News from Heidi

I'm at the Norman Mailer Writers' Colony for a writing residency and already good stuff is happening--well, the writing is still difficult, but I've met some wonderful folks--had breakfast with the lovely and amazing writer Anne LeClaire who I haven't seen since my time at Ragdale.  And to my very great delight I got to introduce and spend time with the great poet Sonia Sanchez, who at 75 is every bit of a powerhouse as she ever was--and a lovely, generous spirit. Now if we could just turn down the heat here like maybe high 80s instead of 100?

Writer Madison Smartt Bell has written a really fascinating article, "Ghosting History," about how The Girl Who Fell From the Sky speaks to our "post racial" society & how it fits into the tradition of great novels like Beloved, The Chaneysville Incident, and the memoir One Drop. I must admit that's some good company to keep!  Take a look here. (Unfortunately, only for subscribers.)

Yay! On October 7, the Danish version of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky will be released in Denmark by Forlaget Punktum. The very cool news is that I will be going to Denmark to do some appearances and help promote the book. The exact details of the trip will be set soon so check back for more info.

It's exciting! The Dutch version of the The Girl Who Fell From the Sky will be released soon. It's called: Het meisje dat vit de lucht viel. Here's the book cover! Isn't it cool?

I had the best time at ALA this weekend. I met some very lovely folks--librarians really are the best--but I also met writer Jay Varner whose debut, Nothing Left to Burn, comes out on Sept. 21. Check it out!

I nearly burst into tears when I spoke at the Gala Author Tea on Monday talking about how much libraries meant to me growing up. My apologies for getting so mushy--but really, my local library saved my life! It was a true sanctuary. Let us applaud librarians and the very important work they do!  (Photos: me reading on the Live Stage; PCC Librarian Alan Cordle & me (my mom's co-worker).)

First noted on the blog by writer John C. Ford: the Bravo TV show Work of Art challenged the artists to design a book cover. Doesn't the runner-up's Alice in Wonderland cover look a lot like Connie Gabbert's design for The Girl Who Fell From the Sky.  Mediabistro's GalleyCat has picked up on the book cover controversy. What do you think?

What's my guilty pleasure? Find out by listening to my NPR essay that ran yesterday on All Things Considered. And please, click "Recommend" on the NPR story page. No sign-in, no sign-up, anonymous and free! But it would be immensely helpful to me!

I'm headed to Washington D.C. for the American Library Association conference this weekend! I'll be reading on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 and doing a signing and booth signing that afternoon. I'll also be a speaker at the Gala Author Tea on Monday afternoon. I love libraries -- so this is a special treat!

The highlight of the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival was the Loving Prize Presentation & Conversation with hapa artist Kip Fulbeck and President Obama's sister, Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng. Imagine how tickled I was when she said she wanted to buy a copy of the book during her presentation. I know someone who knows someone and I hooked her up with a copy. When I handed it to her, she said: "Did you sign this personally for me?" So lovely! And yes, of course, I had. Fanshen and I were so grateful to have her as part of the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival this year. I'm hoping she enjoys it!  Photo by Wilki Tom.

I was so incredibly honored to deliver the Commencement Address at Clark College this week in front of a 1000+ person crowd. The school graduated the largest class ever--and what an amazing collection of graduates. They had overcome so much to obtain their Associates Degrees--one student had survived a firing squad in Liberia, the student speaker talked about finding her way out of an abusive relationship and in mid-life finally pursuing her education, another said to me as she received her degree that it was her fifth time trying to finish and she was so glad she persevered. My job was to wow them, but they wowed me! Congratulations Clark College graduates. Keep on going!  Read more here. Photo by Steven Lane.