Meet the Alliance Authors 2019
SAA authors read from their published work, in a variety of genres, and answer audience questions in this live interactive series. Recorded and produced by Sandwich Community Television.
November 13th
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Paulette Boudrot (born Letendre) was raised in Fall River Massachusetts when French was spoken in the community and by her parents. She earned a BS in Education from Bridgewater State College, an MA in French Language and Literature from Middlebury College VT, and a diploma in 20th Century French Literature from the Sorbonne University of Paris. Paulette taught French and ESL in elementary schools, colleges, and universities throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. During the 1980s, she transitioned from education to administration of French Cultural Services at the French Consulate in Boston and then moved onto other administrative positions in the Boston/Cambridge area. In 1995, she founded PLJ Administrative & Business Solutions, a company outsourcing administration and project management for small to medium sized companies, and association management to professional non-profit organizations. In retirement, Paulette attended the first Bread Loaf Translators Conference in VT. Boston, My Blissful Winter is her debut translation. She is active in Rotary International and currently lives on Cape Cod, MA.
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Alison McLennan and Christina Laurie
Alison L. McLennan was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. She moved to Utah in 1989 and earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Utah. One of the main characters in her debut novel, Falling for Johnny, was inspired by the infamous James “Whitey” Bulger. Falling for Johnny won an honorable mention in the 2012 Inkubate Literary Blockbuster Challenge. She earned an MFA from the Solstice Program, where she was awarded the Dennis Lahane fellowship for fiction. Ophelia’s War was first written as her creative thesis. The sequel, Ophelia’s War: Dangerous Mercy will be released on October 19, 2019. Some of her interests include outdoor recreation and transpersonal psychology. Alison lives in Ogden, Utah. Christina Laurie A West Falmouth resident since1999, Christina Laurie continually wins prizes for her haiku and poems and is the author of two poetry books (Seasons Rising: A Collection of Haiku and Song of the Dancer.) Her children’s books include C is for Cape Cod, and The Lobsters Night Before Christmas, which will be launched on Sat., Oct.26, at 2 p.m. at Titcomb’s bookstore. Occasionally her poetry blog, www.CreativelyChristina.com , appears on line. She has authored a Middle Grade fantasy story and a ghost story, plus several other children’s books seeking publishers. A volunteer chaplain at Falmouth Hospital, Christina enjoys swimming, writing, teaching, tennis, motorcycling, and serving her church and community in various capacities. |
November 6th
J. J. Cunis Joe has lived year round on the Cape since 1984. Joe has engaged in numerous occupations and activities from paperboy, to bag boy, to laborer, to metal fabricator, to bank examiner, to CFO, to COO, to ghost youth sports writer, to entrepreneur, to movie extra, while writingalong the way. His roots were in Marlboro, MA and he's been replanted in Boston, Washington DC, New York, San Juan, Houston and finally Cape Cod where he expects to remain firmly planted barring any climatic catastrophes ... knock on wood.
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Donald Sidney-Fryer I was born (1934), raised, and educated in New Bedford, from which I entered the U.S. Marine Corps. After boot camp at Parris Island, I was stationed at Opalocka (Miami),and then at El Toro, California. After an honorable discharge I moved to Santa Monica, and attended UCLA for four years and two summer sessions on the GI Bill. I also worked part and full time at regular jobs. I moved to Northern California in 1965, living mostly in San Francisco until 1975. I began writing essays and poetry at age of 27. My first book appeared in 1971, after editing other authors' books. I have since had not quite 3 dozen titles published.
I have largely worked with small publishers, first Arkham House, and then Hippocampus Press. This gave me tremendous freedom to become the author and poet I wanted to become. For me personally, the American dream fulfilled! I have had 6 volumes of poetry issued under my name, all old-fashioned and aesthetic, even if somewhat of the science fiction or science fantasy ilk. Although inspired by the California Romantics (1890-1930), it was not until I experienced The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser that I felt encouraged to develop into a poet. Apart from these, my main influences derived from French language and literature.
