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I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York, on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This free, fun festival has a fantastic lineup of talented kid lit authors and illustrators. I’m honored to be among them!
Join me and many other kid lit creators at the Sullivan County Youth Book Festival on Sunday, May 19, outside the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, New York. I look forward to meeting readers and signing books!
I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at Cecil County Public Library’s Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, June 8, from 10am to 2pm. The festival takes place on the back lawn outside of the North East Branch Library in North East, Maryland. Thanks to a generous local sponsorship, every child who attends the festival will receive a free book!
I’m honored to be in conversation with one of my favorite authors, Amy Jo Burns, celebrating the launch of her gorgeous new book, Mercury—a novel about love, loyalty, long-hidden secrets, and a family of roofers in a blue-collar PA town. Join us at the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey, on Sunday, January 7, at 10:45am. More info here.
VCFA’s 2023 Writing Novels for Children & Young Adults Virtual Retreat is a weekend-long online experience offering craft instruction, industry insights, creative support and inspiration, and connection with fellow writers. On Saturday, October, 21, I will lead a master class on Who and Why and Why and Who: How character shapes plot, plot shapes character, and both of these truths shape the novel. On Sunday, October 22, I’ll be in conversation with author Tirzah Price and agent Jennifer Chen Tran during a Q&A panel session.
You do not need to be VCFA-affiliated to attend. Learn more and register here.
Join me and many other children's book creators at the Princeton Children's Book Festival at Albert E. Hinds Memorial Plaza (outside the Princeton Public Library) in Princeton, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 7 from 11am to 4pm. Book sales for the event will be provided by jaZams. I look forward to meeting readers and signing books!
Join me and many other kid lit creators at the 10th annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival in Chappaqua, New York on Saturday, September 30. I’ll be there with stickers, bookmarks, and brightly-colored pens from 10am to 4pm, eager to meet readers and sign books.
I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at the Bath Book Bash in Bath, Maine (at Library Park, outside the Patten Free Library) on Saturday, September 9, from 11am to 4pm. I’ll be there with a stack of free bookmarks and stickers, plus many other kid lit creators.
At 2pm, brave readers (and writers!) are invited to a special Spooky Storytime and Writing Workshop with author Dan Poblocki and me. Join us...if you dare!
I’m looking forward to a wide-ranging conversation with one of my favorite authors, Claire Legrand, in celebration of her new book, A Crown of Ivy and Glass—the first installment in a lush, sweeping fantasy-romance series for adults. Join us for a Bookish Brunch at the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 30, at 11am. More info here.
I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York, on Saturday, May 6, 2023. This free, fun festival has a fantastic lineup of talented kid lit authors and illustrators. I’m honored to be among them!
I look forward to being part of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2023 Mini-Con, an online event with the theme “Hope & Healing” on Saturday, April 1, 2023. In our session titled Big Emotions in Middle Grade Fiction: Three Authors Discuss Finding Hope and Healing on the Page, Karuna Riazi (A Bit of Earth), Bree Barton (Zia Erases the World), and I (Wishing Season) will discuss how stories with big emotions—including isolation, sadness, depression, and grief—can serve young readers: offering hope, healing, refuge, and recognition, and opening the door to important conversations. Conference attendees may tune in to the session live or watch the recording later. If you’re a school librarian, I’d love to see you there! Here’s where to register.
Join me and authors Chloe Gong, Candice Iloh, and Nova Ren Suma for a conversation about craft, centered on writing for young adult readers. You can attend this event in person at the UPenn Kelly Writers House (register here) or watch it via livestream (here). Free and open to the public.
February 1st is World Read Aloud Day. I look forward to visiting classrooms around the country (via Zoom and other online platforms) to share the love of story.
If your class or school would like to Zoom with me for WRAD, you can sign up for a (free!) 20-minute time slot (reading + Q&A) here. To find more authors and illustrators participating in WRAD, visit author Kate Massner’s website.
Yay, reading!
Island Readers & Writers Presents: Using Love of Story to Encourage and Empower Young Writers
In this (free!) online event for adults (especially middle-school teachers, librarians, and parents), I’ll share how, as a visiting author at schools across the country, I encourage kids to find what excites them most as readers and follow that excitement into creating stories of their own. This interactive presentation will include tips and tricks to use in your own classrooms or library programs (and in your own writing!) and time for a Q&A.
The event is free, but registration is required. Find more info and the registration link here.
Join me on Saturday, October 29, for a four-hour online writing workshop (via Zoom) called Lighting the Flame: How to Grow Your Idea into a Compelling Children's Book.
In this workshop, we’ll explore how to feed the sparks of your initial ideas and inspirations and grow them into layered, complex stories that will burn bright in the eyes of editors and the minds of young readers. We’ll discuss strategies for approaching first drafts and revisions; parse the differences among the picture book, chapter book, middle grade, and young adult markets; discuss the nuances of structuring and revising your book with its ideal reader(s) in mind; and go deep on voice and character development.
This event, hosted by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, is $75 for MWPA members and $105 for non-members. Register and find further info here. Open to writers of all experience levels.
Join me and many other children's book creators at the Princeton Children's Book Festival at Albert E. Hines Memorial Plaza (outside the Princeton Public Library) in Princeton, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 8 from 11am to 4pm. Book sales for the event will be provided by jaZams. I look forward to meeting readers and signing books!
