Helen Scanlon and Magic, author photo outtake, summer 2021, photo by Steven Scanlon

 

 

Hello kind readers,

Lessons with Magic was officially published on April 4, 2022 and is now available to purchase here:

Lessons with Magic on Amazon!

Thank you all for coming along for the ride! This book is my first work of fiction, and is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Lessons with Magic is a deeply personal book for me– the horses and cats of my life inspired the words, and this story had been in my heart for a long time. It was waiting for the perfect time to set my ancient MacBook laptop alight.

I wrote the first sentence on January 1, 2021 and finished the first draft a mere three months later–by far the quickest manuscript I ever completed. I didn’t use an outline; I just wrote with the gate open and let the words fly. I wrote for several hours every day (yes, EVERY day) until it was done, and very little changed from the first draft to the final draft. In short, I LOVED writing Lessons with Magic. I am so happy to finally share it with all of you.

I let the story guide me, and I allowed myself to be brave. I wrote about the difficult stuff. I reached far back into my own story and invited the lessons of my young life to take center stage. My characters were all inspired by real people and real horses. And of course, my cat Mouse. He really existed and he was a gorgeous slate-gray with enchanting green eyes and I saved his life when he was a kitten. It feels right to pay tribute to this cat of my soul on the pages of Lessons with Magic. I will always remember him.

And oh, those glorious horses of my life: Misty, Mirage, Toby, Rooster. Such inspiration from these special equine souls! Although they have long since departed this physical plane, I keep all of them close in my heart. They were right next to me as I wrote.

…and to my friend Magic Potion SS, “Magic”: you inspired my equine hero because of your beautiful and generous spirit.

I mean, how could he not inspire me? He is so cute and sweet and funny–just look at him! Here we are in my latest author photo…the wind picked up and tousled my hair, so it looks like we are in a shampoo ad… 😉 Just perfect! (photo by Steven Scanlon)

He inspires art, too. Here he is on the the cover:

Again, thank you all.

~Helen

There is a moment waiting for those who have lost their way. They only have to open the channels of the heart to let the dream back in. ~Magic

 

 

Hello, wonderful people! A new edited blog post, March 22, 2022.

I have news! My newest book, Lessons with Magic is ALMOST HERE! My readers have completed the proof, and now we are just waiting for the final. Then, it’s PUBLICATION TIME! Yes, it takes time–a lot of time–to write, illustrate and publish a book. I appreciate your patience.

It is the quickest book I have ever written–Lessons with Magic is a story that I have held in my heart for a long, long time, and it finally jumped onto my laptop. I guess it just needed the right time to make itself known.

Writing this book was an emotional experience for me. Even though the book is a work of fiction, it is a personal story that draws from my own experiences with horses. Lessons with Magic is a tribute to the school horses of the world–those special horses who save lives, inspire change, and soothe fearful hearts with their gentle ways. I have had the distinct honor of knowing and riding many school horses, and they helped me to survive my chaotic childhood with an alcoholic father. The effects of growing up with the unpredictable and angry presence of my father’s alcohol addiction followed me into my early adulthood, and it was the horses who came to my rescue, yet again. I owe so much to the equine. It’s why I write books about them: my gratitude knows no bounds.

Their names and their faces are always clear in my mind. These horses were my teachers, my heroes, my friends.

Lessons with Magic is a book about overcoming fear and standing up to destructive forces. It is about discovering hope in the middle of a tempest. It is about how love always wins, just like the sun always rises. It is about regaining lost perspective and honoring the soul’s purpose.

It is a book for those older kids who may feel all alone. You aren’t. You are strong, you are brilliant, and you are worthy. Reach out for help and accept the kindness from those who care.

It is a book for those adults who survived and reclaimed their strength. And I salute you! You did it. 🙂

It is a book to help all of us celebrate joy, friendship, and our resilience. Lessons with Magic is a story that shows us that hope is always walking right beside us.

And a special thank you to Magic, my friend Jeanne’s adorable Arabian chestnut gelding, for inspiring my title character. Oh my gosh, isn’t he so cute? (photo by yours truly!) (because I am utterly smitten!)

Keep checking back for updates, and if you are on Facebook–look up Helen Scanlon, Author and Artist and give it a ‘like.’ I post a lot over there–including the occasional disco video. *wink*

Best wishes, and happy spring!

Helen

Hello kind readers!

I must thank all of you for your patience… This book took a minute or two!

But here it is! Click the link to purchase:

The Great Red Horse: The Legacy

Why did it take so long for me to complete this final book in The Great Red Horse trilogy? I guess I just wasn’t ready to say my final goodbye to my friend, UC Ringmaster. During our last visit back in 2012, I promised him I would write beautiful books for him to keep his memory alive. He nickered very, very softly to me as I spoke to him. He was so weak I could barely hear him. In his youth, Ring could nicker and whuffle with such vigor. He was so tired, but he still had the spark. Always a World Champion. A two-time World Champion, to be exact.

