Please join us for the Authors Connect Reading and Reception, presented by United Airlines and PASS International on opening night at the Women in Aviation International Conference in Orlando, Florida, Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 pm. Meet and mingle with acclaimed aviatrix authors and hear them read from their work in a casual, intimate atmosphere. Heavy appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Come prepared to be inspired by their stories, and to tap into your own story to inspire others. Get your tickets now before they sell out!

Join the Discussions:

Tuesday March 19th 7pm EDT

Meeting ID: 867 0440 6301

Passcode: 552956

Sunday March 31st 1pm EDT

Meeting ID: 833 8145 7309

Passcode: 576892

March 2024

The Six: The untold Story of American’s First Women Astronauts

by Loren Grush

When NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s the agency excluded women from the corps, arguing that only military test pilots—a group then made up exclusively of men—had the right stuff. It was an era in which women were steered away from jobs in science and deemed unqualified for space flight. Eventually, though, NASA recognized its blunder and opened the application process to a wider array of hopefuls, regardless of race or gender. From a candidate pool of 8,000 six elite women were selected in 1978—Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon.

In The Six, acclaimed journalist Loren Grush shows these brilliant and courageous women enduring claustrophobic—and sometimes deeply sexist—media attention, undergoing rigorous survival training, and preparing for years to take multi-million-dollar payloads into orbit. Together, the Six helped build the tools that made the space program run. One of the group, Judy Resnik, sacrificed her life when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded at 46,000 feet. Everyone knows of Sally Ride’s history-making first space ride, but each of the Six would make their mark. “A spirited group biography…it’s hard not to feel awe for these women” (The Wall Street Journal).

Welcome to the new Literary Aviatrix Leadership and Development author interview series. 

Loree "Rowdy" Draude was a combat pilot among the first women to deploy on an aircraft carrier. She also navigated a very successful career in the tech sector. Now Loree brings her professional experiences together to help coach and inspire business leaders, and her love of art and creativity to entertain and inspire audiences with her one-woman show, "I Feel the Need."

Her book, She's Just Another Navy Pilot, is Loree's memoir of that first carrier deployment, which began the day LT Kara Hultgreen lost her life in a fatal crash on takeoff. Soar Into Joy brings together the advice Loree finds herself repeating as a coach to her clients.

In this interview with best-selling author Sara Ackerman, we talk about her latest historical novel, The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West, set against the backdrop of the Dole Air Race from the Continental U.S. to Hawaii in the late 1920's. In this reimagined story, female competitor Olivia West joins the fray in a race that historically included no female pilots. Acclaimed for her WWII historical romance novels set in Hawaii, we're privileged to have an Aviatrix join Sara's fictional cast of characters in this latest release.

In this interview with New Zealand pilot, flight instructor and author, Penelope Haines, we discuss her mystery/thriller novel Death on D'Urville and talk all things flying and instructing in New Zealand!

In this interview with all-star award-winning young adult authors Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein, they discuss their fabulously researched and written young adult non-fiction American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky, and give us a glimpse into this fascinating aviation history and the process that brought it to life. This book is essential reading for any avgeek or aviation history buff!

In this interview with helicopter pilot and author Kodey Bogart, we talk about her new picture book, Helo Girls: The Firefighting Pilot. Kodey is a decorated veteran Army Warrant Officer Medevac pilot and recipient of two Air Medals and the Sikorsky Rescue Award. She has extensive experience in a range of aviation operations, training, safety, test flight, air ambulance, and law enforcement. We spend a good portion of our interview geeking out about flying helos. The Firefighting Pilot is the first of what Kodey plans to turn into a series of picture books featuring various female pilots in diverse aviation missions.

In this interview with Bloomberg space journalist and author Loren Grush, we talk about her childhood growing up around Johnson Space Center with two NASA Engineers and how that led her to unearth the stories of NASA's first women astronauts.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the clouds with Pilot Stories, a Beyond Haiku series book brought to you by noted writer/author Walter Villa and pioneering American Airlines Captain Linda Pauwels.