I understand there are several websites devoted to me on the Internet. Assembled by friends and admirers these have data concerning me and my books. I can't improve on them.
I have largely worked with small publishers, first Arkham House, and then Hippocampus Press. This gave me tremendous freedom to become the author and poet I wanted to become. For me personally, the American dream fulfilled! I have had 6 volumes of poetry issued under my name, all old-fashioned and aesthetic, even if somewhat of the science fiction or science fantasy ilk. Although inspired by the California Romantics (1890-1930), it was not until I experienced The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser that I felt encouraged to develop into a poet. Apart from these, my main influences derived from French language and literature.
I understand there are several websites devoted to me on the Internet. Assembled by friends and admirers these have data concerning me and my books. I can't improve on them.
October 30th
Jim Petipas is the author, illustrator and songwriter of, “The Cows Go Moo!” book series, which are full of humor and illustrations that kids and parents are loving. Jim’s goal is, “to help to children and families celebrate humor, music, art and reading.” Jim also has a 'Give Back' element to his book with 'Buy A Book/Give A Cow!' Ten percent of profits go to providing real cows to families through Heifer International. Jim and his wife along with their two daughters and a dog, Earl live in Bedford, Ma., but in the summer they live in Sandwich, Ma!
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Donna Rockwell is the owner of Do Well Studio in Sandwich, MA. In addition to writing and illustrating, Donna is a creator of graphic design, web design and product design, in a variety of industries. Donna is also an art instructor teaching in the areas of drawing, painting and printmaking for adults and children. Donna received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in Illustration and has taught for the Sandwich Arts Alliance, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and CapeCodCAN. Seeing Stars is her first children's book and was inspired by the 2017 Sandwich Arts Alliance Starfish Trail.
October 23rd
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Bob Aubin was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, where the roots of his words and stories were formed. He studied at La Salle Academy and Providence College, always with an underlying interest in the tales of his Canadian ancestors. He spent much of his adult life in nearby Massachusetts, where he settled, raised a family, and struggled with the lure of the word. He now resides on Cape Cod, developing his writing skills and working on his next novel near the Great Marsh of Sandy Neck.
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Christina Nordstrom is the author of Park Street Angels – a Chronicle of Hope. A veteran journalist friend and mentor once said, simply, that “writing is just thinking!” Park Street Angels – a Chronicle of Hope is simply that: writing what I saw and heard, what I thought and realized as I commuted from the suburbs to Boston to work every day, encountering a homeless stranger who would help me understand the experiences that shaped his life and that would forever change mine. That wisdom has also influenced my grant writing in my career as a public health education program director and, now in retirement, as a singer-songwriter. Please see www.theparkstreetangels.com for more information about the book and www.christinanordstrom.bandcamp.com for original recordings as a solo artist and with the folk trio, “Earth Harmony.”
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October 16th
Carolyn LeComte has been an artist ever since she could hold a crayon. She majored in fine arts, and minored in English at Douglass College (of Rutgers University) and graduated with a B.A.
