New Audiobook of “MUMENTOUS” Explores the Deep-Rooted Tradition of the Homecoming Mums and Bonus Chapters
The rollout of the audiobook begins in October 2024 to all major audiobook platforms
(click here to view the press release) Historian, author, photographer, and “mumologist” Amy J. Schultz scores another touchdown with the release of the audiobook version of her award-winning 2023 book, MUMENTOUS: Original Photos and Mostly True Stories About Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition that was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.
Narrated by Deanna Q. Larson and produced by Atmosphere Press, the audiobook offers a unique and immersive listening experience, bringing the stories and traditions of homecoming mums to life for the new age. What began as a humble 100-year southern tradition of wearing a basic chrysanthemum corsage to the annual homecoming football game has exploded into an eye-popping tradition that has set Guinness World Records, spawned a multi-million dollar specialized industry, and created an evolving viral sensation that continues to break into new geographies and generations.
“While MUMENTOUS is a big picture adventure from start to finish, each chapter is also its own mini-story. This structure naturally lends itself to an audiobook format," said Schultz. "Producing MUMENTOUS as an audiobook also allowed me to add two chapters that enhance the overall story arch in the hardback as well as added exclusive content for audiobook listeners."
New features of the audiobook include:
Author's Introduction: An exclusive, audiobook introduction read by the author
"Bells and Whistles:” An exclusive, “immersive sounds” audiobook chapter that captures the unique atmosphere of a homecoming football game in Texas, including the energy of the crowd, marching band beats, and mum bells
"Senior Year" and "Manifesting Destiny": Two new chapters exploring the significance of senior mums and the cultural context of bigger-than-lifesized “team mums.”
For audiobook listeners who want to experience the visual journey of homecoming mums, Schultz has added many of her original photographs from the hardback book to mumentousbook.com. "Senior Year" and "Manifesting Destiny" have also been added to the print and e-book versions.
Much like the evolution of homecoming mums in Texas, MUMENTOUS began small, as a series of photos shot by Schultz, an award-winning photographer, at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Next, Schultz’s collection of photographs and ever-growing narratives blossomed into a multi-media art exhibition during her tenure as the Arlington Museum of Art’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence in 2019. And like a homecoming bonfire, the popularity of the exhibit, overwhelming media attention, and outpouring of personal narratives sparked a demand to immortalize the tradition - giving life to the pages of MUMENTOUS.
"Homecoming mums are the ultimate 'you can't judge a book by its cover' story,” said Schultz. “I hope that through the audiobook journey, listeners will hear and feel the genuineness and love found inside the tradition. I also hope, like I did, they’ll gain a deep and lasting understanding about the significance of the mum tradition and the hearts of women driving it."
The MUMENTOUS audiobook will be available where most audiobooks are found including Audible, Apple, and Spotify. The hardcover MUMENTOUS book is a beautiful 186-page hardbound book perfect for giving at the holidays and, of course, homecoming! Additional information and excerpts are available at mumentousbook.com.
