Kansas SCBWI always puts together informative, fun, well-run conferences. If you write for children or want to write for children, this is the place for you!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Kansas SCBWI Conference
The Kansas chapter of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) will host its annual conference on June 22 & 23, 2007 at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. This year’s theme is Get Your DUCKS in a Row (Dialogue & description; Unique voice, plot/ideas, illustrations; Characters & conflict; Keep at it attitude; Submission readiness). Speakers include editors Rachel Orr of HarperCollins and Tanya Dean of Darby Creek, agent Michelle Andelman of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, authors Elaine Marie Alphin, Sue Alexander, Dan Schwabauer, and Richard W. Jennings, and illustrator Laura Huliska-Beith.
Kansas SCBWI always puts together informative, fun, well-run conferences. If you write for children or want to write for children, this is the place for you!
Kansas SCBWI always puts together informative, fun, well-run conferences. If you write for children or want to write for children, this is the place for you!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Kansas Authors Dinner
I had a great time Thursday at the Kansas Authors Dinner in Topeka. I met some fabulous librarians, signed a bunch of books, caught up with Kansas writers I already know and love, and met new (to me) Kansas writers, including Alice Bertels (author of a picture book biography of John Steuart Curry). Alice, it turns out, grew up in the same (very) small town my dad grew up in, and she knows many of my aunts and uncles. What are the odds? I also got a chance to talk with Stephen Johnson, an incredibly talented and successful artist and picture book illustrator I went to college with. I hadn’t seen Stephen since we graduated (umbledy-ump years ago).
Truly, an evening with librarians and writers is an evening well spent.
Programming Note: Sadly, the Conference with Authors I was scheduled to speak at next Wednesday, April 18, has been canceled. Sigh.
Truly, an evening with librarians and writers is an evening well spent.
Programming Note: Sadly, the Conference with Authors I was scheduled to speak at next Wednesday, April 18, has been canceled. Sigh.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Finally. . .
. . . I’ve updated the calendar page of my website. And man, do I have some things going on. I had no idea how busy I was. First off, as I already mentioned, I’ll be attending the Kansas Authors Dinner at the library Tri-Conference tomorrow night, Thursday, April 12, in Topeka. Then next Wednesday, April 18, I’ll be speaking on a panel and in smaller groups with fellow children’s writers Randi Hacker, Debra McArthur, and Vicki Grove at the Conference with Authors in the Kansas Union at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
I have several events scheduled for May and June, and have already begun planning some things for the fall. And it occurs to me that I am a very lucky person. I always dreamed that becoming a published writer would change my life, and it has, but in ways I never expected. Since Airball: My Life in Briefs was published, I’ve been invited to schools, bookstores, libraries, book fairs and festivals, radio programs, awards banquets, a ball (yes, really—with long glittery dresses, dancing, and everything), conferences, and the governor’s inaugural celebration, and I’ve met readers, librarians, teachers, booksellers, and the governor—all of whom I probably would never have encountered if not for my book. I am very lucky.
I have several events scheduled for May and June, and have already begun planning some things for the fall. And it occurs to me that I am a very lucky person. I always dreamed that becoming a published writer would change my life, and it has, but in ways I never expected. Since Airball: My Life in Briefs was published, I’ve been invited to schools, bookstores, libraries, book fairs and festivals, radio programs, awards banquets, a ball (yes, really—with long glittery dresses, dancing, and everything), conferences, and the governor’s inaugural celebration, and I’ve met readers, librarians, teachers, booksellers, and the governor—all of whom I probably would never have encountered if not for my book. I am very lucky.
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Undomestic Goddess
My friend Suzanne has been telling me for years that I must read Sophie Kinsella’s books, and I’ve just never gotten around to it. But earlier this month I had to make a long car trip, so I dashed into the library and checked out the audio version of Kinsella’s The Undomestic Goddess (a departure from her more well-known Shopaholic books) to entertain me on my journey. (Trust me, when you’re driving for hours. . . and hours. . . and hours along I-70 into western Kansas, you need entertainment.)
