Jean Reidy's Blog, page 27
April 30, 2012
TOO PRINCESSY! and TOO PURPLEY! Grow Up
This is like the grown-up versions of TOO PURPLEY! and TOO PRINCESSY! rolled into one.
April 26, 2012
Beauty Tips from KidLit Authors
Here's mine:
And for more great tips from authors you know and love, check out:
http://www.facebook.com/KidlitBeautyTipsFromTheAuthorsAtEmla
And for more great tips from authors you know and love, check out:http://www.facebook.com/KidlitBeautyTipsFromTheAuthorsAtEmla
April 17, 2012
Congratulations to the 2012 Pulitzer Prize Winners ...
... but in particular Craig F. Walker of THE DENVER POST for Feature Photography!
2012 Pulitzer Prize WinnersJOURNALISM Public Service - The Philadelphia Inquirer
Breaking News Reporting - The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News Staff
Investigative Reporting - Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eileen Sullivan and Chris Hawley of the Associated Press
and
Michael J. Berens and Ken Armstrong of The Seattle Times
Explanatory Reporting - David Kocieniewski of The New York Times
Local Reporting - Sara Ganim and members of The Patriot-News Staff, Harrisburg, Penn
National Reporting - David Wood of The Huffington Post
International Reporting - Jeffrey Gettleman of The New York Times
Feature Writing - Eli Sanders of The Stranger, a Seattle (Wash.) weekly
Commentary - Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune
Criticism -Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe
Editorial Writing - No award
Editorial Cartooning - Matt Wuerker of POLITICO
Breaking News Photography - Massoud Hossaini of Agence France-Presse
Feature Photography - Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post
LETTERS, DRAMA and MUSIC Fiction - No award
Drama - "Water by the Spoonful" by Quiara Alegría Hudes
History - "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention," by the late Manning Marable (Viking)
Biography - "George F. Kennan: An American Life," by John Lewis Gaddis (The Penguin Press)
Poetry - "Life on Mars" by Tracy K. Smith (Graywolf Press)
General Nonfiction - "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern," by Stephen Greenblatt (W.W. Norton and Company)
Music - "Silent Night: Opera in Two Acts" by Kevin Puts (Aperto Press)
April 16, 2012
Connecting with Young Kids at Your Author Visits
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Whether you're appearing at an author visit, bookstore event or festival, it makes good sense to consider your audience. If you're a children's author, your audience may be, in part, teachers, parents or other adults, for sure.
But remember, your #1 audience is kids.
So how do you connect with kids at school visits, signings or other events? How do you keep them engaged? Here's what's worked for me.
Pre-Engage Them with Pre-Visit Activities
As part of your initial correspondence for your visit or in your school visit packet, provide simple ideas for how students can prepare for your visit. Reading your books. Ordering your books. Making posters. Writing stories patterned after your books. Holding a contest. Dressing to the theme. The possibilities are endless. Activities like these prime kids for your visit with a personal connection.
Don't Be a Diva
While kids may be thrilled to meet a "real live author," make sure you behave like a real, live, NICE person. Greet them as they enter. Let them know you're just as excited to meet them as they are to meet you. Be approachable and kind. Move through your audience if space allows and make eye contact. If the group is small enough and they're sitting on the floor, consider sitting on the floor with them. The more eye contact and the closer you are to them, the more they'll engage in the experience. Have fun but don't be too silly. Avoid costumes or antics that prevent kids from relating to you as a real person. Talk to them - friend to friend. They'll appreciate the respect.
Let Them Know You've Done Your Homework
Personalize your presentation to their situation. Use their school name, teacher names, students names as much as your audience and program permits. You may consider tailoring segments to coordinate with their classroom work (see Don't Be the Teacher below).
Show Gratitude
As part of your presentation thank the adults who arranged the visit. Give them a hand and invite the students to do so as well. If students have created welcome posters or other decorations in advance of your visit, applaud them and thank them for their warm welcome. And don't forget to always thank them at the end for being a terrific audience.
