Book News

Third and Final Loving vs. Virginia Give Away

January 2, 2017 By Patricia Hruby Powell Leave a Comment

And the third and final Give Away, goes to [drum roll] NikolaBooks. Congratulations, Nikola. Nikola, please email me at note to phpowell@talesforallages.com and let me know if you simply want it signed, or signed to you or . . . what.

The second give away went to Nancy (still waiting for you to respond, Nancy :-). The first to Deb Aronson. Thank you so much, everyone, for entering. If you did not win a copy of the book, I do hope you will still pre-order Loving vs. Virginia, which releases on January 31, 2017.

That can be done at the following Links: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/loving-vs-virginia.html

or at http://www.janeaddamsbooks.com/

Or anywhere you buy books.

Or come to the Book Launch Party in Champaign, IL at the Esquire Lounge (106 N. Walnut Champaign) Thursday, February 16, 2017 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Jane Addams Books will be selling the books; Robin Kearton and Tom Faux will play string music (because Mildred’s family played what they called “hill billy” music as a string band). The Esquire will be serving (along with their complete menu) Brunswick stew which is a traditional Virginia dish. Come, have a beer, listen to a brief reading, listen to the music, get a book (not required) and have a good time.

Or come Friday, March 3 to the Urbana Free Library celebration, 6 – 8 pm, where Loving vs. Virginia and I will be part of the new Urbana Imbibes events.

HornBook (January/February 2017) wrote a lovely review and added my answer to their question: Why did you choose to write the Lovings’ story as a “documentary novel”?

Patricia: I had begun Loving vs. Virginia as nonfiction. But my editor, Melissa Manlove, and I

this was once Byrd’s corner store where the Jeters and Lovings shopped for groceries

felt that the story would be more poignant to young readers to show scenes of Mildred dancing and Richard looking on at a neighborhood party rather than just saying: Indians, blacks and whites worked together, partied together—lived well together in an integrated neighborhood—in a segregated state. I could show the two falling in love and running through the woods at night. I could show Sheriff Garnet stopping Richard’s car and saying about Mildred, “Who you got in there?” rather than saying the racist sheriff stopped black people driving along the Sparta Road to intimidate them. Mildred and Richard are both deceased but I spoke to Mildred’s brothers and Richard’s friends and used their stories about the couple, but in a documentary novel, I could create dialog that can draw the reader into the emotional heart of the story. By studying Hope Ryden’s film footage of the Loving family in the 1960s, I got to know the two, and speak in their voices.

Thanks for supporting Loving vs. Virginia. And Have a Happy New Year.

Second Loving vs. Virginia Giveaway – Thanksgiving

November 24, 2016 By Patricia Hruby Powell 4 Comments

Loving, the movie, is spectacular. The actors were cast to look just like the characters they portray. What’s more, the essence of each character is true, with few exceptions, to my mind.

mildred-richard — Mildred Jeter & Richard Loving photo by Grey Villet, 1964

ruth-joel — Ruth Negga & Joel Edgerton in Loving movie

Joel Edgerton looks so much like Richard Loving I don’t mind that he looked more 40+ than 24, as Richard Loving was at the onset of the story, and when the couple married in 1958. Edgerton’s acting is superb. Ruth Negga is the essence of Mildred. Sharon Blackwood, playing Lola, Richard’s mother looks just like Lola. From my research, I saw Lola as more supportive of the relationship than the movie depicts, but Hollywood is working to make a dramatic movie, so I can accept that.

I saw the movie at the Art Theater in Champaign, IL, on Wednesday–yesterday–the day before Thanksgiving. It seemed like most viewers were in tears by the end. I was. On Tuesday, (November 29) after the 6:30 pm showing, I’ll talk about my book Loving vs. Virginia. My book, the documentary novel, is different in that it starts in 1952 and shows Mildred and Richard when they meet in their highly integrated neighborhood, their dating as they venture out into the grossly segregated state of Virginia, and follows them, as the movie does, to the 1967 Supreme Court decision. My books is closer to the facts. The movie took liberties with the timeline and a major relationship–I’ll talk about that Tuesday.

