JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans. Join now (it's free).
Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Blog Posts by Tag
In the past 7 days
Blog Posts by Date
Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Author Signings, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 22 of 22
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: Author Signings in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
Join LEE & LOW representatives at the following panels:
Saturday, June 25
Director of Marketing & Publicity Hannah Ehrlich at the Library for All panel: Diverse Books from Across the Globe, 10:30-11:30 AM, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Room Regency Ballroom T
Publisher Jason Low at Ideas Exchange: Increasing Diversity in the Publishing and Library Workforce, 2:45-3:30 PM, Convention Center, Room W414CD
Sunday, June 26
LEE & LOW BookBuzz: Diverse and Fabulous Books from LEE & LOW, 3:30-4:15 PM, Convention Center, Room Exhibit Hall – Book Buzz Theater
Monday, June 27
Pop Top Panel on Bilingual Books: The State of Bilingual Children’s Books, 9:00-9:50 AM, Convention Center, Room Exhibit Hall – PopTop Stage
Hope to see you there!
0 Comments on Come Meet LEE & LOW BOOKS at ALA 2016! as of 1/1/1900
The Texas Library Association Annual Conference is next week and we’re so excited to meet everyone! The conference takes place in the George R. Brown Convention Center and LEE & LOW will be Booth #1746!
See below for our signing schedule as well as a few other events that our authors and illustrators will be participating in:
AUTHOR SIGNINGS
Wednesday, April 20
Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Shame the Stars), 11:30 AM-12 PM, Authors Area Aisle 3
Another year, another successful ALA annual! We were so excited to be in San Francisco this year, especially in light of the recent SCOTUS ruling on gay marriage! What better city to be in than the one that elected Harvey Milk to public office and issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, kickstarting a fight for LGBTQ marriage rights in California?
We started off the conference with some great news: Foreword Reviews named us Indie Publisher of the Year 2014! We were thrilled and humbled by this honor. You can see what they said about us here.
We had a full signing schedule, including award-winning authors and illustrators, and a couple of debut authors. Another highlight was getting to meet many of our Children’s Book Press authors and illustrators who are based in California. We’ve often only emailed back and forth with them, so it was nice to finally meet in person!
Illustrator Floyd Cooper demonstrates how he creates his art.Authors G. Neri and Nikki Grimes – what a duo!Debut author and New Voices Award winner Jane BahkThe LEE & LOW team with Children’s Book Press authors and illustrators
We were also excited to see Frank Morrison honored at the Coretta Scott King breakfast for his illustrations in Little Melba and Her Big Trombone! He wrote a moving speech about breaking out of the mold, as Melba did:
I was dazzled by this six year old [Melba] hearing the rhythm and beats in her head. I believe this is true for all artists. First you have to have the love, then passion, next discipline, tenacity, and bravery. I truly believe this is what took Melba from performing on the steps with her grandfather in front of a dog at seven years old to performing in front of thousands on stages around the world. Let’s all encourage our youth to recognized their gifts and if they don’t fit the cookie cutter,
Break! The! Mold!
Other winners also gave contemplative, beautiful, and inspiring speeches (you can read Jacqueline Woodson’s here).
Publisher Jason Low participated in an Ignite Session with a presentation called “Diversity’s Action Plan,” a five minute talk packed with big ideas about how to create change in the publishing industry. If you missed it, you can watch all 5 minutes right here:
One key takeaway: we’re asking people to sign a petition for publishers to participate in our Diversity Baseline Survey, which will measure staff diversity in the publishing industry and give us a benchmark for improvement. If you haven’t signed yet, please take a minute to do so. We’ve now surpassed 1,500 signatures!
Publisher Jason Low at ALA’s Ignite Session
Valynne E. Maetani, debut author and winner of Tu Book‘s New Visions Award, was at the Pop Top stage to talk about her new YA mystery novel, Ink and Ashes. Afterwards, she signed books at our booth, and completely sold out!
