The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter

I’m flying high over sharing the many secrets of Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson aka the original Carolyn Keene on Friday, July 15 at Main Library, Toledo Lucas County Public Library!

My talk is all a part of a Nancy Drew celebration and unveiling of the Nancy Drew collection donated by Jennifer Fisher.

The event is free, but attendees need to register here.

Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels featured on PBS Fresh Air

Fresh Air

 

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind this spring, between 2 weeks of Claire’s Day festivities and our daughter’s wedding.

I just realized I hadn’t shared the review of Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels on the PBS program, Fresh Air.

Check it out here!

 

Virginia Hamilton - Five Novels

Library of America interview for Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Library of America staff about Virginia Hamilton and my role as editor of Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels.

Virginia Hamilton - Five Novels

Check out the transcript here: Interview: The pathbreaking Virginia Hamilton and her “liberation literature”

I’ll be at the Buckeye Book Fair!

Come see me at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, November 6 in Wooster, Ohio!

Click here for details!

Wall Street Journal Review

Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels was reviewed by the Wall Street Journal recently. It was such an honor to serve as editor for this collection!

Just a moment podcast

I had the privilege of being featured in a podcast created by my friend, Chrys Peterson.

The podcast shares inspirational stories of individuals whose lives changed in just a moment.

To hear how mine changed, click the link below.

https://chryspeterson.com/episode-3-rewriting-your-story-after-unbearable-loss/

Anonymous

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” -Virginia Woolf

I discovered this quote while doing research for my latest proposed biography for young readers. My subject, even though she has a significant place in history, is unknown. This woman was the first to serve in her role. This woman stood toe-to-toe with men and held her own. This woman dared to buck the system to accomplish what she believed is right. This woman’s story has never been told.

I hope to change that.

I recently took to Twitter to begin an ongoing campaign to promote women in history. I searched through various online portals, such as “this day in history” and “this day in women’s history.” My campaign ended after three days. The ratio of noted accomplishments by men outranked women’s significantly. It is as if we’ve taken the root word of history literally. HIS story.

I hope to change that.

I’ve been blessed to share the life journeys of three amazing women, who have made their own mark in the world.

For years, no one knew that Carolyn Keene was not the actual writer of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. There is no Carolyn Keene. The original author of the teenage sleuth stories was none other than Mildred Wirt Benson. As the very first ghostwriter for the series, Millie was indeed anonymous until her role was made public through a lawsuit. The legal action was filed by the former publisher of the series, Grosset & Dunlap, when the creators of the series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, made a business decision to contract with Simon & Schuster to publish future Nancy Drew stories. When Millie showed up at the trial in New York City in 1980, Harriet Stratemeyer greeted Millie with a curt, “I thought you were dead.” Nope, very much alive, and no longer anonymous.

\

Virginia Hamilton was the most honored author of children’s literature ever. EVER! Virginia was the first African American, male, or female, to receive the Newbery Medal, in 1975 for her groundbreaking novel, M.C. Higgins, The Great. Virginia’s 41 books for younger readers garnered every major award established for authors. Virginia was the first children’s book author to receive the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, otherwise known as the “Genius Grant.” Her body of work was recognized through the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing. Yet, her books have been buried among the stacks in libraries, her stories rarely shared with today’s young readers.

As a 22-year-old intern with the Miami Herald, sports journalist Christine Brennan made her way through the doors of the locker room of the Minnesota Vikings. It was previously all-male territory, even though a federal judge had ordered TWO years before that female journalists should have equal access to locker rooms. Christine continues to make her mark in the world of sports journalism, often the “go-to” whenever there is controversy or significant news with athletes. Yet, for all the doors that Christine has opened during her years as a sports reporter, a columnist with USA Today, and commentator on ABC News, her story was buried as a lead.

We are on the brink of Women’s History Month. Why just a month when we collectively try and create awareness of amazing female scientists, writers, artists, civil rights activists, educators, and business leaders? Why is there only a month to pull back the curtain on these anonymous makers of history?

Why not make every day a chance to share HER story?

I hope to change that.

Presenting Virginia Hamilton…

It was an honor sharing the life of Virginia Hamilton, the most honored author of children’s literature. In gratitude to Ohio Humanities for underwriting my presentation, and the Ohio History Connection/National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center for hosting.

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/sR4_hllOqlo

vi

Virginia Hamilton…Before Her Time

I’m honored to be sharing the incredible life journey of Virginia Hamilton, the most honored author of children’s literature, ever. EVER! The virtual presentation is Thursday, February 11 at 11 a.m.

I’ll walk listeners through Virginia’s childhood in Yellow Springs, Ohio, to becoming the Newbery Medal winner, and beyond. And, I’ll be sharing an exciting announcement about a collection of Virginia’s works!

I hope to “see” you during this virtual presentation, sponsored by Ohio Humanities and hosted by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center.

Here’s a link to sign up…https://ohiohistory.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aAGJo1lSQ2WaiVMLOZIAJg