A launch party… book signings… interviews… and especially storytimes: I’m having a stinkin’ good time as my skunk book makes its way into the world.
Here’s an event coming soon: Storytime and book signing at a wonderful independent bookstore in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s on August 16. Please join me there! Register online.
On September 9, I’ll be at SkunkFest! The location is North Ridgeville, Ohio. This annual event celebrating skunks is attended by some 1,500 people, many of them owners of pet skunks. The festival is a fundraiser for Skunk Haven, a skunk rescue organization. The entry fee is a donation in any amount or a needed item, such as paper towels or a natural grain cereal. I’ll be reading as kids gather at my vendor’s booth, where I’ll also be selling books.
Sniff, sniff hooray! I’m still celebrating these super-fun past events.
My local library hosted a book launch party.
I signed books at Barnes & Noble.
Here I am at Readers World in Holland, Michigan.
A summer highlight was signing books at the American Library Association’s 2023 conference in Chicago. Many thanks to book distributor Penworthy, which hosted me for the signing. Librarians stood in line to have me sign books, and it was both fun and humbling to chat with them as I wrote inscriptions.
I was interviewed for an article in the wonderful Children’s Book Insider newsletter. I’ve subscribed for years to this terrific resource for children’s authors. Imagine my surprise when they reached out with an interview request. I was happy to share my publishing journey, hoping my experience might encourage other new authors. The full article is available to subscribers. You can subscribe at the CBI website.
The best events are when I get to read my book to kids. My friend and fellow author Julia Richardson and I read and signed our books at The Hathaway Cottage here in Allegan, Michigan where I live.
After a book reading and a fun chat about skunks–especially the spotted skunk–these kids made spotted skunk masks.
The craft was designed by Molly Ippolito, who created a teaching guide and several activity packs to go with If You Wake a Skunk. (You will find some of those materials on my printables page. I’m happy to provide others if asked.) This event was one of many summer book readings sponsored by a Michigan women’s club. Lucky kids!
Here’s a photo of the completed mask:
I’d love to do more signings, readings, and events.
Please contact me if you have a group or event I can help with. I can also do longer, paid presentations at schools, libraries, museums, etc. Let’s help kids learn about skunks and why they get an undeserved bad rap!