Come say hello and get bookmarks, stickers, and signed books at the 6th annual Maplewood South Orange Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey, on Sunday, October 2.
I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at the 3rd annual Glen Rock Children’s Book Festival in Glen Rock, New Jersey. Join us on Saturday, October 1, from 11am to 3pm.
So, you want to write a children’s book: but how does one begin? Join me and fellow picture book creators Samara Cole Doyon, Alexandra Hinrichs, Lynn Plourde, Anna Crowley Redding, and Matt Tavares on Saturday, May 28 at 10am EST, for a discussion (via Zoom) about following your creative dreams and navigating the world of kid lit writing and publishing. This event, hosted by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, is free for MWPA members and $5 for non-members. Register and find further info here.
Join me and many other kid lit creators at the Sullivan County Youth Book Festival on Saturday, May 21, at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, New York. I look forward to meeting readers and signing books!
I look forward to being part of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2022 Mini-Con, an online event with the theme “Live! Laugh! Love!” on Saturday, April 2, 2022. I’ll be giving an author talk from 11:25am to 11:40am on the topic Scared Silly: Using Spooky Stories in the Classroom. Conference attendees may tune in to the session live or watch the recording later. If you’re a school librarian, I’d love to see you there!
February 2nd is World Read Aloud Day, and I look forward to spending it sharing my love of books and writing with students across the country.
If your class or school would like to Zoom with me for WRAD, you can sign up for a (free!) 20-minute time slot here. To find more authors and illustrators participating in World Read Aloud Day, visit Kate Messner’s website.
Yay for reading!
Join Mr. Limata and me for an extra-spooky online story time on Friday, October 29. I’ll read a story from Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories and we’ll discuss how I create spine-tingling tales. The event will stream on Story Time with Mr. Limata’s Facebook and YouTube pages/channels. If you’re feeling brave, come join the fun!
Join me and the Princeton Public Library for an outdoor spooky story time at 4pm on Thursday, October 28, at Hinds Plaza (outside the library) in Princeton, New Jersey. I’ll read several spine-tingling tales from Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories and talk about how to invent the kinds of stories that will scare your friends silly. This free, fun event is open to the public.
The 2020 Blue Hill Literary Arts Festival, Word, takes place online, October 21-24. I’m pleased to be leading a writing workshop on Where to Begin…And How to Continue. The workshop takes place on Saturday, October 23, from noon to 3pm.
Find the full festival schedule here. Register for my workshop here.
Join me and many other YA and children's book creators at the Warwick Children's Book Festival on Saturday, October 9, in Warwick, New York (a village in the lower Hudson Valley). I look forward to meeting readers and signing books!
I look forward to meeting readers and signing books at the Maplewood South Orange Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 26.
I’m delighted to be moderating the “Thrills, Chills & Kills” conversation with authors Erica Waters (The River Has Teeth) and Tiffany D. Jackson (White Teeth), at Princeton Children’s Book Festival’s online Book Jam on Saturday, September 25 at 12pm, brought to you by Princeton Public Library and jaZams. Find the full schedule and author lineup here.
Order books from local bookseller jaZams here. A portion of all sales will be donated to support youth programming services at the Princeton Public Library.
Join me for spooky story time at the Stonington Public Library’s (outdoor!) celebration of books and reading in Stonington, Maine on Saturday, August 21st, at 12:30pm at Small Cove Park (next to the Camden National Bank). I’ll read from Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories and talk about how to write the kinds of tales that will scare your friends silly. This free, fun event is open to the public. Snacks and beverages will be served.
If you’re feeling brave, turn the page…
Hide and Don’t Seek, my collection of all-new spooky stories for middle grade readers, is coming from Quill Tree Books (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) on August 3, 2021 in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook. It contains twenty original, contemporary short stories—some silly, some spine-tinging, some hide-under-the-covers scary—that were delightfully fun to write.
To learn more about the book, click here.
Add Hide and Don’t Seek to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.
Preorder now: Bookshop | Indiebound | Amazon | B&N | BAM | Apple Books | Indigo | Kobo | Book Depository (international) | Target | HarperCollins
Join authors Kit Frick (I Killed Zoe Spanos), Camryn Garrett (Off the Record), Maxine Kaplan (Wench), Julia Lynn Rubin (Trouble Girls), and me for a live panel and Q&A on Monday, June 21, at 7pm, brought to you by Great Neck Library and Syosset Public Library Teen Services Departments.
Register here to receive the Zoom meeting link and an email reminder.
Submit a question in advance by emailing teen@greatnecklibrary.org.
I’m excited to join Mr. Limata for a Love, Sophia on the Moon reading and conversation during Story Time with Mr. Limata on Friday, May 21, at 2pm eastern time. The event will stream live on the Story Time with Mr. Limata Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages/channels. Come join the fun!
I look forward to being part of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2021 Mini-Con, an online event with the theme “REthink, REfresh, and REboot,” on Saturday, March 13, 2021. I’ll be giving an author talk from 11:35am to 11:50am (session 8) on using love of story to encourage and empower young writers. If you’re a NJ school librarian, I’d love to see you there!
Past Events:
1/7/2024 BOOK BRUNCH WITH AMY JO BURNS (Conversation)
It was an honor to be in conversation with one of my favorite authors, Amy Jo Burns, at the launch event for her gorgeous new book, Mercury—a novel about love, loyalty, long-hidden secrets, and a family of roofers in a blue-collar PA town—at the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey. Watch a recording of the event here.
