Monday, December 5, 2011
Hooray for Bookworms!
Hooray for Bookworms of All Ages!
One of the happiest memories of my launch year for The Year We Were Famous will be the mother-daughter book group I visited December 2. I hadn’t envisioned readers as young as 5th grade, but these were avid readers who lived up to their group’s name, The Bookworms. After working on a book for seventeen years, what could be more rewarding than meeting enthusiastic readers!
My other December events will all be on-line:
December 10-16: Jean Henry Mead’s blog, www.writersofthewest.blogspot.com - interview
December 15 – Maria Cari Soto’s blog, www.cariblogs.com – sharing memories with members of the Class of 2k11
December 15 – Children’s Literature Network, www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org, - interview
Other date in December TBA – Blurb is a Verb. www.blurbisaverb.blogspot.com – essay on using low-tech show and tell for programs
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March - Women’s History Month:
March 1, 2012 Port Angeles Library
Details to be announced
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also working on programs in Tacoma and Olympia
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R., 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Waiting
I’m nipping into the Halloween candy, eating fun-sized Baby Ruth and trying to type with my fingers crossed. Word should come soon if Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will publish a paperback edition of The Year We Were Famous and if they are accepting the sequel, tentatively titled Good-Bye, Mica Creek. Hope there’s still candy left for the kids by Monday.
Fortunately, I bought my 2012 planner early because I’m already running out of fingers to keep track of upcoming programs:
January 21, 2012 Daughters of Norway
Details to be announced
Everett, Washington
January or February, Joint book clubs on Orcas Island
Darvill’s Bookstore – details to be announced
296 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
March 2, 2012 Port Townsend Historical Society
Details to be announced
Port Townsend, Washington
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
March 14 or 21 Third Place Books
Joint panel and signing with six other YA authors. We’re also considering another program that week at a venue toward the south end of Puget Sound.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
April 21-22 SCBWI-Washington
Annual conference of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NW members of the Classes of 2k11/2k12 have applied to present a break-out session on the 2k experience.
(Check out the 2k websites if you haven’t already: www.classof2k11.com and www.classof2k12.com)
Redmond, Washington
April 27 and April 28, 2012 ?? Clarkston, Washington
Programs with Linda Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
Judi Wutzke of …and Books, too is partnering with the Clarkston High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis and Clark State College for two or three programs and book signings.
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
July 18-21 Daughters of Norway National Convention
Bellingham, Washington
No program, just going to mingle; will probably have a book at the Everett Chapter booth.
October 19-21 Women Writing the West Conference
No program, just going to mingle. TYWWF has been submitted for their WILLA (as in Willa Cather) award.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
September Update
Some readers have asked what happened to Clara after her 4,000-mile walk. I’ve wondered too, and for six years I’ve played with theories about where Clara might have gone during her twenty-five missing years, a theory which also addresses other mysteries surrounding Clara:
Why did she change her last name if she never married?
Where did she get the money to buy an elegant Tudor house in Spokane?
What was the story behind an apparently unworn wedding dress relatives found her in her cedar chest after she died?
In my annual August retreat to the wood shed, I finished a draft of the book which addresses these questions. I don’t have a publisher yet, but I’ll keep you posted!
In the meantime, here’s an updated schedule of appearances:
September 15, 2011 Holland America Ship, the Statendam, 9-11 a.m.
Program and Book signing
October 2, 2011 NW Bookfest, 2 p.m.
Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, WA
Panel of historical fiction writers, including Megan Chance
October 13 PNBA (Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association) Trade Show
Airport Holiday Inn
8439 NE Columbia Blvd
Portland OR 97220-1382
Panel, 4:00 p.m.“Writing the Estby Tale” with Jane Kirkpatrick and Linda L. Hunt, Salon B
Nightcapper, 8:30 p.m., Autographing Party, Salons B, C. & D
October 15-16, 2011, Women Writing the West
Embassy Suites
20610 44th Ave West, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Spreading the word about The Year We Were Famous.
Zonta – Details TBA
Everett Golf and Country Club
2012
March 12, 2012 Everett Woman’s Book Club , 1:00 p.m.
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Program and book signing
March 12, 2012, Classics Department, Everett Woman’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced
May 8, 2012 Bellevue Chapter, D.A.R. , 6:00 p.m.
Bellevue Red Lion Inn
11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Program and book signing
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Schedule for June, 2011
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 6, 2011 Mill Creek Branch, UW Bookstore, 7 p.m.
Appearance with the At the Creek YA Book Group to discuss The Year We Were Famous
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek, WA 98012
(425) 385-3530
June 10, 2011 KSER independent public radio interview, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tune to 90.7 and call in questions; hosted by Ed Bremer
June 20, 2011 North Middle School, 8:00 – 3:00
Everett, Washington
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events - details TBA
July or August Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
Monday, April 25, 2011
Updated Schedule - April 25, 2011
Bellevue Branch of the University of Washington Bookstore
990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-4500
May 23- 26, 2011 Book Expo America in New York City with the Class of 2k11
Monday, May 23 – Teen Author Carnival, evening time TBA
Mulberry St. Library, 10 Jersey St. (bet. Lafayette and Mulberry)
Tuesday, May 24 – on the BEA floor with handouts
Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th St., NYC
Wednesday, May 25 - Seward Park Library, 10 a.m.
Classroom visit for panel and Q & A
192 E Broadway at Jefferson St. New York, NYC
Wednesday, May 25, Books of Wonder, 6-8 p.m.
