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!
On Saturday May 7, from 10 to 4, I’ll be at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York. Come by and say hello!
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.
I drove over 300 miles round trip yesterday—exhausting but worth it.
The Albany Children’s Books Festival was a hit! The organizers were warm and helpful. And I met a lot of wonderful people, eager children, talented artists and writers and so many avid readers. Some of my high points: meeting an 8-year old true fan of No Castles Here and reading his favorite chapter; eating a delicious lunch with the best rice pudding for dessert; and making origami boxes with countless children, and watching them show them off to family and friends.
My thanks to the organizers at the Albany Academies for pulling the day together.
As part of the 2nd Annual Albany Chidren’s Books Festival on May 15 (where I will be appearing), there will be a picture book writing contests for tweens and teens. (No, I won’t be one of the judges.) Here are the specifics from the organizers. Good luck to all:
THE ALBANY CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL
PICTURE BOOK WRITING CONTEST
The Albany Children’s Book Festival is sponsoring a picture book writing contest for students in grades 4 through 12. Students will be judged in one of two categories: Tweens (grades 4-8) and Teens (grades 9-12). Our goal is to promote writing skills and the creative process in young adults. There is no fee for participation, but we do have some rules and guidelines:
What to submit:
*An original, unpublished story with original, student created illustrations.
*Illustrations should compliment the storyline.
*The story and its illustrations must be created by one individual; joint efforts will not be accepted.
*Submit the entry in picture book format sequentially arranged.
*The picture book should be bound in some way (stapled, spiral bound,in a report cover, etc.).
*A book cover with title and illustration should be bound to the text; do not add authors name.
*A cover sheet listing the entrant’s name, grade, school, school address, and teacher’s name should be attached.
*No specific length is required.
*Handwritten entries must be legible; all typewritten entries must be double spaced.
*Entries may be fiction or non-fiction; accuracy will be weighed when judging non-fiction material.
*All submissions will be displayed at the book festival.
*Submitted entries may be picked up at 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
Eligibility
*All students in grades 4 through 12 are eligible.
*Entries must be postmarked by April 23, 2010.
*One entry per student.
*Electronic entries will not be accepted.
Judging:
*Students will be judged in one of two categories:
Tweens: Grades 4-8
Teens: Grades 9-12
*Judging will be based on style, content, originality, and clarity.
*Anonymity of entrants will be ensured.
*A numbering system will be used to identify submissions.
*Decision of the judges is final.
Prizes:
*One Grand Prize Winner: A notebook computer
*Two additional prizes will be awarded to each group:
Tweens: First prize: $100.00; Second Prize: $50.00
Teens: First prize: $100.00; Second Prize: $50.00
Winners will be announced:
* 2:30 p.m. May 15, 2010 at The Albany Children’s Book Festival, 140 Academy Road, Albany, New York
Mail or deliver entries to:
K. Schimmer
2010 The Albany Children’s Book Festival
135 Academy Road,Albany, New York 12208
Refer questions to:
Blanche Demoly at www.bvellano@nycap.rr.com
…
The Hudson Children’s Book Festival was a smashing success. Over 50 authors were present. Some 4,000 people from the Hudson Valley came. Over 2,000 books were sold.
Awesome!
And I’ve been busy writing a new novel. I’m in that hairy middle part where I get stuck all the time. But I love my characters. And I love the concept. So I’m plugging away.
My editor is getting my next published novel ready for copyediting — now if we could only come up with a title we’d all agree upon! I’ll announce it as soon as it’s been decided.
And then a chunk of my time has been working with some amazing authors — Kate Duke, Deborah Freedman, Kathleen Kudlinski, M.W. Penn, Sanna Stanley, Leigh Ann Tyson, and Cat Urbain. I promise to give you more news about the project we’re working on, next week.