And Suzanne was right. The Undomestic Goddess was a hoot—funny and fresh, with a feisty, often clueless, but totally sympathetic main character named Samantha Sweeting. And somehow, even though a summary of the plot sounds far-fetched (high-powered London attorney makes a mistake that costs her firm and her client a fortune, runs away in a mortified daze, and, even though she can’t cook and doesn’t have the first idea about cleaning, accidentally lands a job as housekeeper at a country estate and, of course, falls for the gardener), Kinsella makes the whole thing pretty believable.
As I said, this was on CD, and although I haven’t listened to enough audio books to even pretend to be an expert, I do know that a good narrator can truly enrich a story. I recently listened to one narrator whose voice was so cloying, I could barely finish the book. This version of The Undomestic Goddess, however, is narrated by Rosalyn Landor, a British actress and true voice pro (a quick Google search tells me she’s done lots of voice work for animated TV shows and movies, including “The Incredibles”). Landor gives each character a distinct voice perfect for that individual. It’s worth listening to the CD just to hear her nasally interpretation of Trish, Samantha’s newly wealthy manor-house employer.
Ed Asner, who does the audio versions of many of Carl Hiaasen’s books, is another terrific narrator. He slips easily into each character’s voice without drawing attention to himself, and his voice has a sureness that lets you sink into the book and relax, knowing you’re in good hands. He’s so good, you forget you’re listening to somebody read. He’s so good, I’d listen to any book he narrated, no matter who the author or what the subject.
And Suzanne was right. The Undomestic Goddess was a hoot—funny and fresh, with a feisty, often clueless, but totally sympathetic main character named Samantha Sweeting. And somehow, even though a summary of the plot sounds far-fetched (high-powered London attorney makes a mistake that costs her firm and her client a fortune, runs away in a mortified daze, and, even though she can’t cook and doesn’t have the first idea about cleaning, accidentally lands a job as housekeeper at a country estate and, of course, falls for the gardener), Kinsella makes the whole thing pretty believable.
As I said, this was on CD, and although I haven’t listened to enough audio books to even pretend to be an expert, I do know that a good narrator can truly enrich a story. I recently listened to one narrator whose voice was so cloying, I could barely finish the book. This version of The Undomestic Goddess, however, is narrated by Rosalyn Landor, a British actress and true voice pro (a quick Google search tells me she’s done lots of voice work for animated TV shows and movies, including “The Incredibles”). Landor gives each character a distinct voice perfect for that individual. It’s worth listening to the CD just to hear her nasally interpretation of Trish, Samantha’s newly wealthy manor-house employer.
Ed Asner, who does the audio versions of many of Carl Hiaasen’s books, is another terrific narrator. He slips easily into each character’s voice without drawing attention to himself, and his voice has a sureness that lets you sink into the book and relax, knowing you’re in good hands. He’s so good, you forget you’re listening to somebody read. He’s so good, I’d listen to any book he narrated, no matter who the author or what the subject.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Kansas Author Dinner
Each year the Kansas Center for the Book invites Kansas authors to attend the Kansas Author Dinner at the annual library Tri-Conference (sponsored by the Kansas Library Association, the Kansas Association of School Librarians, and the Kansas Association for Educational Communications and Technology). So—yay! hooray!—on Thursday, April 12, I’ll be in Topeka, munching on barbecue with librarians from all over the state.
This will be my second Author Dinner, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a brilliant way for authors and librarians to get together, and this year it’s closer to home (last year it was in Wichita, which is a great city, but makes for a long drive), so it should be a truly enjoyable evening.
This will be my second Author Dinner, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a brilliant way for authors and librarians to get together, and this year it’s closer to home (last year it was in Wichita, which is a great city, but makes for a long drive), so it should be a truly enjoyable evening.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Another Trip to the Dental College
Three things you never want to hear your dentist say:
“I hope you brought lucky charms with you. The last two crowns I tried to put on didn’t fit. ”
“Oh, did I mention we’re out of anasthetic?”
“Well, let’s give it a shot and see how it goes.”
