Heidi W. Durrow News

Mixed Experience History Month 2012

2012-05-17T17:48:36Z

In 2007, I started Mixed Experience History Month on my blog. It's a series of posts in May of profiles of notable people in the Mixed Experience. I hope you will check it out!

Sharing the Stage with Barbara Kingsolver

2012-05-15T17:43:33Z

I won't be speaking, but I will share the stage with Barbara Kingsolver and Hillary Jordan on June 5 at the Book Expo in New York City when Barbara announces the new PEN/Bellwether winner. Very exciting! Now, the question is: what should I wear?

Thank You Wy'East Book Shoppe

2012-05-14T16:08:37Z

The last scheduled stop on the book tour was at Wy'East Book Shoppe last Friday, and what a wonderful night it was. Thank you to Sandra Palmer and all of the good folks who came to share the evening with me!

A Wonderful Visit to Beach Books

2012-05-11T17:27:46Z

What a wonderful time I had in Seaside, OR yesterday visiting Beach Books. One of my dearest and trusted readers Mary Thamann surprised me by showing up. I am so grateful to her helpful reads of many drafts of The Girl over the years. And how lovely to meet Stefanie IRL, an FB connection! Most importantly, thank you so much Karen and Alex and all of the wonderful ladies who attended the lunch. It was really special to share the afternoon with you and my next to last reading for The Girl Who Fell From the Sky!

Upcoming Appearances Spring 2012

2012-04-04T15:59:51Z

Santa Barbara Women's Literary Lunch, Santa Barbara, CA

May 5, 2012

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Beach Books, Seaside, OR

May 10, 2012 12PM

Join me for a fun Literary Luncheon at Beach Books in Seaside, Oregon on May 10 at Noon. For more information visit the Beach Books website!
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Wy'East Book Shoppe & Art Gallery, Welches, OR

May 11, 2012 7:30PM

Meet me for a fun reading and talk at the Wy'East Book Shoppe & Art Gallery, 67195 E Highway 26 Ste A, Welches, Oregon 97067, on May 11, 2011 at 7:30pm.
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Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival, Los Angeles, CA

June 15-17, 2012

Join us for the 5th Annual Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival. Free and fun for all.

Upcoming Appearances Spring 2012

2012-04-03T15:56:55Z

Rutgers University - Camden, NJ

April 11, 2012

I'm thrilled to do a reading and signing with writer Tiphanie Yanique.
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The Writer's Center, Bethesda, MD

April 12, 2012 7PM

I'm excited to be awarded the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize. Join me for the prize presentation and reading and a special reception to follow. Location: The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815.
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Brown University

April 18, 2012 8PM

I'm excited to speak as part of the Multiracial Identity Series at Brown University, April 18, 2012 at 8pm!

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses 6

2012-04-02T15:23:07Z

The Oregon Public Broadcasting series of interviews with attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz continues with Rachel Porter who is finding a new language to talk about her Mixed experience.

Interview with the AV Club

2012-03-31T15:54:24Z

I enjoyed talking with reporter Ashley Fetters when I was in Chicago recently. I hope you'll check out the interview she did with me in which I think I even say something new!

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses 5

2012-03-30T15:21:27Z

The Oregon Public Broadcasting series of interviews with attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz continues with Camilo Marquez who eloquently speaks the truth of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses 4

2012-03-29T15:18:52Z

The Oregon Public Broadcasting series of interviews with attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz continues with Bianca Espinosa who grew up as a Mexican-American in a largely white community.

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses 3

2012-03-28T15:15:47Z

The Oregon Public Broadcasting series of interviews with attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz continues with Lisa McCall, mom of a biracial son.

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses 2

2012-03-26T14:53:51Z

The Oregon Public Broadcastingseries of interviewss with attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz continues with mom and daughter of the Hudson family talking about their family and the Mixed experience.

Everybody Reads OPB Video Responses

2012-03-22T13:23:21Z

Oregon Public Broadcasting has put together a wonderful series of interviews of attendees of the Everybody Reads talk at the Schnitz. The first one I am posting here is my personal favorite: my little brother Mark Durrow talking about his response to the book and his Mixed experience.

My Big Talk at the Schnitz for Everybody Reads

2012-03-12T13:50:33Z

Everybody Reads 2012 came to an end last week culminating with my visit to a couple of high schools during the day thanks to Literary Arts Writers in the Schools program, and my big talk at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at night. It could not have been a more amazing day!

I returned to my alma mater, Jefferson High School, in the morning where I spoke to some 50-plus students who had read The Girl . . . --The best part was that I was speaking to the current students of my former high school creative writing teacher, Linda Christensen, who taught the book to the students this term. The students' questions were great.

In the afternoon, I visited with 9th graders at Reynolds Alternative High School. They too were well-prepared with great questions. I particularly adored Taylor who presented me with a present from the class.

Then it was time to get ready for the big show. That meant a nap first. When I woke from my nap, the nerves set in. As I got dressed and put on make-up I started to worry: what if I stumble on stage? What if I get the hiccups? What if I run out of words? I had my speech ready, practiced and annotated, but what if they didn't laugh at my jokes? What if the audience didn't connect at all?

We did a quick run-thru at 6pm. Just one and half hours until show time, but that was forever as I continued to make myself more and more anxious. Fifteen minutes before the program started, I did a live interview backstage with KGW-TV. I was feeling delirious. Would I make any sense? I think I did mostly. But you can judge for yourself.

After a very gracious introduction, I took the stage. Wow! The concert hall looked packed! Breathe in and breathe out, I kept thinking. And then I started. And they laughed at my jokes. And started to relax a little. And then the whole talk was over before I knew it. But then the best part of the night: Pink Martini's Thomas Lauderdale, a childhood friend, literally leaped onto the stage and played the song that plays a major role in the book, but has no lyrics or title. It was so amazingly magical. I don't have words for it. And now, I'm back to real life--the Cinderella moment is over--but wow! I will certainly never forget it. The audio of the event will be played on OPB in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for the exact date and time!

OPB Think Out Loud Interview

2012-02-22T15:43:11Z

First of all, this was a great interview, on Think Out Loud! There was a live audience, a great host, and a great mood. And then my little mom fields a question from the host and everyone breaks out the hankies. I hope you'll give the show a listen.

OPB Think Out Loud Interview: The Girl Who Fell From the Sky (mp3)