Literacy Night: In the World, Not of the World

I'm officially part of the group! We found this listing online for the upcoming Literacy Night where members of my writer's critique group will be speaking at the end of the month. This is the first time I've ever been included because my book just came out.

My question is, how does J. Scott Savage fits into the Relief Society? Did someone find out about his impersonation of Stephenie Meyer at the LDS Storymakers conference?

To further the cause of literacy in our homes and communities
Eaglecrest 1st Ward~~Enrichment Night
June 30, 2009
650 W. 2600 North
Lehi, UT

Come and hear from LDS authors who share the concern of literacy in our homes and communities. It will be an evening of fun and learning. There will even be a book drawing at the end! To find out more about these authors, you are welcome visit their respective websites.

Annette Lyon (www.annettelyon.com) Annette is the author of the “temple” series—a set of historical romances set around the building of the Logan, St. George, Salt Lake City, and Manti temples. Spires of Stone was awarded Best of State in Fiction for 2007 and was a 2007 Whitney Award finalist. Her latest book, Tower of Strength, came out April 2009. Annette is a former co-producer of the Utah Chocolate Show. She and her husband live in American Fork with their four children.

Heather Moore: (www.hbmoore.com) Heather is the author of the four-volume Out of Jerusalem series—historical fiction on the Book of Mormon. Her latest book is called Abinadi, winner of the 2008 Whitney Award for Best Historical and was recently named as 2009 Best of State in Literary Arts for Historical Fiction. Her next book, Alma the Elder, will be out Fall 2009. Heather lives in Lehi with her husband and four children.

J. Scott Savage: (www.readfarworld.com) J. Scott is the best-selling author of the YA fantasy series Far World, published by Shadow Mountain (imprint of Deseret Book). Far World: Book 2 will be out September 2009. J. Scott also writes the Shandra Covington mystery series, under his “other” name: Jeffrey Savage. He and his wife and their four children live in Spanish Fork.

Julie Wright: (www.juliewright.com) Julie is the author of several books, including romance, young adult and non-fiction. She is best known for her YA novel My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life. Her newest book, Eyes Like Mine, hits shelves June 2009. Julie lives in Oak City with her husband and three children. When she’s not busy writing she manages a store with her husband and works for Ebay.

Josi S. Kilpack: (www.josiskilpack.com) Josi has written nine novels, from contemporary romance, to women’s fiction, to suspense. Sheep’s Clothing won the 2007 Whitney Award for Best Suspense. Her most recent cozy mystery is Lemon Tart—which was the book of the month for Time Out for Women, and has been the #1 bestselling fiction title at Deseret Book for several months. Her next book, English Trifle, will be out this fall. In addition to her writing she enjoys reading, baking, traveling with her husband (and sometimes her four children) and amateur chicken farming.

Lu Ann Staheli: (http://luannstaheli.com) Lu Ann is the co-author of the When Hearts Conjoin: the story of the conjoined Herrin Twins from Utah. She teaches creative writing at Payson Jr. High and has been awarded as Utah English Language Arts Teacher of the Year and 2008 Best of State Educator for K-8. She has written a column for the Spanish Fork Press for many years on how to help your reluctant readers.

League of Utah Writer's Spring Conference

My husband finally figured out my new cell phone so I could send my photos from the League of Utah Writer's Spring conference over to my computer. Here I am at the autograph table, signing copies of When Hearts Conjoin, along with my friend, critique group member, and fellow author, Annette Lyon, who was signing copies of her new book Tower of Strength. You'll also recognize New Yorks Times best-selling author Dave Wolverton (David Farland) and Jessica Day George, both of whom were also speakers at the conference. Annette and I were on a panel and served as judges for the writing contest. The event was held at Cedar Fort Publishers in Springville.

2008-2009 Student Book Recommendations

Every year I ask my students to give me the titles of Ten books they have read this year that they liked well enough to recommend to other readers. This list is LONG (278 titles---I listed series as titles), but I thought some of you might find it interesting, especially if you are writing for middle grade students. Maybe you'll want to copy the list and print it out for a reading list of your own, or to share with your middle grade students. The kids who listed their books are all 7th graders. Some of you will find your own books among the titles!

