I've drafted a discussion guide for The Year We Were Famous - your suggestions are welcome!
Discussion Guide
THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS
by Carole Estby Dagg
WALKING IN CLARA’S SHOES
Clara and her mother Helga each had only seven pounds of equipment, including the weight of the satchel. What would you pack in a small satchel for a seven-month trek? What challenges did they have in 1896? What aids do we have now that were not available to Clara and Helga?
Clara worked her way through high school as a servant in someone’s home in Spokane. Would you be willing to do the same? How would working as a servant for your room and board affect your relationship with your high school classmates?
Is there any cause for which you would walk 4,000 miles?
How do the people Clara meets change her understanding of her parents and perception of the world and her possibilities?
POLITICS, THE ECONOMY, and MEDIA COVERAGE
In the Panic of 1893, people were losing homes, unemployment was above 10% for six years in a row, and 7 of 10 banks failed in Spokane. How is that situation like today? How is it different?
President McKinley ran his presidential campaign while seldom leaving home. Compare that to the presidential campaigns of today. (pp. 178-180)
The liquor lobby was reportedly against giving the vote to women because it might lead to prohibition. Does big business affect elections and legislation today?
How many generations back do you have to go to find the first woman in your family who might have voted in 1920?
Compare the articles that appeared in the New York World and the New York Times when Clara and Helga arrived in New York City. Can you think of current-day newspapers that are similar in tone to each? (copies of the news articles are available from the author)
SOCIETY and CHANGING ROLES
Helga knew her neighbors thought her place was at home but left the family for days at a time to attend suffrage meetings in Spokane and for a year to walk across the country to prove women could do it, as well as to win money to save the family’s farm. Can you think of other people who have gone against public opinion to effect social change?
Compare Mary (Mrs. William Jennings) Bryan and Ida (Mrs. William) McKinley, the wives of the two presidential candidates. In what ways do they represent traditional and changing women’s roles? (pp. 162-163 and 178-180)
Clara and Helga knocked on the doors of strangers for a place to stay and were even admitted to the president-elect’s home. Could they have done that today?
Compare the Native American Clara met on the Umatilla Reservation and those in Eastern Utah. (pp. 64-48 and 112-115).
Susan B. Anthony wrote:”Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.” How do the bicycle and the bicycle skirt symbolize the New American Woman of 1896?
WRITING ACTIVITIES
Examine the pictures that appeared in the New York World before and after the walk. Make up your own story which would explain Clara and Helga’s transition from proper Victorian ladies in black silk dresses to the gun and dagger-toting adventuresses. (PDFs of photos available from the author.)
Pretend you are a journalist interviewing Clara and Helga and write a newspaper article describing their trek.
Interview your parents or grandparents for the most exciting or funniest event in their lives.
Essay prompt: Why I would/would not like to have lived in 1896.
Make up a short story about one of the postcards from Clara’s time, or pretend you are writing home about your adventures in the space available on a postcard:
Cayuse Indian babies in cradle boards
Boys on platforms across coal chutes in the breakers
Mrs. McKinley in rocking chair
Nellie Bly
(PDF images available from the author)
Take one of these newspaper quotes and expand it into a fully developed scene:
“They [Native Americans they encountered in Utah] took our small satchel and went through it, but oddly enough the only thing they could make use of was our curling iron. This puzzled them very much and we had to demonstrate its use.”
Minneapolis Tribune, June 2, 1897, p. 4
“At one time we got into a cloudburst, and it was only by holding onto shrubs that we escaped with our lives”
Minneapolis Tribune, June 2, 1897, p. 4
“…the only man who molested them was a Le Grand, Ore., dude…they shot him in the leg. They were not arrested for it.
New York World, December 25, 1896, p. 3
Re-write a scene as a script and act it out.
Make up a short story inspired by Emily Dickinson’s ‘Fame is a bee.’
Re-write one scene from Helga’s POV instead of Clara’s.
