An Ode To May

Greetings, I’ve been burned enough this spring not to offer the promise of more clement weather and, like us all, just wake up and look outdoors for the odd bit of sun and new flowers. On a positive note, the sour cherry tree is full of robust robins and the wood is stacked for next year.

Mother’s Day Gift Idea

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Sunday, May 13th, to be exact. Whether it’s your in-law or step mom, show her your love with brunch at her favorite restaurant, some flowers, and a copy of Lila &Theron, a Vermont love story that takes place in the early 1900s.

You can find Lila & Theron and my other books at the following locations. Thank you for supporting me and your local independent bookstores.

Northshire Lila & Theron Link
Phoenix Lila & Theron order link
Flying Pig Lila & Theron order link
Vermont Bookshop Lila & Theron order link
Norwich Bookstore Lila & Theron order link
Bear Pond Books Lila & Theron order link
IndieBound.org Lila & Theron link
Amazon Lila & Theron Link
Amazon Schubart author link

Facebook Mother’s Day Giveaway

Speaking of Mother’s Day, I am holding a Mother’s Day Giveaway on Facebook. The winner will receive all 7 of my books (Lila & Theron, The Lamoille Stories, The Lamoille Stories 2, I Am Baybie, Fat People, Panhead, and Photographic Memory). Give a copy or two to your moms, as graduation presents, or save for holiday gift-giving.

I will sign and write a personalized message in each. This is a $100 value.

How do you enter to win?

You must:
1. Like my Facebook page
2. Share the post with a friend
3. Repost on your timeline

The winner will be announced Wednesday, May 3rd.

Lisa & Theron Wins Silver at IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards

I’m pleased to announce that the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) announced winners in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ Program for Excellence in Book Publishing. Lila & Theron placed Second for Popular Fiction nationally! For 30 years, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ program has been regarded as one of the highest national honors for small and independent publishers. Over 150 librarians, booksellers, and design and editorial experts judge the 1,500 books submitted to the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ program.

Thank you, Swanton Public Library!

A great turnout Saturday, April 7 at the Swanton Public Library where they hosted a panel of writers –novelist Stephen Payne; graphic novelist Don Mabott; poet Chloe Viner; children’s author Sarah Stewart Taylor; novelist and non-fiction writer Rebecca Rupp; and myself for a Q&A session. It was terrific meeting and  talking with these budding writers.

Stone Boat Story

Some of you may have seen the stone boat on my Facebook post. Thanks to all who commented on that post. It seems everyone who has come across one of these in their lives has a story to tell. I have one as well.

It was one of those wonderful auction moments. The farm equipment and large tools had all been sold and the crowd was drifting off toward their cars. The auctioneer was anxious to sell off the “odd lots” and held up a heavy cast iron triangle by its chain, saying, “No idea what it is, anyone give me a coupl’a bucks for it? Iron alone’s worth that, weighs a ton.”

I knew right away what it was, bid three bucks holding up my number, and heard “sold to the big guy in the back.”

It was cast in Randolph, VT in the 1880’s and only needed some 4″ thick maple planks bolted to it to make into the fine stone boat you see in the picture. I don’t have a team so I pull it behind my John Deere 2240.