Erin Keyser Horn's Blog, page 4

Celebrating RONE Finalist with a Giveaway!

Thanks to my amazing fans that voted, EYES OF LIGHTNING is a finalist in the RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Awards!! I am SO shocked and happy and grateful for the overwhelming support that led to becoming a finalist. I truly could not have reached this point without YOUR help, so a million thanks to everyone who voted!!

EOL is a finalist in the Young Adult Paranormal category. All RONE winners will be announced on August 9th at the Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas. Regardless of whether or not EOL wins, I’m so excited just to be a finalist!!

As a way of showing my gratitude to my awesome fans, I’m doing a book giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment (a simple “Hi” will suffice!) below this post, and you’ll be entered to win (limited one entry per person, U.S. readers only). You can choose a copy of EYES OF LIGHTNING or RIVER’S EDGE, or you can reserve a copy of WINGS OF THUNDER (as soon as I have copies . . . in November?). Or you can choose to give one of the books to someone else. I’ll sign the book to the person of your choice.

Giveaway ends Sunday, June 9th, 8:00 PM Central time. So make sure to enter before then!! I’ll choose a winner that night and ship the book on Monday.

Let me know if you have any questions! And THANK YOU for helping to make my dreams come true!!

Cross-Country Book Events!

So excited about our summer family vacation: camping at Grand Tetons National Park! While we’re in the area, we’ll be visiting family and friends in Idaho, so we decided to set up some book signings (because how often am I in Idaho?? This will be my first time!).

I’ll be at Eagle Public Library on July 15th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Then I’ll be at Kuna Public Library on July 16th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Joining me at both signings will be my friend, Devri Walls, author of The Solus Trilogy (Young Adult fantasy). And joining us at the Kuna signing will be Alicia Sheehy, author of WINGSONG (also YA fantasy). Looking forward to hanging out with these awesome ladies! If you or someone you know lives in Idaho, we’d love to have you stop by and say hi at these events. We’ll all have copies of books to buy if you’re interested.

On the way home from Idaho, if I have enough books left, I might start giving copies away to random strangers as a means of spreading the word across the country! So if you live between Idaho and Illinois, watch out for the crazy lady pushing books into your hands.  ;-)

Let me know if you have any questions!

Teen Writing Workshops at Galena Library!

 

This is a really cool opportunity for teens, ages 14 to 18, to take part in creative writing clinics throughout the summer. Each class will take place on a Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Galena Public Library. Here’s the schedule of classes:

June 10—Where do I Begin: Putting it to Paper with Catriona Terry

June 24—Prose to Script: Screenwriting Format with Larissa Distler

July 8—Poetry with Catriona Terry, from Northern Illinois University

July 22—Who Dunnit? Writing the Mystery with Tania Jonjack

August 5—Creating Fantasy Worlds with Nick Ludescher

August 12—Self-Publishing with Erin Keyser Horn

The workshops are free! You can register at Galena Library or Elizabeth Library, but all workshops will take place in Galena. Let me know if you have questions, and hope to see you there!

Please Vote for EYES OF LIGHTNING in the RONE Awards!

I was so excited to find out that EYES OF LIGHTNING received a high rating from InD’Tale Magazine, which qualified it for the 2012 RONE Awards! Now it has continued to the second phase, where readers will narrow down the contestants to four finalists by voting for their favorites. The finalists in this round will then be judged by a group of industry professionals to determine the best in indie and small-press published books in 2012. Winners in each category will be presented the RONE award at a Las Vegas ceremony in August.

An excerpt from InD’Tale Magazine:

We at InD’Tale magazine went to extensive labor to create and present the most credible and prestigious award in the industry today.  Our three round system of elimination covers every facet: highly reviewed, loved by fans, and critiqued by qualified judges.  No other award system today begins to compare, making the RONE award the very highest of honors bestowed on a book in the publishing industry.

I can’t advance to the third and final phase unless I receive enough votes. But since I have the best fans in the world, this could happen with your help!! If you’ve read EOL and liked it, I would be eternally grateful if you would CLICK HERE TO VOTE ON THE RONE SITE! The only trick is that you have to register with InD’Tale first, but there are two options for that described at the site. Once you’ve registered, you can vote for EOL in the Young Adult Paranormal category. Voting is only open for one week, making June 1st the last day to vote. If you have family and friends who read EOL, please help me to spread the word about the voting! Let me know if you have questions. And THANK YOU to everyone who votes!! You rock!!

