AUTHOR MAUREEN MCQUERRY'S LIBRARY LOVE

Welcome to Library Lions interviews Raising a Roar for libraries and the outstanding librarians serving youth in schools and public libraries across the U.S. Please Roar today’s guest author Maureen McQuerry. Maureen has stopped by to share her Library Love with us.

Welcome Maureen. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I write novels for teens, adults and anyone who loves reading.  I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was six. I came to novels through writing and publishing poetry.  One day I realized that if I didn’t pursue my dreams, it just might never happen.  The Peculiars, a steam-punk adventure, debuted in May 2012 and I have two more YA books coming out next year also with Abrams/Amulet: Beyond the Door and Time Out of Time.  I still write poetry and publish in literary journals.  I teach writing at Columbia Basin College and I visit schools as often as I can.

 Library Love When You Were a Cub

My mother took me to get my first library card when I was very young. It was my prize possession. I could walk or ride my bike to the library from my house in San Jose, CA. It seemed like a magical place to me, with secret benches in outdoor gardens and of course aisles and aisles of books. It was peaceful. My home wasn’t always that way. The first time I went on my own, I checked out armfuls of books and kept them past the due date. I was terrified to return them and face the wrath of a librarian, which meant I kept them even longer. When I finally got up the courage, the middle-aged Chinese man at the desk just smiled at me, asked me which book I liked best and waived the fee. I was so relieved, not just because of the money, but because he smiled. I kept coming back, still had overdue books, but the kind librarian never made me pay and he always smiled.

Author’s Roar

We have a new library in our town Richland, WA. It has floor length windows and a fireplace. I love to bring my laptop there in the winter and write while I watch the snow fall.

Libraries are so deep a part of my subconscious that they show up in all my books, but I didn’t realize that until recently. In The Peculiars, Mr. Beasely’s Zepher house has a fantastic library of artifacts and books. And it’s full of mysteries as all good libraries are. Lena and Jimson Quiggly end up working there. In Beyond the Door (Amulet fall 2013) and Time Out of Time (Amulet spring 2013) a librarian accompanied by a shapeshifting wolf helps three teens on their quest to find the Stone of Destiny and their true identities.

Libraries open the world to students. I know this, as a teacher, as a reader, as a writer. What better to place to put our tax dollars than into a place that opens our imaginations, shows other points of view and teaches us what it means to be human?

 Hooray for ALA!  

I just attended ALA in LA. My entire publishing team from Abrams/Amulet was there and my agent came too. I was kept busy the entire time with a book signing, Book Buzz panel and presenting at a luncheon for librarians in downtown Disney. I loved being surrounded by people who love books!

(photo-with Editor and VP of Abrams/Amulet)

(ALA Abrams booth)

 A Lion’s Pride of Programs

I love school visits!

(Park Middle School)

Maybe it’s all the years I spent in the classroom, but there’s nothing better than talking to students about writing.

(photo collage—Park Middle School)

And I try to do as many visits as I can each year often with my writing friend Stephen Wallenfels. Teachers and librarians can browse through our school visit menu on my website. We recently presented a high school workshop on building conflict.

(Maureen and Steve in Tinhat)

 This year I’m looking forward to Cavalcade of Authors in Richland, WA organized by librarian Michelle Lane. Great authors, lots of student readers and a whole day to talk about books!

Let’s Link Up

Website: MaureenMcQuerry  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaureenMcQuerry

Thank you, Maureen, for your terrific interview!

 Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. 

AMANDA NOLL LIBRARY LOVE

Welcome to Library Lions interviews Raising a Roar for libraries and the outstanding librarians serving youth in schools and public libraries across the U.S. Please Roar today’s Author Spotlight guest Amanda Noll. Amanda is stopping by to share her Library Love with us.

 A Bit About Amanda

I was born and raised in Canberra, Australia. I immigrated to the United States as a teenager. After I married my college sweetheart, I began working in the purchasing division of a private university (ironic, since I despise shopping). I left the business world to attend to the business of raising children and concentrate on my writing. I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and four children.

Amanda's Book I NEED MY MONSTER Flashlight Press
A Story About Bedtime, Monsters, Imagination

Library Love When You Were a Cub

For me, the library was a place of refuge. It was always quiet, full of books and people who loved them, and it was air conditioned (a real bonus when you grow up in a warm climate!) Reading was important to my family, so there were regular visits to the public library. I also spent a great deal of time in my school library. My home was (and still is) bursting with books!

More Library Love

I love librarians! They are my connection with schools and public libraries. They are supportive and encouraging. Librarians are passionate about reading, a quality that resonates with me! I spent many hours with librarians growing up and I find that I still spend a considerable amount of time with them as a grown up.

Author’s Roar

I see librarians struggling to redefine their role as they are required to drastically reduce their print collections. I shudder to imagine the world without librarians. They were always available to recommend books, be a friend, and be the guardians of my imagination. I sincerely hope people recognize their value in this increasingly digital world.

Awards

I was privileged to be honored as the 2011 GrandCanyon Reader Award winner in the picture book category.

I was able to attend the Arizona Library Association 2011 Conference. It included an award ceremony and author panel. The presentation of the award was done by local elementary students. What a thrill to be so connected with both my readers and champions of my work!

At the author panel from left to right Amanda Noll, Jody Feldman, Jillian Cantor, and Jennifer Ward. We answered questions about the publishing industry, how to connect with readers, writing, and storytelling. I find many librarians are also closet writers, anxious to learn how to become part of the industry.

Host Note: You can see the full list of Awards and Honors for I NEED MY MONSTER here !

Roar for School Visits  

I love being able to directly connect with my readers. There’s nothing quite like hearing a child share their own imagination. Children aren’t afraid to ask any questions, they’re always fascinated with my age.

Children still believe they can change the world. I always meet children who are convinced that they have something wonderful to contribute to the world. They lack that inner critic that haunts my days. After a school visit I’m always exhausted but amazed at our young people, and those who choose careers to help guide them. 

My school visits include a reading of my picture book, a brief bit of my background, but mostly revolves around the student’s questions and answers. I feel strongly that children should know that hard work and persistence pays off.

Let’s Link Up

Amanda's Website:

Amanda's Facebook:

Thanks again for sharing your Library Love with us, Amanda!

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.