Eleanor McCallie Cooper
Welcome to the official AUTHOR page of Eleanor Mc Callie Cooper, where you will find updates on her
10/08/2022
Chattanooga Author Showcase | southernlitalliance
I'm excited to be included in the Authors Showcase on Aug 25, 6:00, StoveWorks. SoLit is featuring 7 local authors. See the link for details.
Chattanooga Author Showcase | southernlitalliance KB Ballentine teaches high school and college students creative writing, theatre arts, and literature. She has an M.A. in Writing and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Poetry. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and publications and she is the author of seven collections of poetry including Ed...
02/08/2022
Dragonfly Dreams won the National Indie Excellence Award, NIEA, in the category of FRIENDSHIP, recognizing the friendship between Nini and Chiyoko as the central theme of the story. I am so honored and thrilled by this recognition.
Nini, the main character, has a Chinese father and an American mother and is about to celebrate her 10th birthday. Chiyoko’s father is Japanese and her mother Chinese. As mixed-race girls, they are despised by the Western girls at their international school and pejoratively referred to as “the little Chinese girls.” While being separated from the other girls, this discrimination helps to bond them as friends.
The war also separates them. Nini and Chiyoko try to stay connected despite the fact that the war in China intensifies after Pearl Harbor, and the Japanese troops force the foreigners, like Nini’s mother, into internment camps. Keeping her mother hidden, Nini’s family has to move to a remote place. Chiyoko loses touch with Nini. The two girls devised a plan to leave messages for each other in a secret garden, but that plan fails when they are not able to get there. Finally, Nini makes a courageous journey alone across the war-torn city to find her friend. This journey threatens her life but ultimately gives them both hope.
I’m so glad that NIEA recognized this powerful thread that binds this historical fiction of World War II in China through the friendship of Nini and Chiyoko.
21/07/2022
I'll be speaking tonight at 6:30 at the Signal Mountain Library. I'll talk about 3 things: why I wrote Dragonfly Dreams, the true story it's based on, and writing after 50. YES, WRITING AFTER 50 or 60 or 70! Lots of people tell me they have a story they want to tell. Now over 75, I will assure you it can be done.
This picture credit goes to Dave Weinthal, publisher of Enigma, who took it at the grand opening of Dragonfly Dreams, the spa, last Saturday. Thank you, Dave!
14/07/2022
I’ll be signing copies of DRAGONFLY DREAMS this Saturday at 4:00 at the Grand Opening of a spa by the same name, Dragonfly Dreams! Yes, a spa and a book share the same name!
Saturday, July 16
232 E. 11th St. (one block from City Hall)
I will be in the gift shop 4-5:00
If you want to buy the book or see the spa—COME and send friends. Opening events from 1:00-6:00—local art, cbd, pottery, jewelry, soaps, as well as classes in yoga and meditation. Immerse yourself in ice! Or do total deprivation in a mineral bath.
Oh, Lordie! My brain feels like this!
Sometimes my writing feels like all the letters and words get stuck in my brain.
I love collecting photos of typewriters. Every now and then, I will post a picture of one and talk about writing--the joys and dreads of it. If you see a typewriter, you'll know I'm going to talk about writing --
or as the picture suggests, how do you get unstuck?
It would be nice if you could just use your finger and loosen all the letters in your brain, like you do with this typewriter.
When my brain gets stuck, I have to do something else.
The greatest tool for me has been a free write. Over the years I've practiced different techniques for unblocking and what I have ended up with is my own form of free writing.
Years ago, after I had had a car accident in LA, a friend taught me what she called "automatic writing" -- she started with a brief meditation, followed by a question, and then she started writing whatever came.
I loved that before I read Julia Cameron's The Artist Way which promotes Morning Pages" -- 20 minutes of stream of consciousness writing every day. I practiced this for years
and found it invaluable for getting me started as a writer and for many other changes in my life. Invaluable.