How Can Libraries Attract More Teens?

I’ve worked at a small-town library for the past two years. I help with the children’s summer reading program, but my main focus is on teen programming. Some events I’ve organized in the past:

1. Teen Read Week (October)

2. Teen Tech Week (March)

3. Prizes for reading (summer)

4. Zine workshops (throughout the year)

The zine workshops were my favorite. The students made their own magazine by submitting artwork, short stories, and book reviews. Our library is lucky enough to be involved in an ARC program, so we receive Advanced Reader Copies of middle grade and young adult books. The goal was to have students read the ARCs and then write reviews to generate early buzz for the new books.

The problem: low participation. I never had more than two or three students show up for workshops. Sometimes it was less than that. It got to the point where we just couldn’t finish a zine because we didn’t have enough help or materials. Meanwhile, stacks of ARCs were piling up in the library, unread.

Advertising for the teen events had been limited to flyers, the occasional press release, and a Facebook page for the library’s teens. I knew I was stuck, unable to move forward without some outside help. Something needed to change if we were to have any hope of saving the library’s teen programming.

Sometimes all you have to do is ask. The worst that can happen—the person will say no. But I was lucky enough to find the right teacher, the one who said YES.

Today I’m talking to a local 7th grade class and asking them the following questions:

1. How can the library get teens in the door?

2. What can the library offer you that you can’t find elsewhere?

I’m so excited to hear their ideas. I would love it if we could establish some teen advisory committees, go-to groups for thoughts and suggestions. Who knows what students want better than the students themselves??

What do YOU think? What should libraries be doing to serve the needs of their community teens?

Southern and Central Illinois Book Signings!

I had such an amazing time last weekend in Southern Illinois and Champaign! I had record-breaking sales, so THANK YOU to everyone who came! Your support means so much to me!

I started Saturday at the Cisne Spring Fling. It was a steady rain all morning, so the firefighters allowed us to move inside their station. Thanks to them—my first signing in a fire station! Despite the rain, we had a huge turnout!

Vendors in Cisne Fire Station.

Me with Tamara! It was a little chilly, so we were bundled up.

Me with Jenny, my loyal bouncer/bodyguard!

From Cisne I went to Mt. Erie. It was still raining, so I was thankful for the roof of Crystal’s Country Cream, and the good coffee and food! Great turnout here as well, despite the cold rain! Thanks so much to Crystal and the Mt. Erie visitors!

Me with Alecis, who had prom later that day!

Visiting with long-time friend, Rachel!

In the afternoon I signed books at Olney Public Library. Lots of family and friends at this signing as well—SO much fun!! Thanks to the library and to everyone who came!

A big group of family members!

Me with loyal friend Robby!

Sunday morning we left Southern Illinois and traveled home, stopping in Champaign for a book signing at Aroma Cafe. Got to visit with some friends I hadn’t seen in a long time! Many thanks to Aroma and to the people who stopped by!

I used to work at Dr. Downs’ animal clinic and babysit her daughter when I lived in the Champaign area!

Whitney and I were both zoology majors from SIUC in the same year. Now she studies turtles!

It was such an incredible weekend. Thanks to all of you for making this writing gig the best job in the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Away Four Books!

Two new giveaways, with a total of four books up for grabs! And both contests are easy-peasy to enter!

Giveaway #1:  Email Newsletter

For this one, all you have to do is sign up for my newsletter, which will arrive in your email inbox a few times a year. The newsletter gives you a first look at cover releases and other cool book news. AND you get a free short story as a gift for signing up. Click HERE for the newsletter details and to subscribe! This Friday, May 3rd at 8:00 AM, I will draw a name from my list of subscribers, and that person will receive a free book (your choice of EYES OF LIGHTNING or RIVER’S EDGE)! If you already signed up for my newsletter, then you’re all set!

Giveaway #2:  Goodreads

If you have a Goodreads account, you can easily enter to win one of three copies of RIVER’S EDGE! Just click HERE to enter the Goodreads giveaway, which ends Monday, May 6th. I’ll be shipping out the three copies that day.

That’s all there is to it! Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck!!

Book Events!