10/21/2023 WRITING NOVELS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS VIRTUAL RETREAT (Workshop/Panel)
I led a two-hour masterclass on “Who and Why and Why and Who: How character shapes plot, plot shapes character, and both of these truths shape the novel” at VCFA’s 2023 Writing Novels for Children & Young Adults Virtual Retreat, and spoke on a panel with author Tirzah Price and agent Jennifer Chen Tran.
10/7/2023 PRINCETON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I loved seeing new and familiar faces at the Princeton Children’s Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey. It was a wonderful day of meeting readers and signing books!
9/30/2023 CHAPPAQUA CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
It was a treat to be one of 180(!) kid lit creators at the 10th annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival in Chappaqua, New York—the largest children’s book festival in the country. I loved spending the day meeting readers and signing books!
9/9/2023 BATH BOOK BASH (Signing/Workshop)
I had a lovely time meeting readers and signing books at Bath Book Bash in Bath, Maine, where I also led a Spooky Storytime and Writing Workshop with my friend Dan Poblocki.
7/30/2023 BOOKISH BRUNCH WITH CLAIRE LEGRAND (Conversation)
It was an absolute joy to be in conversation with my friend Claire Legrand at Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey, at a Bookish Brunch in celebration of Claire’s new book, A Crown of Ivy and Glass—the first installment in a lush, sweeping fantasy-romance series for adults.
5/6/2023 HUDSON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
It was a pleasure meeting readers and signing books at the 12th annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York.
4/1/2023 NJASL SPRING 2023 MINI-CON (Conference/Talk)
For the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2023 Mini-Con, an online event with the theme “Hope & Healing,” I led a session titled Big Emotions in Middle Grade Fiction: Three Authors Discuss Finding Hope and Healing on the Page, in which Karuna Riazi (A Bit of Earth), Bree Barton (Zia Erases the World), and I (Wishing Season) discussed how stories with big emotions—including isolation, sadness, depression, and grief—can serve young readers: offering hope, healing, refuge, and recognition, and opening the door to important conversations. Thanks to all who attended!
3/29/2023 YA AUTHORS IN CONVERSATION ABOUT CRAFT (Panel)
It was an honor talking about the craft of writing for young adult readers with authors Chloe Gong, Candice Iloh, and Nova Ren Suma at the UPenn Kelly Writers House in Philadelphia, PA. If you missed it live, you can watch a recording of the conversation here.
2/1/2023 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Tato and I celebrated World Read Aloud Day by visiting ten different schools (via Zoom!) from Maine to Minnesota to California to Indonesia, to share our love of reading and writing.
11/10/2022 USING LOVE OF STORY TO ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER YOUNG WRITERS (Talk)
In this online event hosted by Island Readers & Writers, I spoke with teachers and librarians about how, as a visiting author at schools across the country, I encourage kids to find what excites them most as readers and follow that excitement into creating stories of their own.
10/29/2022 LIGHTING THE FLAME (Workshop)
It was a pleasure leading a four-hour online workshop called Lighting the Flame: How to Grow Your Idea into a Compelling Children's Book, hosted by Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance.
10/8/2022 PRINCETON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I loved meeting readers and signing books at the Princeton Children's Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey.
10/2/2022 MAPSO BOOK FEST (Signing)
Even rain couldn’t dampen our spirits at the Maplewood South Orange Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey.
10/1/2022 GLEN ROCK CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
It was a thrill to meet so many spooky story fans at the 3rd annual Glen Rock Children’s Book Festival in Glen Rock, New Jersey.
5/28/2022 SO, YOU WANT TO BE A CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER? (Panel)
It was a pleasure discussing the craft and business of kid lit with fellow picture book creators Samara Cole Doyon, Lynn Plourde, Anna Crowley Redding, and Matt Tavares during an online panel hosted by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance.
5/21/2022 SULLIVAN COUNTY YOUTH BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I had a lovely time meeting readers and signing books at the Sullivan County Youth Book Festival at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, New York.
4/2/2022 NJASL SPRING 2022 MINI-CON (Conference/Talk)
I gave a talk on the topic Scared Silly: Using Spooky Stories in the Classroom at the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2022 Mini-Con. Thanks to all who attended my session!
3/23/2022 GERSH TALKS #2 (Conversation)
I enjoyed talking with Greg Gershowitz of Gershowitz Literacy Associates about writing, reading, and Social Emotional Learning. Watch a video of our conversation here.
2/2/2022 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Tato and I Zoomed with more than 700 students at eleven schools New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Iowa, and California for World Read Aloud Day. I read scary stories and silly picture books, and enjoyed answering the students’ great questions.
10/29/2021 SPOOKY STORY TIME WITH MR. LIMATA (Reading/Conversation)
I joined the always wonderful Mr. Limata for an extra-spooky online story time, for which I read “Hide and Don’t Seek” from Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories. If you’re feeling brave, watch the replay here.
10/28/2021 SPOOKY STORIES WITH PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Reading)
It was a perfect day for an outdoor spooky story time on Hinds Plaza in Princeton, NJ. I read several spine-tingling tales from Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories, and some talented kid readers helped stage a dramatic group reading of two of the tales.
