by Heidi E.Y. Stemple
This is the dedication from my new book ADRIFT, available September 7, 2021 Oct. 26, 2021 November 9, 2021*:
For my mother Jane and my daughter Maddison—in their own boats in this same storm. And the two beautiful friends who helped make this a book: Nina before the story and Hannah after.
OK, I know that’s a weird way to begin a blog post. And, frankly, this might be a totally different (weird?) way to introduce a book. But, stick with me.
In the early days of 2020, just as I was about to get on a plane and teach writing in Alabama with my mother (author Jane Yolen) then visit my daughter Maddison in Georgia on the way home, the world ground to a halt. We were locked down. I was alone and scared. I am not ashamed to admit, I spent many days pacing and crying. I know my experience isn’t unique. We were all, in our own ways, struggling. Families were stuck inside together or kept apart from each other. Educators were scrambling. Creatives were trying to figure out how to create through the stress and uncertainty.
In a conversation one evening, my friend Nina—the one from the dedication (Nina Victor Crittenden, a talented author/illustrator) said to me “we may be in our own boats, but we are all in the same storm.” I know she didn’t make it up, but the metaphor stuck with me. I went to bed thinking about that storm. And, I woke thinking about it. After being an author for 26 years, I knew that was my brain telling me to write that story. I opened my computer and typed, “One tiny mouse on one tiny boat pitched back and forth, adrift on the churning seas…”
I often write just for the sake of writing. Clearing out what is in my head. I wrote a lot of poems about my fears during the pandemic. They were never meant to be published—a deep cleansing breath of words onto the page. When I couldn’t stand the sadness of being so far away from my daughter, I wrote about doing yoga with her over Zoom. I still can’t read this without crying.
Gratitude
The best part
of my day,
is filled with
pain.
One thousand miles away,
my daughter opens a room
on the internet
and I enter.
She instructs me to breathe,
in and out.
In and out.
And I do.
But, my breathing
is not for centering myself.
Oceanic breath
means nothing to me.
My pranayama
is a long sigh
of relief.
One more day she is healthy,
even if too far away
from me.
I do all the poses
and stretches
and impossible bends.
In truth,
they are getting easier
for these old bones.
But, I would walk across
hot coals
if that’s what it took
to see her face,
hear her voice,
know she is safe.
Close your eyes,
she instructs. Think
of something you are
grateful for.
I should be thinking
inward.
I should be one with
the intention.
But, I am bad
at yoga rules.
I look across those
one thousand miles
into those
oceanic blue eyes
and I know exactly what
I am grateful for.
©2020 Heidi E.Y. Stemple
That first morning, writing ADRIFT was like that. The purging of anxiety onto the page. In that white hot writing—the first draft when you are madly chasing along after the plot without having any idea where your character is taking you—there is just story, not yet book. I think I read it to friends over Zoom that night. I remember tears. Mine. Maybe theirs, too. Who knows. There were so many tears in those early days. We all needed that deep cleansing breath. It probably wasn’t particularly good, yet. But, it resonated. Like Little Mouse in my story, the contact with my own community was so necessary. So healing. My friends encouraged me to try to sell it. First, of course—revision.
Revision, my mother will tell you, is the opportunity to re-imagine, re-envision your work. When I am grumpy about revising—and I am always grumpy about revising—I remember that.
Then a funny thing happened—one of those things that, if you wrote it in a novel, your editor would tell you it’s not believable. But, it happened nonetheless. Michel Moushabek, the publisher of Interlink/Crocodile Books either posted on social media or emailed my mother (these stories get murky as they get further in the past) and mentioned the quote that Nina had said to me. He asked if she would consider writing a picture book based on it. She said, funny you should ask, I have just read that manuscript! My agent sent it right away.
