Hi, you lovely, big-hearted Readers,
I was Gobsmacked at the volume of personal emails I recieved from you, telling me how much Judy Blume has meant to you, and how pivotal she has been to your (and so many of our) growing-up years. So often she’s been a steady, reassuring voice whispering in the dark.
A friend of mine, Kim and I were talking yesterday about Judy Blume, and we thought it would be so interesting and beautiful to hear the stories/memories/humorous anecdotes about Judy’s work and what it meant to you, as a young woman, navigating that twisting and hard road between girl and womanhood.
Also rich territory for exploration: what does Judy’s work mean to you now that you are a parent yourself? What truths still resonate for you?
Our ultimate goal is to compile an anthology in her honor, full of colorful, vibrant voices. A book chock-full of writing by women (or men!) who have heartfelt and honest things to say. #JudyBlumeProject
Submissions can run the gamut format-wise: letters, imaginary conversations, vignetttes, confessions, funny stories, slice-of-life tales…we want them all!
If you’d like to submit a piece for consideration, please send it in to Kim or me by the end of April. It will be a belated Valentine to our Judy, but one that is long overdue.
More submission details/guidelines forthcoming, so get your inspiration on!
xoxo,
Dana and Kim
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s because of you that I found out she’s written and a movie and it’s coming – (when? I don’t know) – based on her book Tiger Eyes. She and her son (the real Fudge!) made it.
How cool is that?
And yes yes yes.
Kate,
Submit! Woot!
I almost feel like this is sacrilegious to admit, but I don’t think I ever read a Judy Blume book.
Wait – did I miss a Judy Blume discussion?!?! Loved her….. read everything she wrote :)
Sherri,
Please consider submitting!
Oh I devoured all of Judy’s books. Now you’ve got my mind churning full of Judy Blume memories. I think Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret became a daily read for me during fifth grade.
Great idea, ladies.
xo
Denise,
I hope you’ll consider submitting!
I would love to submit something! I lead a 4th grade girls book club for my daughter and friends and this month we’re reading “Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret.” It’s been so cool to share Judy with my own girl!
Liz,
I immediately thought of you when we were brainstorming this project. I knew you would have so much to offer! I’m glad you want to be a part of the Judy-Lover club !
What a lovely idea!
Amanda,
Please consider submitting something!
Gah! You and your friends come up with the coolest ideas, I tell ya! So awesome.
Jamie,
It is awesome! You should be a part of it!
I actually sent her a letter once and she replied! We were required in class to write a letter to an author…I was over the moon! Wish I still had it!
SuziCate,
That’s about the coolest thing ever. Please consider writing something for us!
What a seriously fun idea.
What a great idea! I must have read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Superfudge a hundred times from second to fourth grade. I was such a book nerd, I almost never bent a spine or creased a cover, except for the books that were read over and over. Most of Judy’s books fell into that category for me. I read them all, and I’ve gotten to experience her newer ones with my oldest daughter in the past few years, too. I can’t wait to read your collection!
I’d love for you to read it, LynDee, but even better if you submit. ;)
When I was diagnosed with scoliosis in seventh grade, DEENIE got me through it. I spent three years in a brace and kept hoping I would get to live the “getting feeled up while wearing a brace” scene as I had prepared myself mentally for it. Never happened.
I would also like to mention ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET made me wish my family were Jewish. Also didn’t happen, but since reading ARTGIMM I felt a kinship with Jews. It’s a beautiful thing for children to draw close to another culture through a book.
Larissa,
That’s so funny, because I had the same reaction to AYTGIMM! I thought it sounded so cool to be Jewish! I wanted a grandma to bring me all of delicious deli foodstuffs!