Anderson - Maybird series

Anderson - Peaches

Anderson – Speak

Anderson - Teacher’s Pet

Anderson – Twisted

Anderson – Wintergirls

Armstrong - The Summoning

Avi – Wolf Rider

Baillet - The Calder Game

Balliet - The Wright 3

Banks – The Indian in the Cupboard series

Barklem - The Secret Staircase

Barry & Pearson – Peters and the Starcatchers series

Baxter – Sunstorm

Bellow – Michael Jordan

Benz – Grey Griffins series

Bettes – Where the Heart Is

Bierce - Civil War Stories

Blume - Superfudge

Bosch – The Name of This Book is Secret

Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series

Brown – Angels & Demons

Buckley – Chickens in the Headlights

Buckley – Sisters Grimm series

Burnford - The Incredible Journey

Byng - Molly Moon series

Cabot – Aithead

Cabot – The Princess Diaries series

Carter – I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You series

Cashore - Graceling

Cast – Betrayed

Cast – Marked

Chima – The Warrior series

Choldenko - Al Capone Does My Shirts

Clements – Frindle

Clements – The School Story

Clements – Things Not Seen

Clements - Room One

Colfer – Airman

Colfer – Artemis Fowl series

Colfer – Benny & Oman

Colfer – The Supernaturalist

Collins - Gregor series

Condie – Reunion

Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

Creech – Bloomability

Creech – Heartbeat

Creech – Ruby Holler

Creech – Walk Two Moons

Crichton – Airframe

Crichton – Jurassic Park

Crutcher – Iron Man

Curtis – Bud, Not Buddy

Dahl – George’s Marvelous Medicine

Daley - Star Wars: Han Solo trilogy

Dashner – The 13^th Reality series

David & Draper - We Beat the Street

Davis – Garfield series

De la Cruz – Bluebloods

De la Cruz – Masquerade

De Mari - The Last Dragon

Delaney - The Last Apprentice series

Dessen – Just Listen

Dessen - Keeping the Moon

Dessen – Lock and Key

Dessen – The Truth About Forever

Di Camillo – The Tale of Despereaux

Dickens – David Copperfield

D'lacey - The Fire Within series

Elliott - Under a War Torn Sky

Evans – The Christmas Box

Fairstein – Entombed

Farmer - Sea of Trolls

Ferris – Once Upon a Marigold

Fitzgerald – The Great Brain series

Fletcher - Stoneheart trilogy

Forman – Adventurer’s Wanted: Slathbog’s Gold

Frank – Diary of a Young Girl

Friend – Perfect

Funke – Inkheart series

Gardner - Stone Fox

Gibson – Old Yeller

Gies - Anne Frank Remembered

Giff - Pictures of Hollis Woods

Goldman – The Princess Bride

Haddam - Cheating at Solitaire

Haddix - Palace of Mirrors

Haddix – Running Out of Time

Haddix – The Missing: Found

Haddix – Turnabout

Hale – Austenland

Hale – Book of a Thousand Days

Hale – Enna Burning

Hales – Goose Girl

Hales – The Princess Academy

Hansen – Macady

Heimerdinger – Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites series

Heinlein – The Final Frontier

Hiaasen - Scat

Hiaisen – Hoot

Hickam – October Sky

Hinton – Rumble Fish

Hinton – The Outsiders

Hobbs – Far North

Hobbs – Ghost Canoe

Hobbs – Jason’s Gold

Hobbs – Wild Man Island

Holt – Part of Me

Holt – When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Hopkins – Burned

Hopkins – Crank

Hopkins – Glass

Horowitz - Groosham Grange

Horowitz – Alex Rider series

Horowitz – The Gatekeepers series

Hunter - Warriors series

Ibbotson – The Great Ghost Rescue

Johnson - 13 Little Blue Envelopes

Jones – King James: The Real Story

Jordan – The Eye of the World series

Kadohata - Kira – Kira

Kehret - The Blizzard Disaster

Kinney - Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

Klein - Con Ed

Koonz – Velocity

Korman - Kidnapped

Korman - Schooled

Kostick - Epic

Landy - Skulldugery Pleasant series

Lasky - Guardians of Ga’hoole series

Levine – Dave at Night

Levine – Ella Enchanted

Levine – Princess series

Lewis – The Chronicles of Narnia series

Logue – Dancing with an Alien

London – White Fang

Lord – A Night to Remember

Lubar - Hidden Talents

Lund – Fire of the Covenant

Lund – The Alliance

Lund – The Work and the Glory series

Lupica – Heat

Lupica – The Big Field

Mac Hale - Pendragon series

Mangum - The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

Martin - Missing Since Monday

Martinez - Parrot in the Oven

Mazer - The Missing Girl

McCormick – Cut

Meyers – Twilight saga

Mikaelsen – Tree Girl

Montague – Fireweed

Moody - Best Friends

Moore – Out of Jerusalem series

Mull – The Candy Shop War

Mulle – Fablehaven series

Myers - The Mouse Rap

Naylor – Shiloh

Nichols - A Walk Out of the World

Nimmo – Charlie Bone series

Nimoy – I Am Spock

Nix – Keys to the Kingdom series

O’Dell – Island of the Blue Dolphins

Osborn – The Magic Treehouse series

Palahniuk - Haunted

Paolini – Eragon series

Patterson – Maximum Ride series

Paulsen – Soldier Heart

Paulsen – The Car

Paulson – Hatchet

Pelzer – A Child Called It series

Peretti – Monster

Perez - Dead is the New Black

Peterson - Jip

Petterson – Max series

Pfeffer - Life as We Knew It series

Pratchet – Going Postal

Pratchet – Thud

Qualey - Hometown

Raskin – The Westing Game

Rawls – Summer of the Monkeys

Rawls – Where the Red Fern Grows

Reeder - Foster’s War

Rees – Pirates

Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Rodgers - Freaky Friday

Rottman – Stetson

Rowling – Harry Potter series

Roy - Yellow Star

Sachar – Holes

Sachar – Tales from the Wayside Schools series

Sachar – The Boy Who Lost His Face

Sage – Magyk series

Sanderson – Mistborn series

Savage – Far World series

Schreiber - Vampire Kisses

Selznik - The Invention of Hugo Caret

Sewell – Black Beauty

Shan – Cirque du Freak series

Shan – The Dementor series

Shreve – Light on Snow

Shrieber – Teenage Mermaid

Shusterman - Everlost

Shusterman - The Schwa Was Here

Skye – Leven Thumps series

Slaughter – Indelible

Smith – Elephant Run

Smith – Everest series

Smith – I.Q.

