Virtual Book Tour: Chendell - A Natural Warrior by Leslie L. Landis.

Mississippi Bookworm Diva was invited to participate in the virtual book tour for a new YA Fantasy Series Book. I am very excited to share the book, Chendell,  with you.  Learn more about the text below.

"A lively nature-oriented superhero adventure…the heart of the tale comes together in the final pages." - Kirkus Reviews 

About the Book:

Purchase Chendell.

A super boy from a village in China and a super girl from rural Vermont meet in college and fall in love. Both grapple with their unique powers and purpose. Will they master their abilities in time to save each other and the ecosystem from certain destruction? And what twists does life have in store? Originally released in early 2019, Landis is re-releasing an updated version of her environmental YA fantasy as well as adding an audiobook format in April 2020, to celebrate Earth Day.

While on a research trip to the Peruvian rainforest, Robin Dell and Jamie Chen’s lives (and consciousness) are changed forever when they drink a shaman’s brew and are transformed into CHENDELL. Two halves of one person. A dual consciousness – female and male – in one body. This new being is streamlined. Eurasian. With one green eye and one dark brown eye. Shoulder length hair that is half auburn and half black. As CHENDELL, their fight is to save our environment from the people responsible for ecocide and biocide – the willful destruction of the environment and the annihilation of living organisms.

Individually, Robin can control insects and Jamie can communicate and control trees and plants. When joined as CHENDELL their powers are enhanced. Their senses are extremely acute. Their strength is exceptionally strong. Their mind is lightning quick. And their powers are extensively increased – not only with trees, plants, and insects – but also with other living creatures.

All of nature is their ally.

Finally, Nature has a hero.

Book Praise

Purchase Chendell.

"CHENDELL starts as a boy-meets-girl story, connecting a girl from the U.S., to a boy in China, told in an unusual compelling format. It is about love and family, but also about insects and trees. When boy and girl become a super couple, the reader accompanies them on a wild, dangerous journey, and then, when your heart is in your throat, something happens that is shocking, unique, and utterly heartwarming. Leslie Landis has written a tale I'll never forget. Bravo!" 

- Best selling author Thom Racina

"Everything you ever wanted in a fantastical story but were afraid to ask! A superhero story packed with a delightful page-turning packet of ingredients—adventure, love plus humor and wit. Be prepared to be invested in the Landis characters and swept up into their world and their dreams. CHENDELL and its heroes Jamie Chen and Robin Dell are just begging to be given the big-screen treatment." 

- Ivor Davis, Author of "Ladies and Gentlemen… The Penguins!" and "The Beatles and Me on Tour."

Audiobook:

In April 2020, the audiobook for Chendell was released.  Alicia Silverstone and Adrian Grenier are the narrators for the audiobook. Subscribers to my newsletter will receive a peek sneak of the Audiobook. Make sure that you have signed up for my newsletter. If you need to signup for my newsletter, here is the link: Mississippi Bookworm Diva Newsletter.

About the Author:

Leslie Landis

Leslie Landis has been a teacher, a financial planner, a bank trust officer, worked for a U.S. Senator, an associate director in television, and a licensed therapist. Her first book is a humorous take on our food and diet-obsessed culture titled The Art of Overeating: A Bellyful of Laughs About Our Food-phobic Culture. CHENDELL: A Natural Warrior is her first novel. Leslie lives with her husband in Los Angeles.

Leslie’s degree in psychology informs her insight into how people look at the world and themselves. She created relatable characters who reflect the roles we play and the uncertainties of life. With a different take on gender equality and the battle to preserve our environment, her superhero CHENDELL speaks not only to young people but to all generations. In this captivating, exciting, and realistic fantasy, Landis’ unique writing style presents a message of love, hope, and commitment to fighting the real world evil forces destroying our planet.

Questions and Answer Session with Leslie Landis, Author of Chendell

Purchase Chendell.

Why did you write a YA novel?

