Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 8
July 26, 2017
Best Blog Tour Ever!!!
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while may know that I wrote a book with six other Simon & Schuster/Aladdin M!x authors. That book is coming out August 15.
I'm hosting a release blitz to get the word out. This is an easy tour--just copy-paste a blurb and/or excerpt with the book cover to help give us a shout out! You can post anytime between August 14-20. Sign up below...but first, check out our book trailer!
Best. Night. Ever. Release BlitzSign up for the BEST. NIGHT. EVER. release blitz, to be held August 14-20. You sign up and I'll send you all the info. via email. Just cut, paste, and post on your chosen date. Thank you for all your help!
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I'm hosting a release blitz to get the word out. This is an easy tour--just copy-paste a blurb and/or excerpt with the book cover to help give us a shout out! You can post anytime between August 14-20. Sign up below...but first, check out our book trailer!
Best. Night. Ever. Release BlitzSign up for the BEST. NIGHT. EVER. release blitz, to be held August 14-20. You sign up and I'll send you all the info. via email. Just cut, paste, and post on your chosen date. Thank you for all your help!
Powered by 123ContactForm | Report abuse
July 24, 2017
Mystery Monday: Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Brugier
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
It was an exciting time for Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Brugier. He was 20, she was 17, and they were parents to an infant. Since they were still so young, they liked to drink and hang out with friends, which was exactly what they were doing on the evening of December 12, 1992.
Arnold and Ruby
Arnold was driving Ruby and her cousin Tracy home from a party that night when the car flipped and ended up in a ditch. After the accident, Tracy came in and out of consciousness. She remembers seeing Ruby in the car with her one minute and gone the next. She doesn't remember seeing Arnold at all. Finally, paramedics arrived to remove Tracy from the parked car. Arnold and Ruby were nowhere to be found.
Source: Unsolved.com
Three months later, a driver saw a body in the frozen ditch where the accident had occurred. The body was identified as Ruby's. Her glasses and shoes were missing, but she was fully clothed. Arnold's body was found about 15 feet away, submerged in water. His body wasn't as decomposed as Ruby's.
Just before the bodies were discovered, a witness reported seeing two men near the ditch. The men were never tracked down. A local resident also said he saw Arnold at a New Years Eve party. Was it possible one or both of the two survived the accident only to meet foul play later?
Or did they fall into the icy pond near the ditch and drown, only to be found once spring came and the water thawed?
It was an exciting time for Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Brugier. He was 20, she was 17, and they were parents to an infant. Since they were still so young, they liked to drink and hang out with friends, which was exactly what they were doing on the evening of December 12, 1992.
Arnold and Ruby
Arnold was driving Ruby and her cousin Tracy home from a party that night when the car flipped and ended up in a ditch. After the accident, Tracy came in and out of consciousness. She remembers seeing Ruby in the car with her one minute and gone the next. She doesn't remember seeing Arnold at all. Finally, paramedics arrived to remove Tracy from the parked car. Arnold and Ruby were nowhere to be found.
Source: Unsolved.com
Three months later, a driver saw a body in the frozen ditch where the accident had occurred. The body was identified as Ruby's. Her glasses and shoes were missing, but she was fully clothed. Arnold's body was found about 15 feet away, submerged in water. His body wasn't as decomposed as Ruby's.
Just before the bodies were discovered, a witness reported seeing two men near the ditch. The men were never tracked down. A local resident also said he saw Arnold at a New Years Eve party. Was it possible one or both of the two survived the accident only to meet foul play later?
Or did they fall into the icy pond near the ditch and drown, only to be found once spring came and the water thawed?
July 18, 2017
2017 Pitch Wars Mentor Blog Hop!
This post is specifically for the many talented authors entering Pitch Wars this year. I'm so excited to be a Pitch Wars mentor for the first time ever. I'm only accepting middle grade entries. But I can't wait to read them!