Smith – Island series

Smith – On the Run

Smith – Peak

Smith – Sasquatch

Smith – Tantalize

Smith – Zach’s Lie series

Snickett – The Series of Unfortunate Events

Somper - Vampirates series

Soto – Taking Sides

Sparks - The Wedding

Speare – The Sign of the Beaver

Spinelli – Milkweed

Staheli – When Hearts Conjoin

Stansfield – Christmas Melody; The Three Gifts of Christmas

Stansfield – A Promise of Forever

Stansfield – Barington Family series

Stansfield – Gables Face East series

Stansfield – The Eternal Bond

Stansfield – The Miracle

Stansfield – The Silver Linings

Stansfield – The Sound of Rain series

Stansfield –Stansfield – Towers of Brierly

Stansfield – Where the Heart Leads series

Stansfield –First Love and Forever series

Staub – Lily Dale series

Stine – Goosbumps series

Stine – The Evil Moon

Stine – The New Boy

Stine – The Overnight

Strasser - Help! I’m Trapped in Obedience School

Tarkington – Penrod

Taylor – Walking Up a Rainbow

Temple - Grab Hands and Run

Timlonson - Extreme Sports

Tolkien – The Hobbit

Traditional - The Arabian Nights

Trueman - Inside Out

Turner - Hard Hit

Updale - Montmorency series

Van Draanen - Runaway

Van Draasen – Flipped

Van Draasen – Sammy Keyes series

Various – The 39 Clues series

Wallace - Trapped in Death Cave

Warner - The Box Car Children series

Waterson – Calvin & Hobbes series

Weeks - Jumping the Scratch

Wells - Chance Encounters

Wells – The War of the Worlds

Westerfeld - Uglies series

Weyland – Ashley & Jen

Weyland – Charley

Weyland – Emily

Weyland – Megan

Weyland- Brittany

White - Surviving Antarctica

Wilhite - Bright Blue Miracle

Wilkinson - Dragon Keeper

Wright – Christmas Jars

Wright – The Eyes of the World

Wright – The Mine with the Iron Door

Wright – The Printer of Udells

Wright – The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

Wright – The Shepherd of the Hills

Wright – The Wednesday Letters

Yancey - The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Yorgason – Charlie’s Monument

Yorgason – One Tattered Angel

Zevin - Elsewhere

There, Their, They're

Okay, this is crazy to admit because I've been an English teacher for 30 years, but there are times that I still get confused on rules. When that happens in my writing, I breathe a sigh of relief because I know that the self-proclaimed word nerd herself, Annette Lyon, will tell me what I did wrong and how to fix it. Heck, half the time she can tell me exactly why what I've done is in error because she's already studied the problem or looked up its history in the OED she got a few years ago.

When Annette doesn't make it to critique, we all fret over those really technical points of grammar and usage, and a flurry of emails go back and forth the next day as we discuss the question and wait for Annette to respond.

But what if Annette is on (dare we say it?) VACATION and gone off to another exotic location for weeks at a time (like her trip to Finland)? How could we ever live without her?

Annette has just given us the next best thing---There, Their, and They're: A No Tears Guide to Grammar from the Word Nerd is Annette's entry into the world of educational writing. I've ordered a copy to keep by my computer at home, and I'm seriously thinking I might use some of my grant money next year to buy a few copies for my classroom. (No other grammar book since Warriner's has taught so much!)

If you'd like to get you own copy, visit the online ordering form at: http://lyfebooks.com/

Contest - Book Giveaway on Good Reads

I'm giving away three copies of When Hearts Conjoin on GoodReads.com. Come on over and join the contest at: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6401757-when-hearts-conjoin

If you've already read the book and you're a member of either Good Reads or Shelfari, I'd appreciate it if you leave a rating and review.

Thanks!