My book, Chendell: A Natural Warrior, has an environmental theme. People of all ages care about the environment but young people are especially tuned into the environmental degradation caused by global warming. They know it is their future that is most at risk.

How did you come up with the idea of CHENDELL?

Through media exposure, I certainly noticed how popular the superhero genre is.

When I thought about why I was not interested in this category, I realized that the typical superhero characters were not “real” to me and they usually battled against “unreal” struggles such as someone trying to blow up the world. So I thought why not a superhero who was fighting a real-world problem - ecocide and biocide - the willful destruction of the environment and the annihilation of living organisms.

Why is one of your protagonists Chinese?

There are three reasons I made one of my protagonists Chinese:

1. I’ve been to China and I found the Chinese people to be gracious, warm, and kind.

2. I know what it feels like to experience anger and hostility just because I was American. I’ve traveled to other countries during a time when we had an unpopular U.S. president. I feel the people of a country should be treated as individuals, not as representatives of a government.

3. I’m personally very interested in other cultures and ethnicities. Having a Chinese character was just more interesting to me.

Why don’t you kill bugs?

I do kill bugs - if I have to. For example, if a mosquito is going to bite me or a bee is going to sting me. But fortunately for me, those have been rare occurrences. Other than those situations, I don’t kill bugs because they are alive. Because they are just living their little bug lives. Because they serve a function in the scheme of life. I just don’t go out of my way to kill anything.

Have you written any other books?

The Art of Overeating: A Bellyful of Laughs About Our Food-phobic Culture – A humorous view on our food-obsessed culture.

Why do environmental problems worry you the most?

The future of every living creature depends on the health of our planet.

Why do you think your book is unique?

In my book, the superhero is fighting a real-world problem. And my protagonists are a woman and a man who are truly equal. They can’t be more equal than when they are Chendell.

Why should people read your book?

My book is timely, exciting, and fun.

What can people do to help our environment?

Buy less, use less, waste less, and recycle. Also, people can vote for representatives who take the environment and global warming seriously.

Where did you grow up/live now?

I was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. I have lived in Chicago and New York. Now I live in Los Angeles.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer

Leslie Landis

What is your education/career background?

I went to the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA for 2 years. Then I transferred and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. I have an M.A. degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA

I’ve done a lot of different things. The highlights are working for U.S. Senator, working in television production as an Associate Director (I’m still a member of the Directors Guild), working as a bank trust officer, and finally, as a Marriage and Family therapist.

Do you have kids and/or pets?

No kids. But thanks to my husband, I have grandkids. No pets at this time. Had a Jack Russell terrier who died at 16 years old. Planning on getting a Schnoodle soon.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Or what first inspired you to write?

I often tried to write a story or novel but I never followed through. Then not too long ago, I realized that the business letter and documents I was writing were good. That gave me the confidence to try writing fiction again.

Where/when do you best like to write?

I write best at my office desk in a loft in my home. There is nothing to distract me there. I accomplish the most when I write in the evening.

Do you have any interesting writing habits or superstitions?

I am a terrible typist. I just hope my fingers will go where I want them to go and not where they want to go.

When you are struggling to write/have writer’s block, what are some ways that help you find your creative muse again?

I just leave my computer and think about my story a lot. A whole lot. And sooner or later, ideas come to me and I am ready to resume writing.

What do you think makes a good story?

Character development and a sense of humor.

What inspired your story?

The popularity of what I consider boring and redundant (almost all men) superheroes and their fights. I felt there should be a superhero who fights for the environment – for our planet.

How does a new story idea come to you?

I read a lot of current publications – newspapers and magazines – so trends eventually coalesce in my brain and ideas pop out from there.

Is there a message/theme you want readers to grasp?

If we get in touch with the natural world, we will all hear its message, “Save me before it is too late and I am gone!”

What was the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That once I get going, writing is fun.

On A Friday night, what are you most likely to be doing?

