Jill Hedgecock

Fiction Writer

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4/11/19 Marin Audubon Society Rhino Presentation and Book Signing

April 11, 2019 – 7:30 pm
Meeting Location:

Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary in Tiburon. The address is 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon.

South Africa and Botswana are home to 829 and 550 bird species, respectively. Jill will share some of the amazing birds she viewed while on safari in 2015, including shimmering blue starlings, multi-colored lilac rollers, and vibrant bee-eaters. It was on this trip when Jill learned that three rhinos are killed each day fueled by the demand for their horns in Asian black markets as ingredient for traditional medicine. If the current rate of poaching is not curtailed, wild rhinoceros could become extinct within the next few decades. But recent promising developments offer hope for the species. She will also talk about interesting conservation projects that she became involved in as a result of the publication of her coming-of-age suspense novel, Rhino in the Room, (signed copies available for purchase at the meeting).

I was interviewed by BNP about my experience interviewing George RR Martin

Rhino in the Room wins an award is announced on the cover.

See page 11 for the BNP piece about my experience interviewing George RR Martin. My book review of Martin’s new novel, Fire & Blood is on page 12 and learn about senior pittie mix sweet Tyler on page 15.

http://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diablo-Gazette-Digi3MAR19.pdf

3/5/19 Ohlone Audubon – Birds and Rhino Poaching:  The Best and Worst of South Africa and Botswana

March 5, 2019 – 7:00 pm
Meeting Location:
Robert Livermore Community Center,
4444 East Avenue, Livermore CA 94550
Some of the best bird and animal sightings from my 2015  trip to South Africa and Botswana will be shared.  As amazing as Africa’s living zoo is, there is also a dark side to this country.  In 2015, a new record was set for largest number of rhinos poached. This travesty is being fueled by demand for the keratinous material in the horn in the Asian market, based on the misguided belief that the horn has curative powers for everything from hangovers to impotency to cancer.  Driven largely by China and Vietnam, the heaviest consumers, an ounce of rhino horn (essentially the same material as our fingernails) is considered more valuable than gold.  A single rhino horn can go for a half-million dollars. There are now only two northern white rhinos left on the planet and just 5,000 of black rhino are left in the world today.  I will present the myriad of solutions that are being considered to address the problem.  If the current rate of poaching is not curtailed, wild rhinos could become extinct within the next few decades.

February Diablo Gazette Articles – Microplastics and Where the Crawdads Sing BookEnds Review

Microplastics article on page 4 – Not to be missed!

Page 12 has my review of Where the Crawdads Sing

Page 15: Dog Rescue column. Vicky has been adopted (yay), but check out Love and Second Chances dog rescue.

http://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Diablo-Gazette-Digital-FEB19u-1.pdf

January Diablo Gazette Articles – Front Page!

I’m pleased to announce that my coverage of the Mount Diablo Audubon Christmas Bird Count made the front page of January’s Diablo Gazette. Also in this issue is my book review column of Tamara Shiloh’s Jaxon’s Magical Adventure: What if there were no Black People in the World?”(Page 10). My Rubydooby_do column featured sweet Walter, a German Shepherd (Page 10). Also a wonderful memorial to my brother-in-law, Lawr Michaels (Page 11).

http://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Diablo-Gazette-Digi-JAN19-.pdf

A Chance Encounter Leads to South African Connection

What are the odds? Back in August 2018, a full month before my book would launch, my hubby and I were on a train traveling from Bergen to Oslo in Norway. As chance would have it, a South African couple sat across from us. When they learned that I was publishing a novel about rhinos, they jotted down my information. I never expected anything to come of it, but they emailed me. The gentleman had purchased my book and wrote, “The book is a superb read and has created a real life story with realistic actions. I could not put down the book and was enthralled by the continuous action and drama playing off in our country.Well done and good luck with any future novels you may write. Please let me know if you if you write any further books. I would like to follow your writings.” I was thrilled, to say the least!!!

12/16 Rhino in the Room Reading and Book Signing – Walnut Creek Flashlight Books

Author Jill Hedgecock will read from her coming-of-age suspense novel, Rhino in the Room, on Sunday 12/16 at 4:00 pm at Flashlight Books at 1537 N Main St, Walnut Creek.  Come check out her muse board and learn about her writing process.  Her book was inspired by her 2015 visit to South Africa when she learned that 3 rhinos were poached every day for her horns. Jill also wrote the book because she noticed the limited availability of animal- and environmentally-related YA books and because she wanted to bring a safari experience to life for all ages. Jill has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management. Come meet Jill as she reads from her debut novel at 4:00 pm with a book signing to follow and learn about rhinos. 

December 2018 Diablo Gazette

My book review of Bloodhorn by Graham Spence, a book about the underworld of rhino poaching and a worthwhile read for rhino lovers, can be found on page 12.
 
Check out sweet little Stanley in my Rubydoobydo dog rescue column on page 15 if you (or someone you know in the SF Bay Area) are wanting some doggie love in your life! Little Stanley has some minor skin issues but he makes up for this shortcoming with a giant heart!
 
http://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Diablo-Gazette-December-2018-Digital.pdf