News and Calendar
So thrilled that STRETCH TO THE SUN received a silver Eureka! Award for Outstanding Nonfiction from the California Reading Association.
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![]() Many thank yous to the Michigan Reading Association Board for honoring me with their Gwen Frostic Award. To learn more, click HERE.
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![]() STRETCH TO THE SUN has been included in the nominations for the 2019 Great Lakes Great Books Award. For more information and to participate, click here.
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New Book Announcements
Speaking Events
2020
Guest author, Fall In Love With Reading series
South Central Michigan Reading Council Guest author, "How Hiking in the Woods and the Writing Process are Surprisingly Similar"
Macomb Reads Fall In Love With Reading Festival hosted by Macomb ISD Speaker, "Fiction, Nonfiction, and Shades of Grey Between"
Rochester Writers Conference Faculty and speaker, "Picture Books and All That Jazz" Writers Workshop
Highlights Foundation Featured speaker, "Fiction, Nonfiction, and Shades of Grey Between" and "Bring on the Funny: Humor in the Classroom"
Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference School Visits and book signings
Table Host
SCBWI MI Nonfiction conference Speaker, "Bring on the Funny: Humor in the Classroom", book signings
California Association of Teachers of English Annual convention Storytime at Once Upon a Time bookstore, book signing 11:00 AM
School Visits and book signings School visits and book signings
Webinar presentation, Find Your Agent Match SCBWI Iowa Speaker, "The Story of a Children's Book: From Idea to Published Book and Surprises Along the Way" Upper Peninsula Publishers and Writers Association Speakers Bureau (RSVP)
Panelist, Women in Entrepreneurship
hosted by Innovate Marquette (RSVP) |
December 6
Virtual November 7
Virtual October 17
Virtual June 11-14
Virtual March 13-15
Detroit, MI March 9-12
Ann Arbor, Detroit, MI and surrounding areas March 7
Livonia, MI February 21-23
Los Angeles, CA February 20
Montrose, CA February 24, 25 Los Angeles, Simi Valley, and surrounding areas February 10
online February 4th, Lydia Olsen Library, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
January 16, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Barrel and Beam
Marquette, MI |
2019
Speaker, "How Real Life Princesses Are Changing the World"
PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), invite-only |
November 26, 2019
Marquette, MI |
Speaker, "An Interactive Picture Book Manuscript Writing Workshop for Librarians" and
"A Behind the Scenes Peek at Publishing Children’s Books" Upper Peninsula Library Consortium Conference |
September 19, 2019
Marquette, MI |
Speaker, "Bring on the Funny: Using Humor in the Classroom" and Book Signing
Choice Schools Associates Lead the Way with Literacy Conference SCBWI International Conference Book Signing
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August 22
Lansing, MI August 9
Los Angeles, CA |
Speaker, "Fiction, Nonfiction, and Shades of Grey Between" and Book Signing
Michigan Reading Association, Summer Literacy Conference |
July 29-31
Bellaire, MI |
Speaker, "Children's Book Publishing 201" and Book Signing
Upper Peninsula Publishers and Writers Association Speaker, "Find Your Agent Fit" and Book Signing
SCBWI Marvelous Midwest Multi-region Conference |
June 1
Marquette, MI May 3-5
Naperville, IL |
School Visits
Speaker, "Fiction, Nonfiction, and Shades of Grey Between" and Book Signing
Michigan Reading Association, Summer Literacy Conference Book Talk and Signing
Saturn Books |
March 11
Spring Lake, MI March 8-10
Grand Rapids, MI January 26
Gaylord, MI |
Prior Speaking Events
2018
"Children's Book Publishing 101" presentation and signing
Upper Peninsula Publishers and Writers Association Leader, Picture Books and All that Jazz Retreat
Highlights Foundation Book Signing
Save the Redwoods League Festival |
June 2
Marquette, MI June 20 - 23
Honesdale, PA October 14
San Francisco, CA |
School Visits
Book talk and signing
McLean & Eakin Booksellers School visits
Book signing
Horizon Books Book signing
Schuler Books & Music School visits
Book Launch
Peter White Library "Find Your Agent Fit" Webinar
SCBWI Central New York Book signing
Snowbound Books |
October 12
Marin County, CA November 1
Petoskey, MI November 2
Petoskey, MI November 3
Traverse City, MI November 4, 5
Kalamazoo, MI November 6
Grand Rapids, MI November 26
Marquette, MI November 1
Marquette, MI/Albany, NY December 1
Marquette, MI |
2017
Author Talk
Books and Bagels Event Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI, September 23 |
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"Fiction, Nonfiction and Shades of Grey Between"
and "Let's Be Funny: Using Humor in the Classroom" presentations
Upper Peninsula Reading Association/MRA
Marquette, MI October 14
and "Let's Be Funny: Using Humor in the Classroom" presentations
Upper Peninsula Reading Association/MRA
Marquette, MI October 14
2016
Author Talk
Books and Bagels Event
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI, September 24
Books and Bagels Event
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI, September 24
2015
Featured Speaker
Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference
Grand Rapids, MI, March 27-30, 2015
Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference
Grand Rapids, MI, March 27-30, 2015
Speaker and Book Signing
A Rally of Writers
Lansing, MI, April 18, 2015
A Rally of Writers
Lansing, MI, April 18, 2015
Mini-Workshop for Children's Book Writers
Write On the Red Cedar
East Lansing, MI, January 17, 2015
Write On the Red Cedar
East Lansing, MI, January 17, 2015
Holiday Book Signing
Snowbound Books
Marquette, MI, Saturday, December 13
Snowbound Books
Marquette, MI, Saturday, December 13
2014
Book Signing
Horizon Books
Traverse City, MI, July 18, 2014
Horizon Books
Traverse City, MI, July 18, 2014
Presenter: Pathways to Your Future, Career Choices
Northern Michigan University, May 9, 2014
Northern Michigan University, May 9, 2014
Book Reading and Signing
Moosewood Nature Center Earth Day Celebration
April 26, 2014, Moosewood Nature Center
Moosewood Nature Center Earth Day Celebration
April 26, 2014, Moosewood Nature Center
SCBWI-MI Webinar Series: Moderator for Harold Underdown
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Author Visit and Book Signing
Barkell Elementary
Hancock, MI, March 18, 2014
Barkell Elementary
Hancock, MI, March 18, 2014
Book Launch for A Cool Summer Tail!
March 1, 2014, Snowbound Books
A Cool Summer Tail is available for pre-order!