Watching “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

What do you do when you are not writing?

The usual. Eating, sleeping, exercising, errands, grocery shopping, going out to dinner, etc.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Hilary Mantel. Alexander McCall Smith

Do you have a bucket list? What are some of the things on it?

Travel more. Make more friends. Be kind to everyone.

What person(s) has/have helped you most in your career?

Leslie Landis

My husband, Martin. He has always believed in me and encouraged me in whatever endeavor I want to pursue.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

Don’t give up.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Moby Dick

What is the one book no writer should be without?

The one they love and inspires them.

How do you’re your spouse and other friends/family feel about your writing career?

Everyone is very supportive and encouraging.

If your book was turned into a movie, who would want to play the main characters?

An interesting question. I’m not sure but I would want a younger, taller version of Scarlett Johansson and a younger, Chinese version of Edward Norton. They both seem smart to me.

I do see this as a movie like Avatar which was both live-action and animation.

Connect with Leslie Landis on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chendellrevolution/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chendellrevolution/

Where can you purchase Chendell?

Here is the link for Amazon.

Here is the link for Barnes and Noble.

Book Review: Perfect City by Joe Berridge

Book Title: Perfect City
Book Author: Joe Berridge
Format: PDF File
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

In The Perfect City, Joe Berridge provides a vivid description of his journey as an "urban fixer." Throughout the introductory chapter, Berridge presents the case of the city and the city planner in terms of a machine and a mechanic. This unique metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the text. In my opinion, Berridge wants the reader to recognize how the city planners work as a mechanic to fine-tune the intricacies and workings of a city. 

I was intrigued by Perfect City because my doctoral program, Public Policy, and Administration, works closely with the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Jackson State University. Many of my friends and colleagues are trained urban planners, so I was curious as to how Perfect City would inform me about the discipline. Surprisingly, this text does not read like an academic textbook, but it flows like an autobiography that has embedded within the lines, which can be used in the urban planning classroom. Several chapters are dedicated to individual cities, which Berridge uses to highlight pertinent information that can be used in transforming cities into models of urban perfection.

Berridge did an excellent job of detailing how cities can grow and improve while providing examples of how cities are hindering their transformation. I believe that everyone would enjoy Perfect City, especially residents in urban areas. Individuals who work in urban areas or who are urban planners would enjoy this text, which can be used as a guidebook to improve urban communities.

Let me know if you order the text. I would love to learn your thoughts on Perfect City.

About the Book

There is no such thing as a perfect city, but all great cities have moments of perfection — perfect streets or buildings, perfect places to raise a family or to relax with a coffee — and all strive for perfection when they undertake grand civic projects revitalizing their downtowns or waterfronts, or building innovation hubs, airports, and arenas, or reforming their governance systems, or integrating streams of new immigrants. Cities, more than ever, are the engines of our economies and the ecosystems in which our lives play out, which makes questions about the perfectibility of urban life all the more urgent. Joe Berridge, one of the world’s leading urban planners, takes us on an insider’s tour of some of the world’s largest and most diverse cities, from New York to London, Shanghai to Singapore, Toronto to Sydney, Manchester to Belfast, to scrutinize what is working and what is not, what is promising and what needs to be fixed in the contemporary megalopolis. We meet the people, politicians, and thinkers at the cutting edge of global city making, and share their struggles and successes as they balance the competing priorities of growing their economies, upgrading the urban machinery that keeps a city humming, and protecting, serving, and delighting their citizens. We visit a succession of great urban innovations, stop to eat in many of Joe’s favorite places, and leave with a startling view of the magical urban future that awaits us all.

