Jacquie's New Book Now Available

Calling all fans of Frances Reed (Fran to her friends) and the Bully Dogs series! The third book in the series, A Penny in Time is now available in paperback. Get to know Fran's friend Dusty better as she sorts out all the changes life has recently dumped on her. Her best friend now only cares about makeup and boys. Dusty's dad has a new girlfriend who loves everything feminine and pink (neither is Dusty's favorite). And now she's thinking about her good friend Frank in new and different ways. A fantastical trip to another dimension—or was it only a dream?—gives Dusty a fuller perspective and confirms her inner strength. A Penny in Time follows books one and two in the series: Bully Dogs and YNK: You Never Know.

Get your paperback copy of A Penny in Time now at Amazon.com>>

 

Fall 2012 Book Events

This fall has been the season for sharing my books directly with readers during local book events. In late September, I exhibited at the Northwest Bookfest 2012 in Kirkland, WA where I shared a booth with Bill Westwood, the author of the young adult fantasy novel Shimmering. Our outdoor booth provided beautiful views of Peter Kirk park on the cool, sunny days. The free event was open to the public and featured author appearances and workshops. I enjoyed meeting some of my readers and fellow authors.

On Sunday, October 14th I attended the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association 2012 Fall Trade Show in Tacoma, WA. The show was open only to book industry professionals. The day was a marvelous success: I gave books away and made several valuable contacts with librarians and bookstore owners. I'd like to say a special thanks to those who stopped by the booth to tell me they support my mission and encourage me to keep writing about bully issues for the younger readers.  

 

Fellow Readers, Connect with Me on Goodreads.com and Shelfari.com

I am excited to announce that I've joined Goodreads.com and Shelfari.com, social sites for people who enjoy reading. With millions of members from around the world, both sites allow you to track what you've read, write reviews, connect with other readers and authors, and much more.

Right now I'm busily adding books to my virtual shelves and soon I will start posting reviews of the books I've read. I'd love to connect with my fellow readers to see what you're reading and find new books to read.

Find me on Goodreads.com>>

Find me on Shelfari.com>>

 

Jacquie Interviewed on Portland's KOIN TV May 2011

(KOIN TV)

Jacquie Appears on Good Day Oregon May 2011

(KPTV FOX, Portland OR)

Burien Author Brings Her ‘Don’t Be a Bully Dog’ Program to Area Children

(The B-Town Blog, Burien, WA) - After suffering from being bullied at a young age, Burien Author Jacquie Ream has recently launched a “Don’t Be a Bully Dog” program to help create awareness, educate and offer productive dialogue for schools, churches, and youth focused organizations.

“We see it in the news every day—bullying on the playground, in the classroom, on the internet, and even through text messaging,” reads a press release. “Sadly, even the youngest of children can be targets of the devastating effects of bullying.”

Read more>>

INTERVIEW: Author Jacquie Ream on Cyberbullying

(Q13 FOX NEWS, Seattle, WA) - Jacquie discusses how parents can help their children understand bullying and cyberbullying as well as prevention methods such as monitoring computer and cell phone use.

Watch the video>>

What are the New Rules for Teen Texting?

Expert Reveals How To Fight Cyberbullying at Home

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Between the proliferation of cyberbullying that has been dominating the headlines and the inappropriate communications that cell phones enable between teens, she believes it’s time for parents to set up new rules for their teens regarding the technology that has become an intractable part of their lives.

“The common joke with teens is that they’re all developing oversized thumbs from all the texting they do on their cell phones,” said Ream, a former educator and author of YNK -- You Never Know (www.reamink.com), a book about the pitfalls of technology aimed at today’s teens. “The truth is that technology has moved faster than parents’ ability to keep up with it. Only five years ago, it was not terribly common for teens to have their own cell phones. Today, most kids use them, and the only rules they get from their parents concern not texting over their cell plan’s limits. Kids need more. Parents need to be able to explain to them the complexities of how this technology can affect their lives, and how to prevent the negative phenomenon of cyberbullying and more.”

More>>

Other Coverage

• • Staten Island Sunday Advance PDF>>
• • TD Waterhouse Canada>>
• • Yahoo Finance>>
• • Virtualization.Sys-Con.com (UK)>>
• • CloudComputing.Sys-Con.com (Australia)>>
• • ConsumerElectronics.net>>
• • MSNBC.com>>
• • NewsBlaze.com>>
• • SYS-CON Media>>
• • The Queens Courier (Bayside, NY) PDF>>
• • Rappahannock Times (Tappanhannock, VA) PDF>>
• • Hamptons.com>>
• • Education News>>
• • The Ellis County Press>>

 

Book Signing and Discussion -
July 24, 2010 at Friendly Village, Redmond, WA

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, Author Jacquie Ream discussed her book Forcing The Hand of God at Friendly Village, a retirement community in Redmond, WA.  Part of a “Live” recording for Storytellers Campfire, a radio show that airs on KKNW 1150 AM Radio, the event was hosted by Writer and Poet Lady Selah Sujuris.  The theme of the show was “Literacy in the Lives of Seniors.” The event was free and open to the public.  During intermission between the shows, attendees had the opportunity to meet Jacquie Ream as well as other authors and have existing or new books signed by them.  For more information visit www.storytellerscampfire.org. [download press release (pdf)]

Ream’s book Forcing the Hand of God is a historical fiction novel that focuses on a World War II  “Flying Tigers” fighter pilot who must wager and determine the price of  love, family and honor.  Released during the Flying Tigers 65th Anniversary in 2009, the book evolved from a series of short stories originally written for Ream’s Master’s thesis several years ago. 