About Me:
I spent more than a decade as an aspiring author before finally getting an agent in 2009. My first book, 30 Days of No Gossip, debuted in 2014, followed by my second book, 25 Roses. In August, my third middle grade will debut--a novel I co-wrote with six other authors called Best. Night. Ever. I also write the Piper Morgan chapter book series. In addition to writing children's books, I'm also a freelance branded content writer, so basically I write all the time. I worked in information technology for 13 years before leaving to be a full-time writer.
What I'm Looking For:
Fun contemporaries--I'm a sucker for a girly-girl heroine who loves fashion and hanging out with friends.Comedies--I don't have to laugh out loud (although that would be great), but a fun, lighthearted read gets me every time.Spooky tales--I live for spooky stories, especially if they involve ghosts.Magical realism--Contemporary stories with magical elements also draw me in.Suspense/mysteries--When I read adult books, I love Gone Girl-type suspense novels. I'd love to see a more innocent version of this in a middle-grade format.Here are some of my favorite middle grade books:
Check out the other Pitch Wars mentors below:
1.
Shari Schwarz
2.
Shari Green
3.
Gail Villanueva and Isabelle Adrid
4.
Niki Lenz
5.
Erin Latimer
6.
Hannah Karena Jones
7.
Mae Respicio
8.
K.C. Held
9.
Jessica Bayliss
10.
Jenna Lehne and Tara Creel
11.
Julie Artz and Jessica Vitalis
12.
Rebecca Petruck13.
C.B. Catalano and Shauna Holyoak
14.
Stephanie Faris
15.
Jenn Brisendine
16.
Caela Carter
17.
A. E. Conran
18.
Joy McCullough
19.
Julia Nobel
20.
Kate Foster
21.
Miriam Spitzer Franklin
22.
Neal Chase
23.
Ashley Martin
24.
Gabrielle Byrne25.
Cindy Baldwin and Amanda Hill
26.
Jenny Lundquist
27.
Kim Long
28.
Laura Shovan and Tricia Clasen
29.
Allison Ziegler and Juliana Brandt
30.
Mike Grosso
31.
Kara Seal
32.
Alexandra Ott
33.
Heidi Stallman
34.
Wade Albert White and Timanda Wertz
35.
Shanna Rogers
36.
Kevin SpringerPowered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
Introducing Princesses, Inc. by Mari Mancusi
Mari Mancusi isn't new to publishing. In fact, before her first Aladdin M!x novel hit the market, she already had a full backlist of books for adults, young adults, and children. And she recently sold a three-book deal to Disney Hyperion...so wow! This month, she's celebrating the release of her second Aladdin M!x novel, which has a cover that no tween could resist. Scroll down to read all about it!
Blurb:
Twelve-year-old Hailey and her BFFs are all big fans of Collin Prince, a YouTube star, and swoon-worthy crush. So when the opportunity to meet him at a local Comic-Con comes up, the girls jump at the chance. The problem? The convention isn’t cheap—and the girls don’t have the money to go. But Hailey isn’t ready to give up just yet. In addition to meeting Collin at the convention, there is a young writer’s competition that she is determined to enter—and win.
The girls dream up Princesses and Pirates, Inc., a babysitting service where the girls will dress up in costume to entertain their charges. Of course, they aren’t as prepared as they thought they would be to deal with bratty kids, scheming older siblings (who are less than thrilled that their own babysitting jobs have dried up), and trying to balance their new “jobs” with school. And more responsibilities means less time for Hailey to work on her contest entry. Will their plan to make it to Comic-Con pay off…or could their business end up as shipwrecked as the pirates they portray?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Mari Mancusi grew up in New England where she spent her winters snowboarding in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Today she resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and young daughter, writing snowy stories to stay cool. A graduate of Boston University and a former Emmy Award–winning TV news producer, Mari has written numerous books for children, teens, and adults. When not writing, she enjoys traveling, cosplay, watching horror movies, and her favorite guilty pleasure—video games.