Hannah Moushabek is a marketing genius. This isn’t my opinion. Look her up. She is presently working for Simon & Schuster (who did not publish ADRIFT but did publish my other 2 books that came out this year, TOUCAN WITH TWO CANS and PEOPLE SHAPES). In her (very) spare time, she acquires and edits picture books for Interlink/Crocodile. She is the Hannah in my dedication—who helped me after the story. Hannah found Anastasia Suvorova who created evocative, deeply moody, hope-filled illustrations. Anastasia created a color arc to the story that made visual what I had written. Blue-gray to peachy pink—fear to hope. Hannah took my words and Anastasia’s illustrations and created a book.
That should be the end of the story, right? Today my book comes out and people get to read it! Yeah!
Ha!
Nope.
* As we know now, 2021 had its own ideas of how it would unfold. Enter a new storm—global supply chain issues. ADRIFT was supposed to come out September 7 when the pandemic was over and we were hip-deep in our long-awaited joyous celebrations of togetherness! None of that happened. We are still in the middle of the pandemic and we are not fully back together. Also, you may have noticed, September 7 has come and gone. And, if you check Amazon today, you will notice that the pub date is now November 9, 2021. This change happened just one week ago. I am lucky—we saw this coming and moved the pub date, the first time, back in July. And, I am a patient sort (who has been in the book business a LONG time), so while this last-minute change is inconvenient, I have decided it just means I will celebrate ADRIFT’s book birthday for the full two weeks between today and November 9th. Others, friends with books tied to anniversaries and holidays, specific days meaningful to their stories, have not been so lucky—in their case, ‘late books’ translates to substantial loss of sales. I mention this because I want to honor how hard it has been for everyone launching a book. And, I want to encourage you to not overlook books that are on backorder. We can all wait a little, right We book creators are trying to all keep our heads and spirits up and keep bringing you beautiful, hopeful, empowering, funny, gorgeous, silly, and thoughtful books. Sometimes it is hard. On days like today, or maybe November 9th, when my book is finally out in the world, on shelves, and in small hands, it’s much nicer.
This past year and a half has been so difficult on so many levels. But it also helped me slow down and reprioritize my life. It made me look at community, including the 4 amazing women in the dedication of ADRIFT, in new and important ways—those moments where I, like Little Mouse, have held my loved ones “close enough to feel them near, but not close enough to crash.” Honestly, ADRIFT is my hope for our future—for every kid to know that alone and afraid may be part of life, but there is always something wonderful to look forward to after the storm—metaphoric or real.
Have I not told you enough about the book itself? Probably not. Sorry. Here’s the elevator pitch:
Finding himself alone and scared in the middle of a storm, a small mouse finds comfort and strength when he sees another boat and is joined by others. They ride out the storm together―close enough to see each other, but not close enough to crash. In a gentle metaphor for the global pandemic, ADRIFT is a way to start conversations with young readers about fear, hope and being together even from afar.
I hope you love ADRIFT. I hope you share it with the children in your life. And, I hope my words and the magnificent art by Anastasia Suvorova give you hope and joy even when times are stormy.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for sharing, Heidi!
Blog readers, don’t go drifting off! You can win a signed copy of ADRIFT!
Leave one comment below to enter.
A random winner will be selected soon.
Good luck!
Heidi didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than thirty-five books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.
Heidi lives and writes on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with one very large cat who lives inside, and a dozen deer, a family of bears, three coyotes, two bobcats, a gray fox, tons of birds, and some very fat groundhogs who live outside. Once a year she calls owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Follow her online at heidieystemple.com, on Twitter @heidieys and Instagram @heidieys.
Thinking Outside the Box:
You know what else has been SO HARD this year? Promoting your book. We have all had to not only pivot from in-person to online book events, but we have had to figure out how to promote our books without the stuff we all count on—book festivals, school visits, books store signings…
How do you get a signed copy of ADRIFT?
