Joyce Moyer Hostetter's Brand Sparkling New Website

I met Joyce at a Highlights Founders' Workshop in March of this year. As soon as I returned, I read her book Blue and thoroughly enjoyed it (see post). Be sure to read it's Sequel Comfort. I plan too :-)

Through online conversations, I knew she was thinking about updating her website and offered to help. I don't code (develop), but I can offer design. We wanted to make it seem like her—choosing symbolic imagery from her work, capitalizing on things in her life that are important, and giving her readers a rich, visual impression. (Visit Joyce's Website)

Take a look and also visit her very active blog, Reading, 'Riting, & Research. You can also sign up for her e-newsletter, Talking Story which she shares with Carol Baldwin, another author buddy.

Also, she's giving away free books, so you better log in!

I'm Blue. Are You?

Recommended Reading in Indiana!

I just finished the last few pages of Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter.

   Now, I'm not going to pretend to be a book reviewer. Even though I majored in writing along with art, I've never been very good at picking out 

the literary stuff. I just know what I like, and I loved Blue.

   If I had never heard Joyce read aloud from her book at our Highlights Foundation workshop, I would have still found the narrator's voice in my head drift into that easy North Carolinian accent crafted by Joyce's own southern perspectives.

  Bravo: writing an entirely character-driven story. This is truly a gift. There's no hint of  a struggle to stay in the "showing" mode and avoid the "telling" mode in this book.

   I was swept into the story by Ann Fay's honesty with herself, and challenge to be the "man of the house" while her father was away to war and polio overtook her town of Hickory, NC.

   To me, the book was about growing up, and having to grow up way too fast; learning that adults don't always get it right, and that even your mom and dad aren't always as strong as you may need them to be.

 

 Comfort, the sequel to Blue, is now out. Live more through the life of Ann Fay.

Get Comfort (right after you get Blue)

Joyce Moyer Hostetter, author of Blue (reading now--almost done, Joyce!) and it's sequel, Comfort, is getting all comfy with her review at http://www.newpages.com/bookreviews/ near the bottom.

Life in the Spotlight

  Now, why would I want to pursue something like this? I've done school visits, and want to be better at them. That's why.

  Peter Jacobi: I.U. journalism professor and former newsman for NBC and ABC; longtime friend/speaker for Highlights Foundation—both at the Founder's House and Chataquah.

  There's another reason.

  I learned to be a better speaker. To grab attention. To offer something of value to students from grades 1 through 6. And, I connected with many cool and very friendly people who are great writers and generous souls.

  ...reason numbers 3 through 9.

  Read all you can from Joyce Moyer Hostetter, rising star in the YA market. Here's her blog.

  Google alert Anne Greenawalt. She's finishing a book, Thigh Flashers, about Spartan women in the Olympics—300-something B.C. She's in final edits; she's got an agent; she's sure to be published; and if nothing else, she's very sweet. Also, check out her book of short stories, Growing Up Girl.

  Take a look at Mary Corcoran's science book, The Quest to Digest (Parent and Children's Choice Awards). She has another coming out soon about the circulation system. Here explanations about science in the body are perfect for classroom use and her illustrator, Jef Czekaj, is fanatastic.

  And also, among the published, is Carol Murray. She's a poet who knows it.

  Deb Rossi is concerned with character education, and didn't wait around for anyone to catch up. She's published her own book for kids, No Horsing Around, and is talking to guidance counselors to get her program into schools.

  Seems Melissa Starr can write about anything, and is serious about a couple of novels. She is also working on a series of picture books using Aunt Agnes as a backdrop for the antics of an apparently never ending stream of precocious nieces and nephews. Aliens..ants..'nuff said.

  All these fine people are now trained and ready for school and library visits, so sign them up!