Teresa LeYung Ryan

Archive for the ‘About Teresa LeYung Ryan’ Category

How a Book Gets to be in a Special Collection at the Boston Public Library

I’m a member of Women’s National Book Association–San Francisco Chapter.

When Laurie Beckelman was national president of Women’s National Book Association, she coordinated with the Boston Public Library to create a WNBA Collection. Thank you, Laurie!  Thank you, everyone at the Boston Public Library!

My dear sister was in Boston and guess what she did?  She visited the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library and took photos of my novel Love Made of Heart proudly shelved. Thanks, Sis!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Chinese American author who writes for and about modern courageous women unbeknownst to themselves.

As an author I use my novel Love Made of Heart to encourage adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.
Love Made of Heart is:
• recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association
• used in Advanced Composition English-as-a-Second-Language classes
• archived at the San Francisco History Center

Love Made of Heart is in  97 public libraries (84 branches in the United States, 2 branches in the United Kingdom , 9 branches in New Zeland; 1 branch in Austrialia, 1 branch in Singapore).

http://www.worldcat.org/isbn/0758202172

In 2003 when my editor at Kensington Publishing Corp. New York told me that they were going to release the trade paperback edition of my novel Love Made of Heart (hard cover edition had been published in October 2002), I asked if I could add an “Author’s Note to Reader” and he said “Yes.”

To the readers who have read/are reading from the hard cover edition, here is the Author’s Note to Reader:

Thank you for letting me share Ruby Lin’s story with you.  Many readers have asked what the characters in the novel have done for me.  My answer is this:  I’ve learned that behind every face is a compelling story.

Please remember me as a writer who says YES! to compassion for mental illness and NO! to domestic violence and child abuse.

Who is Mrs. Nussbaum?  She lives in all our hearts.  Just as we have the “child within,” we also have the “wise elder within.”  May you always embrace your compelling story and allow your Mrs. Nussbaum to embrace you.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

author of Love Made of Heart

http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com

Sunday August 1, 2010

I’m organizing photos from yesterday’s Northern California Storybook & Literature Festival.

Women's National Book Association members Margie Yee Webb, Mary E. Knippel, B. Lynn Goodwin, Sarbjit Rai, Teresa LeYung Ryan

I had a good time on the panel with other fiction authors. Gail, thank you for moderating. Nathan, thank you for taking photos. Delightful audience.

authors Jeff Carlson, Laurel Anne Hill, Tanya Egan Gibson, Teresa LeYung Ryan, Jack L. Parker with Library Specialist Gail McGrath & Library Advocate Nathan

Authors Susan Osborn & Margie Yee Webb cheer for the Friends of the Roseville Library

Also I presented “Transform Your Personal Experiences Into Potent Stories” Thank you to the participant-writers.  Here are some comments from them:

I asked: What did you value most about the workshop?

• “Verbalizing what my readers will learn from my story.”

• “Good comments & tools from Teresa for moving forward.”
• “Handouts so organized.”

Your next steps with your stories?

• “Bring my stories out and start again—with your ideas for tools”
• “Find a publisher.”
• “Re-read my favorite novel & mark it up. Thank you, Teresa!”

My colleagues  (Catharine Bramkamp, Laurel Anne Hill, Antoinette May, Susan M. Osborn) also presented their writing workshops.

Special thanks to Jamie Finley, Dena Grover, Gail McGrath, Lynn Brown and everyone at Roseville Libraries, Margie Yee Webb and colleagues at California Writers Club, Mary Knippel & Sarbjit Rai & fellow members of Women’s National Book Association, bookseller James Van Eaton of Winston Smith Books, friends old and new, readers and writers, and everyone who made the festival a celebration of literature.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, Mary E. Knippel, Margie Yee Webb advocate for public libraries.

http://www.roseville.ca.us/library/

3 branches in Roseville, CA

Maidu Library & Maidu Community Center

Martha Riley Community Library

Downtown Library

Gail McGrath (Library Specialist) holding Teresa's novel Love Made of Heart, Bob Quinlan author of Earn It: Empower Yourself for Love, and Margie Yee Webb author of Cat Mulan

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

As an author and community spirit, Teresa LeYung Ryan speaks out for public libraries, honors immigrant-stories, advocates compassion for mental illness, and helps survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.

