MAUREEN MCQUERRY LIBRARY LOVE

Welcome to Library Lions interviews. Author Maureen McQuerry has stopped by to share her newest book and her Library Love. Take it away Maureen!
 

I write YA and MG novels that have a mythical bent. If someone were to ask me what my books have in common, I might say this: they end up wandering into the mythic woods. Even though the times and settings and premises are very different, there’s always a touch of magical realism For many years I taught high and middle school and worked closely with librarians who spend their days championing reading. And I’ve discovered that there’s a library in each of my books! I didn’t plan that out and it took a reader to point it out to me!

The Peculiars features Mr. Beasley’s amazing library in Zephyr house based on the real library of J.S. Walker

In Beyond the Door, one of the main characters Julian, is a mild mannered librarian by day but something quite different in another guise (no spoilers here!) My current WIP progress features the awesome Seattle library as the future headquarters for the Intelligence community. Libraries must run very deep in my subconscious.

Book Launch Event for Beyond the Door with Morris Dancers


Library Love When You Were a Cub
Libraries were places of refuge for me. I loved the smell when I walked in the door. I loved the quiet. I loved the fact that I could leave with an armload of books and live in different places through different characters until my books were overdue. And they always were. But there was one special librarian who always greeted me with a smile and waived the fee. He loved to talk to me about what I was reading.

More Library Love
The librarians I know and visit with today work hard to spread the love of reading to all students. One of my favorite author events is Cavalcade of Authors. Librarian Michelle Lane organizes an event that allows 1,000 students to spend the day with 16 authors and attend outstanding workshops.

Signing books at Cavalcade of Authors

A Lion’s Pride of Programs
I visit schools where libraries are the heart of the school, place students go to connect with books and with each other, to talk about ideas, and explore subjects that interest them. Reduced funding for libraries means limiting students’ chances to imagine, explore, learn and connect.

Recently I asked several groups of middle school students how they choose the next book they want to read. The most common answer? My librarian.

School librarians know the latest titles but more importantly, they know their students and can make recommendations on based on a student’s interest. Often school librarians are the ones who alert teachers about my books and invite me to come and share.

Students are my favorite audience. They ask the best questions. One of my favorite activities with students is taking an idea and then extending it by asking what if just like authors do. I offer workshops on creating conflict and tension, and story structure and character arcs.

Hooray for ALA!
ALA 2013 in Anaheim was a chance to meet hundreds of librarians face to face, sign books and thanks them for what they do for authors, teachers and students.

Let’s Link

Website: www.maureenmcquerry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureen.mcquerry   Twitter:@maureenmcquerry

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.

 

ROAR FOR CAVALCADE OF AUTHORS

Happy Children’s Book Week! And welcome to a Special Edition of Library Lions. This week we’re Roaring for the Cavalcade of Authors now in its 5th year!

The Skinny
Cavalcade of Authors yearly conference is dedicated to providing the secondary students of our region access to some of the best Young Adult authors of our modern era. Our special interest is to celebrate Pacific Northwest Authors while introducing students to a variety of genres and subject matter and to furthermore, promote reading and writing within our community. We provide for our participants an authentic writing conference experience where students can learn from the ultimate mentors: the authors of the books they are reading.

Cavalcade 2013 Authors

(Front Row Left to Right: Michelle Lane (Director), D.J. MacHale, Jeff Burlingame, Holly Cupala, Suzanne Selfors, Maureen McQuerry, Lisa McMann, Veronica Rossi, Brandon Dorman, and Kelly Milner Halls. Back Row: Jonathan Maberry, Gregg Olsen, Jonathan Auxier, Trent Reedy, Chris Crutcher, and Brandon Mull. Guadalupe Garcia McCall not pictured)

[All Cavalcade photos by Aaron Pelly Photography]

The Day Begins . . .   
Students arrive by 8:00 at Columbia Basin College and are ushered to their first session by high school student volunteers who know the campus.  The first session starts at 8:15 and lasts one hour.  Students attend three sessions of their choosing that they’ve signed up for through their school librarian.

Check out the wonderful workshops our Authors offered this year!

(Students arrive for Brandon Mull's workshop)

 

                                                      (Gregg Olsen's workshop)

(Kelly Milner Hall's workshop)

Students have 15 minutes in between sessions for autographing and connecting with the authors and passing time. 

 

                                   (Suzanne Selfors and Savannah, Gr.7, from Desert Hills MS)
 

                                                           (Lisa McMann signing)

(Veronica Rossi with students, Persephone D Angeli, Nelly Ruelas-Mendoza, Payton Griffith, and Elizabeth Fredrick)

Cheers for Cavalcade!

