Phyllis Cole-Dai's Blog, page 16
August 6, 2019
Novel Awarded “Editor’s Choice”
Beneath the Same Stars has been reviewed and awarded an “Editor’s Choice” designation by the Historical Novel Society. The review appears in the August issue of the Society’s magazine. You can read it online here.
July 30, 2019
Brown Bag Book Club with Lori Walsh
Co-editor Ruby Wilson and I had a ball talking with Lori Byers Walsh yesterday on South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s “In the Moment.” We spent most of the hour-long interview discussing Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems, but we also touched on my latest book, Beneath the Same Stars. You can listen to the interview at this link or wait for the video.
July 17, 2019
Brown Baggin’ It
On 7/31 I’ll be taking my brown-bag lunch to the Sioux Falls studio of South Dakota Public Broadcasting for a noontime chat with Lori Walsh and her “Brown Bag Book Club” on “In the Moment.” First we’ll discuss Beneath the Same Stars, then we’ll be joined by my co-editor Ruby R. Wilson to talk about Poetry of Presence. Should be fun.
October 18, 2018
Plain Truths: Szymborska
This is part of a series in which I present quotes that inspire my work and life. I hope they do the same for you.
Get your free sampler of my work by joining my Open Circle. (Music, prose and poetry, oh my!) As a member you’ll receive an occasional email with happy updates, exclusive content and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I hope we’ll stay in touch!
The post Plain Truths: Szymborska appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
August 27, 2018
“Stories Behind the Story” to Explore Forgotten 1862 War
Live near Brookings, South Dakota? Want to learn more about the stories behind Beneath the Same Stars?
I cordially invite you to “The Stories Behind the Story,” a revealing look at the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War and the historical novel I based upon it. The event will take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 4th Street, Brookings. Along with the presentation, you’l enjoy coffee and lively dialogue. A book-signing will follow.
Beneath the Same Stars was officially released by One Sky Press on Monday, August 20, the 156th anniversary of the war. Also known as the Sioux Uprising, the Dakota Conflict, and various other names, the brief war in southwestern Minnesota has been largely forgotten. It eventually led to the forcible expulsion of the Dakota nation from their traditional homeland. The white authorities deported the Dakota people to a reservation (now called Crow Creek) in what was then known as Dakota Territory.
In Beneath the Same Stars I look at the 1862 war through the tight lens of Sarah Wakefield, a doctor’s wife taken captive with her two babies on the first day of the uprising. Their fate fell into the hands of the warrior Ćaske. The lives of Sarah and Ćaske became tragically intertwined.
The novel portrays the gripping story of two people, caught between worlds, who were willing to do almost anything to defend those they care about, including each other. But the drama was bigger than themselves. Tragic forces had been set in motion. Sadly, many of the dynamics at work in 1862 are still in play today. We need to look honestly at them and ask what we might do to address them.
Beneath the Same Stars is available in both paperback and ebook formats. Get your copy now on Amazon.
The post “Stories Behind the Story” to Explore Forgotten 1862 War appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
August 20, 2018
Book’s Out! Ready to Read?
On this Monday in 1862, the U.S.-Dakota War erupted in southwestern Minnesota. Sarah Wakefield and her two young children were taken captive by Dakota warriors while traveling the government road on the Sioux reservation.
Today Sarah’s story has been officially released in novel form by One Sky Press. After nearly six years of research and writing, I’m very happy that Beneath the Same Stars is now available to the public. Will you give it a read?
Get your copy of Beneath the Same Stars at these Amazon links:
ebook (99¢ for a limited time)
paperback ($13.95)
audiobook (coming in November)
You may also click here to buy the paperback from me through PayPal (all major credit and debit cards accepted). If you wish to pay by check, contact me directly.
