Melissa W. Hunter
Melissa W. Hunter, author of What She Lost and other works, is a writer and blogger from Cincinnati, Ohio. She studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Cincinnati, receiving a BA in English literature and a minor in Judaic studies. She was awarded the English Department’s Undergraduate Essay Award and Undergraduate Fiction Award over two consecutive years. In her senior year, she received a grant to study and write about the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC.
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Melissa's works combine her passion for writing with her love of her faith. Her articles have been published on Kveller.com and LiteraryMama.com, Booksbywomen.org, and her short stories have appeared in the Jewish Literary Journal. She is a contributing blogger to the Today Show parenting community, and her novella Through a Mirror Clear was published as a serial installment on TheSame.blog, an online literary journal written for women by women (now available in its entirety on Amazon.com).She also works as Assistant Editor for The American Israelite, the oldest Jewish newspaper in the United States, covering local, national, and international stories. Her award-winning novel What She Lost is inspired by her grandmother’s life as a Holocaust survivor. Her latest novel, Eight Wishes, is a holiday romance that unfolds over the eight nights of Hanukkah. When not at her computer, Melissa loves spending family time with her husband and two beautiful daughters, and she is never without a cup of coffee in her hands!
About Me
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities to connect. I am available for the following:
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Book Signings
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Film Discussions
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Book Clubs
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School and Library Engagements
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Speaker's Bureau Talks
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Holocaust and Humanity Center Tours
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Leaves of Legacy Project
My father is a man of immeasurable strength, intelligence, compassion, and love, and he lived an incredible life. That's why it's so hard to watch as his Alzheimer's progresses. As his memories fade, I have begun to chronicle his life story for my own sake, for my children, and the rest of our family. Not only am I recording his legacy, but I'm putting on paper the wonderful memories I have of a man who was always larger than life in my eyes.
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This led me to the idea of creating the Leaves of Legacy project.
What is Leaves of Legacy?
Leaves of Legacy is a project I am undertaking to write books about the lives of those living with Dementia, Alzheimer's, or any other incapacitating illness. To create this book, I will interview those suffering from the illness (if possible), as well as their loved ones, to chronicle and, most importantly, honor the life of that individual. This can be done in person in a comfortable setting, or online by ordering a Leaves of Legacy package. All it takes is a little bit of time and a lot of love. Leave the rest to me!
What do I get?
The completed book will feature different chapters in an individual's life as well as their family's memories of cherished moments. The book will also showcase photos, documents (like graduation certificates, marriage certificates, etc.), or anything else the family would like to preserve on the page. My goal is to create a professionally-bound book for the family to have as a keepsake, one they can revisit over the years that will hopefully bring joy and comfort as they remember their loved-one.
Is there a cost?
While there will be a slight charge for my time and resources, I plan to donate half the proceeds of every book I create to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of the family's choice. For more information or to schedule an initial conversation, please reach out to me at authormwhunter@gmail.com.
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I look forward to working with you to create your family's very own Leaves of Legacy book.
Books for Change Partners
