Tuesday, July 20, 2021

The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman is launched!

Robin Roraback talking about her beautiful illustrations at the Book Launch

This is a big shout out of THANKS to all of the wonderful folks who made this weekend’s book launch such a wonderful event:

Amanda and all of the fabulous folks at the Davisville Free Library—Thank you for hosting us. DFL is always such an incredibly inviting place to be because of you.

Friends, old and new—Thanks for taking time out of your busy Saturday afternoon to come out and celebrate with us. And thank you for buying so many books, too!

Book Team members: Robin Roraback, Michaela Fournier, Marilyn Harris, and Chris Madden—Thank you for going on this wacky ride with me, for doing such a fabulous job on the book, and for all your hard work on the book launch.

Book Team families—Thanks for supporting our efforts and lending a helping hand—or two!—whenever asked. Your love inspires us.

I feel extremely blessed and very grateful to have all of you in my life.

The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman and me!

Friday, July 9, 2021

Rescheduled Book Launch!

Please join our fabulous Book Team for the newly rescheduled book launch of our latest creation: The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman. On Saturday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m. we will be gathering at the Davisville Free Library (481 Davisville Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852) to discuss our book-making process, share some excerpts from the book, sign/sell copies, and celebrate the book’s launch with family and friends like you. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Please email the library at: staff@davisvillefreelibrary.org

Friday, June 4, 2021

Check out this Amazon book review for The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman!

It was beautifully written by Lisa Tener, a great friend and awesome book coach.

5.0 out of 5 stars

A Delightful Addition to Newport, RI History: For Kids and Adults!

I love that this book comes from both historical research and the journal of Paul Stedman, the lighthouse keeper's grandson, who lived at Rose Island for one full year. In Lynne Heinzmann's deft hands, the story becomes a tale for all ages - shining light upon a delightful bit of Newport, RI history, particularly during the Depression. Heinzmann has done a marvelous job of capturing the details, as well as helping readers understand what it must have been like for the young (5-6 year old) Paul Stedman. There is a delightful humor in the tale. And the illustrates are also lovely. It's exciting for RI history that students and tourists who visit the lighthouse can now take home a bit of that history with them. Readers will learn about life during the Depression, how a lighthouse works/worked, and many fun tales that bring the information to life.

~ Lisa Tener, Book Writing Coach: https://www.lisatener.com/

Monday, May 31, 2021

CANCELED - Rose Island Opening Day and Book Launch Event, June 5, 2021

Some sad news… Due to insufficient ticket sales, the Rose Island Opening Day and Book Launch Event scheduled for this Saturday, June 5, has been canceled. In the end, we only sold 14 tickets to the event, and 4 of those folks were unable to attend, so we only had 10 scheduled attendees. Even with the generous grant from Bank Newport, the Lighthouse Trust would have lost money, so it wasn’t practical to continue. If you did purchase a ticket for the event, someone from the Trust will be contacting you about a refund.

Thanks to all of those who pitched in to help with this event. We hope to see you at a rescheduled book launch soon, which we will start planning now!

Thursday, May 20, 2021

A BOOK IS BORN!

I am very happy to announce the publication of the second book of our Rose Island Lighthouse Series, The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman, published by Woodhall Press and released today.

And we’ve already gotten a rave review from Reedsy Discovery!

Being an author is fun!

Monday, May 17, 2021

HELP NEEDED!

The Rose Island Lighthouse and Hamilton Trust is having a Season Opening and Book Launch Event from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 5 and so far only 6 people have signed up for it. They were hoping for an audience of 60. This event is their first big one for the season and is meant to help the Trust begin to recover from their shortfall last year due to the Covid shutdown. Also, as the title of the event indicates, it is the book launch party for the second book of our Rose Island Lighthouse series, The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman. The event is being held on beautiful Rose Island, which is off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Your $75 donation to the Trust, which is tax-deductible, gets you a ferry ride to and from the island from Fort Adams (Newport, RI), an autographed copy of the book, a tour of the island, attendance at the book launch event, and even some delicious snacks. Bank Newport has generously offered to be a sponsor for the event but we need some attendees. Please consider donating to the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust and joining us on the island on June 5. Be assured, all applicable Covid guidelines will be followed on the ferry and at the event.

To reserve tickets, please visit the Trust’s website and click on Island Sponsored Events: https://roseisland.org/

We’d love to see you there!

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Look what just arrived!

A few minutes ago, our doorbell rang and a very friendly postal worker handed me an envelope containing a galley/proof for The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman, the second book in our Rose Island Lighthouse Series. It looks fantastic! Our fabulous publisher, Woodhall Press, plans a May 20 release date with a fun and exciting book launch event at the Rose Island Lighthouse on June 5. Visit my Appearances page (http://www.lynneheinzmann.com/public-appearances) for more information about the book launch and please come join the fun!

