Susan VanHecke
This week, we’re celebrating Susan VanHecke’s debut! Susan VanHecke writes books for children and adults. Her titles for young readers include AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER (Marshall Cavendish, 20009) and STRIKE UP THE BAND (Boyds Mills, 2010), and, for adults, RACE WITH THE DEVIL: GENE VINCENT’S LIFE IN THE FAST LANE (St. Martin’s Press, 2000), adapted into an award-winning screenplay, and ROADWORK: ROCK & ROLL FROM THE INSIDE OUT (Hal Leonard, 2007/Omnibus UK, 2009) with photographer Tom Wright, foreword by Pete Townshend. Of ROADWORK, Barnes & Noble Booksellers CEO Steve Riggio said it’s “probably the best book on rock & roll ever published.”
Susan is the children’s market columnist at Authorlink.com and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Here’s a little bit about ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER: A MEMOIR (HarperTeen).
In 1966, teen guitar prodigy Dean Kohler landed a record deal and his draft notice the same week. Rather than give up his rock star dreams, Dean improvised some instruments and equipment, taught a few fellow soldiers to play, and formed his own touring rock band right there in the combat zone – all without missing a single patrol. What began as a lark ultimately became a lifeline for Dean and the band, as well as the hundreds of combat-weary troops they played for in increasingly dangerous terrain. Incredibly, Dean’s wartime band even recorded a single in the jungle. During one of the most controversial wars in recent American history, this remarkable true story is about music and camaraderie in the midst of chaos.
ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER: A MEMOIR by Dean Ellis Kohler with Susan VanHecke
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
PG-13, for mild profanity, some mature themes and situations. It’s a soldier’s war story, definitely for ages 13 and over.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER grew from a newspaper article I wrote several years ago about 1960s garage-rock bands in southeastern Virginia. Dean’s group, the Satellites, was wildly popular at local teen clubs and poised for national recognition with a recording contract when Dean received his draft notice in 1966.
Most teens would have called it quits, but Dean found a way to continue making music, even in the middle of a war zone. Especially fascinating to me was just how vital the group became to all those involved. As the war intensified around them, Dean’s band became a virtual lifeline to the band’s members, the troops they played for, and, especially, Dean himself. And when he returned home, Dean’s wartime experience became the filter by which he chose his life’s path.
It was a great coming-of-age story set in a most unusual context – I knew I had to write it!
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- A 14-year old who dreams of becoming a rock star.
- A 16-year old reluctant reader looking for an action-packed, adventure-filled, real-life read.
- An 18-year old who’s considering joining the military.
List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.
- Yeah, where else can you get shot at, nearly ambushed, and see a kid with his brains blown out, all in three fun-filled days?
- I was living in the mud and dodging the enemy, and Judy was doing algebra and worrying about a beauty pageant.
- I told him about how when Mom asked me to help her in the yard that morning, I’d checked the flower beds for booby traps.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER is a perfect springboard for units on the 1960s and the Vietnam conflict. Educators will find a variety of useful teaching aids at www.RockNRollSoldierAMemoir.com, including a downloadable discussion guide of thought-provoking questions, a gallery of Dean Kohler’s Vietnam photos, video, audio, more-info links, even a playlist of Vietnam-era songs mentioned in the book.
Because most of the photos, film footage, and audio illustrate scenes from the book, reading ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER can become a multi-media experience for students.
Additionally, Graham Nash’s thoughtful foreword draws parallels between the Vietnam War and contemporary conflicts, tying ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER to current events.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
Fans of other Vietnam stories, like Walter Dean Myers’ FALLEN ANGELS and Tim O’Brien’s THE THINGS THEY CARRIED and IF I DIE IN A COMBAT ZONE would enjoy ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER. Also teens who like books with male main characters facing difficult, potentially life-altering choices, such as BREATHING UNDERWATER by Alex Flinn, RAIDERS NIGHT by Robert Lipsyte, PARANOID PARK by Blake Nelson, and STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES by Chris Crutcher.
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
“There it is, man – Vietnam!”
“Better watch your ass, Charlie! Army’s here and we takin’ you suckers out!”
“No mercy, you sorry bastards!
I wished they’d all just shut up. For the first time in the month it’d taken the USS Upshur to carry me and four thousand of my closest Army pals across the Pacific, I couldn’t breathe.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Dean Ellis Kohler is available for author visits.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Dean Ellis Kohler is pleased to speak nationally.
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
Dean Ellis Kohler, an engaging and entertaining speaker, is available to recount and discuss with students his wartime experience, how he managed to do his duty and simultaneously stay true to his musical self, and how Vietnam ultimately shaped the course of his life. His is a motivational and inspirational story.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, SUSAN VANHECKE. We wish her much success with her debut novel ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER: A MEMOIR. To see what Susan is up to these days, visit her website at www.susanvanhecke.com or her blog at www.susanvanhecke.blogspot.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Susan is giving away a signed copy of ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER: A MEMOIR to a winner. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by October 14th, 2009 11:59 PM CST.
Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.
Related posts:
- ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOLDIER: A MEMOIR by Dean Ellis Kohler with Susan VanHecke
- AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER retold by Susan VanHecke, illustrated by Carol Baicker-McKee
- Author Spotlight: Susan Fine, INITIATION (Giveaway Alert Now – 11/03/09)
- AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Megan Crewe, GIVE UP THE GHOST (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/15/09)
- Author Spotlight: Samantha R. Vamos, BEFORE YOU WERE HERE, MI AMOR (Giveaway Alert: Now – 05/22/09)
Comments
1 Charity // Oct 7, 2009 at 10:07 am
Wow, this sounds terrific. I’d love a copy and I bet my son would too.
