September 11, 2001
Little Brown and Company, 2001
What were you doing on 9/11?
I remember it well. This was my experience on that tragic day.
I worked in Washington, D.C., on 10th Street. It started as a completely normal day. I parked my car at a park-and-ride, slugged into 14th Street, and walked the rest of the way to my office.
I started my day sitting at my desk, catching up on emails. Then I heard some commotion in the office. My boss switched on the television to a news channel and turned up the volume. My coworkers and I gathered around.
The first plane had hit the towers in New York.
Oh, that must have been an accident.
But then another one hit, then the Pentagon was hit. Looking out our office window, we could see smoke rising from the Pentagon.
Then another plane went down in Pennsylvania.
Everyone knew. This was an attack on the United States of America.
Rumors began circulating that another plane was coming.
At that point, we were let out of work. In fact, much of Washington, D.C., was being evacuated. Everyone was rushing. Everyone was looking up at the sky, wondering where the next plane might hit.
I didn’t know what to do. I was scared and numb.
Traffic was at a standstill. No one seemed to be able to leave the city. The cellphone networks were overwhelmed, and I couldn’t get ahold of my husband at the time.
Who would pick up the kids?
I walked around the city for a while, trying to figure out what to do. Finally, I approached a stranger who was sitting in his car, also trying to get out of the city.
I asked, “Which way are you going? Can you give me a ride to the park-and-ride where my car is parked?”
He agreed, and I got into his car with several other stranded people.
We sat for hours, trying to leave D.C.
As we passed the Pentagon, what we saw was unbelievable. Smoke. Emergency personnel everywhere. The side of the Pentagon had been crushed and badly damaged.
People were in there.
Everyone was shocked, in disbelief, and deeply saddened.
For weeks afterward, I watched the news coverage of that tragic day. I lost weight. I couldn’t eat or sleep.
How do you tell your children that the United States was under attack?
It was difficult for all of us.
I still tear up today when I think about all the people we lost.
Thank you to the police officers, firefighters, rescue workers, and all those who risked their lives to save others—including the courageous search-and-rescue dogs and other animals who worked alongside them.
We must remember.
We remember the more than 3,000 people who lost their lives. We remember the families who lost loved ones. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger while everyone else was trying to escape.
To those we lost on 9/11: I will never forget.
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Quarterly Note: July – September 2026
Leslie Eva Tayloe
Award Winning Author
of:
The Attic Door
Save the Trees
I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today
Happy September! Welcome and thank you for joining me. I’m excited to share a few highlights!
July – September Activity
- I participated in four events (three in September).
- I researched/drafted four new non-fiction stories.
- I’m participating in a fantastic agent workshop with InkedVoices.
- I’m submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers.
- I purchased a walking pad! I walk every morning outside, but now I can take several breaks from writing during the day to stretch my legs. I placed the walking pad right outside my office, so when I’m done writing for the day, I can simply roll the walking pad into a closet.
September Events: Hope to see you.
September 5-6, 2026, Colonial Beach Arts & Craft Festival, 10-5pm.
September 19, 2026, Carroll Book Festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 South Center Street, Westminster, Maryland, 1-4.
September 25-27, 2026, Book signing at the Rise and Fall Festival, at the Tappahannock Museum.
PICTURE BOOK SHOWCASE
Back by popular demand!
Selma by Tini Molina,
Translated by Tammi Reichel
The Story of a Stellar Spider
North South, 2026
(In case you didn’t read last month’s blog, I’m repeating this picture book showcase.)
I saw this book at my library and gasped! I immediately picked it up. To be honest, it was the name on the cover that first caught my attention because my mom’s name was Selma.
My mom was a first-generation American. Her father—my grandfather—was born in Syria. She hated the name Selma and preferred to be called Sam. I’m sorry she isn’t alive to see that there is now a wonderful picture book with her name on the cover!
Selma by Tini Malina is about a spider who reaches for new heights and refuses to follow the status quo. Selma dares to go beyond what others think is possible and discovers that there’s nothing wrong with reaching higher and following your own path.
It’s a beautiful story about individuality, creativity, and believing in your own potential. And for me, it’s even more special because of the name on the cover.
This is definitely a book I think you should read!
August free book giveaway winner was Nan Carlton. Congrats!
I’m giving away ANOTHER FREE copy of Selma to a lucky winner. Forward this post with a message “I WANT THAT BOOK” or go to leslieevatayloe.com/contacts and send me a message “I WANT THAT BOOK” to enter the giveaway. U.S. residents only.
Best, Leslie
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AUGUST NOTE, 2026
Hello – I’m showcasing a picture book this month.
Selma by Tini Molina,
Translated by Tammi Reichel
The Story of a Stellar Spider
North South, 2026
I saw this book at my library and gasped! I immediately picked it up. To be honest, it was the name on the cover that first caught my attention because my mom’s name was Selma.
My mom was a first-generation American. Her father—my grandfather—was born in Syria. She hated the name Selma and preferred to be called Sam. I’m sorry she isn’t alive to see that there is now a wonderful picture book with her name on the cover!
Selma by Tini Malina is about a spider who reaches for new heights and refuses to follow the status quo. Selma dares to go beyond what others think is possible and discovers that there’s nothing wrong with reaching higher and following your own path.
It’s a beautiful story about individuality, creativity, and believing in your own potential. And for me, it’s even more special because of the name on the cover.
This is definitely a book I think you should read!
I’m giving away one copy of Selma. Send me a message if you’d like the free copy!
QUARTERLY NOTE: APRIL-JUNE 2026
Happy Summer!
Welcome and thank you for joining me. It’s been a busy three months, and I’m excited to share a few highlights!
April – June Activity
- Participated in 7 events.
I especially enjoyed spending time with the children at Warsaw Head Start. They were a wonderful group, full of bright smiles, enthusiasm, and plenty of hugs!
- Added another critique group to my workload.
With so much writing in progress, I felt it was time. One group is a mix of writers from picture books to poetry, one focuses on nonfiction, and the third includes fiction, informational, and nonfiction writers. It’s been fun, inspiring, and a lot of work.
- Researched and drafted four new stories.
- Revised an older manuscript that had been sitting on my shelf for several years.
- Participated in a fantastic workshop led by a Chronicle editor.
- Continued submitting manuscripts to agents.
- Attended three SCBWI webinars and one Inked Voices webinar.
- Celebrated a fellow author’s book launch.
- To support kid-lit community, posted three author interviews on my blog.
It’s been three months of learning, writing, and revising. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next quarter brings!
August and September Events: More to come! Hope to see you.
- August 8, 2026, Participating in the RVA Children’s Book Fair/Festival, Richmond
Diversity Center, 1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 11-4.
- September 5-6, 2026, Colonial Beach Arts & Craft Festival, 10-5pm.
Have a great summer!
Best,
Leslie
Leslie Eva Tayloe 