In the late 1980s, Anita migrated to San Francisco, escaping life as a New York City fashion model. In further efforts to avoid the 9-5, and figure out how to use a Fine Arts degree in Drawing & Painting, a random detour lead her to writing in earnest: children’s stories and adult fiction. Anita joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators which led to working as a freelance oral tradition storyteller for schools, libraries and corporations, a skill which served her well during the seven years she spent as a homeschool mama.
Anita’s upcoming book, PEACH SEED MONKEY, is her first completed novel (her first effort—Headrag—is waiting patiently on a floppy disk).
Anita is executive director of The Gaines-Jones Education Foundation, a small family foundation she co-founded with her husband, Robert Roehrick in 2002 in memory of her mother, father and sister.
Your book sounds awesome. It’s always fascinating to me how our past can so clearly pave a way to our (and our children’s) future. Keep writing!
Thanks, Meg! You’ve made history, too…as my very first blog comment!
Lovely seedling webpage and blog! It’s wonderful to learn about the context for the novel, hear about your process and to see photos of the locale. Can’t wait til the novel is done! Write on, sister.
Anita,
I can’t wait to read your book..it sounds fascinating and I love the way you write. Thanks for including me on your mailing list!!
Thank YOU, Susan for visiting and commenting!
Thank you Anita for sharing your amazing gifts with us. I am so excited to read your book!
You GO, Anita! Everything you do is a gift to the world, offered w/ such talent and grace. Want to have a book release party at my Berkeley church?
http://www.bfuu.org He’s a lot older than you, but you might relate to my friend Adam David Miller who had a book release party there (and lots of other venues) for “Ticket to Exile” about growing up in South Carolina.
O.M.G! I can actually remember looking off that porch as a kid and seeing the school. A whole lot of memories jump started in my head on 325 Hazard Drive. I can’t wait to read your book. I’m very proud of YOU, and honored to have you as my Auntie.
Love you and God Bless!
This blog is doing a good job of spreading and sprouting seeds of interest for your upcoming novel. Based on what I see here, I’m really excited to read it and learn about this little-told-of chapter in the civil rights movement.
I’m very excited to read this from your POV. Although Selma and Birmingham get most of the attention I’m glad to see this story told. .By the way do you remember Clennon King ? 325 Hazard Drive, sounds like a great name for your next story.
Thanks, Cuz! Clennon…was he CB King’s brother?
Can’t wait to hear more about your novel, Anita. You have always been so creative and curious about life, both wonderful qualities. Keep me posted.