ARCS ARE OUT!
The book will be available in time for March is Reading Month presentations!
The book will be available in time for March is Reading Month presentations!
A Warm Winter Tail Wins Gelett Burgess Award!

2013 Gelett Burgess Award Winning Books
"The Gelett Burgess Children's Book Awards advisory council looks for books that
entertain and teach with an energetic and creative approach. The books
the Center selects must stimulate the child's imagination, as well as inspire
them creatively. Advisory council members want to know a book will make an
impact in a child's life by helping them grow: socially, emotionally, ethically, intellectually, and physically."
A Warm Winter Tail won the Nature For All Ages category! So happy for Christina Wald and Sylvan Dell Publishing!
"The Gelett Burgess Children's Book Awards advisory council looks for books that
entertain and teach with an energetic and creative approach. The books
the Center selects must stimulate the child's imagination, as well as inspire
them creatively. Advisory council members want to know a book will make an
impact in a child's life by helping them grow: socially, emotionally, ethically, intellectually, and physically."
A Warm Winter Tail won the Nature For All Ages category! So happy for Christina Wald and Sylvan Dell Publishing!
WOOP Grant Recipient 2013/14

On September 6th, my grant for a nonfiction biography was runner up in the SCBWI sponsored Works of Outstanding Promise Award. The grant offsets expenses related to researching and writing a new nonfiction picture book. Stay tuned as I embark on this exciting project! Many thanks to Lin Oliver, Steven Mooser, and the grant committee for their encouragement.
Specials Presentations at Marquette-Alger Young Authors Event May 6-9 2013

