Leara Rhodes

My task as a writer is to create images out of words, to set scenes, to choose dialogue that will tell more of the story. I tossed about in my head for several days the argument of is “a picture worth a thousand words.” My resolution is that both writing and photos are important. As I display photos from the book launch, which are wonderful and have meaning mostly for me, I must attach context of the people and the photographers. There is more of a story here than just the photos.

At the beginning: Cine and Book Signing sign in lobby

Crowd gathering: With 70+ people, we had to pull every chair out of the lobby and people were still standing at the door, in the back, and along the sides of the room.

Books displayed: Avid Bookshop

Dessert table ready: Wakes Cakes, mini scones, and Irish Apple Cake were all baked by me from the oldest recipes I could find. These three were dated 130 years ago. The Wakes Cakes began in Connemara and were used at wakes, however, as the Irish economy improved, the families began taking holidays and the Wakes Cakes became cookies and mainstays for pleasing the children and being able to keep for a week. The Bailey’s Irish Cream fudge was because I liked them. The Vegan cookies were donated by Latricia Gaston owner of Tricia’s office bakery. We became friends when I was the executive director of Rabbit Box and she became the main caterer of the monthly event. The chocolate chip cookies were donated by Ellen Stoneburner, a member of the Fireside Reader’s Club who could not come because of her daughter’s delayed airport shuttle but rather than drop them off at my house, had another neighbor bring them to the event. My long-time friend and new resident of Athens from Vermont, Kathie Balutansky, supervised the dessert table and helped in many ways with the evening to run smoothly.

Latricia Gaston, owner of Tricia’s Office with her Vegan cookies.

Then the introductions:

Sean Polite, host of the weekend WUGA radio programs and a friend for a dozen years. He just completed recording the audio book for Dr. Valerie Babb’s “The Book of James” (Lebron James). He also acts in many local theatre productions including Hattie Whitehead’s “Linnentown: A Musical” and as Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Mary Kay Mitchell, retired news director of WUGA/NPR affiliate in Athens, GA who has won hundreds (yes, hundreds) of awards in journalism.

Introduction by Mary Kay (who gave me her script):

“Many of you already know Leara so I won’t recite the whole litany of her stellar career. The highlights include: 15 years as a working journalist, 27 years as a professor at the University of Georgia; and three academic books and innumerable journal and popular articles published. She received a prestigious Fulbright grant to Haiti, and was the first educator inducted into the Georgia Magazine Hall of Fame. Beyond that, what I find truly amazing is the breadth and depth of her activities in the community as well. Leara is a stalwart in all aspects of Town and Gown Theatre; she was executive director of Rabbit Box Storytelling; she wrote commentaries for WUGA public radio for more than a decade; and she produced an audio music program. Leara has been generous with her time and fundraising skills for several local and international charities, including a performance with Dancing with the Athens Stars.

She’s a true Renaissance Woman! But on to the topic of the evening. Never one to be idle even in retirement, Leara proceeded to try her hand at something else new: writing a novel. The result: Spancil Hill, published this year by Old Fort Press. In this historical fiction account, Leara takes the broad strokes of life in late 19^th century Ireland and America and continues on to paint a complete portrait of the times in two different regions. Like a visual artist, she layers in more and more details, so that the reader feels immersed in the look, the feel, and the smell of each place. This novel has broad appeal not only to history buffs, but to anyone who loves character development, and even to those craving action and adventure.”

Next Mary Kay asked some questions. The interview was not recorded so I hesitate to answer her questions anew.

I wanted to read from the book. There was 70+ people listening and I wanted to share. I begin the book with the poem “Spancil Hill” written by Michael Considine between 1870 and 1873. So, I asked my piano teacher, Rebekah Boles, to put together a playlist of Irish traditional music. Included in that list is the ballad, “Spancil Hill.” We played it before I read a scene from the book where the protagonist, Cahey, is given a solid reason as to why he should leave Galway and maybe even Ireland for a while.

