On Saturday, I attended my second Pougkeepsie Book Festival. In a word, it was . . .
AWESOME!
Below are a few photographic highlights:
I would like to shout out a super huge thank you to John Torres, the Poughkeepsie Public Library, and to all the hard-working volunteers who made the day extraordinarily special. Can’t wait for next year’s festival!!!
I have a confession. I’m terrible at keeping secrets. So do you want to know a secret? SOKY Book Fest is one of my all-time favorite book festivals.
On April 26 and 27th, I attended my second SOKY Book Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Needless to say, it was AWESOME! Day 1 was Teen and Children’s Day with author presentations throughout the day ranging the gamut from picture books to YA, with a focus on getting kids excited about craft—both written and illustration. Day 2 included more author presentations and three dynamite keynotes by Angie Thomas, Rita Mae Brown, and Silas House. I participated in a picture book panel with Sherry Howard, Shutta Crum, Eddie Price, and Susan Eaddy, where much of the discussion seemed to focus on traditional versus nontraditional publishing.
I also had the opportunity to interview with the amazing Barbara Deeb from WKU-PBS/WKU-NPR for her show Outside the Book. Stay tuned for the interview.
Here are a few photographic highlights:
Pre-conference: While I was at LaGuardia Airport grabbing a quick breakfast, I spied with my little eye Skyhorse Publishing on the kiosk. How cool is that?!!!
Diana Murray and Greg Howard at the pre-conference author dinner, with Debbie Dadey in the background at the Preservation Tasting Room and Bottle Shop.
Artie Bennett et moi
Diana Murray being interviewed by students.
Wendy BooydeGraaff
Me and the crew: Phil, Jim, Harry, Wilcox & Griswold, and Hildie Bitterpickles
Sherry Howard
2016 Picture Book Debuts (left to right):
Mary Reaves Uhles, Diana Murray, moi, and Wendy BooydeGraaff
Jessica Young and two adorable fans
Check out those author signatures!
Group shot
Sara Volpi, SOKY Book Fair Coordinator extraordinaire
Meet the Authors Reception at Knicely Center
Left photo: Stephen Messer, Wendy BooydeGraaff, Shutta Crum, and Diana Murray
Creston Books in the house! Me and Ingrid Palmer
Barbara Deeb during an interview for Outside the Book.
Susan Eaddy
Wendy BooydeGraaff, moi, Susan Eaddy, and Jessica Young (photo by Susan Eaddy)
Adorable!
I’d like to shout out a huge THANK YOU to Sara Volpi, SOKY Book Fest Coordinator extraordinaire, Barnes & Noble, Warren County Public Library, WKU Libraries, and to all the volunteers for making the conference so very special.
Dear Santa,
What a wonderful surprise to see you at the Princeton Club of New York last Saturday! And let me tell you, you look marvelous! Was that a new suit? You know, not a lot of people can wear a bright red suit but on you it looks fantastic.
I hope you enjoyed story time with the amazing Roxie Munro, Laura Schroff, and Rocco Staino. I managed to take a few photos.
Now, I know you’re quite busy these days but I’ve been a reasonably good author this year. Okay, I’ll confess that I didn’t write every day but I can honestly say that I did mull over my stories and revisions daily. Then, I felt extreme guilt for when I wasn’t writing. Does that count for anything?
My list hasn’t changed much since last year. Here goes:
Also, if you’re looking for last minute gifts, might I recommend some AWESOME books from the KidLit Authors Club?
For more information about these wonderful books,
please visit the KidLit Authors Club.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday! Here’s to a great new year of reading and writing.
Much love,
Robin xo
Yesterday James H. Boyd Intermediate School in Huntington, New York was invaded by those unusual creatures known as nerds.
For those unfamiliar with nerds, they come from the dweeb genus and the nerdasaurus phylum (pronounced nerd-a-sau-rus). They have unusual and distinct characteristics, including, but not limited to, bags under their eyes from staying up way past their bedtimes to finish a book; bruises from crashing into walls while reading a book they can’t put down; and they often experience heart palpitations when their favorite librarian sets aside a book they’ve been dying to read. 🙂
So, what are nErD Camps? Great question. nErD Camps are free “unconference” education camps focused on literacy. They are participant driven by teachers, librarians, authors, and illustrators. Upon arriving, participants are given post-its to fill up a session board with topics for discussion. Anyone can create a session, participate in a session, or leave a session to attend another session of interest. It’s a day of free flowing ideas with the single goal of figuring out how we as teachers, librarians, authors, and illustrators can inspire kids to become lifelong readers.
This is my third nErd CampLI. This year I had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful session on author visits. I also attended three fabulous sessions, one by David Neilsen about “Inspiration is everywhere! Unlocking Students Imagination,” and another by Jackie Azua Kramer focused on “I wish my teacher knew … The question that can change everything for kids.” There was also a “mini” session about #KidsNeedMentors.
David Neilsen
Jackie Azua Kramer
#KidsNeedMentors is the brainchild of Jarrett Lerner, Ann Braden, Kristen Picone, and Kristin Crouch. The program pairs authors with schools for an entire year. Once a month, authors touch base with their schools where they share books and their thoughts on reading and writing. I have been paired with third graders at Locust Valley Intermediate School and Longridge Elementary School. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with these AMAZING third graders.
Kristin Crouch, Ann Braden, Kristen Picone, Jarrett Lerner
If you are an author interested in participating in #KidsNeedMentors, please send an email to jarrett.lerner@gmail.com or annbbraden@gmail.com. There are still many schools interested in participating that have been waitlisted.
I received this wonderful letter is from Locust Valley Intermediate School third graders.
Here are a few photographic highlights from nErD CampLI ’18:
Artie Bennett, Timothy Young, JoEllen McCarthy
Members of the KidLit Authors Club
Timothy Young, Artie Bennett, me, David Neilsen, Jodi Moore, Laurie Wallmark
I would like to shout out a HUGE THANK YOU to the superhero organizers of nErD CampLI, JoEllen McCarthy, Alison McDermott, and Kristen Picone, and to all of the teachers and librarians who arrived at 8 am and gave up their Saturday to be there.
I can’t wait for nErD CampLI ’19. And be sure to save the date for nErD CampNJ on May 18, 2019 at Chatham High School.
Overcast skies couldn’t dampen the excitement at The Collingswood Book Festival. It was AWESOME!
Here are some photographic highlights:
Kat Lindsey
Colleen Rowan Kosinski
Traci Dunham
Nancy Viau
Artie Bennett
E.B. Lewis
Laurie Wallmark and Timothy Young
Allison Gutknecht
My wonderful tablemates!
Colleen Rowan Kosinski, Jodi Moore, me and Kat Lindsey
Sara O’Brien and The Community Rocks Kids!
A very big THANK YOU to the incredible Sidra Hobbs-Fernie and her amazing crew of dedicated volunteers, as well as to Barnes & Noble, for making the day extra special.
Hildie Bitterpickles, Wilcox, Griswold and I have already packed our bags for next year’s festival. We can’t wait!
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