CSLA (CA Library Conference) Panel

Yesterday I had a great (BUSY!) day at the Sacramento Convention Center speaking on a panel titled: CONNECTING AUTHORS, BOOKS, CHILDREN, TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS. This topic was all about
inexpensive ways to connect authors with students.  

The five panelists includes:

ME: Showing my latest book, MAGICIAN's MUSE, and talking about my wonderful Skype experience with a
Texas middle-grade classroom. All the kids had read my books and especially enjoyed THE SEER series,
asking brilliant questions like: Did you base the emotions of your characters on your childhood experiences?

This led to a talk about how a boy broke my heart and how those emotions still feel real decades later.
I also told about THE GREAT SCAVENGER HUNT, created by author Kay Cassidy, which has over 200
authors who created 10 questions for  each of their books; sending readers hunting library shelves for books,
answers and a chance for prizes.
                                                 
Pictured: Stacy Nyikos, Susan Goldman Rubin, Linda Joy Singleton, Caryn Yacowitz, Belle Yang

Stacy Nyikos set up this panel and flew from Oklahoma to CA for this event. Her book DRAGON WISHES
is gorgeous and rich with history and imagination. She spoke on Skype, also, offering different types of
visits and also sharing her writer's journey.

Susan Goldman Rubin shared of the music behind her words in upcoming book MUSIC WAS IT about
famous composer Leonard Bernstein. She spoke passionately about the composer's life and made
us all wish this book was out already. She has CD's to accompany her book, bringing music to classrooms.

Caryn Yacowitz brought song to our panel; songwriter, actress, producer, writer, she creates plays
from her picture books. THE JADE STONE has been performed on stage and herPUMPKIN FIESTA
inspires crazy-fun costumes accompanied by silly songs she teaches. And she got the whole audience SINGING!

Belle Yang was born in China and came to the US when she was very young, and traveled to exotic
places in the world, developing her artistic talent. She wowed everyone with a book trailer that has
a time lapse sequence that shows her work on a biography graphic novel: FORGET SORROW.
I started reading this book and in the first three pages alone she experienced more drama that
most people do in their entire lives. YALSA should take note of this book as it will appeal to all
ages; a wonderful cross-over graphic novel in a large hardback format. This book deserves AWARDS!

In the evening, we attended the CSLA Author Banquet where each table has one or two authors.
I had some wonderful conversations and talked so much I barely ate the steak-potato-salad-roll-cheese cake dinner.
(One of the best ever banquet meals.) Well, I did finish the cheese cake (g). 

A cool part of the ceremony featured young winners of a contest for introducing the keynote speakers.
The eloquent 6th grade girl who introduced Andrew Clements (I love his FRINDLE and SCHOOL STORY!),
did such a great job. And afterwards she stopped by my signing table, pointed to DEAD GIRL IN LOVE,
and said she'd read it and loved my books. 
                                                                   Best moment of my night!