News from Heidi

I was so excited to share the stage with Naseem Rakha (author of The Crying Tree) because well, she's wonderful. Smart, and elegant, and witty, and a talented writer who's writing about something that matters in that Bellwether Prize kind of way. I really connected with her. Here are some photos from the night. We think we might take our show on the road!

When I left my job as a corporate litigator, the first real writing thing I did was attend the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference as a contributor. I had a wonderful time and met people I count as friends still today. I returned in 2004 as a "waiter"--the work-study scholarship that gives you a kind of "rock star" status, despite the fact that you are scraping the other conference attendees' plates. It was a crazy awesome time! Last year, I was accepted as a "Scholar." No work, but I did have to share a work-in-progress in workshop (I find that so difficult). But now, this year, I am happy to report, that I will return to Bread Loaf as a Fellow in August. I feel like I have made it full circle. I'm so excited.

I am excited to share that I will be the Keynote Speaker at Clark College's Commencement on June 17 this year. It's an incredible honor and I've started to scribble notes and ideas of what I plan to say. Do you have any special ideas for me? Things you can think you wish you had heard upon your graduation. I'd love any comments or suggestions you've got.  I don't remember who spoke at my graduation from Stanford, but I do remember the wonderful benediction address by Rita Nakashima Brock. 

Michele Young-Stone is great! Read her book. Look how much fun we had! (I also got a chance to meet the talented actress, Kathleen McInerney, who "plays" Nella on the audio version of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky (HighBridge Audio).

Do you know who any of these folks are? Well, if you want to know check out my annual blog series called Mixed Experience History Month. This is the fourth year I've celebrated this on my personal blog, Light-skinned-ed Girl, a mixed chick's mixed thoughts on a mixed-up world. The month is almost over but there are plenty of profiles from other years to check out too.

I had a great time doing this interview in my hometown, Portland, OR. My real grandmother gets a little air time too! Yay Grandma!

I listen to WNYC's Leonard Lopate show just about every day. For years, I would hear the debut novelists on the show and think one day I hope that's me being interviewed. Yesterday it was.
You can hear the interview here. Thanks Mr. Lopate! A dream come true!

You want to show your love for The Girl Who Fell From the Sky : you've bought the book or recommended that your local library order it; you've told your friends about the book & can't stop talking about it; and now you want more. More is here: buy a The Girl Who Fell From the Sky tshirt, designed by the wonderful folks over at Zerflin, on Zazzle.com. You're going to love it!

How happy I was to talk to Lisa and Lisa of the Lisa Lisa & the Book Jam podcast during my visit to Dartmouth and the lovely Norwich Bookstore.
You can hear the interview here. You'll find the list of book recommendations here.
And here are more photos from my visit:
Me & writer Ernest Hebert
Me and the lovely folks of the Norwich Bookstore

I had to keep choking back tears on this night. There I was at my dear friend, B.'s home, in Austin--just falling apart because there was just so much love in the room. B., husband, and family put together a beautiful book party for me in their home. Their friends came out in force for the evening. It just meant so much--my friend celebrating the journey. See, still, I'm getting choked up and don't have the words. Daughter Mattie (age 7) introduced me. (Yes, video to come!) She was so adorable. To top it all off, my high school English teacher came with her daughter. She was the best teacher--it was so amazing to be able to share the moment with her. Someone at the end of the night told me that every tear I forced back would take a year off my life. Let the tears loose. I like that advice. Because they were all happy tears.