10/23/2001 WORD. BLUE HILL LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL (Workshop)
I was delighted to teach a 3-hour online writing workshop for adults called “Where to Begin…And How to Continue” as part of the 2021 Blue Hill Literary Arts Festival, Word. The festival also sent me into two local schools to talk about my creative process with some terrific Maine high school students.
10/9/2021 WARWICK CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
It was a treat meeting readers and signing books outside at the Warwick Children's Book Festival in Warwick, New York.
9/26/2021 MAPSO BOOK FEST (Signing)
I enjoyed meeting readers and signing books at the fifth annual Maplewood South Orange Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey.
9/25/2021 PRINCETON BOOK JAM (Panel)
I loved talking with authors Erica Waters (The River Has Teeth) and Tiffany D. Jackson (White Teeth) on the Thrills, Chills & Kills panel at Princeton Children’s Book Festival’s online Book Jam, sponsored by Princeton Public Library and jaZams. Watch a replay of the conversation here.
8/21/2021 STONINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING CELEBRATION (Reading/Signing)
It was a thrill to read spooky stories and sign copies of Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories at the Stonington Public Library’s (outdoor!) celebration of books and reading at Small Cove Park in Stonington, Maine.
6/29/2021 READING OUT PROUD (Panel)
I was pleased to join co-authors Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson for a conversation about their YA novel When You Get the Chance and Robin’s picture book Pride Puppy, as part of Princeton Public Library’s Pride Month celebrations.
6/21/2021 SUMMER KICKOFF AUTHOR EXTRAVAGANZA (Panel)
Authors Kit Frick (I Killed Zoe Spanos), Camryn Garrett (Off the Record), Maxine Kaplan (Wench), Julia Lynn Rubin (Trouble Girls), and I helped launch the summer reading programs at Great Neck Library and Syosset Public Library with an online panel and Q&A session.
5/21/2021 STORY TIME WITH MR. LIMATA (Reading/Conversation)
I had a delightful time talking with Mr. Limata about my creative process and seeing him read Love, Sophia on the Moon on Story Time with Mr. Limata. You can watch a replay of the event here.
3/13/2021 NJASL SPRING 2021 MINI-CON (Conference/Talk)
For the New Jersey Association of School Librarians’ Spring 2021 Mini-Con, an online event with the theme “REthink, REfresh, and REboot,” I gave an author talk on Using Love of Story to Encourage and Empower Young Writers. Thanks to all who attended my session!
11/12/2020 WRITERS ON WRITING: A CONVERSATION ABOUT CRAFT (Panel)
I had a wonderful time talking shop with authors Claire Legrand (Lightbringer) and Dana L. Davis (The Voice in My Head) for our panel on the craft of writing and revising, hosted by Labyrinth Books in Princeton, NJ. Watch a video of the online event here.
10/24/2020 WORD. BLUE HILL LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL (Workshop)
I was pleased to teach a two-hour workshop on writing compelling middle grade and young adult fiction, as part of Word. Blue Hill Literary Arts Festival, which took place online.
9/12/2020 BOOK JAM 2020 (Panel)
It was a treat talking about writing realistic YA fiction and Nobody Knows But You on the Keeping It Real! panel with authors Anna Birch (I Kissed Alice), Lamar Giles (Not So Pure and Simple), and Megan McCafferty (The Mall) during the first ever online Book Jam sponsored by Princeton Public Library and jaZams. Watch a video of the event here.
5/12/2020 THE FASCINATORS LAUNCH EVENT (Panel)
I was honored to join Andrew Eliopulos, David Levithan, Preeti Chhibber, and Will Walton for an online celebration of Andrew’s magical YA debut, The Fascinators. Watch a video of the event here.
4/15/2020 AUTHORS IN CONVERSATION LIVESTREAM EVENT (Panel/Q&A)
It was a pleasure discussing writing, publishing, and process—and the importance of creative friendships—with Amy Jo Burns, author of the memoir Cinderland and the novel Shiner, in a livestream online event hosted by Princeton Public Library and Labyrinth Books. Watch a video of the event here.
2/5/2020 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Rooga and I Skyped with ten schools around the country for World Read Aloud Day. We enjoyed sharing the love of stories and answering the students’ great questions.
11/22/2019 2019 NCTE ANNUAL CONVENTION (Panel/Signing)
I enjoyed meeting educators and talking about “Sticky and Silly: Re-Readable Picture Books for Joyful Classroom Communities” as part of the Cultures of Reading roundtable session at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.
10/12/2019 WARWICK CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I had a great time meeting readers and signing books at the Warwick Children's Book Festival in Warwick, New York.
9/14/2019 PRINCETON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
Hundreds of book lovers gathered at the 14th annual Princeton Children's Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey. I enjoyed meeting readers and signing copies of Watch Out for Wolf!, The Teacher's Pet, Always Forever Maybe, and the Anna, Banana chapter books.
8/3/2019 WATCH OUT FOR WOLF! STORY TIME AT STONINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Reading/Signing)
This little piggy had a wonderful time reading The Teacher’s Pet and Watch Out for Wolf! at a special story time (with snacks and crafts!) at the Stonington Public Library in Stonington, Maine.
6/8/2019 MAPLEWOOD SOUTH ORANGE BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I enjoyed meeting readers and signing books at the third annual MAPSO Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey.
