By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 9/3/2016
The other day I had the pleasure of talking to a book club right in the heart of where my novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET takes place at the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains (Appalachia). When the book came out, I made it my policy to Skype with folks in Fannin County and Polk County for free. Because I leaned on so many of them to share their stories and history with me, it was the least I could do. Here was the announcement in the Blue Ridge newspaper.
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 3/12/2016
I recently received the nicest email from Deb Miller, one of the contributors to the blog Readers Unbound. She recounted one of the state-wide reading bowl quiz events that took place surrounding the Georgia Children's Book Award - for which my book, A Bird on Water Street was nominated. Her article is called "Georgia Children’s Book Award and The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl." Deb gives a great recounting of the event and shares a lovely tribute to the reading bowl quiz's founder, Helen Ruffin.
Every writer simply wants their book read, and children all across Georgia have been reading ABOWS along with the other 19 nominated titles to vote on their favorite as part of this challenge. When they told me ABOWS had been nominated to the very short, very prestigious list, I knew I'd already won, despite whichever title wins #1.
I hope you'll CLICK HERE to go have a read. It's a wonderful article and put a big smile on my face! Thank you Deb!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 12/13/2015
They say it's better to give than to receive, and we agree.I have a cameo in the video, but it goes by quickly. Here is a photo of my clip so that you can see Edinburgh behind me (I filmed this in my studio at school), as I hold a copy of A BIRD ON WATER STREET. Click the image to learn all about The ExChange Project! (video)
Instead of sending you a physical gift this year to express our appreciation, we'd like to invite you to join us in our corporate philanthropy project that will help at least two underserved schools get the items on their wish lists.
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 11/8/2015
I love seeing A Bird on Water Street grow and gain followers. Two things came in recently that let me know how it's being loved. First was a poster by a student at Drake Middle School in Alabama, which teacher Michelle Hopf shared with me on Facebook. Her tagline read, "Look what I found on the main hall...Thanks again for visiting last year." Thanks, Michelle!
Turns out this was for an historical novel project in their Social Studies class and the students chose to do movie posters for their books. (I blurred the names to protect the kids.) What lovely warm fuzzies!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 10/28/2015
My novel has been slowly making its way into the hands of readers here on the European side of the pond and I have been so flattered by the response. One of the best warm fuzzies just arrived recently. Marta and her son read together and 8-years-old Pedro loved A Bird on Water Street. So much so, he drew some images from the book, which he gave me permission to share...
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 8/25/2015
I'm thrilled to share that A Bird on Water Street has been nominated for Tennessee's Volunteer State Book Award for the Middle School Division (Grades 6-8). The award is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL) and the Tennessee Library Association (TLA). In 2016 and 2017, teens across Tennessee will be reading my book. In May of 2017, they will vote on their favorite title. The book with the most votes will win the award. You can learn more about the Volunteer State Book Award by visiting TASL's web site at http://www.tasltn.org/vsba. Woohoo!!!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 7/15/2015
WOOHOOOOOO!!!!
The Georgia Center for the Book has selected the works of 24 prize-winning authors and illustrators with Georgia connections for the 2015 lists of the “Books All Georgians Should Read” and the “Books All Young Georgians Should Read.” The lists are compiled annually from nominations received throughout the year by the writers, educators, librarians, and media representatives who comprise the Georgia Center for the Book Advisory Council. The ceremony this year will mark the sixth edition of the “Books All Georgians Should Read” and the third of the “Books All Young Georgians Should Read.”
“For the Georgia Center for the Book, the ‘Books All Georgians Should Read’ and the ‘Books All Young Georgians Should Read’ lists are a wonderful way to honor the extraordinary talent we have right here in Georgia. They give us the opportunity to inform readers across our state about the diverse body of work being produced that celebrates Georgia’s literary heritage so well,” said Joe Davich, GCB Director.
“We are extremely proud of the 2015 lists,” he continued. “They are valuable assets for parents, teachers, librarians, and readers of all ages across the state. We believe these lists can help guide readers to some of the finest writing available.”
The new list of “Books All Georgians Should Read” includes four works of fiction, four of non-fiction, and two collections of poetry. The list of “Books All Young Georgians Should Read” includes three picture books, 2 books for middle school readers; four books for young adults, and one graphic novel. Both 2015 lists are the result of months of discussions by the Advisory Council, which considered over 100 books by Georgians or about Georgia.