Author Links:
Website | Tumblr | Instagram | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest
Blurb:
Twelve-year-old Hailey and her BFFs are all big fans of Collin Prince, a YouTube star, and swoon-worthy crush. So when the opportunity to meet him at a local Comic-Con comes up, the girls jump at the chance. The problem? The convention isn’t cheap—and the girls don’t have the money to go. But Hailey isn’t ready to give up just yet. In addition to meeting Collin at the convention, there is a young writer’s competition that she is determined to enter—and win.
The girls dream up Princesses and Pirates, Inc., a babysitting service where the girls will dress up in costume to entertain their charges. Of course, they aren’t as prepared as they thought they would be to deal with bratty kids, scheming older siblings (who are less than thrilled that their own babysitting jobs have dried up), and trying to balance their new “jobs” with school. And more responsibilities means less time for Hailey to work on her contest entry. Will their plan to make it to Comic-Con pay off…or could their business end up as shipwrecked as the pirates they portray?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Mari Mancusi grew up in New England where she spent her winters snowboarding in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Today she resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and young daughter, writing snowy stories to stay cool. A graduate of Boston University and a former Emmy Award–winning TV news producer, Mari has written numerous books for children, teens, and adults. When not writing, she enjoys traveling, cosplay, watching horror movies, and her favorite guilty pleasure—video games.Author Links:
Website | Tumblr | Instagram | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest
July 17, 2017
Mystery Monday: Madeleine McCann
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
There aren't many mysteries that make it across the vast ocean to the U.S. After all, America has enough horrible stories of our own. But the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann broke hearts across the world.
Madeleine Beth McCann was born in 2003 in Leicester, England. She had younger siblings who were twins. In May of 2007, Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, took the three children to a Portugal resort called Praia da Luz. They were joined by seven friends and their five children.
The seven adults have been nicknamed the "Tapas Seven" because each evening at around 8:30 p.m., the group would meet up with the McCanns in a tapas restaurant at the resort after putting their children to bed. The rooms were across the pool from the restaurant, as evidenced in the below diagram from the U.K.'s Daily Mail. See the caption for a description of each numbered location.
1) Tapas restaurant 2) front of McCann apartment 3) Rear of McCann apartment 4) stairs to the rear patio doorsOn the evening of May 3, the McCanns left the apartment for the tapas restaurant around 8:30 p.m. They left the patio doors unlocked. The group of adults say they always took turns checking on the children throughout the night.
Gerry made the first check on the children at a little after 9 p.m. All was fine. He did mention the bedrooom door being wide open when he was sure he'd previously left it only slightly ajar, but it wasn't enough to alarm him. He says he pulled it back to the slightly ajar position. Around 9:30, friend Matthew Oldfield checked in on them while he was checking his own children. He claims the door was once again wide open. Neither of the two men looked into the bedroom to see the children.
Madeline's bed (left), the twins' cribs, and an empty bed.
At 10 p.m., it was Kate's turn. She walked back to the apartment to check on the children. Madeleine's bed was empty.
Kate rushed back to the restaurant, where she yelled, "Madeleine's gone! Someone's taken her!" A few minutes later, Matthew Oldfield went to the resort's reception desk to have them call the police. Unfortunately, the crime scene was not preserved as the police did not take the situation seriously. They believed Madeleine had simply wandered off.
As of this date, Madeleine's disappearance is still a mystery. Police reportedly believe the McCanns, who are both physicians, medicated Madeleine in order to keep her asleep while they dined with friends, accidentally giving her too much. The cover up then began, the theory goes.
Madeleine's parents
Part of this theory comes from the fact that police dogs smelled traces of a decomposing body inside the apartment. Traces of DNA matching Madeleine were also found in the couple's rental car. Of course, experts debunk this, saying that her DNA would have matched the rest of the family and since they'd all been using the rental car, the finding made sense.
Of course, the McCanns uphold that a stranger abducted Madeleine. Suspects include a pedophile who lived an hour away and a convicted burglar and drug addict who had been fired from the tapas bar in 2006. He was reportedly in the area that evening. But experts say that the 30-minute checks on the children would likely have deterred anyone thinking of breaking into the apartment.
What do you think happened to Madeleine McCann?
