Hastings Books & Music to Carry Vanishing Treasure of the Virungas by Deborah Lively
VANISHING TREASURE OF THE VIRUNGAS IS NOW AVAILABLE AT HASTINGS BOOKS & MUSIC STORESDeborah Lively, spins a delightful tale about her 13 year old protagonist Shelly and her father's journey into Rwanda. Teens, children, parents and teachers will be fascinated and intrigued reading not just the story, but learning about human kindness, wildlife conservation and those that dedicated their lives the Mountain Gorilla. An adventure begins...
This wonderfully illustrated and imaginative story will take you right to the lush tropical jungles of the Virungas Mountains. Deborah Dreher Lively is an artist and writer enthusiastically involved in the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla. She has supported and contributed original art work to Partners In Conservation (Columbus Zoo, Columbus, Ohio) fund raising events since 1996. Her previous writings include publication in national and area periodicals. Ms. Lively’s website: http://www.deborahlively.artspan.com/.
The Story Behind the “Story”- A Message from Deborah Lively:
In 1993, I went to work for a Print Broker in Seattle. We helped artist self publish their original work into reproduction prints. I soon became an Artists’ Representative helping to market these artist to all major avenues within the fine art industry including representing the artists at various industry trade shows. In 1996, I produced and hosted an art show at the Alderbrook Inn, a resort in western Washington where I lived. 
It was a huge success. My guest speaker was Dr. Charlene Jendry, co-founder of Partners In Conservation at the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo. PIC is a grass roots non profit organization which supports the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla and the indigenous People of the Virunga Mountain Range. During her lecture and through her video and photo slides I first became aware of the conservation efforts on behalf of the Mountain Gorilla and was introduced to the life of Dian Fossey, Karisoke Research Center, Rozamond Carr and the children of Imbabazi Orphanage in Rwanda. And on that evening my life was changed forever.
In 1993, I went to work for a Print Broker in Seattle. We helped artist self publish their original work into reproduction prints. I soon became an Artists’ Representative helping to market these artist to all major avenues within the fine art industry including representing the artists at various industry trade shows. In 1996, I produced and hosted an art show at the Alderbrook Inn, a resort in western Washington where I lived. 
It was a huge success. My guest speaker was Dr. Charlene Jendry, co-founder of Partners In Conservation at the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo. PIC is a grass roots non profit organization which supports the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla and the indigenous People of the Virunga Mountain Range. During her lecture and through her video and photo slides I first became aware of the conservation efforts on behalf of the Mountain Gorilla and was introduced to the life of Dian Fossey, Karisoke Research Center, Rozamond Carr and the children of Imbabazi Orphanage in Rwanda. And on that evening my life was changed forever. 
In summer of 1997 I hosted a second art show and brought together five representatives of animals conservation organizations for a series of lectures. Cheetahs, Snow Leopards, and Wolves were represented along with the Mountain Gorilla. As with my first show, artists created work for a drawing or silent auction. In August of 1997, I began to write a children’s fictional story based on the legacy of Dian Fossey and the 
preservation of the Mountain Gorilla. In September I joined an art group to learn the technique of Painting with Pastel so that I could illustrate my manuscript. I just wanted to paint gorillas. However, now 11 years later and over 160 painting completed, I have painted many different wildlife subjects as well as portraits of the orphans of Imbabazi, landscape and floral. I helped to raise funds for the children of Imbabazi by contributing my art work to the PIC’s annual fund raiser, Rwanda Fete. I collected from my community and sent over 400 skeins of yarn to the orphanage because Charlene told me the children were learning how to knit. 
One year, I scanned art work, from the artists in my art group, and printed the original image on blank note cards. The artists wrote messages to each child and we sent the cards along with Christmas candy to the orphans in 1998 so that on Christmas morn every child- about 140, had a card and candy as a special holiday treat from friends in America. I represented PIC as a spokesperson in the Northwest. I continued to correspond with Roz Carr( until her passing in 2007) and Bob Campbell. I sent my manuscript to them and they both responded very positive. Bob Campbell helped me a lot with portraying the actions of the gorillas and the speech of the African characters realistically. I began to enhance the storyline to bring the length to industry standard. I spent the rest of 2007 
researching and corresponding with Dr. Liz Macfee, who held the position of Director of the MGVP during the time I had set my storyline. ( Pre-genocide, while Karisoke Research Center was in full operation ) She helped to give me insight into her daily routine. This book is based on fact. Dian Fossey and Dr. Jim Foster were real people who lived and worked in Rwanda and cared deeply for the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla. Roz Carr was a friend to Dian Fossey and often took care of her when she was ill. Veterinarians continue to oversee the health of the gorillas. Trackers lead tourist groups up the mountain to see the gorillas as they roam freely on the mountain side. While the “main” human characters are fictional, Titus and Beatsme are not.
