All posts tagged: The Road Through Wonderland

Dawn Schiller Keynotes at Soroptimist Northwestern Region’s 93rd Conference

Published by

Dawn Schiller, author of “The Road Through Wonderland” will be a keynote speaker for the Soroptimist Northwestern Region’s 93rd Conference being held in Vancouver, WA, April 29-May 1.  Schiller will be speaking about her journey as a throwaway teen, her experiences with being connected to adult film star, John Holmes, and her recovery from addictions to becoming an activist for others through her non-profit organization. The theme of the conference is “All We Need is Love” and centering around the Beatles’ song, speakers and workshops with an international flavor will revolve around the inspirational and educational theme.  Another keynote speaker,  Bill Stainton teaches about “The 5 Best Decisions The Beatles Ever Made” — and how each of us can apply them as well to achieve “Top of the Charts” success. From a recent announcement: “Get a better understanding of the international scope of our organization and the goals of our Federation Board as we meet our Federation Visitor, Linabelle Villarica from the Philippines. And take part in workshops that will focus on providing you with both personal as well …

Dawn Schiller Hits The Roth Show

Published by

In a series of interviews by Guest Host, Susan Murphy Milano, Dawn Schiller talks of her experiences on The Roth Show, a nationally syndicated radio show on IRN Network.  Dr. Laurie Roth, known as the “Annie Oakley of the Airwaves,” hosts a show which brings out the details,  doesn’t shy away from controversy, and is always captivating in the issues she presents.  Along with Susan Murphy Milano as her co-host each Wednesday evening, they visit issues of violence prevention, unsolved cases, missing persons and crimes in which justice has been interrupted. Schiller recounts her relationship with adult film star, John Holmes, and how, at 15, she was seduced by the 32 year old Holmes into a lifestyle filled with drugs, sex and danger.  All the ingredients went into a film about Holmes and Schiller titled, “Wonderland” starring Val Kilmer and Kate Bosworth as the unlikely couple.  Although Dawn was never involved in the adult film industry, rather kept isolated from it by Holmes, she lived within the world of seedy characters and drug lords who …

“Beyond Wonderland:” Dawn Schiller and Susan Murphy Milano on Here Women Talk

Published by

In February, 2010 Susan Murphy Milano and Dawn Schiller had a frank discussion on the radio show, “Riding Away From Wonderland” talking about Dawn’s early childhood, her dysfunctional family and her teenage relationship with 32 year old, “King of Porn,” John Holmes.  It was one of the most popular shows of the year, and now Dawn and Susan will be back together to take the conversation to another level. Dawn Schiller’s life was wrought with dysfunction leading her into a relationship with porn star, John Holmes, at the age of 15.  It’s not what it sounds like.  John Holmes, 32, delicately groomed Dawn to be his partner, isolating her from the “industry,” he kept her for himself.  Author of her memoir, The Road Through Wonderland: Surviving John Holmes, Dawn recounts the horrific details of her life with John Holmes. Years later, with a lot of work, and the grace of God, Dawn has become a sane, sober woman reaching out to help other “throwaway teens.”  Her non-profit, E.S.T.E.A.M., offers programs of help to troubled teens in …

This Week With Dawn Schiller! On The Road!

Published by

Dawn Schiller, Author of The Road Through Wonderland: Surviving John Holmes, and Founder of the non profit to benefit throwaway teens, E.S.T.E.A.M., heads to North Carolina on November 9 for the North Carolina Governor’s Conference for Women.  Dawn was invited to participate as a speaker for the annual event held in Raleigh, NC, and will be speaking and participating in panel discussions about “Investing in Women and Girls.” Dawn has also been selected to be a guest at the Governor’s Mansion on the evening of November 8 with North Carolina Governor, Bev Purdue and other participants in the conference. Those attending will be able to hear the keynote addresses by Sheryl WuDunn, a Pulitzer Prize winning Journalist and Author, as well as actresses, Andie McDowell and Gabourey Sidibe, Producer, Lisa Cortes, and Governor Bev Purdue.  The lineup of speakers and panelists is quite impressive with many noted speakers, activists and advocates representing several areas of women’s issues which will be discussed. It was recently announced that Melody Barnes, who was chosen by President Barack Obama to serve as …

EmpowerTeens (dot) Com: Remember This Site!

Published by

Dawn Schiller has been travelling far and wide, speaking and signing copies of her book, The Road Through Wonderland: Surviving John Holmes. This book was a long time coming forth, the memories as hard for Dawn to deal with as it is for the reader to comprehend.  However, Dawn Schiller did survive her teen relationship with porn star, John Holmes, and has reached a point in her life where just re-telling the past is not enough, she is reaching out to other “throwaway teens” so that they may be better equipped to make effective choices. If you read The Road Through Wonderland you know that Dawn’s tumultuous family left her primed for a predator to take advantage of her, and that’s exactly what Holmes did.  At 32, and the “king of porn” Holmes delicately groomed 15-year-old Dawn and kept her for himself.  As reluctant as some are to believe, Holmes never exposed Dawn to the adult film industry, and she never participated in porn.  Holmes did, however, expose Dawn to the underbelly of life through abuse, drug …