Lisa Begin-Kruysman, Author "Dog's Best Friend" - Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher

 

Paperback Available on Amazon

Publisher: McFarland (September 10, 2014)

Pre-order Kindle

Publisher: McFarland (October 31, 2014)

 

For many, Rockefeller Center evokes the images of happy ice-skaters and the lighting of America’s most famous Christmas tree. But for me, the Lower Plaza of this iconic New York City location conjures nostalgic scenes of dogs jumping through hoops, herding sheep, showing off their obedience skills, and prancing and parading in elaborate parades!

The last week of September, from the period of the 1930s through the 1950s, canines took over Rockefeller Plaza in celebration of each year’s greatly anticipated observances of National Dog Week, established by Captain William Lewis Judy, a man clearly ahead of times. Judy published Dog World magazine for four decades and in 1928 launched NDW to officially honor man’s best friends for all the ways they served humans.

Judy, a minister, teacher, lawyer, decorated WWI soldier and ultimate dog-professional was also among the first to write about the spiritual connection between dog and human.  With humor, honesty, and intelligence, Judy’s writings positively influenced a new generation of dog ownership. He even helped to establish the DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America), giving the dog-writing profession the respect it deserves.

I recall the day I first read about Judy and his volumes of magazines, books and dog-training materials. Reading about Judy’s life inspired me to be an author. It hasn’t been easy. As someone with no connections in the dog world or publishing scene, I was truly an underdog writing about an obscure topic. I had to get my bark on and remain positive in my goals even in the face of rejection. But I prevailed and this week, I am happy to report that my book about this man and his contributions to Dogdom has been released. Dog’s Best Friend: Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher (McFarland & Co.) is now available.

I began writing this book with my beautiful Portuguese water dog, Hooper curled up at my feet. But in 2012, during a six month period, my husband battled a major health problem, Hooper passed suddenly, and Hurricane Sandy devastated our community. My husband is well now, and we are still picking up the pieces in the aftermath of that catastrophic storm, but Hooper is now a just happy memory, and I find strength in our sweet dog, Teddy, who came to us while I tried my hand at fostering.

In weathering all kinds of storms, I always seek refuge in my writing. With a pen and a pad, I can get my thoughts down anyplace, anytime and find an emotional safe haven. Reading the words of Judy has always put me in a good state of mind, and when I see those old photos of dogs living it up in mid-town Manhattan, it gives me hope that perhaps someday, all dogs can have their week celebrating under a golden September sun as thousands of adoring dog-lovers cheer them on under the watchful gaze of Prometheus.

 

About The Author:

 

 

Lisa Begin-Kruysman is an award-winning author and blogger.  A graduate of the University of Connecticut, she has studied writing with the Institute of Children's Literature, The Society of Children's Writers and Book Illustrators and the Highlights Foundation. A former Human Resources Associate in the entertainment industry, she currently resides in Ocean County with her husband Rich, and foster-to-forever dog Teddy. Through her artwork and writing, she aspires to educate and enlighten the world about the unique bond that exists between humans and their dogs and to ultimately improve the welfare of dogs across the nation. 

Please be sure to check out her blog dedicated to the National Dog Week Movement with over 200 posts related to all things dog!

Also by the Author:

Buy On Amazon

 

Something's Lost and Must be Found: Seven Short Tails of Inspiration on a Long Leash  Published 2011

An engaging Short Story Collection (aprox. 25,400 words) for dog-lovers and fans of Inspirational fiction; inspired by the search and rescue dogs of the soul. Based on the first one-hundred posts of a devoted Dog-blogger. Now with a seventh story! A pawsitively dog-friendly read. A portion of all downloads will go to help some animals in need.

 

Links:       Author's Web      Nationaldogweekbook's Blog                                      

                    Author Facebook Page        Twitter @dogweek  

                    Amazon       Amazon Author Page

 

Solitary Schmolitary by Kimberly Brock, Georgia Author of the Year 2013, with Fergus and Reba B

 

              Fergus and Reba B, otherwise known as the current Chief Starers at Me

  

Writing is supposed to be solitary. That’s what everybody keeps saying but I am here to tell you that solitary doesn’t do it for me. And I have a theory that all writers secretly share this same fear of solitude. That’s why we write when we’re alone, so we won’t notice we’re alone and nobody else will notice we’re alone in all our aloneness. Oh, the humanity.  

Years ago, when I started on this writing journey, I worked alone. On a big clunky computer with a beret and a candy cigarette, the way you do. I don’t think I’d ever even seen a laptop at that point. I sat in a very uncomfortable chair (where did that chair come from?) at a desk in the corner of my master bedroom. The babies would nap and in the two or three hour blocks of absolute silence, entirely alone with my thoughts and a Diet Coke, I would accomplish…nothing.

I mean it. I can’t write in an optimum environment. No way. But I tried, Lord, I gave it my best shot for about two years. Until one day I decided if I was ever going to really get rolling and crank out a bestseller and put a pool in my back yard (did not happen), I needed to get down to the nitty gritty of my writerly needs. I made a list. Probably it was for groceries, but it’s been a long time now and I like to think it was me, being productive, trying to be scientific about reaching my potential. Or something.

