Getting to know: Author Eric Hendershot

Eric Hendershot is the author of the newly published AT SEASON'S END. He is here today to share some info about his life, his most recent release, and what's coming up next.

I was born in Taylor Pennsylvania but call Towanda Penna. my home - we moved there when I was in 5th grade and that is where I graduated from high school. I was on the varsity wrestling and track teams. Later went to a Junior college and wrestled. 

I met a beautiful blonde named Dickilyn from Oakland, California (she was a pom pom girl)  and we have been married for 41 years. 

I graduated from BYU and got a job teaching at a large high school in Salt Lake City. I will never forget my first paycheck as a teacher  - eight hundred dollars and some change. I was devastated to say the least. I had to do something else to support my family. I was a story teller so we decided to pursue writing movie scripts. My wife bought me a used Adler typewriter and a card table. We would put the kids to bed, turn off the TV and I would start plunking away. I optioned a few scripts then finally struck gold - Gloria Monty - "Queen of Daytime television" (Ex. Prod. of The Secret Storm and General Hospital) loved a script that I had written caller "The Impostor."  To make a long story short it was made into an ABC Movie of the Week that played nationally. I made more money on that project then I did in a year of teaching and coaching. We decided to leave teaching a pursue writing full time. That was 26 screenplays ago. In the film business the writer is the first hired and the first fired. So instead of waiting by the phone and hoping somebody liked one of my scripts I decided raise some money and direct one of my scripts. I raised a million dollars and did a film called CLUBHOUSE DETECTIVES. That was 13 feature length films ago. I raised my family making films. 

My first novel was a YA book called Jimmy Stillman I will Always Love You. It takes place in my home town of Towanda and on the Susquehanna River that runs through town. What a thrill to get a book published and see it in bookstores.

AT SEASONS END  was originally titled - SIDE BY SIDE but the publisher liked  ASE better. To learn more about the origins of the book the reader needs to read the Author's note at the beginning of the book. 

I have another book coming out in October -  A HORSE FOR CHRISTMAS - it is a tale of three kids who steal a ride in the back of their big brother's jeep Cherokee to go to Nevada and wrangle their very own wild mustangs. It is quite an adventure. I think young readers are going to love it.

I presently live in Springville, Utah. We bought a little brick cottage which we gutted and remodeled. I opened the attic and created a little writing nook. I have a little window that lets in the light and a view of the Rocky Mountains. For me it is the perfect place to write. Sure beats writing in the walk-in closet on the old manual Adler.

I have always loved good literature. I remember reading the Scarlet Letter in high school and not wanting to put it down. I love anything inspirational that stirs my soul and motivates me to be a better person.

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