What We Want to Say

March 6, 2013

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 }

Kate March 6, 2013 at 7:52 am

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.

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TKW March 6, 2013 at 10:58 am

Kate,

Submit! Woot!

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Jennifer March 6, 2013 at 9:16 am

I almost feel like this is sacrilegious to admit, but I don’t think I ever read a Judy Blume book.

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Sherri March 6, 2013 at 9:38 am

Wait – did I miss a Judy Blume discussion?!?! Loved her….. read everything she wrote :)

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TKW March 7, 2013 at 10:25 am

Sherri,

Please consider submitting!

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denise March 6, 2013 at 10:32 am

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

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TKW March 6, 2013 at 10:58 am

Denise,

I hope you’ll consider submitting!

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Liz @ PeaceLoveGuac March 6, 2013 at 11:37 am

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!

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TKW March 6, 2013 at 11:53 am

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 !

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Amanda March 6, 2013 at 12:21 pm

What a lovely idea!

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TKW March 7, 2013 at 10:26 am

Amanda,

Please consider submitting something!

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Jamie March 6, 2013 at 6:49 pm

Gah! You and your friends come up with the coolest ideas, I tell ya! So awesome.

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TKW March 7, 2013 at 10:27 am

Jamie,

It is awesome! You should be a part of it!

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SuziCate March 6, 2013 at 7:09 pm

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!

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TKW March 7, 2013 at 10:27 am

SuziCate,

That’s about the coolest thing ever. Please consider writing something for us!

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Lisa @ The Meaning of Me March 7, 2013 at 9:39 pm

What a seriously fun idea.

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LynDee Walker March 9, 2013 at 11:36 am

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!

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TKW March 9, 2013 at 12:43 pm

I’d love for you to read it, LynDee, but even better if you submit. ;)

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Larissa Reinhart March 9, 2013 at 7:50 pm

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.

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TKW March 10, 2013 at 8:04 am

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!

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