Local author pens Conjoined Hearts with Herrin twins' mom

Herald Extra: Spanish Fork Press

People all over the world watched the story unfold in 2006 as the Herrin twins, Kendra and Maliyah, underwent a twenty-five hour surgery to separate their shared lower bodies. And just two years later, in the fall of 2008, a local author was given the opportunity to team with Erin Herrin, the mother of the twins, to help co-write a book to share their story with the world.
Lu Ann Brobst Staheli is an accomplished educator and writer. She currently teaches English at Payson Junior High in addition to being a writer. Staheli is also a part of the Write Wise program founded by Richard Paul Evans and Robert G. Allen. Staheli has been able to teach and edit other authors work with this program. Evans was so impressed with Staheli and her work that he knew she would be perfect to help Herrin write a book about her experiences.
"I have worked with Lu Ann in our Write Wise program," said Evans. "I knew I could count on her and knew that she would be a natural fit in helping Erin share her story."
Staheli and Herrin began working on the project in August of 2008. They started out by sending each other information via the internet and talked over the phone. Staheli began putting together the information into a story form.
"When I was going through all these experiences there was no information about other families who had been through this and their experiences," said Herrin. "I really wanted to have information from other parents. The book was written so others will have that information and also because as time goes on our memories fade and I wanted something to document all of our experiences."
Staheli wrote the book from the notes Herrin wrote down during her experiences and the book is written as if Herrin had written it herself.
"It has been wonderful to work on this project," said Staheli. "The world has known about these little girls for the past seven and a half years and now they can know the whole story and that miracles do happen."
The story shares more than just the twin's experience, it starts at the beginning with the Herrin's dating and ends with an update on what the family is currently doing.
"The book is definitely an emotional book," said Herrin. "From the beginning Lu Ann was right on and worded everything the way I wanted it. The story flows so well. She has been wonderful to work with and has made the story exactly what I wanted."
The book, "When Hearts Conjoin," was released just a few weeks ago and is only available at the website www.utahtwins.com. All the proceeds from the books will go into a trust fund for the twins medical expenses. The book tells the families story and shares never before seen photos. It also has a forward by Evans, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. The twins will also be featured on a TLC special in June and then on the Oprah show to let others know about their story and book.
And now that Staheli has had her first successful experience co-writing a book, she already has three more co-written books in the works. She is currently working with Alan Osmond to share his story about life lessons, David Osmond to share his story about overcoming life's battles and with Jim Karol to share his story about a man with super mind and how he uses that mind to entertain and teach others.

When is Comes to Best of State. . .

Members of my critique group ROCK!

In 2007, Annette Lyon won the Literary Medal for Best of State Fiction,

In 2008, I won Best of State Educator K-12,

And on May 30th, 2009, Heather Moore will receive her medal for Best of State in Literary Arts: Historical Fiction for her Whitney Award winning novel, Abinidi.

How cool is that? We're three in a row.

Congrats, Heather!!!!

When Hearts Conjoin - Release Party

Last Tuesday was the official release party for When Hearts Conjoin. The party was hosted by Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box) who is our publisher. Here I am sitting at the autograph table with Rick, Erin and Jake Herrin, along with their children, Austin, Courtney, Kendra, Justin, and Maliyah. (I might have the twins' names backwards in both cases.)

We had a great time, did several newspaper and television interviews, and signed a ton of books. So many of my friends and family members came up as well. Thanks for all of your support, everyone!

Let me remind everyone that Mother's Day is this weekend and this would be a great book to get for your mother. Copies can be ordered from www.whenheartsconjoin.com or www.utahtwins.com. I also have a case of books at home if anyone needs a copy and they are concerned the ones ordered online wouldn't make it on time.

Be sure to check out the links to reviews, articles, or other blogs about this book on my main blog page, and a special thanks to Candi Higley of the Spanish Fork Press for allowing me to use this photo.

Motherhood: Martyr or Mentor

My latest article is in Desert Saints Magazine this week: Motherhood: Martyr or Mentor?.

Let me know what you think.

The Icing on the Cake

Chapter one of my MG novel, Leona & Me, Helen Marie is posted on the Utah Childrens Writers blog today. Stop on by if you'd like to read "The Icing on the Cake."

Not Entirely British Guest blog

Check out my blog tour stop today at Not Entirely British

Jr. High teacher publishes book about Herrin twins

Daily Herald

On August 7-8, 2006, the whole world watched as a team of doctors performed a miracle at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the first time, four-year-old twins Maliyah and Kendra Herrin were having surgery--in separate rooms. Born conjoined from mid-torso down, these two angels captured the hearts of millions of people around the world!
Like most Utah residents, Mrs. Lu Ann Staheli was also aware of the birth and eventual separation surgery of the conjoined twins, having seen numerous medical updates as the girls progressed. "Of course, I never anticipated that someday I would be the one to write it," Mrs. Staheli said.

But this past August, that very opportunity came to her. "I was approached by Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box) to work with the girls' mother, Erin, to get their story down in the form of a book. As soon as I met Erin, I knew the story of her entire family needed to be told through her eyes and voice. Hundreds of emails flew back and forth between the two of us, but now we have a book we can both be proud of."

The early reviews have already been positive. Evans says, "It's a great book, a story of faith and the power of a mother's love." Others are also excited about the publication which has a May 1st release date.

TLC recently completed a special about the girls set to air in June, and Oprah can't wait to read the book. She plans to have the family on her show again this summer to celebrate the day the girls receive their prosthetic legs.

Royalties from this book will go into trust funds for the girls.

Copies can be purchased at www.WhenHeartsConjoin.com.

Book Launch Party TONIGHT!

If you live in Utah and you watch the news, you might see Erin and daughters Kendra and Maliyah on the news or hear them on the radio sometime today. Tonight is our big media launch party, and the public is invited for the book signing. If you still would like to come, here are the details.

You and a friend are cordially invited to a very rare and special reception to meet the world famous Herrin Twins, hosted by #1 best-selling author Richard Paul Evans.

