About
I earned my A.B in Physics from Harvard/Radcliffe in 1963, and my PhD in Geophysics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1970. As my dissertation was on ice fog (which isn't found just anywhere) I stayed at the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute until I retired in 1998. (Yes, it was an early retirement, but I was having vision problems at the time and could not drive to work reliably.) I still live in Alaska, in a suburb of Fairbanks called North Pole.
I'd written quite a lot in my years at UAF, not only professional papers, but science popularizations and articles on canine history. On retirement, I added considerably to my websites on Shetland Sheepdogs and genetics, and began playing with fiction. I've also kept up my interest in gardening (at least in summer!) I'm also into animals, snowflakes and space. (I taught a beginning astronomy class a few times.) In addition to Homecoming, I've written a sequel as well as a trilogy set a couple of hundred years later but in the same universe and with some of the same characters. The sequel, Tourist Trap, won first place in science fiction and best fiction book in the Reader Views contest. Both books have five-star reviews from ForeWord Clarion.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Description
<p>Have you ever loved, been loved, been confused about love, or suffered from loss of love? All these feelings have been captured and shared in the words of heartfelt poems, compiled over many years by a former teacher and award-winning author.</p><p>Sherrill S. Cannon now shares her thoughts in this book of feelings. "As a teacher, I used poetry to help counsel many troubled teens and friends, and have continued this pattern throughout the years."</p><p>There are three sections in her book: Heads, Spinning, and Tails ... (Love & Loss: Coin Toss?). The variety of lyrical poetry forms include free verse, blank verse, haiku, and sonnets. Some poems are simply plays on words.</p><p><strong>A Sign</strong></p><p>In the depths of my winter</p><p>I heard a small bird -</p><p>Braving the cold,</p><p>Bringing the word.</p><p>He gave my heart hope</p><p>As I heard him sing -</p><p>Three little notes</p><p>Promising spring.</p><p>Sherrill S. Cannon, a former teacher and grandmother of 10, is the author of nine acclaimed rhymed children's stories that have received 48 national and international book awards between 2011 and 2017. Also a playwright with seven published plays for elementary school children, her works have been performed internationally in over 20 countries. Most of her children's books try to teach something, such as good manners and caring for others. Married for 57 years, she and her spouse are now retired, live in Pennsylvania, and travel in their RV from coast to coast, spending time with their children and grandchildren.</p><p><strong>Publisher's website: </strong> http: //sbprabooks.com/SherrillSCannon</p><p> </p>
Story Behind The Book
I've been telling myself stories for years--back to grade school, at least. Gradually they coalesced into a coherent universe, and started demanding to be let out of my head. I started writing them down over 15 years ago.
It took numerous rewrites and rearrangements to get a part of Roi's early life down as Homecoming and its sequel (which should be out spring 2011) Tourist Trap.
Reviews
<div>Second place in science fiction, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award.</div> "If you're looking for a science Fiction adventure that has some thought behind it, I highly recommend this story."<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <br /><a href="http://sueannbowling.com/files/documents/HomecomingBowlingReview.pdf">Reader Views Review</a></span></span><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">"A completely original story, with both fresh ideas and sound science."<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><a href="http://sueannbowling.com/files/documents/HomecomingBowlingReview.pdf">Clarion ForeWord Reviews</a></span></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"This novel's characters may have complex backgrounds, but by the end of
the tale they've all become dear to the reader. The questions they face
are as relevant here and now as to their distant lives—duty, love,
freedom, honor, security, fatherhood—and the detailed world they inhabit
is almost real.<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"<br /><a href="http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978861074">Sheila Deeth on Gather</a></span></span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Do yourself a favor - READ THIS BOOK!"<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><a href="http://denzramblings.blogspot.com/2011/01/homecoming-by-sue-ann-bowling.html">Denz Ramblings</a></span></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"If you like science fiction, this is an amazing read. The story twists
and turns, with action and adventure, and the characters step right off
the page. I would think a book club or reading group would find this an
interesting and attractive reading addition for their members."<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/etOHg6">Leslie Wright, Blogcritics</a></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
