Tuesday November 15 I’ll be presenting a workshop for writers and illustrators at the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street, New Haven, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with author/illustrator Deborah Freedman, and Donita Aruny from the Shoreline Arts Alliance. We’ll discuss writing and illustrating children’s books and give helpful information about the annual Tassy Walden Awards: New Voices In Children’s Literature.
Drop in and say hello!
I’ll be at the Southwestern Connecticut Youth Book Expo at the Shelton Courtyard Marriott, 780 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, CT on Saturday October 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with 23 other children’s book authors and illustrators.
For more information about the event, the participants and the schedule, please visit the SWCT Youth Book Expo website.
Come by and say hello!
Just a reminder that this Saturday May 7, from 10 to 4, I’ll be at the third annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival at the Hudson Junior and Senior High School in Hudson, New York.
There will be over 100 children’s and young adult authors and illustrators, hundreds of books to browse, author and illustrator presentations, arts & crafts, cooking and workshops. Music will be provided by Radio Disney and there will be food and other treats available. Admission is free.
Come by and say hello!
Today was a day filled with stories for me and the third and fourth graders who participated in Korn Elementary School’s Writers Jubilee. The students split up into over a dozen workshops to talk about all parts of writing and creativity.
In the workshops I ran, we took personal memories and transformed them into stories about a unicorn buffalo that breathes fire on a magical sidewalk in the Milky Way; a horse in the Rockies frightened by a chipmunk; a monkey trapped inside an egg because he broke a witch’s TV! We showed how the same basic memory can be turned into fantasy or adventure, how a sweet memory can lead to flights of fancy, and how using the emotions from our memories can help further a tale.
The students were energetic and full of exciting, original ideas. I thank them for sharing so generously! I also would like to thank Isla Alexander and all the staff at the Korn School whose organization and attention helped made the day so much fun.
I had a great time at Word Up Day at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School today.
After a rousing assembly led by Tom (”T-Bone”) Stankus, students split up to a series of workshops led by people who use words in their careers—journalists, writers, illustrators, musicians, lyricists, publishers, etc. After the workshops, the organizers served the presenters a yummy lunch, and we got to admire baked cakes, cookies and other edibles (which we didn’t eat) created by students and inspired by books. The afternoon assembly included skits based on students’ favorite books.
At my workshops, I met dozens of terrific students. I talked about writing and publishing books. I told them that when I was a kid, I was miserable at spelling and was basically a math geek. But I was also a storyteller. Some of these stories were out-and-out lies—which got me in real trouble. But I also told and wrote stories for my family. Eventually, I parlayed my habit of telling stories into writing.
One of the great things about talking to students is that it reminds me of what it was like to be a kid. I was describing how much I love to read, and remembered the day in first grade when I realized I could decode words. I had read “crocodile” and “hippopotamus,” and it felt as if something magical had just happened. It was the beginning of my lifelong fascination with words.
The students asked some good questions, too—like whether it bothered me that I had to revise what I wrote. My answer: not really—truly. No one likes hearing that what they’ve created needs work. But the revisions made what I wrote better, much better. And I am glad that someone took the time to help me improve the stories I created.
There were some other very talented folk a Word Up Day. I was fortunate to spend time at lunch with Leslie Connor, Sarah Darer-Littman, Scott Ingram, and James Benn. And I ran into Lauren Agnelli, although we didn’t get much of a chance to chat.
The day could not have run this smoothly without the time and effort of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School’s friendly and dedicated staff, and the group of helpful student volunteers. Thank you all!
I had a wonderful time at the Albany Children’s Books Festival yesterday. I met readers of all ages, teachers, librarians, even a school principal. Dozens of children, and a few adults, folded paper boxes and cranes with the help of my trusted assistant, the patient and extraordinary-good-sport, Abby. (Thank you!) The organizers of the Festival did a terrific job keeping us fed and hydrated, and were helpful at every turn.
I participated in a panel on the challenges of chidren’s book publishing with Amanda Marrone, Barbara Dee, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and David Hyde Costello. We had an excellent turnout, with some great questions from the audience. It was good to hear all the different experiences we had getting ourselves published–with many lessons that overlapped.
One of the fun things about book festivals, beside all the gorgeous books that threaten to bankrupt me, are all the authors and artists I get to meet. I sat between the talented Jeannine Atkins and Karen Beil. They were a whole lot of fun to schmooze with during the occasional lulls. We had a mini Class of 2k7 reunion, with Eric Luper, Jo Knowles, Rose Kent, and Aimee Ferris. It’s great to see us all doing so well in our careers! I finally met Amy Gordon whose The Gorillas of Gill Park has been a long-time family favorite. I ran into the indefatigable Katie Davis whom I hadn’t seen in about ten years. And there were so many more!
A big thank you goes to the Festival’s organizers and the students at the Albany Academies, who made the day run as smoothly as it did.
On Saturday April 9, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., I will be at the Albany Children’s Book Festival held at the Albany Academies. You can get more information about the festival–presenters, participants, schedules, directions, and more–here. See you there!
[Click on the thumbnail above to get a larger version of the flyer.]
Barnes & Noble was hopping–two weekends before Christmas, it isn’t surprising. The kind staff who set me up and kept me hydrated were wonderful. They even apologized for not having me in front. ("It’s just too much traffic today.") No worries. I had two lovely tables in the children’s section, and I met lots of readers and spoke to wonderful people.
The highlight for me were the looks of pure pleasure I received when I wrote dedications to several kids, tailored just for them. "You’re the first author she’s ever met," a mother of a nine-year-old told me. It made me feel unbelievably special and lucky. Her daughter read a page and looked up at her mom. "This is really good!" And it reminded me why I write books to start with.
Thank you!
This Saturday December 11, at 2:00 p.m., I will be signing books at Barnes & Noble in North Haven, Connecticut, as part of the Shoreline Arts Alliance book fair.
Come stop by and say hello!
I am very fortunate to be friends with Amy Eppler-Epstein. She and her family have provided me with encouragement and support throughout my writing career. Years ago, she promised me, “When you’re published, I’ll throw you a book party.”
And she did, when No Castles Here was published. We had so much fun, she told me, “Let’s do this again!”
Far be it from me to let her down.
Last week she and her family hosted another party, this time to honor Come Fall. I saw many old friends, read a few chapters, answered a bunch of questions, and signed books. Profits from the sales went to Read to Grow, a literacy program for children in Connecticut. R.J. Julia Booksellers supplied the books and made the donations possible.
Of course, no birthday party is complete without cake. Take a look at what Amy baked for us.
Yum!
Thank you Amy, all the Eppler-Epsteins, and all those who contributed to Read to Grow. You guys are the best.
Photo credits go to Steve Eppler-Epstein.