Today, we welcome Elaine McAllister to the Kansas Authors Club. We've asked her to tell us a bit about herself and her writing.
Meet Elaine:
I'm excited to be a part of the Kansas Authors Club, and look forward to meeting some of you at some point.
My 'short' bio is I'm an award-winning writer, author, speaker, columnist, and blogger who is the wife of one, mom of two, and BFF Gramma of eight!
I am Elaine "York" McAllister on FB. I'm intentionally not on Instagram and Twitter. I'm not very active at all on Linked In. Seems I keep busy enough without trying to keep up with every social media outlet that's OUT there!
If you want a longer version of my bio, here goes:
I'm a Midwestern gal, having lived in six states between kindergarten and high school, but I love that I have friends from all over. Though not fun at the time (to leave friends) our adventurous family life helped me to be the person I am today. I learned to adjust to new surroundings and make friends with new people to survive! It's all good. No regrets.
I'm a recent retiree. I've always loved to write, but until I retired, I really didn't pursue it other than on-the-job and/or occasional freelance articles for local newspapers.
Since retirement, I've been quite busy!
My debut book (Celebrate Grandparenting: 101 Ideas to Intentionally Connect with your Grands) was published (self-published) in June 2019. Book #2 was a ghostwritten memoir (Harvest of Joy) for a lady I'd never met in Arizona; published in December 2019. My first children's book was published in January 2020 (The Road to Explode). Then, ghostwriting gig #2 came along for another out-of-state lady (Lost Child of Greece: One Orphan's Incredible Journey Home); published in August of last year - 2021. My fifth book was published in January 2022 (My Brain is Amazing).
I'm attaching the front and back sides of my newest Promo Card, which will have more about each book, plus some fun pics.
As you can tell, my writing isn't confined to one genre. I do prefer non-fiction to fiction, but the two children's books are truly fictional (but they're 'self-help' and educational for kids who struggle, whether with explosive temperaments and strong wills OR learning difficulties because of their brains not working as they should).
My husband and I live in Hillsboro KS; lived north of McPherson for 35 years, previously. We have a son (in Hutchinson) and a daughter (in Galva), four biological grands, and four bonus grands; plus a dog named Shotgun (because he rides shotgun w/Jim) and a cat named Mufasa (who rules the house but allows us to live here, too).
I've attended several writers conferences over the last few years. A couple, even before I retired. And, I've taught at a few smaller events; I've also spoken at women's retreats, genealogy groups, and family heritage conferences. I've been published in several magazines, and for several years was a monthly columnist for an area newspaper (on the topic of senior living and grandparenting).
I've served on planning teams, and advisory boards for a few writers groups; have been involved in online (and in-person) critique groups and am a regular on online writers groups.
In my spare time (ha!) I (and my hubby) follow our grandkids' sports schedules as often as we can. I enjoy gardening (flowers) but NOT in this year's heat. I took up motorcycle riding when I was past 50, and have been across much of the nation on three wheels (I didn't try on two! Not as an almost senior citizen at the time. Jim rides on two, I ride on three, Shotgun rides shotgun!)
We're happy to have you with us, Elaine!
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