A very enjoyable biography of a woman on the cusp of change in the North. Recommended." Choice “Beautifully written biography…much to learn, enjoy, and recommend in this book.” Pacific Northwest Quarterly “A riveting story told by a brilliant writer.” Pacific Historical Review The never-before-told story of Kate Carmack, whose resilience and survival made gold rush history Headlines shouted the discovery of a century—Gold! Gold! Gold! With pluck and grit, Tagish Indian Kate Carmack was at the center of it all. Raised in the ways of her people, Kate married a white man who took credit for finding the first Klondike gold. But Kate was there, and she knew the truth. In the frenzied aftermath of the gold rush, Kate’s husband took her away from everything she knew. Then he abandoned her. Defiant, she fought for the wealth that was rightfully hers, only to discover the real wealth that was hers all along. Hidden history that reads like a novel, Wealth Woman celebrates the triumph of spirit in the face of adversity. If you loved Empire of the Summer Moon and The Woman They Could Not Silence, you’ll love Wealth Woman. A True West Best Biography pick.
A mother who risks everything to start over and a daughter whose longings threaten to undo them both. From the moment Ruth Sanders rips a glossy photo of a glacier from a magazine, she believes her fate is intertwined with the ice. Her unsettling fascination bewilders her daughter, 16-year-old Sylvie, still shaken by her father’s leaving. When Ruth uproots Sylvie and her sister from their small Midwestern town to follow her growing obsession - and a man - to Alaska, they soon find themselves entangled with an unfamiliar wilderness, a divided community, and one another. As passions cross and braid, the bond between mother and daughter threatens to erode from the pressures of icy compulsion and exposed secrets. Inspired by her own experience arriving by bush plane to live on the Alaska tundra, Deb Vanasse vividly captures the reality of life in Alaska and the emotional impact of loving a remote and unforgiving land.
A swashbuckling narrative of treachery and obsession involving pirates, fur seals, competing governments, and near war. "In Roar of the Sea, [Deb Vanasse] writes with verve and dramatic impact, reconstructing the narrative of Elliott's tenacious crusade in a way that will transport the reader back to the cacophonous seal rookeries, to the bloody, blubber-slicked decks of the sealing ships, and to the elegant meeting rooms of the nation's capital. While bringing deserved attention to Elliott for his wildlife conservation work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vanasse ends with a sobering challenge: those seal rookeries on the Pribilof Islands are now facing new human-caused threats—and could use 21st century advocates." —The Daily Astorian/Coast Weekend "Now comes a fascinating, full history of the fur seal story, pitting artist and advocate Henry Wood Elliott against the most famous of the seal pirates, a man named Alex MacLean, and a whole host of ill-informed and corrupt business and political titans. Deb Vanasse, a former Alaskan who now lives in Oregon and is the author of many previous books—including Wealth Woman, about the Klondike gold rush—has done extensive research to illuminate the historical characters, the difficulties of reaching an international agreement to protect wildlife, and the significance of that treaty today." —Anchorage Daily News Over a century ago, treachery in Alaska's Bering Sea twice brought the world to the brink of war. The US seized Canadian vessels, Great Britain positioned warships to strike the US, and Americans killed Japanese pirates on US soil—all because of the northern fur seals crowded together on the tiny Pribilof Islands. The herd's population plummeted from 4.7 million to 940,000 in the span of eight years while notorious seafarers like Alex MacLean (who inspired Jack London's The Sea-Wolf) poached indiscriminately. Enter an unlikely crusader to defend the seals: self-taught artist and naturalist Henry Wood Elliott, whose zeal and love for the animals inspired him to go against all odds and take on titans of the sea. Winning seemed impossible, and yet Elliott managed to expose corruption and set the course for modern wildlife protections that are all the more relevant today as the world grapples with mass extinction. Carefully written and researched, Roar of the Sea reveals the incredible hidden history of how one lone activist existing in the margins prevailed against national governments and corporate interests in the name of wildlife conservation.
Pod does card tricks to prove he's in control. Flaco is rich and loyal beyond words to his abuelo. Manny is desperate to get out of his Bar Mitzvah. Together, what these middle-school misfits want most is for their fledgling band to get noticed. When their made-up song conjures a strange man in Pod's ancient barn, fame follows so fast it's scary. As strange things spew from Pod's guitar, the boys in the band wonder how much of their success comes from talent and how much comes from a dark power they don't understand. What will they risk for stardom? A gangster look-alike named Fred convinces them they've made a deal with the devil-their souls swapped for a chance at fame. But once they nail a spot in the Battleband competition, each of the boys has his own reasons for wanting to win. Pod struggles to control his world since his mother disappeared. Flaco's abuelo is elderly and ill, and Manny longs for acceptance by the school's jocks. As rising Battleband stars, they ascend from seeming invisibility to sudden popularity. The stakes rise when Fred, acting as their agent, snags a chance for their band, Fly, to open for a famous group called Seventh Circle. Complicating their struggles are conflicts with one another, their vacillating relationships at school, and family problems. But when Fred threatens the people they love and his Big Boss wants them to sing a disturbing song about suicide, the boys know they can't let their band be used as an instrument of destruction. With the help of their school librarian, they find problems with Fred's "contract." But will it be enough to save them? In this first book of the Battleband Saga (www.battlebandsaga.com), acclaimed children's novelists Gail Giles and Deb Vanasse team up in an adventure of music, magic, and myth that puts a fresh spin on a timeless tale for young readers. A colorful cast, complex emotions, lively wording, rich allusions, evocative imagery, and multiple layers of meaning add appeal for all ages. "Brilliant and strikingly new!" says Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of Stuck in Neutral. "You'll be hard-pressed to find three greater kids to root for in this fight against the devil." Hunchback Assignments author Arthur Slade says, "Turn this book up to eleven! It puts the buzz in Beelzebub and the power in power chords." Kirkus Reviews calls No Returns "the first movement in an ambitious song cycle of a tale.