I hope you’ll also take advantage of these resources about the novel:
View book trailer
Download book flyer (PDF)
Download book press kit (DOC or PDF)
The post Book’s Out! Ready to Read? appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
August 14, 2018
You’re Invited to My Online “Blessing of the Book”
On Monday, August 20th, from 7:00-8:30 PM, I will host a “Blessing of the Book,” a Facebook Live event. If you have a Facebook account, I respectfully invite you to celebrate with me the official release of my novel, Beneath the Same Stars, and magnify my hope for the good it might inspire. Just as I needed your encouragement over the past five years to research and write this book, I need your support now to launch it. Positivity has power!
Join me for some or all of this Facebook Live event. Bring your blessing (however you define that) to post in the comments section beneath the livestream video. Then pour a special glass or cup of your favorite beverage and settle in. Listen and respond to a surprise guest interview. Ask me questions about my work on the novel. Hear me read an excerpt. Accept a memento of the evening, and possibly win a door prize. Participate as much or as little as you’d like. We’ll close our evening with an extra-special blessing and toast.
EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AT THIS “BLESSING OF THE BOOK!”
Please like and share this event. Invite your book-loving Facebook friends.
NEVER ATTENDED A LIVE FACEBOOK EVENT? UNSURE WHAT TO DO?
Here’s how: On Monday evening, if you’ve followed Phyllis Cole-Dai (my author page), or Phyllis Cole-Dai (my personal profile), Facebook should notify you that I’ve gone live, and you can click the link. Otherwise, go to Phyllis Cole-Dai (my author page) during the broadcast and scroll to the top of my news feed. There you should see my live video playing. Click the video to enter viewing mode and engage with the live video just as you would any post (read, comment, like, share, etc.).
CAN’T ATTEND WHILE I’M LIVE?
I’ll wait and award the final door prize at 8:30 pm on Tuesday, August 21. That will give you an extra 24 hours to leave your blessing in the comments, making you eligible for the final drawing.
I hope you’ll join me for this special event!
The post You’re Invited to My Online “Blessing of the Book” appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
August 6, 2018
Here’s Your Chance to Win My New Book in Giveaway
One Sky Press will officially release my historical novel Beneath the Same Stars on August 20th. But today we begin the celebration of its launch with a GoodReads giveaway! Click here for your chance to win one of 100 free copies of the e-book edition.
This GoodReads giveaway will end on August 16th. But don’t delay. Enter now!
Need a refresher on what the book’s about? Read on….
August 18, 1862. On the Sioux reservation in southwestern Minnesota, Indians desperate for food and freedom rise up against whites in the region. Sarah Wakefield, the wife of a physician, is taken captive with her two babies. Their fate falls into the hands of the warrior Ćaske. As war rages, little does she know how entwined their lives will become.
Beneath the Same Stars is the gripping story of two people, caught between worlds, who are willing to do almost anything to defend those they care about—including each other. But the drama is bigger than themselves. Tragic forces have been set in motion.…
Click here to watch the book trailer and to read advance praise for the novel.
Get your free sampler of my work by joining my Open Circle. (Music, prose and poetry, oh my!) As a member you’ll receive an occasional email with happy updates, exclusive content and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I hope we’ll stay in touch!
The post Here’s Your Chance to Win My New Book in Giveaway appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
July 30, 2018
Plain Truths: Rebecca Solnit
This is part of a series in which I present quotes that inspire my work and life. I hope they do the same for you.
Get your free sampler of my work by joining my Open Circle. (Music, prose and poetry, oh my!) As a member you’ll receive an occasional email with happy updates, exclusive content and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I hope we’ll stay in touch!
The post Plain Truths: Rebecca Solnit appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
July 26, 2018
Plain Truths: Sakharov
This is part of a series in which I present quotes that inspire my work and life. I hope they do the same for you.
Get your free sampler of my work by joining my Open Circle. (Music, prose and poetry, oh my!) As a member you’ll receive an occasional email with happy updates, exclusive content and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I hope we’ll stay in touch!
The post Plain Truths: Sakharov appeared first on Phyllis Cole-Dai.
