It's a book!

When David was Surprised is now available as an e-book.... print version coming soon! 

Seventeen...

five star reviews on Amazon.... a new one was added today..Read it HERE :).  

Sneak peek!

Scroll down on the right to read the first two chapters of When David was Surprised....

Where David Went

The second book is just a few weeks away from being released and I'm plotting out the story of the next book, Where David Went. In the story, David goes lots of places, including on a trip...without Mother and Pop.  When he comes home, however, I'm thinking he may have to face a major disappointment.  

It's difficult - as the writer - to imagine making a character that I love almost as much as I love my real brother face a loss of any kind.  And yet, conflict and change are what stories are all about.  I haven't quite decided what's exactly in store for David and the other characters in the book, but I do know that the characters are going to have to deal with some bigger issues - and bigger losses - than they have before.  

We are the world...

Tomorrow, I'm attending a networking meeting and I'm going to have to talk about what makes me or my "product" unique.  Before making the claim that How David Met Sarah is the only series of novels in the entire canon of Western literature narrated by a hero with Down Syndrome, I thought I'd better google it and find out, if in fact, there are any others.

While I'm still not sure I can make the claim, I did find a wonderful organization on the other side of the world in Australia, which was already aware of How David Met Sarah.  You can read their initial blog post about the series HERE.  Please visit and leave them a comment to let them know you were there... it gives me chills and goosebumps to realize that people all the way across the globe can enjoy these stories, too.

I can't wait to see the books in other languages, too... German, Spanish and Hebrew translations are in the works!  Chinese, too, hopefully, soon! 

And the winning name is....

A few months ago, the National Down Syndrome Society held their annual gala.  Along with a copy of How David Met Sarah, I donated a chance to have the winner's name in a novel.  Although it's too late to include the name in When David was Surprised, the third book in the series, Where David Went, is planned for release in the fall, and there're two more books after that.

I'm thrilled to tell you all that the winner's name is MOLLY (what a great name!) and the character will be the 16 year old cousin of Mariah, the girl who - as readers know - has a crush on David.  When Molly moves back to town, chaos ensues when Molly decides to try to help her older cousin capture the man of her dreams!

Please check out the National Down Syndrome Society's website for photographs of the February gala.  You can even see a photo of How David Met Sarah if you look very closely at one of the tables! 

One more time

When it comes to writing, I'm a perfectionist.  In high school, I learned that Flaubert, the author of Madame Bovary, sometimes spent entire afternoons contemplating the correct placement of a comma.
Unfortunately, I can relate.
People who know me know I am as happy-go-lucky in most other areas of my life as it's possible (and probably safe) to be.
But not when it comes to writing.
When it comes to writing, I can re-write forever.
So this weekend I'm putting one more gloss on When David was Surprised...in order to tweak a couple last things at the suggestion of my editor, and just in case I missed a few commas!

Did you know...

that March is Disability Awareness Month?  

Our latest review...

Some of what the Hartford Book Examiner had to say about How David Met Sarah:

"As the book’s subtitle (a very special love story) suggests, it’s a romantic predicament that demands much of the story’s focus. Indeed, David becomes infatuated with the new girl in town. (If only he could meet her!) Her name is Sarah, and she attends his church, occasionally eats at his favorite restaurant, and even considers joining his recreation group. Sarah is also Autistic.

The fact that Sarah doesn’t speak, at least not in the traditional sense (she communicates through sign), and seldom makes eye contact does little to dissuade David from believing that she is the girl of his dreams. Rather, he is convinced that they are meant to be together, and his attempts to make that happen are both heart-warming and humorous. This romantic angst will resonate with readers of all ages who have experienced the pains and pleasures of falling in love.

While David’s affections for Sarah may be the crux of the story, Kelleher offers several sub-plots of equal importance. She explores complex issues - impropriety in the workplace, bullying, familial discord, stereotyping, etc. – in deceptively simple prose. (I am reminded of a writer acquaintance who once said, “Easy reading makes for damn hard writing.”) Each is dealt with delicately but provides the opportunity for a teachable moment; they also illuminate the struggles faced by individuals and their caretakers.


How David Met Sarah is an important book on multiple levels. First, and perhaps foremost, it gives developmentally disabled readers an accessible, age and content-appropriate story to enjoy and a relatable protagonist to root for. Second, it provides parents, educators and caretakers a rare resource that not only entertains but also exposes the realities of what it’s like to live with a disability. If knowledge is power, then sharing that knowledge is empowerment - both for the messenger and the recipient.

Ultimately, though, How David Met Sarah’s greatest achievement may be something far simpler (and yet equally profound): It reminds us that, no matter our background, we all desire the same things in life – and that a sense of love and belonging is chief among them. It’s a true testament to Anne Kelleher’s skill as a writer (and passion as an advocate) that she manages to accomplish so much in such a slender volume. While "ground-breaking" is not a term to be used lightly, How David Met Sarah is deserving of such praise, and so much more


Continue reading on Examiner.com Book Review: 'How David Met Sarah' by Anne Kelleher - Hartford Books | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/books-in-hartford/how-david-met-sarah-review#ixzz1oQpZkn3V

Read our latest review...

Right HERE....!

We're planning the launch party...

If you're in the Princeton, NJ area, we hope you'll consider joining us.  More details coming soon!

It's here!