Then Anne Bright taught me "Proprioceptive Writing" which is the work of Linda Metcalf described in a book called Writing the Mind Alive. Music, a candle, and frequently asking myself
"What do you mean by that" helped me go deeper and think my thoughts.
Erin Lee Gafill's Drinking From a Deep Spring inspired me and is an example of the kind of writing I am talking about.
All of these methods have merged into my own style of what I call "free writing" which frees my mind and gets me unstuck. Whenever I start with free writing, I always end up somewhere I wanted to go.
What methods do you use to get flowing? What tools have been helpful to you?
18/06/2022
Jeepers! I can't believe it.
Dragonfly Dreams has just won a National Indie Excellence Award. The independent publishers have been giving the NIEA since 2005 to recognize excellence in indie publishing. I want to thank my publisher, John Koehler, for bringing this book into print. And the judges at NIEA for giving me this award.
This is the 9th award Dragonfly Dreams has won this year. Just one would have been enough to say "award winning," but I am thrilled beyond words. I am grateful for the recognition of my efforts to bring light to this dark period of history--one we know little about because our attention during WWII was directed to Europe. There is a reason it is called a world war and my story shows why. Thank you. Thank you.
06/06/2022
It will be announced on June 9th that Dragonfly Dreams has won an IPPY! An IPPY is an Independent Publisher Book Award. These awards are given annually to recognize "excellence in independent publishing." I thank my publisher, John Koehler, and Koehler Books. I am grateful to IPBA for honoring me with a Silver in regional for Pacific Rim literature.
20/05/2022
The Benjamin Franklin Award arrived the day I spoke to the Page Turners Book Club. They helped me celebrated since I missed the award ceremony in Orlando.
The Benjamin Franklin awards are presented annually by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). For Dragonfly Dreams to be recognized as the best fiction for young readers published by the independent press last year——is thrilling beyond words!
I loved celebrating this with the Page Turners. What a great group! We had so much fun and a great discussion followed by a fabulous dinner cooked by the host Maria Thompson. I love book clubs!
20/05/2022
I’m so excited! Dragonfly Dreams won the 2022 Benjamin Franklin Award, Gold Prize, for Young Reader Fiction! And it took the Silver Prize for Book Cover Design! The Benjamin Franklin awards are presented annually by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) to recognize the best books published by the indie press in the previous year. I can’t believe it. To be recognized in this way—as the best book for young readers published last year by the independent press—is so thrilling.
29/04/2022
I'm anxiously awaiting to hear. The Independent book publishers association (IBPA) is holding their annual book award ceremony tonight. Dragonfly Dreams is a finalist for a Benjamin Franklin award. So keep your fingers crossed for me. The Ben Franklin award is one of the most coveted in the independent publishing business. I'm so excited. I'm also really sad that I can't attend the ceremony. However I will be watching and listening to see the results.
22/04/2022
I loved speaking to the kids at the Peregrine School in DAVIS, CA. The teacher Chris Erickson had already read the first two chapters to them. They surprised me with their questions. Those two students in the front told me that loved my book. How could it get better? I'm interested in doing more work with schools. I stayed back this year because of COVID, but next year I'd like to prioritize teachers and students. If you have contacts, let me know. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
James Lilley, the author of China Hands and former ambassador to China, said of my book Grace in China -- "should be read by anyone who cares about and wants to know about China."
Dragonfly Dreams is based on the true story of Grace in China during WWII.
16/04/2022
“The little Dragonfly book is a gem….it really draws one in.” Sally Lilley, wife of the late Jim Lilley, former Ambassador to China
I’m so thrilled to see these words from Sally Lilley, a woman I admire. She wrote these words to a friend when she read DRAGONFLY DREAMS, my new book published by Koehler Books.
It is a strong endorsement from a woman who knows China well. She was born there. More importantly, she was with her husband Jim Lilley, who had a 40-year career in diplomacy and was the officer in charge when Grace, my aunt who lived in China 40 years, applied to return to the U.S.