Start a Conversation
Kids have a lot to say. So, lead them into conversation with relatable questions. Build in the time to let them tell you their stories. And let them know you care by giving them the respect of your full attention. Acknowledge what they're saying with follow-up comments or questions. Talk about what they like to read and write. And don't be afraid of diversions. See my post "Bowling, Pigeons and Dead Pets." Their story should warrant your full attention and be the most important thing to you in that moment. Just be prepared with some handy but gentle segues to get back on track if the conversation strays too long or too far.
Don't Be the Teacher
But partner with the her. Get to know her norms and signals. Ask her to help you keep the program moving along by helping to transition kids through activities, calling on volunteers by name, or raising her special signs for quiet. Bring name tag stickers and ask teachers if they'll nametag kids prior to your program, allowing you to easily call kids by name. Find out what the kids have been working on. Ask her to share cool trivia or tidbits about her class so that you can reference them in your program. The kids will be delighted that you're interested in being a part of their culture and that your program is connected to their classroom.
Put Kids in the Limelight
Put kids front and center and let them be the stars of your show. Involve student helpers and have them pre-selected by their teachers. This is not a time for individual singling out, quizzing, embarrassing or testing. Regardless of how attentive or prepared a child may be, he may freeze or be embarrassed with the pressure of the situation. Even hand-raisers may freeze when they're called on directly. Give them a few moments, then take a deep breath together. If they're still unsure, promise you'll get back to them and then make sure you do. In classroom settings have kids read you stories they've written and give them a 30-second "What I love most ..." critique. They'll be honored. Set them up for success in all situations.
Make Your Visit Interactive
Explore the many ways a child can relate to your book, to reading, to writing or to your life as an author - through movement, brainstorming, role-playing, games, etc. Think of your presentation as your roller coaster. Follow high-energy, noisy peak activities with quieter, settle-down activities, keeping them always fun and always engaging.
Keep Kids In the Moment
Adult digressions, breaks in the action, disciplining, technical difficulties all snap kids out of the magic. Plan for, or eliminate in advance, as many as possible. While technical difficulties may be unavoidable, have a back-up plan. Enlist a school staff person (the school tech specialist should be your best friend) or older student (your teacher partner might have a suggestion here) to handle such problems should they arise - allowing you to keep the valuable connection you've generated.
Make It More Personal
If you're visiting a large audience, suggest meeting with a few pre-selected students at a Future Authors Luncheon (we're talking PB&J in the library). Put student selection into the hands of teachers or staff. Suggest a pre-visit contest. It can be as simple as guess the number of jellybeans in the jar or a more writing related essay or story contest. Either way, be prepared to talk to kids about what they're reading and writing. They'll treasure the time to relate to you in a smaller setting.
Most of all ENJOY YOURSELF AND HAVE FUN! When kids see you smiling, laughing, dancing - they'll join in. They'll have a most memorable author experience - and so will you!
For more great tips for your school visits check out: http://schoolvisitexperts.com/
For more information on my author visits or to request my author visit packet see my Visits and Presentations Web Page.
But remember, your #1 audience is kids.
So how do you connect with kids at school visits, signings or other events? How do you keep them engaged? Here's what's worked for me.
Pre-Engage Them with Pre-Visit Activities
As part of your initial correspondence for your visit or in your school visit packet, provide simple ideas for how students can prepare for your visit. Reading your books. Ordering your books. Making posters. Writing stories patterned after your books. Holding a contest. Dressing to the theme. The possibilities are endless. Activities like these prime kids for your visit with a personal connection.
Don't Be a Diva
While kids may be thrilled to meet a "real live author," make sure you behave like a real, live, NICE person. Greet them as they enter. Let them know you're just as excited to meet them as they are to meet you. Be approachable and kind. Move through your audience if space allows and make eye contact. If the group is small enough and they're sitting on the floor, consider sitting on the floor with them. The more eye contact and the closer you are to them, the more they'll engage in the experience. Have fun but don't be too silly. Avoid costumes or antics that prevent kids from relating to you as a real person. Talk to them - friend to friend. They'll appreciate the respect.