I'm honored to be asked to participate in Young Authors as a Specials Presenter during the week of May 6-9. My presentation, Rockin' Writing, will focus on using the five senses in writing and include a short writing workshop. Here's a good article about the 2012 Young Authors event: http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/561825/Young-authors.html?nav=5138
A Warm Winter Tail Selected for Participation in Great Lakes Great Reads Literature Program 2013/2014

The Michigan Reading Association (MRA) has selected 40 children's and YA books written by Michigan authors to be part of the 2013/2014 Great Lakes Great Reads promotion. A Warm Winter Tail is one of 8 selected for the K-1st grade division. Children across Michigan will read each story and vote on their favorite. Winners will be announced at the MRA Conference next spring. Keep those fingers crossed!
Snowbound Books Signing

It was so much fun to sign books in Marquette. It was great to see familiar faces and feel the book love! Thanks Dianne, Dana, and Ray for the opportunity.
Check out this video clip of the Moosewood Nature Center Event! http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=824158
Hillsdale Community Library Author Talk and Book Signing

Saturday, December 8, 10-11am. Come say, "Hi!"
Dexter MI school visits 2012!
* Wylie Elementary on Thursday, December 6, 5:30-7:30
* Bates Elementary on Friday, December 7 in the morning
* Cornerstone Elementary on Friday, December 7 in the afternoon
New Book!
Sylvan Dell will publish my new book about how animals adapt to heat! The book will launch in spring of 2014 and the amazing Christina Wald will illustrate!

When they are hot, squirrels lick their forearms for the evaporative effect! Who knew?
Book Launch at Peter White Public Library, Sunday October 14, 2012. Many thanks to Dianne at Snowbound Books for their support.
SCBWI-MI Fall Conference 2012: Michigan Debut Author Panel
Monday, October 1st: 10 Stop Nonstop Blog Tour for A Warm Winter Tail Officially Begins!

We are on our way with an amazing line up of hosts! I couldn't be happier or more grateful for the support. Thank you in advance to all the hosts for their hospitality. I hope you hop on the bus and come along! Be sure to comment at each stop to be entered to win a signed book and plush animal.
Monday October 1st: Robin McCoy at www.inspiredbysavannah.com
2nd: Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre at http://www.literaryrambles.com (guest post)
3rd: Sue Heavenrich at http://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com
4th: Tiffany at www.tiftalksbooks.com
5th: Anastasia Suen at http://asuen.com/blog
Monday October 8th: Nancy Shaw at www.nancyshawbooks.com
12th: Darcy Pattison at www.darcypattison.com (guest post)
11th: Wendy Lawrence at www.thefamilythatreadstogether.com
12th: Jennifer Rumberger at www.jenniferrumberger.com – winner announced!
15th: Debra Diesen at http://jumpingthecandlestick.blogspot.com
Monday October 1st: Robin McCoy at www.inspiredbysavannah.com
2nd: Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre at http://www.literaryrambles.com (guest post)
3rd: Sue Heavenrich at http://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com
4th: Tiffany at www.tiftalksbooks.com
5th: Anastasia Suen at http://asuen.com/blog
Monday October 8th: Nancy Shaw at www.nancyshawbooks.com
12th: Darcy Pattison at www.darcypattison.com (guest post)
11th: Wendy Lawrence at www.thefamilythatreadstogether.com
12th: Jennifer Rumberger at www.jenniferrumberger.com – winner announced!
15th: Debra Diesen at http://jumpingthecandlestick.blogspot.com
Blog Tour for A Warm Winter Tail Gaining Speed!