“To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the color title-bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press ’submit.’  Thank you.”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Thank You to My Husband

Two days ago I received this email:

Dear Ms. Ryan,

I am commissioned by Scarecrow Press to write Historical Dictionary of Asian American lit and theater and would very much like to include you . . .  I have found all necessary info from your website, except for your educational background. Would you mind providing me with your degrees, majors, and universities?

Many thanks,
Wenying

Wenying Xu, Ph.D
Professor & Chair
Department of English
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL 33431

My reply:

Dear Professor Xu,

Thank you for wanting to include my profile in your project.

May I see your final write-up of my profile before you submit it to Scarecrow Press?

I’d be honored if you could include my favorite quote:

Author Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “You have the power to materialize your dearest dreams. Transform Your Personal Experiences Into Potent Stories.”

Education:
Lowell High School, San Francisco
I do not have a college degree; I have taken courses at City College of San Francisco, Skyline College, U.C. Berkeley Extension; I have attended many writing workshops; I have created and delivered many writing workshops; I believe that the more I read the better writer I become.

Again, thank you for wanting to include me in the Historical Dictionary of Asian American lit and theater.

How did you find me?

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan

Why am I entitling this post “Thank You to My Husband” ?

Because . . . I work hard as a writer, and, I work well when I’m in lovely space that has “good vibrations.”  My husband helped me get to the place where I am today and I thank him!

As an author and community spirit, Teresa LeYung Ryan speaks out for public libraries, honors immigrant-stories, advocates compassion for mental illness, and helps survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.

Writers Take Care of Ourselves!

“20 Fun, Easy & Effective Ways To Manage and Reduce Stress”.

Get Access Here: http://www.premiersummits.com/cmd.php?Clk=3822318

Premier Summits Live Event: July 20-26, 2010

Remember, all live events are updated at 9am Eastern Time (2 PM Greenwich Mean Time) every day. The events of the day will only be available starting at that time, for the next 24 hours.

I listened to Diana Fletcher “Stress Reducing Strategies for a Busy & Hectic Lifestyle”

Top points I gained from Diana:

• Make time to breathe deeply – put one hand on belly; inhale through the nose & exhale through the mouth
• Drink water – to hydrate the body; to correct false-cravings for food
• Create buffer time – after turning off electronic gadgets (including TV or computer), give myself quiet time before going to sleep.

I listened to Elizabeth Diamond “How to Create the Life of Your Dreams Using the Intentional Scrapbooking Method^TM”

Top points I gained from Elizabeth:

• Identity the picture of what success looks like and create the scrapbook page/vision board (or “collage” as Mary E. Knippel of Open Up To Your Creativity would say); find material for the platform (paper, cardboard, T-shirt . . . )
• Feel the joy when I use “I statement” to see my dream in my mind’s eye (Teresa’s example:  “I am the female business owner who has given millions of dollars to thousands of charities worldwide.”  This is my dream–to help people on the planet by being a creator of prosperity–like philanthropist Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation.)
• Take a photo of myself while I am looking at my scrapbook page/vision board/collage and feeling the sensations of success; use the photo as inspiration. (Teresa’s example:  “Before I found my agent and before my publisher found me through my agent, I did create ‘This is what I would look like as a published author’ pictures for myself.  I’m happy to say that I celebrated my novel’s seventh anniversary in October)

Thank you to my sister who told me about Premier Summits –  free online audio events!

Thank you, Tom Nicoli for hosting and Keith Jennison for producer the series!

Thank you to all the presenters!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Author Teresa LeYung Ryan wears two hats.

• As a novelist, she uses her book Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.
• As a writing career coach and creator of Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published, Teresa helps writers identify their mission statements to attract agents, publishers and fans.

Her website WritingCoachTeresa.com offers resources for writers and readers.

Another Day in the Life of a Published Author/Presenter/Advocate of Literacy

Dear Writers,

I encourage everyone to finish writing that story or that book and find ways to get your work published in print form.  When I first set out to write Love Made of Heart (originally entitled Grace) over 20 years ago, my dream was to someday touch readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior had touched me.

Since Love Made of Heart got published in October 2002 by Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, I have had the opportunities to make connections with readers not only with the book but also through personal appearances at community events, writers’ conferences, writers’ organizations, schools and libraries.  Connecting with people through promoting literacy is my favorite role as an author.

Today I received this email which made me sad, but, I got a chance to offer a piece of me as an author. Thank you, Donna, for emailing me.

