Jenny Whitehead is the author/illustrator of Lunch Box Mail (2001—a collection of poems from a child’s point of view), Holiday Stew (2007—poems based on holidays and seasons) and illustrator of Punctuation Celebration (2009—poems about punctuation marks written by Elsa Knight Bruno). She enjoys writing poetry, stories, and young adult fiction. Her artwork style involves painting and collage, layering cut paper and tissue paper. Her website is www.jennywhitehead.com.
May 1 is a busy day! Join Kansas SCBWI for a day with novelist Lisa Harkrader. Details: Saturday, May 1 Mardel–119th and Metcalf, Overland Park 9:30-3:30 $15 SCBWI members $20 non-members Register or get more information at the Kansas SCBWI website.
Swing by Blue Valley Library to meet Heartlander and debut author Laura Manivong, Emmy-winning producer at FOX 4 TV. She’ll talk about her critically acclaimed new novel, ESCAPING THE TIGER, from HarperCollins Children’s Books. The story is based loosely on her husband’s family, all Johnson County residents, who escaped from Communist Laos in the mid ’80s. After spending time in Thailand’s Na Pho refugee camp, they immigrated to Kansas City in 1989 under political asylum and became United States…
Congratulations to Victoria Dixon! She tied for first place in The Sandy Fantasy Science Fiction division with MOURN THEIR COURAGE! Ginger CLark of Curtis Brown was the fantasy/science fiction judge. The Sandy contest is sponsored by Crested Butte Writers. Find out more about them and their annual conference at www.crestedbuttewriters.org
The masses were out to celebrate with Laura Manivong and her young adult debut Escaping the Tiger. Reading Reptile managed to pack in about 250 family, friends and fans last night and sold every last one of Laura’s books. But don’t fret! You can call the store and order one! (816) 753-0441. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of the night.
On February 19, Charlotte Adelsperger and Colleen Ryckert Cook talked about life as a writer at Mill Creek Elementary’s Author Illustrator Workshop. Charlotte talked with fourth graders about researching and writing about the Andrea Doria shipwreck. Colleen taught fifth graders different strategies for writing fiction and nonfiction. They joined local authors Connie Richards, Mary Anne Demeritt and Darlene Isaacson; Chris Koppenhaver of the Johnson County Library; artist Julanne Patric; Kansas City Star Food Editor Jill Silva; photographer Bill Spreadbury; computer animator Jesse Miguel;…
Family, friends and fans joined authors Ann Ingalls and Maryann Macdonald to celebrate the release of Little Piano Girl. Reading Reptile played host to the event on February 13. Congratulations!
Join us January 29 at the Plaza Library to hear Heartlander Anne Ingalls talk about Little Piano Girl. Ann and her sister, Maryann McDonald, wrote the biography of jazz legend Mary Lou Williams, who had her first public performance at the age of six and went on to write and arrange music for Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. The talk starts at 7 pm.
Join SCBWIer and Heartlander Jenn Bailey, our very own social media whiz, for a hands-on workshop on Branding Yourself! In the morning we’ll discuss how social media can help you research the publishing world, network, and market yourself. In the afternoon learn how to build a functional Website that integrates social media tools and lets editors and agents get a look at who you are. Bring your laptops if you can and get ready to get busy! Get details and register here! Register in advance:…
In August, Rosen Publishing released two new books written by Diane Bailey: High School Musicals: Scenery and Set Design and High School Musicals: Stage Management and Production. In January 2010, Diane will have three more releases through Rosen: Tennessee: Past and Present; Venus and Serena Williams; and Great Moments at the World Cup. Her book Kansas: Past and Present will be out in August 2010. Congratulations, Diane!