MEDIA COVERAGE
Interviews
Interview with Don Evans, Founder of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, where I discuss my writing journey and The Great Gimlet fundraiser event.
The Chicago Women’s Alliance interviews Rita Dragonette for their virtual book club.
Michelle Zaffino discusses The Fourteenth of September, the MyLibrarian July 2022 Book Club pick, with the author, Rita Dragonette. Watch here.
Rita Dragonette joins Diane Dewey to discuss her book The Fourteenth of September being more relevant than ever.
Rita Dragonette with Nicole Christina on Zestful Aging Podcast “Protesting for Justice, Then and Now”
Novelist Rita Dragonette discusses the Vietnam War and Michelangelo with historical fiction author Stephanie Storey. Watch full interview here.
Chicago Classics, Quarantine Edition - Rita Dragonette reads Somerset Maugham
Latest interview from All Author on aspiration, intention, process and behind-the-scenes of Rita Dragonette’s writing background.
Rita Dragonette joins The Morning Blend to discuss her book The Fourteenth of September and life during this volatile time in our nation's history. Watch the full interview here.
“I asked Dragonette questions about her motivation for writing the novel, if it was cathartic to have written the events in fiction, and how her story relates to the current youth-led protests.”
Rita Dragonette talking about The Fourteenth of September with Joan Esposito on WCPT 820 Chicago Radio. Start radio clip at 28:00 mins for full interview.
“I adore this great novel, with great writing. It’s hard to believe this is a first novel.” Start radio clip at 52:09 mins for full interview.
The story is beautifully written with compassionate and thoughtful narrative and engaging characters who play out all the angst of the era set on a Midwestern college campus when America was at its most vulnerable.
The Long Walk to The Fourteenth of September: From the Classrooms of the Writer’s Studio to the Prairie Paths of the Ragdale Foundation
Sharing a fascinating interview with Christine Maul Rice of Hypertext Magazine. Best interview questions ever!
Feature Articles
August 27, 1968. A Look Back in History: When the Whole World Finally Started Watching by Rita Dragonette
The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy: Three Strikes and the Early Hope of a Generation Is Out by Rita Dragonette
Discussing the characters in The Fourteenth of September with Mollie’s Booknook.
“There were more people in the boomer generation than ever before. They were the first to have been raised to follow their passion & had the confidence that they could change the world in all ways.”
“The world is currently in a massive Coming of Conscience time as we decide who we are moving forward as Americans.”
Rita Dragonette featured on Mollie’s Booknook
“Celebrating with Rita Dragonette the 2nd anniversary of her wonderful historical fiction novel, The Fourteenth of September!”
Guest Blog
“The delightful Rita Dragonette is back on our blog this week with another hilarious essay. Are you as excited for Book #2 as we are?”
“Can a protest by one person be as effective or powerful as a protest by thousands?”
Guest Blog
“Another new essay up on our blog with a slightly different take on the lockdown. Read ‘Confessions of a Sequester Wastrel’ by DartFrog selected author Rita Dragonette.”
When a World Crisis Makes Your Backlist Historical Fiction Novel Suddenly Relevant Again: Is It Still Your Story to Tell?
“Rita Dragonette deems her debut historical novel a designation intended to echo yet distinguish it from the typical coming of age experience.”
“Is there such a thing as legendary-level book marketing? You might think so after reading former PR exec/career consultant Rita Dragonette’s strategies for promoting her debut novel.”
"What I particularly love are the ceiling-high bookshelves that make me feel like one of Max Perkins’s clients from the ’20s or ’30s. Hey, we’re writers… we imagine!"
Judy’s journey mirrors Dragonette’s experience at NIU – arriving on campus as a nursing major on a U.S. Army scholarship.
Spotlight: The Fourteenth of September by Rita Dragonette including an excerpt from the novel
News
If my book cover could be any fashionable celebrity it would no doubt be the elegant and timeless Elizabeth Taylor as pictured here.
A day to recognize a literary genre so many of us love and to support women authors everywhere.
The Fourteenth of September is featured in the Nov/Dec issue of Foreward Reviews Magazine.
The Fourteenth of September was chosen for this list of “Inspirational and Impactful Reads for Women’s History Month.”
The society newsletter included news of being asked to write a monologue for Ton-award winning actress Deanna Dunagen for the American Blues Theater.
I'm honored to participate for the second year in the Author's Challenge to support the work of The Guild Literary Complex. See more>
Blog tour photos and reviews for The Fourteenth of September during the anniversary month of September.
The Society of Midland Authors features Rita Dragonette’s blog in an article on Coronavirus Reflections.
Rita Dragonette is featured in the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Bookmark, quoted as a featured Author of the Sandberg Literary Awards.
Happy to be a part of the 2018 Author Challenge for the Guild Literary Complex.
A story that speaks to the poignant clash of young adulthood, feminism, and war and offers an inquiry into the domestic politics of protest.
Rita talks about how to survive the revision process with Tammy Letherer.