RUTH PERKINSON

"Some books are so good they set you on fire. This is one of those books, destined to become one of those classics everyone should read, and trust me, you will want to read this novel... This is a story about loss, guilt, love and loyalty. It is written with skill and scope, allowing us into a young girl's life, letting us see through her eyes, hear her voice, feel her fear and confusion and hope.  This novel should go on every library shelf, be on every required reading list, and earn its place alongside the book Piper eventually read, To Kill a Mockingbird, and other inspiring classics like it, those books we love to read and read again." - Bett Norris, December 2007
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Bella and Spinsters Authors Forum Print E-mail
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Our new Bella and Spinsters Authors Forum started last month and we are getting readers and authors from all over the world joining in the Wild World of Women's literature. At least that's what I'm calling it for now. If you haven't seen what we've been discussing, then please click on the following site: Bella and Spinsters Forum and login as a guest or register as a new user. It's free. We talk about books, recipes, movies, sports, and play a game here and there. It is so easy. Authors like KG MacGregor, Karin Kallmaker, Terri Breneman, Claire Rooney, Marianne Garver, Linda Kay Silva, and many more are hanging out just waiting to chat about most anything. Take a few minutes and come on down. We'd love to have you! (I'm there practically all the time!)
 
A Review of Piper's Someday Print E-mail
Friday, 18 April 2008

Reviewed by Terri L. Jones, V Magazine for Women

Harper Lee pulled it off with Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird; Carson McCullers’ Frankie won readers over in The Member of the Wedding; and in Rubyfruit Jungle, Rita Mae Brown helped you get to know - and like - the young Molly Bolt. But it’s not easy writing from the perspective of a child. Not only must you come up with convincing dialogue, but you’re also forced to resurrect those unadulterated thought processes that you long ago outgrew. Now, Richmond author Ruth Perkinson has created a character reminiscent of—and as believably and likeably portrayed—as the classic literary tomboys before her, in her new novel, Piper’s Someday. Read the rest.

 
Ever Been to the Brink of Madness? Print E-mail
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Guess what? Piper's Someday has a sequel - Breaking Spirit Bridge. And, it's something, I think, readers won't expect. The tale deals with the next chapter of Piper Leigh Cliff's life (along with her dog, Someday). This time, however, her demons aren't the neighborhood lackey or the grandfather who raised her. Instead, Piper enters the darkest moments of her life as a collegiate basketball player at Blue Ridge University in Charlottesville, Virginia. Coming back home from Banff, Alberta, Piper is on scholarship but is "called" to her home in Richmond, Virginia to deal with her dying grandfather and the memories of her family that died too-soon a death when she was a young girl. What haunts her this time is the mental illness climbing inside of her. In an unbelievable sequence of events, Breaking Spirit Bridge, takes the reader to the depths and pain of a young woman's struggle with her mind and her life.
 
Virginia to Hold a Vigil for Lawrence King Print E-mail
Thursday, 28 February 2008
On Wednesday, March 12th at the Gay Community Center here in Richmond, Virginia, people of all walks of life will gather for a memorial to remember and honor Lawrence King. King was the eighth grader gunned down in front of his classmates in Oxnard, California on February 12th, but the tragedy has been overshadowed by other media events that took center stage. Many GLBT organizations across the country, especially GLSEN, have been holding candlit vigils in honor of this young man. King was a youth who was "out" to his friends and family.
 
I am hoping that mainstream media will re-awaken itself to Lawrence King's story and give it the fair representation it deserves. This type of violence is incredibly tragic and it brings attention to the fact that the GLBT community has many miles to go before we can rest from discrimination. The end to this discrimination HAS to begin with our families and our public school system. The time has come. 
 
I am reminded of Mathew Shepard with King's death. I am reminded that we all need to open up, connect, and listen to our youth.
 
Thanks,
Ruth
 
97.3 WRIR Interview & Ruth writes a Letter to Ellen DeGeneres Print E-mail
Friday, 15 February 2008
If you missed last week's episode of Ruth's interview about Piper's Someday, then you can click on the following link and listen anytime: www.wordybirds.org It is a scintillating spin on the book and my life and Liz Humes asked some tough questions. Listen in and then respond to her in the comments section if you like. This is a great independent radio station in Richmond. I very much support them as they bring great news, great programming, and great radio.
 
Also, as a side note. I have been writing to Ellen DeGeneres for nearly ten years now. The reason is because a former student of mine and I were fans of hers (Ellen) early on. My student and I began an open dialogue in a public school setting about Ellen and the whole GLBT plight because Ellen's show was such a great ice-breaker to discuss it. I was so struck that this student of mine had the courage to talk to me openly about it that I was compelled to write to Ellen to tell her in 1997. I don't know if that letter ever made it; however, ironically my student sent Ellen a letter last year telling her about me and my first book Vera's Still Point (I assume as I have not read the letter).  One of my book's themes is about teaching LGBT sex education in the public classroom...yes, in Virginia, for God's sake! Ellen has a cameo in the book at its climax....all because of the dialogue started in a small classroom in Virginia. It is hard to tell how letters get read or unread at her Hollywood office...but, I hope and pray that one day Ellen will read my former student's letter and see how she affected our lives. It is quite amazing.
 
Love, love, love to all of you this week and next,
 
Ruth and River
 
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