Find examples of how Clara’s background on the farm and her love of reading affect her word choices and images.
GEOGRAPHY/ART
Draw a map of their route, noting where various episodes took place.
Create a cover for the book.
Choose a quote from the novel and draw a sketch or cartoon to illustrate it.
MUSIC
Compose a song about Clara and Helga’s trek.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Amelia Bloomer - and New Schedule
Clara and Helga Estby would be so proud! The Feminist Task Force of the American Library Association will include The Year We Were Famous on their annual Amelia Bloomer list of the best books for youth with significant feminist content. About time Clara and her mother got the recognition they deserved for their 4,000-mile walk.
I’m laggard when it comes to keeping my own blog up to date – partly because I keep waiting for news that doesn’t come. Will there be a paperback or audio edition of The Year We Were Famous? Will the next book about Clara (working title: Good-bye, Mica Creek) be accepted as my option book with Clarion? I still don’t know. The waiting is hard, but I’ve been filling the time starting a third book, Northward, Ho, set in Alaska during the 1930’s.
I’m better at doing guest blogs for other people. Check out Readergirlz, where I’m now one of many hosts: readergirlz.blogspot.com
and Janet Lee Carey’s blog, Library Lions Roar, in praise of libraries:
http://librarylionsroar.blogspot.com/2012/02/librarian-turned-author-carole-estby.html
I can at least update my schedule:
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society, 7 P.M.
Jefferson County Historic Courthouse
1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
Program and book signing
March 5 Rose Hill Jr. High School, Lake Washington School District, 11:27 – 1:11
13505 NE 75th St., Redmond, WA 98052
Program for 8th grade social studies classes
March 6 Everett High School, 10:30 – 12:00
Judge for Everett School District’s Battle of the Books
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Private home, Everett
------
A Series of events with The New Kids on the YA Block,
A group of six debut young adult authors:
Helen Landalf (FLYAWAY)
Kiki Hamilton (THE FAERIE RING)
Me (THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS)
Kathy McCullough (DON’T EXPECT MAGIC)
Megan Bostic (NEVER EIGHTEEN)
Kendare Blake (ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD)
March 14 Third Place Books 7 P.M.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
The six of us will form a panel moderated by book blogger Shanyn Day.
Program and book signing
March 15, Capital High School 12:40 p.m.
Olympia,WA
Panel
March 15, Timberland Library 7 p.m.
Olympia, WA
Panel
March 16, Garfield Books, 7 p.m.
(Affiliated with Pacific Lutheran University)
208 Garfield St., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA
Panel and book signing
April 11, Timberland Library, 7:30
Olympia, Washington
Program
Details to be announced
April 18, Everett High School
Details to be announced
Joint program with Mindy Hardwick and Megan Bostic for the
Everett High School Writing Club
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Marriott Redmond Town Center
7401 164th Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Book signing
April 27 and April 28, 2012 Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College
Two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
May 18-19, SCBWI Oregon
Annual conference of the Oregon chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Shilo Inn Conference Center, Portland, Oregon
Book signing
April or May, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
June 21-26 American Library Association Annual Conference
Anaheim, California
July 19 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Lakeway Inn
714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington
Selling Books on Cultural Day
October 13 – 15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Tacoma, Washington
(Tentative; no program)
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
Albuquerque
TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (Willa Cather) award.
Author signing
I’m laggard when it comes to keeping my own blog up to date – partly because I keep waiting for news that doesn’t come. Will there be a paperback or audio edition of The Year We Were Famous? Will the next book about Clara (working title: Good-bye, Mica Creek) be accepted as my option book with Clarion? I still don’t know. The waiting is hard, but I’ve been filling the time starting a third book, Northward, Ho, set in Alaska during the 1930’s.
