Homer Hickam
Master storyteller, best-selling author of October Sky
Exclusive Representation by Greater Talent Network
Homer Hickam burst onto the national scene in 1999 when his memoir Rocket Boys (aka October Sky) reached #1 on the New York Times best-selling list. The story of his life growing up in the little mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia, and especially his high school years when he built high-flying rockets, the memoir has gone on to become a classic. Rocket Boys/October Sky is studied in hundreds of schools and colleges across the country as an important literary work, has been translated into eight languages, and picked by more American cities than any other book for their annual Community Reads. In short, Homer Hickam's memoir, which was also adapted into the popular movie October Sky starring Jake Gyllenhaal as young Homer, has become an absolute phenomenon.
October, 2007 will mark the 50th Anniversary of Sputnik, the world's first earth satellite, and now is an excellent time to be reminded of this important moment in history. And who better than Homer Hickam to do it? After all, it was Sputnik that inspired the Rocket Boys of Coalwood into their three years of passion, planning, and perseverance (Homer's 3 "P's" of success), not to mention a few explosions. Homer is a wonderful story-teller in the tradition of the people of the Appalachian mountains where he was raised. He tells gentle, humorous stories of the people of Coalwood and his days as the original Rocket Boy. His appreciative audiences are laughing one moment and brushing away a tear the next. Standing ovations are usually the norm for this talented speaker.
And there is more to the man. He is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He was once one of the nation's top scuba instructors and even taught David Letterman to dive! He was also a NASA engineer during the 1980's and 1990's, working on such important programs as the Hubble Space Telescope and training astronauts for Spacelab and Space Station missions. Today, he is an avid amateur paleontologist, having recently made a major find in Montana of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex. And, of course, he continues to write. As sequels to Rocket Boys/October Sky, he wrote three more best-selling memoirs (The Coalwood Way, Sky of Stone, and We Are Not Afraid). His latest novels, The Keeper's Son, The Ambassador's Son, and The Far Reaches, are part of his popular "Josh Thurlow" series of war-time adventure and romance. But no matter what else he's accomplished, Homer has never forgotten his boyhood rocket-building days. We invite you to join Homer in an evening of fun and purpose. In these times of national uncertainty, his is a triumphant and welcome message of hope, challenge, and perseverance.
Interested in booking Homer Hickam to speak at your next event?
October, 2007 will mark the 50th Anniversary of Sputnik, the world's first earth satellite, and now is an excellent time to be reminded of this important moment in history. And who better than Homer Hickam to do it? After all, it was Sputnik that inspired the Rocket Boys of Coalwood into their three years of passion, planning, and perseverance (Homer's 3 "P's" of success), not to mention a few explosions. Homer is a wonderful story-teller in the tradition of the people of the Appalachian mountains where he was raised. He tells gentle, humorous stories of the people of Coalwood and his days as the original Rocket Boy. His appreciative audiences are laughing one moment and brushing away a tear the next. Standing ovations are usually the norm for this talented speaker.
And there is more to the man. He is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He was once one of the nation's top scuba instructors and even taught David Letterman to dive! He was also a NASA engineer during the 1980's and 1990's, working on such important programs as the Hubble Space Telescope and training astronauts for Spacelab and Space Station missions. Today, he is an avid amateur paleontologist, having recently made a major find in Montana of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex. And, of course, he continues to write. As sequels to Rocket Boys/October Sky, he wrote three more best-selling memoirs (The Coalwood Way, Sky of Stone, and We Are Not Afraid). His latest novels, The Keeper's Son, The Ambassador's Son, and The Far Reaches, are part of his popular "Josh Thurlow" series of war-time adventure and romance. But no matter what else he's accomplished, Homer has never forgotten his boyhood rocket-building days. We invite you to join Homer in an evening of fun and purpose. In these times of national uncertainty, his is a triumphant and welcome message of hope, challenge, and perseverance.
Interested in booking Homer Hickam to speak at your next event?
Contact Greater Talent Network,
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212.645.4200
info@greatertalent.com
- October Sky: Turning Dreams Into Reality
- The Coalwood Way: Lessons in Personal Responsibility and Leadership
- Adventure, Rocket Ships, Lighthouses, and the Dreams of Boys
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