She enjoys dedicating her time to the “two sides of her creative coin” as she writes fiction and creates visual art with equal fervor. Carolyn has written and illustrated a children’s book entitled Never Invite a Seagull to Lunch, and had the privilege of collaborating with her grandchildren in this effort. She has also written two novels and a collection of short works. She is currently busy illustrating a series of books for a fellow writer, and working on her next novel, Broken Dolls, as well as indulging her passion for scratchboard art. She has a website carolynlecomteartistandwriter.weebly.com. Carolyn lives in East Sandwich with her husband and regards the Cape as a major source of her inspiration. Always. |
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Catherine Kelly-Mahon author, was born, raised, and educated in Boston, Massachusetts. As the daughter of Irish immigrants, she is proud of her heritage, and maintains an interest in all things Irish. Catherine resides on Cape Cod, where she welcomes visits from leprechauns of any heritage, and from all ‘believers’ in the power of love
and imagination. Lost Leprechaun, Cape Cod Adventures is her second book about Seamus the leprechaun. Available by contacting her at [email protected], or [email protected]
and imagination. Lost Leprechaun, Cape Cod Adventures is her second book about Seamus the leprechaun. Available by contacting her at [email protected], or [email protected]
October 9th
Christie Palmer Lowrance For 40 years, Christie Palmer Lowrance has passionately pursued her writing career as a journalist, freelance and travel writer, biographer, instructor, and editor/consultant. Her work covers diverse subjects primarily related to Cape Cod's historical, artistic, literary, and commercial life. She has taught writing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Cape Cod Community College, and the Cape Cod Writers Conference. Her book, Nature’s Ambassador: The Legacy of Thornton W. Burgess (Schiffer Publishing, 2013), is the first complete biography of the preeminent 20th century naturalist, wildlife advocate, children’s author, and pioneer in environmental education and radio programming. At present she is working on the biography of Dr. George F. Bass, a pioneer in the field of nautical archaeology. (See www.christielowrance.com)
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Alliance authors Christie Lowrance and Bob Reece presenting on October 9th |
Bob Reece
Dr. Reece has made a career combining medical research and advocacy in the field of child abuse. He is the former director of the Child Protection Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and has held similar positions at Boston City Hospital and Rainbow Babies'; and Children's Hospital at Case Western Reserve University. He has edited major medical books
addressing child abuse and published numerous articles and book chapters on the subject. Dr. Reece garnered his considerable expertise and experience on the subject of abusive head trauma, sometimes called "Shaken Baby Syndrome", in writing To Tell the Truth, which describes the fictional case of a young babysitter charged with the second-degree murder of a seven-month-old infant in her care.
Dr. Reece has made a career combining medical research and advocacy in the field of child abuse. He is the former director of the Child Protection Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and has held similar positions at Boston City Hospital and Rainbow Babies'; and Children's Hospital at Case Western Reserve University. He has edited major medical books
addressing child abuse and published numerous articles and book chapters on the subject. Dr. Reece garnered his considerable expertise and experience on the subject of abusive head trauma, sometimes called "Shaken Baby Syndrome", in writing To Tell the Truth, which describes the fictional case of a young babysitter charged with the second-degree murder of a seven-month-old infant in her care.
October 2nd
Dean Coe is the author of children's picture books that feature an ever-curious and good natured Cape Cod weasel named Chesterton. His books include Chesterton Keeps His Town Jumping, Chesterton Saves the Whale, Chesterton's Scary Breakfast, Chesterton's Winter Rescue and Chesterton Saves The Bunnies, a story about the once threatened New England cottontail.
Coe's first four books were illustrated by former Sandwich High School students Robyn Whaples, and Sasha Rudyakov. Formerly a principal of his own executive recruiting firm, Coe invested 30 years navigating corporate cultures. Now, an avid kayaker, he navigates Cape Cod estuaries and leads narrated kayaking tours through the Sandwich marsh. A 'practicing' naturalist, he introduces young readers to life on the marsh and woodlands of the Cape and New England through the adventures of Chesterton, an intuitive and good-natured weasel. Dean is a member of the Cape Cod Writers Center, and the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators. A former Trustee of the Sandwich Public Library, he currently serves as a Director of the Thornton Burgess Society at the Green Briar Nature Center and The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. . A grandfather of four, he has lived in Sandwich, Cape Cod's oldest town for thirty+ years. |
Alliance authors Dean Coe and Jana Dillon presenting on October 2nd |
Jana Dillon is the author and/or illustrator of eight children’s books published by Pelican; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Farrar, Straus & Giroux; and Troll. Jeb Scarecrow’s Pumpkin Patch was a Book of the Year Finalist from the Association of Independent Booksellers and Best Book of the Year Finalist from Nick Jr. magazine. Lucky O’Leprechaun Comes to America won a Books Mean Business award from the Children’s Book Council, as did Little Thumb, illustrated by Jana Dillon and written by Wanda Dionne. Jana is an experience presenter who has visited schools from Florida to New Hampshire, including Cape Cod, firing up enthusiasm for writing and reading while explaining how authors work and get published. Her web site is www.JanaDillon.com.