5/15/2019 DORCAS LIBRARY AUTHOR TALK (Presentation/Signing)
It was a chilly evening in Prospect Harbor, Maine, but I got to sit by the fireplace at Dorcas Library and talk about the secrets of my writing process. This event was made possible by Island Readers & Writers, a nonprofit organization that brings authors and illustrators into coastal Maine elementary schools to share the love of books and reading.
5/4/2019 SHREVE MEMORIAL LIBRARY CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Presentation/Signing)
I had a great time meeting young readers, signing books, and leading a fun storytelling game at the second annual Shreve Memorial Library Children’s Book Festival in Shreveport, Louisiana.
4/30/2019 CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK STORY TIME AT PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Reading/Signing)
For the centennial celebration of Children’s Book Week, I read my picture books Watch Out for Wolf! and The Teacher’s Pet during a special story time at the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey.
4/27/2019 SOKY BOOK FEST (Panel/Signing)
It was a treat talking about books and meeting readers at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I spoke on the panel Writing IRL with YA authors David Arnold, Ingrid Palmer, Courtney Stevens, and Lillie Vale, and on a picture book panel with authors Bea Birdsong, Wendy BooydeGraaff, Monique Fields, Diana Murray, and Shauna LaVoy Reynolds.
3/29/2019 2019 AWP CONFERENCE (Panel/Q&A)
I was pleased to speak about Writing What We Know: Mining Personal Experience in YA Fiction on a panel with authors Amy Reed, Lilliam Rivera, Shaun David Hutchinson, and Ryan Douglass, at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs' annual conference in Portland, Oregon.
2/21/2019 FIRE & TIME TOUR AT B&N PRINCETON (Panel/Signing)
Authors Sara Holland (Everless), Laura Sebastian (Ash Princess), and I discussed world building, writing habits, intense female friendships, tropes embraced or avoided, surprises in drafting, what we read while we’re writing, and more, on the Princeton stop of their Fire & Time Tour at Barnes & Noble Princeton/Market Fair.
2/1/2019 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Arugula and I had a great time sharing our love of books and reading with ten schools around the country on World Read Aloud Day. (If you're interested in having me Skype with your school or library someday, I would be delighted to do so. Please see the School & Skype Visits page for more information, and be in touch!)
12/5/2018 TEEN AUTHOR READING NIGHT (Reading/Panel)
It was a treat sharing a stage with authors Zoraida Córdova (Bruja Born), Mia Garcia (The Resolutions), Sarah Beth Durst (Fire and Heist), Amy McNamara (A Flicker in the Clarity), Natasha Sinel (Soulstruck), Jessica Blank (Legacy), and moderator David Levithan (Every Day) for Teen Author Reading Night at the Jefferson Market Branch of the New York Public Library in New York, New York. I read from and talked about Always Forever Maybe.
11/18/2018 MIAMI BOOK FAIR (Panel/Signing)
It was an honor being part of the amazing author lineup at the Miami Book Fair in Miami, Florida, and speaking about toxic relationships and traumatic events in YA on the My Body Is My Own: YA Women Fight Back panel with Jenny Torres Sanchez (The Fall of Innocence), Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday’s Not Coming), and Natasha Ngan (Girls Made of Paper and Fire).
10/27/2018 BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN’S GHOULS & GOURDS FESTIVAL (Reading/Signing)
I was ghoulishly delighted to be part of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's annual Ghouls & Gourds Festival in Brooklyn, New York. I did a reading of The Teacher’s Pet and signed copies of The Teacher’s Pet, Always Forever Maybe, and Anna, Banana, and the Sleepover Secret, while hanging out with costumed attendees and other authors and illustrators at the festival’s Author Avenue.
10/23/2018 WRITERS ON WRITING: CRAFT, CHARACTER, AND REVISIONS (Panel/Signing)
Authors Claire Legrand (Sawkill Girls), Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday's Not Coming), Nova Ren Suma (A Room Away from the Wolves), and I gathered at Labyrinth Books in Princeton, New Jersey, for a conversation about craft and process. We discussed our best (and worst) techniques for writing and revising, lessons pulled from working with an editor, how plot shapes character and character shapes plot, and more.
10/21/2018 ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOPS YA FANDOM FRENZY (Panel/Signing)
A teens-and-authors-only day of panels, YA trivia games, and more, hosted by Anderson’s Bookshops in Aurora, Illinois.
10/20/2018 ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOPS YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE CONFERENCE (Panel/Signing)
I was pleased to spend the day talking about books and writing with librarians, educators, and fellow book lovers at the Anderson’s Bookshops YA Literature Conference in Naperville, Illinois.
10/6/2018 WARWICK CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I enjoyed connecting with readers of all ages at the Warwick Children's Book Festival in Warwick, New York, where I signed copies of Always Forever Maybe, The Teacher's Pet, and the Anna, Banana books.
9/22/2018 PRINCETON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I had a great time talking with kid and teen readers at the 13th annual Princeton Children’s Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey, where I signed copies of Always Forever Maybe, The Teacher’s Pet, and the Anna, Banana books.