But today, within the first three minutes of my 11th (yes—11th; that’s not a typo) visit to the dental college to try to get my old crown replaced, my dental student uttered all three. I was also treated to this little exchange:
Dental Student: “Mrs. Harkrader has been very patient. This is the second time we’ve tried to to fit her crown.”
Faculty Dentist: “Yeah, it’s after the seventh or eighth try when the patience starts to run out.”
(Me: !!!!!!!!!!!)
Sadly, I had not thought to bring lucky charms with me, so no, the second permanent crown did not fit. So my dental student had to pack this stuff that looks like really fat dental floss up under my gums again (isn’t this how the Nazis practiced dentistry?) and take a third impression. I couldn’t even scream in frustration because my dental student and his faculty advisor both had their latex-gloved hands halfway down my throat.
At this point I’d rather they just carve me a wooden George Washington tooth and release me from the dental nightmare.
“I hope you brought lucky charms with you. The last two crowns I tried to put on didn’t fit. ”
“Oh, did I mention we’re out of anasthetic?”
“Well, let’s give it a shot and see how it goes.”
But today, within the first three minutes of my 11th (yes—11th; that’s not a typo) visit to the dental college to try to get my old crown replaced, my dental student uttered all three. I was also treated to this little exchange:
Dental Student: “Mrs. Harkrader has been very patient. This is the second time we’ve tried to to fit her crown.”
Faculty Dentist: “Yeah, it’s after the seventh or eighth try when the patience starts to run out.”
(Me: !!!!!!!!!!!)
Sadly, I had not thought to bring lucky charms with me, so no, the second permanent crown did not fit. So my dental student had to pack this stuff that looks like really fat dental floss up under my gums again (isn’t this how the Nazis practiced dentistry?) and take a third impression. I couldn’t even scream in frustration because my dental student and his faculty advisor both had their latex-gloved hands halfway down my throat.
At this point I’d rather they just carve me a wooden George Washington tooth and release me from the dental nightmare.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Speaking of Suzanne. . .
My friend Suzanne Lieurance, who started the Kansas City Writers’ Meetup I spoke at last week, is a writing coach as well as a writer. Her program is called The Working Writer’s Coach, and she has recently started a coaching program especially for children’s writers, The Writing for Children Center.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Meetup Report
I always have a great time when I’m talking about writing, and last night at the Kansas City Writers’ Meetup, despite a raging head cold and being hopped up on DayQuil, I managed to ramble on about children’s writing for a solid hour. We were a small but dedicated group of writers, and I think (I hope) I passed on some useful information.
My friend Suzanne Lieurance started this group last fall, and she’s done a great job of meeting the needs of writers with very diverse interests and skills. A big pat on the back to Suzanne.
My friend Suzanne Lieurance started this group last fall, and she’s done a great job of meeting the needs of writers with very diverse interests and skills. A big pat on the back to Suzanne.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Meeting Up
Next Tuesday, February 27, I’ll be speaking about building a career in children’s writing at the monthly Kansas City Writers’ Meetup. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Park Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park, Kansas 66214.
I love to hang out with other writers, and I love to talk about writing—especially children’s writing—so this should be a fun evening.
I love to hang out with other writers, and I love to talk about writing—especially children’s writing—so this should be a fun evening.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Letters About Literature
This year I’m honored to be one of the judges for Letters About Literature, a Kansas Center for the Book project in which students in grades 4 to 12 write letters to authors of a books that have changed their lives. As I read through the submissions, I keep thinking WOW, do these kids know how to write, or what! The letters are written to authors ranging from Dr. Seuss to Jane Austen, and they’ve had me chuckling at times and choking back tears at others.
And every single one of them has humbled me. These letters remind me just how important children’s literature is. To kids and young adults, books aren’t just entertainment; they’re companions, friends, and—very often—a beacon in a confusing and sometimes painful world.
And every single one of them has humbled me. These letters remind me just how important children’s literature is. To kids and young adults, books aren’t just entertainment; they’re companions, friends, and—very often—a beacon in a confusing and sometimes painful world.
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