                             (Guadalupe Garcia McCall and Bianney, Gr. 8. Clara Brownell MS)

“I loved how many people attended [Cavalcade of Authors].  It was great to see so many students at my sessions!  I really loved showing them what I do to write, and sharing my experiences as a writer with them.  I also loved that I saw many Hispanic students there that I would not have reached otherwise.  Thank you. Cavalcade of Authors is a buzzing, lively hive where both students and authors can meet to discuss the most important of interests…reading good books.”  Guadalupe Garcia McCall

 

(Kelly Milner Halls)

“[I enjoyed most of all] the author dinner and hanging out with all those great kids the day of the event.  It was all terrific. Sharing in the wonder that was the Cavalcade of Authors may have been a job, technically.  But it was so much more.  Speaking to hundreds of eager young people at a well-organized festival with more than a dozen other exceptional authors was a sheer pleasure.  The kids left with inspiration and warm memories.  The authors did, too.  Clearly, the Tri-cities population values their young people and the future that will soon be in their capable hands.  This was an exceptional experience, all the way around.”  Kelly Milner Halls

(Jeff Burlingame)

“Being a featured author at Cavalcade of Authors is like taking the stage to front a world-famous rock ‘n’ roll band for two days.  From the moment you arrive, its fun, fervor, and fantastic.  For students, attending Cavalcade of Authors is like being in the crowd when that band—your all-time favorite—performs in an intimate setting in your hometown for you and 1,000 of your closest friends.  Cavalcade of Authors isn’t just an excellent Eastern Washington conference.  It’s an excellent conference, period.”  Jeff Burlingame

                                                                   (D.J. MacHale)

“[With the Cavalcade of Authors] it’s all about the kids.  Being able to speak to such a large group of interested readers is a rare treat.  Usually during school visits, maybe 20% of the group really wants to be there.  With Cavalcade, it was 100%.  You can’t beat that.  Also, the entire event was buttoned up and well run.  That’s not always the case. The Cavalcade of Authors should be called ‘The Cavalcade of Kid Readers.’  Being able to speak to a thousand interested, engaged young readers is like author heaven.  I can’t wait to do it again!”  D.J. MacHale

                                                                     (Trent Reedy)

“I liked Cavalcade of Authors because, not only did it foster a love of reading and writing for young people, but it was a practical, useful opportunity for young writers to learn more about the craft of writing.  It was wonderful to see excited young writers carefully taking notes and working to improve their writing. Cavalcade of Authors is a good opportunity for young people to foster their own love for reading, and it is a great opportunity for young writers to get excellent writing instruction from some of the best authors of books for young people.”  Trent Reedy

                                                               (Jonathan Maberry)

“Michelle...I wish I'd been able to give you a big good-bye hug. This was such a wonderful event and I had the best time. You and your crew throw a first-class event --professional, smooth, and fun!  Although I've never been to the Tri-Cities area before, I can now say that I've made real friends here.  If I can ever be of assistance with future events, either as a presenter or as a resource to contact some of my colleagues, you have but to ask. Again...thanks for everything!  You so rock!”  Jonathan Maberry

Teachers’ Roars
“It’s simple.  Kids who like to read, read.  Cavalcade brings relevant, high-interest authors from near and far to eastern Washington.  Students who never dreamed they’d meet real authors, listen to their stories, learn first-hand about their craft, and interact with them personally get a chance to do just that.  My students devour the books.  They argue, share secrets, and quote them.  They are as affected, dazed, and amazed as if they were meeting rock stars.  In fact, they are.” – Doug Lane, 6th grade teacher, Enterprise MS

 

“It is so awesome to see so many of our kids get excited about reading because of your awesome event! I am even more amazed than last year at the level of interest and hope to see it continue to grow and grow as an opportunity for our students.”  Tammy Fisher, 7^th/ 8^th grade Reading Teacher, Clara Brownell MS

                                                    (Maureen McQuerry's workshop)

“Cavalcade gives students the opportunity to experience authentic writing from published authors.  Often, they discover a common bond with these people who get paid to write!” – Colette DeHaan, 7^th grade LA teacher, Enterprise MS

                                               (Jonathan Maberry signing)
Student Roars"They're known all around the world for their books and I actually get to go home and say I met an author. If someone's reading that book, [I can say], 'I've met that author.' That's so cool!," Elena, 9^th grade Chiawana HS

“It was nice to see a Hispanic author since I am Hispanic myself.”  Park MS

“[I learned] you’ve got to dig deeper in order to get where you want and what you want.”  Cristianna, Grade 8, Park MS

“[I was] inspired to never give up and write what you believe.”  Nicole, Grade 7, Park MS

                                                   (Mark, Gr. 7, Horse Heaven Hills MS)

“Cavalcade was like a treasure trove of advice on writing and how to keep enjoying it.  It has changed my view on how books are made forever.”  Sydney, Grade 6, Enterprise

“[Jonathan] Auxier’s session [was my favorite] because he included student interaction and as a group we completed a ridiculous, but funny story.” – Timmy, 7th grade

“I liked them all because they all were interesting and the information that they shared was really cool. Some things they share really inspired me.” – Adriana, 8th grade

Special Moments:
A student (Elena) from Chiawana High School during her session with Jeff Burlingame, was gifted a get up that much resembled Elvis. 