Author Valynne E. Maetani
It was a lot of fun to meet everyone and enjoy San Francisco, and we’re looking forward to Orlando next year!
What were your ALA highlights? Let us know in the comments!
1 Comments on ALA 2015 Recap: Wins in Diversity, last added: 7/10/2015
I wish I could have met more Lee & Low authors and illustrators! Congratulations again on the award. I’m excited to work with you on the Diversity Baseline Survey!
ALA is just around the corner and we would love to meet you! We’ll be in the North Exhibit Hall at Booth #1020!
See below for our signing schedule as well as a few other events we’ll be participating in:
Join LEE & LOW BOOKS publisher Jason Low for a quick-as-lightning Ignite Session: “Diversity’s Action Plan.” This will be a short talk packed with big ideas about how to create change in the publishing industry. Join us on Saturday, June 27th at the Moscone Convention Center from 11: 30 AM – 12:00 PM in room 130N.
SIGNINGS AT BOOTH #1020
Friday, June 26
6:00 – 7:00 PM: Children’s Book Press authors Alma Flor Ada (Let Me Help!/ ¡Quiero ayudar!);Mira Reisberg (Uncle Nacho’s Hat/ El sombrero del Tío Nacho); Harriet Rohmer(Honoring Our Ancestors); Carmen Lomas Garza (In My Family/ En mi familia); and Jorge Argueta (A Movie in My Pillow/ Una película en mi almohada)
Saturday, June 27
Floyd Cooper (Ira’s Shakespeare Dream), 9:15 – 10:00 AM
Maya Christina Gonzalez (Call Me Tree/Llamamé arbol), 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Frank Morrison (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone), 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Jennifer Torres (Finding the Music/ En pos de la música), 12:00 – 12:45 PM
Nikki Grimes (Poems in the Attic), 2:00 – 2:45 PM
Emily Jiang & April Chu (Summoning the Phoenix), 3:00 – 3:45 PM
Monica Brown (Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash), 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Sunday, June 28
Frank Morrison & Katheryn Russell-Brown (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone), 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Paula Yoo(Twenty-two Cents), 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Karen Sandler(Tankborn trilogy), 12:00 – 12:45 PM
Jane Bahk (Juna’s Jar), 1:00 – 1:45 PM
Valynne E. Maetani (Ink and Ashes), 2:00 – 2:45 PM
Christy Hale (Dreaming Up), 3:00 – 3: 45 PM
Monday, June 29
Valynne E. Maetani (Ink and Ashes), 10:00 – 10:45 AM
You can also download a printable PDF of our schedule here.
PANELS
Join LEE & LOW authors at the following panels:
Sunday, June 28
Diverse Authors Need Us, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Karen Sandler (Tankborn trilogy) & G. Neri (Yummy, Chess Rumble)
PopTop Stage, Exhibit Hall, Moscone Convention Center
Poetry Blast, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Nikki Grimes (Poems in the Attic)
PopTop Stage, Exhibit Hall, Moscone Convention Center
Monday, June 29
2K15 Debut Novels Panel, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Valynne E. Maetani (Ink and Ashes)
PopTop Stage, Exhibit Hall, Moscone Convention Center
Hope to see you there!
0 Comments on Come meet LEE & LOW BOOKS at ALA 2015! as of 1/1/1900
This post is part of an ongoing series at The Open Book answering questions about book marketing and publicity.
With the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) conference just around the corner, many first-time authors are probably starting to get nervous, wondering what’s in store for them. Going to your first trade conference, book event, or signing can be incredibly daunting. It marks a transition from the very private and solitary process of creating a book to the very public process of interacting with readers directly and getting your book out into the world. This is by no means easy, but being in a public space with your book can be incredibly rewarding. Here are a couple things to keep in mind as you make the transition:
1. Your primary goal should be tolet people know about your book. Signing at a well-attended event like ALA is as much about visibility as it is about book sales. Your goal should be to engage with as many people as possible to let them know who you are and what your book is about. Sales often come naturally out of this engagement; and if they don’t, don’t be discouraged. Many book sales don’t happen on the show floor, as most librarians and other professionals order books through their systems. But a good conversation with a librarian can lead to copies being ordered for his/her branches.
