GONE FROM THESE WOODS by Donny Bailey Seagraves

• Publication Season/Year: Fall 2009
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Release Date: August 25, 2009
• ISBN (hardcover): 978-0-385-73629-9
• ISBN (paperback): TBD

Eleven-year-old Daniel Sartain didn’t want to go hunting with Uncle Clay that cold November morning. But he went. Now he feels like a monstrous villain in one of his comic books as he tries to cope with the guilt after accidentally killing his beloved uncle. Mom tries to hold the family together with her comfort and love. Mrs. Hardy, Daniel’s guidance counselor at school, offers a sanctuary in her office as she tries to help Daniel survive after losing his role model and best friend in the world. At the same time, Daniel’s alcoholic father, Clay’s older brother, makes a tragic situation worse. The memory of that cold morning in the North Georgia woods – and most of all the hurt – will stay with Daniel forever. But somehow, he must find a way to go on . . . for Uncle Clay . . . and most of all, for himself.

Donny Bailey Seagraves

The Author: Donny Bailey Seagraves
Location: Winterville, GA

Donny Bailey Seagraves is a native of Athens, Georgia and lives in the nearby small town of Winterville with her husband, Phillip. They are the parents of grown twins, Greg and Jenny. Donny studied journalism at the University of Georgia, was a newspaper columnist for seven years, and has published fiction and nonfiction for children and adults in many regional and national publications, including Athens Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. She owned and operated an online used book business, Junebug Books, for ten years. When not reading, writing, or collecting books, Donny enjoys walking in the rural areas around her home, including her own front-yard woods. GONE FROM THESE WOODS is her debut novel.

Author Visit Information

Donny will travel nationally, but prefers to travel in GA, FL, TN, SC and NC.

Example presentations and workshops

• Meet the Author.  A workshop for children ages 9 – 12, teens or adults. Learn how the author became a writer beginning at age eight, and how you can cultivate the writer in you. Includes writing exercises and can be customized for almost any age group.
• Writing from a Southern Point of View. A workshop that discusses writing “Southern” and writing from a Southern point of view. Author is a native of Athens, GA with family roots going back to the 1700s in Georgia.
• Writing Stories from Real Life. Donny’s debut novel, GONE FROM THESE WOODS, is entirely fictional. However, the idea for this book came to her as a result of a story she heard as a child. Learn how to take your family and community stories and turn them into fiction. Age group for this workshop is children or adults.
• Writing Middle Grade Novels. What separates a middle grade novel from other genres in children’s literature? What is a “middle grade voice?” What is different about writing for middle grade kids and writing for younger children or adults? Age group for this workshop is adults.

Honorarium and fees

Honorariums begin at $300 and vary depending on the length and number of workshops, appearances or programs, and also on the distance from the author’s residence in Winterville, GA. Travel, lodging and meal expenses also must be provided for out-of-town travel. Special rates may be available for local schools and organizations. To learn more, visit Donny’s web site.

Contact Information:

• Official web site: http://www.donnyseagraves.com
• Blogger: http://dbseagraves.blogspot.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Donny-Bailey-Seagraves-Childrens-Book-Author/47732425204?ref=ts
• Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64403485020&ref=mf