Melissa Crandall
Nonfiction, Memoir, Fabulist Fiction & Poetry
Going to the Elephants
When I began the first tentative work on my book ELEPHANT SPEAK: A Devoted Keeper’s Life Among the Herd (Ooligan Press, March 2020), I never anticipated the opportunities it would present over the course of almost five years.
Yup, you read that right; five years from my initial query letter to Roger Henneous asking if he would allow me to tell his story–through months of my then-agent offering the book to big name publishers around the globe–through the disappointment of rejection despite praise and encouragement from many editors–to my agent saying she’d done all she could and was parting ways with me–to my determination to not give up–to at last finding a home at Ooligan Press. Writing is not for the faint of heart, and anyone who thinks the work is easy, or publication guaranteed, is fooling themselves.
Despite the ups and downs, the nights when I tearfully wondered if I had it in me to write the book, let alone see it through to being an actual reality in my hands, I’ve had a wonderful time and gained so many precious experiences and memories. Chief among those is the friendship I’ve developed with Roger Henneous. He and his wife RoseMerrie and their extended family welcomed me into their home and their lives, generously throwing open not only numerous boxes of memorabilia of Roger’s years as Senior Elephant Keeper at the Washington Park Zoo (now the Oregon Zoo), but also their hearts. Every author should feel so encouraged.
ELEPHANT SPEAK involved a great deal of research apart from my interviews with Roger. I hunted down his former colleagues where I could, and they kindly answered my questions. Present-day elephant people–those working in zoos and sanctuaries, those involved in research, and many others whose lives revolve around elephants–as well as people in such diverse areas as city governments, state police, and the Coast Guard, offered information and guidance, and I’ve attempted to acknowledge them all in the back of the book.
And then there’s Bob Lee and his crew of elephant keepers at the Oregon Zoo.
Bob made it possible for Roger to return not just to the zoo, but to the new elephant facility; to get a glimpse behind the scenes and reacquaint himself with his old friends, Sung Surin (aka Shine) and Rose-Tu. (You can read about it here.) During that visit, I half-jokingly inquired whether I might someday job-shadow a keeper. “Sure,” Bob said without missing a beat. “I think we can do that.”
Oh, my!
It was something I couldn’t dare arrange until the book was done, the final edit complete, the manuscript in the capable hands of the folks at Ooligan. Only then did I feel my time was again my own and I could give myself a small vacation. I’d promised Bob I meant to work for my opportunity–I can shovel manure with the best of them and my vegetable-cutting skills are excellent–but if this is work (and I know it is), it’s no wonder the keepers each told me, independent of one another, how much they look forward to coming to work every day.
So, thank you Bob Lee and Pam Starkey, Tarah Bedrossian and Joe Sebastiani and Matt Miles. Thank you, Shine and Rose-Tu. Thank you, Samson and Rosko (aka Samudra) who, in my busyness, I didn’t get pictures of, and Chendra who accepted my offering of a cantaloupe with such delight. Words can’t do my visit justice, so here are the pictures:
Melissa Crandall 
Many cheers and congratulations to you! I completely respect your writing skills as well as the good natured energy that is apparent. Love to you and Ed.
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Thanks, Big Sister. Good to hear from you. Sending love back. The book will be available 3/3/20. Please encourage your favorite local independent bookstore to stock it. Thanks and lots of love.
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Hello Melissa,
I am enjoying reading your 10/11 posting “Going to the Elephants.” I am a friend of Virginia Karin, Roger’s sister, and in our phone call on 10/6 she told me of her visit with you that day and about the book. I am so pleased to know who you are and, when she and I talk again, to share with her about your blog. She may already know this, but it will be exciting to share anyway.
Congratulations on the book!
Cathie Perkins
Beaverton, Oregon
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Hi, Cathie. It’s lovely to hear from you. Virginia is delightful, and I so enjoyed our visit the other day. My “book baby” will be born on March 3, 2020. Definitely check with your favorite local independent bookstore and ask them to order it direct from Ooligan Press. Thank you for the support.
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