About the Author

Joe Berridge, a partner at Urban Strategies, is an urban planner and city builder who has had an integral role in the development of complex urban planning and regeneration projects in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Asia. He has been strategic advisor for the development of the city centres of Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff and for the waterfronts of Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Cork, London and Governors Island in New York City. He has prepared campus master plans for the Universities of Manchester, Waterloo, Queen’s and Western and is now advising on the new hub for Toronto Pearson International Airport. Joe teaches at the University of Toronto and is a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

Book Review: Crude Blessings by T. M. "Roe" Patterson

Purchase the Book

Book Title: Crude Blessings: The Amazing Life Story of Glenn Patterson American Oilman

Author: T. M. "Roe" Patterson

Format: Hardback

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

“My dad taught me that honesty and integrity are everything in business and in life. He always said the decisions you make are only as good as they are for everyone you work with. There is always plenty of room for decency and trust.” - T.M. “Roe” Patterson

This fantastic biography was quite intriguing. From the Foreward to the Epilogue, Patterson pays homage to the legacy of his father. While doing so, he also illustrates what families and caregivers experience when a loved one is battling diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Before the narrative begins, you read a page that says that 25% of the proceeds from his book will be used to provide Alzheimer's care, support, and research. I found this to be genuinely commendable and speaks volumes about his dedication to helping others, whose family members were dealing with Alzheimer. People, who are supporting loved ones with Alzheimer, will find tips on how to help, especially when the family member is experiencing denial, as well as how to start and continue the caregiving process.

Patterson's admiration of his father reminded me of how much I respected and admired my own father. The story of how clean Glenn Patterson liked to keep his truck, even though it worked around dirt and oil fields tickled me. I can only imagine how my "elbow grease went into cleaning that truck after work. The story made me looked at my vehicles differently. It's time for a good vacuuming and cleaning of the exteriors and interiors of my cars.

Right before Chapter 8 begins, Patterson shares intimate photos of his father and his family. I enjoyed looking at the images, which helped me gauge how important family was to Glenn Patterson. I think my favorite photo is of Glenn teaching his son, Robert, how to shave. The image silently shares how vital Glenn took teaching his children every aspect of work and life.

His mantra, "Always do the right thing" turned out to be an enviable formula for success in a highly volatile industry. Many would say, this is likely missing in today’s business environment.

The life of Glenn Patterson is painted vividly by Patterson. Patterson allows the reader to see the family man and businessman sides of his father. Glenn Patterson's work ethic was very impressive. How he saved the company from closing is absolutely fascinating. Glenn Patterson's ability to overcome the oil field crash and to continue despite the Jody Nelson embezzlement scandal makes his biography a must read. Entrepreneurs can bring so many takeaways from this text to help their businesses. One major takeaway is to make sure that your staff treats the equipment of the company with pride and respect. His desire to have clean equipment in an oil business proves this example. Another takeaway from this text is how Glenn Patterson used what can be considered "old-school" business methods to create tremendous success.

About the Book

Crude Blessings: The Amazing Life Story of Glenn Patterson American Oilman is the rags-to-riches story of Glenn Patterson’s road to survival and success in the volatile and unpredictable “modern age of petroleum.” Born on the family ranch in Blackwell, Texas, Glenn became one of America’s energy industry pioneers. His core values, work ethic and dedication to his family and employees are a valuable example for the American spirit of perseverance, hard work, and fair play.

Purchase the Book

Much more than one son's homage to his dad, Crude Blessings is a compelling narrative about a family patriarch who embodied the best qualities of the Greatest Generation, which inspired and powered the success of America. Timely because of the increasing polarization in our country, Glenn Patterson's story and values were examples of the Christian ethos of decency, integrity, faith, and trust throughout his life in his business and family. 

Building his business on a foundation of “always doing the right thing,” Glenn was revered by colleagues, customers and competitors alike. During the most disruptive period any industry had ever faced, his company, Patterson Drilling became one of the largest oil and gas-drilling companies in the country. The legacy of embedding strong family values in a small business is described in this new book through a first–hand account of the sector’s fierce challenges during the last two decades of the 20th century. Glenn’s journey became spiritual as well, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at too early an age, which led to struggles with his own mortality and his relationship with God.