Lucy helps her grandfather, and her entire community, recall the traditional dance festivals that they used to enjoy before the outsiders came. Includes author's note on the history of traditional Yupik dance festivals.
When a lonely wolf makes friends with her dog, Shawna's fear turns to love. Based on the true story of Romeo, a wolf who lived near Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier and lost his wolfpack as a young male.
On a full-moon night in Alaska, a traditional native totem pole magically comes to life. The Grizzly, Beaver, Frog, and Raven all stretch and scratch and voice their relief at being free at last. But then the first dawn light appears on the horizon, and the totems have to reassemble themselves in the proper order before morning. Who should be on top of whom? Can wise Raven reason with these contentious creatures? Deb Vanasse’s enchanting text and Erik Brooks’s lively illustrations make this a memorable modern folktale.
With dramatic changes in publishing, it's a wild and exciting time to be an author. But how do authors, both new and experienced, choose what's best for their books, and how can they best promote them? While there's lots of advice out there, much is unsound and untested, especially when it comes to making a reasoned decision on how and where to publish. Enter Deb Vanasse, a successful author who pulls no punches in this practical guide to book production, promotion, and living the writer's life, no matter how you publish. Author of fifteen books with six different presses, Vanasse sorts through the noise to help authors reach an informed understanding of how best to publish and-of equal importance-how to make sure their books get noticed. In this comprehensive handbook, readers will learn how to map out a publishing strategy in either traditional or self-publishing, or a hybrid of both. They'll discover proven techniques for promoting their work, and they'll learn to navigate life as a writer, managing the frustrations and celebrating the joys. Whether you pursue traditional publishing, publish on your own, or craft a hybrid approach, What Every Author Should Know offers solid, practical help for writers who care about their books. "An excellent resource for writers who are serious about their work. I wish I had read it before I ventured into the publishing world. It might have saved me a lot of grief." Stephanie Cole, author of Compass North "As a writer who is trying to weigh the pros and cons between traditional and self-publishing, I learned SO much practical, experienced-based information." Twylla Alexander
Books are forever. So why not make yours the best? Readers want books they'll love. Books that stay with them long after they've finished. Books that make them want to read more from the same author. No amount of marketing will make readers love a book that's poorly conceived and badly written. If you want your book to get noticed-if you want to find readers-it needs to rise to the top. It needs to be your best book. Whether your form is fiction or nonfiction, whether you publish on your own or through a traditional publisher, your book will benefit from the practical perspectives, strategies, and advice of well-published author and teacher Deb Vanasse. In this practical guide to writing books that rise above the rest, Vanasse includes dozens of "Try This" exercises to demystify the process of turning good books into best books. Beginning with a section that defines the exceptional book, writers learn to focus on the expectations of readers, including transcendence, the high concept premise, and attending to audience and genre. In a section on "Mystery and Mayhem," Vanasse demonstrates how a refined understanding of process leads to best books, and how fresh approaches to character, structure, language, perspective, voice, subtext, and other narrative strategies yield stronger, more vibrant prose. "Some of the best advice available today on the craft of writing." Tanyo Ravicz, author of Ring of Fire "An excellent resource for writers who are serious about their work." Stephanie Cole, author of Compass North
From breathtaking mountains to untamed coastlines, Insider's Guide to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska features Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and Denali National Park.
In more than 100 historic photographs, this book captures the remarkable story of this vast and complex state. An elderly Inupiat woman is clearly pleased with her long line of drying fish fillets on a windy and sunny day. A pack train carries 1,200 pounds of gold destined for the First National Bank of Fairbanks. A man with suit and fedora plays a violin while sitting on a piece of ice in the Chena River. A posed shot from the turn of the century shows well-dressed women (likely prostitutes) in Klondike City. The passage of time reveals the change of structures from sod houses to tents to log cabins to detailed Victorian homes, but the indomitable spirit of the people remains evident across generations. Deb Vanasse's thoughtful text and expert selection of images - from snapshots to formal studies - bring a remarkable world to life for readers.
For those looking for adventure in the Last Frontier, Alaska offers something different. Pan for gold in GuggieVille, visit an Igloo-shaped Catholic Church, or explore Alaska on a llama trek through Knik Glacier.