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Online Raffle to Benefit the Davisville Free Library

On Saturday, February 27 at 2 p.m., the Davisville Free Library will hold a fund-raising raffle. Due to the pandemic, the library has been unable to hold their usual book sales and trivia night events, so they would really appreciate any support you might like to offer. Check out the raffle items pictured below or visit the Library’s website for more information: www.davisvillefreelibrary.org. Tickets are only $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. Call or email the library to request tickets: (401) 884-5524 or staff@davisvillefreelibrary.org. Your raffle ticket purchase will benefit the Books for Davisville Fund which is used to purchase books and provide programming at the library. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Stained Glass Panel

Italian Basket

Liquor Basket

Irish Basket

Chocolate Basket

Cozy Basket

Hobby Basket

Glass Ornament

Bottle of Jim Beam

Gift Cards

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Press Release for The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman

Check it out! We are beginning to ramp up for the May 20, 2021, release of the second book in the Rose Island Lighthouse Series, The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman. Here is the two-page press release:

Writing a book is a fascinating and fun process that takes a lot of time. The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman has been two years in the making, so far. We are all looking forward to seeing it in print and holding it in our hands on May 20, 2021!

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Greggs Restaurant Benefit for Davisville Free Library

As you might know, I absolutely LOVE the Davisville Free Library (DFL) here in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. I think it’s one of the best little libraries in the state—and maybe the whole world!—and I try to do as much as possible to support it and its programs.

Which is why I encourage all you Rhode Islanders to visit the Greggs Restaurant in North Kingstown on Wednesday, March 4, anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Greggs has generously agreed to donate 10% of all diners’ checks that day to the Davisville Free Library. This could amount to a tidy sum of money, which would go a long way in helping our little library pay its bills since DFL is primarily funded through private donations and fundraisers.

The Greggs Restaurant Fundraiser costs nothing extra to the diners. They just need to hand a copy of the attached coupon to their servers and the library will magically receive 10% of their checks, generously donated by Greggs. This applies to take-out orders, too! So on March 4, please buy your lunch or dinner from a great restaurant that serves wonderful family-style food (Their desserts are amazing!) and support the Davisville Free Library (DavisvilleFreeLibrary.org).

Greggs Restaurant Fundraiser to Benefit the Davisville Free Library

4120 Quaker Lane (Route 2)

North Kingstown, RI 02852

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Create Your Dream Book 2020 with Dawn Montefusco

Beginning February 18, 2020, Dawn Montefusco, a colleague of mine and book coach extraordinaire, will be leading a 10-month intensive online workshop, guiding an intimate group of women writers in the creation of their own books, from outline to finish line. The workshop includes:

• Three (3) one-hour Zoom live audio calls a month (recorded),

• Three (3) one-hour Zoom LIVE VIDEO ROOM Q & A meetings (recorded),

• Three (3) One-on-One 45-minute private coaching sessions used throughout the ten-month course,

• Plus many other extras and bonuses.

With Dawn’s expert guidance, by the time the workshop concludes in October, each participant will have completed the rough draft of the book she’s been wanting to write. A few slots are still available for this year’s workshop. For more information, please check out the attached flyer or contact Dawn: email: dawnmontefusco@gmail.com or call/text her: (971) 409-6718. And get started on your Dream Book now.

UPDATE: Dawn just emailed me to say that for the next two days (February 18 & 19) she is offering generous scholarships to a few talented writers: $3,500 for the full intensive workshop. Email or call her for more information: dawnmontefusco@gmail.com or (971) 409-6718.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

I am very excited to announce that Lisa Tener, a friend and fabulous book coach, has kindly featured me on her website, How to Write a Book. Today, Lisa posted an interview of me by Lynn Welsh about my process of writing Frozen Voices. In the interview, I talk about:

• How an article I pitched to a regional magazine led to completing a historical novel

• How I used research to recreate the details of the characters’ lives

• How writing this story led to meeting living relatives of the main characters

• How writing a single book alone compares with writing a series with co-authors

To read Lynn Welsh’s fantastic, in-depth interview of me, click here: https://how-to-write-a-book.com/frozen-voices-writing-historical-fiction/

Thank you, Lisa Tener and Lynn Welsh!

Enjoy!

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Yesterday, our Book Team spent a fabulous afternoon at the Rose Island Lighthouse, where we did a presentation/signing for The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase (CCWC). It was so much fun talking about the book and reading from it right there on the island where the action actually took place, where Wanton lived and played.

Thanks to the hard work of everyone at the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation for making the event possible. Ann Marie van den Hurk, Director of Development, organized everything: ferry rides to and from the island, refreshments, decorations, bookselling, and a million other details. Thanks so much!

Brian Tefft, the Executive Director of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, was amazing, too. He contributed his talent as boat captain to ferry the Book Team to the island, set up chairs for our talk on the Lighthouse lawn, welcomed all visitors to the island, and even provided a fantastic introduction for our book talk. Thank you, Brian!

