Media Kit

Sheila Webster Boneham is an author, teacher, and speaker who has brought together her passions for writing, teaching, personal growth, and animals in an integrated approach to life and learning. Throughout her life, Sheila has successfully reinvented herself as her inner voice demanded, and she has achieved success in diverse areas of work and creative play. Through her books, articles, workshops, and retreats, Sheila shares her knowledge and techniques with those who seek to develop creatively and make the world a better place for people and animals.

  
 

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Biography

Author and teacher Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D., has  blended her love of writing, teaching, and animals, her interest in human cultures, and her sense of adventure into an integrated life since she was young. She began writing as soon as she could grab a crayon, and at 12 was thrilled to have a poem accepted for publication. Never shy of challenges, at 15 Sheila became Indiana State Hunt Seat Equitation Champion. When told that she had “nowhere to go but down” since no one had ever won the title twice, Sheila decided to be the first. She learned a lesson that has served her well throughout her life: determination, hard work, and a positive attitude are the stuff of which dreams are earned. And yes, she retained her title until she “aged out,” and is still the only 3-time winner.

In the early 1990's, Sheila founded and worked with rescue programs for Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds, and she has served as a volunteer for several rescue organizations and shelters, teaching in-service workshops on basic dog handling techniques and breed identification as well as public courses in basic dog care, obedience, and bite prevention. Sheila has bred highly successful Australian Shepherds, and has trained and titled Aussies and Labs in several canine sports.

Several of Sheila’s books have been named best in their categories by the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association, including Breed Rescue (Alpine, 1998), the first ever book devoted to starting and running a canine rescue program. Sheila has also published short fiction and poetry, and has worked as an editor for educational and scientific organizations and for individual writers. As always, Sheila is currently working on several projects, including a mystery novel.

Sheila holds a doctorate in folklore from Indiana University, with additional interests in cultural anthropology, linguistics, literature, and gender studies. She taught for some 20 years at universities in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Indiana, Kuwait, and Tunisia (and yes, she brought a dog home from one of her overseas jaunts). Seeing life as an adventure, Sheila has studied in Egypt and traveled in North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Writing Awards

• 2009 MUSE Award, Best Health and Care Book, Cat Writers’ Association
• 2009 Award of Excellence, Health and Care Book, Cat Writers’ Association
• 2008 Award of Excellence, Health and Care Book, Cat Writers’ Association
• 2008 Finalist, Best Training Book, Dog Writers Association of America
• 2007 Finalist, Short Fiction, Dog Writers Association of America
• 2005 Muse Award, Best Health and Care Book, Cat Writers’ Association
• 2005 Award of Excellence, Health and Care Book, Cat Writers’ Association
• 2003 Maxwell Award, Best Single Breed Book, Dog Writers Association of America
• 2002 Maxwell Award, Best General Reference Book, Dog Writers Association of America
• 1998 Maxwell Award, Best General Reference Book, Dog Writers Association of America

Commercial Publications

Non-fiction books (*Award winners)

• The Shih-tzu (T.F.H. Publications, forthcoming 2011)
• The Brittany (T.F.H. Publications, forthcoming 2011)
• The Shetland Sheepdog (T.F.H. Publications, 2010)
• Breed Rescue: How to Find, Foster, and Rehome Companion Animals: A Guide for Volunteers and Organizers (Alpine Publications, 2009).
• The Multiple Dog Family, An Animal Planet Pet Guide (T.F.H. Publications, 2009).
• *The Multiple Cat Family, An Animal Planet Pet Guide (T.F.H. Publications, 2009).
• *Training Your Dog for Life ((T.F.H. Publications, 2008).
• *Senior Cats, An Animal Planet Pet Guide (T.F.H. Publications, 2008).
• Dachshunds (T.F.H. Publications, 2007)
• The Golden Retriever (T.F.H. Publications, 2006).
• Parson and Jack Russell Terriers (T.F.H. Publications, 2006).
• The Boxer (T.F.H. Publications, 2005).
• *The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Cat (Alpha Books, 2005).
• *The Simple Guide to Labrador Retrievers (T.F.H. Publications, 2003).
• *The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog (Alpha Books, 2002).
• The Guide to Owning a Pembroke Welsh Corgi (T.F.H. Publications, 2000).
• The Guide to Owning an Australian Shepherd (T .F.H. Publications, 2000).
• *Breed Rescue: How to Organize and Run a Successful Program (Alpine Publications, 1998).

Fiction, short story

*“Tracks,” in Racing Can Be Murder, ed. Brenda R. Stewart and Tony Perona (Blue River Press, 2007).