From breathtaking mountains to untamed coastlines, Insider's Guide to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska features Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and Denali National Park.
In more than 100 historic photographs, this book captures the remarkable story of this vast and complex state. An elderly Inupiat woman is clearly pleased with her long line of drying fish fillets on a windy and sunny day. A pack train carries 1,200 pounds of gold destined for the First National Bank of Fairbanks. A man with suit and fedora plays a violin while sitting on a piece of ice in the Chena River. A posed shot from the turn of the century shows well-dressed women (likely prostitutes) in Klondike City. The passage of time reveals the change of structures from sod houses to tents to log cabins to detailed Victorian homes, but the indomitable spirit of the people remains evident across generations. Deb Vanasse's thoughtful text and expert selection of images - from snapshots to formal studies - bring a remarkable world to life for readers.
A mother who risks everything to start over and a daughter whose longings threaten to undo them both. From the moment Ruth Sanders rips a glossy photo of a glacier from a magazine, she believes her fate is intertwined with the ice. Her unsettling fascination bewilders her daughter, 16-year-old Sylvie, still shaken by her father’s leaving. When Ruth uproots Sylvie and her sister from their small Midwestern town to follow her growing obsession - and a man - to Alaska, they soon find themselves entangled with an unfamiliar wilderness, a divided community, and one another. As passions cross and braid, the bond between mother and daughter threatens to erode from the pressures of icy compulsion and exposed secrets. Inspired by her own experience arriving by bush plane to live on the Alaska tundra, Deb Vanasse vividly captures the reality of life in Alaska and the emotional impact of loving a remote and unforgiving land.
A very enjoyable biography of a woman on the cusp of change in the North. Recommended." Choice “Beautifully written biography…much to learn, enjoy, and recommend in this book.” Pacific Northwest Quarterly “A riveting story told by a brilliant writer.” Pacific Historical Review The never-before-told story of Kate Carmack, whose resilience and survival made gold rush history Headlines shouted the discovery of a century—Gold! Gold! Gold! With pluck and grit, Tagish Indian Kate Carmack was at the center of it all. Raised in the ways of her people, Kate married a white man who took credit for finding the first Klondike gold. But Kate was there, and she knew the truth. In the frenzied aftermath of the gold rush, Kate’s husband took her away from everything she knew. Then he abandoned her. Defiant, she fought for the wealth that was rightfully hers, only to discover the real wealth that was hers all along. Hidden history that reads like a novel, Wealth Woman celebrates the triumph of spirit in the face of adversity. If you loved Empire of the Summer Moon and The Woman They Could Not Silence, you’ll love Wealth Woman. A True West Best Biography pick.
When a lonely wolf makes friends with her dog, Shawna's fear turns to love. Based on the true story of Romeo, a wolf who lived near Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier and lost his wolfpack as a young male.
Lucy helps her grandfather, and her entire community, recall the traditional dance festivals that they used to enjoy before the outsiders came. Includes author's note on the history of traditional Yupik dance festivals.
A swashbuckling narrative of treachery and obsession involving pirates, fur seals, competing governments, and near war. "In Roar of the Sea, [Deb Vanasse] writes with verve and dramatic impact, reconstructing the narrative of Elliott's tenacious crusade in a way that will transport the reader back to the cacophonous seal rookeries, to the bloody, blubber-slicked decks of the sealing ships, and to the elegant meeting rooms of the nation's capital. While bringing deserved attention to Elliott for his wildlife conservation work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vanasse ends with a sobering challenge: those seal rookeries on the Pribilof Islands are now facing new human-caused threats—and could use 21st century advocates." —The Daily Astorian/Coast Weekend "Now comes a fascinating, full history of the fur seal story, pitting artist and advocate Henry Wood Elliott against the most famous of the seal pirates, a man named Alex MacLean, and a whole host of ill-informed and corrupt business and political titans. Deb Vanasse, a former Alaskan who now lives in Oregon and is the author of many previous books—including Wealth Woman, about the Klondike gold rush—has done extensive research to illuminate the historical characters, the difficulties of reaching an international agreement to protect wildlife, and the significance of that treaty today." —Anchorage Daily News Over a century ago, treachery in Alaska's Bering Sea twice brought the world to the brink of war. The US seized Canadian vessels, Great Britain positioned warships to strike the US, and Americans killed Japanese pirates on US soil—all because of the northern fur seals crowded together on the tiny Pribilof Islands. The herd's population plummeted from 4.7 million to 940,000 in the span of eight years while notorious seafarers like Alex MacLean (who inspired Jack London's The Sea-Wolf) poached indiscriminately. Enter an unlikely crusader to defend the seals: self-taught artist and naturalist Henry Wood Elliott, whose zeal and love for the animals inspired him to go against all odds and take on titans of the sea. Winning seemed impossible, and yet Elliott managed to expose corruption and set the course for modern wildlife protections that are all the more relevant today as the world grapples with mass extinction. Carefully written and researched, Roar of the Sea reveals the incredible hidden history of how one lone activist existing in the margins prevailed against national governments and corporate interests in the name of wildlife conservation.
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