9/1/2018 DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL (Panel/Signing)
I spoke about Always Forever Maybe and writing about obsessive love on the YA Stage at the Decatur Book Festival on the panel If It Ain't Love with authors Alexa Donne, Nisha Sharma, and Julian Winters (moderated by Terra Elan McVoy). I also got to moderate two conversations on the Children's Stage: the Who Am I? panel with middle-grade authors Pablo Cartaya, Henry Lien, and Stacy McAnulty, and the You Go, Girl! panel with picture-book creators Tom Angleberger, Ebony Glenn, and Shanda McCloskey.
7/28/2018 WRITERS SYMPOSIUM AT TRURO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Panel/Signing)
YA and middle-grade authors (and editors!) David Levithan, Billy Merrell, Nick Eliopulos, Zack Loran Clark, Andrew Harwell, and I talked about writing, revisions, and the editorial process at the Truro Public Library in North Truro, Massachusetts.
7/11/2018 BOOK TALK AND SIGNING AT CHASE EMERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Presentation/Signing)
It was a treat talking about my writing and revision process and reading from Always Forever Maybe and The Teacher's Pet with an all-ages audience at Chase Emerson Memorial Library in Deer Isle, Maine.
6/30/2018 TEEN BOOK BASH AT PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Panel/Signing)
I had a blast at Princeton Public Library's Teen Book Bash in Princeton, New Jersey, where I spoke about Always Forever Maybe on a panel with authors Claire Legrand, Emily X.R. Pan, Nisha Sharma, Cordelia Jensen, and Laurie Morrison, moderated by Megan McCafferty. After the panel, there was an after-hour pizza party for teens and authors, at which my team, Team Jalenj, won the book trivia contest, right before a rousing game of Sardines.
6/11/2018 ALWAYS FOREVER MAYBE NYC RELEASE PARTY AT MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS (Reading/Signing)
I was blown away by all the love from all the friends who came to McNally Jackson Books in Soho to celebrate the release of my YA debut, Always Forever Maybe. I talked about the book's origins, read chapter seven, answered some fantastic audience questions, and delighted in sharing cupcakes, prosecco, and cheese with all who came (and signing books!).
6/7/2018 EPIC READS SUMMER MEET-UP TOUR AT ASTORIA BOOKSHOP (Panel/Signing)
For the last stop on the Epic Reads Summer Meet-Up Tour, authors Justina Ireland (Dread Nation), Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday's Not Coming), Robyn Schneider (Invisible Ghosts), Joelle Charbonneau (Eden Conquered), and I talked with readers at Astoria Bookshop in Astoria, New York, about the best and worst parts of our writing and revision processes, how to know when a draft is done, and our funniest bad reviews.
6/6/2018 EPIC READS SUMMER MEET-UP TOUR AT B&N OXFORD VALLEY (Panel/Signing)
I had a fabulous time meeting readers at the Epic Reads Summer Meet-Up Tour stop at B&N Oxford Valley in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, and talking with authors Justina Ireland (Dread Nation), Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday's Not Coming), Robyn Schneider (Invisible Ghosts), and Joelle Charbonneau (Eden Conquered) about dead bodies in the basement, the pros and cons of being followed around by a personal portable toilet, and the details of our writing processes.
6/5/2018 EPIC READS SUMMER MEET-UP TOUR AT EAST CITY BOOKSHOP (Presentation/Signing)
I was thrilled to launch Always Forever Maybe at at East City Bookshop in Washington, D.C., on the first Epic Reads Summer Meet-Up Tour stop with authors Justina Ireland (Dread Nation), Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday's Not Coming), Robyn Schneider (Invisible Ghosts), and Joelle Charbonneau (Eden Conquered). We had a terrific time meeting readers and talking about books and writing.
4/27/2018 THE TEACHER'S PET STORY TIME AT COTSEN CHILDREN'S LIBRARY (Reading)
The Teacher's Pet Tiger Tales story time at Princeton University's Cotsen Children's Library in Princeton, New Jersey, featured a reading followed by a hands-on craft project for kids.
3/8/2018 2018 AWP CONFERENCE (Panel/Q&A)
I had a great time at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs's annual conference in Tampa, where I spoke about Always Forever Maybe and more on two panels: (A)Dressing the Wound: Writing the Traumatic Event with Truth and Sensitivity with authors Bree Barton, Amy Reed, Ryan Douglass, and Terry J. Benton; and From Best Friends Forever to Toxic Bonds: Digging Deep into Complex Female Friendships in Young Adult Literature with authors Amy Reed, Marcy Beller Paul, Sarah Nicole Smetana, and Kit Frick.
2/1/2018 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Arugula and I had fun spending World Read Aloud Day Skyping with students in ten classrooms from Maine to Hawaii and spots in between. (If you're interested in having me Skype with your school or library, I would be delighted to do so. Please see the School & Skype Visits page for more information, and be in touch!)
10/28/2017 BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN'S GHOULS & GOURDS FESTIVAL (Reading/Signing)
I got to debut my Mr. Stricter outfit while reading The Teacher's Pet to some creatively costumed book lovers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's annual Ghouls & Gourds Festival in Brooklyn, New York.
9/23/2017 PRINCETON CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I was delighted to spend the day signing and talking about books at the 12th annual Princeton Children's Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey, surrounded by more than 80 other children's book creators—and lots and lots of readers!
9/22/2017 THE TEACHER'S PET LIVE READING WITH WEARETEACHERS (Reading)
I was pleased to do a special back-to-school live reading of The Teacher's Pet on the WeAreTeachers Facebook page. The video is available for viewing here.