2015 Books All Young Georgians Should Read
• I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
• Philip Reid Saves the Statue of Freedom, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
• Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham
• Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe: Class Pets by Susan Nees
• Revolution: The Sixties Trilogy by Deborah Wiles
• Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder
• A Bird on Water Street by Elizabeth Dulemba
• Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy
• All Those Broken Angels by Peter Adam Salomon
• Marc: Book Two by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell 
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 6/29/2015
Oh wow! I am the Georgia Author of the Year in the Young Adult category for A BIRD ON WATER STREET hosted by the Georgia Writers Association! Friends James Taylor and Lynn Myers were at the awards banquet and Facebooked this photo to me:
and to have my decade of hard work on the novel validated. This book is a tribute to the Copperhill community and it's been my pleasure to get the word out about their history through my story of Jack. I've especially been touched by the warm response from my readers, colleagues and peers, like the Georgia Writers Association. THANK YOU!!!!!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 6/24/2015
My cousin texted me recently... A BIRD ON WATER STREET is on the Georgia Suggested Summer Reading Middle & High School list for 2015! How exciting is that!? The list is handed out by both school and branch librarians all over the state. Wouldn't it be wonderful if new readers discovered ABOWS and the story moved them as much as it moved me? I can only hope. Click the image to learn more about my debut historical fiction novel...
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 5/4/2015
Saturday was Independent Bookstore Day and it coincided with the 10th anniversary of the opening of Little Shop of Stories, my local children's bookstore. They opened their doors about two weeks before Stan and I moved to town, and they've had my back since day one. All of my books have had launch parties there. It's been home to our regional SCBWI Gallery Show and our first Illustrators' Day. I've done numerous events with them, and my art still hangs on their walls. I've spent enough money on books there to help hold up the roof. Heck, I even nominated them for the Pannell Award (best bookstore), which they won. It's been a symbiotic relationship and one that has meant the world to me. So, of course I was there to help celebrate their big day.
So was another store favorite, Judy Schachner - creator of Skippyjon Jones. She read her latest incarnation, SNOW WHAT. It was so fun to watch the children slowly gather and get closer to this master storyteller. By the end, she had mesmerized a large, devoted group of young fans.
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 4/22/2015
A BIRD ON WATER STREET is a Green Earth Book Award Honor Book!! I can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day! Whoohoooo!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 4/4/2015
Voting is now open for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards. This is a prestigious honor for books, voted on by their local peers. You must be an SCBWI member to vote - and the books available for your vote depend on the region with which you affiliate.
A BIRD ON WATER STREET is votable in the Southern Breeze region of SCBWI. If you're a member, I sure hope you'll consider voting for my book. Although there are some other amazing titles in there, like... CURSES AND SMOKE: A BOOK OF POMPEII and HADES SPEAKS - both by my friend Vicky Alvear Shecter. (Click the titles to read her interviews.) AW, NUTS! - a debut picture book by Rob McClurkan - who stopped by my blog to talk about it. WANDERING WILDEBEEST - a book of poems by Irene Latham, which I featured recently. DEATH BY TOILET PAPER by Donna Gephart, who also stopped by recently. I AM JAZZ - the transgender picture book that received so much press - by the very young Jessica Herthel. Lori Nichols debut picture book, which has led to a busy career - MAPLE. And SEVEN STORIES UP by Laurel Snyder.
In other words, there are several books I'll be rooting for. Whichever your favorite - I hope you'll go VOTE!!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 3/25/2015
Oh WOW! A BIRD ON WATER STREET has been shortlisted for the Green Earth Book Award sponsored by The Nature Generation! With the strong environmental angle of my book, this award means so much to me! As well as the to American Library Association:
“One of the beauties of the Earth Book Award is that it recognizes an author who’s writing about a topic that is of vital importance to our Earth, yet it’s an area that, until recently, received little attention.”The competition is stiff - some amazing books with which to be associated - but winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2015. Fingers crossed!
-Pam Spencer Holley, author of the American Library Association’s Quick and Popular Reads for Teens
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 3/16/2015
ABOWS keeps winning over fans and I'm so honored! This one is the shortlist (12 chosen titles) for the Juvenile Fiction 2014 INDIEFAB BOOK OF THE YEAR. It's an award for books from smaller publishing houses like Little Pickle Press. As they say:
"it's a joyous occasion because we get to share with the rest of the world something we've known since our magazine's founding seventeen years ago: Some of today's best literary voices can be found among independent publishers. It's our job to find those voices and amplify them."I just say, THANK YOU!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 3/1/2015
OMG! I opened my computer today and there are dozens of "Congratulations"! Turns out A BIRD ON WATER STREET has been nominated for a SIBA Book Award! ABOWS is up against some very strong competition, so I'm just so honored to have it nominated!!! WoW! Truly, it just keeps plugging along getting such great attention. I am so pleased with how my debut novel has done!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 2/20/2015
I am thrilled to share that A BIRD ON WATER STREET is a 2015-2016 Nominee for the Georgia Children's Book Award! Woohoo!!! CLICK HERE to see the illustrious list of nominees - I am proud to be among them!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 1/5/2015
My Little Pickle Press publisher, Rana DiOrio recently wrote a VERY interesting article called CREATING POWERFUL COVERS and she used A BIRD ON WATER STREET as her primary example. Leslie Iorillo was the talented designer on the project.