About the Author 

T.M. “Roe” Patterson is a 23-year industry veteran in the oil and gas services business. Moving to his dad’s family business Basic Energy in 2006, he was named Top Public Company CEO by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2014. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University, he and his wife Tonya have two children and live in Fort Worth. He is active supporter of The American Heart Association, North Texas Alzheimer’s Association and speaks frequently across the country on the practical approach to leadership that his father embraced. Crude Blessings is his first book.

Blogtour: One Pedal at a Time by CJ Golden

Book Title: One Pedal at a Time: A Novice Caregiver and Her Cyclist Husband Face Their New Normal with Courage, Tenacity, and Abundant Love
Publisher: Eronel Publishing
Date: February 14, 2018
Categories: Nonfiction; Women's Interest; Caregiver
Author's Website: https://www.cjgolden.com/

About the Book:

My participation in this BlogTour is perfect since May is Family Support Month and Older Americans Month. I am excited to participate in the BlogTour for CJ Golden's new book: One Pedal at a Time: A Novice Caregiver and Her Cyclist Husband Face Their New Normal with Courage, Tenacity, and Abundant Love.

In this book, CJ Golden provides a glimpse into the often silent world of being a caregiver for a loved one. Sharing her journey as the caregiver for her husband, Golden shares the reality, which includes both the ups and downs, of being the primary caregiver to her husband, Joe.  I admire how Golden is not afraid to paint a very transparent picture of her journey caring for Joe, who suffered from cancer and several strokes. Based on this book, I believe that the love story between Golden and Joe is one that exceeds the meaning of the wedding vows in sickness and in health. For caregivers, who often feel like they are alone in their journey of being the "go-to person" for their loved ones, Golden's book, One Pedal at a Time, proves that caregivers' experiences are not isolated. Based on this book, I understand the unspoken struggles of my mother and her siblings as they juggled their own lives and took care of my grandmother. Watching my mother demonstrate the unselfish nature of a caregiver, I appreciate Golden's desire to share her story with the world and to inspire other caregivers.

Who would enjoy this book?

I believe that people, who are caring for a loved one, would definitely appreciate reading One Pedal at a Time. Also, I think that people, who are not caring for a loved one but know of someone who is, could benefit from reading this book because it presents a glimpse into the caregiver's reality and could help them in understanding how to be a real friend to a caregiver. 

Connect with the Author

Connect with CJ Golden via social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjgoldenauthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjgoldenauthor   

Author Questions and Answers

Parts of your book are a series of emails that you sent to friends and family during the time of Joe’s hospitalization and recovery. What made you realize that you needed to share it with the world in a book?

Oh, my, that sounds a tad frightening, doesn’t it – sharing it with the world?  But all that I had learned and shared through my writing was being read and embraced by my readers. They were with Joe and me every step of the way and, knowing they were there and caring kept me going. It felt so good to have them all in my world as I went through this very personal tumultuous time. One Pedal at a Time grew out of their comments and, quite honestly, requests that I put my writings in a book for others to benefit from. My journey was similar to so many others’ and, therefore, the lessons I had brought to light were helpful to them. We need to know we are not alone in our circumstances; especially times of duress.

You have studied and practiced Taoist principles, how were you able to use these as you became an unexpected caregiver for your husband? 

Quite honestly, I did not recognize those principles specifically as they carried me through my caregiver journey. It was only when Joe was stronger and life as it had been was peeking through the clouds, that I sat and thought about the Tao. The principles that I had followed – and do throughout my life – are Tzu-jan, which means that “stuff happens”. Life takes the twists and turns it is supposed to take and we cannot undo that. 

Then Wu Wei comes in and we are taught we must acknowledge that which has happened for, without doing so, we cannot work our way through to the other side. Basically, in today’s terminology, I suspect that all would be explained as “You can’t change or ignore what has happened - so deal with it!” 

