FINN'S PROMISE

Finn's Promise is a new novel set in Florence, Italy, where a group of religious students from Detroit have joined in as part of an Art Restoration Fellowship at the San Marco convent. They are studying and restoring the frescos of the famous painter Fra Angelico. Two young students in the fellowship, a seminarian Finn McNelis, and a Felician sister Olivia Gianetti, experience an attraction that will test the commitment they made to their Catholic faith. While on a papal visit to Florence, Pope John Paul II decides to visit the convent, and an attempted assassination plot by the Piagnoni, followers of Girolamo Savonarola, unfolds. But nothing will get in the way of Finn's promise.

Finn's Promise, a new novel by artist/author, Ron Teachworth.

THE MOUND

During the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Ethan Hinsdale wanted to build a tree house in a tree on elevated ground. He didn't expect to find that his choice turned out to be an ancient Native American Mound. Ethan and best friend, Rachel are in search of a way to return a prize-winning sheep that has gone missing. They seek the advice of Chogan, an elderly Cherokee, who says to them, "I know all the mounds... the large conical mound that you speak of, is a resting place where the hawk flies and the bear sleeps. And I should warn you, be careful and respectful around the Mound. It has powers we don't fully understand." Set in Pinson, Tennessee, the new novella; The Mound, is a coming of age mystery for young adults.

BEYOND

Beyond is a collection of ten short stories written for young adults. The stories traverse North America, from New York City to Yellowknife, Canada and seize on having a metaphysical aspect integrated into each normal life. They occur in a variety of times, reaching as far back as 1932, where the new swing dancing was the rage --- to a recent state science competition. The stories mix male and female protagonists with families and friends, often in school settings, and always uplifting. Follow this link to read Finding Edith Allen in full use.

Fireflies

North of Taos New Mexico, corridors of high-tension wires cause the small community of Chimayo to be alarmed.  In the small middle school, Tamia and her friend Miko compete in a state science competition and do well against all odds.  The young Navajo pair takes on the science behind the phenomenon of the firefly.

Wavelength Duet

Set on Prince Edward Island, the date is 1938 and art students from all parts of the world come to this prestigious arts camp for the summer to perform, write, and create visual art.  Jamie and Anne Marie meet and become immersed in friendship and the culture of Camp Montague.  The airplane trip home gets caught in a violent storm and they find themselves abandoned on a remote island.  Their only salvation is an object that produces a strange wavelength signal.

Carmen’s Cross

New York City’s lower Manhattan is the backdrop for this story about a young Hispanic girl who finds a small metal cross in the street.  The power of the cross is unknown until she places over the broken leg of her new puppy. “Maybe this will help my Abuela?” she thought.  Carmen moved slowly without making a sound to her bedroom door, turned the knob, and slipped down to her grandmother’s room.  This metaphysical story brings cultural, family, and faith together as the mystery of this young girl’s find, overcomes the physical obstacles in the real world.

Saving Grace

This story is set in New York City's lower east side, in a time before technology was widespread.  Grace and Nicho are Hispanic seventh graders at St. Vincent DePaul Middle School.  Nicho's experience with prayer weighs in on helping his friend's fight with influenza.  The power of the church crucifix overcomes all odds.
Nicho walked forward, turned around to face the crucifix, crossed himself, and knelt down to pray.  He whispered softly to himself,   “God bless my family…but I need some help for Grace.”  A voice replied inside his head, “Take your hand and touch my feet…then visit the one you love and place that same hand on her arm.”
Set in a Catholic K-8 school setting, the reader learns much about the inter workings of the Catholic faith.

Finding Edith Allen

Click Here To Read Finding Edith Allen Online

Raised in Detroit by supportive parents, Helen grows up in an integrated culture.  Adopted at birth, and with the support of her family, she decides to take a trip to Tennessee in search of her birth mother.

All The Right Moves

Set in the automotive cultural of Detroit during the depression, the story is about a family heirloom that gets passed on from father to son.  Vern was born with a natural ability to dance, and when he meets Roxanne his world changes.  The story is about a family headed up by two musicians, Harry and Ada who support their young son’s challenges in a dance competition.

Philomen

In "Philomen," writer Ron Teachworth returns again to the depths, this time to the ocean. His characters are young people who tend to prefer their own company and pursue their own paths, and in "Philomen" we meet young Kes, drawn inexorably to the sea, who saves the life of a young girl caught in the dangerous offshore undertow. In his stories, Teachworth explores themes of psychological development and growth, and in this story Kes receives the blessing of his father, even though his father drowned in a tragic accident even before Kes himself was born.  Trying to explain the events of a strange day in terms of the ordinary world of cause and effect and relationship, Kes and his mother encounter a young woman named Victoria—who was saved from a watery grave by Kes’ father, even though the act of heroism cost him his own life. Victoria, haunted by the guilt of having survived when he died, and Kes, in search of his father and his own destiny, encounter one another in the shadows of a shared dream, and together they emerge as more complete individuals who can now step into the future.

Mind Over Maelstrom

A gift from birth, Clare keeps it a secret.  Her close relationship with her grandfather sets the stage when a violent storm appears on the horizon. Set back in time in a Midwest high school, two girls who excel in math and science navigate the social norms of their peers.  Suddenly things change when they set their sights on the incoming storm.

Marker At Yellowknife

As in earlier stories, "Marker at Yellowknife" deals with the metaphysical, taking the reader to one of the most remote locations in North America. The story intrigues us with a young man’s discovery of an unknown object, found along the shores of the Great Slave Lake. The elements of water and beach are reminiscent of earlier stories and provide a certain element of natural stability to the story, while we learn about an omnipotent and positive force existing in the region for many years. The story within a story provides insight to the local people and pulls the reader into an Indian cultural we know very little about. The green bar of light that visits the Marker at Yellowknife lives with us long after the story is over.