You can purchase autographed and personalized copies of ADRIFT through my local bookstores:
Odyssey Bookshop, Hadley MA
High Five, Florence, MA
The Carle Museum, Amherst, MA (413) 559-6333
BookLinks, Northampton, MA (413) 585-9955 or through bookshop.org
What do you do once you have a copy of ADRIFT:
If you purchase a book from your own bookseller, I will send you a signed bookplate: email your address to adrift@interlinkbooks.com
If you are an educator and have purchased or preordered ADRIFT, send a copy of your receipt to: adrift@interlinkbooks.com and they will send you a link to a recording of me reading ADRIFT for your classroom.
I will be doing an online event with Odyssey Books on Wednesday, Nov 3 at 6:30pm EST, with or without books!
85 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 26, 2021 at 11:25 am
chaunceyelephant
A story I know many, including me, can identify with – thank you. What a wonderful legacy of writing, too,
October 26, 2021 at 11:29 am
Kelly Roberts
Thank you for sharing! It was like being adrift in 2020, your story sounds important to share in the world of the pandemic. The poem was beautiful!
October 26, 2021 at 11:32 am
Bethanny Parker
Congrats on ADRIFT! I enjoyed the yoga poem.
October 26, 2021 at 11:32 am
Becky Scharnhorst
Thank you for sharing the story of how this book came to be. Your poem made me cry too, and your book sounds lovely. We need more stories about weathering storms and finding hope. I can’t wait to read it!
October 26, 2021 at 11:33 am
Kim A Larson
Congratulations, Heidi! Thanks for sharing about your book’s long-awaited debut! May it will make a big splash!
October 26, 2021 at 11:34 am
Kassy Keppol
Thank you, good to know I am not alone. A book I illustrated right before all this, got shelved. Not sure it is coming out.
October 26, 2021 at 11:34 am
Cheryl Johnson
Thanks for sharing the journey of Adrift! I absolutely love hearing these stories.
October 26, 2021 at 11:34 am
Laurel Neme
What a great story — the blog post and the book — that touches on what we’ve all been feeling and gives us threads of hope that will help sustain us. Beautiful!
October 26, 2021 at 11:35 am
Lindsay H. Metcalf 🎤🚜🔬📚 (@lindsayhmetcalf)
Thank you for sharing this lovely backstory. Congrats on another beautiful book, Heidi!
October 26, 2021 at 11:35 am
pathaap
So many of us can relate to your story, Heidi. Thank you for sharing this with us. Looking forward to reading this beautiful story.
October 26, 2021 at 11:38 am
Rachelle Burk
Looking forward to the release. If it’s half as good it’s all Heidi’s other books, it will be fantastic. xo
October 26, 2021 at 11:40 am
katiemillsgiorgio
Thanks for sharing!
October 26, 2021 at 11:45 am
Heather Stigall
What a wonderful back story to your story, Heidi. I can’t wait to read ADRIFT!
October 26, 2021 at 11:47 am
kathydoherty1
Children and adults can identify with this story. Congratulations, Heidi!
October 26, 2021 at 11:52 am
Nancy Furstinger
Sounds like the perfect book for these crazy times! Looking forward to reading ADRIFT.
October 26, 2021 at 11:57 am
Mary McClellan
Truly, the backstory is wonderful. Makes me want the book even more! Can’t wait to read it!!
October 26, 2021 at 11:59 am
aidantalkin
Came to get my writing day started… but need a breathe first! Crying after that poem!
October 26, 2021 at 12:31 pm
aidantalkin
*to take a breath*
October 26, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Thanks for your post. Congratulations on your book!
October 26, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Sheri Radovich
Sounds like a soothing book to read to kids who are still adrift or even to old people at senior centers or senior living places. A comforting book and I hope to find it at a bookstore nearby. Why don’t we read aloud to old people?
October 26, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Lynn Alpert
It looks like a book everyone can relate to since we all lived it! Thank you for sharing the origin story of your story!
October 26, 2021 at 12:17 pm
LZ
Can’t wait to set sail with your little mouse. Also, thanks for the daughter story.
