Month: November 2009

Want to Skype with some librarians?

I’m looking for help from a handful of Skyping author friends (published or with early 2010 pub dates) who might be available for a quick chat with a group of librarians Tuesday afternoon. I’m giving a Skype demonstration as part of a full-day workshop for Northern NY librarians, presenting on my books in the morning and then using the afternoon to teach about Web 2.0 applications that librarians can use to connect their students with authors. One of those will be Skype.

I’m hoping to do a handful of quick Skype drop-ins with authors who might like to talk a little about their books and their virtual and in-person visit options to the group. If you’re free between 1:30 and 3pm on that day and would be interested in dropping in on our workshop for about ten minutes via Skype, please let me know by emailing me (kmessner at katemessner dot com).

So you can decide if it’s worth your time or not, I’ll tell you that it’s not going to be a large group – last I heard, there were half a dozen librarians signed up and they weren’t sure if they’d have many walk-ins. But if you’re around and not busy and could take a ten-minute break from your work to chat with them, I’m sure they’d love to "meet" you and hear about your books. It would be a quick visit – just enough time for you to hold up and talk about your latest book, take a quick question or two, and let librarians know about your school visits. I’m hoping to showcase about five or six authors – just enough so folks get an idea of how Skype works and get exposed to a few new authors along the way.

Thankful Thursday: A Visit with Vermont Home Schoolers

I spent yesterday morning with a group of home schooled students in Williston, Vermont.  They ranged in age from six to fourteen — something that usually makes me a little nervous when I’m presenting, but with this group, it worked.  The younger students were incredibly well-informed, and the older ones were generous and patient and had great questions of their own.  I gave one of my newer presentations: Firing Cannons and Kissing Frogs: The Truth About Author Research, and I’ve decided this might be my new favorite because it talks about all the different kinds of research authors do and allows me to look back on just how many fun and challenging and downright strange things I’ve done in the name of research for all my books.

Best part of the day?  After my presentation, as I was winding cords and shutting down my laptop, one of the younger boys came up to me with a huge smile on his face.  

"Thanks!" he said.  "That was a LOT more fun than I thought it was going to be."

I was very happy to have surprised him.

Thanks, kids (and parents!) for such a great morning with your group!

A Celebration of Reading in Rochester!

GIANNA Z. and I were part of a HUGE celebration of books and reading at the annual Rochester Chlidren’s Book Festival this weekend.  Families crowded into the festival at Monroe Community College to meet 42 authors and illustrators, make bookish crafts, listen to talks and read-alouds, and of course, pick out new books to have signed.   I was lucky enough to attend this festival two years ago and was so excited to be invited back. I mean, really…how can you not love a crowd like this, all cheering for books?

I loved visiting with all the kids, teachers, & librarians, and some LJ friends like too!  The fantastic people at Lift Bridge Book Shop handled book sales for the event, and I was in awe of how efficient they were, even with such a great crowd.  

Here’s Peggy Thomas, my festival next-door neighbor with some of her fantastic, fun picture books.

And more author friends… Rebecca Stead and Michelle Knudsen.  My daughter came with me to the festival and had been talking for weeks about meeting Rebecca because she loved WHEN YOU REACH ME so much.  When she finally got to say hello, she was a little tongue-tied, but did get to have her own copy signed, which made her very, very happy.  We picked up a signed copy of Michelle’s new fantasy novel THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN, too – can’t wait to read it!

Here are Herm and Mary Jane Auch, one of the friendliest and funniest couples in children’s literature.  E and I have been laughing over our signed copy of their picture book THE PLOT CHICKENS all weekend.

And here, from right to left (pay attention…I’m naming people backwards this time) here’s author Elizabeth "Sibby" Falk, who organized this year’s festival and is one of the kindest, most talented, and most organized people I know. You really had to experience this festival to appreciate the work that must have gone into making everything run so perfectly.  (Thank you, Sibby!) In the middle is another delightful and talented Rochester author, my friend Kathy Blasi. Both Kathy and Sibby write beautiful historical fiction, so if you’re a fan of stories from the past and haven’t checked out their books, you’ll want to do that.  

And finally, on the left in the photo is Sibby’s daughter Sarah.  Take note of that purple shirt…the official uniform of the fabulous festival volunteers, who seemed to be everywhere. They set up and broke down the event, passed out programs, ushered authors to their presentations on time, and even came around with cookies at the end of a long day.  The volunteers at this festival were amazing – so thank you, volunteers, if any of you are reading this. You made us all feel so very welcome and appreciated.

Rochester Children’s Book Festival

I spent an amazing day at the Rochester Children’s Book Festival.  I love, love, love this event. Love it.  And I’m so thrilled I could attend this year. My daughter spent the day with me, hanging out at my table and wandering around drinking in all the book-love.  And what a day it was.

I have pictures of lots of author friends who were there and the HUGE crowd and the wonderfulness, and I’ll post those when I get home. But tonight, I really want to say a huge THANK YOU to Sibby Falk, an amazing Rochester author who organized this year’s festival. 

Sibby’s a warm, lovely person, a gifted writer, and an amazing organizer.  The festival was just incredibly well organized – just perfect, and I know how much work went into that.  Thanks, Sibby!

Friday Five

1. I’ve not been much of a blogger lately because I have been revising SUGAR ON SNOW, my Fall 2010 middle grade novel with Walker Books. And revising and revising and revising, pretty much into the wee hours of every morning for a few weeks.  But last night right around midnight, I sent SUGAR ON SNOW back to my editor.  I love that about email – you don’t have to wait until someone is awake and at work.  And so now, I am stretching and looking around, remembering that I have another book I’m drafting.   And a blog.  It’s nice to see you all.

2. I’m finally reading GRACELING by Kristin Cashore.  Now I see what all the fuss has been about. 

3. Tomorrow, I’ll be in Rochester for the Rochester Children’s Book Festival.  I LOVE this festival & hope to see you there if you’re in the area. The full list of authors participating is here, and it includes many favorites and friends – yay!

4. THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. got a Gold Star Award from TeensReadToo this week.  This means a lot to me, as I love this review site for kids. Thank you!!

5. I really only had four, and I have to go finish getting ready for school now. Have a great weekend & I hope to see some of you in Rochester tomorrow!