2. Have something to hand out with your information on it. Many publishers create bookmarks or postcards for new titles – you should ask your publisher before the signing what materials they will be bringing. If they are not bringing handouts, or even if they are, you may also want to create your own postcard or brochure with more information and your own contact information. If you are looking to build your school visit business, consider creating a brochure about what you offer. This is a perfect opportunity to spread the word.
3. Come up with a one-liner “elevator pitch” about your book. The most common question people will ask if they stop at your signing is, “What is this book about?” Even though you have labored over your book for a very long time, this is sometimes a hard question to answer if you haven’t practiced. Before the conference or signing, have friends and family help you shape a one-sentence quick description of the book that you can offer to pique the interest of passersby.
4. Share more if someone looks interested. Your one-liner should draw people in, but if they are lingering and paging through your book, don’t be afraid to offer more information. Tell them about the process, the research you did, or what inspired you to write this story. Ask them questions about their interest and to build connections (“This book is about a jazz musician. Are you a jazz fan?”; “This book takes place in California – are you from California?”). These lines may sound cheesy, but delivered earnestly they can form a welcome bridge to further conversation.
5. Don’t be afraid of the actual ask. If you’ve been engaging with someone for a while and they seem reluctant to put your book down, it’s OK to ask them, “Would you like a signed copy?” For some authors, this can be a little scary, but the more you do it, the easier it will get. Some people will say yes; some will say no. Remember that it’s not a judgement on you or the quality of your book either way. If they say no, follow up by handing them a postcard or brochure to take with them. That book sale may come at a later time.
Valynne Maetani, author of Ink and Ashes, at a signing
6. When you are signing, be fully present – even during lulls. There are so many things going on at once during major conferences that competition is fierce, and you may well find yourself with a lull during your signing when no one is at your table. This is normal, and even very experienced authors sometimes face this. Don’t feel bad or be embarrassed – this is just a reality of book signings. During quiet periods, you can talk to the staff helping with your signing but be sure to stay open and receptive – i.e. don’t retreat to your phone, or turn away from the aisle. You never know when someone interested may wander past, and if you’re checked out, you will likely miss them.
7. One person brings more. It is a truth universally acknowledged that crowds breed more crowds. You may go a few minutes with no one at your signing, followed by a line of 7 or 8 people all at once. One interested person will attract others who are wondering what’s going on. Embrace this chaos. If you do have a crowd forming, respect the line and make sure you’re not spending too much time talking to any one person. If someone wants to have a long conversation with you, politely tell them, “I’m sorry, I need to sign for the next person but perhaps we can continue this conversation at a later point.”
For some great insights from the author end, I encourage you to read this series we asked experienced authors for their advice on planning a successful book signing:
Apart from these things, just remember to bring your lucky signing pen and you’ll do fine! The more events you do, the more comfortable you’ll get, and you may find that these opportunities to interact with readers inspire and motivate you as a creator in new ways.
For those who are in the New York City Area, we’ve got lots of great things happening this weekend!
On Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 am, Katheryn Russell-Brown, author of Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, will be doing a reading at the Bank Street Bookstore in New York City. More info here.
LEE & LOW BOOKS will also be at the Brooklyn Book Festival this Sunday, September 21! We’re looking forward to a fun-filled day with our authors, and if you’re in the New York City area we hope you’ll stop by! We’ll be at booth #604, right next to the Columbus Statue Garden.