Tao also teaches us Te, that reminds us we are each unique with our own set of skills. Those skills are what we put in to play when we need to, well, “deal with stuff.” Along with our skillsets, we also have weaknesses that need to be acknowledged and dealt with. Either we can try to strengthen those weaknesses or, if that cannot be, we must never put ourselves down for them. In my case, my strengths took over while those skills I did not have, I recognized had to be delegated to someone else. In this manner I continued to learn and do the best I could possibly do for Joe.

Your book is not only a book about caregiving, but a true love story. Please explain the importance of sharing that aspect of your book as part of Joe’s (and your) recovery. 

I do believe most everyone enjoys a good love story, but I did not set out to write that as the mainstay of the book. It evolved, much as our journey evolved. To not share that part of our relationship with others would have been to leave out, I believe, the most uplifting part of our story.

There are so many out there caring for loved ones; spouses, parents, children, friends. The job is difficult, painful and can cause rifts in relationships. I think it is important to show them that, with the right attitude (I’m sorry if that sounds pedantic, and Pollyannaish) feelings of remorse can be turned into a stronger love as, together, caregiver and patient work through their trials - with an attitude of understand and caring.

The quote that stays with us comes from a plaque that hangs on the wall at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston:“You get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. Take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a stronger person, or allow it to tear you down. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.” 

Joe and I chose to become stronger people – individually and as a couple and a “team.” I’ve since had many people share with me that their caregiver journey has created a stronger loving bond between them and their patient. 

Our love story is real – there was no way I could not share it.

In your email section of the book, your tone is very positive, was there a point where you felt hopeless or angry? How do you handle those kinds of feelings when your closest friend and confidante can’t help you with them?

I made a point of adding something positive to each email I had sent out. I think, retrospectively, I needed to do that to bolster my own torn soul. Of course, I wanted those who cared to find something upbeat in my words. I knew they were with Joe and me in spirit and it needed to share it all – the pain and the positive.

            

As for me feeling hopeless and angry; of course I did. There were days when I had to leave Joe’s side so I could sit in the caregiver lounge and cry.  Or call a friend and rant. Or – forgive me for this admission – take a handful of Ativan in order to continue on. (On those days I had someone driving me home, or I was staying in Joe’s room overnight).

            

My closest friends and confidantes were able to help me – I remember sitting in my living room one morning, absolutely shattered and, after texting two extremely close friends, finding them coming to my home to allow me to babble and blubber on; to cry and scream; and they listened and they held me and I was able to pull myself together and get to the hospital.  

            

But I could not live in the negative and somehow found a way to continue on with hope and optimism. It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary to do so, or I would have not been able to continue caring for Joe. Or myself. 

What are 3 pieces of advice you could give to someone who has just been thrown into the caregiver role?       

Educate yourself about your role: learn about the illness which has struck your loved one; learn about the “cures” and side effects; learn to talk with the medical staff and become a part of their team. Take what I call, a course in Hospital 101. You cannot be a bystander and wear blinders. You’re learning much under fire, but it will help you help your loved one immeasurably.   

Recognize that you must MUST care for yourself. I did not and the result was a woman (me) who was emotionally and physically exhausted, and on the brink of not being capable of caring for Joe in any capacity.  Seek counseling and guidance. Listen to people who tell you to take care of YOU. They are right! 

I love Joseph Campbell’s quote: “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”

The life Joe and I had planned was wonderful for as long as it lasted. Now we live   another life– but still with each other – and we are thankful   for what we once had, and grateful for the life we now have together.

I hear so many caregivers bemoaning the new life that has been handed to them; they want their old life back. But, this, now, is their life. And, as Campbell says, it must be accepted. That is also the Tao – here you are, your path has been altered, find your unique strengths and create a new life.

CJ GOLDEN in her new book, One Pedal at a Time: A Novice Caregiver and Her Cyclist Husband Face Their New Normal with Courage, Tenacity, and Abundant Love (Eronel Publishing, Feb. 2018), recounts her experiences during and after her husband of 25 years suffered numerous cancer-related strokes, and her learning curve as a caregiver. More about CJ at https://www.cjgolden.com/.