The formal part of the book launch ended with me expressing thanks to the following people.

• Dana (brother) and Sheryl (sister-in-law) Rhodes. My brother was inspiration for my first published magazine article on graduating from journalism at UGA. I wrote about him. He was national karate champion in 1975 and is now a 9^th dan black belt.

• Shannah Montgomery is the portrait photographer for my website. By day, Shannah is the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for UGA Public Service and Outreach. By night, she is an aerial dancer in productions at Canopy Studios in Athens. As my previous graduate student, watching her soar both professionally and literally, is good for my soul. 

• Christy Fricks is my social media consultant who has gotten me out of several jams with her expertise and experience in running a multi-media. She is the founder of LickSkillet Public Relations, a socially responsible marketing company specializing in helping non-profits, small businesses and NGO’s create an effective sustainable communications strategy. She is a former student of mine.

• Lilly McEachern is the curatorial assistant for the Shirley Fiterman Art Center in New York City. Through numerous phone calls we have talked about every aspect of “Spancil Hill.” She has researched many Irish reading groups for me to reach out and introduce my work. She, too, is a former student.

• Rebekah Boles is my piano teacher and the pianist for the Athens Symphony Orchestra and The Classic City Band. She developed a lengthy playlist of Irish traditional tunes that will be highlighted on the website soon.

• Pam Asberry graciously allowed me to interview her for the book I am writing about a piano composer. As we talked, she and I agreed that she needs to write music for this book, “Tybee Rhapsody.”  Described as “a new age solo pianist of uncommon melodic grace, insight and heartfelt intuitiveness” (Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe), Pam Asberry is an award-winning performing artist and composer who combines contemporary, new age and classical sounds to create music that is alternately melodic and graceful, dramatic and powerful, peaceful and hypnotic. Take a look at her website and be as impressed as I am: https://pamasberry.com/bio/

• Rob White is proprietor of Neighborhood Books. Manages online bookstore focusing on local, independent and small press authors. He has 85 local authors he is cheerleading! Take a look: https://www.neighborhoodbooks.com

• Avid Bookshop with Rachel Watkins as the event leader. They sold 2 cases of books at the launch. Janet Geddis, the owner and Rachel, the operations and events director of Avid support local authors with events on their website and book sales.

• Fireside Readers Club consists of 5 women in my neighborhood who agreed to read a book at Ellen’s house but then Ellen wanted me to read my book. So, I have been reading “Spancil Hill” to them and using them as my test kitchen for the desserts I prepared for the launch. Members include Ellen Stoneburner, Nicola Dovey, Judith Capie, Ann Puckett, and Sharon Reber.
• Waverly Woods Book Club is my neighborhood book club with some 22 members and growing. The club meets monthly to discuss a variety of books.
• Wesley Woods Book Club with Rosemary Woodel inviting me to visit the group (some 14 members came) to talk about writing my first novel.

• Maruja Bogaard, in her podcast “The Promise of Possibilities,” released an interview with Leara, April 24, 2024. https://marujabogaard.com Maruja is an artist, speaker, researcher, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, educator, lifetime learner, wellness advocate, purveyor of joy, and mom. A woman I have known for many years. She is also teaching a master class, “Elevate Your Personal Brand.” It’s all on her website.
• Leigh Ebberwein, my publisher who, as an author of 3 books, understands what it means to be published and founded Old Fort Press to make a writer’s dream come true.

Book Signing

Leara; Fran Teague, Gary and Cindy Nason; Leara with Jane Self & Phyllis Chastain.

Ralitsa Vassileva with Leara, Tia Braswell with Leara

Photos by Amy Moss [photographer for Rabbit Box Storytelling] and Kate Hester [director of digital marketing and strategy with CeciliaRussoMarketing.com] of Savannah, Georgia.

Leigh Ebberwein with Kate Hester.

Thank you for being here and for being so supportive, John and Leigh Ebberwein.

What a great evening!