And—of course!—thanks to the CCWC Book Team for doing such a great job! Marilyn Harris (aka Mom) discussed the research involved in writing CCWC, Julia Heinzmann (aka my daughter) talked about drawing the beautiful pastel illustrations found in the book, Michaela Fournier (aka a good friend and talented designer) spoke about the graphic elements she so expertly contributed to the project, and Chris Madden (aka another good friend and our publisher) let everyone know about the book’s publishing process with Woodhall Press, a great independent press headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.

As an extra-special feature of the day, two relatives of Wanton Chase (his son and grand-niece) were kind enough to join us for the book event and tell us a few new stories about Wanton.

Thanks to everyone who came to Rose Island for The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase book event and made it such a special day for us all!

Friday, September 11, 2019

I had a wonderful time last night doing a book presentation of The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase (CCWC), at the Jamestown Philomenian Library (26 North Road, Jamestown, RI). And what a beautiful, welcoming library! The meeting room was bright and spacious and the built-in technology (computer, projector, smart podium, etc.) was state-of-the-art. Thanks so much to Donna Fogarty and the rest of the staff at JPL for making me feel so at home.

And thank you to Brian Tefft, the Executive Director of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation for providing a wonderful introduction to my book talk. Brian shared some charming stories about life at the lighthouse and then said some very kind things about our book.

Thanks to everyone for a great evening!

Thursday, September 5, 2019

So, this just happened…

Last week, the University of Rhode Island hired me to teach this fall for their Writing and Rhetoric Department: two sections of WRT 104: Writing to Inform and Explain. The students work on badges for different types of writing (travel, food, blogging, science, social reform, etc.) with a variety of activities required to earn each badge. And their grades are determined by the number of badges they earn. I’ve met with both classes once so far—yesterday—and I already LOVE the job!

Thank you to fellow URI professor Betty Cotter for letting me know about this opportunity and for recommending me for the position. 2019 is shaping up to be a wonderful year!

The Rhody Ram welcoming a new professor—me!

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Thank you sooooo much to Library Director Amanda Chapman and all of the folks at the Davisville Free Library in North Kingstown, RI, for hosting our Book Launch Party for The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase (CCWC) there this past Saturday. Many good friends and family members—and some new friends, too!—turned out to help us celebrate the publication by Woodhall Press of our first book in the Rose Island Lighthouse Series.

At the Book Launch, each member of the Book Team (Marilyn Harris - Researcher, Julia Heinzmann - Illustrator, Michaela Fournier - Graphic Designer, and I - Author) talked briefly about her role in creating this book, which combines heart-warming short stories, historical details, original illustrations, and authentic period photographs to tell the tale of Wanton Chase, a young boy who lived with his grandparents at the Lighthouse from 1910 to 1916. After the presentations, everyone gathered for food and fellowship, and to purchase a signed book or two.

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Library to make this a very special day for the Book Team!

Wednesday, July 16, 2019

On Wednesday, July 10, I was incredibly proud and honored to be one of three authors selected by the Women’s Club of South County (a branch of the national General Federation of Women’s Clubs) to speak at their annual Book & Author Luncheon at the Narragansett Dunes Club. Bill Harley, Nancy Thayer, and I talked, read, and just had a wonderful time sharing with this group of amazing women who volunteer their time and effort to raise money for good causes. Last year, this event alone raised over $30,000 for various local programs and organizations!

Tickets for this year’s luncheon sold out in just a few hours, so please contact the Women’s Club soon to find out about them and about next year’s Book & Author event.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

A big shout out of thanks to the folks at Smith’s Castle in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. They were kind enough to invite me to speak at their first Sunday Tea with an Author this Sunday, and I had a wonderful time! Five tables of guests joined me for delicious tea, sandwiches, and pastries while I did a book presentation about The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase, a fun historical storybook about the Rose Island Lighthouse, which I wrote with a team of Rhode Island women. The book was just published June 1st by the wonderful gentlemen at Woodhall Press (Norwalk, CT), so this was my first book talk about it. It went well! Thanks to the Castle for having me speak and thanks to the guests for being such a great audience.

By the way, The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase is now available in both hardcover (beautiful!) and paperback (portable!) from Amazon.com. Buy your copies now!

Monday, April 22, 2019

I just received confirmation that I will be appearing on local television on the Rhode Show this Friday morning, April 26, 2019, sometime between 9 and 10!  I’m being interviewed about my upcoming appearance at a fundraiser: the Women’s Club of South County Book & Author Fundraising Luncheon, scheduled for July 10, 2019. To promote Frozen Voices, I’ve been on the radio a few times, but this will be my first foray into television appearances. After this…who knows…the movies? LOL!

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Sharon Hussey of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation was kind enough to invite the Lighthouse Book Team to come to their Annual Meeting at the lighthouse this June to tell everyone there about our book. I know everyone on the Book Team will enjoy getting together on Rose Island and showing the group our finished product. We are so proud of it! Chris M. from Woodhall Press said that he’s planning on attending the meeting too, so it’s sure to be a fun day for all.