Susan Chase-Foster – Poet, Writer, Journal Keeper, Blogger, World Wanderer
Pamela Helberg – author
Description: Laura Kalpakian is an award-winning American novelist of 16 novels and 4 story collections. Her work has been translated into 13 languages.
Sacred to the Memory of Elvis,” proclaims a homely, front porch memorial in a shabby neighborhood. Even years after his death, Joyce Jackson keeps the Christmas lights twinkling, and the flowers fresh. She keeps the faith as she builds a life for her two daughters, Priscilla and Lisa Marie. Joyce’s benevolence is inspired by Elvis, but her vision is entirely her own. Her generosity of spirit resonates among a cast of memorable characters: holy rollers, rock and rollers, cops and robbers, refugees and social
Marge Mason believes that Joyce is a welfare cheat with bad taste in men and music and too much spunk for a woman on public assistance. In this contest Joyce will need every bit of her strength and spiritual largesse.Rippling with rhythm and the blues, Graced Land celebrates the power of music and love connecting the iconic King with a struggling single mother.
“[Memory into Memoir ’ s] chapters each focus on a different element of craft in creative nonfiction and are an effective mix of context, prompts, and illuminating excerpts with follow-up analysis. While that formula has been used in other texts. . . none were so engaging to me as Kalpakian’s. In the middle of chapters I wanted to pause and work on drafts or record new ideas she’d provoked.”
Susan Chase-Foster – Poet, Writer, Journal Keeper, Blogger, World Wanderer
Pamela Helberg – author