Grace was in China in 1972 when Nixon and Mao opened the doors. Only a few Americans were inside China then, most of them married to Chinese men. Grace was one of them.
Grace and her son William had to apply to enter the U.S. with no documentation. Her passport had long-before expired. Jim Lilley helped them, but he never knew what happened to them until I wrote the book GRACE IN CHINA. He wrote an endorsement:
“Should be read by anyone who cares about and wants to know about China. From the euphoria of the 1950s to the disillusionment of the 1970s, the book describes a personal odyssey.” James Lilley, former ambassador to China, writing about Grace: An American Woman in China on its publication by Soho Press in 2003.
Jim Lilley has since died. You can see why it means so much to me to see Sally’s words about DRAGONFLY DREAMS. She called me later and we had a wonderful conversation.
Sally Lilley told me that dragonflies have a special meaning in her family. They have had a beach house for many years that they called, “The Lilley Pad” and their symbols were frogs, lily pads, and dragonflies, “especially the latter,” she said. Yes, dragonflies are symbols to many people, but I am thrilled this book has special meaning to Sally Lilley, a woman I admire so much.
#familystories
Who do you identify with?
Based on a true story, Dragonfly Dreams is set in China during World War II. After Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, 10-year-old Nini, the protagonist of Dragonfly Dreams, learns that her American mother is in danger of arrest and could be sent to an internment camp. Her Chinese father is fired for having an American wife. The family is soon forced into hiding. When her little sister becomes desperately ill, Nini is the only one who can cross the war-torn city. Will the family survive?
This historical fiction is written for all ages. An educational story as well as a gripping drama. Revealing a part of Chinese history not known by most people in the West or in China. It is based on an American woman’s experience in China during WWII and is well researched and carefully written.
Winner of Firebird Book Award for Asia/Pacific Rim, winner of Royal Dragonfly Book Award, Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, and the Feathered Quill.
www.Eleanormccalliecooper.com
who do you identify with?
06/04/2022
Based on a true story, Dragonfly Dreams is set in China during World War II. After Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, 10-year-old Nini, the protagonist of Dragonfly Dreams, learns that her American mother is in danger of arrest and could be sent to an internment camp. Her Chinese father is fired for having an American wife. The family is soon forced into hiding. When her little sister becomes desperately ill, Nini is the only one who can cross the war-torn city. Will the family survive?
This historical fiction is written for all ages. An educational story as well as a gripping drama. Revealing a part of Chinese history not known by most people in the West or in China. It is based on an American woman’s experience in China during WWII and is well researched and carefully written.
Winner of Firebird Book Award for Asia/Pacific Rim, winner of Royal Dragonfly Book Award, Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, and the Feathered Quill.
Eleanormccalliecooper.com
26/03/2022
I had a wonderful conversation this week with a book club about Dragonfly Dreams. They reminded me that 16 years ago I had not been able to join them for their discussion of Grace in China. Boy, was I humbled and impressed that they invited me back! We had a wonderful time--there is nothing like a book club that has stayed together for 16 years!
12/03/2022
Dragonfly Dreams’ COVER won first place in the Firebird Book Award for cover design. My publisher, Koehler Books, has a clever way of picking a cover— First, I was asked for my best three ideas, then the designer came up with designs for all three, plus two more. I picked the two I liked best—then we put it out for a vote, asking friends, family, and the public to weigh in. It was a great engagement strategy before the book was released. The cover you see here was the winning design. I love this cover because it depicts the last scene in the book. Do the airplanes indicate the end of the war? The dragonflies bring hope that change is coming. Is this Nini’s dream, her dragonfly dream? You can see how the cover is closely connected to the title and to the meaning of the story. Please follow me here or on Instagram and Twitter.
www.speakuptalkradio.com
Speak-up Talk Radio interviewed me last week about Dragonfly Dreams. I won 1st place in the Firebird Book Awards--for Pre-Teen and Juvenile Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Asia/Pacific Rim. https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Speak-Up-Talk-Radio-with-Eleanor-McCallie-Cooper.mp3
Listen to the interview—it explains how my book, based on a family story in China during WWII, came to be written.
