L.L.H. Harms
Havenwood
Available April 2
A little boy doesn't understand why his older sister must leave for college. He'll miss her! To help him understand, his sister gives him a box that holds the treasures she enjoyed when she was his age-including a blue scale from a friendly dragon who appeared when she felt the world was outside of her control. While the boy is not quite awake but not quite asleep, this scale is a beacon that draws the kindly dragon to the boy. THe dragon treats the boy to a world that is safe and understanding. In Havenwood, fern people, acorn children, and a comfortable old beech tree at the center of Havenwood Forest offer sanctuary form a chaotic walking world. Dragons rest in a cave when children outgrow them-until another generation of children seeks the help of a friendly dragon...
"L.L.H Harms has created a magical land perfect for a lonely child." - Julie Ditton, The Storybook Lady
"Aaron Zonka's illustrations form a rich, cartwheeling journey that reminds the viewer of the unlimited wonders of childhood." - Max Ulichney, art director, illustrator, visual development artist, maxulichney.com
"This delightful journey into a world where a dragon rides into fairy tale places is the perfect bedtime story to help us drift off to a magical realm night after night." -Gina Luker, publisher & editor of Illumine magazine
OTHER BOOKS FROM
L.L.H HARMS
"The Aftertime will definitely be a new addition to our middle grades library. It's getting increasingly difficult to find good new literature for boys that focuses on character, decision making, and growing up while still being interesting and action-oriented. This book does all of those things (and girls will like it, too), plus it features some history lessons, including a lesser known Revolutionary War battle and a Native American tribe that isn't usually talked about in school. For kids living in at the coastal NC area or Virginia, there will be more personal connections that make the story even more relatable. Overall, excellent!"
-Yvie Field, education,
Homeschool on the Range, 5 out of 5 stars
"This timeline-spanning middle grade novel begins in the mid-1700s in Virginia with the surprising friendship between two boys: one native Monacan and the other an English settler. The Aftertime asks what is worth fighting for, and how to fight for it. Most importantly, it's a story about following your moral compass and standing up, sometimes all alone, for what is just."
Teacher and book reviewer @foggyreadteach
I'm "The Aftertime is an utterly powerful story. Harms encourages readers to explore their own prejudices as she details the complex and unequal history between the whites and the Monacan tribe, carefully touching on historical themes with authenticity and grace."
Book blogger and historian @the_bookish_historian
Welcome!
Hello! I'm L.L.H. Harms, whom everyone else knows as Laura, Mama, Mom, Mother, Lala to my grandchildren, and Auntie Lala to most others.
Until recently, I had never been on social media. So posting, trying to sell books, being on podcasts, and "putting (myself) out there" is a concept that makes my brain itch. Brain itching is one reason I write to begin with.
I began scribbling thoughts and observations when I was ten years old. (Yes, that's me, rocking that 70s bowl-cut.) I'm a Gen X-er. As a child, there was no therapy. Adults met issues with "What are you whining about?" These inspirational words were delivered on a cloud of secondhand smoke and the promise that Jesus had a plan. As I developed asthma and waited for Jesus to arrive, I began to write. Writing was a better solution than hearing, "Oh, you think that's bad let me tell you about the war..." Which war, no idea, but I knew it had to be more traumatic than my school bullies or my irrational fear of vampires.
Yeah, I know, who could ever bully a girl with hair and glasses like that. If I could go back in time I would tell my younger self not to worry. The hair and glasses get better.
Writing became my therapist. A blank sheet of paper that offered space, no judgement. As I grew older, fear of discovery caused me to change the names and places into fiction. Stories became the vehicle that offered my childhood its only form of control. Feelings and thoughts set free to form a rebellion against the expected conformity of my upbringing, if only in a notepad. A rebellion built by ink.
Fear had stopped me from actively trying to get published. Until the realization that in a few years, it will be my 60th trip around the sun. Years of boxing up stories, essays, poems to be read upon my death stopped when my son gave me the best advice: my own, just do it and get on with it already.
So here we are. Main rule: opinions and critiques welcome; meanness and nastiness, hard pass. If you write me remember, you're writing to the little girl wearing the orange plaid dress. I carry her where ever I go.
Recent Posts
Events and Other Random Stuff
Articles
Podcasts
A friend and I recently discussed writer challenges: emerging and seasoned authors struggling to stand out. It's difficult when you don't have the P.R. machine of big publishers. That got me thinking about everyone else attached to writing: small bookstores, illustrators, and book reviewers, to name a few.
Yes, before anyone says something, some of the books below are from large publishers. I would love to hear from you about independent published books out there along with independent bookstores.
Below showcases some of these people and businesses. I may have collaborated with some, such as illustrators, or hope to , or simply enjoy their work. Just a little light shining, so to speak.
I receive no payment or any form of compensation for the list below.
Support your Local Small Bookstores!
Okay, I'm going to be honest here, I've never visited this bookstore. I was looking online for Virginia bookstores and Spelled Ink popped up. Love the website! Can't wait to visit.
Books and Book Stores
And Other Random Fun
FOUNTAIN BOOKSTORE
RICHMOND, VA
I LOVE Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia. I went in one day asking, "Hey, not sure what the name of this book is I'm looking for. It's ummm, I think the guy is a comedian. It's about religion in America...." I went on for another second before both clerks answered in unison the title. Impressed. I decided to throw out a few more vague book questions. They won. It was a lot more fun than playing with an online AI bot. What the store didn't have they ordered and had shipped to my house for free.
Spelled Ink
Orange Va.
Books I love and Books I'M Reading
A book that I have finished recently is You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrique. This book is about the first encounter between Montezuma and Cortes. I love the fact that he uses no quotes or traditional paragraphs. There is an old college English professor I would love to send this book to just to watch them glitch. It would also be fun to watch AI melt down over all the grammar and layout issues.
It's as if Enrique wrote what was streaming in his head. An entertaining book that shines a light on historical characters. It just happens to be a strobe light that flips history on its head.
Books In The Queue
Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
by Jonathan Blitzer
James
by Percival Evertt
Separation of Church and Hate
by John Fugelsang
I know some of these have been out for a while but I'm getting there.
Can't wait to visit Middleburg Books
Middleburg, VA
They offer book tastings!
Books I'm Excited For
The Salt We Bleed
by Denile Baugh
Brandylane Publishers
Poetry
Twinings: Poems at Eighty
by Julie Fritz
Brandlyane Publishers
Poetry
Illustrators
Okay, I'm a little bias on this one but giving a shout out to Aaron Zonka. He was my illustrator for Havenwood.
Favorite Instagram Accounts
E Train Talks Books
E Train Talks Books is a nonprofit literacy initiative founded by teen Ethan Minton. His organization has donated over 8,000 books to underserved children. He is amazing. I hope you check the site out.
Contact
For media requests, collaborations, or general questions, please reach me out at llhharms@gmail.com
Elliot and I strive to respond personally to every message, though it may take a little time as I'm often lost in a new story or feeding His Lordship.