Come celebrate with the Herrins the release of their new book:
WHEN HEARTS CONJOIN—the miraculous true story of the Herrin twins, with author Lu Ann Staheli

(The Herrin twins have been seen on Oprah, Good Morning America, Today Show, NBC News, Access Hollywood, 20/20, People Magazine, Glenn Beck and many other major media outlets worldwide)

Who are the Herrin Twins?

On August 7-8, 2006, the whole world watched as a team of doctors performed a miracle at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the first time, four-year-old twins Maliyah and Kendra Herrin were having surgery—in separate rooms. Born conjoined from mid-torso down, these two angels captured the hearts of millions of people around the world!

When Hearts Conjoin is the heart-warming story of Erin Herrin, her husband Jake, and Maliyah and Kendra. It is also a story of faith, hope and the power of a mother’s love.

Excerpt from the book:

At 5:45 a.m. we started getting ready for the big day. We awoke Kendra and Maliya, wanting to hold them for the last time as conjoined twins.
“Is it Cut-Apart Day?” Kendra asked.
“Today is the day,” I said, hoping she wasn’t worried, like I was.
I’m not sure worried was a strong enough word to describe how I felt. Terrified might be better. My nerves were raw, my emotions ready to erupt. I tried to stay positive so the girls wouldn’t see how upset I was and become frightened themselves. If anything went wrong today—if I lost one or both of my precious daughters, I’d never be able to live with myself.


This is an extremely rare opportunity to meet these remarkable little girls, one you will likely never have again. Books are just $12.95 and not available at bookstores. Also available: Special Editions signed by the girls. Author royalties from this book go to the girls’ special medical trust fund.

This beautiful book will make a great gift for your friends, family and loved ones.


Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 / 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Magnolia Grove Reception Center
1117 W. South Jordan Parkway (106th South)
South Jordan, Utah

We will be limiting attendance
RSVP to Diane Glad: 801-676-3068 or info@richardpaulevans.com

Light refreshments
Media will be in attendance

I Wanna Be a Best Seller

Here's alittle video from my awesome friends at LDS Storymakers:

My Baby has been born!

Nine months ago, I was asked to write the story of the Herrin twins, Kendra and Maliyah who were born conjoined. Like most residents of Utah, I had heard a lot about these two little girls on the local news almost since their birth. When I first heard that a member of their family was planning to write a book, the thought went through my mind, "Wow! I wish I were writing that book." And now, nine months later (just as though I was giving birth to a baby), I was not only the one to write it, but I am actually holding the book in my hands while cases of additional copies sit in Richard Paul Evans' Publishing offices, ready to be shipped to people from across the county and around the world who have already ordered them. Of course, I owe this great opportunity to not only Rick, but also to the entire Herrin family. Jake and Erin have allowed me to delve into some very private moments of their life so that the story we told would not only touch the hearts of parents of conjoined twins, but also those who may be struggling in any way and need to see that a bit of hope is always there for them---that miracles do happen every day. If you'd like to own When Hearts Conjoin, visit the website www.whenheartsconjoin.com. You might want to buy one of the special edition books, autographed by both Kendra and Maliyah or the option to have one autographed by Erin. Royalties from these editions go into a special trust fund for the girls.

New Cover for When Hearts Conjoin

This is a copy of the new cover for my book. Every day this past week has provided a new and exciting step along the way to making the publication of my first book a reality. I got tears in my eyes when I actually saw the PDF file showing the layout and read the dedication I wrote myself to my family. Come on! I shouldn't cry when I wrote it, should I?

Anyway, I spent an hour proofreading the PDF yesterday (it amazes me how many mistakes appeared between the final draft I sent in and the one they sent back from the designer. Do they just go through and toss in spelling errors, take out italics, and change punctuation marks for the fun of it?)

The official release date is still May 1st, but pre-orders are going great on the website. If you want a copy autographed by Erin or the girls, you can get those there. If you want me to autograph your copy, we'll have to work something out between us.

Thanks for all the support everyone has been through this crazy process!

When Hearts Conjoin

Pre-Order the highly anticipated book - When Hearts Conjoin The complete and true story behind the Herrin Twins miracle. On August 7-8, 2006, the whole world watched as a team of doctors performed a miracle at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the first time, four-year-old twins Maliyah and Kendra Herrin were having surgery—in separate rooms. Born conjoined from mid-torso down, these two angels captured the hearts of millions of people around the world! When Hearts Conjoin is the heart-warming story of Erin Herrin, her husband Jake, and all five of their children, Courtney, Justin, Austin, and, of course, Maliyah and Kendra. It is also a story of faith, hope and the power of a mother’s love. Features never before seen pictures. Foreword by #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans. All of the royalties from this book will go to the girls’ medical fund. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPIES NOW!! Book ships April 1, 2009 When Hearts Conjoin Paperback $12.95 When Hearts Conjoin Limited Collectors Edition $19.95 (Actually signed by the girls) To contact Lu Ann for interviews or speaking engagements, send an email to: luann@luannstaheli.com Copyright (C) 2009 Herrin Family All rights reserved.

Book Updates

If any of you are on Facebook, you might want to check out the new Fan Pages that have been set up for both When Hearts Conjoin and David Osmond, my two current projects.