Bernie Cohen, Phil Hirshkop with the Lovings - photo by Grey Villet — Bernie Cohen, Phil Hirshkop with the Lovings – photo by Grey Villet

About the lawyers: The young ACLU lawyer, Bernie Cohen (portrayed by Nick Kroll) is depicted to be less intelligent than Phil Hirschkop, but maybe that’s because Phil Hirschkop was slighted in the last (and highly inferior) movie, Mr. and Mrs. Loving (1996) and they wanted to make it up to the real Phil Hirschkop. Both lawyers are men in their 80s now, but

during the case were so new to the bar only Cohen was qualified to present a case to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1966.

So ask questions. Watch Nancy Buirski’s The Loving Story documentary http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-loving-story (which also misses that big relationship).

And for the second Loving vs. Virginia giveaway . . . Goes to Nancy. Congratulations, Nancy. If you signed up as Nancy, please email me at phpowell@talesforallages, give me your address, and I’ll send you a copy of Loving vs. Virginia. And, Everyone, Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sign up for the blog and leave a comment to be eligible for the final drawing of Loving vs. Virginia in December, a month before it officially releases January 31, 2017. Everyone who has left a comment and signed the blog is still eligible for the final drawing. http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/loving-vs-virginia.html

First “Loving vs. Virginia” Give Away Winner

October 20, 2016 By Patricia Hruby Powell 2 Comments

Thank you everyone for signing up for the blog and commenting so you might win my book, Loving vs. Virginia. Remember, you have to comment to get a book, so that I will know if you want one. So, if you haven’t left a comment, and you want a book, you can comment on this post.

Here is the first of three drawings. If you have signed up and already left a comment you are eligible for two more drawings–one before Thanksgiving, one before Christmas. The book officially releases January 31, 2017. Feel free to pass this on to anyone else. Yep, that would statistically lessen your chances, but you’re spreading . . . good news.

And the Halloween Give Away goes to . . . [drum roll] DEB ARONSON! Congratulations, Deb. Deb lives right in the adjoining town. Urbana to my Champaign. Let’s have lunch together somewhere and I can just sign and hand it to you, Deb. I’m delighted that you won.

Other news: For those from or near Champaign Urbana, The Art Theater will show the acclaimed new movie Loving (about the Loving v Virginia case) on Wednesday, November 23, the day before Thanksgiving. So take a break from stuffing the turkey and come on out. Don’t know the times, yet. If you miss that one, come see the movie Tuesday, November 29 I’ll speak about the Lovings, maybe the case, maybe the book, on the next Tuesday, November 29, following the showing of Loving also at the Art Theater.

Next week I’ll post an article to tell a little about the research I did for Loving vs. Virginia.

Why I wrote Loving vs. Virginia – Book Give Away

October 2, 2016 By Patricia Hruby Powell 55 Comments

Loving vs. Virginia, a documentary novel told in verse by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Shadra Strickland has a release date of January 31, 2017.

But I have some early copies in hand (not ARCs, but the real book, in color ;-). I’m offering 3 giveaways before the book comes out—one for October, one for November, one for December. To be eligible, please subscribe to my blog, and leave a comment saying you’d like a book—you’ll be eligible for all 3 drawings.

(Up until now, my blog has been a young adult book review column (previously middle grade books)—the reviews that run in the Champaign Urbana News Gazette once every three weeks).

Now for a bit about Loving vs. Virginia.

So . . . I’m frequently asked why I chose to write about the Loving v Virginia case. Actually, it chose me.

Before my book, Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker (Chronicle 2014) came out, my publisher asked if I’d be interested in writing about the Loving v Virginia case. I did a bit of research and on the U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled in favor of interracial marriage. My parents had brought us up to care about people and fight injustice. This was a perfect fit.