When she left Jeff’s session – she was walking through the crowds of kids shouting, “This is the BEST day EVER!!”  Later she was interviewed by the news station – it totally brought tears to my eyes.  I was so excited for her and proud of all our students who attended that day!

ONE LAST BIG ROAR On average our 800+ kids are reading 6 books between August and January to attend Cavalcade.  Many of them continue reading Cavalcade books long after the event is over.  These kids are spreading the word to others about the great books they are reading, creating a reading climate in our schools!

Also, Cavalcade sponsors a writing contest where three places are awarded for each of both High School and Middle School entries. 

                          (Vance, Gr. 8 Enterprise MS, 1st place Short Story Contest)

Let’s Link:

Cavalcade of Authors   
 
Cavalcade Facebook 
 

Stay Tuned for Cavalcade 2013 Part 2 coming to LL blog soon!

                                                                              ~  

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. If you have a Young Authors conference like Cavalcade you would like to highlight. We'd love to showcase your conference.
Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. 

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. 

Roar for Cavalcade of Authors!

Welcome to Library Lions interviews.This month we're Raising a Roar for Cavalcade of Authors! It's an honor to introduce librarian Michelle Lane, creator of Cavalcade!



Michelle has been a librarian for 6 years. Here’s her school library “called The Cat’s Den” at Enterprise Middle School in West Richland, WA.



More Michelle:
I’m 40…something and still play competitive softball. This summer I'll be busy with a supervisory/mentoring position with Antioch University for our new library program which is starting up here in the Tri-Cities.

I'm looking forward to speaking at WLMA in October regarding the Cavalcade of Authors and a new Young Adult – Washington website I am helping to develop that will be the go-to place for readers, writers, librarians, and booksellers in Washington State who love young adult fiction. I will be looking forward to a Janet Lee Carey author feature down the road here. (Janet note - Thanks Michelle!)

The Skinny – Tell us how Cavalcade of Authors began Michelle
Author Timothy Zahn inspired me. In September of 2009, I was presenting with author Maureen McQuerry at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Conference where I attended a workshop about author visits with a panel of authors speaking to what makes a successful author visit. Timothy Zahn brought up that he would much rather teach kids about writing rather than stand up and talk about himself and the rest of the authors concurred. Tim also mentioned a very successful teen book festival in Rochester that invited a large group of authors to work with teens from all over the city. I put the two ideas together and thought to myself, “I could totally do this for my students at Enterprise.” All the way home from Portland I brainstormed and planned. When I returned to school on Monday, I had a plan and started contacting authors to present at our school that April…and the rest is history!

In 2009 I started the Cavalcade of Authors at our school and 70 students from three middle schools in our district attended.



Our first year, we had seven authors on a budget of about $5,000. I wrote and received a $2500 grant from the Richland Education Foundation and received another $2,000 from Friends of the Mid-Columbia Libraries. The remainder of the money raised came from charging schools a small fee for an author visit done free by one of our authors.


(Janet Note - I had a blast presenting at Cavalcade in 2009!)


Photo 2009 author session with Alma Alexander.

The Cavalcade of Authors is dedicated to providing the secondary students of our region access to some of the best Young Adult authors of our modern era. Our special interest is to celebrate Pacific Northwest Authors while introducing students to a variety of genres and subject matter and to furthermore, promote reading and writing within our community.



We have provided for our participants an authentic writing conference experience. Students who qualify by reading a book from four of the authors, attend four 45 minute creative writing sessions each put on by a different author. A free t-shirt is awarded to students who read eight of the authors.



In 2010 we partnered with RADCON and held Cavalcade at the Pasco Red Lion for which RADCON paid. We had 225 students attend from seven secondary schools in our district and this time nine different authors presented. Each school paid $1000 for 50 of their students to attend the writing conference. Our budget in 2010 was just under $10,000. We collected around $3,000 from our city library and schools who paid for author visits.


2010 authors

This year we had 500 middle and high school students from 12 schools in our region, spill onto Columbia Basin College campus to see 11 young adult authors. Next year we will expect nearly 800 students.


