Of Mary Rudge's works (Water Planet) "..A major fi gure in international poetry [who] is reaching the peak of her poetic power and process..." Ty Hadman in Poet News "...captures the gold ring: the archetype that unites us all." Noni Howard, Publisher, New World Press "Mary Rudge is a poet whose message is a perpetual YES!" Lawrence Ferlinghetti "As when performing her award winning poem onstage at the Saturn Odyssey (Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco) along with Scotty of Star Trek crew, she makes an Odyssey into the deepest resources of the heart..." Natica Angilly, Artists Embassy International "Her poems...intensify our sense of that fl uid strength of the universe which lies deep in each of us..." Barbara Christian, University of California, Berkeley "Mary reminds us of our basic human connectedness, one possible antidote against war..." Elaine Starkman "The bedrock of Rudge's poetry is humanitarianism, a vision of a world where peace and harmony reign triumphant..." Publishers Weekly

Rodney, an admitted coward, moves to Ohio where the middle school bully immediately singles him out. When a stray baseball knocks the bully out just as he is about to beat Rodney up, Rodney gains an undeserved reputation as a tough guy.

From the Grammy-nominated singer, drummer, and percussionist who is world renowned for her contributions throughout the music industry, a moving memoir about the healing power of music and spiritual growth inspired by five decades of life and love on the stage. She was born Sheila Escovedo in 1957, but the world knows her as Sheila E. She first picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, taught by her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo. As the goddaughter of Tito Puente, music was the heartbeat of her family, and despite Sheila's impoverished childhood in Oakland, California, her family stayed strong, inspired by the music they played nightly in their living room. When she was only five, Sheila delivered her first solo performance to a live audience. By nineteen, she had fallen in love with Carlos Santana. By twenty-one, she met Prince at one of her concerts. Sheila E. and Prince would eventually join forces and collaborate for more than two decades, creating hits that catapulted Sheila to her own pop superstardom. The Beat of My Own Drum is both a walk through four decades of Latin and pop music—from her tours with Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Prince, and Ringo Starr to her own solo career. At the same time, it’s also a heartbreaking, ultimately redemptive look at how the sanctity of music can save a person’s life. Having repeatedly endured sexual abuse as a child, Sheila credits her parents, music, and God with giving her the will to carry on and to build a lasting legacy. Rich in musical detail, pop, and Latin music history, this is a fascinating walk through some of the biggest moments in music from the ’70s and ’80s. But as Sheila’s personal story, this memoir is a unique glimpse into a world-famous drummer’s singular life—a treat for both new and longtime fans of Sheila E. And above all, The Beat of My Own Drum is a testament to how the positive power of music has fueled Sheila’s heart and soul—and how it can transform your life as well.

The four plays in this collection are unique in many ways. All founded on true experiences, the plays show the complexities of human behaviour and the choices people make. They remind us that our decision and actions can rarely, if ever, be classified in simple terms of black and white. These creative works challenge us to look inside and question ourselves, no matter how difficult the answers may be. And behind every word is the realisation that not only do these things happen, they specifically did occur to the many brave individuals who gave up their stories as a means of educating, entertaining, exploring and challenging. Described by audiences as life changing, brave, shocking, self-reflective, raw, unlike any other theatre experience, challenging, and I didnt know theatre could do this. Hartley puts all her cards on the table with her writing and is not afraid to tackle the topics others avoid, yet she does so with an honesty, even brutality, that never loses its sensitivity or humour, albeit black humour. Her compassion and respect for those she writes about is clear in ever page of her work.