The Herrin book is getting very close to the release date. I've submitted the final draft to the printer, cover photos of the Herrin girls are being taken this week, and the web site should be up and running by March 1st, ready for pre-sale orders. They believe the book will be ready by the end of March or the first of April. The Herrins are going to Disney World in March to tape a TLC special (maybe along the lines of jon & Kate, Plus 8). I haven't heard a date for an Oprah appearance yet, but that should be coming as well, and Oprah will also link her website to the direct-sale site for the book. The book will credit me on the front cover, so it will say: "When Hearts Conjoin" Erin Herrin at the top, and with Lu Ann Brobst Staheli at the bottom. I'll post the cover, exact release dates, and website info for ordering copies as soon as that comes in from the publisher.

In the meantime, I've started my next book, a biography of David Osmond. Did you see him on American Idol? He had laryngitis and got kicked off the show during group auditions. That was hysterically funny to those of us who know him because he's been singing in a group since he was 4! Anyway, I've been running his blog, helping with his website, and writing some promotional materials about him as well, just like I used to do when he was a kid! Life goes in such circles. He's going to release a single on iTunes February 20th, so he's off on a radio tour for several weeks promoting the song. He performed it on Entertainment Tonight a couple of weeks ago and we've had lots of positive response.

I may be doing some signings of my own soon, but in the meantime, I will be presenting at the UVU Forum on Children's Literature in March and for the Wordcraft chapter of the League of Utah Writers in April. My topic for UVU is "When they STILL Won't Read," and for the LUW, "How Show, Not Tell, Can Help You Find your Voice." I'll also be on a panel for UVU, "Books I Wish I Had Written or Edited."

If any of you have conferences coming up and you need a speaker, please let me know and I'll send a proposal for a topic that could fit your need.

Insanity: Thy Name is Lu Ann

The last six months have been a very interesting part of my life. First, I was enrolled in the final class to complete my Masters' degree in Instructional Technology and Library Media Administration when I took my sons to Los Angeles for a vacation. My husband had been working on a television series there and hadn't been able to get home for several weeks, so we thought going to California to see him would be a lot of fun.

It was until the night we attended the symphony at the L.A. county arboretum, and I took my great fall. To make a long story short, when I got back to Utah and we got past the July 4th holiday, we discovered that what we thought was a sprain and a simple fracture in both of my arms, turned out to be a dislocated elbow and a crushed radial head.

I couldn't do surgery until my two day required face-to-face graduate class presentation was complete, so my left arm was in a sling for about six weeks once all was said and done. Two days after surgery I wrote my final grad paper, finishing the class and graduating with a 4.0, and I returned to my own classroom a couple of weeks later.

But that's not all that I've finished since then, while my arms were nearly non-functional. I wrote a screenplay adaptation of an LDS novel, "Seasons of Salvation", which is in pre-production.

I wrote and published several magazine articles, including "Bringing the Library Back to Life after the Library Dragon is Slain" which will be in the March issue of Library Media Connection Magazine and "Mr. & Mrs.: What's in a Name" in the current issue of Desert Saints Magazine.

But the biggest project of all is the book I wrote with Erin Herrin titled "When Hearts Conjoin". This is the true story of the Herrin family, including their daughters Kendra and Maliyah who were born conjoined in 2002 and separated in 2006 at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. We're both excited about this project because the family will soon be featured on a TLC special and Oprah will have them on her show again as well.

One thing all of this has shown me is that, no matter what the obstacles, if I just keep plugging away at my writing, good things can be accomplished. Even though there have been times when I thought I was losing my mind, that a project was too hard or taking too much time, I managed to make it through in the end. I think it all turned out okay, despite the stress and pain.

But then of course, the insane usually do believe their lives are normal.

Good News for Joey + Rory

Joey and Rory just found out this morning(2/11/09) that they have been nominated for "Top Vocal Duo" at this years Academy of Country Music Awards which airs on April 5th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

There is stiff competition:
Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland.

You can check out all the other nominees online at acmcountry.com

From the Typewriter to the Bookstore: A Publishing Story

I found this on Jason Wright's Facebook and had to share!

New Year's Day: A Time for Goals

The New Year has begun, so it's time for me to talk about accomplishments and set some new goals (or at least let all of you know where I'm heading.)

The biggest accomplishment the past few weeks has been that I finished the rough draft of Conjoined at the Heart: The True Story of the Herrin Family. I know there is much work to be done, but I wanted to be able to say I had finished the all the chapters that were on the outline I was given, and I did. This is a pretty good accomplishment since I started in August and wrote while teaching school and healing from my elbow replacement surgery!

I also wrote and retyped an entire screenplay for Seasons of Salvation at the same time. The last word I hear was that
production could begin in February.

Enough with the updates, here's what's happening in the next few months with my writing and editing careers:

I'll be writing books this year with both Alan and David Osmond. We've started the drafting on Alan's and have David's partially outlined.

I'll be editing Devin Davis's new book in the next weeks.

I'm drafting Fablehaven Teacher Guides for Shadow Mountain Publishers.

I've queried a couple of magazine articles and I'm just waiting to see.

I have future projects already lined up with Deborah Dennis and BookWise Publishers.