Follow Cassandra on Instagram.

Connect with Cassandra on Goodreads.

Follow Cassandra on Facebook.

Connect with Cassandra on Twitter.

Blog Tour: Every Father's Daughter Edited by Margaret McMullan

I just finished reading Every Father’s Daughter, and this book is like none other that I have read.  A collection of twenty-four essays compiled by Margaret McMullan, Every Father's Daughter discusses authors’ relationship or the lack there of with their fathers. McMullan has Mississippi roots, so I was excited to join this blog tour. The methodological choice of essays and the organization of them make the book hard to put down.  I was expecting a book to paint a pretty picture of an iconic relationship with the father. However, I was surprised to read genuine stories that painted a real picture about who each author’s father really was.  The essays invite you into each of the writer's personal relationship with their father.  The writer exposes the pain, the joy, and sometimes even regret that occurred in that relationship.  Ironically, this book makes you analyze your relationship with your father, and it forces you to think about if you really know, whom your father is.  This book is a great read, especially since it is close to Father’s Day.  I highly recommend Every Father's Daughter.

Check out the Q &A below with Margaret McMullan

Margaret McMullan SIQs

Every Father's Daughter

1. How did you decide which authors to reach out to for this collection?

In the last month of my father’s life, I read to him Alice Munro’s essay, “Working for a Living.” We had one of our last book discussions about that fox farm, the cold work, and the landscape of Canada. She was the first person I contacted. I wrote her a letter and a few months later she called and said yes, of course you can reprint my essay. I was just stunned. The other authors followed. I invited the authors my father loved or had met at some point in his life. He had dinner with Lee Smith once and she was so quick to respond. Lee led me to Jill McCorkle. I also included three former students. In the end, this collection of women writers became one big circle of friends.

2. How did your vision for this collection evolve from the start to end of this project?

At first I saw this as a collection of southern writers, men and women. But then I realized I just wanted to hear from women, daughters. I moved away from regionalizing it when I began thinking of my father’s literary tastes and what kind of man he was. He was southern but he was also very much shaped by Chicago and the Mid-West. Each time I read an essay, I would think, Would Dad like this?

3. What most surprised you about the creation of Every Father's Daughter?

I was surprised how difficult such a great collection was to get published. Jane Smiley had a Pulitzer, Maxine Hong Kingston won the National Book Award, and Alice Munro had just won a Nobel Prize. I felt this book was no-proof. Who wouldn’t want to read these writers on this particularly personal subject? And who wouldn’t want to read about fathers? I’ve always thought this collection was a sure thing, but it was much more difficult to find a publisher than I had imagined. Apparently, anthologies were no longer fashionable in the publishing industry. One editor, who declined the book, has since contacted me to tell me how she genuinely regrets not taking it.

In your introduction, you talk about how this book was a way for you to grieve. How did you come to realize this?

This particular work felt meaningful because all along I thought so much about my father. I started soon after my father died. The work – reaching out to other women, asking for their stories, and then reading them was therapeutic because it reminded me that there are other emotions besides grief. After a while, after I organized and put together the book, after I wrote my own essay, my grief transformed. It felt less like sadness and more like love.

I have encountered so many readers who have read the book and want to talk about an essay, and then, inevitably, these readers begin to tell me about their fathers. A conversation starts. This book has a power. We are remembering our fathers, and, in some cases, bringing them back to life.

4. Did you come to realize anything about your relationship with your father as you read through the essays in this collection?                                                                                                

I knew from the start that we were close, and that a good part of that closeness was how we stayed connected through literature. Now, I realize exactly how close we really were.

Let's connect on Goodreads.

Connect with me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.  

my currently-reading shelf:

Check out my other blog: Transitioning to Me: Life after Divorce.