I’m better at doing guest blogs for other people. Check out Readergirlz, where I’m now one of many hosts: readergirlz.blogspot.com
and Janet Lee Carey’s blog, Library Lions Roar, in praise of libraries:
http://librarylionsroar.blogspot.com/2012/02/librarian-turned-author-carole-estby.html
I can at least update my schedule:
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society, 7 P.M.
Jefferson County Historic Courthouse
1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
Program and book signing
March 5 Rose Hill Jr. High School, Lake Washington School District, 11:27 – 1:11
13505 NE 75th St., Redmond, WA 98052
Program for 8th grade social studies classes
March 6 Everett High School, 10:30 – 12:00
Judge for Everett School District’s Battle of the Books
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Private home, Everett
------
A Series of events with The New Kids on the YA Block,
A group of six debut young adult authors:
Helen Landalf (FLYAWAY)
Kiki Hamilton (THE FAERIE RING)
Me (THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS)
Kathy McCullough (DON’T EXPECT MAGIC)
Megan Bostic (NEVER EIGHTEEN)
Kendare Blake (ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD)
March 14 Third Place Books 7 P.M.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
The six of us will form a panel moderated by book blogger Shanyn Day.
Program and book signing
March 15, Capital High School 12:40 p.m.
Olympia,WA
Panel
March 15, Timberland Library 7 p.m.
Olympia, WA
Panel
March 16, Garfield Books, 7 p.m.
(Affiliated with Pacific Lutheran University)
208 Garfield St., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA
Panel and book signing
April 11, Timberland Library, 7:30
Olympia, Washington
Program
Details to be announced
April 18, Everett High School
Details to be announced
Joint program with Mindy Hardwick and Megan Bostic for the
Everett High School Writing Club
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Marriott Redmond Town Center
7401 164th Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Book signing
April 27 and April 28, 2012 Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College
Two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
May 18-19, SCBWI Oregon
Annual conference of the Oregon chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Shilo Inn Conference Center, Portland, Oregon
Book signing
April or May, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
June 21-26 American Library Association Annual Conference
Anaheim, California
July 19 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Lakeway Inn
714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington
Selling Books on Cultural Day
October 13 – 15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Tacoma, Washington
(Tentative; no program)
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
Albuquerque
TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (Willa Cather) award.
Author signing
Monday, December 5, 2011
Hooray for Bookworms!
[Enter Post Title Here]
Hooray for Bookworms of All Ages!
One of the happiest memories of my launch year for The Year We Were Famous will be the mother-daughter book group I visited December 2. I hadn’t envisioned readers as young as 5th grade, but these were avid readers who lived up to their group’s name, The Bookworms. After working on a book for seventeen years, what could be more rewarding than meeting enthusiastic readers!
My other December events will all be on-line:
December 10-16: Jean Henry Mead’s blog, www.writersofthewest.blogspot.com - interview
December 15 – Maria Cari Soto’s blog, www.cariblogs.com – sharing memories with members of the Class of 2k11
December 15 – Children’s Literature Network, www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org, - interview
Other date in December TBA – Blurb is a Verb. www.blurbisaverb.blogspot.com – essay on using low-tech show and tell for programs
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March - Women’s History Month:
March 1, 2012 Port Angeles Library
Details to be announced
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also working on programs in Tacoma and Olympia
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R., 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
Hooray for Bookworms of All Ages!
One of the happiest memories of my launch year for The Year We Were Famous will be the mother-daughter book group I visited December 2. I hadn’t envisioned readers as young as 5th grade, but these were avid readers who lived up to their group’s name, The Bookworms. After working on a book for seventeen years, what could be more rewarding than meeting enthusiastic readers!
