Now on Amazon.com

Journey of Hope is now on Amazon.com.

Book Sales Top 400

Journey of Hope came out in June, and book sales have already topped 400. More than 50 books were sold in one evening at the famous Square Books in Oxford. My next signing will be in Louisville, Kentucky, at a national conference for educators on October 8th.

Book signing at Off Square Books in Oxford

Mr. and Mrs. Hobson Waits

Beth Webb

On Wednesday evening, September 23rd, about 100 people honored me with their presence at my book signing at Off Square Books in Oxford. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Hobson Waits (Mr. Waits was the principal who said "yes"), April (from the chapter "Someone Named April"), Kathleen, and Beth Webb (my camp counselor when I was 10). My thanks go to Dr. Ann Monroe for her wonderful reading.

Pillow Academy Alumni Banquet

What an incredible evening! On August 22, I was honored as Pillow Academy's Alumnus of the Year! Please go to www.youtube.com/maxineharper to see a slideshow of photos and a video of my speech given so eloquently by my cousin, Emmy Stone.

Great news about book sales

Turnrow Books has sold 190 copies of Journey of Hope! The book is reaching out to everyone, and I am so grateful for the amazing response. Please keep spreading the word!

Maxine, Wanda, and Sonny at the Ritz

On Saturday, June 27th, Wanda, Sonny and I appeared at the Ritz in Blytheville, Arkansas, to do a book signing hosted by THAT Bookstore in Blytheville and Christian World. Afterward we were treated to a delicious lunch at Sister's Tea Room by our longtime precious friend Patsy Smith. It was another great day for Journey of Hope!

Book signing at Indywood Retirement Home

I did a book signing at our local Indywood Retirement Home today. Some of my former teachers live there now, and it was good to visit with them. I also ran into the owner of the helicopter company that I used to do programming for. The company is still using my program! The owner and his wife were visiting at Indywood, and I enjoyed talking with them. Great thing about Greenwood - you don't have to go far to find a friend!

Great first book signing

My first book signing at Turnrow in Greenwood last night was a huge success! There were 100-150 people in attendance (it's hard to estimate a crowd). It definitely was a packed house, and I did hear that I created a traffic jam in downtown Greenwood!

I gave a few comments, and my cousin Emmy did a reading from my book that everyone enjoyed immensely. I had a wonderful time seeing everyone who turned out for the event. Sonny did his part in working the crowd! Of course, he had to have a potty break before the reading.

Sonny had earned his keep, though, because he kept Emmy from getting a speeding ticket. When the officer stopped her, she explained that she had to drive her cousin to her book signing. The officer said, "Oh, is that the lady with the dog?" Emmy replied, "It sure is!" and the officer said, "Well, just slow it down." It pays to know a celebrity dog!

Front page news story

I thought you might enjoy today's newspaper article about the book. The website is http://www.gwcommonwealth.com/. The article is under Top Stories. It made the front page!

Finally!

The books were delivered at 3 pm Thursday, and I must say they are beautiful - everything I had hoped for. Five cartons have already been delivered or shipped to bookstores. The book can be ordered from my website, too, so spread the word!

One tiny step of independence

I can now use a cell phone - by myself! I have an iPhone strapped to my chair. The phone has a touch screen and a speaker. I can make and receive calls - all by myself. Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but I crave every little bit of independence I can get. Pretty neat, huh!

Close call

I received the tracking number for the books yesterday. When I called the main trucking company, they said, "The local trucking company will call and set up an appointment for Friday delivery." Oh, no! So I called the local trucking company and begged, pleaded for delivery today. Soooo ... the books will be delivered this afternoon! Yes!

YouTube Video

Please view my YouTube video at www.youtube.com/maxineharper. It was produced by my friend Ginny Neal, owner of Vine Web Design.

Fun with Lora Brooke and Sonny

Lora Brooke and her mommy Marsha came to visit Mackie and Sonny. Lora Brooke liked giving Sonny animal crackers.

Books to be delivered Thursday

For anyone who planned to come and watch the books come off the truck, hold up a couple more days. The books will be shipped on June 2nd but won't arrive until Thursday the 4th. It seems like forever!

Rachel Hodge from the Greenwood Commonwealth is going to interview me on Friday the 5th for a newspaper article about the book. Give me suggestions about what you'd like to know about.

Book!

I guess you all thought I'd given up my own blog. Not exactly. I've been busy trying to get a book to the printer before everyone stopped believing I was even writing a book. Well, the book Maxine Harper's Journey of Hope is now in the hands of the printer. And on Tuesday, June 2nd. 1,000 copies of the book will be delivered to my parents' house!

Yes, I'm excited - and a little nervous, too. It isn't easy to open your life story to the world. I have so many questions. Was I too sad in some places? Was I too trivial in others? Did I do justice to the wonderful people I wrote about in the book? What about all the people I wasn't able to include? Will they too know how precious they are to me? Finally, will anyone want to read the book? I guess I'll find out the answer to the last question very soon.

Hello!

Welcome to my blog! I'm not very good at blogging myself, so I'm depending on all of you to help me keep this blog thriving. Share your reactions to my video, and push me to finish my book on time.