2011 Author Panel

We created a partnership with our local college who hosted our event last March where 500 middle and high school students attended from 12 schools in our region on a $15,000 budget. We charged each school only $500 to send 50 students and received business / library donations and sponsorships to cover the remainder. We invited 11authors mostly from the Pacific Northwest, but this time several from around the nation.



In 2012, we expect to bring on six more schools for a total of 18 and we anticipate 800 students to be in attendance. Our authors total 12 and are mostly from around the nation, one from the UK, and a few from the Seattle area. We are now starting to cycle through our Pacific Northwest authors: Janet Lee Carey is our first to make a second appearance!

Check out our Cavalcade videos!
http://www.cavalcadeofauthors.org/2009/09video.html
http://www.cavalcadeofauthors.org/2010/10video.html

How do you do it all?
I have a team of librarians from the Richland and Kennewick school district and one Super Parent that help in the organization and planning. We work closely with Barnes and Noble Book Sellers who does all of our book sales throughout the year each year.

I have the daunting task next year of making $30,000 appear and it is making me nervous. My Super Parent is like a dog on a pork chop and together we have brought in at least $7,000 in the last week from Mission Support Alliance and RADCON, so I’m feeling a bit better these days. Every year fundraising for our project is quite the leap of faith…and nerve wracking, but each year we have met the challenge, thanks to our very supportive community!

Readers Roar. Let’s hear from the kids!
The most touching comment came this last spring from an 11th grade alternative high school student; shared in context by the organizer from the alternative high school in our district, Rivers Edge:

“[Organizing Cavalcade] is very challenging because of how fluid our student body is, as well as their poverty level; however, I’m still convinced it is well worth it. Because many of our students can’t afford a book or a T-shirt, I select Book Room copies that they’ve read to have signed during autograph time. This helps them look like everyone else and gives them a task to fill their time. I encourage them to have their program and/or T-shirt signed also. [This last year] Terry Trueman gave one of our students a signed copy of No Right Turn. On the bus going home that student said, “This is the first book I’ve ever owned and I’ll keep it all my life”. These words from an 11th grade boy brought tears to my eyes!”
– Paula Fallon, Organizer Rivers Edge

~ “It was wicked awesome! How we got to experience the life of an author.”
-Kathleen, 8th grade.

~ “What I liked about the Cavalcade of Authors is that I met students with the same interests as me and I got to know authors which kids don’t always get to do!”
-Sarah 8th grade.

~“I thought Cavalcade of Authors was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I loved how each author had something different to teach us and share their writing experiences and their careers.” - Breanna, 6th grade.

~ “I liked everything: The experience, all the nice authors, the people and how much I laughed!” – Becca Johnson, 8th grade.

~ “I liked the fact that these authors related so much about their personal lives to us.” – Alex, 11th grade

~ “I learned a lot about the intense and imaginative process of writing books.” - Matt, grade 12

Roars from the Authors!
~ “We were treated like rock stars, I tell you.” – Lorie Ann Grover, author.

~ “[What I liked most were] the kids. They were engaged and curious and asked insightful questions. – Brenda Cooper, author

~ “[What I liked most were] the attentive kids, the great staff, and the impressive organization.” – Stephen Wallenfels, author

~ “I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the quick minds, the incredible imaginations, and the sheer unbridled enthusiasm of your students”. – Alma Alexander, author

~ “I loved the way you organized [Cavalcade] having the kids read the authors' works in order to participate in the sessions. This made such a huge difference to the quality of our contact.” – Janet Lee Carey, author

Connections:
Library Website: www.cavalcadeofauthors.org we will be updating 2012 information over the summer.

Blog:Our YA-WA website will be a website with a blogging page. www.ya-wa.com – This site is currently under construction but will be launched by July 16th, 2011.

Thanks again Michelle for the Special Edition Interview!

And thanks to fellow authors who have participated in Cavalcade of Authors for the past three years!

2009 Cavalcade of Authors
Alma Alexander
Arthur T. Lee
Janet Lee Carey
Maureen McQuerry
Renee Riva
S. A. Bodeen
Timothy Zahn

2010 Cavalcade of Authors
Ben Mikaelsen
Brenda Cooper
Deborah Reber
Dia Calhoun
Lorie Ann Grover
Patrick Carman
Royce Buckingham
Suzanne Selfors

2011 Cavalcade of Authors
Mary Jane Beaufrand
Justina Chen
Melissa de la Cruz
Kimberly Derting
Alane Ferguson
David Patneaude
Mary E. Pearson
Lisa Schroeder
Terry Trueman
Stephen Wallenfels
Rick Yancey


Library Lions readers: 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.