Play

A violent act strikes at the heart of a family, and Mila seeks refuge in a private boarding school.  It is her memories of her neighbor friend, Jerome that comforts her.  If only she could return to their play, the world would be a better place.

TWO STONES

Now available, an iPad, iPhone app for Two Stones from iTunes for $1.99

Hard Copies available from the publisher or direct from the author.

Two Stones is a charming story that exposes a child’s fear about her parents’ argument. The two stones parallel the lives of her parents in a remarkable way. I am reminded of Japanese aesthetics when the weathering of objects, like stones, makes them more beautiful for their accumulation of experience. Ana learns that her parents have the experience and the love for her that dissolved their argument. The book handsomely designed, brings together Todd Weinstein’s photography and Ron Teachworth’s storytelling.

Susan Stewart, Artist  -  Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Two Stones by Ron Teachworth is a beautifully photographed story, about a miracle in the life of a young girl who is having family problems.  The problems are solved with the help of two magical stones that she finds on the beach.  In the story, Analisa worries about her parents’ arguments and wonders whether they might divorce.  The book might be enjoyed just simply for the story or could be used to engage a child or group of children in a discussion about childhood fears, especially the fear of parents divorcing.

For middle school students, it would be a good example of a first person narrative.  The photographs are a nice way to show that "illustrations" can be photographs.  It is also a very simple metaphorical fantasy, which I think is a good example for children to emulate.   This would be an easy read for students dealing with family stress.  It has a depth than opens up discussion and it could lead to discussions about family strife, feelings of isolation and fantasy.

Christine Lind Hage, Director - Rochester Hills Public Library

Two Stones is a beautiful story about a young girl worried about fight her parents were having. A touching tale with deeper tones that will engage readers of any age. Gorgeous photography.

J. Hager,  Young Adult Author - Azores, Portugal

The children's book Two Stones, by Ron Teachworth, is a simple, elegant story about a child coping with anxiety after witnessing a fight between her parents. Ana, who is depicted in beautiful photographs by Todd Weinstein, finds solace with a walk on the beach and two magical stones.

Children who read this story would not only identify with Ana's fears about divorce but will also find the mystery of the stones intriguing. Parents or mental health professionals can use Two Stones as a springboard for discussions about the emotional effects of family conflict. The rich use of symbolism in this book will certainly aid in such discussions. For example, the beach, with its waves and ever-changing shoreline, is a useful metaphor for the ebb and flow of emotions.

The themes of aloneness and connection can foster dialogue about how children cope with upset feelings. During her walk, Ana experiences the restorative effects of being alone in nature. However, it is the reunion with her parents at the end of her walk, which provides her with the sense of safety and connection that she, like any child, needs.

Juliet Glinski, Psy.D.   Psychologist  - White Plains, NY

Going Back (1983)
DVD · VHS
DVD is currently available online and in stores near you.
Feature Length 90 min.
Starring: Bruce Campbell

Contest of Speed (2008)
Original Screenplay · 110 pages
Short Story [pdf]
Illustration

I graduated from Wayne State University with an MA in Painting. I attended London Film School and then started writing for film and educational television. I have been producing art in the Detroit area since 1968, and this includes producing fiction and visual art using a variety of different media. I was born in Detroit, and I have resided, gone to school, and published extensively in Detroit. I have always considered myself part of the Detroit Art Community.

I wrote a short story and then expanded it into an original screenplay in 1982. Going Back was produced in 1984 as an independent feature film and was immediately pick up by Vestron Pictures in 1985. At the time, I was writing and producing television for public schools and Michigan State University. This became the foundation for the development of my writing skill. In the mid 1990's I wrote a short story, Two Stones that went on to be published in 2004. I have been writing newsletters for county and state organizations for the last ten years, including articles for Zooming In, a Michigan Film magazine.

As a result of the success of Going Back, I have written a new screenplay, Contest of Speed, a coming of age story that depicts a young man, from Detroit and his love for muscle cars. To market the screenplay, I have written a film treatment that summarizes the main plot of the film.

I see the creating of fiction much in the same way I see creating a painting. There is an idea, development, research, and then execution, revision, editing, and submitting for publication. Often, the subjects for my fiction writing are the same subjects in my visual artwork.

I have recently completed a collection of short stories. Beyond is a collection of ten short stories written for young adults. The stories traverse North America, from New York City to Yellowknife, Canada and seize on having a metaphysical aspect integrated into each normal life. They occur in a variety of times, reaching as far back as 1932, where the new swing dancing was the rage --- to a recent state science competition. The stories mix male and female protagonists with families and friends, often in school settings. This is a young adult short story collection.

I am currently finishing a novella, The Mound. During the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Ethan Hinsdale wanted to build a tree house in a tree on elevated ground. He didn't expect to find that his choice turned out to be an ancient Native American Mound. This is a young adult novella.

I have just finished a new novel, Finn's Promise, set in Florence, Italy, where a group of religious students are part of an Art Restoration Fellowship at the San Marco convent. They are studying the frescos of the famous painter Fra Angelico. Two young people, a seminarian, and a Sister experience an attraction that will test their commitment to their Catholic faith. While on a papal visit to Florence, Pope John Paul II decides to visit the convent, and an attempted assassination plot by the Piagnoni, followers of Girolamo Savonarola, unfolds.