Local writer receives ‘gold awards’ for her work

A local writer recently received accolades from The 2023 Human Relations Indie Book Awards.

Dryden resident Lisa Harris won gold awards through the Human Relations Indie Book international competition. Her novel The Raven’s Tale, published in 2017, won gold in the category of spiritual focus. Harris’ other works that received gold awards included her poetry collection Dwelling Space in the poetry category, and her book of poetry Carry Light, Carry Fire in the insightful poetry category.

In its eighth year, the Human Relations  Indie Book Awards “recognize indie authors who have written books with a human relations focus related to various interactions among people in different settings such as work, organizations, school, home, family or in personal lives,” according to the awards website. The awards highlight work that is self-published, independently published or that is from “smaller publishing companies or presses where the author had a voice in the publishing process.” 

“It actually felt very affirming (to win the awards),” said Harris, a writer since she was 10 years old. “It’s how I approach reality and try to understand reality.”

Harris said The Raven’s Tale is about a woman who goes to an island in Newfoundland “to try and get well.”

“She’s dealing with alcoholism and some other stuff,” Harris said. “She gets better by talking to ravens.”

The Raven’s Tale, the third book in Harris’ The Quest Trilogy, is “magical realism,” she added. The other books in the trilogy are ‘Geechee Girls and Allegheny Dream. Her novel ‘Geechee Girls also won awards and sold about 1,000 copies, Harris said.

“Things happened in the book and you actually kind of believe them, but it’s unlikely it would happen,” Harris said.

Dwelling Space, Harris said, is a long poem and a love song to the earth. The other book, Carry Light, Carry Fire, is a series of poems that were written during the height of the pandemic.

Harris said the series of poems helped to keep a positive attitude and find hope during a time of uncertainty in the world.

“They’re more like meditations,” Harris said.

Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, Harris said her love for writing began when she  read Nancy Drew mystery novels.

“I loved that she had a sports car and that she solved mysteries,” Harris said.

Harris realized in school that she was good with words. She took inspiration from her late mother, Ruth, who was a farmer, musician and tax collector.

Harris’ mother was also a dream interpreter. When she collected taxes from individuals, they brought their dreams to her.

“People didn’t think it was odd because they believed dreams were signs,” said Harris, who writes poems every day. “In some ways, I learned to look at the world like that, as signs and symbols.”

There wasn’t a lot for Harris to do in her small town of Snow Shoe, so she wrote as much as she could.

“Words were valued a lot in my family,” Harris said. “I see things differently by writing. I’m able to reflect and switch it up. A lot of the times I write when I’m confused or upset, and sometimes I write when I’m happy. Sometimes, something nudges and I wonder why I need to explore that.”

Harris’ writing reached another level when she attended Bard College, in Red Hook, NY, allowing her to be a “free thinker.”

She participated in a summer program that included 40 individuals of writers, painters, sculptors, musicians and photographers. For example, Harris received a sculptor’s impression of a poem.

“We’d critique each other’s work,” said Harris, who taught writing at Bard College and also at Ithaca College.

For Harris, she believes it’s better to think about things rather than worry about them, especially when it comes to past and current events around the world.

“Our culture has always worried a lot, and I find that exhausting,” Harris said. “If I try to transpose those things into a poem, novel or a short story, I deal with it better.”

Harris is currently working on three books, one is a memoir that includes the history of her family. She’s written the first 50 books and can tell it’s going to be “really good,” with her publisher noting it could be a bestseller.

Harris is planning to call it Toucher Anywhere and hopes to release it by 2025.

Another book she has in the works is a series of poems that are studies about color. Her friend, a painter, is working on paintings to go with the poems.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In Brief:

State Police to check child seats in Freeville

The New York State Police from Troop C will host a child safety seat check in the village of Freeville in June.

The event is scheduled for June 19 and 21 at the State Police barracks at 1850 Dryden Rd. Technicians will check if child seats are properly installed, and also check to see if the seat is subject to recall.

Appointments are not required but preferred. To make an appointment, call (607)561-7604.

The State Police reminds parents that children younger than two must ride in a rear-facing seat, children under four must ride in a child safety seat and children up to eight years old must ride in a child-restraint system.

For more information, go to dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints.

Town reschedules committee meeting

The Town of Dryden has rescheduled a committee meeting.

The town’s recreation and youth commission, originally slated to meet Tuesday May 24, is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31 at the town hall on 93 E. Main St.