Artwork from HIROMI’S HANDS, written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch
The festival is located at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL SIGNINGS
10-10:45am at booth #604; 3-3:30pm at the Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Area
It’s hard to believe that the ALA Annual Conference is just around the corner, but we’re looking forward to a fun-filled weekend in Las Vegas! We have an exciting signing schedule, which you can check out below:
Lee & Low Books will be at the Brooklyn Book Festival next Sunday, September 22, and we’d love to see you! Stop by booth #129 (next to Bank Street Books) and say hello.
artwork fromHiromi’s Hands, written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch
Brooklyn Book Festival will be at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn NY 11201.
Jason Lefebvre, author of Too Much Glue, held a skype visit with a school in New Braunfels, Texas. Check out the video below to see how the kids are glued to his every word!
0 Comments on Too Much Glue Author’s Skype Visit a Success! as of 9/3/2013 3:08:00 AM
Jodi Moore – author of When a Dragon Moves In - attended the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts’ Bookfest on July 13th, 2013 along with the dragon himself, made from recyclable materials by Jodi’s son, Steve.
Here are some pictures from the event!
0 Comments on When a Dragon Visits BookfestPA as of 7/24/2013 11:10:00 AM
When a Dragon Moves In, written by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Jodi Moore accepted the Library of Virginia’s Annual Whitney and Scott Cardozo Award for Children’s Literature for When a Dragon Moves In last weekend! Here is her account of the event:
WOW! The evening – the weekend – was extraordinary… just amazing! I am still pinching myself…what a star-studded, lovely weekend I had!
Virginia is a beautiful state, filled with warm, wonderful people.
The day started out with a scrumptious luncheon at the Convention Center, where all nominees were honored with medals.
We were treated to a Q&A session with the incomparable Tom Robbins, who was honored with a Literary Lifetime Achievement Award. What a fascinating man!
Following the luncheon, people were encouraged to buy the honored authors’ books and we were positioned at tables for signing. I’m thrilled to report that lots of people “adopted” Dragons! I was also interviewed on Sirius radio!
Carrie Clickard, author of Victricia Malicia: Book-Loving Buccaneer, visited the Rose Marie Byron Center, an after-school program in Daytona, FL, on October 8, 2012.
The little buccaneers made pirate crafts designed by Carrie (available on www.victriciamalicia.com), including pirate hats and paper parrots. The students also indulged in some homemade pirate edibles.
Check out the pictures below!
0 Comments on Beware! Pirates-in-Training at the Rose Marie Bryon Center! as of 10/11/2012 7:39:00 AM
Well, bad signings make frequent appearances in author circles.
Recently a friend set up a table at a “free” outdoor event for parents and toddlers. She thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase her picture book and sell some copies.
No one approached her all morning. She was getting very discouraged.
Finally, a woman who had been manning another table came up to her. “I’d like one for my son,” she said. “His name is [very unusual name].”
My friend picked up her pen, personalized the book to the woman’s son, wrote a special note, and autographed it. “That will be $15, please.”
The woman stared. “Oh, I thought it was free.”
My friend was taken aback. “Free? This is a picture book from [Big 6 Publisher].”
“But everyone here is giving away free stuff,” the woman said.
My friend then felt bad. SHE FELT BAD?! “Well, since you didn’t know, I will let you have it at cost. I paid $10 for it.”
“Never mind,” the woman said. “I don’t want it.” And she walked back to her table.
My friend was near tears. She hadn’t sold a single book and now she was stuck with one signed to “Jakellen.” What were the odds that another “Jakellen” would come to a future book signing? About a Jakellen-to-one!
This serves as a cautionary tale for both readers and authors.
Authors do not get their own books for free.
They are offered a very limited quantity upon publication, usually somewhere between 5 and 15 copies. The rest they have to pay for themselves, typically at 30-40% off the retail price. Sometimes they do better purchasing from Amazon and not the publisher-direct! Free books are very rare.
And remember, that author has worked years to publish that book. And authors do not get paid while they are writing it. A lot has been sacrificed to get that book onto shelves. So please don’t expect a book for free. And don’t walk away from a book that has already been personalized. That author has now lost whatever they paid for the book, and the royalty they earned doesn’t even cover 10% of it.