There aren't many mysteries that make it across the vast ocean to the U.S. After all, America has enough horrible stories of our own. But the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann broke hearts across the world.
Madeleine Beth McCann was born in 2003 in Leicester, England. She had younger siblings who were twins. In May of 2007, Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, took the three children to a Portugal resort called Praia da Luz. They were joined by seven friends and their five children.
The seven adults have been nicknamed the "Tapas Seven" because each evening at around 8:30 p.m., the group would meet up with the McCanns in a tapas restaurant at the resort after putting their children to bed. The rooms were across the pool from the restaurant, as evidenced in the below diagram from the U.K.'s Daily Mail. See the caption for a description of each numbered location.
1) Tapas restaurant 2) front of McCann apartment 3) Rear of McCann apartment 4) stairs to the rear patio doorsOn the evening of May 3, the McCanns left the apartment for the tapas restaurant around 8:30 p.m. They left the patio doors unlocked. The group of adults say they always took turns checking on the children throughout the night.
Gerry made the first check on the children at a little after 9 p.m. All was fine. He did mention the bedrooom door being wide open when he was sure he'd previously left it only slightly ajar, but it wasn't enough to alarm him. He says he pulled it back to the slightly ajar position. Around 9:30, friend Matthew Oldfield checked in on them while he was checking his own children. He claims the door was once again wide open. Neither of the two men looked into the bedroom to see the children.
Madeline's bed (left), the twins' cribs, and an empty bed.
At 10 p.m., it was Kate's turn. She walked back to the apartment to check on the children. Madeleine's bed was empty.
Kate rushed back to the restaurant, where she yelled, "Madeleine's gone! Someone's taken her!" A few minutes later, Matthew Oldfield went to the resort's reception desk to have them call the police. Unfortunately, the crime scene was not preserved as the police did not take the situation seriously. They believed Madeleine had simply wandered off.
As of this date, Madeleine's disappearance is still a mystery. Police reportedly believe the McCanns, who are both physicians, medicated Madeleine in order to keep her asleep while they dined with friends, accidentally giving her too much. The cover up then began, the theory goes.
Madeleine's parents
Part of this theory comes from the fact that police dogs smelled traces of a decomposing body inside the apartment. Traces of DNA matching Madeleine were also found in the couple's rental car. Of course, experts debunk this, saying that her DNA would have matched the rest of the family and since they'd all been using the rental car, the finding made sense.
Of course, the McCanns uphold that a stranger abducted Madeleine. Suspects include a pedophile who lived an hour away and a convicted burglar and drug addict who had been fired from the tapas bar in 2006. He was reportedly in the area that evening. But experts say that the 30-minute checks on the children would likely have deterred anyone thinking of breaking into the apartment.
What do you think happened to Madeleine McCann?
July 14, 2017
Babies and Writing Conferences: Do They Mix?
A few months ago, a war broke out in a Facebook group over one very heated question. Should writers be allowed to bring their babies and young children to conferences?
This is especially relevant since I write children's books. Banning children from a conference full of children's writers seems strange, to say the least. But if any of you have ever sat in church or a public performance with a crying baby in the audience, you know why they aren't customarily allowed.
Still, many moms believe it excludes those who are economically disadvantaged. In other words, if a single mom can't afford childcare for her infant/toddler, she misses out on an important career-building opportunity.
Other conference attendees passionately argue against children at conferences, comparing it to bringing a child to the office. It is, they say, a professional setting, not a daycare.
But there are some documented benefits of allowing children at business conferences, including the publicity that comes with being mom-friendly. Experts say it will attract more women for those conferences struggling to get better attendance numbers.
There is, of course, the option of providing childcare so moms can actually enjoy the sessions without the stress of keeping someone quiet. Some organizations even specialize in offering childcare services for conferences. Of course, that costs money...and many conferences have to weigh whether the investment is worth it for higher attendance numbers.
What do you think? Should conferences allow little ones or should it be an adults-only zone?