Tears streamed down my face as I told him I loved him. I knew I would never see him again. Then, I walked away from his stall for the last time.

One day later, he was gone.

I now realize that this book isn’t a goodbye–it is my way to keep UC Ringmaster in our hearts.

I kept my promise.

I included all of his UConn-bred progeny in this new book, and well as my eulogy. At his memorial service, the wind noticeably picked up as I recited the words “I hear him in the gust through the flue.” Yup, The Great Red Horse was there with all of us that day. Magic happens when you are still and your heart is open.

The ones we love may leave us on the physical plane, but they never truly leave us as long as we remember them. Love is always visible: just look up. They live among the stars.

With gratitude,

Helen

 

(Helen and UC Ringmaster share a fun moment. photo credit K. Jakowski, 2011)

Go here to purchase Because of a Horse on Amazon!

Thank you all for your support! Because of a Horse was so much fun to write!

My 2019 gift to all of you, a new poem: “009.”

Fortunato Cavallo’s Carol Ann, “Cricket,” had a rough start to her life. Forgotten and scared–she was rescued at the 11th hour, and was given warmth, safety, and love in time for Christmas. She went on to become a little girl’s adored pony–and a dressage champion at the Randy May Memorial dressage schooling show! She is an amazing pony, and is loved by so many.

Cricket after she was saved–the light returns to her kind eyes! (copyright 2018, Helen Scanlon)

My best wishes to you for a wonderful new year filled with love and laughter.

~Helen

 

 

Hello everyone! Happy Fourth of July!

I was interviewed by UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources recently–I love talking about my books–and horses! Many thanks to Kim Colavito Markesich for a great interview. I felt like we could chat for hours…. Click on the link to read:

Naturally@UConn interview with Helen Scanlon

In the interview, I mention my final book in The Great Red Horse trilogy–The Great Red Horse: The Legacy– and I would like to share more of an update with you on my blog. The book is written (yay!), most of the illustrations are outlined(yay!)–I just need to break out the watercolors and the brushes and get to work. Not much is happening with that right now because Connecticut is in the middle of an epic heat wave, and my studio doesn’t have air conditioning (!). So, I am waiting (somewhat impatiently!) for fall to arrive. I am not much of a summer person, and my friends will tell you how much I complain during the dog days. Grumpy Cat becomes my spirit animal in the summer, I won’t shut up about the heat and general grossness until glorious October! But, I like fireflies. And watermelon and fresh corn.

Thank you all for enjoying my books and for your lovely words of support! And my dear overheated New Englanders, stay cool! Relief is on the way…

Oh, and by the way–tomorrow is my birthday and if anyone was thinking of getting me a horse, I have a soft spot for Morgans. 😉

Sending a refreshing breeze your way,

Helen

 

PS here is a selfie with my wonderful dressage partner, Nakita! Isn’t she beautiful? She is a Morgan/Andaulsian cross (I know, right?!), and wow–can she move! I recommend trying out a medium trot on this mare. You will channel Kate Winslet in Titanic: “I’m flying!”

 

Dust and Determination: A History of UConn Polo was SO MUCH FUN to write–I am happy that readers think it’s fun to read as well. Thank you!

Here are the 5-star reviews on Amazon:

A must read for any horse, polo, or Uconn Husky fan! Highly informative, loved the history and origins of the sport and an insightful look into the University of Connecticut’s experience with horses and polo over the ages. And of course love the visuals 🙂 ~Vincent Xavier

This book contains some of the best in sports writing. Scanlon details the history of the players, both male and female, the coaches and the horses. She explains in detail the rules of the game. She tells of all the trials and tribulations of building a world class polo team at a small state university. The University of Connecticut has battled the best of the teams in this “rich man’s sport,,” and has won again and again even against ivy league teams like Cornell’s “Big Red.” A wonderful history of an exciting sport. Recommended! ~kathy

Toni Leland of Connecticut Horse magazine also gave D and D a glowing review, here is an excerpt:

If there’s anything you want to know about polo, you’ll find it in Dust and Determination: A History of UConn Polo. Connecticut author Helen Scanlon gives a detailed, concise, and well-written overview of everything from the game itself and its history to the chronological progression of the polo program at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Helen’s enthusiasm and description of her first encounter with polo leaves one with the urge to go see a game…Throughout this nice volume, Helen’s beautiful artwork enhances her writing, and some chapters include historical photographs of UConn’s program and players.

If you loved reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it–feel free to write a review! Authors, especially those who are independently published (like yours truly), love it when our readers spread the word about our work. It means a lot to us! So, share the love.

With heaps of gratitude,

~Helen