Titus continues to lead his group of gorillas through the misty slopes on the Rwandan side of the Virunga Mountain range. Beatsme, I believe as 
I write this, may have passed away of old age. Only 720 Mountain Gorillas exist today. About half live in Uganda’s Bwindi Imprenetrable National Park and the other half in the Virunga Mountains some fifteen miles to the South. This has been an incredible beginning of a wonderful journey. It all began because I was introduced to the Mountain Gorilla during a lecture. I am very proud to be an artist and a published author.
preservation of the Mountain Gorilla. In September I joined an art group to learn the technique of Painting with Pastel so that I could illustrate my manuscript. I just wanted to paint gorillas. However, now 11 years later and over 160 painting completed, I have painted many different wildlife subjects as well as portraits of the orphans of Imbabazi, landscape and floral. I helped to raise funds for the children of Imbabazi by contributing my art work to the PIC’s annual fund raiser, Rwanda Fete. I collected from my community and sent over 400 skeins of yarn to the orphanage because Charlene told me the children were learning how to knit. 
One year, I scanned art work, from the artists in my art group, and printed the original image on blank note cards. The artists wrote messages to each child and we sent the cards along with Christmas candy to the orphans in 1998 so that on Christmas morn every child- about 140, had a card and candy as a special holiday treat from friends in America. I represented PIC as a spokesperson in the Northwest. I continued to correspond with Roz Carr( until her passing in 2007) and Bob Campbell. I sent my manuscript to them and they both responded very positive. Bob Campbell helped me a lot with portraying the actions of the gorillas and the speech of the African characters realistically. I began to enhance the storyline to bring the length to industry standard. I spent the rest of 2007 
researching and corresponding with Dr. Liz Macfee, who held the position of Director of the MGVP during the time I had set my storyline. ( Pre-genocide, while Karisoke Research Center was in full operation ) She helped to give me insight into her daily routine. This book is based on fact. Dian Fossey and Dr. Jim Foster were real people who lived and worked in Rwanda and cared deeply for the preservation of the Mountain Gorilla. Roz Carr was a friend to Dian Fossey and often took care of her when she was ill. Veterinarians continue to oversee the health of the gorillas. Trackers lead tourist groups up the mountain to see the gorillas as they roam freely on the mountain side. While the “main” human characters are fictional, Titus and Beatsme are not.
Titus continues to lead his group of gorillas through the misty slopes on the Rwandan side of the Virunga Mountain range. Beatsme, I believe as 
I write this, may have passed away of old age. Only 720 Mountain Gorillas exist today. About half live in Uganda’s Bwindi Imprenetrable National Park and the other half in the Virunga Mountains some fifteen miles to the South. This has been an incredible beginning of a wonderful journey. It all began because I was introduced to the Mountain Gorilla during a lecture. I am very proud to be an artist and a published author. 
Debby Lively is on the move, (with her beloved dog too!) I hope you 
enjoyed this photo op of her 2008 tour to check out our some of her signings, most of them have been sold out and every store requests her back. Stay turned to this author as her 2009 Book/Speaking Tour is unveiled!For Media Inquries, Appearances & other Publicity, Contact:
Miranda Spigener, Publicist
Director of PR & Book Marketing - AEG Publishing Group, Inc.
pr1@strategicbookmarketing.com www.aegpublishinggroup.com
773-482-6068 PR Office Fax 1-888-808-6190 Corporate Office
For a current listing and an example of our books please visit www.AEGauthorsEdge.com
Director of PR & Book Marketing - AEG Publishing Group, Inc.
pr1@strategicbookmarketing.com www.aegpublishinggroup.com
773-482-6068 PR Office Fax 1-888-808-6190 Corporate Office
For a current listing and an example of our books please visit www.AEGauthorsEdge.com
posted by Director of Book Marketing at
8:50 PM
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