About Me

     Native New Englander, poet, and award-winning author, Deborah Burke Henderson loves the art of storytelling whether crafting free verse poetry or English-language haiku or touching the lives of others through children's stories, devotional meditations, or creative nonfiction. 

     A nature-lover, much of her work is centered around honoring the sacred in the everyday, appreciating the wonder and beauty in life, and offering opportunities to encourage living mindfully in the present.

     Her haiku, senryu, and tanka poems have appeared in numerous print and online journals of note. Persimmon Tree carries "Spa Day," a personal essay/memoir about a unique experience in Tunisia, northern Africa. Flash Fiction Magazine, 101words.org, and the "Lost Paper" blog have featured her shorts. 

     Her official writing career started at age 16 when she pitched and wrote features for the Hingham Journal. Her first article was a full-page spread which included an in-depth interview with Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Talbot, owners of the flagship Talbot retail store in Hingham, Mass., and featured her own photography.

     Henderson's 32-year career in public relations included founding and coordinating the award-winning "Wednesday's Child" television series featuring older and special needs children in need of permanent, loving families. Hosted by then news anchor Jack Williams, "Wednesday's Child" appeared on WBZ-TV4 (Boston) for more than four decades and resulted in placing thousands of children in new families. This program was replicated in major television markets across America. 

     A former Peace Corps volunteer, she served as an ESL teacher in Tunisia, northern Africa, and enjoyed sharing her art, illustrations, and treasured souvenirs of that experience in a one-woman exhibit once back home. 

     She continues to study and write haiku and freelances for the Fifty Plus Advocate, a noted regional magazine for the mature audience. Her first children's book, an early reader entitled, Lelia's Aventura, is a Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner (in the early reader and green living / environmental awareness categories) and a 5-Star Review from Readers' Favorite. 

     A portion of book sales benefits two well-known nonprofit organizations helping fight climate change and protecting natural habitats and wildlife. She is now working on a Spanish translation.

     Her second is a middle-grade chapter book, The GIFTS Friends Give Us, for youngsters 7 through 10 years of age. A portion of book sales from GIFTS benefits MassAudubon. 

     Both titles enjoy 5-star reviews and are available on Amazon.com.

     When not writing, she loves quilting, photography, birdwatching, learning to play the piano, and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her beloved long-haired rescue cat, "The Git" (pictured below).