Jude Southerland Kessler
Background Information
A lifelong Beatle fan with a Master's in English from the University of Maryland, and years of experience teaching writing, I have recently completed the first documented biography of John Lennon, a meticulously factual account housed in a fiction format. I spent 20 years researching the novel, traveling seven times to Liverpool and interviewing most of John's friends, early band members, and college mates. Entitled Shoulda been there, the novel has a foreword by distinguished Beatle expert, Bill Harry. It also gives the reader a Scouse glossary of Liverpool terms and an encyclopedia of the real characters in the book. Shoulda Been There is available ONLY through ontherockbooks.com.
Accomplishments
Graduated 1st in class with 4.0 average; wrote for Louisiana Life magazine; served as guest speaker for Daughters of the British Empire State Convention in 2003, spoke on The Beatles; wrote for Kansas City Beatlefan Magazine; lectured to schools and organizations across the United States on The Beatles; lectured for WellCall.com from 2002-2005; taught English literature and composition at Troy State University, Alabama.
Additional Information
I am currently speaking all over the United States, promoting Shoulda been there. I talk about the interesting people I met during my years of travel and investigation; I read (and enact) a chapter from the book and answer questions about The Beatles.
Contact Information
6 Danmor Place
Dothan AL 36303 USA
Work phone: 334-655-1202
Contact Jude at kesslerjude@yahoo.com
Literally hundreds of non-fiction books have been written about The Beatles and about the man who formed The Beatles, John Lennon. And quite a few fictional books about Lennon have been created to amuse fans. But Jude Southerland Kessler's Shoulda been there is the first book ever to tell the Lennon saga with carefully researched footnotes and detailed, informational endnotes, while using a fiction format to keep the reader turning the page. Researched for over 20 years with 7 trips to Liverpool and countless interviews with John Lennon's friends, early band members, first manager, and club d.j.'s, Shoulda been there traces Lennon's life from 1940 to December 1961 (when The Beatles signed with Brian Epstein). But it is not just a story about the birth of a band. It is the tale of a lost child whose parents, for one reason or another, pushed him aside for other pursuits. It is the story of all children for whom someone "shoulda been there."
All of the scholarly, non-fiction ingredients are present in Shoulda been there: an encyclopedia of real characters complete with bios of each, an index and thorough bibliography,and a glossary of Scouse (Liverpool) terms. Yet the book is a riveting novel. Although it is 795 pages, it is written in short vignettes that can be digested quickly. It is, as David Haber of whatgoeson.com wrote, "something special." Bill Harry called Kessler's unique approach of weaving data into a compelling story "factional." Jude Kessler has written for the Kansas City Beatlefan newsletter and has addressed schools, clubs, and conventions across the United States on The Beatles. She received her master's degree in English from the University of Maryland and taught composition at Troy State University, Alabama. Writing for Louisiana Life magazine and for various newspapers in the 30 cities in which she has lived, Kessler also found time to publish a book of children's poetry.
Shoulda been there is available for $29.95 (plus shipping and handling) by visiting www.OnTheRockBooks.com or by calling 334-333-5854.
Shoulda been there by Jude Southerland Kessler.
Original edition. 6 x 9, 795 pages. ISBN 978-0-9799448-0-2. $29.95.
OnTheRock books
PO Box 9572
Dothan, AL 36304
Tel: 334-702-9663
