English, journalism, and TV production before becoming a school librarian. She and her husband Blake worked with students in the Arctic in Barrow, Alaska, in Tanzania, in Tennessee and now Tucson. Clearly, they love to travel and since Blake is retiring this year too, they hope to have plenty of time to do more of it - especially since they can now do it in the off-season. A trip to Scandinavia for this fall is already in the works!
Here, Beth is photographed in her backyard in Tucson. Pretty view!
Here, Beth is photographed in her backyard in Tucson. Pretty view!
Melissa Hogan
Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma is the first book to help parents support their child through potentially traumatic medical diagnoses and experiences. It was a labor of love for WNBA member and author Melissa J. Hogan after her youngest son was diagnosed with a rare and progressive genetic condition and experienced growing trauma over time from his experiences with the medical system. Melissa’s goal to use what she learned to help families like hers led her to partner with a renowned expert in pediatric medical trauma, Dr. Meghan Marsac, to write this book. Endorsed by the Child Neurology Foundation and reviewed well, including:
“Should change the way health care is provided to children.” - Susannah Fox, former CTO, U.S. D.H.H.S.
“A groundbreaking guide for families facing medical challenges.” Mark Dant, Chairman, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases
“A book on this topic is desperately needed right now.” - John Whyte, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, WebMD
“Every parent and health professional impacted by medical trauma in children should read this gem of a book.” - Steven A. Webber, MBChB, MRCP, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Find out more, including where to buy, at afraidofthedoctor.com.
“Should change the way health care is provided to children.” - Susannah Fox, former CTO, U.S. D.H.H.S.
“A groundbreaking guide for families facing medical challenges.” Mark Dant, Chairman, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases
“A book on this topic is desperately needed right now.” - John Whyte, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, WebMD
“Every parent and health professional impacted by medical trauma in children should read this gem of a book.” - Steven A. Webber, MBChB, MRCP, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Find out more, including where to buy, at afraidofthedoctor.com.
Yasmine Ali
On sale now!
The first book to examine the rarely-acknowledged Waverly Train Disaster of 1978 – the catastrophic accident that changed America forever and led to the formation of FEMA. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the event, WALK THROUGH FIRE is a tribute to the first responders, as well as an examination of the strengths and vulnerabilities in rural America.
On the night of February 22, 1978, a devastating freight train derailment drastically altered Waverly, Tennessee, and its place in history. This was one of the worst train explosions of the twentieth century, killing 16 people, injuring hundreds more, and causing millions of dollars in damage.
What could have been dismissed as a single community’s terrible misfortune instead became the catalyst for radical change, including the formation of FEMA, much-needed reforms in emergency response training, and the creation and enforcement of national and state safety regulations. Response to the disaster reshaped American infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the future of emergency management and disaster relief . . . and yet most Americans have never heard of Waverly.
Dr. Yasmine S. Ali, an award-winning medical writer and Waverly native, sets out to change this in WALK THROUGH FIRE, drawing from over a decade of meticulous research and interviews with survivors, first responders, and other firsthand accounts, including those of her own parents, first-generation Americans who were on call at the local hospital that treated the victims. Ali weaves a compelling narrative of small-town tragedy set against the broader backdrop of U.S. railroad history, rural healthcare, and other elements of American infrastructure that played a part in the creation—and the aftermath—of the Disaster.
A tribute to resiliency and a call to action, WALK THROUGH FIRE tells the harrowing story of the Waverly Train Disaster from the perspectives of those who survived it, and those who still feel its impact today, illuminating how much a nation still has to learn from one small town in Tennessee.
The first book to examine the rarely-acknowledged Waverly Train Disaster of 1978 – the catastrophic accident that changed America forever and led to the formation of FEMA. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the event, WALK THROUGH FIRE is a tribute to the first responders, as well as an examination of the strengths and vulnerabilities in rural America.
On the night of February 22, 1978, a devastating freight train derailment drastically altered Waverly, Tennessee, and its place in history. This was one of the worst train explosions of the twentieth century, killing 16 people, injuring hundreds more, and causing millions of dollars in damage.
What could have been dismissed as a single community’s terrible misfortune instead became the catalyst for radical change, including the formation of FEMA, much-needed reforms in emergency response training, and the creation and enforcement of national and state safety regulations. Response to the disaster reshaped American infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the future of emergency management and disaster relief . . . and yet most Americans have never heard of Waverly.
Dr. Yasmine S. Ali, an award-winning medical writer and Waverly native, sets out to change this in WALK THROUGH FIRE, drawing from over a decade of meticulous research and interviews with survivors, first responders, and other firsthand accounts, including those of her own parents, first-generation Americans who were on call at the local hospital that treated the victims. Ali weaves a compelling narrative of small-town tragedy set against the broader backdrop of U.S. railroad history, rural healthcare, and other elements of American infrastructure that played a part in the creation—and the aftermath—of the Disaster.
A tribute to resiliency and a call to action, WALK THROUGH FIRE tells the harrowing story of the Waverly Train Disaster from the perspectives of those who survived it, and those who still feel its impact today, illuminating how much a nation still has to learn from one small town in Tennessee.
Bonnie Blaylock
Bonnie Blaylock is pleased to announce the publication of her new novel Light to the Hills: Publication date was Dec 1, 2022, Lake Union Publishing
A richly rewarding novel about family bonds, the power of words, and the resilience of mothers and daughters in 1930s Appalachia.
Elizabeth Katie Adler
Little Bits Of Love is the debut poetry collection by Elizabeth Katie. Focused on different types of love and how they have changed her life, Elizabeth uses poetry and prose to capture the reader's attention. From self love to friendship to romantic love, from Brooklyn to Nashville and to places all over the world, this collection invites you to re-examine your ideas about relationships and intimacy.
To get a copy, click on https://www.elizabethkatiewrites.com/spark-the-beat
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