Mark Binder's Blog: Transmitting the Joy of Written and Spoken Word, page 15

My Grandfather’s Fish… a Turkey Story for Thanksgiving

This story from It Ate My Sister was recorded live at the Rhode Stories Family Festival.

It’s about 10 minutes long. Enjoy!

http://transmitjoy.com/audio/nov-grandpafish.mp3

A Holiday Present – A Hanukkah Present – Albums of the Season

A Holiday Present includes stories for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Diwali, the Solstice and New Year’s Eve. Plus it’s got a rocking theme song: We wish you a merry multicultural end of year holiday season!

Listen on iTunes
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Amazon
Get the CD at CD Baby

 

A Hanukkah Present includes eight stories for all ages. Where did Hanukkah Presents come from? What is the secret of the Lethal Latkes? How about Goldilocks and the Three Bubbes?

Listen…

…on iTunes
… on Amazon
… on Google Play

… Buy the Audio CD from CD Baby



Read

… on Amazon or Kindle
… iPad/iBooks ebook
… B&N Softcover or Nook
… on Kobo
… Ebook for Droid (Google Books Google Play)

How can you get more people at your events?

There’s nothing more frustrating than planning (and spending money on) an event that only a few people enjoy.

1) Sign up forms work

Many libraries use sign-up forms to generate advance interest and commitment.

Starting at least a month before your event, put a sign-up sheet (with an attached pen) at the circulation desk. Ask patrons for their name, email and phone numbers (in case of snow), and the number of people who will be attending. (When they sign up, suggest that they put it into their calendar right then!)

Some libraries even print and give out tickets to patrons. These are good reminders for people to put on their refrigerators. If you have their email you can also send them an email reminder!

2) Create a FaceBook event

As soon as you’ve scheduled something, create a FaceBook event. Then, two months before the event, begin inviting people who Like your page. Ask them to share it with their friends — even if they can’t come. Invite the presenter to put postings on the event page.

3) Announce the event in your library newsletter and send information to local news, online and radio

There are so many ways that people hear about events. How can you get yours to the right people? Start with your local newspaper and radio stations. Ask patrons where they get their information from and add those to your list. Plan on sending publicity 1-3 months in advance of an event.

4) Serve ice cream!

This is one of the most successful things that libraries can do to bring people to an event. Ask a local ice cream parlor for a contribution (or a discount). Make sure people know that this event will fill up, so they MUST sign up in advance.

Baltimore Times Indie Soul Spotlight Children’s Book Pick!

Cinderella Spinderella is a Baltimore Times Indie-Soul Spotlight Children’s Book Pick!

http://baltimoretimes-online.com/news/2014/oct/15/indie-soul-spotlight-childrens-books/

It was a dark and stormy night – Album of the Month

“It was a dark and stormy night…” was recorded live in two different venues.

A “Halloween” album, it’s filled with spooky comedy tracks that range from vampire stories to ghosts to giant slugs to the “Death of Harry Potter.”

Listen on iTunes: http://geni.us/dark 

Listen on Amazon: http://geni.us/dark1

Listen on Google Play: bit.ly/dark_play

Cinderella Book Signing in NYC

Had a great and nice trip to NYC this past weekend. An awesome signing at the Bankstreet Bookstore…  http://www.bankstreetbooks.com/spinderellas-cinderfella

…had the audience in stitches!

“Mark Binder had the audience in stitches at our Community Open House.” —National Yiddish Book Center

At his seventh visit to the National Yiddish Book Center, author and storyteller Mark Binder shared work from “The Brothers Schlemiel”, “A Hanukkah Present”, “It ate my sister” and other stories exclusively for the warm autumn audience.

Who is Mark Binder? a 2 minute video montage

We loved the mixture of your music, comedy and storytelling…

“We had a wonderful time at your program, your story telling is different and unique you seem to become your characters. We loved the mixture of your  music, comedy and storytelling, what an imagination! Your stories were perfect for the occasion. The day after you program I heard many residents repeating the stories you had told, to me there in no better complement. We can’t wait to have you back again!”

—Joann Marzilli, Activities Director, Tamarisk Senior Center

Programs for Seniors and Senior Centers

Stories that engage adults… or stories for family events… Stories are a powerful way to transmit joy and connect people. They are an instant relief to the noise of our digital age. And they’re fun to hear… —Mark Binder Because Mark is the author of more than a dozen books and collections of stories. He always has […]