Here’s how The List of Making Kim Write looks in my made-up memory.

1)      Turn on a fan.

(I figured I slept better with a fan, so maybe I would write better, too. No dice. I slept. Drooled.)

2)      Turn on the T.V. for white noise.

(Ya’ll. You know I watched Guiding Light. I did not write.)

3)      Nurse the baby.

(This was not actually on the list, but I did actually do it. I also wrote one-handed and published my first short story, so there was maybe something to that. However, I refuse to nurse a fourteen-year-old and so this was not sustainable.)

4)      Get a laptop so you can stand in the kitchen.

(This sounds ridiculous but I DO think better and more actual thoughts while standing in the kitchen. I also eat. Or clean. I notice everything is just filthy beyond belief and that I would fail health inspector tests and then, no writing happens. I end up cleaning the disposal, which is not really all that inspiring.)

But the move to the laptop and the first floor were truly the plot points that led to a real turning point in this fabulous, transformative, transcending writer’s journey. Why? Because, a dog.

5)      Write with A DOG.

Here’s what happened. We had a cairn terrier that had been with us since our first year of marriage and he was an old man in a dog suit. He was quiet. He was dependable. He had a routine. And his best dog trick was the ability to be PRESENT. He was always there. He was with us. Near us. Existing as a part of our household in a way that felt like he was an extension of our very selves. And the minute I sat down on the sofa with my laptop and outline and intentions to create, he curled up on the other end.

And stared at me. For the duration.

We did not converse, the dog and I. There was no exchange of anything but air going on in that living room. I didn’t even scratch his ears. I just went to work. Two years later I had bigger kids, a blown-out spring on my end of the sofa, and a completed manuscript. I learned the Ancient Chinese Secret of writing success.

Write with a dog.

When you write with a dog, your stories will flow unceasing. Your best ideas will be genius, your prose lyrical and your humor dry and fine. You will swat away writer’s block as easily as a housefly. Your work will be a resplendent example of craft with solid arcs and plots, compelling themes, fully realized characters and original voice. You’ll be content with your pace. You’ll take risks and break rules and then clean up after yourself with brilliance. And when you strike the final punctuation, you won’t even hesitate before you scroll on over to the next page to whip up your acknowledgments. And here is what you’ll say.

“For the dog who reminded me. I’m not alone.”


About Kimberly Brock:

Kimberly Brock

Kimberly Brock was named Georgia Author of the Year 2013 for her debut novel, Kindle bestseller, The River Witch (Bell Bridge Books/April 2012). A southern mystical tale set against the backdrop of the Appalachian foothills and the Georgia Sea Islands, The River Witch has been chosen by national and international book clubs.

Founder of Tinderbox Writer’s Workshop, Kimberly speaks on creative writing, the power of story to create community, and her favorite topic – getting past fear to live from our Creative Core. Kimberly also consults and speaks on Social Media Strategies for Writers.

A former actor and educator, Kimberly Brock's work has appeared in
magazines and anthologies. Contributor to Northside Woman Magazine. She serves as Blog Network Coordinator for national online book club, She Reads, and works as a certified Pilates instructor. Kimberly spends her non-writing time enjoying her husband and three children, north of Atlanta where she makes her home.

Kimberly's next workshop is this Saturday, September 13, at KSU, Kennesaw, Georgia. Link here for workshop information or call the Georgia Writers Association at 770-420-4736. Space is still available.


 

 

About The River Witch:

 

Available on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

 

 

Broken in body and spirit, she secludes herself in the mystical wilderness of a Georgia island. Can she find herself in the sweetness of old songs, old ways, and the gentle magic of the river people?

"Kimberly Brock has an amazing voice and a huge heart; The River Witch welcomes the reader to a haunted landscape, authentically Southern, where the tragedies of the past and the most fragile, gorgeous kind of love-soaked hope are equally alive. This is one debut that you absolutely should not miss."-Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times Bestselling Author of Gods in Alabama

"Kimberly Brock's The River Witch achieves what splendid writing ought to achieve-story and character that linger in the reader's consciousness. Such is the power of Roslyn Byrne, who retreats to Manny's Island, Georgia, in search of herself, only to discover her great need of others. Tender and intriguing, often dazzling in its prose, this is a mature work of fiction worthy of the celebration of praise."-Terry Kay, internationally known author of the classic novel, To Dance With The White Dog
"There is magic and wonder in The River Witch, but the real enchantment here is the strength of the characters Roslyn and Damascus. Their voices are the current that carries the reader along in this compelling tale of healing and discovery."- Sharyn McCrumb, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Ballad of Tom Dooley
"With lyrical prose, Kimberly Brock explores the hidden places of the heart. The River Witch is a magical and bewitching story that, like a river, winds its way through the soul. In the voices of her wounded characters, Brock takes us through both the breaking and the healing of a life." -Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Perfect Love Song

 

Links:

 

Author Web     Facebook    Pinterest    Twitter @kimberlydbrock

 

Kimberly Brock Pilates    Contact Kimberly    Author Amazon Page

 

Tinderbox Writers Workshop