Book Business
BIG NEWS! Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles is a 2021 INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist. These awards honor authors who are with independent publishers and mine is WriteLife. More than 2,500 entries were received, so making the short list is an achievement. My book will be displayed at the American Library Association Conference in Washington, D.C. from June 22nd to June 28th. The yearly conference attracts up to 10,000 librarians.
IYou may be interested in two workbooks I’ve written for grieving children—From Sad to Gladand From Darkness to Sunshine. They are published by Centering Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, a nonprofit company that specializes in grief books for all ages. Centering Corporation has donated 2,000,000 resources to individuals and groups. Kudos to you Centering!
On April 26th an article I’ve written about fostering leadership skills in children will be posted on https://makemomentos.com. This website is “designed for busy families to bridge the distance and active lives with a special time of connection.” You can narrate a book and send it to a special child for free. Professionally narrated books are also accepted. I’m thrilled to have Ready, Set, Lead! on this website.
I’m a member of the Rave Reviews Book Club (#RRBC). Much to my surprise, #RRBC just designated me as a Lifetime Member. While this designation comes with perks, the biggest perk is being among friends who understand a writer’s life. My column in The Pipeline magazine, “At Home with Harriet,” keeps me connected with these friends. Thanks to President and Founder Nonnie Jules for this honor. I hope to make you proud Nonnie!
Reviews
Daisy a Day
Harriet Hodgson is no stranger to grief as her new book, Daisy a Day, proves. This series of short thoughts takes us from the early stages of grief all the way to new possibilities as we survive our loss. Only someone with actual experience of bereavement could write with such insight about the difficulties of losing a family member. Hodgson uses her own stories to illustrate many of her comments. And there is humor in this book too! Just when we need it. I liked the concrete suggestions for activities as well. We all need to have ways to celebrate the one who is gone. This book will be a welcome resource for anyone who mourns. Jane Callahan, JD, widow, and community volunteer.
From My Window
I’m blessed to have a loving family and two great grandsons. This family picture was taken at a birthday party for James, my granddaughter’s husband. He’s the tall, handsome man in the back. Though the dog is looking the other way, my family members look happy and lucid—an accomplishment with two energetic boys. Thanks to my grandson, Dr. John Welby, the food was fabulous. What a happy time!
Photo by Rev. James Earley.
The news from Ukraine makes me heartsick. I was a young child during World War II and remember food stamps, tending our victory garden, and blackouts. My father was an air raid warden and, when we had blackouts, he checked neighborhood houses to ensure no lights were visible. Now I feel like the world is engaged in another world war. How could I help? In memory of my physician husband, John, I sent money to Samaritan’s Purse because it had a hospital on the border of Ukraine within days, www.samaritanspurse.org. I donated to Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org, and the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America Crisis Response, www.umana.org.
Quote of the Month
We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. Jimmy Carter, 39thPresident of the United States, politician, and philanthropist. I created this doodle art in support of Ukraine.
Photo by Amy J. Hodgson