This is especially relevant since I write children's books. Banning children from a conference full of children's writers seems strange, to say the least. But if any of you have ever sat in church or a public performance with a crying baby in the audience, you know why they aren't customarily allowed.
Still, many moms believe it excludes those who are economically disadvantaged. In other words, if a single mom can't afford childcare for her infant/toddler, she misses out on an important career-building opportunity.
Other conference attendees passionately argue against children at conferences, comparing it to bringing a child to the office. It is, they say, a professional setting, not a daycare.
But there are some documented benefits of allowing children at business conferences, including the publicity that comes with being mom-friendly. Experts say it will attract more women for those conferences struggling to get better attendance numbers.
There is, of course, the option of providing childcare so moms can actually enjoy the sessions without the stress of keeping someone quiet. Some organizations even specialize in offering childcare services for conferences. Of course, that costs money...and many conferences have to weigh whether the investment is worth it for higher attendance numbers.
What do you think? Should conferences allow little ones or should it be an adults-only zone?
July 13, 2017
My Favorite Children's Books: A Guest Post by Beverly Stowe McClure
Today, I welcome a good friend to my blog. Beverly Stowe McClure has a new book out today and to celebrate, she's sharing her eight favorite children's books. Be sure to scroll down after the guest post to read all about HER new book, Princess Breeze.
My Favorite Children's Books
by Beverly Stowe McClure
First, let me say that when I was a child I read very little, mostly only the books I needed for school. Then, when I became an adult and a teacher, I discovered what I’d been missing. Grown- ups can learn too. And I did.
It’s hard to choose my favorite books because I like so many for various reasons. Here are a few, though, that come to mind, in no particular order.
The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
A Partner’s Promise, Fran Shaff
Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline
I Heart You, You Haunt Me, Lisa Schroeder
Miracle on 49th Street, Mike Lupica
As you can see, I like a variety, true-to-life and historical my favorites. These are not all of them by any means. And just recently I’ve read many more, some by dear friends, that I can add to the list. But we’ll stop now.
Blurb:
For months, Breeze Brannigan has heard nothing from Cam, the prince she met at school and who disappeared one night, without telling her goodbye. On the night, she graduates from middle school, however, he contacts her and invites her to visit Isla del Fuego, his home. Who could refuse such an invitation?
Breeze along with her whole family and best friends, Amy and Allison, soon sail to the island, where she and Cam renew their friendship. But danger lurks; a legend comes to life; and Breeze finds herself in the middle of a battle that can have one winner.
Buy Links:
Amazon | B&N | 4RV Publishing
Bio:
Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds. She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.
Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.
Author Links:
Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
My Favorite Children's Books
by Beverly Stowe McClure
First, let me say that when I was a child I read very little, mostly only the books I needed for school. Then, when I became an adult and a teacher, I discovered what I’d been missing. Grown- ups can learn too. And I did.
It’s hard to choose my favorite books because I like so many for various reasons. Here are a few, though, that come to mind, in no particular order.
The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
A Partner’s Promise, Fran Shaff
Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline
I Heart You, You Haunt Me, Lisa Schroeder
Miracle on 49th Street, Mike Lupica
As you can see, I like a variety, true-to-life and historical my favorites. These are not all of them by any means. And just recently I’ve read many more, some by dear friends, that I can add to the list. But we’ll stop now.
Blurb:
For months, Breeze Brannigan has heard nothing from Cam, the prince she met at school and who disappeared one night, without telling her goodbye. On the night, she graduates from middle school, however, he contacts her and invites her to visit Isla del Fuego, his home. Who could refuse such an invitation?
Breeze along with her whole family and best friends, Amy and Allison, soon sail to the island, where she and Cam renew their friendship. But danger lurks; a legend comes to life; and Breeze finds herself in the middle of a battle that can have one winner.
Buy Links:
Amazon | B&N | 4RV Publishing
Bio:
Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds. She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.
Author Links:
Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
July 11, 2017
Introducing It Was Always You by Ashelyn Drake
Kelly Hashway is so prolific, there are two of her! Her alter ego, Ashelyn Drake, has a new book out and I can't wait to read it.