My editor, Melissa Manlove, said she would try to get me a contract if I’d write three chapters and an outline of the nonfiction book for teens.

The Loving's neighborhood - first trip — The Loving’s neighborhood – first trip

So I set off to Virginia to start researching (more about the research in another post). I submitted those nonfiction chapters and shortly after Melissa called to chat.

Melissa: Would you be willing to write this story as a documentary novel?

Me: Sure. What’s a documentary novel?

(In my early writing career I had frequently and politely refused to change my approach to a book when an editor asked for a rewrite. As a dancer/choreographer I’d been chief cook and bottle washer and was accustomed to doing exactly what I wanted. It took me awhile to learn how brilliant a brilliant editor is; and there’s no editor more brilliant than Melissa.)

So, What is a documentary novel? It’s creative nonfiction. It is factual, but there’s a hitch. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood was a documentary novel. He interviewed the killer, but the victims weren’t around to talk. He created the scenes to create his thriller. Where Loving vs. Virginia is concerned, it is factual but I write in the voices of (African American/Indian) Mildred Jeter Loving alternating with “chapters” from the voice of (white) Richard Loving.

Whew, what a gift—to write this story as a documentary novel. Now I could write scenes. Rather than say, the two grew up in an integrated neighborhood where the black, white, and Indian neighbors supported each other and partied together, I could show teenaged Mildred dancing at one of their intergenerational interracial parties with her brother Otha, with Richard looking on. Then Richard offers to drive the family home. In other words, I could show Richard and Mildred falling in love.

Shadra Strickland illustration of the married Loving couple.

Because this is a book for young adults (twelve and up) we decided it should be a love and courtship story, first. (More about researching that in another post).

So, yep, I did more research, more interviews, and I submitted the first several chapters of my creative nonfiction and an outline. Chronicle contracted the book. What a lovely situation to be writing a book that you know will be published!

Feel free to comment or ask questions. I’ll try to answer as best I can. An upcoming post will discuss the research of the book. Your question might prompt a new post. Thanks, and good luck. Hope you win a book.

–Patricia

“Josephine” Recorded Books, read by Lizan Mitchell SLJ starred review

August 26, 2014 By Patricia Hruby Powell Leave a Comment

School Library Journal starred review May 2014 audio CD Recorded Books

Read by Lizan Mitchell

Gr. 2-5 Powell, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker. Born into the slums of St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker had dance josephine-illustration in her soul. From an early age, she was happiest when performing in front of an appreciative audience. Because of her race, she was often relegated to dressing the dancers, but Josephine worked hard and learned all the dance moves, just in case. When she got the chance to perform on stage, she took it, eventually catching the eye of a benefactor who invited her to perform in Paris, where she stepped into the spotlight and became a star across Europe. Through her bold performances and natural fearlessness she ultimately pushed through the boundaries of segregation in America to become an international performing star. The unadorned narration of the blank verse text is lovely and vibrantly read by veteran actress Lizan Mitchell. Her voice is full of the same energy and verve Josephine embodied. The text is mostly narrative and no dialog, sprinkled with occasional quotes from Josephine herself. Mitchell fluidly reads the lovely verse, “knees squeeze, now fly/arms scissors and splay,” that captures Josephine’s uninhibited nature so well. Jennifer Berberugge State Library Services Roseville MN

http://www.recordedbooks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=rb.show_prod&book_id=127829

Gretchen Woelfle’s Guest Blog – A Writer’s Process

July 21, 2014 By Patricia Hruby Powell Leave a Comment

Welcome, Gretchen Woelfle, my friend and guest blogger.