October 26, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Barbara Senenman
Loved reading about how this story came to be. Looking forward to November 3rd. Maybe I’ll get to pre-order before that date.
October 26, 2021 at 12:19 pm
sallie wolf
I enjoyed this account of Adrift being adrift. Uncertainty is the overriding feeling of these days. And I particularly liked the poem you shared, Heidi. Not being able to be with my far-flung family has been the hardest part of these trying days. Here’s hoping we can all be together again safely, sooner rather than later. Meanwhile I will consider how we can be together, but not too close to crash.
October 26, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner
Speaks to my heart. Beautiful!
October 26, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Shar
I loved reading the background of your book and how it came to be. My first book came out in 2020 and had release dates all over the place, too. It was a rough year for a first-ever book release and not what I dreamed it would be. I loved reading your perspective on it and can’t wait to read your book. Thank you!
October 26, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Christina Shawn
What a beautiful and inspirational story. I can’t wait to trad adrift. Thank you for putting your emotions and experiences on the page in such a lovely way.
October 26, 2021 at 1:15 pm
jjsewell416
Beautifully written, Heidi. You speak for so many of us. And I love your poem!
October 26, 2021 at 1:19 pm
supermario6
This book will be amazing—worth the wait!
October 26, 2021 at 1:25 pm
Sue Thoms
Adrift sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing the story behind it. You have turned your fears and pain into something beautiful and reassuring. I can’t wait to see it.
October 26, 2021 at 1:31 pm
kirstenpendreigh
Ahh beautiful post, Heidi. I have a painting in my front hall of a little boat adrift in a storm, and now I will look at it differently. My daughter is far away too, sailing her own boat, and we are all on this ocean together.
xo Congrats on the book! PS, you’re not alone in being bad at yoga rules 😉
October 26, 2021 at 1:34 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
Yes, I think that what the pandemic made everyone realize is that we are all alone and traveling in separate little boats, but we are stronger if we keep each other in sight. Maybe venturing close enough to pass a glass of wine or a chocolate bar to each other when we need it. Your new book sounds perfect for our times. Congrats on making it through another publication cycle!
October 26, 2021 at 1:43 pm
stiefelchana
This is so beautiful, Heidi. We are all ADRIFT. Thank you for sharing.
October 26, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Lizzie
Heidi, I loved hearing your story. AS someone who receives a poem a day from your mother, I can see the resemblance. Can’t wait to read!
October 26, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Joyce
Thanks for sharing your story about this story! Looking forward to the book.
October 26, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Arlene Schenker
Beautiful post and beautiful book, Heidi. Perfect for children going through this very adult kind of trauma.
October 26, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Mary Lou Johnson
Heidi, your book launch date may be afloat, but your book will float the boats of so many children and grown-up children who are fortunate to read it or hear it read. Congratulations on launching another book baby!
October 26, 2021 at 2:08 pm
mariagianferrari
Thanks so much for sharing this, Heidi! What a touching tribute and beautiful metaphor (and now I am crying). My metaphor for the pandemic, and even before feels like treading water… it takes so much energy to stay afloat and be in a kind of limbo…
Wishing you smoother sailing ahead with Adrift’s release & hearty congrats ❤
October 26, 2021 at 2:12 pm
kathalsey
Heidi, Little Mouse and ADRIFT feel like they can help heal our hearts, and those illustrations of Anastasia Suvorova from fear to hope. Thank you for your emotional back story of this book. 🙂
October 26, 2021 at 2:21 pm
amyhealey5595gmailcom
Wow–that was breath taking & hopeful. Thank you Heidi.
October 26, 2021 at 2:32 pm
ptnozell
I loved reading this backstory & I look forward to reading this picture book soon. Hang in there – I see the shore approaching and feel the storm will end soon!
October 26, 2021 at 2:48 pm
Cindy Schumerth
This is a really moving back story about how this book came about. I think I’ll be getting this for a couple of little ones in my life for Christmas. As always Heidi, your words are inspiring.