“I was learning to fly at the time and several of my instructors were former military pilots,” says Ream.  “I was so fascinated by them and the stories they told.  They were real risk takers and I admired that.”
With a writer’s curiosity, Ream spent a lot of time probing her instructors about their lives, motivations and actions.  Over time, she felt such a deep connection with them that she was compelled to write down some of their stories to use as part of her thesis.  Not long after completing it, she decided to take the stories and turn them into a book.  A Flying Tiger Fighter Pilot, Major Roger Brown is the central character and a composite of the pilots Ream had met.  Torn between his obligations to his country and his family waiting back home, Brown is tormented by the realization that he prefers battle in the air rather than the drudgery of everyday life on the ground.  Deep in the thick of World War II, every day for Brown, is a game of survival as the dangerous air battles he must fight tap his strength, knowledge and control.  

Through the gentle weaving of stories of airborne battles, the devastating effects of war, and the complicated relationships with a pregnant wife, detached Mother, and a provocative older female friend back home, Brown knows that his life is merely a game of fate.  Unable to relinquish his desire to control its’ outcome, every time Brown climbs into his cockpit to face the enemy,  he pushes his skills and limitations, rebelliously “forcing the hand of God.”

Forcing The Hand of God evokes a time (World War II) when men and women found the courage to do the necessary, the objectionable and even the unthinkable to defend their lives,” says Ream.  “It’s what they did and what they continue to do to preserve the essential fabric of this country.”
Although set in the late 30’s, Ream believes that the same struggle between the love of country and the love of family continues to torment military personnel and their families.  “ The internal and external conflicts that face both the men and women fighting, and their families back home, are a part of their everyday life.”  Ream’s book is an acknowledgement and a tribute to those that serve our country. 

William R. Stampe, CMSgt of the USAF is just one military professional who has read Ream’s story. “Within the pages of Forcing the Hand of God, I  entered as a silent visitor among the private lives of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary times,” says  Stampe.  “As I read it, I become a witness to the intense passion for life that only appears when death threatens us.  I emerged with a greater sense of appreciation for life's gifts, as well as its trials.”

Ream hopes that her book, although a fictional story, will shed some light on the challenging lives of those that fight to protect the freedoms of our country. 

 

Book Signing - June 6, 2009 at The Bethel Avenue Book Company, Port Orchard, WA

Jacquie Ream, author of the World War II novel Forcing the Hand of God, signed books at a June 6 event hosted by The Bethel Avenue Book Company.

Ream, along with 8 other local authors, was in-store signing books from 1-4pm on Saturday, June 6, at the Port Orchard bookstore.

Forcing the Hand of God is Jacquie Ream's first adult novel. A former educator, Ream is also the author of a book for young writers, KISS: Keep it Short and Simple. Her latest book, Bully Dogs is a young adult novel that will hit shelves soon.

Visit The Bethel Avenue Book Company's website for event information: www.bethelavebook.com

 

Author says texting and testing are destroying kids' writing style

The Shafter Press (May 28, 2008)

Somewhere out there is the mind that will produce the next great American novel.

If, however, that would-be author is under the age of 18, the words he or she writes may be more of "SOZ" and "TGGTG" than beautiful, flowing prose.

"We have a whole generation being raised without communication skills," says Jacquie Ream, former teacher and author of "K.I.S.S. Keep It Short and Simple" (Book Publishers Network). She contends text messaging and the Internet are destroying the way our kids read, think and write.

A recent National Center for Education Statistics study reports only one out of four high school seniors is a proficient writer. A College Board survey of the nation's blue-chip companies found only two thirds of employees are capable writers.

Read the entire article (pdf)>>

 

Text Messaging: Scourge of Civilization? LOL

by Scott Stephens, The Plain Dealer (May 25, 2008)

The notion that text-messaging is destroying the writing skills of American students gets two distinct reactions from linguists.

Jacquie Ream's response: OMG (Oh My God).

"We have a whole generation being raised without communications skills," says Ream, a teacher and author of the book "K.I.S.S. Keep It Short and Simple."

That kind of talk leaves Derek Denis LOL (Laughing Out Loud).

"We didn't find any negative impact on writing," says Denis, a University of Toronto researcher who studied the writing habits of text-messaging teens.

Read the entire article at The Plain Dealer site>>