Preview Kids in Google Books & an Update

I'd like to share something that I don't think I've linked to in the past. Google Books offers a preview of Kids, Have You Seen My Backpack. If you'd like to sample a chapter or two, you can view the free preview here.

The present.

Now I'd like to take a moment to give an update. In August, I left the corporate world and my position at Solid Cactus to start a career in higher education.

It's funny how things circle back. Although not directly with adult learners, the college I work at has one of the best adult learner programs in Central PA - The Edward R. Murphy Center for Continued Education and Distance Learning at Elizabethtown College, with campuses in E-town, York, Lancaster and Harrisburg.

Now that my MFA is complete and I am in a creative, academic environment, I'd like to focus on promoting my book again. In 2005, when this book first came out, adult education was a rising trend. Today,it's even more prevalent and I think there is a need for these stories to be told. I created a Facebook page (you can "like" us to the left), a Twitter account and have updated this blog.

The future.

I will be honest. I was very green when I put this book together. Now that I've completed my MFA program at Wilkes University, I know a lot more about the publishing world. I would have done things differently had I known what I know now. However, regardless of the fact that this book was self-published, the 22 stories in this book are incredible testaments to what its like to be an adult learner. I am proud to say that the book has been on featured readings lists in nontraditional student programs at colleges like Drexel and DePaul. It is listed as a resource on websites of national adult learner organizations. 

I plan to edit this book and publish a second edition. With that, I plan to call for more essays. The second edition will feature more stories, updated resources and more. Look for details to follow in the coming months.

Thank you for taking the time for reading this blog and for considering adding Kids to your reading list.

Shepard Suggests Kids, have you seen my backpack...

A staff member at Shepard created a resource site for adult learners, and his resources page includes two suggested books. Here's what he had to say about "Kids, have you seen my backpack?":

This book offers 22 stories of inspiration that were sent to the author, a woman who worked with nontrads for several years,  when she held a national essay contest and compiled the responses. She compiled the essays to offer motivation and celebration for the successes of the adult learners that are trying to graduate and those that already have.

Thank you so much for recognizing our project!