October 26, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Tina Hoggatt (@tinahoggatt)
Beautiful! Thank you both for this post. I am so looking forward to this beautiful book.
October 26, 2021 at 3:02 pm
Mary York
Heidi, I can’t wait to see ADRIFT! In the midst of a storm, it sounds somehow comforting. Thank you for putting your anxieties to work!
October 26, 2021 at 3:09 pm
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
A perfect book for our times–I can’t wait to read it!
October 26, 2021 at 3:36 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Feeling Little Mouse’s feels. Thank you for sharing the fears and joys in a way kids can grasp. Looking forward to this treasure of a book.
October 26, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Sounds like a wonderful way to tell the story of the last year +
October 26, 2021 at 3:38 pm
andreesantini
Sounds amazing! I resonated with all you said, and actually self published a book mostly to give to loved ones I was missing, not knowing how to navigate any of it what with distancing. So congratulations and I’m looking forward to reading this as we hopefully all return from feeling adrift.
October 26, 2021 at 3:56 pm
katiefischerwrites
Thank you for sharing your experience, Adift looks like a beautiful way to reassure kids that we’re all going through this together. I can’t wait to read it.
October 26, 2021 at 4:00 pm
donnacangelosi
Heidi, I’m in love with every aspect of this book! The inspiration. The message. The writing & illustrations (at least what you shared). I can’t wait to get my copy!
Huge Congratulations on writing such an important story for kids.
October 26, 2021 at 4:13 pm
rosecappelli
Oh Heidi, I’ve been waiting for this book! I remember you shared it at the Highlights Workshop “Picture Books: Inspiration and Perspiration” in Sept., 2020. I believe it was called “One Tiny Boat” back then. This post prompted me to reread my notes from that workshop and recall how much I loved it, despite the fact that we did not meet in person. Some day, I hope! Congratulations on this beautiful book! I’m preordering it now.
October 26, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Brenda Huante
Thank you for sharing the background for Adrift. I’m looking forward to reading it!
October 26, 2021 at 4:46 pm
seschipper
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing the backstory for ADRIFT! I chuckled as well as became teary while reading it. Thank you so much for creating a much needed tale! I will definitely order this book! 🙂
October 26, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Karin Larson
This was, hands down, one of the most inspiring posts I have read in some time. Thank you! Congratulations on ADRIFT. I cannot wait to purchase and read it!
October 26, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Judy Sobanski
Thank you for sharing the journey of ADRIFT. I’m sure we can all relate to little Mouse’s emotions. The illustrations are lovely as well.
October 26, 2021 at 5:29 pm
Kara Marsee
Heidi, I cried when you and your mom read “I am the Storm” at the SCBWI LA 2020 virtual conference, and it sounds like this one is another tear-pulling sweet story that I can’t wait to see. The illustrations are gorgeous and your post was so heart felt. Thank you for sharing.
October 26, 2021 at 6:11 pm
lmconnors
Your story gave me chills. Your books sounds like a wonderful addtion to the world. Congratulations!
October 26, 2021 at 6:27 pm
Jennifer Blanck
Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing. It sounds like there was a bit of destiny involved with this story. It also sounds like it will be helpful for so many kids–and probably adults too. Looking forward to its release!
October 26, 2021 at 6:27 pm
mlyablonaolcom
Heidi, I always love your books and can’t wait to read this one! My only published piece of writing (so far) happened during our quarantine time. It’s a poem called “Driveway Birthdays” published in the Heroic Care Anthology from Words Unbound. Your poem made me cry. My family was at least able to see each other across driveways, patios, and yards. Hope you have been able to hug yours this year.
October 26, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Paige
Looking forward to reading Adrift! Thank you for sharing your writing with the world. We need books of hope amid the storms. Enjoy celebrating!
October 26, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Karan Greene
Thank you for sharing your story!
October 26, 2021 at 8:48 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
What a beautiful blog post, Heidi. Thank you for this and for writing the book, which I can’t wait to read!