Blurb:
Aria Carmichael and Nate Dixon have the perfect friendship—completely ignoring the fact that they’ve been in love with each other for the better part of twelve years.
When a night filled with too many drinks lowers their inhibitions, they both question if they could take their relationship to a new level.
But a job opportunity threatens to put more than just physical distance between them. Will their romance end before it’s even truly begun?
Buy Links:
Amazon
Bio:
Ashelyn Drake is a romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She also writes speculative fiction under the name Kelly Hashway.
Author Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest
Blurb:
Aria Carmichael and Nate Dixon have the perfect friendship—completely ignoring the fact that they’ve been in love with each other for the better part of twelve years.
When a night filled with too many drinks lowers their inhibitions, they both question if they could take their relationship to a new level.
But a job opportunity threatens to put more than just physical distance between them. Will their romance end before it’s even truly begun?
Buy Links:
Amazon
Bio:
Ashelyn Drake is a romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She also writes speculative fiction under the name Kelly Hashway.Author Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest
July 10, 2017
Mystery Monday: Beaumont Children
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
There aren't many mysteries that remain compelling over multiple decades. But the story of the missing Beaumont children is toward the top of the list. In 1966, these three children vanished and were never seen again.
Arnna, Grant, and Jane Beaumont
The quiet city of Adelaide, South Australia was the perfect place to raise children in the 1960s. In 1955, Grant ("Jimmy") Beaumont married Nancy Ellis and their first child, Jane, was born a year later. They had a second child, Arnna, in 1958, and a third, Grant, in 1962.
On Australia Day in 1966, the children wanted to go to Glenelg Beach, which was only a five-minute bus trip from their home. They set out that day in swim clothing, carrying one bag with beach towels. Their mom gave them money for lunch and their bus fares.
Grenelg Beach today
The children boarded the bus just after ten a.m. When they didn't return on the midday or two p.m. bus, their mom began to worry. A little after three p.m., their father headed to the beach to look for them.
An exhaustive search failed to locate the children. With the help of the police, they gathered information on sightings of the children. Several witnesses reported seeing the children playing with a tall, blond man who was described as tanned with a lean face. One witness reported seeing the man dressing one of the girls in a way that seemed "off." Around 12:15, they were spotted leaving the beach together.
A shopkeeper at a cake shop near the beach said the children purchased some pastries, along with a meat pie, with a one pound bank note. There were two odd things about that. One, the children didn't have that type of currency. Their mom had given them only six shillings. The other was that "meat pie" was not something any of the children would have normally ordered or eaten.
Police focused on the man last seen with the kids, whose composite sketch looked like this:
To this day, the mystery of what happened to the Beaumont children has never been solved. The primary suspects include:
Bevan Spencer von Einem, a convicted murderer who allegedly bragged that he'd abducted the three children and "conducted experiments" on them. One child died during these experiments and he killed the other two and disposed of the bodies, the informant said.Arthur Stanley Brown, who died in 2002. At the time he was on trial for the murder of two young girls who disappeared in Queensland while walking to school in 1970.James Ryan O'Neill, who told several people he was responsible. O'Neill was jailed in 1975 for the murder of a nine-year-old boy.Derek Ernest Percy, who was jailed for the 1969 murder of Yvonne Tuohy. Authorities believe he may have murdered quite a few other children before being caught.
At this point, it's likely this is one mystery that will never be solved. What do you think happened to the Beaumont children?
There aren't many mysteries that remain compelling over multiple decades. But the story of the missing Beaumont children is toward the top of the list. In 1966, these three children vanished and were never seen again.
Arnna, Grant, and Jane Beaumont
The quiet city of Adelaide, South Australia was the perfect place to raise children in the 1960s. In 1955, Grant ("Jimmy") Beaumont married Nancy Ellis and their first child, Jane, was born a year later. They had a second child, Arnna, in 1958, and a third, Grant, in 1962.