That's enough for now. It's wearing me out already just thinking about it!
Hope all of you had a great Christmas and and enjoyable New Year's. I'll be at work on these projects again tomorrow and Saturday, then Monday it's back to the grind of teaching school! (Although the year IS nearly half-way over.)

Look what I found

I am a woman of many occupations, and one of them is freelance editor. I was surfing books on amazon when I ran across this book from Shadow Mountain that I did the final proofread edit for. It was a pretty good story, and kids will like it. The book will be released February 4, 2009. I'll do a full review then, but just letting all of you know to watch out for it.

"What is courage? What is honor? What does it feel like to have friends you would give your life for? And what role do fear and apprehension play when a person is faced with life-changing choices? Slathbog's Gold, the first book in an exciting new young adult epic fantasy series, sends fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor on the adventure of a lifetime. Right at a time when Alex is wishing his life could change, he sees a sign in Mr. Clutter s bookshop window: Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within. The sign seems to be referring to him. Moreover, not just anyone can enter Mr. Clutter s bookshop. But Alex does, and the adventure begins. Alex is the eighth man needed to complete a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red an evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex learns about honesty, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship."

Lewis Black on Writing a Book

If you are an aspiring or publishing author, you have to take the four minutes necessary to watch this video from amazon.com. Only a true, dedicated writer will ever understand!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2V8K4RI7ULD39

An Interview with Richard Paul Evans: The King of Christmas Fiction

From December Issue of DESERT SAINTS MAGAZINE,
Please visit them ONLINE.

by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli

Nearly sixteen years ago, Rick Evans wrote a book—The Christmas Box—as a present for his daughters, Jenna and Alyson. But like all good things, this story soon took on a life of its own. Passed from hand to hand among friends and neighbors, the book was an instant favorite with those who read it, and soon they were begging for copies to give to their friends
and family. Unable to find a traditional publisher, Evans self-published the eighty-seven page novella in paperback and distributed copies to bookstores in the Salt Lake City area.

The Christmas Box became a local best-seller, and the next year it hit #2 on the New York Times best-seller list, despite it’s humble beginnings and self-published status. National publishers clamored for the opportunity to release the book in hardcover. After a bidding war that is now historic, Simon & Schuster came out victorious, releasing the book in hardcover and paperback in 1993, where both editions hit the number-one position on the Times lists simultaneously, a feat never before accomplished. And The Christmas Box has been a seasonal favorite ever since.

I had the opportunity to interview Rick, the undisputable king of Christmas fiction, and I learned about not only The Christmas Box, but also about his family.

How did The Christmas Box change his life? Evans was quick to respond: “I could write an entire book on this…in fact I did—The Christmas Box Miracle.” But, all joking aside, he also says, “Besides taking me away (from home) every Christmas since I wrote the book, it fundamentally changed everything.” Evans had been in marketing before, but with a run-away bestseller like this, his new business became writing.

But not all of his books carried on the theme of Christmas, although recently he has returned to his literary roots. I asked Rick what brought him to focus so strongly on this season as the focus of so many of his novels. “There is wisdom in the saying, ‘Dance with who brung you to the dance,’” he said. “After The Christmas Box trilogy, I tried to distance myself from Christmas. (The Last Promise, The Locket, The Carousel, The Looking Glass, The Letter) It was a mistake. I’ve now reclaimed the season and my books have done even better.”

And the theme of Christmas has become a centerpiece for both Evans’ life and work. In addition to his novels (Timepiece, The Locket, A Perfect Day, Finding Noel, The Gift, and this year’s best-seller, Grace), children’s books (The Christmas Candle, The Light of Christmas), non-fiction (The Christmas Box Miracle), and special publications (Christmas Every Day, First Gift of Christmas), Evans has inspired the dedication of Christmas Angel statues in the U.S., Canada, France, and Japan, as well as Christmas Box Houses across America and a sponsored orphanage in Peru.

With all this Christmas spirit surrounding him all the time, it might be easy for Evans to want to step away, becoming more like Scrooge than feeling like Santa, but he tells me, “When it comes to Christmas in my own home, I’m more like…Santa? Definitely Santa. I love Christmas and giving.”

I asked about a typical Christmas in the Evan’s household, and discovered they are very traditional. “My in-laws are Italian, my mother Swedish,” Rick says. “So we’ve taken the best of both of these worlds—celebrating Christmas with my mother on Christmas Eve after a festive Italian dinner at my in-laws. Unfortunately with the recent passing of my mother and Keri’s father, the traditions we’ve so cherished will change somewhat. But we’ll do our best to keep them.”

One tradition has always been to keep the kids close to home, and even though their oldest, Jenna, recently married, Evans thinks this Christmas will be even better than before. “We didn’t lose a daughter, we gained a son,” he says. “Jenna’s been gone away for school for quite awhile, so she’s actually closer now.”

This year, the Evans family—Rick, Keri, Alyson, Abby, Michael, McKenna, Jenna, and her new husband—plan to honor their traditions, and celebrate the memories of the family members who have passed away, while Rick’s fans enjoy yet another Christmas story by their favorite author.