Thanks, Patricia, for inviting me to the Writer’s Process blog on your very own blog, and for showing me how it can be done here. [https://talesforallages.com/what-how-and-why-do-you-write/] At the moment I’m blogless, but until last month I was part of a group blog, INK: Interesting Nonfiction for Kids (inrethink.blogspot.com) Unfortunately its sun has set – no more new posts, but all the old ones are up forever. Including a wonderful interview Patricia gave me about her stupendous new book, Josephine. You can read the interview here. http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/2014/03/josephine-rocks-and-so-does-her-author.html

1. What are you currently working on?

I’m working on revisions for Answering the Cry for Freedom: African Americans in the American Revolution, a group biography that will be published by Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek in 2016. This book grew out of research I was doing for by latest book, Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence. As I read about African Americans during this era I couldn’t stop adding them to the mix and ended up with twelve subjects. That was five years go. Then I came upon still another woman that I couldn’t leave out. So I’ve got a lucky thirteen biographies in the book.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

It’s been an enormous amount of work but utterly absorbing.

I’ve got another biographical subject floating around my head and another history idea, as well as an old biographical project that needs reviving.

2. How does your work differ from others in its genre?

Which genre? I can’t settle down to just one.

I’ve published middle grade history, fiction and nonfiction picture books, a historical novel, picture book and middle grade biographies, and now a YA group biography.

The biographies are obviously historical, but even my fiction has been inspired by true incidents.

However, to break the mold, I’ve got an editor reading a contemporary middle grade novel based in Micronesia. My research on this one was on-site.

I can’t claim to be unique with any of this. I just write what I’d like to read. Not necessarily what I know, but what I want to learn more about.

3. Why do you want to write?

To tell the stories of people whose stories haven’t been told. Did you know that the British Army offered freedom to those who left their masters and joined the British side? 20,000 slaves did just that. I didn’t learn about that in school. You’ll read a few of these stories in my next book. Also, the push for abolition did not begin in the 1800s with Douglass, Tubman, and the underground railroad, but during the Revolution with all that buzz about liberty and equality. You can read about that too, in Answering the Cry for Freedom.

4. How does your individual writing process work?

I’ll get an idea, sometimes from previous research, and let it simmer (usually,) or jump right in (occasionally.) I read other books, go to UCLA to troll their scholarly journals, look up the footnotes to find more stuff to read. Tunnel deep into the internet to find primary sources from hundreds of years ago, email and phone experts to ask questions. If possible I travel to the hometowns and even the houses of my subjects to “find” them, for landscape, environment, geography can reveal a lot. In researching Answering the Cry I traveled from Virginia to Nova Scotia searching out details and atmosphere. I’d love to repeat the trip with book in hand after it’s published!

I don’t have a day job, so I get up, make my breakfast, carry it to the computer and eat while I’m checking email, headlines, and the latest football (soccer) news from England. If I’m good, that doesn’t take too long and I’ll get on with researching, writing, or rewriting. If I’m bad, I can be distracted until lunch. I do Facebook, but not Twitter. And, of course, check email all day long.

A chiropractor recommended that I stand up from the computer and walk around, even for a minute of two, every half hour. I usually remember to do it about every three hours. Wander into the garden to do a little weeding. Get a cup of tea. Hang the laundry outside.

Other time outs from writing: Trips to the library, monthly meetings of my critique group, occasional school visits or travel to conferences to present, or sign, or just lurk.

I don’t like to leave the house until the end of the day. I meet friends for dinner, not lunch. I go to the gym after I’ve finished working. I might answer emails and such in the evening, but I don’t tend to write then. I’ve either run out of steam, or I get revved up and then can’t sleep.

Some of my friends like to write in cafés, but I work at home, in my office or dining room or table in the garden. Teatime is 4 pm, again sitting at the computer.

I try to spend a few months a year in London, thanks to home exchanges that don’t cost me a penny. Have laptop, will and do travel.

I’ve tagged two of my favorite writers to follow me next week.

Joanne Rocklin, awesome novelist and wonderful cook, will share her secrets at http://www.joannerocklin.com/blog.htm next week.

And Sue Macy, fellow INK blogger and writer of stunning biographies and other book about women’s history and women’s sports history will tell all at http://www.suemacy.com/sues-views

For more about Gretchen and her books, see www.gretchenwoelfle.com