Non-fiction, selected articles

• “Go Nuts for Agility,” Training Your Labrador Retriever, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series, June 2004.
• “Finding Your Obedience Star,” Dogs USA 2003, 146-151.
• “Golden Hours: Activities for Golden Retrievers,” Golden Retrievers, Fancy Pub lications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 4, 2002, 58-67.
• “Puppy Prep School,” Training Your Puppy, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 3, 2001, 98-107.
• “Herd Your Way to Happiness,” Shetland Sheepdogs, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 22, 2002, 56-63.
• “Aussies to the Rescue,” Australian Shepherds, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 15, 2001, 70-77.
• “Canine Fun from A-Z,” Puppies USA 1999-2000, Vol. 3, 90-99.
• “How to Dig Up the Right Dachshund,” Dachshunds, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 10, 1999, 120-125.
• “Rotts in Schutzhund,” Rottweilers, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 2, 1998-99, 60-67.
• “Golden Hours: Activities for Golden Retrievers,” Golden Retrievers, Fancy Pub lications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 4, 1998-99, 60-67.
• “Don't Spoil that Chihuahua!” Chihuahuas, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 8, 1999, 56-63.
• “Puppy Games: Show Off Your Puppy's Talents in Scaled-down Competitions,” Puppies USA Annual 1998-99, Vol. 2: 144-149.
• “Save the Poodles,” Poodles, Fancy Publications Popular Dogs Series. Topic Vol. 7, 1999, 118-123.
• “Good Samaritans,” (Therapy Dogs), The Australian Shepherd Journal 1998.
• “Rescuing and Handling Strays,” Dog Fancy, 1997.
• “Who Will Care for My Cat?,” Cat Fancy, April 1995, 10-14.
• “Who Will Care for Your Dog?,” Dog Fancy, July 1995, 26-29.
• “The Cultivated Writer,” Beautiful Gardens (May-June 1994): 37.
• “Strong circle of friendship is safe haven from life's dangers,” Indianapolis Star, August 29, 1992, C-7.
• “Encounter of Two Worlds” (interview with Norman Bradley, Associate Professor, IPFW, on his work as a Precolumbian art historian and painter, Research and Creative Activity 16:1 (May 1993): 14-17.
• “Cleaning Up Our Own Backyard” (interview with Ingrid Ritchie, Associate Professor, IUPUI, on environmental science and environmental health), Research and Creative Activity 15:3 (December 1992): 36-40.
• “Worldwide Literacy: It's a Matter of Time” (interview with Harbans Bhola, Professor at IUB), Research and Creative Activity 15:2 (March 1992), 13-17.
• “Sign Language” (interview with Bronislava V olek, P rofessor at IUB), Research and Creative Activity 14:1 (October 1990), 29-32.
• “The Lore and Language of American School Children,” The World & I (May 1990), 674-683.
• “Children's Folk Games,” The World & I (December 1989), 634-643.
• “Children's Humor,” The World & I (September 1989), 634-643.

Select Academic Publications

• “Empowering Spirits: Women and Zaar Spirit Possession,” Women and Religious Ritual, ed. Lesley Northup (Washington, D.C.: The Pastoral Press, 1994), 63-73.
• “Women and Folklore: Performers, Characters, Scholars,” Women's Studies International Forum 9:3 (1986): 1-8.
• “Arabic Proverbs and Proverbial Forms,” Proverbium 3 (1986): 179-194.
• “Folk Aesthetic in Arab Art,” Forum for Middle East Research in Anthropology 8:2 (1984-85): 5-7.
• “Harim and H ijab: Seclusive and Exclusive Aspects o f Traditional Muslim Dwelling and Dress,” Women's Studies International Forum 7 (1984): 35-41.
• “Women, Sex, and Marriage in Moroccan Proverbs,” International Journal of Middle East Studies 14 (1982): 173-184.
• “Becoming Female: Sex Role Development and Moroccan Folktales,” First Labor (Bloomington, IN: Hysteria Press, 1980), 22-33.
• “Yakul Hut: The Evil Eye in Tunisia,” Indian Journal of Folkloristics 2 (1979): 11-20.

Education

Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana

Ph.D., Folklore; minors in linguistics, Near Eastern studies; interests cultural anthropology, gender 1984

M.S., applied linguistics/TESOL

A.B., English; minor in psychology

Teaching Experience

20+  years teaching university and non-credit courses and workshops in academic/professional writing and creativity.

Writing Instructor and Workshop Facilitator 1994-present.

Indiana University, Kokomo Campus 1992 & 93

Indiana University School of Business, Bloomington 1989 -92

American University, Washington, D.C. 1987-89

University of Maryland, College Park 1985-89

Indiana University Folklore Department, Bloomington, Indiana 1984-85, 1981-82, 1980

Kuwait University Language Center (English) 1982-83

Indiana Institute of Technology, Fort Wayne, Indianap; 1977-78

University of Tunis/Bourguiba Institute of Modern Languages, Tunis, Tunisia; 1976-77

Latest News

May 2010: Sheila announces five new workshops.

Media Contact

Julie Dudley
julien@silverpearlinc.com
(919) 528-1619 (Eastern Time)

Coming Up

October 1, Pittsburgh:  Writers and Other Animals: How to Write About Pets and Get Paid for Your Work

October 2-3, Pittsburgh:  Sheila presenting Beating Burnout and Volunteer Management at Animal Rescue Superhighway Conference.

November 13, Chicago:  Sheila presenting Volunteer Management at Good as Gold Rescue Conference

See all events and register

 

New!

New workshops from Sheila, including:

Tickle Your Muse: A playshop for writers, artists, and anyone who wants to stir their creativity.

Beating Burnout: A seminar or 1-day workshop for volunteers in animal rescue.

See all of Sheila's workshops.

 

“A must read for anyone that participates in rescue!" Kelly Drake - Animal Radio.


Check out Sheila's Rescue Matters! page and join the discussion on Facebook.

 

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