My other December events will all be on-line:
December 10-16: Jean Henry Mead’s blog, www.writersofthewest.blogspot.com - interview
December 15 – Maria Cari Soto’s blog, www.cariblogs.com – sharing memories with members of the Class of 2k11
December 15 – Children’s Literature Network, www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org, - interview
Other date in December TBA – Blurb is a Verb. www.blurbisaverb.blogspot.com – essay on using low-tech show and tell for programs
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March - Women’s History Month:
March 1, 2012 Port Angeles Library
Details to be announced
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also working on programs in Tacoma and Olympia
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R., 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Waiting
[Enter Post Title Here]
I’m nipping into the Halloween candy, eating fun-sized Baby Ruth and trying to type with my fingers crossed. Word should come soon if Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will publish a paperback edition of The Year We Were Famous and if they are accepting the sequel, tentatively titled Good-Bye, Mica Creek. Hope there’s still candy left for the kids by Monday.
Fortunately, I bought my 2012 planner early because I’m already running out of fingers to keep track of upcoming programs:
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also considering another program that week at a venue toward the south end of Puget Sound.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
I’m nipping into the Halloween candy, eating fun-sized Baby Ruth and trying to type with my fingers crossed. Word should come soon if Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will publish a paperback edition of The Year We Were Famous and if they are accepting the sequel, tentatively titled Good-Bye, Mica Creek. Hope there’s still candy left for the kids by Monday.
Fortunately, I bought my 2012 planner early because I’m already running out of fingers to keep track of upcoming programs:
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also considering another program that week at a venue toward the south end of Puget Sound.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
September Update
September Update
Some readers have asked what happened to Clara after her 4,000-mile walk. I’ve wondered too, and for six years I’ve played with theories about where Clara might have gone during her twenty-five missing years, a theory which also addresses other mysteries surrounding Clara:
Why did she change her last name if she never married?
Where did she get the money to buy an elegant Tudor house in Spokane?
What was the story behind an apparently unworn wedding dress relatives found her in her cedar chest after she died?
In my annual August retreat to the wood shed, I finished a draft of the book which addresses these questions. I don’t have a publisher yet, but I’ll keep you posted!
In the meantime, here’s an updated schedule of appearances:
September 15, 2011 Holland America Ship, the Statendam, 9-11 a.m.
Program and Book signing
October 2, 2011 NW Bookfest, 2 p.m.
Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, WA
Panel of historical fiction writers, including Megan Chance
October 13 PNBA (Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association) Trade Show
Airport Holiday Inn
8439 NE Columbia Blvd
Portland OR 97220-1382
Panel, 4:00 p.m.“Writing the Estby Tale” with Jane Kirkpatrick and Linda L. Hunt, Salon B
Nightcapper, 8:30 p.m., Autographing Party, Salons B, C. & D
October 15-16, 2011, Women Writing the West
Embassy Suites
20610 44th Ave West, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Spreading the word about The Year We Were Famous.
Zonta – Details TBA
Everett Golf and Country Club
2012
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
Some readers have asked what happened to Clara after her 4,000-mile walk. I’ve wondered too, and for six years I’ve played with theories about where Clara might have gone during her twenty-five missing years, a theory which also addresses other mysteries surrounding Clara:
Why did she change her last name if she never married?
Where did she get the money to buy an elegant Tudor house in Spokane?
What was the story behind an apparently unworn wedding dress relatives found her in her cedar chest after she died?
In my annual August retreat to the wood shed, I finished a draft of the book which addresses these questions. I don’t have a publisher yet, but I’ll keep you posted!
In the meantime, here’s an updated schedule of appearances:
September 15, 2011 Holland America Ship, the Statendam, 9-11 a.m.
Program and Book signing
October 2, 2011 NW Bookfest, 2 p.m.
Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, WA
Panel of historical fiction writers, including Megan Chance
October 13 PNBA (Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association) Trade Show
Airport Holiday Inn
8439 NE Columbia Blvd
Portland OR 97220-1382
Panel, 4:00 p.m.“Writing the Estby Tale” with Jane Kirkpatrick and Linda L. Hunt, Salon B
Nightcapper, 8:30 p.m., Autographing Party, Salons B, C. & D
October 15-16, 2011, Women Writing the West
Embassy Suites
20610 44th Ave West, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Spreading the word about The Year We Were Famous.