9/16/2017 BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICTURE BOOK BONANZA AT BOOKS OF WONDER (Reading/Signing)
The Teacher's Pet illustrator Zachariah OHora and I were pleased to join authors and illustrators Kate McMullan and Jim McMullan (I'm Smart), Tara Lazar and Ross MacDonald (7 Ate 9), Molly Idle (Zombelina), and Sarah Beth Durst (Roar and Sparkles Go to School) for an afternoon of stories and fun at the Back-to-School Picture Book Bonanza at Books of Wonder in New York City.
9/16/2017 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL CHILDREN'S DAY (Reading/Signing)
I had a lot of fun reading The Teacher's Pet and inventing silly new characters with the kids in the audience at the Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day in Brooklyn, New York.
9/10/2017 THE TEACHER'S PET STORY TIME AT COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE (Reading/Signing)
I was thrilled to read The Teacher's Pet to friends big and small at Community Bookstore in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which was my beloved neighborhood book shop for more than thirteen years.
9/2/2017 DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL (Panel/Signing)
I had a great time talking about picture books and pets with Philip C. Stead, Matthew Cordell, and moderator Laurel Snyder on the Go for the Goldfish panel at the Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia. I also got to moderate three terrific panels featuring Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham, Victoria Jamieson, Gwenda Bond, Christopher Rowe, Deron Hicks, Kate Milford, Peter H. Reynolds, and Judy Schachner.
7/29/2017 THE TEACHER'S PET STORY TIME AT THE BLUE HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY (Reading/Signing)
Mr. Stricter, Bruno, and I visited the Blue Hill Public Library in Blue Hill, Maine for a morning of stories, drawings, and pets. At the end of The Teacher's Pet story time, we got to release the library's just-hatched butterflies into the wild! (Don't worry, Mr. Stricter wasn't allowed to keep one.)
7/22/2017 THE TEACHER'S PET STORY TIME AT THE STONINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Reading/Signing)
I had the best time making hippo faces, drawing class pets, eating cupcakes and watermelon, and reading The Teacher's Pet with friends old and new at the Stonington Public Library in Stonington, Maine (which supplied me with many wonderful books when I was a kid!).
7/11/2017 NERDCAMP JUNIOR (Workshop)
I had a great time sharing the secrets of my writing process and making up new stories together with the creative young readers and writers at Nerd Camp Jr. in Parma, Michigan.
7/10/2017 NERDCAMP MICHIGAN (Conference/Talk)
I was thrilled to join the fun at nErDcampMI, an education conference—and (un)conference—with a focus on literacy and learning in Parma, Michigan. As one of more than 50 authors and illustrators on the Nerd Camp faculty, I co-led a session with Erin Soderberg Downing (author of Moon Shadow, the Puppy Pirates series, and more) on "Building and Creating Stories Together: Applying Lessons from the Author-Editor Relationship to the Classroom."
5/20/2017 NERDCAMP NEW JERSEY (Panel/Workshop/Signing)
I was pleased to join my fellow book nerds at nErD Camp NJ, a literacy-focused EdCamp "un-conference" and free event for educators, authors, and illustrators, held in Chatham, New Jersey. I spoke on two panels, "Helping Students Develop Great Characters in Fiction" and "Building Empathy and Deepening Relationships with Students through Literature," and co-led a workshop with authors Lauren Magaziner and Rebecca Behrens on "Ideas and Inspiration: Tricks and Tips to Get Students Writing."
2/16/2017 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Reading/Q&A)
Anna, Banana, (and Arugula!) and I were pleased to spend World Read Aloud Day Skyping with students in classrooms from New Jersey to Hawaii, and spots in between. (If you're interested in having me Skype with your school or library, I would be delighted to do so. Please visit the School Visits page for more information, and be in touch!)
9/24/2016 PRINCETON CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL (Signing)
I was delighted to join more than 80 other children's book authors and illustrators—and lots and lots of readers!—at the 11th annual Princeton Children's Book Festival in Princeton, New Jersey.
9/4/2016 DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL (Panel/Signing)
Anna, Banana, and I loved returning to the AJC Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia, where I spoke on the panel Squad Goals: Friendship! with authors Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson, moderated by Elizabeth Lenhard. I also moderated the BeTWEEN panel, featuring authors Jason Reynolds, Kate Milford, and Terra Elan McVoy.
8/13/2016 ANNA, BANANA STORY TIME AT THE PERIWINKLE (Reading/Signing)
I had a great time reading and coloring with friends old and new at the Periwinkle gift shop in Deer Isle, Maine.
7/14/2016 MOUNT VERNON PARK ASSOCIATION AUTHOR EVENT (Reading/Signing)
Anna, Banana, and I enjoyed a fun afternoon of meeting young readers (and swimming!) at the Mount Vernon Park Association in Alexandria, Virginia.
4/9/2016 CAPE AUTHORFEST 2016 (Signing)
Anna, Banana, and I were pleased to join the many authors, illustrators, and book-lovers at Cape AuthorFest 2016, a book fair and celebration of literacy in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
4/7/2016 THOMAS MEMORIAL LIBRARY EVENT (Reading/Workshop)
I spent a fun afternoon at Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, talking with young readers about books and writing, and making up new stories together.
