The RV Book Fair 2024 hosted a captivating panel on November 18th, celebrating pets and the power of storytelling to share nuggets of hope, featuring a stellar lineup of speakers and authors. Patrick Greenwood, an accomplished author and former global technology engineer, shared insights into his novels Sunrise in Saigon and Shores of Okinawa, blending his real-life experiences with gripping narratives of history and cyberterrorism. Moderators Pat Backley, celebrated for her historical family sagas and memoirs like Daisy and The Abandoned Wives Handbook, and Lucia Matuonto, the dynamic creator of The Relatable Voice Podcast and award-winning author of the Zoe the Crab series, guided the discussion with expertise and warmth. The panel also included Kim Lengling, who draws on her love for animals and personal journey with PTSD to inspire readers through her anthologies, including Paw Prints on the Couch, and Michael Hingson, whose incredible survival story from 9/11 alongside his guide dog Roselle is captured in his bestseller Thunder Dog. This vibrant session celebrated the unique bonds between humans and pets, showcasing how these connections inspire profound and uplifting narratives while highlighting the authors’ shared commitment to storytelling as a beacon of hope and resilience.
Patrick Greenwood
Patrick Greenwood is an author and former global technology engineer with over 25 years of experience in sales, engineering, support, and design.
His debut novel, “Sunrise in Saigon”, published in November 2022, is a historical fiction romance with suspense, drawing from his experiences cycling in various countries. The story begins in 1975 with eleven-year-old Jack Kendall’s curiosity about the Vietnam War and the fate of Catholic nuns who helped orphans escape Saigon. Greenwood’s second novel, “Shores of Okinawa”, released in September 2024, delves into the world of cyberterrorism and its potential dangers. For more information, visit his official website at cyclewriterllc.com.
Kim Lengling
As a multi-published author, Kim shares her love of nature, animals, living with PTSD, and her mission of tossing Nuggets of Hope into the world through writing and her podcast, Let Fear Bounce.
She is the lead author and coordinator of a collaborative 3-book series titled When Grace Found Me and two stand-alone anthologies, When Hope Found Me (released November 2022) and Paw Prints on the Couch (released August 2023.)
In addition to writing, she hosts the podcast Let Fear Bounce, spotlighting people who make a positive difference in the world, whether by writing, film production, philanthropy, teaching, founding non-profits, and more.
You can regularly find Kim drinking copious amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog.
Michael Hingson
Michael Hingson is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, technologist and motivational speaker. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks with the help of his guide dog, Roselle. This story of teamwork and his indomitable will to live and thrive is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog and the major motion picture currently in production, coming in September 2013.
Michael Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, saved dozens of lives by guiding him and his co-workers down 78 floors and out of Tower One just before it collapsed on 9/11. In Thunder Dog, Michael leads us through his moment-by-moment account from inside the tower. The book is also an inspiring look at Michael’s accomplishments in life. Sadly, Roselle passed away in July 2011 but posthumously won the American Humane Association Hero Dog Award for 2012 in a star-studded gala in Beverly Hills, and televised in a special feature presentation on Hallmark Channel.
You can reach Michael Hingson through site michaelhingson.com
Pat Backley
Pat Backley is an author based in Auckland, New Zealand, who emigrated from England in 2010. Passionate about people and travel, she has lived a colorful and interesting life, and her books reflect these passions. Her debut novel, “Daisy”, is a historical family saga spanning almost 100 years, from 1887 to 1974, set in Alabama, Harlem, and London. She has also written “Valentine George”, which follows the life of an ordinary man through extraordinary times, and “The Second Daisy”, focusing on life in 1980s London.
In addition to her novels, Pat has authored memoirs and guides, including “From There To Here (With An Awful Lot In Between)” and “The Abandoned Wives Handbook: A Gentle Guide to One of Life’s Great Traumas”. For more information, visit her official website at patbackley.com.
Lucia Matuonto is the creator and host of The Relatable Voice Podcast and Catch The Story! Podcast, as well as the founder and CEO of Relatable Media LLC. She is also the producer and chief editor of The Relatable Voice Magazine and The RV Book Fair. Anaward-winning author and entrepreneur, Lucia has published five books, including the beloved Zoe the Crab series and Out of The Box, A New World. Her latest book, Homegrown Superheroes, is set to be released soon.
In addition to her podcasting ventures, she hosts UNCUT with Lucia, where she spotlights unique voices and stories. Lucia’s passion for storytelling and connecting creatives shines through her work, making her a cherished figure in the literary and podcasting communities.
You can reach through the site www.relatable-media.com