While tempting, it may not be the best idea to do signings at advertised “free” events. People arrive with the expectation that they’ll never have to dip into their wallets. (And considering the economy, that’s the kind of feeling they want to experience often!) They are not in the mood to buy, and therefore may avoid you, even if what you’re selling looks good. They have not arrived with the mindset (or the money) to make a purchase.
And finally, it may be proper to let the reader know the price before you sign a book. Or else you might get stuck with a lot of “Jakellen” copies. And frankly, “Jakellen” isn’t even on the Social Security Administration’s List of Top 1000 Names. FOR ANY YEAR.
But who knows, maybe like “Splash” I’ve inadvertently begun a Madison-like name craze?!
When I first read your tweet, I thought “how odd. Aren’t signings usually held in bookstores?” but now I better understand what went wrong.
I feel sympathy for your friend, but agree with your “Caution” section. It was a “free” event, so people expected things at the event to be, well, free. Did your friend have a prominent sign on the table, providing a price for the books?
Perhaps you or your friend might consider offering this copy of the book, along with the story, on auction for a literacy charity? Put it up on eBay, include the store (above), promise to include a copy of the story with the book, and promote the charitable aspect.
After all, if Wil Wheaton can sell a dented pingpong ball for the Pasadena Humane Society, almost anything is possible.
Tara Lazar said, on 9/29/2012 8:46:00 PM
The charity idea is a great one! Thanks, Vi!
Lynn A. Davidson said, on 9/29/2012 9:23:00 PM
Wow! I don’t think I could do what that woman did … walk away after the book was personalized for her. what a shame. I do hope your friend finds a home for that book. I agree, the charity idea is a great one with the story of why the book is personalized.
Great post,Tara.
tinamcho said, on 9/30/2012 1:09:00 AM
Thanks for the heads-up! Yikes!
Jennifer Jewiss said, on 9/30/2012 1:59:00 AM
What a sad story! I think a sign, similar to your ‘Warning for Readers’ should be displayed at all book fairs, author events, writing groups and possibly in all bookshops too! Jenny J
Catherine Johnson said, on 9/30/2012 7:36:00 AM
That’s terrible!
wendy said, on 9/30/2012 7:48:00 AM
I agree that the public doesn’t understand the business of writing. I’ve been at non-charity event book signings where authors don’t collect sales tax. I think this reinforces the idea that writing isn’t a “real” business. Public perceptions are hard to change….
Rena Traxel said, on 9/30/2012 9:37:00 AM
I second Wendy. This story is horrible.
TurtleAndRobot said, on 9/30/2012 11:39:00 AM
It never ceases to amaze me when people balk at the price of picture books, and one being signed by its creator no less!
Genevieve Petrillo said, on 9/30/2012 1:21:00 PM
Whoa. What a bummer. Meanwhile, I was signing books after a school visit and accidentally signed an extra one to John. John!! I carried that book to my next 5 or 6 visits, and never had another John buy a book. I think it’s still in the bottom of my bag, ready to go on the road for my next school visit. Jakellen?? OMG.
On May 14th, Linda Ravin Lodding — author of The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, (illustrated by Suzanne Beaky) — appeared at the First Annual Book Carnival at the American International School in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Prior to the book signing, the students enjoyed Ernestine-themed activities in the library, including kite making!
The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, written by Linda Ravin Lodding, illustrated by Suzanne Beaky
Debut author Linda Ravin Lodding appeared yesterday at Books of Wonder in NYC, alongside Caldecott Award winner Chris Raschka and 8 other fantastic picture book creators, to sign copies of her first picture book, The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister.
Enjoy the fun beyond the book with our many printable activity pages.
Like all Flashlight Press books, Ernestine is distributed by IPG and is available at your local or online bookseller.