Zonta – Details TBA
Everett Golf and Country Club
2012
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Schedule for June, 2011
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 6, 2011 Mill Creek Branch, UW Bookstore, 7 p.m.
Appearance with the At the Creek YA Book Group to discuss The Year We Were Famous
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek, WA 98012
(425) 385-3530
June 10, 2011 KSER independent public radio interview, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tune to 90.7 and call in questions; hosted by Ed Bremer
June 20, 2011 North Middle School, 8:00 – 3:00
Everett, Washington
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events - details TBA
July or August Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
Monday, April 25, 2011
Updated Schedule - April 25, 2011
April 27, 2011 Inside Story Panel sponsored by SCBWI, 6:30 p.m.
Bellevue Branch of the University of Washington Bookstore
990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-4500
May 23- 26, 2011 Book Expo America in New York City with the Class of 2k11
Monday, May 23 – Teen Author Carnival, evening time TBA
Mulberry St. Library, 10 Jersey St. (bet. Lafayette and Mulberry)
Tuesday, May 24 – on the BEA floor with handouts
Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th St., NYC
Wednesday, May 25 - Seward Park Library, 10 a.m.
Classroom visit for panel and Q & A
192 E Broadway at Jefferson St. New York, NYC
Wednesday, May 25, Books of Wonder, 6-8 p.m.
Book signing, henna artist, swag, and snacks
18 W 18th St., NYC
(212) 989-3270
www.booksofwonder.com
Thursday, May 26 - Le Poisson Rouge, 12 noon – 2 p.m.
humorous readings from 2k11 books, hosted by Sam Osterhout of Radio Happy Hour
158 Bleeker Street, NYC
(212) 505-FISH (3474)
www.lepoissonrouge.com
Thursday, May 26 – Voracious Reader, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
1997 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, NY
Book signing, henna artist, swag and snacks
www.thevoraciousreader.com
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 6, 2011 Mill Creek Branch, UW Bookstore, 7 p.m.
Appearance with the At the Creek YA Book Group to discuss The Year We Were Famous15311 Main Street
Mill Creek, WA 98012
(425) 385-3530
June 10, 2011 KSER independent public radio interview, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tune to 90.7 and call in questions; hosted by Ed Bremer
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events - details TBA
July or August Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
Bellevue Branch of the University of Washington Bookstore
990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-4500
May 23- 26, 2011 Book Expo America in New York City with the Class of 2k11
Monday, May 23 – Teen Author Carnival, evening time TBA
Mulberry St. Library, 10 Jersey St. (bet. Lafayette and Mulberry)
Tuesday, May 24 – on the BEA floor with handouts
Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th St., NYC
Wednesday, May 25 - Seward Park Library, 10 a.m.
Classroom visit for panel and Q & A
192 E Broadway at Jefferson St. New York, NYC
Wednesday, May 25, Books of Wonder, 6-8 p.m.
Book signing, henna artist, swag, and snacks
18 W 18th St., NYC
(212) 989-3270
www.booksofwonder.com
Thursday, May 26 - Le Poisson Rouge, 12 noon – 2 p.m.
humorous readings from 2k11 books, hosted by Sam Osterhout of Radio Happy Hour
158 Bleeker Street, NYC
(212) 505-FISH (3474)
www.lepoissonrouge.com
Thursday, May 26 – Voracious Reader, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
1997 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, NY
Book signing, henna artist, swag and snacks
www.thevoraciousreader.com
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 6, 2011 Mill Creek Branch, UW Bookstore, 7 p.m.
Appearance with the At the Creek YA Book Group to discuss The Year We Were Famous15311 Main Street
Mill Creek, WA 98012
(425) 385-3530
June 10, 2011 KSER independent public radio interview, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tune to 90.7 and call in questions; hosted by Ed Bremer
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events - details TBA
July or August Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
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