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 Lisa Saunders of Mystic, CT, is an award-winning publicist, writer and workshop presenter. She speaks to groups about her books, Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife; Ride A Horse, Not an Elevator; How to Get Published; and Anything But a Dog! The perfect pet for a girl with CMV. As a former recruiter for AT&T, Lisa coaches students and adults on how to find a job. She received the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Gold Medallion. She is available to present:
Civil War—“Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife”: Charles McDowell married Nancy when she was 15 years old. Enlisting as a private in the New York 9th Heavy Artillery, he asked Nancy, then 17, to save his letters. Despite his grueling battles and marches, he was able to save hers as well. Together their letters include tales of desertions, hangings, prostitutes, venereal disease, bullets, typhoid fever, lying injured on the battlefield for days, and “clever women.” Great-great granddaughter Lisa Saunders will tell the “back story” of her book, Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife. She is also available to present her “reader’s theater,” Ever True: A Civil War Love Story, with members of your organization if so desired. Note: Charles fought alongside the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery in the Sixth Corps.
“How to Get Free Publicity for Your Organization or Book”: Lisa Saunders, a publicist for the State University of New York, will discuss how you can receive free publicity through Internet marketing, press releases, giving “How To” speeches to community groups, and by writing articles, books, and letters to the editor.
“The 7 Wonders of Mystic”: Learn the “back story” of Mystic’s most popular sites and why author Lisa Saunders chose them for her story, “The 7 Wonders of Mystic.” After months of interviewing locals ranging from racing sailors to bridge tenders, and consulting historical documents including 1880s articles in the New York Times, Lisa chose the top seven Wonders of Mystic (all are free to view on the outside, open year-round and in Mystic’s zip code of 06355). Not all Mystic locals agreed with Lisa’s choice, so the public voted for the 8th Wonder.
“How to Get a Job”: Lisa Saunders, formerly a recruiter for clients that included AT&T, will discuss what a candidate can do to stand out. She will highlight important resume buzz words, where employers look for resumes, the value of interning (even if you are long out of school), freelancing, and how and where to network.HowtoGetaJobSeminarflyer.doc
“Writer’s Open Mic”: The first 25 writers to sign-in prior to start time can read, sing, or perform their work for up to three minutes. All family-friendly genres are welcome including music, memoirs, “how to” articles, poetry, and screenplays. Audience members and writers will be given a chance to network at the conclusion. Lisa Saunders, author of How to Get Published, is coordinator of the event and will introduce the writers.
Children’s Workshop: “Ride a Horse, Not an Elevator”: Lisa Saunders, author of the children’s novel, Ride a Horse, Not an Elevator, will present Cornell University’s 4-H program, “Horse Book in a Bucket,” which includes information on horses and her novel. Lisa will cover the process of writing and her experiences as a New York City girl living on the 16th floor and visiting her grandparents’ farm in upstate New York: rideahorsenotanelevator.blogspot.com
“Stop #1 Birth Defects Virus”: Learn how avoiding the saliva of young children and hand-washing protects unborn babies from the #1 viral cause of birth defects--congenital CMV (cytomegalovirus), which causes more disabilities than Down syndrome. Presenter Lisa Saunders, Congenital CMV Foundation parent representative and author of Anything But A Dog! The perfect pet for a girl with congenital CMV, didn’t know about CMV prevention until her daughter, Elizabeth, was born. See her blog at: congenitalcmv.blogspot.com
“Find Joy in the Midst of Trial”: When Lisa Saunders gave birth to her daughter, Elizabeth, she felt a stab of fear. "Her head looked so small — so deformed." When she learned of Elizabeth’s profound brain damage, she prayed God would strike her dead so she wouldn’t have to bear the pain of raising such a child. “It took about eight months, but I eventually stopped praying that a nuclear bomb would drop on my house. Life did become good again—but it took a lot of help from family, friends, the Book of Psalms, and a couple of Valium!”