0 Comments on Buckmeister Busy at Books of Wonder as of 1/1/1900
Jodi Moore signing copies of When a Dragon Moves In at BookFest PA
I’m one of these people who just can’t wait to bite into the chocolaty center of a Tootsie Pop, the creamy middle of a sugary doughnut, the gooey core of a caramel bar. So imagine my reaction when I was offered the chance to participate in BookFest PA, a book festival tucked into the heart of The Central PA Festival of the Arts. Sweet!
And what do you get when you combine arts enthusiasts with avid readers? Some quite extraordinary people who, while varying in age, background, and interest, have come together to celebrate the power of the imagination.
Nothing short of a little slice of heaven.
Between 10 am and 5 pm on July 16, thousands of folks browsed the BookFest PA tent to share words and stories, and to meet some very talented writers and illustrators. (Yes, I was admittedly fan-gushy to be in such lovely company.) I’m thrilled to say that Dragon “moved into” many a new, loving home that day! There is nothing more heart-squishy than watching a child hug your book.
In addition, I was honored to present When a Dragon Moves In during a late morning story time inside Schlow Library. Our young audience became artists themselves, drawing pictures of their own “perfect sandcastles” – which I‘m sure are now proudly displayed on refrigerators across the nation! Each child received the highly regarded “Dragon” sticker for his/her work, as well as a bookmark. And of course, the Dragon himself made an appearance!
A standing ovation – and a ton of thanks – to the organizers and volunteers of this amazing event. This was only the second year for BookFest PA, but with the success and smiles it brought to so many, I know I’m not the only one looking forward to many more!
1 Comments on When a Dragon Moves In to BookFest PA, a first-hand report by author Jodi Moore, last added: 7/21/2011
I wish we had your book last week. We build numerous sand castles for our grandchildren and would have loved to have read this book to them. Oh, for sure, they will hear it on a winter night as we dream about the beach next summer.
Award-winning fiction writer Simon Van Booy reads from his first children´s book, Pobble´s Way, at Canio’s Books, 3 pm this Saturday, Feb. 19. Canio’s is located at 290 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY.
1 Comments on NY Author Appearance, last added: 2/14/2011
Grandfather’s Wrinkles illustrator Richard McFarland will be appearing at the Huntley Area Public Library in Huntley, Illinois, on November 16.
This talented illustrator, first published after his 70th birthday, used himself as the model for the grandpa in the book.
Richard’s presentation on how he created his true-to-life illustrations will be accompanied by a reading of Grandfather’s Wrinkles. He’ll also be selling and signing his book.
For more information on the event and to register, you can go here.
0 Comments on Richard McFarland Reading in Huntley, IL as of 1/1/1900
As you can see, Thad’s read aloud day was a roaring success despite his sore throat. Thad’s book, That Cat Can’t Stay, was selected to be read aloud to every first grade classroom in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The lucky first graders in one Bridgeport classroom got to hear it from Thad himself.
“Your book rhymes,” observed Lee Falcon, 6, inching close to the author.
“Thanks for noticing,” Krasnesky responded, in a voice still raspy from tonsillitis surgery a week earlier.
The event was covered by the Connecticut Post. You can read the entire article here.
0 Comments on Thad Krasnesky at Bridgeport Schools Read Aloud as of 1/1/1900
Amanda Noll, author of I Need My Monster, will be appearing at two Washington schools in October:
She’ll be at Daffodil Valley Elementary in Sumner, Washington, on October 26th, and then at Pioneer Valley Elementary in Spanaway, Washington, on October 27th.
To hear about other upcoming author appearances, keep checking our blog or look at our author appearance calendar here.
0 Comments on Monster Author Amanda Noll at Washington Schools as of 1/1/1900
On Wednesday evening I found myself trudging home late at night through the kind of incessant downpour you feel is never going to end. Rain that infuses every part of you, seeping up your trousers, down your sleeves and occasionally washing over you as a car drives past too quickly. My thoughts turned to a marvelously funny, insightful and poignant novel I read recently called The Flood, by Maggie Gee.