Let Them Know You've Done Your Homework
Personalize your presentation to their situation. Use their school name, teacher names, students names as much as your audience and program permits. You may consider tailoring segments to coordinate with their classroom work (see Don't Be the Teacher below).
Show Gratitude
As part of your presentation thank the adults who arranged the visit. Give them a hand and invite the students to do so as well. If students have created welcome posters or other decorations in advance of your visit, applaud them and thank them for their warm welcome. And don't forget to always thank them at the end for being a terrific audience.
Start a Conversation
Kids have a lot to say. So, lead them into conversation with relatable questions. Build in the time to let them tell you their stories. And let them know you care by giving them the respect of your full attention. Acknowledge what they're saying with follow-up comments or questions. Talk about what they like to read and write. And don't be afraid of diversions. See my post "Bowling, Pigeons and Dead Pets." Their story should warrant your full attention and be the most important thing to you in that moment. Just be prepared with some handy but gentle segues to get back on track if the conversation strays too long or too far.
Don't Be the Teacher
But partner with the her. Get to know her norms and signals. Ask her to help you keep the program moving along by helping to transition kids through activities, calling on volunteers by name, or raising her special signs for quiet. Bring name tag stickers and ask teachers if they'll nametag kids prior to your program, allowing you to easily call kids by name. Find out what the kids have been working on. Ask her to share cool trivia or tidbits about her class so that you can reference them in your program. The kids will be delighted that you're interested in being a part of their culture and that your program is connected to their classroom.
Put Kids in the Limelight
Put kids front and center and let them be the stars of your show. Involve student helpers and have them pre-selected by their teachers. This is not a time for individual singling out, quizzing, embarrassing or testing. Regardless of how attentive or prepared a child may be, he may freeze or be embarrassed with the pressure of the situation. Even hand-raisers may freeze when they're called on directly. Give them a few moments, then take a deep breath together. If they're still unsure, promise you'll get back to them and then make sure you do. In classroom settings have kids read you stories they've written and give them a 30-second "What I love most ..." critique. They'll be honored. Set them up for success in all situations.
Make Your Visit Interactive
Explore the many ways a child can relate to your book, to reading, to writing or to your life as an author - through movement, brainstorming, role-playing, games, etc. Think of your presentation as your roller coaster. Follow high-energy, noisy peak activities with quieter, settle-down activities, keeping them always fun and always engaging.
Keep Kids In the Moment
Adult digressions, breaks in the action, disciplining, technical difficulties all snap kids out of the magic. Plan for, or eliminate in advance, as many as possible. While technical difficulties may be unavoidable, have a back-up plan. Enlist a school staff person (the school tech specialist should be your best friend) or older student (your teacher partner might have a suggestion here) to handle such problems should they arise - allowing you to keep the valuable connection you've generated.
Make It More Personal
If you're visiting a large audience, suggest meeting with a few pre-selected students at a Future Authors Luncheon (we're talking PB&J in the library). Put student selection into the hands of teachers or staff. Suggest a pre-visit contest. It can be as simple as guess the number of jellybeans in the jar or a more writing related essay or story contest. Either way, be prepared to talk to kids about what they're reading and writing. They'll treasure the time to relate to you in a smaller setting.
Most of all ENJOY YOURSELF AND HAVE FUN! When kids see you smiling, laughing, dancing - they'll join in. They'll have a most memorable author experience - and so will you!
For more great tips for your school visits check out: http://schoolvisitexperts.com/
For more information on my author visits or to request my author visit packet see my Visits and Presentations Web Page.
April 9, 2012
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT is a Finalist in the Colorado Authors' League Awards!
I'm so honored to be among so many talented writers!