On Australia Day in 1966, the children wanted to go to Glenelg Beach, which was only a five-minute bus trip from their home. They set out that day in swim clothing, carrying one bag with beach towels. Their mom gave them money for lunch and their bus fares.
Grenelg Beach today
The children boarded the bus just after ten a.m. When they didn't return on the midday or two p.m. bus, their mom began to worry. A little after three p.m., their father headed to the beach to look for them.
An exhaustive search failed to locate the children. With the help of the police, they gathered information on sightings of the children. Several witnesses reported seeing the children playing with a tall, blond man who was described as tanned with a lean face. One witness reported seeing the man dressing one of the girls in a way that seemed "off." Around 12:15, they were spotted leaving the beach together.
A shopkeeper at a cake shop near the beach said the children purchased some pastries, along with a meat pie, with a one pound bank note. There were two odd things about that. One, the children didn't have that type of currency. Their mom had given them only six shillings. The other was that "meat pie" was not something any of the children would have normally ordered or eaten.
Police focused on the man last seen with the kids, whose composite sketch looked like this:
To this day, the mystery of what happened to the Beaumont children has never been solved. The primary suspects include:
Bevan Spencer von Einem, a convicted murderer who allegedly bragged that he'd abducted the three children and "conducted experiments" on them. One child died during these experiments and he killed the other two and disposed of the bodies, the informant said.Arthur Stanley Brown, who died in 2002. At the time he was on trial for the murder of two young girls who disappeared in Queensland while walking to school in 1970.James Ryan O'Neill, who told several people he was responsible. O'Neill was jailed in 1975 for the murder of a nine-year-old boy.Derek Ernest Percy, who was jailed for the 1969 murder of Yvonne Tuohy. Authorities believe he may have murdered quite a few other children before being caught.
At this point, it's likely this is one mystery that will never be solved. What do you think happened to the Beaumont children?
July 5, 2017
IWSG: Valuable Lessons
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means hundreds of us will be posting about our insecurities. If you haven't yet, join in. You'll be glad you did!
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?
When I think back to the moment I had the brilliant idea of writing a novel, I realize I've learned so much. But some of the best lessons I've learned have been through the very thing that might have led me to give up.
After a while, you get used to rejection, as strange as that sounds. Sure, it's hard. It's always hard. But it's also a good thing. The more you're being rejected, the more you're putting yourself out there.
Even after you've landed an agent and sold your first, second, third, and fourth books, rejection will be here to stay. Maybe Stephen King doesn't get rejected (not sure about that), but almost every other author does. It's not a rejection of us--it never was. It's a rejection of the particular book we're sending at that exact moment.
As a full-time freelance writer, rejection is part of my day job, too. I put myself out there for opportunities all the time, only to get radio silence in response. Eventually, you start to think of it as playing the odds. If you put yourself out there 50 times and one pays off, it's worth it, right?
Even with all the rejections, we wouldn't be doing anything else. What other career gives you the possibility on any given day that amazing things could happen? Life-changing things? It kind of makes the rollercoaster worth it.
What are you insecure about this month?
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?
When I think back to the moment I had the brilliant idea of writing a novel, I realize I've learned so much. But some of the best lessons I've learned have been through the very thing that might have led me to give up.
After a while, you get used to rejection, as strange as that sounds. Sure, it's hard. It's always hard. But it's also a good thing. The more you're being rejected, the more you're putting yourself out there.
Even after you've landed an agent and sold your first, second, third, and fourth books, rejection will be here to stay. Maybe Stephen King doesn't get rejected (not sure about that), but almost every other author does. It's not a rejection of us--it never was. It's a rejection of the particular book we're sending at that exact moment.
As a full-time freelance writer, rejection is part of my day job, too. I put myself out there for opportunities all the time, only to get radio silence in response. Eventually, you start to think of it as playing the odds. If you put yourself out there 50 times and one pays off, it's worth it, right?
Even with all the rejections, we wouldn't be doing anything else. What other career gives you the possibility on any given day that amazing things could happen? Life-changing things? It kind of makes the rollercoaster worth it.
What are you insecure about this month?
