RICHMOND —
Because Rebecca D. Elswick won publication of her debut novel, “Mama’s Shoes,” in a national contest, it might be easy to view her as a kind of literary American Idol.
But, unlike many of the precocious American Idol winners, Elswick toiled and studied her craft for years before achieving success. Now, the accolades are accumulating, and each honor further confirms her status as one of the hottest emerging authors in the South.
She will read and sign books tonight along with Lexington author George Ella Lyon at the Richmond Area Arts Council, 399 W. Water St., beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Elswick, of Grundy, Va., has seen “Mama’s Shoes” nominated for two significant awards in recent weeks: The Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction and The Weatherford Award for Fiction.
The story of how “Mama’s Shoes” was published starts with something Elswick didn’t win.
“It actually began in 2003,” she said, in a recent interview. She entered a “Writer’s Digest” contest in which authors were asked to submit an opening line for a novel based on a picture. “The picture was a pair of flip flops on the beach with the water almost touching them. I found myself thinking about it all the time. Then one day it came to me: ‘Mama always said you could tell a real lady by the shoes she wears, but then nobody ever accused Mama of being a lady.’”
Elswick’s entry was named runner-up, and the seed for a story was planted.
“I eventually wrote a short story,” Elswick said, “but I put it away and didn’t think about it again until 2006, when I studied with the Appalachian Writing Project.
“I dug up the story and started working on it again, expanding the idea from a short story to a novel. In 2008, I applied to the Hindman (Settlement School) Appalachian Writer’s Workshop. My submission was the first 30 pages of ‘Mama’s Shoes.’”
After countless revisions, Elswick began looking for an agent for “Mama’s Shoes” in 2010, but before finding one, she spotted another “Writer’s Digest” opportunity.
“The contest was called Pitch2Win,” Elswick said. “The object of the contest was to pitch your novel on Twitter, which limited the pitch to140 characters. I read through hundreds of entries already posted and found that most of them were basically the same ‘My book is about...’ So I tried a new approach. I went back to the line I'd used in 2003.”
Elswick tweeted her entry and two weeks later was notified she was one of 50 finalists.
“I had to submit a synopsis and biography and wait,” she said. “Then I got the phone call. I won the grand prize, a publicity-plus-publishing contract with Abbott Press. I actually wrote the novel in two years and spent another year revising. But, from its inception in 2003 until its (acceptance for) publication in 2010, it was seven years.”
Though it is a work of fiction, Elswick drew inspiration for “Mama’s Shoes” from her family. “I come from a long line of storytellers,” she said. “My daddy loved to tell stories about growing up in southwestern Virginia. My maternal grandfather was also a big storyteller. He used to tell me about working in the coal mines when they used a pick and shovel and ponies to carry the coal out of the mine. He was a miner when they carried canaries underground with them. My mother was a beautician and I grew up in the midst of the beauty shop where she worked. It seemed natural to weave my characters into the world I knew so well. My father was a World War II veteran, and I used his path through the war for my character Gaines Richardson.”
Whatever her inspiration, Elswick’s debut has struck a chord. Novelist, Lee Smith, author of the New York Times bestseller “The Last Girls,” and Amy Greene, author of the New York Times bestselling novel, “Bloodroot,” have both lauded “Mama’s Shoes,” and the arrival of Elswick as a talent.
At tonight’s event, Elswick will share the stage with one of her most influential writing teachers, George Ella Lyon.
“The first time I met George Ella was the summer of 2007. I attended a three day writing workshop for teacher consultants,” Elswick said.
“George Ella was the workshop leader. The workshop was amazing. She is one of my absolute favorite writers. I admire her incredible talent. She has the ability to write in multiple genres. Her children’s books are as amazing as her novels and poetry.”
The public is invited to attend the readings. Both Elswick and Lyon will answer questions and sign books at the conclusion. Admission and refreshments are free, although RAAC will accept donations to support its programming.
The night will also include sign-ups for aspiring and established writers interested in becoming a part of a new writers group to be organized by the Arts Council.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Rebecca D. Elswick
Teacher turned award-winning author to read at Richmond Area Arts Council tonight
- Local News
-
-
Paradise Cove open through Labor Day
Opening day of Paradise Cove Family Aquatic Center coincided with a spike in temperatures Friday which reached 90 degrees. The facility, located in Richmond’s Lake Reba Park, will be open through Sept. 3. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
-
Dump of the Day
An old mattress, a car seat and other debris sit Friday afternoon on North Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets where it was first spotted Thursday. The “Dump of the Day” is a recurring series the Richmond Register publishes to highlight illegal trash piles and push local governments to cite perpetrators and get illegal dumps cleaned up. See Sunday’s Richmond Register to read a copy of the city’s ordinance related to trash pickup.
-
Undefeated academic team brings pride to Madison Middle School
Madison Middle School 6th and 7th grade academic teams have been undefeated for the last two years.
The 8th grade team also has done well, having some students qualify to compete at the state level. -
Woman fends off burglar with knife
A Berea woman used a kitchen knife to fend off an alleged burglar early Wednesday morning, and police say they were able to catch the man in the act.
-
Man is indicted on additional sex charge involving teen in 1998
A man already accused of sex abuse in November 2011 has been indicted on a charge of first-degree rape involving a child in 1998.
Charles W. Peyton, 63, of East Irvine Street, was indicted Wednesday by a Madison grand jury. He used “forcible compulsion” to have sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl between March 1 and May 1 in 1998, according to the indictment. -
Woman fends off burglar with knife
A Berea woman used a kitchen knife to fend off an alleged burglar early Wednesday morning, and police say they were able to catch the man in the act.
Officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of Scaffold Cane Road about a man trying to break into a home, according to a release from BPD Public Information Officer Jake Reed. -
Pets of the Week from the Madison County Animal Shelter
The Madison County Animal Shelter is located at 1386 Richmond Road in Berea. Shelter hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Animals available for adoption can be seen from noon to close Monday through Saturday. The adoption fee for cats and kittens is $10. Puppies and grown dogs may be adopted for $25. Adoptions include a free veterinary exam, a first series of vaccinations, a discount on spaying and neutering, free licensing and de-worming. Call the shelter at 986-9625.
-
A big sister’s reflection on life, love and changes
Yesterday was my Little Sister’s graduation. This one, though, was especially important to me.
-
Veterans will conduct Memorial Day programs
Although Memorial Day weekend may be a time of picnics and barbecue for many, some will be observing the day’s original meaning.
-
EKU Arts Center attendance tops 50,000 mark
The Center for the Arts at Eastern Kentucky University has played host during its inaugural season to more than 50,500 guests from more than 30 states and abroad, according to data released by EKU.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
