Lisa Saunders is an award-winning writer and speaker living in Baldwinville, NY. A graduate of Cornell University, she is the author of 10 books and hosts local access TV shows. She helped Connecticut and New York pass laws to combat the leading viral cause of birth defects, congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) and is walking across the State of New York with her huband, Jim, leaving Stop CMV rocks long the way. To date, they have walked more than half of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail that runs between Albany and Buffalo.
A lover of history, Lisa scours out-of-print books and long-forgotten letters to shed new light on historic figures such as the first Army Ranger, Benjamin Church; the Shays' Rebellion leader sentenced to be hanged, Henry Gale; and a New York 9th Heavy Artillery private, Charles McDowell, portrayed though her book and play, "A Union Private and His Wife". Lisa lives with her husband near Lock 24 on the modern Erie Canal, where she watches boats from all over the world pass through on their way to their next adventure.
A former campus communications writer for the State University of New York at Rockland, Lisa was awarded the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Gold Medallion. Contact Lisa directly for her availablity to speak at LisaSaunders42@gmail.com.
Lisa Saunders, parent representative of the Congenital Cytomegalovirus Foundation, with Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy at ceremonial bill signing for Public Act 15-10: An Act Concerning Cytomegalovirus at the Office of the Governor in Hartford, on July 28, 2015.
Lisa's books include:
Mystic Seafarer's Trail
Featured on the Connecticut Author's Trail
"An hysterical and historical look at Mystic, Connecticut, and the voyagers who passed through it."
When most people think of the quaint seacoast village of Mystic, Connecticut, they think of Mystic Pizza. Yet when they visit to this maritime community, they find a lot more than pizza! This historical--and sometimes hysterical--travel memoir includes little known facts behind Mystic's pizza, the "7 Wonders," hurricanes, cemeteries and massacre, plus information on area shipwrecks, Amelia Earhart's wedding, Benedict Arnold's treachery and Ernie the Ledge Light Ghost.
Summary: While searching for the "7 Wonders of Mystic" with her basset hound, author Lisa Saunders uncovers the secrets behind the Titanic's shoes, Captain Sisson's hunt for gold and Amelia Earhart's wedding. But will she ever find an adventure of her own? One that will make her thin and famous? Then it happens: when walking the Mystic Seafarer's Trail (which Lisa designed for those who don't like to go uphill), she meets a blind sailor who invites her on a long, winter voyage. Can this landlubber defy squalls, scurvy, and her fear of scraping barnacles to survive this epic journey?
“You will laugh out loud at Lisa’s adventures in this part travel guide, part historical reference and completely hilarious tale.” Bree Shirvell, Editor, Stonington-Mystic Patch
“Author Lisa Saunders has mastered the art/science/gift of writer-reader communication. She’s not writing at you; she’s talking to you…no holds barred. Her frequently disarming candor evokes reader reactions ranging from chuckle to head-shaking laughter.“ George Nammack,Long Island Boating World
“With a keen, self-deprecating wit, Saunders tells the tale of each of the 7 Wonders [of Mystic], beginning with Wonder #1, the whaleship Charles W. Morgan.” Windcheck magazine"I learned a lot about Mystic--it was engaging and touching and [Lisa's] self-deprecatinghumor made me laugh a lot."Jacques Pépin, TV Chef and Bestselling Author
Lisa Saunders has written an engaging and solidly researched narrative which should capture the attention of all who are interested in early New England history and the traditions of the sea that were one of its foundations.” David S. Martin, PhD., Professor/Dean Emeritus, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
"Lisa has a knack of digging for historic seafarers and turning her misadventures along the way into humorous escapades. Though dubbed the "Chicken of the Sea," Lisa wrote a great book."--Tom Santos, author of Mystic in the 1950s
“Entertaining, witty, informative—and cute! It covers a range of topics from personal loss to finding life, history and new friends.” Kristin Hartnett, Director, Laughworks, Mystic, Conn.