Colorado Authors' League 2012 Awards Finalists
Book-length Mainstream Fiction
Safe Haven by Susan Dugan (Karat Publishing)
The New Sons of Liberty by Tom Stohlgren (CreateSpace)
River Stone by JB Winsor (BoulderDigital Publishing)
Book-length Genre Fiction
A Way in the Wilderness by Paula L. Silici (Moonlight Mesa Associates)
Buried by the Roan by Mark Stevens (People's Press)
Fox & Geese by Sandy Whelchel (National Writers Press)
Book-length Children's Fiction (Picture Books and Early Readers)
The Mutt & the Mustang by Judy Archibald (Pet Pals Publishing)
Raj, the Bookstore Tiger by Kathleen T. Pelley (Charlesbridge)
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy (Disney Hyperion)
Book-length General Nonfiction
Tea Leaf Reading for Beginners: Your Fortune in a Teacup by Caroline Dow (Llewellyn Publications Worldwide)
Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Colorado by Phyllis J. Perry (Globe-Pequat Press)
Walking Denver by Mindy Sink (Wilderness Press)
Book-length Creative Nonfiction
The Long Road to Oklahoma: Images and Impressions of Our Trip Across America by Kathy and Ron Hendricks (Self-published)
Michener's South Pacific by Stephen J. May (University Press of Florida)
Delirious Delhi by Dave Prager (Harper Collins India)
Adult Feature Article
Who Do They Call? byJoy Overbeck (Vail Valley Magazine)
On the Edge: How a Handful of People Have Preserved Some Rare, Valuable sheep and their Wools by Deborah Robson (PieceWork Magazine)
Rays that Pay by Susan J. Tweit (Audubon Magazine)
Adult Essay
Journey of Discovery by Dan Guenther (An Elevated View:ColoradoWriters on Writing, Seven Oaks Publishing)
A Shape-Shifting Land by Page Lambert (West of 98, University of Texas Press)
The King's Speech Speaks for 3 Million Who Can't by Jeff Miller (DenverPost)
Poetry
The Mysteries by Kathryn T.S. Bass (Turkey Buzzard Press)
dance 101 by Constance E. Boyle (La Forza di Vita: Caffeinated Poems)
What answer forthcoming by Constance E. Boyle (The Human Touch)
Colorado Authors' League 2012 Awards Finalists
Book-length Mainstream Fiction
Safe Haven by Susan Dugan (Karat Publishing)
The New Sons of Liberty by Tom Stohlgren (CreateSpace)
River Stone by JB Winsor (BoulderDigital Publishing)
Book-length Genre Fiction
A Way in the Wilderness by Paula L. Silici (Moonlight Mesa Associates)
Buried by the Roan by Mark Stevens (People's Press)
Fox & Geese by Sandy Whelchel (National Writers Press)
Book-length Children's Fiction (Picture Books and Early Readers)
The Mutt & the Mustang by Judy Archibald (Pet Pals Publishing)
Raj, the Bookstore Tiger by Kathleen T. Pelley (Charlesbridge)
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy (Disney Hyperion)
Book-length General Nonfiction
Tea Leaf Reading for Beginners: Your Fortune in a Teacup by Caroline Dow (Llewellyn Publications Worldwide)
Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Colorado by Phyllis J. Perry (Globe-Pequat Press)
Walking Denver by Mindy Sink (Wilderness Press)
Book-length Creative Nonfiction
The Long Road to Oklahoma: Images and Impressions of Our Trip Across America by Kathy and Ron Hendricks (Self-published)
Michener's South Pacific by Stephen J. May (University Press of Florida)
Delirious Delhi by Dave Prager (Harper Collins India)
Adult Feature Article
Who Do They Call? byJoy Overbeck (Vail Valley Magazine)
On the Edge: How a Handful of People Have Preserved Some Rare, Valuable sheep and their Wools by Deborah Robson (PieceWork Magazine)
Rays that Pay by Susan J. Tweit (Audubon Magazine)
Adult Essay
Journey of Discovery by Dan Guenther (An Elevated View:ColoradoWriters on Writing, Seven Oaks Publishing)
A Shape-Shifting Land by Page Lambert (West of 98, University of Texas Press)
The King's Speech Speaks for 3 Million Who Can't by Jeff Miller (DenverPost)
Poetry
The Mysteries by Kathryn T.S. Bass (Turkey Buzzard Press)
dance 101 by Constance E. Boyle (La Forza di Vita: Caffeinated Poems)
What answer forthcoming by Constance E. Boyle (The Human Touch)
April 4, 2012
A Warm Welcome From Kennedy Primary Academy - Part 3
An awesome school full of awesome kids! Thank you for having me!