The coolest part was seeing the stages the cover went through. And even though I'd seen all of these, I hadn't seen them pulled together like this before. It's also been a while, so I forgot that at one point, A BIRD ON WATER STREET might have turned out looking very different!
Here were the original concepts:
Which were narrowed down to three directions:
Leslie then did color studies of the chosen direction:
Until - VOILA! The final cover, which I love and adore, was born!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 12/17/2014
I am not even believing what arrived in the mail Monday! An actual MEDAL - my Gold Moonbeam Children's Book Award MEDAL. It was forwarded to me along with a lovely free-trade bracelet, stickers to put on my books, and a note from fellow pickle, Audrey Litner – the one who came up with the great tag line for A BIRD ON WATER STREET: "When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing?"
Never at a loss for words, she also included the lovely quote:
"La reconnaissance set la memoirs du coeur." by Jean Baptiste MassieuI think it translates into "Recognition is the heart of memories" or some such. Does anybody have a clearer translation? Audrey?
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 12/10/2014
Lovely things keep happening to A BIRD ON WATER STREET! I just heard that ABOWS is an Academics' Choice Award Winner! I'm so flattered! This is a review highlight:
"This thoughtful book would be perfect for my 6th grade class. I'm just about done with it and don't want it to end. Dulemba has made her characters believable, real, and enjoyable. Coppertown is a symbol for all things industry. I'd use this book to help my students learn about the pros and cons of industry as it relates to nature and family life. It could also be read during 19th century American studies as it relates well and brings the human stories into play when talking about the effects of industry on nature, family and the economy. I highly recommend this well written book!"YAY!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 11/29/2014
Come visit me at The Book Exchange in Marietta, Georgia today. I'll be sharing THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA at 10:30am, then A BIRD ON WATER STREET after that! Show your kids the importance of supporting small, neighborhood businesses and tweet at #SmallBizSat.
Click the cover to learn about my picture book THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA! Makes a GREAT teacher gift!
Don't live in Georgia? Check with your local bookseller - Sterling has a version for each state.
Click the cover to learn about my debut novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET, winner of six prestigious literary awards!
When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing? A miner's strike allows green and growing things to return to the Red Hills, but that same strike may force residents to seek new homes and livelihoods elsewhere. Follow the story of Jack Hicks as he struggles to hold onto everything he loves most.
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 11/9/2014
Esther Levine of Booking Authors connected me with Channel 11's daytime show, Atlanta and Company, and I'm so glad she did! They invited me on recently to talk about A BIRD ON WATER STREET! Have a looksie - the image will take you to the show's website where the video is archived:
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 10/27/2014
Last week I got to help celebrate the release of HADES SPEAKS, the latest in the "Gods Speak" series by my bud Vicky Alvear Shecter. She has such a perfect snarky voice for these awesome chapter books - kids eat 'em up!
And at the launch party at Little Shop of Stories, they also ate up the pomegranate cookies! You know, because Persephone ate a pomegranate which doomed her to spend 6 months of the year in Hades - isn't that awesome? (The cookies, not the entrapment part.)
Little did the kiddies know... they are now doomed to return to Little Shop again and again - Bwahahaha!!! *ahem* They LOVE going to our fave bookstore, so I don't think it will be a problem. :) Not to mention, they're all so knowledgable of their Greek lore, they know the significance. Did you notice the golden laurel crown on one of the listeners?
I also found a lovely surprise while there. It's been five months since the release of my own novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET, and yet, there it was face out with a lovely descriptor tag. How flattering! Gads, I was feeling the love for me and my friend! What a great night! 
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 10/20/2014
I'm exhausted but smiling after spending three days at the Auburn Writers Conference hosted by the amazing Chantel Acevedo and her supportive crew.
Thursday morning, I drove over early from Atlanta to spend time with two classes at Loachapoka Middle School (7th and 8th graders).
They made some sweet signs to welcome me:
The first class had received a group set of copies of A BIRD ON WATER STREET from Auburn University's University Outreach program - how cool! And their English teacher (I'm sorry, I forgot her name) had them all fired up for my visit - fun!
Here I am with LaDerrial, one of the students who wants to be a writer herself someday:
The teachers were so kind to present me with a certificate of appreciation - how nice! Having teacher support means SO much! 
