Author signing schedule 2013
Friday
2:15 Joni Sensel Ruta Septys Deb Lund
2:30 Dawn Prochovnic exhibit hall Terry Smith booth
Saturday
8:30 Jay Asher
10:00 Mary Jo Heller & Aarene Storms
1:00 Keiko Kasza Sharon Draper
Elementary Level Authors - Keiko Kasza - Saturday Lunch, 11:30 - 1pm
Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since. Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.
Elementary Level Authors - Joni Sensel
Joni Sensel enjoys the mysterious, writing fantasy/science fiction, including the three books of the Farwalker trilogy -- The Farwalker's Quest, The Timekeeper's Moon (Bloomsbury), and The Skeleton's Knife -- plus The Humming of Numbers (Holt) and Reality Leak (Holt). These books have been recognized as a Bank Street Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Cybils Award finalist, a Crystal Kite finalist, and a nominee for the Missouri Truman Award.
A full-time freelance writer, Joni (sounds like Johnny) has also published two picture books, one of which earned a 2001 Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor from the ASPCA. She lives on the only paved street in a tiny community at the knees of Mt. Rainier, near Tacoma, WA.“When I'm not writing in my house in the woods, I like to hike, run with my dog, scuba dive, ride my motorcycle and travel to exotic places like the Sahara Desert. I tell myself stories to better understand life..,” To read more about Joni, visit www.jonisensel.com.
A full-time freelance writer, Joni (sounds like Johnny) has also published two picture books, one of which earned a 2001 Henry Bergh Children's Book Honor from the ASPCA. She lives on the only paved street in a tiny community at the knees of Mt. Rainier, near Tacoma, WA.“When I'm not writing in my house in the woods, I like to hike, run with my dog, scuba dive, ride my motorcycle and travel to exotic places like the Sahara Desert. I tell myself stories to better understand life..,” To read more about Joni, visit www.jonisensel.com.
Elementary Level Authors - Margie Palatini - via Skype
Friday, October 18, 3:15 - 4:15, Room A, webinar
She will be appearing via Skype. Her presentation will highlight her writing process, and she will read excerpts from her books. Audience members will have a chance to come up to the mic and ask questions during the Q&A session. We will also have autographed bookplates available to those who have brought a book with them.
Middle School Level Author - Jay Asher - Saturday Breakfast, 7:00 - 8:15 am
Jay Asher has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a
chain bookstore, and two public libraries. He hopes, someday, to work
for a used bookstore. When he is not writing, Jay plays guitar and goes
camping. Thirteen Reasons Why is his first published novel. He has also co-written a novel with Carolyn Mackler, The Future of Us."Thirteen Reasons Why is a mystery, eulogy, and ceremony. Twenty or thirty times, I snapped the book shut when a sentence, an image, or line of dialogue was too beautiful and painful. But I, afraid and curious, would always return to this amazing book. I know, in the years to come, I will often return to this book." – Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sharon M. Draper will discuss her Young Adult and Tween novels and their impact on readers. It is possible to engage and excite young readers, even for students who swear they "hate to read," as long as you know which books to offer them and how to capture their imaginations through action. She will discuss the necessity of literary value in children's literature, the importance of humor and immediacy, and the value of strong, positive role models for young readers.
High School Level Author - Ruta Sepetys - Friday Breakfast, 7:00 - 8:15 am
Unearthing the Hidden Story
Ruta Sepetys describes the personal challenges associated
with unearthing historical secrets and weaving the material into novels for
both teens and adults. Participants will gain insight into balancing
entertainment with accuracy and fact with fiction.
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of
artists, readers, and music lovers. Her award-winning debut novel, Between Shades of Gray was inspired by her family's history
in Lithuania and is now published in over 40 countries and 26 languages. Her
new novel, Out of the Easy is a New York Times bestseller set in
the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1950. A historical tale of secrets and
lies, Out of the Easy is a story of identity, family, and the haunting
reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. Prior to beginning her career as
an author, Ruta was a longtime music business executive and represented
award-winning artists and songwriters. Sepetys is on the adjunct staff and
board of advisors for Nashville’s Belmont University. She currently lives in
Tennessee.www.facebook.com/rutasepetys
www.twitter.com/rutasepetys
Author signing schedule 2013
Friday 2:15
Joni Sensel
Ruta Septys
Saturday 8:30
Jay Asher
Saturday 10:00
Mary Jo Heller & Aarene Storms
Saturday 1:00
Keiko Kasza
Sharon Draper