This was a busy week, but so much fun! Tuesday I was at Southside’s Book Fair in Morrison, where I got to meet a ton of cool kids! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped to chat and buy books: Isabel, Susan, Mary, Debbie, Dallas, Amanda, and more! Thanks also to the lovely reporters who interviewed me, and to Lori Kennedy for organizing the event!

Me with Kate and Emily! Thanks, ladies!

Noah and Leah! All the kids I met were so sweet!

Thursday I got to experience something new: a book club discussing EYES OF LIGHTNING! I was a little nervous going in, because I didn’t know what questions they would ask, or if it would be awkward for them to bash the book with me in the room, HA. But I shouldn’t have worried; the ladies were so sweet, asked great questions, and didn’t bash the book at all.  ;-)  Thanks for reading and inviting me, ladies—I had a great time!

Book Club Fun! And they all bought copies of RIVER’S EDGE! Thank you!

Then to wrap up the week, today I had a book signing at Heirloom Market in Thomson. This was fun because one of the RIVER’S EDGE scenes takes place at Heirloom.  ;-)  Love that place! I really enjoyed talking to Olivia, Sydney, Britney, Heather, and everyone else! And I had a fabulous visit with these ladies, two of my biggest supporters:

Thank you, Kim and Lisa!!

Now I think I need to go sleep for about ten hours to recover from all the excitement.  ;-)  Thank you to EVERYONE who made the week so special—I really appreciate all the support!!

 

 

TREE Interview #9: Brooke Bodensteiner

Welcome to the ninth of the TREE interviews! Click HERE to read more about the TREE program and its relevance to my book, RIVER’S EDGE.

Today I (Erin) am interviewing Brooke Bodensteiner!

 

E:  Hi Brooke! Tell us the years you were at Thomson Causeway.

B:    I was at the Causeway the summers of 2011 and 2012 (I will also be there this summer, 2013).

E:  At the time, were you a student in high school, college, or graduate school? If you were conducting research, what was your focus?

B:   I was an undergraduate student at Iowa State University. The first year I participated in Turtle Camp/ TREE it was the summer after my freshman year of college (I am currently a junior in Biology).

My first research project was focused on nest predation. Last year my focus was on the effects of hydric conditions (water content) of the nests on hatchling phenotypes (observable characteristics such as mass and length), and I will be repeating this experiment again this summer.

E:  How did you first decide to participate in the TREE program?

B:   I joined the Janzen lab late in my first semester at Iowa State University. I was first told about Turtle Camp and the TREE program by Dr. Fred Janzen. After hearing about Turtle Camp and TREE I was very excited and joined the lab intending to work at these programs.

E:  What was your favorite part of TREE?

B:   I have so many different favorite parts of TREE/Turtle Camp, but at the top of my list was getting to know the high school students. It was wonderful watching (and being a part of) the high school students learn and gain a new found appreciation for the outdoors, wildlife, and science. Often times students have never camped before (I had very little camping experience before beginning this program), so that is fun introducing them to this outdoor experience.

E:  Can you share an anecdote or funny story about your time there?

B:    There are so many it is difficult to choose. The first year I participated in TREE, in our down time we had team “photo shoots.” Each team had their own theme. Ours was P.N.C.I.S. (predation nation criminal investigative service). It was so much fun and we all had a good laugh looking at the photos afterwards. I have attached a few for your viewing enjoyment!

E:  How did TREE benefit you later in your education or career?

B:   I have gained so much from TREE! It has helped me improve my leadership, communication, and team building skills. I have also gained countless practical skills for my future education and career. The TREE program has influenced me in my decision making for my future plans. I am now intending to attend graduate school to pursue my PhD.

E:  Who would you recommend the TREE program to, and why?

B:    I would recommend the TREE program to any and all high school and undergraduate students interested in ecology and field work. This program is really something other youth programs should aspire to. The TREE program has had a huge beneficial impact for me, and I would say everyone who has ever participated in it as well.

 

 

 

 

Brooke, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions! So great to hear about your experiences with TREE and your plan to pursue a PhD! And I LOVE the pictures.    

Readers, 10% of RIVER’S EDGE sales through May 5th will be donated to the TREE program. Help support future turtle research and young biologists!  

TREE Interview #8: Dr. Fred Janzen

This is TREE’s 2012 group. Dr. Fred Janzen is standing on the right side of the picture.

 

Welcome to the eighth of the TREE interviews! Click HERE to read more about the TREE program and its relevance to my book, RIVER’S EDGE.

