To my book club and library friends...
I love doing Zooms with book clubs and library groups of all sizes across the USA, Canada, and other countries. My Zooms are completely free, as are my IN-PERSON EVENTS within 50 miles or so of Kansas City. My sessions are in English and assume that all attendees have read my book. Please scroll down for details.
Peace and love,
Jane Yearout, author
BOOK PROFILE
GENRE: Historical Fiction.
STORY LINE: With her parents, a white teenager (Annie Young) abandons the Oklahoma Dust Bowl for a fresh start in the Shenandoah Valley. Their new community harbors old wounds from the Civil War and strange undercurrents that defy reason or virtue. Annie is befriended by an African American family, a grand old lady marked by scandal, and a mysterious boy soldier from the Appalachians of North Carolina. All are hostage to the same horrendous scandal that locals have buried since Civil War times. This scandal ultimately draws Annie to its epicenter and drives a tale loaded with twists, turns, surprises, undercurrents, and a definite play-it-forward quality.
THEMES, SOCIAL RELEVANCE: Civil War (Quakers, boy soldiers, prisoners of war, underground railroad, lasting loyalties) | Dust Bowl & Great Depression | Jim Crow | Secrecy | Scandal | Corruption | Honesty | Truth | Courage | Justice | Perseverance | Hope | Fear | Joy | Tragedy | Peer pressure | Bullying | Isolation | Elitism | Mortality | Generosity | Materialism | Decency | Friendship | Personal & social empowerment.
SETTINGS: Shenandoah Valley of VA, WV + Oklahoma Dust Bowl + North Carolina + Pennsylvania + Maryland + Washington, D.C. + Noah's escape route.
AUDIENCE: Recommended for female and male readers, parents, grandparents, secondary students and teachers. Especially popular with baby boomers, socially conscious women.
READING LEVEL: Grade 9. Authentic language, some colorful. No vulgarity, sexual content, or graphic violence.
AVERAGE WRITTEN REVIEW ~ 5 stars
Average rating without comment ~ 4.5 stars
All reviews and ratings are by actual book purchasers (Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble)
and by Goodreads subscribers. Author does not utilize 'paid for' ratings or reviews.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY:
I have deep roots in the settings and characters of this tale, but roots have a wayward nature. My other roots are those of a babyboomer in Kansas (via Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia) who once taught English and literature, who co-founded a travel company with my husband, and who spent a number of years with a major book publisher.
When I became a professional writer, it was no accident that chose to write as an independent, and forego the artistic compromises and marketing power of large, corporate publishers. It's not easy to be indy, but deep and wayward roots must have space to thrive. Thanks to a growing tide of indy fans, lots of word-of mouth, and a few over-priced Facebook ads, daily sales for 'Along the Red Dirt Road' have been strong since its release in the early days of Covid - and continue to grow each month. It would be OK if all these sales actually produced a big, juicy profit, but I am more than amply rewarded by the feedback of readers who are touched by this tale.
Little did I know that the 'cast' of 'Along the Red Dirt Road' would reach so many readers at such a critical time in our history. As things turned out, this book is striking a chord far deeper and more uplifting than I ever imagined. One reader, after finishing my book, joyously proclaimed - "Yes, people are good!" My writing fully embraces that notion, with the caveat that villains are sometimes necessary to make it true.
PLANNING YOUR EVENT.
GETTING YOUR BOOKS.
- Paperbacks are $13.95, whether from Amazon or from here on my website.
- Paperbacks ordered here in my website may be AUTOGRAPHED AND PERSONALIZED at no extra charge and shipped anywhere in USA - perfect for reading groups and for gifting. Shipping is free on orders of 5 or more copies shipped to same address in USA.
- E-books are $4.95 from Amazon, Apple, B&N, Kobo.
PLANNING SUGGESTIONS.
As early as possible, potential event planners & participants should:
Time allowance for event: About 15 to 20 minutes for 'talk' portion + time for discussion + time for socializing/book signing/buying books (if in-person event).
Scheduling event: Just shoot me an email at ashfoard1@gmail.com with your time/date preferences + rough estimate of group size + Zoom host plans (see below) + other info/questions of importance. If you'd like to speak by phone, please include your number and a good time for me to call you.
Zoom Hosting: For a variety of reasons, I recommend that whoever serves as Zoom host does so with a paid (not free) account. Generally, one member of your group serves as Zoom host and I join that session. However, I am happy to use my pro account and serve as host. I typically do so when group is in one place with a large screen (plus microphone & speakers). Don't forget refreshments!
Talk content: Although Along the Red Dirt Road is historical fiction, most characters are composites of real people with fascinating stories I'd love to share. The Dust Bowl and Shenandoah Valley settings are also composites - of real towns, buildings, farms, orchards, cemeteries, and other places with rich histories that deserve their own telling. I look forward to sharing the real people, places, and stories behind this tale, several noteworthy personal experiences, some writer insights that relate to Along the Red Dirt Road - plus a sneak peek at the sequel (to be released in late 2022). Without doubt, my greatest pleasure from these events is hearing directly from readers how each was impacted by various facets of this tale.
For in-person events only: Author is happy to sign paperbacks at in-person events, regardless of when/where purchased. Additional copies of signed/personaized paperbacks may be purchased at most in-person events.
For libraries only > purchase and subscription sources
Along the Red Dirt Road meets/exceeds the following criterior established by the American Library Association.
- Present and potential relevance to community needs.
- Suitability of physical form for library use.
- Suitability of subject and style for intended audience.
- Cost.
- Importance as a document of the times.
- Relation to the existing collection and to other materials on the subject.
- Attention by critics and reviewers.
- Potential user appeal.
- Requests by library patrons.
