Heather Henson's Blog: It's been a while...

Wow, it's been a busy couple of weeks.  I spent several days signing copies of my latest book, Dream of Night, at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky.  People from all over the world traveled to Lexington to participate in many different equestrian events.  I signed books at both the Joseph-Beth Bookseller booth and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.  I also traveled to Cincinnati for the annual Books by the Banks Book Festival, a terrific event.  Got to share a table with Sharon Draper, fellow Atheneum author -- lots of fun!  And then it was back to WEG for one more signing before the closing ceremonies.  Now I'm preparing for my trip to San Antonio, TX, to visit schools.  Can't wait!  Have never been to SA.  Looking forward to it.  More soon.


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Last night I signed books at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky.  It was rainy and a little cold for Kentucky in September, but there were thousands of folks there, people from all over the country and all over the world.  Roaming the various pavilions before my signing, I heard many different languages being spoken.  The Games continue for the next two weeks, and I'll be signing books on Thursday, September 30 at the booth for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and their local branch, the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.  Keep checking back for updates!  Also I head to Cincinnati on Saturday, October 2, for Books by the Banks, the annual book festival there.  Lots of travel, lots of books, lots of fun!


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I will be at the Books by the Banks Book Fair in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, October 2, sponsored by one of my fav book stores, Joseph-Beth.  This is the second year I've been invited, and the fair was a highlight last year, so I'm really looking forward to participating again.  Lots of great authors, lots of great books.  If you live near Cinci (a terrific little city, btw!) come and check it out!


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I've just found out that The Kentucky School Media Association has chosen me to receive the 2010 KSMA Jesse Stuart Media Award, an award presented to an author/producer who has created outstanding media related to Kentucky. This was a huge surprise, as well as an enormous honor for me. Jesse Stuart was a writer whose work I deeply admire.  He was a poet and short story writer who spent his life living in and writing about Kentucky.  The awards are this Saturday, September 18 in Louisville, Kentucky.  I can't wait!


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The World Equestrian Games, or WEG for short, is kind of like the Olympics of the horse eventing world.  The Games have never before been held in Kentucky, or anywhere in the US, for that matter, and so everybody around here is pretty excited.  WEG starts at the end of September and runs through mid-October at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.  During the many events there will be hundreds of booths with all things Kentucky and horsey.  I am excited to say that I will be at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation booth signing my latest book, DREAM OF NIGHT.  Proceeds will go to the local chapter of TRF, the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center, in order to help raise awareness for their cause:  taking care of Thoroughbreds after their racing career is over.  I'll write more about the amazing people at the TRF, and give details of the signing soon, so keep checking back!


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Yes, it's true.  While the rest of the country, or at least those living in the northeast, are taking their vacations, going to the beach, enjoying their last days of summer, we here in the south (or at least in Kentucky) have already bought the school supplies, splurged on the new school clothes, packed the lunches, loaded up the kids in the minivan or school bus, and...breathed a sigh of relief.  Don't get me wrong.  I adore my children.  But summer is long.  And even though I miss the whole vacationing in August thing, I'm ready for school to start when mid-August rolls around.  After all, I have a new novel to finish!  And the silence I'm enjoying in my home now is bliss!


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I'm just back from the Norfolk Literary Festival in Norfolk, Nebraska.  Flew into Omaha, and then drove north.  Beautiful countryside!  I had no idea Nebraska was so green and rolling.  The folks at the Norfolk Library were terrific.  I had some talented kids in my workshop -- we had lots of fun writing and sharing what we wrote.  I found out from our host that Norfolk is where Johnny Carson grew up.  We drove by his old house and heard stories about his favorite teacher from grade school.  On my last night we drove back to Omaha to have dinner before my flight out.  What a lovely city!  Thanks to the Norfolk Library folks for making my time there so special.


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Here I am waiting in the Chicago/Midway airport, on my way to Omaha, Nebraska.  Smooth sailing so far.  I'm on my way to the Norfolk Literary Festival.  Will give a writing workshop with kids and then talk about That Book Woman with librarians and teachers and other literary types.  I'm really thrilled that That Book Woman is a Golden Sower Award nominee.  Thanks, Nebraska!  More about my travels later!


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I have been asked to speak and give a writing workshop at the Norfolk Public Library's 16th Annual Literature Festival on Saturday, July 31 from 9-4 pm.  I've never been to Nebraska before, and am looking forward to flying into Omaha and staying for a couple of days.  I was invited since my book That Book Woman is a 2011 Golden Sower Award nominee -- yay!  If any of you are from Nebraska or planning a trip to the area, you can call the Norfolk Public Library at 402-844-2108 to find out more about the event.


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Lots of people (non-Kentuckians) have asked me over the years:  what's the deal with bluegrass?  Is the grass really blue down there?  My answer has always been no, it's just a name, a type of grass that grows here in Kentucky.  There's no blue tinge, no hint of color other than the regular green.  It's just grass. 



Lots of people (non-Kentuckians) have asked me why I moved back to my home state.  I've given lots of different answers over the years:  needed more space, wanted to be near family, wanted to see what farm life was all about.  But as I'm sitting here at my computer, looking out the second story window of the house my mother was born and raised in, looking out over the fields my grandfather used to till and plant year after year, I think maybe I have the answer I was looking for all along:  the grass isn't blue here in Kentucky, but maybe, just maybe, it's a little bit greener.




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