“How to Get Published”: Lisa Saunders, author of How to Get Published, will cover the publishing process for articles, memoirs, children’s fiction and adult non-fiction. She will discuss finding an agent, publisher, writing query letters, book proposals, and building an audience through Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. She will also discuss pros and cons and the “How To” of self-publishing. Her free e-book: www.smashwords.com/books/view/3053
Contact Lisa at saundersbooks@aol.com
Word document of her presentations: Talkswithphotoandcontact.doc
Lisa is the author of Anything But A Dog! (the true story of a homeless canine and her disabled daughter); non-fiction book and play, Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife; children’s novel, Ride a Horse, Not an Elevator; and free e-booklet, How to Get Published.
Her short TV news interview about CMV: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/coping-with-cmv/3443071507 Excerpts of her talks on "How to Get Published": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OjTb4sSaf8
The following may be contacted for public relations or speaking engagement references:
E-mail I received from former employer: “After reviewing the previous year’s media clipping on the College, what struck me is how many wonderful human interest stories there were, all as a result of your alertness and diligence. You really did a wonderful, wonderful job of unearthing stories and getting the media to pump out a steady stream of positive press. I know it was your ‘job,’ but you really embraced it with such enthusiasm--it really made a difference!” Tzipora Reitman, Director of Communications, SUNY Rockland Community College, zreitman@sunyrockland.edu
Lisa spoke at Cornell University. Contact: Jeannie Griffiths, Animal Science Department, Cornell University, jtg4@cornell.edu, 607-255-2857
"Your impressive, in-depth research, coupled with your enthusiasm and love for the subject created one of the most informative and engaging programs we’ve held this year." Stephanie Vitale, Adult Program Coordinator Sloatsburg Library
845-753-2043, svitale@rcls.org
"Thank you for doing a wonderful presentation at the Suffern Free Library on "Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife." The letters were interesting and gave a very real perspective of family life during the Civil War." Miguelina Molina, Events Coordinator Suffern Library, 845-357-1237, mmolina@rcls.org
"Dear Lisa, you were just spendid with your talk about the "Trials of a Writer" at the Suffern Woman's Club of Suffern. We all enjoyed it and wish you well with your book. Sincerely, Faith Leigh, Program Chair, Suffern’s Women’s Club"
"Lisa Saunders presented as a guest speaker to my graduate class at Johns Hopkins University during the Fall semester, 1995. She was eloquent and insightful about her experiences and feelings while raising her young handicapped daughter. She captured the attention of the students -- special education teachers, therapists, social workers -- inspring them to approach their professional lives with greater empathy and commitment.Mary Goodin, M. Ed., OTR,
The following doctors heard me speak at the 2008 Congenital CMV Conference held at Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. They may be contacted for their reference:
Gail J Demmler MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Director of Congenital CMV Disease Registry, Clinic and Research Program at gjdemmle@texaschildrenshospital.org or visit: www.bcm.edu/pedi/infect/cmv. The Registry supports CMV research, disseminates information and provides a parent support group. Registry: (832) 824-4387.
The 2008 Congenital CMV Conference was co-sponsored by the CDC and the Congenital CMV Foundation. The CDC co-organizer, Michael J. Cannon, Ph.D., Research Epidemiologist, CDC, can be reached at mcannon@cdc.govThe other 2008 Congenital CMV Conference co-sponsor, CMV Foundation founder, Lenore Pereira, Ph.D., Professor, Microbiology and Virology, Cell and Tissue Biolog y Department, University of California San Francisco, can be reached at lenore.pereira@ucsf.edu, or visit www.congenitalcmv.org/ which includes Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee with their contact information. Dr. Pereira has studied immune responses to CMV infection and molecular biology of viral glycoproteins for over 25 years.