Here I am with the English teacher and the Principal, Mrs. Kitt, who I saw at the writers conference later.
Friday I awoke early and walked the Auburn campus - so pretty. Then Mark Wilson, my schools escort and PhD Coordinator of community and civic engagement in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, picked me up to head to Duke Middle School. I met with two classes there as well.
Mark's son was in one of them - HI! The kids asked fantastic questions and I wish I could have spent more time with them. Here I am with another budding writer.
Thanks to Mrs. Laura Hardy, the Librarian for making me feel so welcome.
And thanks to Michelle Hopf, their teacher who was actually at the conference (we caught up later after years of talking online). She has some great students and they obviously love her! Here I am with Michelle and Angela Jordan (we talked Appalachia and could have gone on for hours if everybody wasn't so tired from the great weekend!). 
Saturday I once again walked around campus - what a nice way to start the day. Then I got ready for my workshop, "What to Do When the Story Finds You," this time with adults! I didn't get pictures this time, but several people thanked me afterwards saying how much they got out of my workshop. LOVE to hear that!
All said, it was a fabulous time. I caught up with writer friends and met several new ones. I also got to reconnect with the kind folks in Alabama. Along with conferences and festivals, I do quite a few school visits over there and I'm sure they have a lot to do with that. So, THANK YOU to all for a lovely time! I hope I can return soon!
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 10/15/2014
Thursday morning I head out to speak at the Auburn Writers Conference in Alabama and to speak at two schools. It's been several years since I last spoke at this event. Chantel Acevedo puts on a class act, so I'm really looking forward to it!
Here's a peek at one of the classes I'll be visiting: Students at Loachapoka High School in Lee County, Alabama received a classroom set of A Bird on Water Street, courtesy of Auburn University’s Office of the Vice President of University Outreach and the Auburn Writers Conference. I can't wait! (Click the image to see a larger version.)
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 10/13/2014
Hubbie and I scooted on up to Nashville for the Southern Festival of Books on Saturday. I've spoken at this festival several times now, and it's one of my faves. Happily, we got there early enough to say 'hi' to Betsy Bird and Julie Danielson who were there to talk about their new book, WILD THINGS (I featured them recently on my blog). And we were there on time to see Susan Eaddy and Julie Hedlund talk about their latest creation, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN. (I featured them when they started their journey on Kickstarter HERE.) 
I also saw John Rocco and Kristy Valiant speak! I'm a huge fan of John's work - interviewed him HERE and HERE. And I've been rooting for Kristi since before she was published - so nice to finally meet her in person! I interviewed her HERE and HERE.
The weather was horrible and I didn't pack well for it - pah! So, it was nice to see there were still large crowds and my peeps at the SCBWI Midsouth tent were all smiles. I LOVE my Nashville peeps!!!
That evening there was a lovely party for all the invited authors and illustrators to mingle and chat. Here was my gang: Susan Eaddy, Julie Hedlund, Eugene Yelchin, John Rocco, and moi: 
Afterwards, several of us met up at Susan's house for a casual barbecue among children's book peeps. Her hubbie, David (also an artist) even broke out the champagne to help celebrate all our latest successes (book sales, awards, new releases)! Here we are having one of those magical, wish it could go on forever, sort of evenings: (in front) Casey and Kristi Valiant, (in back from left) Susan, David, Julie Hedlund, Me, Mary Uhles, and Jessica Young.
Truly, that was a special night!
The next day Stan was able to catch Vicky Alvear Shecter talk about her latest books, POMPEII and HADES SPEAKS right after Kimberly Cross Teter talked about her fascinating book ISABELLA'S LIBRETTO. (I had to meet with Sharon Cameron, author and moderator for my panel, which was right after.)
I had the distinct honor of being paired with National Book Award Winner (and friend) Deborah Wiles (author of REVOLUTION, which is getting lots of Newbery buzz). She's supported me since the early days of my career, so it was so humbling and flattering to sit beside her and talk about A BIRD ON WATER STREET:
Even the signing wasn't too painful this year - I had some very nice, interested readers ask me to sign books. One was a young boy, right about Jack's age. Gads, do I wish I could be a fly on his wall to see how he reacts to the book! 
It was late when we finally left, late when we stopped for dinner in Chattanooga (my old stomping grounds), and even later when we got home waaaay after dark. But it was all worth it.
I love Nashville, I love my creative friends and my Midsouth family (I haven't even named half of them), and I ADORE finally meeting people in person who I've emailed with for years (there were a lot of them at this event). SUCH a treat!
Thank you to Lacey Cook, Serenity Gerbman and all the volunteers for making this such a fantastic event, rain or shine! I'm always thrilled to come visit your neck o' the woods!