This riveting collection is for more than just aviation enthusiasts. Each chapter contains true-to-life stories that run the gamut of human emotions – from heartbreaking sadness to heart-pounding excitement and more.

From overcoming adversity to achieving unparalleled success, these men and women aviators share their most intimate struggles and victories, offering readers a rare glimpse into the extraordinary world of aviation.

This book will leave you inspired, uplifted and yearning for the boundless adventures that await above the horizon.

Travel with Ava to seven countries, while she flies B-747s and rescues a kidnapped teenager. Circumnavigate the International dating scene, while evading prostitution and human trafficking. From flying as an aerial firefighter to operating heavy jets, this is your ticket to experience being a woman pilot in a male dominated profession. This book is your boarding pass, and your adventures globetrotting with Ava, begin now.

This extraordinary novel, inspired by real events, tells the story of a female aviator who defies the odds to embark on a daring air race across the Pacific.

1927. Olivia "Livy" West is a fearless young pilot with a love of adventure. She yearns to cross oceans and travel the skies. When she learns of the Dole Air Race—a high-stakes contest to be the first to make the 2,400 mile Pacific crossing from the West Coast to Hawai'i—she sets her sights on qualifying. But it soon becomes clear that only men will make the cut. In a last-ditch effort to take part, Livy manages to be picked as a navigator for one of the pilots, before setting out on a harrowing journey that some will not survive.

1987. Wren Summers is down to her last dime when she learns she has inherited a remote piece of land on the Big Island with nothing on it but a dilapidated barn and an overgrown mac nut grove. She plans on selling it and using the money to live on, but she is drawn in by the mysterious objects kept in the barn by her late great-uncle—clues to a tragic piece of aviation history lost to time. Determined to find out what really happened all those years ago, Wren enlists the help of residents at a nearby retirement home to uncover Olivia’s story piece by piece. What she discovers is more earth-shattering, and closer to home, than she could have ever imagined.

Amid Prohibition, Irish gangs, the KKK, and rampant mistreatment of immigrant women, intrepid private investigator Dorothy Henderson and her pal Amelia Earhart seek justice for several murdered young women in 1926 Boston. As tensions mount, the sleuths, along with their reporter friend Jeanette and Dot’s maiden aunt Etta. experience their own mistreatment at the hand of society and wonder who they can really trust.

This novel brings a pre-fame Amelia Earhart to life in 1926, when she lived in a Boston suburb and worked as a teacher and social worker at a settlement house founded to help immigrant women. After Amelia meets fictional lady PI Dot Henderson, and more than one young immigrant woman is found murdered, the two put their heads together to seek justice for the less powerful. Meanwhile, Etta Rogers, a founder of the settlement house and a Wellesley professor, works with reporter Jeanette Colby to investigate the Irish gangs who are not only running illicit liquor but also seeking to take over the settlement house real estate.

Mytai is an F-22 fighter jet with a need for speed! It’s the day of a big training exercise, and to win this airborne game of tag, Mytai will need help from her aircraft friends. By working together and sharing their diverse talents, Mytai and her team accomplish the mission and demonstrate the power of teamwork!

Fly with Mytai is part of the Operation Aviation™ series of rhyming military aircraft adventures, featuring anthropomorphic fighter jets and a supportive cast of aviation friends.

Available in English and Spanish.

A heartwarming book for military kids, written by a therapist, military spouse, and mom to support children during the deployments and extended work trips often required of our military. In this book, one of the many pockets found in a mother's flight suit is given to the child to fill with notes, cards, pictures, and other small items. The child's own flight suit pocket ("my flight suit pocket") helps to keep the child and mother close at heart, even when they are far apart.

Trapped! Two families are trapped by an approaching wild fire and need helping escaping the blaze, fast!

Dolph, a Coast Guard HH-65 “Dolphin” rescue helicopter and his pilot, Gwen, quickly respond to the urgent call of eight people needing rescue from an approaching fire. This mission is an unprecedented challenge for Dolph and Gwen, accustomed to water rescues. This mission will require unwavering courage, skilled teamwork, and trust.