1/30/2016 ANNA, BANANA AND LOUISE TRAPEZE CIRCUS-PARADE STORYTIME EXTRAVAGANZA (Reading/Party)
Author Micol Ostow and I paired up for a double-the-fun celebration of our new releases, Anna, Banana, and the Puppy Parade and Louise Trapeze Did NOT Lose the Juggling Chickens, at McNally Jackson Books in New York City. Crafts! Cookies! Books! Fun!
1/15/2016 NERDY AUTHOR NIGHT (Signing)
I had a great time meeting educators, fellow authors, and lots of kid readers at nErDcamp Northern New England's fabulous Nerdy Evening with Authors and Illustrators in Falmouth, Maine.
11/7/2015 NERDCAMP LONG ISLAND (Panel/Signing)
I joined my fellow book nerds at the first annual nErD Camp Long Island, a literacy "un-conference" held in Roslyn Heights, New York, where, in addition to attending several terrific sessions, I spoke on a panel about breaking into publishing and co-led a session on revision tips and techniques with author Corey Ann Haydu.
10/17/2015 RUTGERS ONE-ON-ONE PLUS CONFERENCE (Conference/Talk)
I served as an author mentor at the Rutgers One-on-One Plus writers' conference in New Brunswick, New Jersey, sponsored by the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature, and got to spend the day talking about writing and publishing.
9/19/2015 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL (Panel/Signing)
I was delighted to be part of the Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day in Brooklyn, New York, where I moderated the What a Character! panel featuring authors Abby Hanlon (Dory Fantasmagory), Lenore Look (Alvin Ho and Ruby Lu), and Jon Scieszka (Frank Einstein).
9/5/2015 DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL (Panel/Signing)
Anna, Banana, and I had a terrific time at the 10th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia, where I was on the Best Friends Forever panel with authors Terra Elan McVoy (Drive Me Crazy) and Abby Hanlon (Dory Fantastmagory), moderated by Tui T. Sutherland (Wings of Fire).
8/15/2015 STONINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT (Reading/Workshop)
I read from Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split, talked about my path to becoming an author, and led kids (and adults!) in a storytelling game at the Stonington Public Library in Stonington, Maine.
5/9/2015 ANNA, BANANA RELEASE PARTY AT BOOKCOURT (Reading/Party)
Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split got a hometown celebration with a reading and party at BookCourt in Brooklyn, New York.
5/3/2015 ANNA, BANANA RELEASE PARTY AT HOORAY FOR BOOKS! (Reading/Party)
I celebrated the release of Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split with a reading and party at Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Virginia.
5/1/2015 BEST FRIENDS BOOK PARTY AT LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES (Reading/Party)
Author Terra Elan McVoy and I celebrated the release of our two friendship-themed books for young readers, Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split and Drive Me Crazy, with a reading and party at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia.
4/25/2015 NEWBURYPORT LITERARY FESTIVAL (Reading/Workshop)
I read from Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split, talked about my path to becoming an author, and led kids in a writing and storytelling game at the 10th annual Newburyport Literary Festival in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
4/17/2015 WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SPRING WRITER'S CONFERENCE (Conference/Talk)
I led a workshop on manuscript revision strategies and techniques at the Annual Spring Writer's Conference hosted by the Department of English at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.
10/18/2014 RUTGERS ONE-ON-ONE PLUS CONFERENCE (Conference/Talk)
I was a mentor at the 45th Rutgers One-on-One Plus writers' conference in New Brunswick, New Jersey, sponsored by the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature.
9/16/2014 YPG BROWN BAG LUNCH PANEL (Conference/Talk)
I was a panelist at the Young to Publishing Group's September Brown Bag Lunch event in New York City, discussing my experiences working with teenage authors.
3/12/2014 THE STORY COLLIDER: MENTAL HEALTH (Storytelling)
The Story Collider joined with Be Brainy NYC and the Dana Foundation's Brain Awareness Week for an evening of stories about people's minds. I told a true story about playground games, Post-its, and what I learned while editing Corey Ann Haydu's OCD Love Story. At Littlefield Performance + Art Space in Brooklyn, New York.
2/22/2014 SCBWI WINTER CONFERENCE (Conference/Talk)
I gave two talks at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' fifteenth annual Winter Conference in New York City. The topic of both talks was Seven Essentials of Writing Contemporary Realistic Fiction.
2/15/2014 THE GNAT X: X (Storytelling)
I told a true story about kisses, variables, and control, live onstage at The Gnat, a storytelling event in New York City. The theme of the night was X.
4/13/2013 THE GNAT VII: HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL (Storytelling)
I told a true story about some unexpected obstacles on the path to love, live onstage at The Gnat, a storytelling event in New York City. The theme of the night was Hope Springs Eternal.
2/22/2013 THE STORY COLLIDER: BEHIND THE SCENES (Storytelling)
I told a true story about fake science, popularity, and hair, live onstage at a Story Collider event at Union Hall in Brooklyn, New York. The theme of the night was Behind the Scenes. Click here to listen to my story, Confessions of a Fourth Grade Science Fraud.
10/6/2012 THE GNAT V: UNDERGROUND (Storytelling)
I revealed the secrets of The Do Bad Things Club at The Gnat, a storytelling event in New York City. The theme of the night was Underground. Click here to listen to the tale.
Now booking virtual and in-person AUTHOR VISITS for 2024 and 2025. For more information, please see the school visits page.