Today I (Erin) am interviewing Dr. Fred Janzen, a professor in Iowa State University’s Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology.

 

E:  Fred, you started Turtle Camp in 1988 when you were a graduate student. Can you tell us a little more about the thought process behind this decision and how exactly you made it happen?
F.   1988 was the end of my first year as a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago. I had not intended to initiate a long-term study at that point.  I was simply looking for a site where I could find turtle eggs for experimental studies in the lab. Some acquaintances in the Chicago Herpetological Society directed me to check out the area near the Thomson Causeway, so a buddy of mine (Gary Paukstis) and I decided to do just that. On arriving at the Thomson Causeway in the evening of an early June day, we were struck by the large number of painted turtles that we saw nesting. Gary suggested that I leave some of the nests in the ground to study their biology under natural conditions. That research initiative turned out to be so interesting that I have continued it (and many related studies!) annually thereafter.

E:  How did Turtle Camp change when Jeramie Strickland came along in 2006 with his ideas for starting a research program for high school students from urban areas? What was your part in starting the program?
F.   The arrival of Jeramie (along with Shannon Thol and Lori Neuman-Lee) was a major positive turning point in our Turtle Camp outreach activities. Up until then, I had included the occasional high school student in our research endeavors, but had always been keen on trying to do more with K-12 students. Those three, with their incredibly positive combination of talents and personalities, really provided the energy to take the big leap to initiate, implement, and continue the TREE program ever since. I would like to think that I had an important part to play in starting TREE, though perhaps my role was mainly to get out of their way!

E:  Do you have an estimate of how many total students have been involved in Turtle Camp in one way or another since 1988? Starting out, did you ever imagine it would turn out this way?
F:   I would estimate that easily over 100 (maybe closer to 150) unique students have participated in Turtle Camp activities. Beyond the numbers, though, what also makes me happy is how many of them found meaning in their experiences at Turtle Camp and how many return in subsequent years. I am similarly thrilled to see how many have excelled in their lives scholastically and professionally thereafter (not that I’m claiming Turtle Camp deserves all the credit!). Regardless, from the perspective of the 1980s, I could not have envisioned how well Turtle Camp has thrived over the years. If I’d had such insight then, I would have invested in something other tent camping year after year; I’m getting a bit “creaky” anymore to sleep on the ground for long stretches!

E:  I’ll be donating 10% of the April sales of River’s Edge to the TREE program. Any thoughts on what the donations will most likely be used for? Are there other ways people can help support TREE?
F:   I am thrilled and honored at your generosity in support of Turtle Camp, Erin. And I would be grateful for the support of others who see the value in our efforts. As I explain below, one snag in continuing TREE is legal concern about our sleeping arrangements. Thus, for example, a retiree who no longer has need for their recreational vehicle could conceivably donate it to Turtle Camp and TREE (presumably through Iowa State University). Such a donation could provide Turtle Camp with the necessary secure sleeping arrangements (including increased security for our scientific gear) and the donor with a nice tax write-off. Of course, we would also be happy to have other sorts of contributions on any scale to support TREE, including identifying talented students and directing them to us. If anyone likes the possibilities presented here or has alternative ideas for supporting our efforts, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (Note from Erin: to avoid spambots, I’m spelling out his email address: fjanzen(AT)iastate(DOT)edu).


E:  Is there anything else you would like people to know about TREE?

F:   TREE is a fantastic program and its success on so many levels is driven by the enthusiasm of its founders, the mentors, and of course the participants. I am sad to say that TREE will not occur in 2013 because of new legal issues (that we have yet to navigate successfully) regarding working with students under the age of 18. Among others, one concern of the lawyers is that such underage individuals need to be provided with secure sleeping quarters, which is pretty tough to do when we’re camping in tents on a publicly-accessible island! I am hopeful, however, for TREE to re-initiate in 2014, at least partially supported by your donation and those of others for this proven-successful, nationally-recognized program.

 

Fred, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions, and for helping me arrange all the interviews this past week. I’ve really enjoyed learning more about TREE and its origins. Thank you for being a role model in the field of biology and all you do to mentor young scientists!

Readers, 10% of RIVER’S EDGE sales through May 5th will be donated to the TREE program . . . and after reading this interview, you know exactly how that money can help re-initiate the program. Or you can contact Dr. Janzen if you would like to donate to the program directly. Please help support future turtle research and young biologists!