Hello Teresa!  My name is Donna Axelson. I am on the board of the non-profit Veterans Memorial that was built in 2007 in Cupertino, CA. I became involved with this project because my son, Matthew Axelson, a Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. If you have read the New York Times Bestseller Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell you have read about Matthew and Operation Redwing.

One of my major jobs with the non-profit is to chair the annual golf tournament that supports the Memorial. This is our fifth year to hold the golf tournament and one of the most sought after auction items is children’s books signed by local authors. I’m hoping you would be willing to donate a copy of one of your books this year for the auction. The golf tournament this year is Monday, August 23 @ the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. You can reach me at ____ and you can view our website at www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org

Are you a golfer? We’d love to have you join us for golf or how about coming just for the dinner, auctions, and program. See attachment.  http://www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org/golf_tournament.html

Thank you!

Donna Axelson

This is my reply to Donna:

Tue, Jul 13, 2010

Dear Donna,

My heart is heavy as I read your email about how you got involved with Veterans Memorial.

Donna, I would be honored to donate a copy of Love Made of Heart (to honor your love for Matthew); however my book is not a children’s book. It is recommended by the California Reading Association and the California School Library Association (for high-school and college level); it’s archived at the San Francisco History Center. The main character is in her twenties.

This link has more information about the book:
http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-journey-of-an-adult-child-of-a-mentally-ill-parent.html

• Do let me know if you still want a copy of Love Made of Heart.

• I am the creator of “Heroes, Tricksters, and Villains” (a writing workshop for children). If you ever want such a presentation for another fundraiser, please invite me.

• You might want to also contact Frances Kakugawa, the author of Wordsworth the Poet and Wordsworth Dances The Waltz.    http://www.francesk.org/homepage.html Please tell Frances hello for me if you email her.

• Donna, are you a writer?  There must be a branch of California Writers Club near you. http://calwriters.org/

• Lastly, how did you find me?

Sincerely,
Teresa
Teresa LeYung Ryan

The following day, Donna emailed again:

Teresa,

I looked up your book so know a bit about it already. We have at least one foursome of high school and college age golfers plus parents of those same age young people golf. Plus our CEO is involved with the Organization of Special Needs families in our area. I think your book would be a wonderful addition to our auction. Please send it to the address below % CVM Golf Tournament.

I will contact Frances. Thank you for her information.

Last year when I went to the Linden Tree in Los Altos (Dennis and Linda always donate books for the auction.) I purchased a book 2007 Writers and Illustrators Network Guide [Authors and Illustrators Network Guide] and you were in that book.

Fondly,

Donna Axelson

c/o Cupertino Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament

So, I inscribed a hardcover copy of Love Made of Heart to “The Cupertino Veterans Memorial Hearts” and attached a personal note to Donna and mailed the package out.

Dear Writers,

On my wesite is a page “Writers Resources”  http://lovemadeofheart.com/Writers-Resources.html I attend many of the events sponsored by Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter.

See you at a community event or on cyberspace!

Sincerely,

Teresa

As an author and community spirit, Teresa LeYung Ryan speaks out for public libraries, honors immigrant-stories, advocates compassion for mental illness, and helps survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.

Love Made of Heart inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.  http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com

Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.  Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

To continue celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and AsianWeek (the voice of Asian America) I’m thinking about these books and authors:

Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

China Boy by Gus Lee

The Jade Rubies by Valerie Lee (I’m looking forward to reading this book this year)

Peony In Love by Lisa See

My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse

Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa

My Half of the Sky by Jana McBurney-Lin

This Place Called Absence by Lydia Kwa (Ms. Kwa is Canadian)

Kiyo’s Story: A Japanese American Familys Quest for the American Dream by Kiyo Sato

Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston

I am so happy to announce the opening of my Love Made Of Heart online store

where you’ll find

gift items

for

yourselves, women, children, moms and babies, friends and pets.

Happy shopping !

