Skinny Scotty [Paperback]

June E. Bussard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1996

This true story is told in Scotty's own simple words. The author tape-recorded Scotty telling these tales of her life. Scotty's name was Rosa Ellen Scott, she was born in 1895. Those many tapes are the basis of this book, written by June Bussard, Scotty's daughter. At age 4, Rosa's Papa died, leaving his family destitute in Indiana where they were hated as that "Rebel family". At age 9 Rosa's brother Henry moved Mama, Sister Louisa and Rosa Ellen out west to a sagebrush covered homestead in Idaho. They eked out a barren living while brother kept his job with the rialroad. Little Rosa did all the outside chores, hauling water, sawing sagebrush, digging a root cellar and trapping jackrabbits for food. But, they were happy, and Rosa Ellen was no longer called "Skinny Scotty, the Rebel brat." Rosa's dream came true when Brother Henry brings her a small mustang, the Kit-horse. Always feisty and independent, now Rosa really has wings. She convinced Mama she should wear rabbit-skin britches under her skirts to ride and to work outside. That display of unwomanly independence eventually made her the target of bullies. They ambushed her and would have harmed her, except for the sudden appearance of a mysterious black-bearded cowhand. This cowhand was German, speaking very little English. Rosa's mama spoke some German and soon Mama realized that this was no ordinary cowhand, he was well educated and carrying a heavy burden, a secret. The cowhand E.J. disappears as quickly as he appeared, and Rosa Ellen's young heart is broken. As the years slowly pass, changes occur in Rosa's life. She becomes a live-in nursemaid for a household in Pocatello, Idaho. Eventually the cowboy E.J. finds Rosa again and confides in her the danger he still faces. They marry on Christmas Eve and during their honeymoon train-ride to a remote ranch in Utah, a German Agent spots E.J. and he must disappear again. She is devastated, but he does soon return. Later Rosa decided she never, ever wanted to know the truth about what happened to him and the Agent in the dark alleys of Pocatello that day. She knew it must have been something very dangerous and very desperate. Rosa's life held many, many more adventures on the remote Utah cattle ranch. One day she was up on a hill happily digging herbs and roots. Suddenly, a huge snarling body came hurtling down on her. Her little dog launched his small body directly up at the ferocious mountain lion. Later Rosa looked up into her husbands ashen gray face, and for the first time..ever..she saw real fear in his eyes. She cried out. "Rabies? No! No! Please Lord! No!, I can't die, my babies, my babies!" Readers of this book say, "I could not put this book down. Adults will want to race right through this story, but take some time to read it again, out loud to a child."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A charming intimate story about what life was really like for ordinary people in the early 1900s. I'm sure readers can expect to shed a few tears of sadness and a few tears of joy. I know I did." -- Phillip Leslie, retired Registrar of the Smithsonian Institution

"A true love story that is an invaluable gift to all generations of women." -- Maria LaPiana, the Sacramento Bee

"All the adventure, heartbreak and joy in this story happened to a real Northwest pioneer. This saga is something like the Little House books by Wilder...I was intrigued by Scotty's hardships, her loves and trials. The story ends with Rosa as young woman but Bussard adds a welcome epilogue." -- Jeanne DePaul, Editor, Idaho's Lewiston Tribune

"An inspirational story filled with historic details of pre-WWI America." -- Paul Harrar of the Union Newspaper

"The love the German cowboy felt for Scotty touched my heart in a powerful way. I had to find out if he would finally elude those persuing German Agents, and realize his dream...living in freedom in America." -- Merrill Bird, Washington writer and historian

From the Publisher

Self-publishing is in itself an unusual adventure, especially if you have no idea what you are getting into. This is a birds eye view of what happened to my husband and myself when we decided to self-publish "Skinny Scotty" After 3 years of dedication, glory-be! June had a manuscript. Now what? No publisher is going to even glance at an unknown writer's first time attempt. Well we decided to self-publish. And that old saying "ignorance is bliss"...took immediate effect. June studied many big fat reference books, i.e.: "The Writer's Handbook", "Writing & Book Marketing Made Easy", and the real kicker, "How to Publish Your Book and Sell a Million Copies". So, now we think we are prepared, dreaming of course. We soon found out that publishing means very very lengthy editing, LCCN and ISBN numbers, pagination, cover design, back cover blurbs, weights of paper, fonts, endorsements, foreward, epilogue, and a hundred other momentious decisions. We were lucky that our young son, 23 year old Joseph M. Bussard is a talanted Graphic Artist. He designed the beautiful cover for "Skinny Scotty". Each image on the cover depicts a scene from her unusual story. Fortunately we had the foresight to search out other professionals to help. A fine Editor, Mr. Steve Koke believed in the story and coached June through the editing, The publishing house at Blue Dolphin Press helped with the technical aspects of putting the book together and ready for printing. Eventually this book was released in 1996. In regard to self-published books: The Editor of "The Writer's Showcase" Deborah L. Beeksma, a magazine dedicated to the Promotion of Self-published Books, printed this statement regarding the book. "Skinny Scotty is an example of how good a self published book can read and look! June Bussard and J & J Books should be commended for its professional appearance." Now, if all this work doesn't keep you off the streets, a self-published author must also promote the book themselves. Or else...those huge boxes of books...which have recently arrived by semi-truck, will just take up residency in your garage forever. So back to reference books. But now you are in another unfamiliar business venture, the promotion and distributing of your own book. All authors knows this means sending out review copies to anyone and everyone who might give you a review, getting on radio, going to book conventions, trying to get a distributor, lecturing any Club who might want you, talking to dozens of bookstore managers who are not in the least impressed with a self-published book of any kind. Rejection after rejection is very discouraging of course, but when that first favorable book review is printed in a newspaper, you are up there walking on air...someone actually thinks your book is worth reading.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: J & J Books; 1 edition (June 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965201406
• ISBN-13: 978-0965201407
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,287,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprized!, September 20, 2000

By 

Gene DeWitt (Grass Valley, Callif.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skinny Scotty (Paperback)

Im Ms. Holden-Bussard's hairstylist. To be very honest, I bought her
book out of loyalty. I knew I would need to read it before her next
appointment, so I set aside a time, on a very, very busy day, with
lots of stops and waiting periods in between, while in town, to read
her book. My first stop was tune-up and oil change, good, at least an
hour or more to start reading this book. My car was finished, I
continued reading the book for more than an hour, at the tune-up
center. I made a crucial decision---cancell all the other business for
the day--go home--READ THIS BOOK!! I did, came home, got comfortable
and did not do a single thing but FINISH reading this book!! I simply
couldn't wait to see what happened next. I came sooooooo close to
calling Ms. Holden-Bussard at 2:30 in the morning when I finished
it--I simply had to share my feelings with her!! I was overwhelmed by
the beauty, the adventure, the mystery, the excitement-the romance,
suspense, intrigue--the easy to read format that Ms. Holden-Bussard
uses. It literally held me in its beauty, its grace and heart-felt
simplicity! I cannot reccommend this book enough. I have since
purchased several copies to give to friends and family--NO, I will not
loan out my autographed copy--it has become an essential part of the
energy of my home! I have only one more comment: Ms. Holden-Bussard,
will there be more?? Please!! I remember you sharing some of the
frustrations and challenges of getting this book published--but the
selfish part of me says--Skinny Scottie was worth it--I WANT MORE!!!!!