October 26, 2021 at 9:37 pm
tinamcho
So sorry to hear. But I love your post & back story. I, too, just had a book date pushed back. Will look for your book.
October 26, 2021 at 10:17 pm
dedradavis03
Beautiful. Your words, Adrift, the illustrations, and the hope.
October 27, 2021 at 6:34 am
Nadine Poper
I put this book on my current school library order. Gorgeous and so important for children of today. Thank you for taking me through this journey.
October 27, 2021 at 11:07 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
Still waiting to even see a copy of my newest book (which “came out” at the beginning of the month… and waiting…
Here’s to a better year in 2022?
Can’t wait to see your newest!
October 27, 2021 at 11:12 am
Stephanie Gibeault
Thank you for sharing your touching story, Heidi. After all we’ve collectively been through, the world needs Adrift.
October 27, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Darcee A. Freier
Beautiful story. Thank you for sailing with us.
October 27, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
Heidi, congrats on your book launch! That must’ve been stressful when the date kept shifting. I’d love to win a copy!
October 27, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Martha Moore
So grateful to hear this ‘one storm but many boats’ perspective. Much needed.
October 28, 2021 at 10:43 am
Angie
Wow! What a wonderful post! It kind of wraps up what we’ve all been going through. Love ADRIFT and can’t wait to read it. Whenever it arrives! Congrats!
October 28, 2021 at 11:33 pm
LaurenKerstein
I absolutely cannot wait to read this. Your post truly touched my heart as you so often do. I shall celebrate from now until November!
October 29, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Abby Wooldridge
Wow, Heidi! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. What an amazing post! I cannot wait to read ADRIFT! Thank you!
October 29, 2021 at 3:34 pm
Linda
What a beautiful colour palette for the illustrations.
October 30, 2021 at 6:50 pm
Zoraida Rivera
What a beautiful story! Would love to read it and see it. We do need that hope and fortitutude that comes from drifting together and seeing where some situations take us.
Loved your poem, too.
November 1, 2021 at 12:23 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
HEIDI: I LOVE your words of INSPIRATION regarding writing as “a deep cleansing breath of words onto the page.” BEAUTIFUL! I feel SO INSPIRED by your example to not allow the stress and anxiety of getting my words perfectly arranged on the page, but allowing the writing process to help me cope with and navigate the stress and anxiety of my own “storms.” THANK YOU!!! PS: I’m sure we’ll all be CELEBRATING the two weeks before your book b-day, too!
November 1, 2021 at 6:04 am
authorshannonanderson
Love this story behind the story. I heard the boat/storm quote during the pandemic as well. Can’t wait to read the book!
November 1, 2021 at 8:37 am
cathystenquist
Simple and profound. We can all relate. I am inspired, as always, by your use of simple text and how it marries with the beautiful illustrations to convey emotion. Can’t wait to get my copy. Thank you for sharing your journey.
November 1, 2021 at 9:21 am
Dina Towbin
This looks like a wonderful heartfelt story. And the illustrations look amazing. Congrats! I’d love to read it with my granddaughter.
November 1, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Michelle Selders
Love to hear where other amazing authors get their inspiration and that sometimes it’s ok if it comes in moments of uncertainty in out lives.
November 3, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Loved reading this, Heidi. Big hugs to you! So glad a book came out of your experience – one I know will touch lives.
November 3, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Teresa 何 Robeson
Ahhh, the Yolen-Stemple family is full of word magic! Though the story starts out sad, it’s inspirational to read about how it came about and how it became a real book.
November 5, 2021 at 4:14 am
Krissy
Adrift sounds like such a sweet and meaningful story. Can’t wait to read it!
November 10, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Jan Milusich
Thank you for sharing your experience Heidi.
December 11, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Nancy Ferguson
What a heart breaking and heart healing post! Just reading it now…some tears and joy that you wrote this blog! Thank you!