Evan’s most recent novel, Grace, opens with the story of The Little Match Girl, then takes readers into a poor neighborhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1962, where we meet two brothers who spend as much of their free time as possible looking for treasures in the garage and working on their tree house. When the older boy, Eric, meets a young runaway girl, Grace, and decides to help her by allowing her to stay in the tree house, he doesn’t realize that it will be his life that is changed forever. And so will yours as you read Grace.

Writing the Novel

Here's a note about a class being taught by my friend, Carol Lynch Williams and Cheri Earl.

Carol Lynch Williams and Cheri Pray Earl are holding two one-day novel-writing classes in January and February 2009. The January class is for writers who have never written a novel before (Level I) and the February class is for writers who have perhaps begun a novel but need work completing and polishing it (Level II).

Dates: Saturday, January 10th, 2009 and the tentative date for the Level II class is Saturday, February 7th.
Place: The Provo Library, Bullock Room
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (brown bag lunch discussion at noon: Plunging into Publication)
Cost: $50 for each workshop

What you can expect to learn from each class:
Both classes are interactive and discussion oriented and will include some hands-on writing exercises; neither includes a formal critique/workshop session.

Level 1: Structure; coming up with ideas; voice; good versus not-so-good prose; genre distinctions; plotting the novel; beginnings, middles, and ends.

Level II: *For this class students should have a novel-in-process or the outline of a novel to work from in class.
Diagnosing structural problems; developing ideas; strengthening voice; identifying strengths and weaknesses in the prose; defining the genre; improving the elements of the story arc; writing spectacular beginnings and unforgettable endings; brainstorming the murky middles.

If you’re interested in either or both of these classes, email Carol (carolthewriter@yahoo.com) or Cheri (cheri_earl@byu.edu).

Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 20 books for young readers. Her novels include The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson, If I Forget, You Remember, Pretty Like Us, and her most recent book The Chosen One, due out in May ’09. Her books have been recognized as ALA Best Books for Young Adults, IRA Teacher’s Choice Award, PEN Nomination among others. She co-writes the early mid-grade novel series George and Gracie, Just in Time (Fall ’09) with Cheri Pray Earl. She has her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and is the mother of 7 children.

Cheri Pray Earl graduated with her M.A. in Creative Writing from Brigham Young University in 1995. She began teaching freshman and advanced writing courses for the Honors program in 1993, where she continues to teach. As a part-time instructor, she has created and helped to write courses for Honors, including "Writing for Publication" as well as "The Publishing Lab,"
to encourage students to write for publication. She also teaches Creative Writing for the BYU English Department and the BYU Honors Summer Scholars Academy and was awarded Honors Professor of the Year in 2005.

Cheri considers herself a young adult novel writer, winning the Utah Original Writing Competition in 1994 in the YA novel category and taking honorable mention in 1997. However, her first publications are for younger readers. She is the co-author of an early chapter book series with Carol Lynch Williams, published by Peachtree Publishing (the first two books in
the series are scheduled to come out in the fall of 2009). Cheri also co-authored an American Girl non-fiction book with Rick Walton (scheduled to launch in the spring of 09). She lives in Provo, Utah, with her husband and three of her five children, two cats, and a dog.

Carol and Cheri organize the annual BYU-sponsored Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Workshop which is now in its 10th year.

Star Trek - The Wait is Over

My husband got the chance to work on a few days of the new Star Trek movie, and finally the trailer has been released so we can see how those scenes came together. Click the link and you can see it, too.

STAR TREK TRAILER

My Crazy Life

If you haven't been over to check out Josi's blog on Writing on the Wall about "Write What You Know," and this comic rings all too true for you, then now could be the time to read what she has to say.

In the meantime, I have three minutes to write an update of my crazy life. Two weeks ago, I attended and presented at the Book Camp for WriteWise in Salt Lake City. Heather Moore and I teamed up for two classes: How to Work with Your Editor and Self-Editing Your Manuscripts.

Last week, I was again off to Salt Lake to attend T. Harv Ecker's Millionaire Mind Intensive where I learned lots of ways to increase my income and avoid the pitfalls of today's economy.

I took a few hours off from that on Thursday night to take my boys to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert at the E-Center. I've been to a tons of concerts in my life, and I'm here to tell you this, one ranks as #1. The place was sold out, the concert was rockin', and I think we've just found a new Christmas tradition in our house.

Today I was the guest lecturer for Dr. Kay Smith's Young Adult Literature and Literacy Methods classes at UVU. It was really great to have the chance to talk with next semester's student teachers, as well as future English teachers and writers about the things that I know from all these years in the classroom and as a writer.

Tonight I taught my online class for WriteWise, and tomorrow night it's back to the E-Center for the Carrie Underwood concert.

Wrapped around all of that were actual days teaching my regular classes at Payson Jr. High School, working on a screenplay and the Herrin book, and trying to balance time with my family. It's a good thing Thanksgiving break is almost here. Maybe I can stop long enough to think about all that I am grateful for!

PARENT Job Description

Alan Osmond sent this to me awhile back and I never got around to posting it. I ran across it again tonight and thought I'd go ahead and share.

PARENT Job Description

If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!

POSITION:

Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life! Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.00. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** A FOOTNOTE:

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! ** If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents!