Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.lorahylerauthor.com/
CITY: Milwaukee
STATE: WI
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Children: William.
EDUCATION:University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, bachelor’s degree, 1981.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, reporter, and communications executive. We Energies, Milwaukee, WI, acting media relations manager, 1991-95, resource coordinator, 1995-99, communications manager, 1999-2001; Hyler Communications, Glendale, WI, founder and CEO, 2001—. Previously, worked as a reporter for radio stations, including WUWM and WISN and for television stations, including TMJ4.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:Residencies at the Noepe Center for the Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard, MA and in Marney-sur-Seine and Cassis, France.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Lora L. Hyler is a writer, communications executive, and former reporter based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Hyler worked as a reporter for Wisconsin radio stations, including WUWM and WISN. She also appeared on the television station, TMJ4. From 1991 to 2001, Hyler worked in various capacities in the communications and public relations department of We Energies. She then launched her own public relations and communications firm, Hyler Communications.
In 2018, Hyler released her first book, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes. The book’s titular protagonist is an African American seventh-grader, who loves science. He has been working on a gene editing project involving mosquitoes. When the bugs get loose, Marty uses supernatural abilities to bring them back. He learns that his grandmother also has superpowers and is part of the Order of the Hannibal. Meanwhile, Marty works to protect his genetic experiments from meddling bullies and is involved in an incident at the International Spy Museum.
In an article she wrote on the Writer’s Digest website, Hyler discussed her journey of becoming a published author. She explained that she initially had difficulty finding a literary agent to represent her. Hyler noted that she ultimately realized that she should use her own experience in public relations and communications in representing herself. She stated: “As I lamented taking another year or two to find an agent, I had an aha moment. I decided to play to my strengths. My past business success was due to knowing when to take detours to make forward progress. What I knew for certain was that with a published novel, I would do the necessary work to get my multi-cultural cast featuring superheroes, science and spy gadgets in the hands of children everywhere.” In an interview with a contributor to the Milwaukee Independent website, Hyler asserted: “The themes of superheroes, science and spy gadgets, with a sprinkling of American History seems to have Universal appeal.” Hyler added: “My son, William, was the inspiration. As he grew, I watched his interaction with his multicultural friends and the easy, joking chatter of boys.” Tyler also stated: “I wanted a novel to appeal to a lot of kids, and began toying with the idea of superheroes.”
A critic in Kirkus Reviews offered a favorable assessment of The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes. The critic remarked: “This rousing book with engaging characters should appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous superhero sagas.” The critic also described the book as “a thrilling tale with series potential that highlights science, spying, black history, and the importance of family.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2018, review of The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes.
ONLINE
Hyler Communications website, http://hylercommunications.com/ (June 18, 2018), author profile.
Lora L. Hyler website, http://www.lorahylerauthor.com (June 18, 2018).
Milwaukee Independent website, http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/ (March 6, 2018), author interview and review of The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes.
WRCB TV website, http://www.wrcbtv.com/ (February 28, 2018), author interview and review of The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes.
Writer’s Digest, http://www.writersdigest.com/ (December 30, 2017), article by author.
About the Author
My sense of adventure began when I discovered the Pippi Longstocking books by Astrid Lindgren and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Who doesn’t want to win a golden ticket and spend the rest of their life running a chocolate factory? My adventure-writing often began with real life travel adventures to children museums and distant lands.
I carried my love of reading and writing into a radio news career as a reporter for NPR affiliate, WUWM and ABC affiliate, WISN, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I also worked for a media and an energy company managing writing, editing and strategic communications. In 2001, I started my public relations and marketing company, Hyler Communications, and worked with companies in many industries. Among them: Northwestern Mutual and Marquette University. I also worked in television, as a live guest commentator for two years on Today’s TMJ4 television station.
I’ve written hundreds of articles, several screenplays, short stories, and a novel. Now, I’m excited to write children books. I joined the 22,000 member international organization, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and have a mutually supportive relationship with my fellow authors. The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes is the first in a planned three-part series.
My screenplays have not yet become movies, but I’ve had a lot of fun so far on the journey. I’ve met Hollywood producers and attended the Emmy awards!
The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes’ Official Book Launch
April 12, 2018
Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI
Author Reading
Question and Answer Session
Book Signing
lora hyler
I’ve twice been awarded a writer’s residency at Noepe Center for the Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. (2015 & 2016), and was selected for a May 2017 month-long artist residency in Marnay-sur-Seine, France. I’ll return for another residency in February 2019 in Cassis, in the south of France.
Artists & Writers Residencies
Workshop Topics
School Visits
Upcoming Events
"
An African-American tween uses espionage skills and superpowers in this debut middle-grade novel. Seventh-grader Marty Hayes is excited to work with the world-renowned CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing kit in science class. But things go awry…This rousing book with engaging characters should appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous superhero sagas. A thrilling tale with series potential that highlights science, spying, black history, and the importance of family "
—Kirkus Reviews
QUOTED: "As I lamented taking another year or two to find an agent, I had an aha moment. I decided to play to my strengths. My past business success was due to knowing when to take detours to make forward progress. What I knew for certain was that with a published novel, I would do the necessary work to get my multi-cultural cast featuring superheroes, science and spy gadgets in the hands of children everywhere."
A Writer’s Journey: Launching Without an Agent with Lora L. Hyler
By: Guest Column | December 30, 2017
[Can you impress us in 1500 words or less? Enter the Short Short Story Competition today! Deadline January 15, 2018]
By Lora L. Hyler
A few short months ago, I shared a bit of my writer’s journey detailing my search for the perfect agent and how artist and writer residencies provide me with space to breathe, reflect and accelerate my productivity. Well, I have an update. I’m excited to share that I have a publishing deal and my middle grade novel, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes debuts in March 2018!
My successful journey toward publication, finally, was due to a shift in focus. My corporate background consisted of communications, public relations and marketing. And since I founded my marketing company, Hyler Communications in 2001, I’ve had many successes for clients ranging from retail, education, corporate, non-profit organizations, and authors. As I lamented taking another year or two to find an agent, I had an aha moment. I decided to play to my strengths. My past business success was due to knowing when to take detours to make forward progress. What I knew for certain was that with a published novel, I would do the necessary work to get my multi-cultural cast featuring superheroes, science and spy gadgets in the hands of children everywhere.
I signed this fall with HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc. Since 2002, this Wisconsin publisher has ushered more than 550 books into the world. A non-fiction book co-written by former Major League Baseball player Darryl Strawberry is one of their latest offerings. When owner Kira Henschel lauded my marketing background, I knew I had made the right choice. We form a formidable team.
A Leap of Faith: Launching without an Agent
Once I took the leap of faith to launch the book agent-less, I’ve been thrilled and humbled by the reception, and all this, pre-publication! Some highlights:
Working directly with a talented illustrator from Barbados to bring my four main characters to life for the front book cover. Dracanima Art is based in Barbados.
Speaking slots at two fall 2017 conferences: Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Wisconsin Writer’s Association.
Invitation from the U.S. Department of Education’s 2017 National Assessment Education Panel to participate in a 22-person panel of writers and educators to assist with setting the 4th grade writing assessment. Side benefit to the Atlanta, Ga. meeting: making in-person connections with fellow writers and 4th grade teachers, who are now excited to read my novel. I’ve already received three unsolicited school visit invitations!
Invitation to help launch my book on a fellow SCBWI author’s blog.
Guide to Literary Agents 2018
Invitations I issued, that were accepted by prominent reviewers to receive Advance Readers Copies.
Booked an NPR radio interview just before book launch day.
Made in-person contacts with bookstore owners, leading to invitations for appearances and in-store signings.
Showcasing my novel at the Bologna, Italy March 2018 conference! My goal is to go global with my three-part middle grade series.
Selected for my latest booked writer’s residency in the south of France, in Cassis. If you missed it, my August 2017 article reveals why residencies are vital to my writing process. Consider applying to a residency to boost your writing career.
Approached to market a fellow author’s books.
I’m truly just getting started. Here’s what I have not lost sight of … supporting my fellow authors. When I started my journey toward publication, I attended many conferences and workshops. I admired, learned from, and purchased countless books of many authors. Many are SCBWI members. I vowed to stand in their shoes someday soon. And that day has arrived.
What will I do differently? I will continue to serve SCBWI and other writer’s organizations, purchase countless books, and provide bits of hard-earned wisdom to pre-publication authors. No matter the path, we share the same goal: to get good books into the hands of readers.
Lora Hyler’s debut middle grade novel, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes, will be published in March 2018. She founded her Wisconsin-based public relations and marketing company in 2001. She is a member of SCBWI and the Wisconsin Writer’s Association. She holds a 2016 Jade Ring award from the Wisconsin Writers Association for an adult short story, several screenwriting and news awards, and has published hundreds of corporate articles. She was the recipient of a 2017 artist residency at Marnay sur Seine, France and two previous residencies at Noepe Center for the Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Her next planned residency is in the South of France in February 2019. More about Lora at www.hylercommunications.com.
About Me
Lora Hyler of Hyler Communications in Milwaukee
What I Believe
My business is built on what I believe in. In short, it’s based on the principle of treating people like you wish to be treated. I keep my overhead low so I can take on clients whose mission I can get behind with some passion. If I can bring a sense of wonder, respect and solid business skills to their project, we will succeed in meeting their objectives.
My business is built on referrals. I deliver what I promise and strive to go beyond. My goal is to leave my client satisfied, even more passionate about the products and services they offer, and instill confidence in our communication and marketing plan. Measurable bottom line results are key.
Lora Hyler
3rd degree connection3rd
Hyler Communications CEO & Consultant to top companies and universities & fiction writer
Greater Milwaukee Area
Hyler Communications
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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500+ connections
25+ years of marketing communications, public relations, advertising, and marketing experience. Also experienced as radio news journalist for NPR news affiliate, ABC news affiliate, and Time Inc.
Selected speaker and facilitator at 2016, 2015 and 2013 Harvard Business School's Dynamic Women in Business conference. Popular presenter on business topics, such as Personal Branding for workplace success; Be a team player, just make sure you're the franchise player; Recognize your power at work; Partner with the media and get a leg up on the competition; and Importance of women serving on corporate boards.
Specialties: strategic public relations, marketing communications, financial communications, recruitment communications, marketing consumer products to major retail, and advertising. Voice-overs for commercials and corporate videos.
Providing vital research, clear and concise communications, combined with financial expertise, creates bottom line results for Fortune 500 corporate clients and non-profit organizations.
Consumer product experience has led to brokered deals with QVC home shopping channel, Skymall, Nickelodeon, Destination Rewards, and exposure via AOL, AARP and Disney.com
Creative writing includes screenplays and novels.
READY TO TALK? CONTACT ME. ALL INQUIRIES ARE WELCOME.
lorahyler@gmail.com and 414-520-0019
WWW.HYLERCOMMUNICATIONS.COM
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Highlights
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Lora’s Articles & Activity
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Why I March…On the journey toward children book publication
Lora Hyler on LinkedIn
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To my Madison area friends, and for those who have friends and family in the area. Please share. I will have a reading/book signing on Saturday, May 26th at 11 a.m. at the Mystery to Me bookstore. https://lnkd.in/eG-7yAP I'm from the metro Milwaukee area and first learned of the bookstore through SCBWI-Wisconsin when I won a gift card through an auction. I met a great young clerk who steered me to a fantastic book, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, and I purchased The Hate U Give, still on the NY Times bestseller list and soon to be a movie. I also met owner Joanne Berg and now I'm a featured author at an event! Gotta love your local independent booksellers.
Lora shared this
ManpowerGroup has a great opportunity for a talented communications expert to join our high-performing Global Strategic Communications (GSC) team at our headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. This person will design and deliver global research and communications across our strong and connected brands, functions and countries, working with leaders, other departments especially Marketing, and subject matter experts. Message me for more details.
Lora shared this
Celebrating the first year of the WUWM Radio Eric Von Broadcast Journalism Fellowship with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Sheila Payton and our first Von fellow, Teran Powell.
Lora shared this
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Experience
Hyler Communications
Owner
Company Name Hyler Communications
Dates Employed Apr 2001 – Present Employment Duration 17 yrs 2 mos
CEO & President of full service marketing communications and public relations firm located in Glendale, WI. Hyler Communications serves a variety of large corporations, private small businesses, consumer product inventors/manufacturers, and non-profits. Strategic planning and writing services elevate recognition and leads to bottom line results. Media outreach spans national, regional and local media. Major consumer product placements have launched products nationally. Lora Hyler offers presentations/workshops on a variety of business issues affecting women.
Marquette University
Office of International Education-International Communications Coordinator-Temporary
Company Name Marquette University
Dates Employed Mar 2016 – May 2016 Employment Duration 3 mos
Location Milwaukee, WI
Worked closely with Director and managers to implement communication strategies in support of Office of International Education activities. Included annual report, Project GO-Oman quarterly report, South Africa Service Learning Program brochure, etc. Office of International Education supports Marquette University's education abroad activities in 38 countries, supports 662 international students from various countries, with China as No. 1.
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Marquette University
Marquette University
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Northwestern Mutual
Consultant
Company Name Northwestern Mutual
Dates Employed Feb 2015 – Oct 2015 Employment Duration 9 mos
Location Milwaukee, WI
Hyler Communications was founded in 2001.
Northwestern Mutual
Communications Consultant
Company Name Northwestern Mutual
Dates Employed Aug 2012 – May 2013 Employment Duration 10 mos
Location Milwaukee, WI downtown
Communications Consultant contract position working on various Information Technology department projects, including executive communications.
Also owner of Hyler Communications.
We Energies
Communications Mgr-Information Technology dept.
Company Name We Energies
Dates Employed Apr 1999 – Apr 2001 Employment Duration 2 yrs 1 mo
Responsible for IT-related communications and strategies for 250+ employee department; as well as contributing to IT communications for 5,000 employee company
We Energies
Resource Coordinator
Company Name We Energies
Dates Employed Feb 1995 – Apr 1999 Employment Duration 4 yrs 3 mos
Design of marketing communications plan to effectively retain and attract computer professionals in competitive market, successful strategy resulted in hiring of 150 IT professionals in 18-month period;
Provide work direction to team of recruiters;
Provide performance planning for 50+ employees
We Energies
Acting Media Relations Manager
Company Name We Energies
Dates Employed Dec 1991 – Feb 1995 Employment Duration 3 yrs 3 mos
Directing professional media relations staff in daily interactions with local, state and national media;
Design and coordination of national media campaign designed to position Wisconsin Electric for industry restructuring. Toured country with senior vice president David Porter. Managed visits to Washington Post, New York Times, BusinessWeek, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta papers;
Coordinating company’s financial communications, including Quarterly Report to Stockholders, financial news releases;
Account Executive to Finance Department;
Developing strategic communication plans
Journal Communications
Manager-Corporate Communications
Company Name Journal Communications
Dates Employed Apr 1988 – Dec 1991 Employment Duration 3 yrs 9 mos
Managing three-person professional staff;
Restructuring department to better align with corporate goals;
Working closely with company executives to develop employee information programs for 5,000 employees nationwide;
Successfully transitioning the department to desktop publishing and outside vendor printing services, resulting in reduced costs, greater efficiencies;
Producing Annual Report and miscellaneous financial publications
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Journal communications
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Education
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Degree Name Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications/Journalism
Field Of Study Radio/TV journalism
Dates attended or expected graduation 1977 – 1981
Continuing education at various colleges and universities
Continuing education at various colleges and universities
public relations, nuclear communications, public speaking, social media, entrepreneurship,etc.
St. Catherine's High School
St. Catherine's High School
Skills & Endorsements
Marketing Communications
See 48 endorsements for Marketing Communications 48
Endorsed by Chris Crawley and 2 others who are highly skilled at this
Endorsed by 2 of Lora’s colleagues at Northwestern Mutual
Public Relations
See 47 endorsements for Public Relations 47
Endorsed by Vivian King and 5 others who are highly skilled at this
Endorsed by 3 of Lora’s colleagues at Northwestern Mutual
Media Relations
See 37 endorsements for Media Relations 37
Endorsed by Bob Moore, who is highly skilled at this
Endorsed by 4 of Lora’s colleagues at Northwestern Mutual
Industry Knowledge
Strategic Communications
See 36 endorsements for Strategic Communications 36
Social Media
See 26 endorsements for Social Media 26
Advertising
See 18 endorsements for Advertising 18
Marketing
See 17 endorsements for Marketing 17
Writing
See 10 endorsements for Writing 10
Press Releases
See 10 endorsements for Press Releases 10
Copywriting
See 9 endorsements for Copywriting 9
Social Media Marketing
See 9 endorsements for Social Media Marketing 9
Corporate Communications
See 8 endorsements for Corporate Communications 8
Blogging
See 8 endorsements for Blogging 8
Nonprofits
See 6 endorsements for Nonprofits 6
Editing
See 5 endorsements for Editing 5
Publications
See 5 endorsements for Publications 5
Journalism
See 4 endorsements for Journalism 4
Marketing Strategy
See 4 endorsements for Marketing Strategy 4
Non-profits
See 3 endorsements for Non-profits 3
Newsletters
See 3 endorsements for Newsletters 3
Internal Communications
See 3 endorsements for Internal Communications 3
Online Marketing
See 3 endorsements for Online Marketing 3
marketing
See 2 endorsements for marketing 2
Consumer Products
See 2 endorsements for Consumer Products 2
Speech Writing
See 2 endorsements for Speech Writing 2
Copy Editing
See 2 endorsements for Copy Editing 2
writing/editing
See 1 endorsement for writing/editing 1
Tools & Technologies
Facebook
See 3 endorsements for Facebook 3
Interpersonal Skills
Public Speaking
See 14 endorsements for Public Speaking 14
Management
See 14 endorsements for Management 14
Other Skills
Social Networking
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Creative Direction
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Recommendations
Received (5)
Given (7)
Anne Bingham
Anne Bingham
Writer for decision-makers in business and the professions
June 10, 2014, Lora worked with Anne in the same group
IThere is no communications professional I have met in my career whose services I can recommend more highly than Lora Hyler. have known her in a professional capacity for nearly 20 years. She was program chair when I was president of Working Writers (a professional association of freelance writers in the Milwaukee area) and was both unfailingly reliable and forward thinking. As an example, under Lora's program leadership, we were one of the first groups in the area to hold a conference on social networking.
During that same period I witnessed first-hand both her organizational skills and her ability to talk with anyone about anything. I have a background in journalism myself and know how valuable both qualities are in so many areas of life. She thrives on new challenges, a characteristic which has enabled her to move beyond a traditional public relations model to help her clients with whatever they need, whether it be product development at the national and international level or covering the aftermath of the shootings at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek for Time magazine.
Kara Culligan O'Brien
Kara Culligan O'Brien
Director at Wayfair
March 6, 2013, Kara worked with Lora but at different companies
Lora spoke at the 22nd Annual Dynamic Women in Business Conference hosted by Harvard Business School's Women Students Organization in February 2013. She was a pleasure to work with in coordinating a special new lunch session, and advised a group of students on public speaking and communication. She received wonderful feedback from the session and made a great impact on the students' career aspirations.
Julie Casper
Julie Casper
Creative Director & Vice President
November 22, 2011, Julie was a client of Lora’s
Lora is great to work with - detailed, organized, talented and enthusiastic. She has worked with us on a number of public relations projects for various accounts and both the process and the results have been excellent. She works well with our staff and with our clients. I wouldn't hesitate to work with Lora or to recommend her. In addition to being a true professional, she is an exceptional person.
Joyce Washington Taylor
Joyce Washington Taylor
Strategic Human Resources Leader & Business Partner
November 6, 2008, Joyce worked with Lora in different groups
Lora is a detail-oriented, talented and creative writer. She is the consummate professional and I recommend her whole-heartedly.
Melanie Beres
Melanie Beres
Truth Seeker, "Un-Guru" and off the Matrix.
January 25, 2008, Lora worked with Melanie in the same group
Lora Hyler is a perfect example of a women that carries the "full package." She is a loving wife, mother and a high-powered business owner. When women are this successful there is always a reason. Lora's integrity and work ethic to "go the extra mile" for her customers are the receipe for super acheivement.
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Accomplishments
Lora has 8 honors 8
Honors & Awards
Writer in Residence, Marnay Sur Seine, France Jade Ring Award for Fiction Writer in Residence 2016 Harvard Business School Dynamic Women in Business conference Writer in Residence, Noepe Center for Literary Arts Facilitator E-Commerce workshop, Harvard Business School Screenwriting competition awards Speaker
Lora has 3 organizations 3
Organizations
Wisconsin Writers Association Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative
Lora has 1 language 1
Language
French
Interests
Smart Choice MRI
Smart Choice MRI
2,214 followers
Marketing, Sales, Social Media and PR Innovators Innovation Network from Gerald "Solutionman" Haman
Marketing, Sales, Social Media and PR Innovators Innovation Network from Gerald "Solutionman" Haman
616,953 members
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
120,301 followers
Milwaukee Press Club
Milwaukee Press Club
562 members
Engaging Speakers
Engaging Speakers
2,793 members
Big Shoes Network
Big Shoes Network
21,785 members
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Learn the skills Lora has
Writing a Press Release
Writing a Press Release
Viewers: 28,540
Content Marketing: Getting Your Content Published
Content Marketing: Getting Your Content Published
Viewers: 4,697
Ebooks: Distributing and Marketing
Ebooks: Distributing and Marketing
Viewers: 13,087
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QUOTED: "This rousing book with engaging characters should appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous superhero sagas."
"a thrilling tale with series potential that highlights science, spying, black history, and the importance of family."
Hyler , Lora L.: THE STUPENDOUS
ADVENTURES OF MIGHTY
MARTY HAYES
Kirkus Reviews.
(Mar. 15, 2018): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Hyler , Lora L. THE STUPENDOUS ADVENTURES OF MIGHTY MARTY HAYES HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc. (Indie) 3, 6
An African-American tween uses espionage skills and superpowers in this debut middle-grade novel.
Seventh-grader Marty Hayes is excited to work with the world-renowned CRISPR-Cas9 gene- editing kit in science class. But things go awry when insect eggs turn into mosquitoes and swarm the classroom. Miraculously, Marty reins them in. When his Granny hears what happened, she starts to worry that the world will discover that Marty has inherited superpowers that run in the family. She is in the Order of the Hannibal, a society of people with superpowers. Marty is able to materialize anything, especially with the help of his smartphone's drawing app. For example, he attempts to impress his crush, Aisha, by conjuring a jet pack at swim practice. Meanwhile, two suspicious men who are after the CRISPR launch a drone to capture its data. Marty and his best friend, Christopher, use spy tools to figure out who is sabotaging the class's CRISPR experiments, and eventually it's revealed that Wade, the school bully, is somehow involved. As Granny's anxiety over Marty's gifts escalates, she approaches him and explains his powers. While she gives him her Order of the Hannibal Medal to control and amplify his abilities, she asks him to refrain from employing them. Relieved his secret is out, Marty agrees. But on a visit to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., a crisis arises. Will Marty save the day? Despite the superhero framework, Hyler's fast-paced tale deftly touches on scientific elements like genome study. In addition, she skillfully deals with some significant historical episodes in her narrative. For example, Granny recounts how her superpowers impacted integral events in the
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civil rights movement. But some threads of the story could be expanded. For instance, Aisha has superpowers and her grandmother is also in the Order, which is primarily chronicled in one chapter from the girl's viewpoint. Additionally, details about the Order are vague. Still, this leaves plenty of material for a possible sequel. This rousing book with engaging characters should appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous superhero sagas.
A thrilling tale with series potential that highlights science, spying, black history, and the importance of family.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Hyler , Lora L.: THE STUPENDOUS ADVENTURES OF MIGHTY MARTY HAYES."
Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2018. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc /A530650612/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=a6b20c6d. Accessed 24 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A530650612
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ess Release
Wisconsin Author Releases Debut Middle Grade Novel on March 6
Wisconsin author Lora Hyler adds to the superhero canon as Black Panther breaks world box office records. The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes features a 12-year-old African-American superhero and a...
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SOURCE Lora Hyler, Author
GLENDALE, Wis., Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisconsin author Lora Hyler adds to the superhero canon as Black Panther breaks world box office records. The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes features a 12-year-old African-American superhero and a multicultural cast of friends, who work on CRISPR-Cas9 in their 7th grade advanced science classroom, and love spy gadgets.
She has written several award-winning screenplays. Her son, William and his multicultural band of friends growing up, served as inspiration for the novel. She's thrilled at the book's advance praise. "I've had an opportunity to share it with teachers and educators around the country, students and fellow authors, as well as readers abroad. The themes of superheroes, science and spy gadgets, with a sprinkling of American History seems to have Universal appeal," said Hyler.
"Middle grade readers who pick up The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes expecting a one-dimensional story of a young would-be scientist/superhero will find the read exciting, stimulating, and a powerful probe of heroism's roots and friendship's special challenges; highly recommended as a standout tale."
- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"An African-American tween uses espionage skills and superpowers in this debut middle-grade novel. Seventh-grader Marty Hayes is excited to work with the world-renowned CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing kit in science class. But things go awry…This rousing book with engaging characters should appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous superhero sagas. A thrilling tale with series potential that highlights science, spying, history, and the importance of family.
- Kirkus Review
"Smartly written, not only with the inclusion of science, the book also delights with a diverse cast of characters and well-placed references to civil rights' history and more. This could be an excellent jumping off point for some nonfiction reading about Harriet Tubman, the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ruby Bridges. I highly recommend this read."
- Valerie Biel, author of Circle of Nine series, Lost Lake Press
The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes will be showcased at the upcoming Bologna Children's Book Fair from March 26-29 in Bologna, Italy.
HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc. will publish the planned three-part book series.
Visit: www.hylercommunications.com/creative
Lora Hyler is a resident of Glendale, Wis., a former radio news journalist, and corporate communications manager. She owns Hyler Communications, a public relations and marketing firm founded in 2001.
CONTACT:
Lora Hyler
191057@email4pr.com
1-414-520-0019
Cision View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wisconsin-author-releases-debut-middle-grade-novel-on-march-6-300605211.html
©2017 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.
QUOTED: "The themes of superheroes, science and spy gadgets, with a sprinkling of American History seems to have Universal appeal."
"My son, William, was the inspiration. As he grew, I watched his interaction with his multicultural friends and the easy, joking chatter of boys."
"I wanted a novel to appeal to a lot of kids, and began toying with the idea of superheroes."
Glendale author’s “Mighty Marty Hayes” combines Black Panther with Harry Potter
Posted by Staff | Mar 6, 2018 | Articles, Featured |
“Smartly written, not only with the inclusion of science, the book also delights with a diverse cast of characters and well-placed references to civil rights history and more. This could be an excellent jumping off point for some nonfiction reading about Harriet Tubman, the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ruby Bridges. I highly recommend this read.” – Valerie Biel, author of Circle of Nine series, Lost Lake Press
Milwaukee-based HenschelHAUS Publishing released the debut middle grade novel by Lora Hyler on March 6, in time for it to be showcased at the Children’s Book Fair in Bologna, Italy later this month.
While Young Adult (YA) novels are targeted at ages 12 to 18, the core audience for Middle Grade books are 8 to 12-year-olds. Hyler stated she was thrilled at the book’s advance praise.
“I’ve had an opportunity to share it with teachers and educators around the country, students and fellow authors, as well as readers abroad,” said Hyler. “The themes of superheroes, science and spy gadgets, with a sprinkling of American History seems to have Universal appeal.”
In The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes, the multicultural superhero story revolves around the 7th grade students of Windsor Middle School, who are starting the new school year in their Advanced Science class.
The group has the opportunity to work on CRISPR-Cas9, a genome editing tool that has been creating a buzz in the science world because it enables medical researchers to alter sections of the DNA sequence.
The main character Marty, a 12-year-old African-American boy, shares a passion for science and all things spy-related with his best friend, Christopher. The two witness strange incidents involving their abilities and soon begin testing their new found super powers with classmate Aisha.
In the process, they awaken similar powers in the school bully, Wade, who is manipulated by international criminals to steal valuable CRISPR-Cas9 data.
Constantly monitored by a stealth high-tech drone, Marty, Christopher, and Aisha band together to form the multicultural superhero team of “Advanced Science 303” and stop the theft at their beloved International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.
“My son, William, was the inspiration. As he grew, I watched his interaction with his multicultural friends and the easy, joking chatter of boys,” said Hyler. “I wanted a novel to appeal to a lot of kids, and began toying with the idea of superheroes, science, spy gadgets, with a little history added for good measure. After a visit to the International Spy Museum, I was hooked.”
In the story, Marty shows his skill in navigating science, and managing his evolving and uncertain powers. A central theme in the adventure follows his exploration of maturity in a rapidly-changing world. Family ties are also important to Marty’s character development, as he learns choices do not take place in a vacuum of peer relationships, but embrace the entirety of his world and everything he holds dear.
Young readers get a dose of history as they learn of past spies of color, and how Marty’s Granny used her superpowers to aid Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in during the Civil Rights era.
A sequel book to The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes is expected in 2019, and the next chapter of the series will focus on Aisha and her girl power of science wizardry, spy gadgets, superhero night vision.
“Middle grade readers who pick up ‘The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes’ expecting a one-dimensional story of a young would-be scientist/superhero will find the read exciting, stimulating, and a powerful probe of heroism’s roots and friendship’s special challenges; highly recommended as a standout tale.” – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer at Midwest Book Review.