About Detours by Rosemary N. Gensler, Phyllis W. Hoffman, Marion S. Phillips, Nancy S. Sims, Ellyn Horn Zarek
Following their dreams of authorship, six fictional women converged in Upstate New Your for a writing conference. They land at The Inn at Raspberry Hill, in the beautiful Berkshires, following a weather event, and are stranded. No amount of foreshadowing could have painted the twists and turns of their mutual journey. With a hint of magical realism, Detours was an International Book Awards Finalist in the visionary fiction category. “What emerges from this collaboration is a compelling story of sisterhood–and of the unexpected challenges that confront them,” Robert Watson, Ph.D. Award Winning Author
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The Five Authors of “Detours” Biographies
Rosemary Gensler fell in love with the power of the word when she was seven years old, writing her first essay. She has written many pieces since then culminating in her memoir, I refuse to Say Moo. She has also published stories through the Kravis Center in Florida, where she is an original member of the Writer’s Circle. Her works have been read on NPR in Florida, where she presently resides and writes. She and her late husband are the parents of three, and proud grandparents of nine. Rosemary looks forward to the continual learning of the written word and seeing more of her work in print.
Phyllis Hoffman knew she wanted to write before she could read. She remembers trips with her cousin and their grandmother to The Public Library in New York. At the time she wished she could read all the books. She owes whatever talent she has to all the teachers who encouraged her to write—and to her father who though she would write “the great American Novel.” Phyllis has a master’s degree in Special Education. She was chosen as one of President Bush’s Points of Light for her volunteer service. Phyllis was honored by The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Jewish Family and Children’s Service.
Her book, Butterfly Girl, is the story of her journey with her second daughter—an amazing woman with special needs. Phyllis is married, has three children, five grandchildren, and various grand dogs and cats.
Marion Susan Phillips was raised in rural New Jersey’s nearby waterways and Appalachian foothills. Her high school essays won her the appointment as senior yearbook editor and finalist in NY Herald Tribune Student Forum She gardened and fished with her father, whose neighboring immigrant parents’ and assorted relatives’ tales continue to inspire her writings.
She was awarded two graduate degrees; became founding member of the Working Writers’ Forum and Cinema Society; had essays published in magazines and read on Florida public radio; presented a paper regarding childhood hearing loss following maternal rubella; and co-wrote funded grants enabling Appalachia-NY State Child Project and Maryland federally funded ESOL program.
Nancy S. Sims is the author of a short story collection, Verbal Snacks, and novella, The Pillow. She is one of the charter members of the Kravis Center Writer’s Circle, and excerpts of her writings have been showcased there, and on a Florida NPR station. She is an ardent supporter of the literary arts as demonstrated by her involvement in her community as a book fair consultant, workshop facilitator, and tutor. Her leadership positions have included: President of the Jewish Community Center in Palm Beach County, Board Member of the Jewish Federation, and Chair of their Community Relations Council during the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Nancy serves on the National Jewish Book Council, where she has been a past judge.
Ellyn Horn Zarek is a writer from Massachusetts and an alumnus of UMass Boston. She was named Best Fiction Writer of the Year in 2016 by the Palm Beach Book festival for her novel, Far Town. She has had several short stories read on NPR and is a Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor. In addition, she has been a member of the Kravis Center Writer’s Circle since 2005.
Ellyn has entertained audiences with readings of her original essays at the Palm Beach Institute or the Entertainment Arts. She is proud to have served two years in AmeriCorps, and to have taught English for International Language Homestays. She is on the board of both The Cream Literary Alliance and Kayla Cares 4 Kids.