My Love Made of Heart Trademark Put to Work

My deepest thanks go to my husband for cheering me on when  I turn dreams into action; to my sister who helps me keep the vision strong and clear; to my father who expresses his support; to my dear friends and colleagues who inspire me; to CafePress.com for making “opening a store” an easy & fun adventure; and to my guardian angels (especially my mom) who watch over me.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com

a.k.a. Writing Career Coach Teresa, creator of Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Love Made of Heart Gift Items--notecards, journal, Teddy Bear, throw pillow, cups, coffee/tea mugs, beach tote bag, apron, baseball cap, mousepad, water bottle, gym bag

Love Made Of Heart for Babies Infants Toddlers--bibs, bodysuits, T-shirts--organic fabric, for little ones

Love Made Of Heart for Pets: Dog T-Shirt, food & water bowls

Love Made Of Heart Maternity, Women & Men: T-shirts, fitted T-shirts, sweatshirts, raglans, tank tops, zipped hoodies, long sleeve, short sleeve, Women's Plus sizes, organic fabric available

Love Made Of Heart Children / Kids T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies organic fabric available; Love Made Of Heart Juniors & Teens: Raglan, Ringer T-Shirts, tank tops

pink and purple Love Made of Heart gift items for  grandchildren, mothers, grandmothers, kids and babies, dogs, pets, teens & juniors, women, maternity, plus sizes, girlfriends, grandparents, grandkids. Purple heart inside pink love in Chinese word.

Love Made of Heart Teddy Bear & other gifts

15 May 2010  Delightful people and guardian angels made Asian Heritage Street Celebration a sunny day for me.

If you were at today’s AHSC, I welcome your comments to this post. Just click on the title of this post to get the boxes. After you compose your comment, save a copy, then press the “submit comment” button. Thanks!

Even last night I wasn’t sure whether I’d make it to the event today.  I believe Marisa and my mom must have sent me a dose of energy.

Thank you, Margie Yee Webb, creator of Cat Mulan, for orchestrating the California Writers Club booth at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration.  We were in front of the San Francisco Main Branch Library on Larkin Street, between the Public Library booth and Kara’s Cupcakes–what could be better?  Margie Yee Webb, Lloyd Lofthouse, Frances Kakugawa and I had fun with dear fans and friends.  Thank you, Margie’s beautiful sisters and niece, Frances’s sweetheart, all the kind folks at AHSC, and of course my hubby Lyle Ryan who dragged a second suitcase of books onto BART with me. Guardian Angels brought us sunshine in the afternoon.

Margie Yee Webb, Lloyd Lofthouse, Frances Kakugawa, Teresa LeYung Ryan at AHSC 2010

***

Margie Yee Webb and her darling sisters at Asian Heritage Street Celebration

Annie Yee & Teresa LeYung Ryan at Asian Heritage Street Celebration

****

Jennifer & her mom Susan & Teresa LeYung Ryan

Annie & Tony still newlyweds

Teresa LeYung Ryan & Roberta

*****

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Katie

Teresa LeYung Ryan & Lyle Ryan show Love Made of Heart Tshirt at AHSC 2010

Peggy a Lowell graduate & author Teresa LeYung Ryan

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Carl the dog trainer

Poet David will be reading Love Made of Heart

Thank you! to Everyone who have read or will be reading Love Made of Heart. You have the power to be Book Critics. Please write reviews (can be short) on Amazon.com  or email Reviews@LoveMadeofHeart.com

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

As an author and a community spirit, I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, use my novel Love Made of Heart to:
• shed light on stigmas suffered by immigrant women, men, and children
• advocate understanding of mental illness/traumas to the mind
• help survivors of violence find their own voices through writing

http://lovemadeofheart.com/

*******

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Jane

Margie Yee Webb, Angela Pang, Teresa LeYung Ryan at Asian Heritage Street Celebration 2010

authors Teresa LeYung Ryan, Scott James, Elizabeth Block speak about promoting creatively at the Commonwealth Club

Paula Hendricks, Kevin O'Malley, Elizabeth Block, Scott James aka Kemble Scott, Teresa LeYung Ryan help writers

Dear Paula Hendricks, Kevin O’Malley, Scott James, Elizabeth Block,

Gosh, let’s do a presentation entitled “How to get high from speaking at the Commonwealth Club”

Paula & Kevin, thank you so much for creating the series–The DIY guide to getting your book on the shelves–Self-Publishing: Tutorials from the Trenches

Elizabeth & Scott, thank you for emitting “fun” energy; I had a blast being on the panel with you.

Saturday I’m presenting at the NCPA conference in Sacramento.

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan

Thank you to my friends/colleagues/mentors Yolande Barial, Sarbjit Rai, Bardi Rosman Koodrin and Boris Koodrin, and Michael Larsen for attending the event.

I wish every writer at the Commonwealth Club series a joyful writing/publishing journey.

Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “When you make your name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues in your writing, you are building your name/career/platform. You too can be happily published.”

Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published  http://WritingCoachTeresa.com