I was interviewed by Pat Rullo. I love what she does to support authors. One thing I like about the Firebird Book Awards is the contribution made to homeless shelters, thereby helping others while supporting authors.
If you want to know more about Dragonfly Dreams, please listen.
www.speakuptalkradio.com
02/03/2022
I'm excited to learn that Dragonfly Dreams won the 4th Quarter 2021 Firebird Book Award for Pre-teen and Juvenile fiction, historical fiction, and Asian/Pacific Rim. That just about covers what my book is about--a novel set in China during WWII written for young readers. I love Pat Rullo and all that the Firebird Book Award does for authors. Plus they make a donation to homeless shelters and add a charitable component to the awards.
02/03/2022
Speak-up Talk Radio interviewed me this week about the Firebird Books awards that Dragonfly Dreams won. I hope you'll take a listen. Dragonfly Dreams won first place for Pre-Teen and Juvenile fiction, historical fiction, and Asian/Pacific Rim.
https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Speak-Up-Talk-Radio-with-Eleanor-McCallie-Cooper.mp3
I'm teaching a class on how to turn a true story into fiction on March 1. You can be a writer already or a non-writer, but you want to know how to tell your story as a novel. Go to thechattery.org/classes to register. 6:00 pm.
Dragonfly Dreams meets the Bordered Diamond Quilt.
I thought you might like to see the finished products, that is, the book and the quilt I posted about yesterday. I was rather freaked out trying to put all the pieces together. For the quilt, I started the quilt after I attended a workshop and was using those bright, bold, colorful fabrics, but I also wanted to use some indigo and white pieces I had picked up in Japan when I lived there. I added some batiks and then I had three different kinds of fabric! Did they work together? I was stressed!
Writing Dragonfly Dreams was a lot like piecing the quilt. I had to put many different things together. I knew the true story of what happened to the Liu family. I did research to document the historical facts and timelines which formed the context. But I was writing historical fiction about WWII in China and I needed a storyline that would appeal to young readers, so I created a fictional character Chiyoko who is separated from my protagonist Nini at the beginning of the war. The tension of their friendship and their efforts to stay in touch created the conflict that would make it interesting to younger readers. Plus I had numerous smaller stories, other characters, and cultural phenomena that had to be woven into the historical facts and fictional story. It felt just like the quilt—three different kinds of materials that need to work together, but didn’t seem to fit.
It was overwhelming! Piece by piece. Chapter by chapter. Now, at last, the quilt and the book come together and the quilt says, “Hello, Dragonfly Dreams!”
While writing Dragonfly Dreams, I made a quilt. I used colorful strips of Kaffe Fassett’s fabric. In the center, I embroidered a dragonfly next to a square of kasuri, a Japanese folk art of woven cotton in indigo and white threads. I had found these pieces of kasuri when I visited Kyoto in 2018 and shopped at the Kitano market, a street fair that happens on the 25th of each month. This quilt was full of memories for me, because I had lived in Kyoto many years ago when I had first fallen in love with the indigo fabrics and so many other things in Japan. So piecing together this quilt was similar to piecing together the family stories of my Aunt Grace and her children who had survived WWII in China, the story I tell in the book. Quilting became a visual expression in my creative process… and writing, the verbal. One had words, the other had color. I was stimulated by both. When I needed a break from one, I went to the other. Not sure if my book would ever be published, I embroidered two dragonflies in the center and quilted it in a dragonfly pattern. Can you see the dragonflies in the stitching? I named the quilt Dragonfly Dreams in case my book by the same name never got published. I’m so glad it did.
koehlerbooks