A Warm Welcome From Kennedy Primary Academy - Part 2
You guys are rock stars!
A Warm Welcome From Kennedy Primary Academy - Part 1
I loved visiting your school!
April 3, 2012
Colorado Book Award Finalists 2012
I'm incredibly honored to be in the company of these incredible writers!Anthology/CollectionsClimb: Tales of Man Versus Boulder, Crag, Wall and Peak, Edited by Kerry L. Burns and Cameron M. Burns, FalconGuides
Denver Inside and Out, Managing Editor, Steve Grinstead, History Colorado Monumental
Majesty: 100 Years of Colorado National Monument, edited by Laurena Davis Mayne, The Daily Sentinel
Art/PictorialElevated Perspective: The Paintings of Joellyn Duesberry by Joellyn T. Duesberry, Rose Fredrick Fine Arts Publishing
Serengeti: The Eternal Beginning by Boyd Norton, Fulcrum Books
Thomas W. Benton: Artist/Activist by Daniel Joseph Watkins, People's Press
BiographyHelen Ring Robinson by Pat Pacoe
The Man Who Never Died by William Adler
WD Farr by Daniel Tyler
Children's LiteratureRaj the Bookstore Tiger by Kathleen T. Pelley, illustrated by Paige Keiser
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Young Henry and the Dragon by Jeanne Kaufman, illustrated by Darla Tessler
General Non-FictionMath for Life by Jeffrey Bennett
The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Debora Robson and Carol Ekarius
The Beekeeper's Lament by Hannah Nordhaus
HistoryBreaking the Ties that Bound: The Politics of Marital Strife in Late Imperial Russia by Barbara Alpern Engel, Cornell University Press
From Jars to the Stars by Todd Neff,
The Beasts of the Buchenwald: Karl & Ilse Kock, Human-Skin Lampshades and the War-Crimes Trial of the Century by Flint Whitlock, Cable Publishing
Juvenile LiteratureLetters to Jupiter by Peggy Tibbetts
Rescue in Poverty Gulch by Nancy Oswald
City of Orphans by Avi
Literary FictionKings of Colorado: A Novel by David E. Hilton
The Bride's House by Sandra Dallas
The Weird Sisters: A Novel by Eleanor Brown
Popular (Genre) FictionBuried by the Roan by Mark Stevens
Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker
The Soul Mirror by Carol Berg
Young Adult LiteratureQueen of Water by Laura Resau
Lucy Dakota: Adventures of a Modern Explorer Book 1 - Rocky Mountain Beginnings by Carol Sue Shride
The Dragon, the Blade and the Thread: Book Three of the Star Trilogy by Donald Samson
March 26, 2012
Picture Book Intensive with Liz Garton Scanlon Coming to Colorado!
Are you an aspiring picture book author, or a picture book author ready to take your work to the next level? Join author Liz Garton Scanlon for an intimate one-day picture book intensive: study the form, practice the craft, and see your work rise up out of the slush.
Scanlon, author of a number of picture books including the Caldecott-honored ALL THE WORLD, is bringing this very popular event to Colorado one time only, and you won't want to miss out!
Saturday, June 16, 2012 at The Spice of Life Event Center in Boulder, Colorado
9 am – 4 pm
$125 includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon treat
Email Liz@LizGartonScanlon.com TODAY for more information and a registration form!
Scanlon, author of a number of picture books including the Caldecott-honored ALL THE WORLD, is bringing this very popular event to Colorado one time only, and you won't want to miss out!
Saturday, June 16, 2012 at The Spice of Life Event Center in Boulder, Colorado
9 am – 4 pm
$125 includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon treat
Email Liz@LizGartonScanlon.com TODAY for more information and a registration form!
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