Set in the City, where it’s always raining, flood waters are steadily on the rise. Battered boats rescued from scrapyards serve as makeshift buses for the tower blocks, around which the waters are rumoured to have been diverted from the city centre. In that centre, the wealthy are ferried to the opera in gondolas. While all the inhabitants of the city are struggling not to drown in their various problems, their President Bliss tries to deflect attention to far away, pursuing a Blair-like war against the unfortunate inhabitants of a poor distant country. Neither his cabinet nor the general population has any enthusiasm for the crusade, but somehow Bliss is able to continue with the war (for the sake of peace, naturally).
As well as the rain, I was thinking of this particular novel because I was travelling home from the launch of Maggie’s latest book, My Animal Life. I’m not sure the Al Saqi bookshop on Westbourne Grove has ever been so crowded. Three of us were there because we’d all had the privilege of meeting Maggie a year earlier, and sharing a writing month with her at Hawthornden Castle as the finishing touches were put to this memoir (I was beginning Johnny Mackintosh: Battle for Earth). It’s a wonderful thing to see a physical book when you were also able to watch it in the late stages of development in the womb. It’s also great to meet fellow writers and on the night I chatted with several I’d not met before.
Maggie spent a little time in conversation with Colin Grant, another author as well as BBC World Service Broadcaster, talking particularly about the candour of her new book, and what had led her to write about herself rather than her characters. Maggie’s a very deep thinker. She puts a lot of science in her books, she’s often tackled difficult themes (check out The White Family), and she comes across as very honest and full of love. While Colin asked her about “sex”, she ended their conversation saying the greatest taboo in writing is “love”. As the place was bursting at the seams, concerned for her audience, it wasn’t long before she stood to read to us from My Animal Life.
I had a very religious upbringing and, although I know now that we’re from all the same stuff as the other creatures on the planet, I still often think of people as separate from animals. That’s strange because my philosophy is very anti the rationalist/logical school that’s dominated so much of our thinking since the Greeks. Intellectually, I believe we’re social creatures, rarely motivated by logic precisely because of our animal
The entling finished it before night fell and the book became my carry-along book anytime I was subbing in a library.
The rest is history.
In the years that have passed, I have had moving conversations with parents who tell me how much they owe to Riordan because his books were the ones that turned their child (and usually it is a son) into a reader.
I have only missed one Percy Jackson signing. That was last year and I really did have to attend entling no. 2's college graduation. They were the same weekend. It was hard. I had to really, really think about it.
There were less than 30 people in the store that first time we saw him. Today, they are using the campus of my old high school because they expect so many people.
It has been a grand ride.
Thank you, Rick. You are a rockstar.
5 Comments on Author: Rick Riordan, last added: 5/9/2009
I adore his stories! Recently put up my review on the first one and I'm going to go pick up the latest sometime soon!`
Anonymous said, on 5/7/2009 7:52:00 AM
Camille
It was great to see you last night. Hope you had as much fun as we did! And, holy cow, Becky Riordan commenting on your blog? You ARE a Rock Star Librarian!
We were there on Wednesday, and like his books Riordan does not disappoint. And this time, knowing the system, we were in the second signing group - not 241st in line.
I have written quite a bit on Rick and the Percy Jackson books over at my blog ... check it out!
See below for our signing schedule as well as a few other events we’ll be participating in:
10-10:45am at booth #604; 3-3:30pm at the Brooklyn Book Festival 
11-11:45am at booth #604
12-12:30pm at the Brooklyn Book Festival 
11:00am-12:00pm, 2:00-3:00p
3:15pm-4:00pm
3:15pm-4:00pm
1 Comments on When a Dragon Moves In to BookFest PA, a first-hand report by author Jodi Moore, last added: 7/21/2011
.jpeg?picon=3324)
.
..
I wish I could have met more Lee & Low authors and illustrators! Congratulations again on the award. I’m excited to work with you on the Diversity Baseline Survey!