Memoir young pairs skater / now journalist

[Minou]

There is a new memoir discussing American and pairs figure skating culture by Keri Blakinger, an early partner of Mark Ladwig, in addtion to later developments in her life and work . Here is a review (this is a gift article so everyone everywhere should be able to access it): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/07/...KZVudDUo6b-0aypDc2N3rntuK2ZNVo&smid=url-share

 

[Sylvia]

Yes, thanks - this book was mentioned recently in various threads on FSU - link to the publisher's page for Blakinger's book:

Corrections in Ink

“Brave, brutal . . . a riveting story about suffering, recovery, and redemption. Inspiring and relevant.” —The New York TimesAn electric and unforgetta...

us.macmillan.com

Mark Ladwig's support of his former partner's book (2nd photo is of her in a lift when they competed at the Novice level): https://www.instagram.com/p/CegA_fVOwm9/

Proud of @keriblakinger releasing her autobiography!

My part in her journey isn't perfect, but like rainbows the promise of a better tomorrow is for all and no two have the same path...

Buy you and incarcerated person a copy today:

In the Media - Progressive Prison Ministries

prisonist.org

Or donate to the @marshallproj ! https://www.instagram.com/marshallproj/

Blakinger's Twitter account: https://twitter.com/keribla

ETA: Keri Lynn Blakinger & Mark Ladwig competed twice at U.S. Novice Nationals (5th in 2000 & 2001).

Posted on May 23rd in another thread:

I’m not sure if I ever saw them skate together, but I do remember Keri’s name from those days and it’s nice that Mark is supporting her. I think her memoir could end up being a pretty big deal - she has an interesting backstory, but she’s also a talented journalist who’s done some important work on prison reform and related issues. I’m hoping she’ll find a really wide audience with this book.

Blakinger was interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air in December 2018:

From Convict To Criminal Justice Reporter: 'I Was So Lucky To Come Out Of This'

Keri Blakinger spent nearly two years locked up on narcotics charges before becoming a journalist. "I've been so privileged in so many ways to end up with hope and second chances," she says.

www.npr.org

And here’s her latest NPR interview (June 7, 2022):

Prison reporter Keri Blakinger reflects on her time in incarceration in new memoir

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Keri Blakinger, author of the new memoir Corrections In Ink, which is about her path from Olympic figure skating dreams, to drug addiction, and then to prison.

www.npr.org

 

[Sylvia]

@PRlady - here's a thread when Blakinger's book was published this past summer.

Thanks for sharing a more recent link! (Nov. 17, 2022)

There was a segment about her on PBS NewsHour: honors student, went to Cornell, got addicted to heroin and went to prison, got out and became a reporter and now does serious exposes of prison abuses. She was a “serious” skater and talked about how the obsessive ness of it all characterized her personality. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/h...with-prisoners-to-highlight-conditions-inside

 

[4rkidz]

@PRlady - here's a thread when Blakinger's book was published this past summer.

Thanks for sharing a more recent link! (Nov. 17, 2022)

Cant believe her book is banned in the Florida correctional services! i want it for Christmas

 

[Taso]

Thank you for bringing Keri's story to our attention. Reading the Terri Gross interview transcript was so interesting. The fact that without the law changes mentioned she would be still in prison instead of leading this meaningful, positively impactful life was hard to read, so many other lives potential wasted. She uses her privilege so well.

 

[Trillian]

Bumping up this thread since the latest news is not really “Skating Books” related. For those who know her story but haven’t followed her more recent work, Keri was just named as a Pulitzer finalist in the Feature Writing category.

It’s not skating-related at all, but here is the nominated piece for those who are interested:

How D&D Became Therapy for Some Men on Texas’ Death Row

For men awaiting execution in Texas, illicit games of Dungeons & Dragons became a lifeline.

www.themarshallproject.org

 

[skateycat]

I just got accepted into a fellowship program for librarians who serve incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations and one of the articles I read this week was one of Keri's articles. When I found the link to her memoir and saw the figure skating connection, I thought, I must go announce my find on FSU!

Fortunately I decided to do a search and I see that you were all years ahead of me, lol