Two families, four adults and four children, are enjoying a stay at a remote 100-year-old Lightkeepers House, located at the end of a long narrow peninsula. Not far from their lodging, a strong wind has whipped a smoldering campfire into a grass-fire sending up a column of smoke. The smell of smoke is the first clue that something is amiss. An investigation of the source of the smoke revels a line of flames stretching the width of the peninsula moving toward them. High tides make escaping the fire along the beach impossible. They’re trapped!

Dolph, Gwen, the Rescue Swimmer (Sam) and the Flight Mech (Mike) must work together to accomplish the unusual mission. Their courage and superb skills are rewarded in the end with a surprising discovery.

The author, Darcy Guyant, is a retired Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter pilot. This story is based on an actual rescue mission flown my him.

Other books by Darcy Guyant
Into The Storm, The Coast Guard Adventures of Dolph and Gwen
To Seek and To Save, A Memoir

Available April 17th!

Meet Daring Dexter, the street dog with an unwavering commitment to maintaining his swagger and resisting the "downgrade" of becoming a rescued dog. Authored by Erin Mariah Murphy, an airline pilot and passionate animal advocate, DARING DEXTER is a comical yet touching picture book that takes readers on a whimsical journey of self-discovery and courage.

Homeless Dexter believes that rescued animals lose their swagger, so he cleverly conceals himself amidst his street art to avoid rescue teams. However, Dexter's determined stance is put to the ultimate test when an animal air rescue team, complete with an airplane and a rescue ranch, turns his world upside down.

This engaging picture book sparks important conversations about the courage to change, the therapeutic power of art, and the adjustments needed when adapting to a new environment. As the second aviation-meets-animal rescue book from Erin Mariah Murphy, following the success of Halfway Home, DARING DEXTER is based on true events, offering a unique blend of humor, heart, and real-life inspiration.

Perfect for ages 4-7, DARING DEXTER is not just a celebration of the daring spirit within every child; it also highlights the pivotal role aviation plays in animal rescue and adoptions. Whether you're an animal lover, aviation enthusiast, or part of a found or adoptive family, this picture book is designed to captivate and inspire.

Don't miss the opportunity to join Dexter on his hilarious and heartwarming journey as he navigates the challenges of change, proving that even the most determined can find joy in unexpected transformations. Order your copy today and share in the celebration of courage, friendship, and the boundless possibilities that come with daring to change.

Welcome to the whimsical world of "Piper's Dream," a charming children's book that takes young readers on a delightful journey with Piper, a spirited five-year-old with a heart full of dreams. Immerse yourself in the enchanting tale of Piper's love for airplanes, her encounters with Captain Kelly, and her soaring adventures in the vast sky.

"Piper's Dream" is more than just a story; it's an inspiring rhyme-filled adventure designed to capture the imaginations of 5-year-olds. With its endearing characters, including Piper, Captain Kelly, and Piper's loving family, and accompanied by vibrant illustrations on every page, the book creates a magical and uplifting reading experience.

Join Piper as she discovers the joy of flight, courageously embraces her dreams, and sets out to become a pilot. The rhythmic storytelling and enchanting illustrations make "Piper's Dream" a perfect addition to your child's bedtime routine or story time.

Astra the lonely airplane never has to be lonely again! Her new hangar in sunny LA is home to three amazing new friends: Lana, a sleek, beautiful Learjet; a giant cargo plane named Hank; and Helen the crime-fighting helicopter.

In fact, they're all so cool that Astra soon starts to wonder if she's cut out for life in Hollywood! But when Lana, Hank, and Helen are each faced with unexpected problems, Astra discovers that you don't need to be the fastest, the strongest, or the bravest to be important. It's being a good friend that makes you a star!

In this Aviatrix Writers’ Room interview with best-selling author Sara Ackerman, she shares how she went from three rejected, unpublished novels to finding an agent and becoming the successful author of six acclaimed historical fiction novels centered on Hawaiian history, including her latest release, The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West.

In this interview with self-published historical fiction and mystery/thriller author Penelope Haines, we talk details on going from Na-No-Wri-Mo participant to self-published author.