Monday, December 1, 2008

STS JOHN AND PAUL SCHOOL





I had a wonderful day at Sts. John and Paul high school and elementary school last Monday, November 24th. Stephen Robison and Brittany DiMare, the high school president and vice-president (above) were my guides and assistants. They were a lot of help and are two very mature leaders. I met honors society students from SJP and also Geneva and Lakeside. I hope all your exciting dreams come true.
I don't have any speaking plans the next few weeks before Christmas, but the book is still selling well. It is still on-line, at the restaurant, at Ashtabula Giant Eagle and bookstores everywhere. If your bookstore doesn't have it - they sold out and can order it! Contact me if you have any problems procurring it.
What's next? Well right after Christmas I am going to Sicily with my family for six weeks. We will spend time with family and hopefully I will get close to finishing that sequel!! In March I have many engagements - The Kent State English Festival, a conference for Madison Middle School Girls, and an appearance at Eastlake Library.
Happy Holidays!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

NATIONAL BEST BOOK AWARD FINALIST!!!!

I was happy to open my e-mail Monday and find out - surprise - I was a finalist for an award in children's fiction! This is a national award which gives out prizes to all the big houses like Hyperion and Simon and Schuster, so to be a finalist coming from Fava Press really excites me. I just wanted to share the good news with you all!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

KINGSVILLE ELEMENTARY










The students at Kingsville Elementary in Kingsville were great! Everyone had great questions and some even got up and danced to the Kingsville Elementary World Music Bands. Thank you, Kelley Louden for helping to set up the event.



PLYMOUTH ELEMENTARY READING NIGHT











As you can see, we had a lot of fun at Plymouth Elementary Wednesday night. I met some very dedicated teachers, students, parents and educators. Thank you for inviting me!

MADISON WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB


Last Monday I was able to speak to some very interesting ladies at Gale's Coffee Corner where I wrote the bulk of The DragonFly Keeper. Thank you Carolyn Malin for inviting me! And thank you Candy for my Green Tea and macaroons!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

JOSEPH BETH LAST TUESDAY






Local author night was a success. I had a lot of fun with poet Dennis Stanfield and Cleveland mayor candidate Kimberly Faith Brown. Being Rosh Hoshana, the crowds were thin in this Jewish neighborhood, but all the seats were filled and the standing area as well. Next week I will be speaking to the MADISON WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB at GALE'S COFFEE CORNER in Geneva at 10 am on Monday the 13th. Then on Wednesday, the 15th, I will be appearing at PLYMOUTH ELEMENTARY's READING NIGHT from 6-8pm. Finally, on Monday the 20th, I will be at KINGSVILLE ELEMENTARY speaking to the students all morning. Happy Reading!

Monday, September 29, 2008

JOSEPH BETH BOOKSELLERS 9-30


Hello world,


September is coming to a close, and what better way to close it then by doing a local author signing at JOSEPH BETH BOOKSELLERS in LEGACY VILLAGE at 7 pm on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th. (Yes, the caps are to get your wandering attention to focus on details.) If anyone happens to be out in that area, I'm excited about this signing. After all, the protagonists of THE DRAGONFLY KEEPER, Manuela and Silvia, are GOING TO BE THERE! Yes, for those of you who didn't know it, I based (loosely) the main characters of my novel on my two nieces who are now 14 and 17. Hope to see you there. Maybe they will sign your copy!


Tanya

Monday, September 8, 2008

SCBWI CONFERENCE






This past weekend, September 5th and 6th, I was able to attend the Northern Ohio Society for Children's Books Writers and Illustrators 2208 Conference in Cleveland. As always, it was great to see so many writers and concentrate only on the craft. I saw my friends Kim and Charlie (above) and Jodi (with camera). Jean Daigneau, the chair, was a energetic organizer. Regina Brooks, president of the Serendipity Literary Agency of New York, gave a wonderful address on Saturday which made me immediately wish she were my agent. Above are pictured the three speakers, Amy Lennex of Sleeping Bear Press, Regina Brooks, and Kritin Daly of HarperCollins. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Now its back to dirty socks and maccaroni and cheese!

ABWA OF ASHTABULA


Ok, Ok, it's september, I know. But school started, you know. Anyway, on Thursday, August 14th I had the opportunity to speak at the Ashtabula Women's Business Association. Everyone was very excited about the book and supportive of its promotion. Thank you, ladies!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

GENEVA LIBRARY JULY 31ST

It was great to see one of my great fans, Jennifer Pruden, at the Geneva Library signing. She sends me e-mails that keep my going! This was a fun day (including Jungle Terry and his tarantulas). Thank you to Tina and Mary and all the librarians for their help in getting this set up.

PERRY LIBRARY JULY 1ST



I want to thank everyone at Perry Library for making my visit so enjoyable. I was greeted by a great group of kids and very enthusiastic librarians! Summer has been beyond busy. The restaurant, the book appearances and, of course the three little whirlwinds, so look forward to more frequent posts in the fall!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

THE LEARNED OWL IN HUDSON






This past Friday night, June 27th, I signed copies of The DragonFly Keeper at Hudson's quaint and wonderful little bookshop, The Learned Owl. Mary and Adam even made us lemonade. As you can see above, I met many interesting people (and even had to avoid the paparazzi). OK, the paparazzi was really my good friend Kate Reynolds.

AMERICAN BUSINES WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

On June 18th, my friend Charlotte Brafford invited me to speak at the Geneva chapter of the American Business Women's Association. What a great reception I had! All of these women were eager to hear my story and share the book with family and friends. Thank you for your support ladies!

Monday, June 16, 2008

HOLLY BLACK'S LETTER

O.K, so the author of The Spiderwick Chronicles actually responded to me with a handwritten note of thanks and encouragement! I sent off a book as a gift back in March, not really expecting anything. She seems like a really hilarious and refreshing person, and I hope she does actually read my book and love it. Then, in my craziest imaginings, she will introduce me to an agent who will get me an awesome 6-figure international deal. Hey, someone's dreams have to come true.


Sunday, June 8, 2008

CONNEAUT STOCK CLUB AND WESTLAKE BORDERS


On June 3rd, I was welcomed by Conneaut's stock club at the Conneaut Library. Look at all my new readers! And good luck Stella on the baby due this week. (Can you even tell who is pregnant? She looks that good).
Yesterday, June 7th I ventured back to CrockerPark in Westlake to do a signing at the Borders there. It was a great success. Thanks Mark and Milo.
Well, I'm working on closing in on 1,000 books everyone! I'll let you know when I hit the mark. My next signing will be June 27th from 7-8 at The Learned Owl in Hudson. I'll see you there!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

VILLA AT THE LAKE IN CONNEAUT


I have to say I was welcomed with open arms by Sue and Julie when I was in Conneaut for a signing on Saturday May 24th. While the residents (it's an assisted living home) ditched me for Bingo, I had a great time talking with people who came in and bought the book knowing I would be there. Thank you to Julie Germovsek and her mother Sue for all the great chat while sipping lemonade and eating crudities.



My next public appearance will be at the Borders at CrockerPark in Westlake on Saturday, June 7th from 1-3pm. I encourage anyone on that side of the big city to come by and say hello. Maybe some of the Harrison Elementary kids in Lakewood might stop by?? Happy Reading everyone!