Thanks to generous support by fellow bloggers, our virtual tour bus is preparing to hit the road. Visit the following sites (more to come) on the dates below, write a comment, and you'll be entered to win a copy of A WARM WINTER TAIL and a cute plush animal featured in the book.
Monday October 1st: www.inspiredbysavannah.com
Tuesday October 2nd: www.literaryrambles.com
Wednesday October 3rd: www.archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com
Friday October 5th: http://asuen.com/blog/
Friday October 12th: www.jenniferrumberger.com
Monday October 1st: www.inspiredbysavannah.com
Tuesday October 2nd: www.literaryrambles.com
Wednesday October 3rd: www.archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com
Friday October 5th: http://asuen.com/blog/
Friday October 12th: www.jenniferrumberger.com
A Warm Winter Tail is Available for Pre-Order!

At Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+warm+winter+tail
At Booksamillion:
http://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=5389960800185&query=a+warm+winter+tail&where=All
Or ask for it at your local indie. They can order through www.sylvandellpublishing.com.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+warm+winter+tail
At Booksamillion:
http://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=5389960800185&query=a+warm+winter+tail&where=All
Or ask for it at your local indie. They can order through www.sylvandellpublishing.com.
Promotional Material and Publisher Website Page for A Warm Winter Tail is Complete! Click here: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=WarmWinter to peek at the publisher's website page.
Click below to view and print flyers!

warmwinterpromo.pdf |
SCBWI Critique Meet and Greet
Saturday, March 10, 2012, Dandelion Cottage Room at Peter White Public Library.
Bring a manuscript (any genre within children's literature), 1000 words or less. I'll be the one with coffee and a treat or two -- and a red pen. Just kidding; no red pen, just some words of encouragement. Let me know if you are coming at carrieapear@aol.com.

I'll read your next book!
Interview: Children's Book Insider Newsletter

My interview with Laura Backes, Publisher of Children's Book Insider, will run in the December 2011 issue.
Christina Wald to illustrate WARM IN THE WINTER TAIL! Click here to see her beautiful work.
Sylvan Dell to publish WARM IN THE WINTER TAIL!
I'm pleased to announce a fall 2012 release date for this picture book about animal adaptations in the winter. Watch for more news...
SCBWI-MI Networking Day 2011: Saturday, February 26
Houghton Library, Houghton, MI -- Boni Ashburn is hosting
Superior Hills Elementary School 4th grade classroom visits: October 25, 27 and November 1
I enjoyed meeting the 4th graders at Superior Hills Elementary Schools! They were respectful listeners and contributed to our discussion of writing, reading and animal adapations. Thank you for the opportunity to spend time in your school.
SCBWI-MI Networking Day 2010: Saturday, March 6
I'm hosting the local Networking Day for SCBWI (www.scbwi.org).
It's Saturday, March 6, 2010, 2-5pm
Dandelion Cottage Room
Peter White Public Library (www.uproc.lib.mi.us/pwpl/)
Free and open to SCBWI members and non-members, this is a great opportunity to share news, bounce ideas, brainstorm resources, and ask questions about the business and craft of writing for children. Come anytime during the hours listed above.
RSVP is required to cpwpear@aol.com or 906-228-4465
(There may be critique opportunities if interested.)
Networking Day is held worldwide! Be a part of it!
It's Saturday, March 6, 2010, 2-5pm
Dandelion Cottage Room
Peter White Public Library (www.uproc.lib.mi.us/pwpl/)
Free and open to SCBWI members and non-members, this is a great opportunity to share news, bounce ideas, brainstorm resources, and ask questions about the business and craft of writing for children. Come anytime during the hours listed above.
RSVP is required to cpwpear@aol.com or 906-228-4465
(There may be critique opportunities if interested.)
Networking Day is held worldwide! Be a part of it!
School Visit: February 2, 2010, Mrs. Jurasin's 5th Grade

I visited Mrs. Jurasin's class to read Lizzy and the Twisted Sisters and talk about their storm story writing project. The class learned they could "amp up" their descriptive words for more impact (for example, "tormented" instead of "teased") and that tall tales take a piece of something real and exaggerate it A BUNCH which is a technique that could be used in their storm stories, too. I'd be happy to visit again -- what a great class!