References for my Civil War talks:
Paul Martin, President of Rockland County Civil War Round Table
(914) 245-8903, prm3@hotmail.com
Peter Wisbey, Executive Director, William H. Seward House, (315)252-1283, pwisbey@sewardhouse.org
Summaries of Talks:
Topic: Writing/Researching her Civil War book based on her family's letters:
Topic: American Civil War: The Love Letters Between a Union Private and His Teenage Wife
Speaker: Lisa Saunders
Abstract: Charles McDowell married Nancy when she was 15 years old. Enlisting as a private in the New York 9th Heavy Artillery, he asked Nancy, then 17, to save his letters. Despite his grueling battles and marches, he was able to save hers as well. Nancy’s letters give us the worries and gossip of a teenage wife during the war. Her fears for Charles were many and included: prostitutes, venereal disease, bullets, typhoid fever, being taken prisoner, and “clever women.” Charles’s happiest time during the war was the year Nancy spent with him while he was stationed at Fort Foote in Washington. Nancy ran an apple pie business, selling 70 a day to the soldiers, and learned how to shoot a revolver. Before returning to her parents to recover from typhoid fever, she met Lincoln and shook his hand. Nancy was unable to return to Washington because Charles’s regiment was sent out to "chase old Lee." Reviews of "EVER TRUE: A Union Private and His Wife"; “Unusual," American Civil War Magazine; “The story of how the marriage between Charles and Nancy survives separation, disease, the threat of death, and malicious gossip is compelling.”Ithaca Times; “A fascinating read.”The Sun & Record
RIDE A HORSE, NOT AN ELEVATOR
Lisa leaves home--and the elevators and bullies of a big apartment complex--to spend a summer in the country at her grandparents' farm. Culture shock! Accompanied by her loyal beagle, Donald Dog, Lisa faces a summer in a very different environment with its own challenges and dangers. Using an outhouse is the least of her problems! Lisa is terrified of her new pony. Lisa's grandfather is injured by a charging cow and needs her to ride the pony to get help. How will she ever overcome her fear to save her grandfather?”
Serialized in the Sentinel and incorporated in the statewide 4-H program, “Horse Book in a Bucket.”
"A 'warm fuzzy'...provides a springboard for discussion between children and adults," Sentinel Publications.
“A special treat for children and adults!” Mary K. Henderberg, Editor, Wayne County Star
A great read aloud for the classroom or family,” Denise Griney, Elementary School Teacher, author of I LOVE TO READ! I LOVE TO WRITE!
Growing up in Queens, NY, Lisa lived on the 16th floor and rode the elevators to reach her family’s apartment. Her grandmother, a farmer in upstate, NY, did not approve—she thought Lisa should be riding a horse instead. And when Lisa visited her grandparents’ farm, she did just that—even though her father warned her to be afraid of horses. Lisa discusses how children can record their family stories, why and how she wrote Ride a Horse, Not an Elevator, and how she included her eccentric relatives and pets within her story, like her:
- Great-grandfather who invented a mechanical bed that rode on railroad-like tracks
- Great Aunt who hid her Twinkies in the dishwasher
- Grandfather who hid his false teeth in his front pocket
- Uncle who only carried pictures of cows in his wallet
- Great Uncle who wouldn’t wash his own face
- Donald Dog who was afraid of everything
- Ornery pony that threatened to buck her off
- Grandmother who taught her to see the humor of it all
How to Get Published
How Lisa finally got first piece published
· The truth about publishing
· Finding an agent or book publisher
· Self-Publishing
· Query Letters
· Book Proposals
· Promoting Your Book
· Building an Audience (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
Links for Writers
· Lisa’s blog, “How to Get Thin and Famous (or at least published!),” at: http://howtogetthinandfamous.blogspot.com/
· Literary agents: http://www.querytracker.net (helps you search for an agent)
· Book Publishers: http://agentquery.com (has great links to large and small publishers)
· Self-Publishing an e-book: On www.smashwords.com, it’s very easy—and free!
Lisa Saunders: Full-time writer at the State University of New York at Rockland and a member of its Speakers Bureau. A Cornell University graduate, she is the author of the light-hearted memoir, Anything But a Dog!, the children’s novel, Ride a Horse, Not an Elevator, the history book, Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife, plus several short stories and articles. She speaks at universities, international conferences and local clubs about how to get published, finding ways to cope in adversity, the Civil War, and a preventable but little publicized cause of birth defects—congenital CMV. She lives with my husband, Jim, and their pesky Beagle/Basset Hound, Bailey, in Suffern, New York. All of her books are available on Amazon or by writing to her directly at saundersbooks@aol.com. You can see her work at www.authorlisasaunders.com
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