2 Slee // Oct 7, 2009 at 10:31 am
I just bought Roadwork a few weeks ago. It was great. I think it would make a great movie.
3 flip // Oct 7, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Sounds like a terrific book.
4 Shannon Baas // Oct 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm
It looks like a good book.
5 Ann F // Oct 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm
This sounds like a very interesting book that I’d like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.
6 ron // Oct 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm
GREAT BOOK IDEA . . . I HOPE IT READS WELL WHEN I WIN IT
7 Kate Lacy // Oct 7, 2009 at 6:33 pm
What a kinky 70’s draft years plot idea! I feel like I know what’s going on in your third eye!
I can hardly wait to read it.
8 dorothy l // Oct 7, 2009 at 8:19 pm
sounds like a interesting book
9 Brenda Estacio // Oct 7, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Looking for a great gift for teens, the new fantasy novel, “Gateway to DreamWorld,” was released last month and has been receiving rave reviews.
During the cold months ahead, they will curl up in a warm blanket or in front of the fireplace and enter a fantasy world filled with excitement and suspense.
The book is listed on Amazon.com, Barnes&Nobles.com, and Powell’s Books.com
10 The Brain Lair // Oct 8, 2009 at 5:54 am
I can’t wait to read this. Sounds like it would be a great addition to our school library. I know many boys who love Myer’s Fallen Angels and Sunrise Over Fallujah. I look forward to introducing them to this!
11 Ruth Bousquet // Oct 8, 2009 at 8:59 am
Really sounds great .
12 Judith // Oct 8, 2009 at 9:15 am
This book is tailor-made for my 16-year-old who considering joining the military in two years’ time.
13 JAMES LYNAM // Oct 8, 2009 at 6:51 pm
MY TURN TO WIN????
14 angie // Oct 8, 2009 at 10:30 pm
This sounds like a great read.
15 Nicole C. // Oct 9, 2009 at 7:17 am
My son would love this book!
16 Mitch // Oct 12, 2009 at 9:24 am
Great to see a story that is pulled from the newspaper stories that I read as a kid. Kids idolize musicians the same way that many look up to sports stars, and music can be an inspiration in life even amidst overwhelming adversity.
Kudos to Susan for writing a book that teens can get into and best wishes on it’s success.
17 Kelly M. // Oct 12, 2009 at 9:45 am
Congrats to both Sue and Dean. Having been aquainted with Dean a little back in his Portsmouth youth and seeing one of his bands on the local Disc-O-Ten teen show several times I’m looking forward to reading of his music exploits while he served in Nam.
18 Jeff // Oct 12, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Different than anything I’ve been reading lately – would love to spend some time with this book …
19 Kim H. // Oct 12, 2009 at 7:28 pm
This sounds like the kind of book my girl would like as well as my best friend’s oldest boy.
Thanks so much for this giveaway! I might never have heard about this book otherwise!
20 etirv // Oct 12, 2009 at 9:05 pm
This would be perfect for the teen!!!!
21 Erma H // Oct 13, 2009 at 7:31 am
This sounds great.
22 Melissa D // Oct 13, 2009 at 8:49 am
This was a great interview that left me really excited about reading your book! Thank you!
23 shawna // Oct 13, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Sounds like a great read!
24 Andria // Oct 13, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Sounds like a really good book. Thank you.
25 Ed Nemmers // Oct 13, 2009 at 5:02 pm
What a great book topic and read this would be!
26 Becky K // Oct 13, 2009 at 5:38 pm
This sounds like something my entire family would enjoy. Thank you!
27 mindy // Oct 13, 2009 at 6:47 pm
this sounds fabulous thanks
28 Daniel M // Oct 13, 2009 at 8:15 pm
looks like a good one!
29 Melanie // Oct 13, 2009 at 8:23 pm
This sounds like a really cool book, with a twist on the usual “i wanna be rock star” tale.
It sounds great!
30 shirley // Oct 13, 2009 at 8:43 pm
nice giveaway..i think my son would enjoy reading this
31 dawn // Oct 14, 2009 at 2:25 am
What a great book topic
32 Sharon A // Oct 14, 2009 at 7:51 am
The era is my time and I would love to read this book.
33 oneangel // Oct 14, 2009 at 12:31 pm
This looks like a great book for my teenage neice ! Thanks for a great giveaway.
34 Melodye // Oct 14, 2009 at 1:25 pm
This book will also appeal to readers who loved Gary Trudeau’s THE SANDBOX. I bought a copy for myself, but if I win the drawing, I’ll donate a copy to Girls, Incorporated.
35 Mei-Ling // Oct 14, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I’d love to win a copy of your book!
36 Gloria // Oct 14, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This sounds good for my twin sons!
37 Tim Hughes // Oct 14, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I would really love to win this book for my 19 year old son but the problem is that If I were to win it, I guarantee I would be reading it before I gave it to him. This book sounds AWESOME!
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
38 Buddy Garrett // Oct 14, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I would love to read this book. It sounds interesting.
39 Lily Kwan // Oct 14, 2009 at 10:42 pm
This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the great contest!
40 Marcy Strahan // Oct 14, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I would love to read this marvelous book!
41 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Oct 15, 2009 at 10:28 am
Congrats Melodye!
You have won this Spotlight!
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