Book signing, henna artist, swag, and snacks
18 W 18th St., NYC
(212) 989-3270
www.booksofwonder.com
Thursday, May 26 - Le Poisson Rouge, 12 noon – 2 p.m.
humorous readings from 2k11 books, hosted by Sam Osterhout of Radio Happy Hour
158 Bleeker Street, NYC
(212) 505-FISH (3474)
www.lepoissonrouge.com
Thursday, May 26 – Voracious Reader, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
1997 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, NY
Book signing, henna artist, swag and snacks
www.thevoraciousreader.com
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 6, 2011 Mill Creek Branch, UW Bookstore, 7 p.m.
Appearance with the At the Creek YA Book Group to discuss The Year We Were Famous15311 Main Street
Mill Creek, WA 98012
(425) 385-3530
June 10, 2011 KSER independent public radio interview, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tune to 90.7 and call in questions; hosted by Ed Bremer
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Program and book signing
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events - details TBA
July or August Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Revised Schedule of Events 3/24/1011
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park location
7 p.m.
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3333
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham
7 p.m.
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Revised Schedule 3/24/11
April 5, 2011 – Launch party at Secret Garden Bookstore in Seattle., 7:00 p.m.
2214 NW Market St., Seattle, Washington 98107
(206) 789-5006
April 9, 2011- Everett Public Library, 4:00 p.m.
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
(425) 257-8030
University Book Store Mill Creek will provide books
April 17, 2011 SCBWI Annual Conference Success Panel
10:15 – 11:00
Marriott, Redmond Town Center
7401 164th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Secret Garden will provide books for signing
April 22, 2011 Rockford Pioneer Museum (near Clara Estby’s Family’sFarm)
2 p.m.
10 S First Street, Rockford, Washington
April 23 Aunties Bookstore – joint program with Linda Lawrence Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
2 p.m.
402 West Main Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-0206
April 27, 2011 Inside Story Panel sponsored by SCBWI
6:20 p.m.
Bellevue Branch of the University of Washington Bookstore
990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-4500
May 23- 26, 2011 In New York City for Book Expo America with the Class of 2k11
Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
Monday, May 23 – Teen Author Carnival; I’ve applied but haven’t heard if I’m selected to participate
Tuesday, May 24 – on the BEA floor
Wednesday, May 25 a.m. – Library visits in Manhattan TBA
Wednesday p.m. Books of Wonder joint signing with the Class of 2k11
18 W 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
(212) 989-3270
Thursday – Noon: Event at Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleeker Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 505-FISH (3474)
June 2, 2011 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park location
7 p.m.
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
June 24, 2011 Village Books, Bellingham
7 p.m.
1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-2626
Other events; dates not set:
July or August - Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor WA
October 13-15 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn Trade Show in Portland
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Schedule of Events
2214 NW Market St., Seattle, Washington 98107
(206) 789-5006
April 9, 2011, 4 p.m. - Program and signing, Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
(425) 257-8030
Third Place Books will provide books for signing
April 17, 2011, 10:15 – 11:00 SCBWI Annual Conference Success Panel
Marriott, Redmond Town Center
7401 164th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Secret Garden will provide books for signing
April 22, 2011, 5 p.m. (subject to time change) Rockford Pioneer Museum
(near the Estby family farm)
10 S First Street, Rockford, Washington
April 23, 2011, 2 p.m. - Auntie's Bookstore program with Linda Lawrence Hunt and Jane Kirkpatrick
402 West Main Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-0206
April 27, 2011, 6:30 p.m. Inside Story Panel sponsored by SCBWI
Bellevue Branch of the University of Washington Bookstore
990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-4500
May 23- 27, 2011 Book Expo America with the Class of 2k11
Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
Monday, May 23 – Teen Author Carnival (tentative; will have notice soon if accepted)
Tuesday, May 24 – on the BEA floor
Wednesday, May 25 a.m. – Library visits in Manhattan TBA
Wednesday, May 25 - 6-8 p.m. Books of Wonder joint signing
18 W 18th St., New York, NY 10011
(212) 989-3270
Thursday, May 26 – Noon: Event at Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleeker Street, New York, NY 10012
(212) 505-FISH (3474)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Early ARCs of 2k11
XVI
Julia Karr
Once I started Julia Karr's XVI, going to sleep was not an option. Not when Nina is facing becoming an official sex object when she turns sixteen, when her younger sister, mother, and best friend are in danger, when what she believes about her family is in doubt, and she can't tell the good guys from the bad guys. XVI is dystopia at it most alarming--alarming because although this takes place many years in the future, the situations are just extrapolations of where we are now, when younger and younger girls become sex objects--or are at least encouraged to dress like ones--and the government knows all too much about you.
The Lipstick Laws
Amy Holder
April Bowers, lonely and insecure, needs help, and readers will find themselves offering her advice as they read about her sophomore year at Penfield High. They will wince as she goes against her better self to win favor with queen bee Britney Taylor, cheer when she realize Britney's Lipstick Laws were meant to be broken, groan as April makes another bad decision that leads to a scene with her not-so-secret hottie that will remind you of Jane Austen's Emma, and sigh with relief when April finally gains the self-confidence to do the right thing.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year’s Day
Scratch what I was about to write – I just looked up and saw a yearling out the kitchen window of the cabin. His spots are long gone and he's now a dark brown, almost black. Judging from his girth, he hasn't had any trouble finding enough to eat, even with a couple inches of crusty snow…he's still grazing…and now he's wandering down the hill, out of sight.
Back to books: I've been working with a 2k11 classmate, Megan Bostic, on a trailer for The Year
We Were Famous. Megan is one of the new generation of techno-whizzes who can take a few images, time them to music, and turn them into a mini-movie. I'll share it once I've run it by Clarion and had my other techno-whiz (Annie Mc Call) add it to my website.
Cabin reading this trip includes Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution; if you love historical fiction (or even if you think you don't) add it to your reading pile!
Wishing everyone a grand new year!