A mother’s humorous and moving search for one pet to suit two very different daughters--one a tomboy, the other mentally and physically disabled from the # 1 birth defects virus, congenital CMV (cytomegalovirus).
The transcribed letters of Charles McDowell and his wife, Nancy, display remarkable devotion, and offer readers a unique perspective of the Civil War. These letters contain little known details about: hangings, prostitution, amputations, desertions, theft and murder among Union troops. Charles also describes personal contacts with Lincoln and Seward (of "Seward's Alaskan Folly"); battles of Cold Harbor, Jerusalem Plank Road, Monocacy, Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek; the Siege of Petersburg; Mosby's Men; and the Shenandoah Valley and Appomattox Campaign. The Ninth Heavy Artillery was a part of the Sixth Corps. This story is cohesive and informative yet charming and romantic in a very personal way. Vintage photographs enhance the text.
Paperback and e-book. A test of young courage. Lisa is a chubby city girl searching for friendship and excitement. She leaves home, and the elevators and bullies of a big apartment complex, to spend a summer in the country at her grandparents' farm. Culture shock! Accompanied only by her loyal beagle, Donald Dog, Lisa faces a summer in a very different environment with its own challenges and dangers. Using an outhouse is the least of her problems! She is terrified of her new pony. Lisa's grandfather is injured by a charging cow and needs her to ride the pony to get help. Remembering Grandma's lesson about how love overcomes fear, she tries to push past her worries to ride alone and obtain the help her grandfather needs. Book includes Study Guide, Workshop for Aspiring Writers, and sample horse facts and worksheets from Cornell University's "Horse Book in a Bucket" Program. See study guide questions at: http://rideahorsenotanelevator.blogspot.com/
Henry Gale responded to Paul Revere’s call to Lexington and was honored as a patriot. Yet a decade later, he was considered a traitor for his leadership role in Shays’ Rebellion—a movement to stop courts from prosecuting and jailing the many Revolutionary War veterans unable to pay their debts in the post-war credit crisis. After a military conflict between the insurgents and the militia, Henry Gale was arrested, found guilty of treason and sentenced to “be hanged by the neck until he be dead.” Marched up to the scaffold, the gathered crowd watched the noose placed around his neck and prayers said. Moments before this father of several young children was about to be dropped from the land of the living, the sheriff pulled out a piece of paper and read a statement from Governor John Hancock.
Surviving Loss: The Woodcutter's Tale
The Woodcutter’s Tale is a tender fairytale for all ages about the process of healing after the death of a loved one. The afterword, written by noted therapist Julie Russell,LCSW, seeks to help individuals understand the grieving process and to return to a life with purpose and meaning. This booklet also includes how mother Lisa Saunders is trying to move forward in a way that will honor the memory of her daughter.
How to Get Published (even if you're not thin and famous) is a booklet meant to be a starting point for you—it is based entirely on what has worked for the author, Lisa Saunders. Lisa shares her experiences getting published and how her writing hobby eventually led to a professional career as a writer. She will also briefly address the publishing process associated with short stories, non-fiction, children’s fiction and memoirs. Although she has never written an adult novel, many of the principles still apply. Self-publishing is an increasingly popular alternative, so she will discuss that option as well—especially since print-on-demand books can now cost nothing to produce. Buy it: How to Get Published (even if you're not thin and famous)
For autographed or bulk orders, you can purchase them directly from Lisa. She accepts PayPal, credit card (need type of card, card #, expiration date, security code and zip code) and checks, though PayPay is preferred. Register or sign into your PayPal account at: https://www.paypal.com/ and click on the top button, "Send Money," to make a payment to Lisa's e-mail address at saundersbooks@aol.com
For a complete list of her books, publication dates, ISBNs, etc, click on Book Retailer's List
Lisa is currently working on the book, “Images of Modern America: Mystic,” for Arcadia Publishing. Look for it summer 2016: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Search?searchText=&seriesfacet=Images+of+Modern+America
