It’s a great week to love books in Richmond, Virginia – especially middle grade and YA fiction. That’s because it’s not only the Library of Virginia’s Literary Festival, but it’s also the American Library Association’s TeenRead Week. Wao! So much going on, so what can I say except, Tengo los patines puestos! (I’ve got my roller-skates on!) Here are a few highlights of where I’ll be during the week:
Meadowdale Library/Tomahawk Creek MS: I’ll head down to Chesterfield County for a library book talk that is off-site on Wednesday, Oct 15, 7 PM. We’ll talk The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind and Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Here’s the info and where you register. Especially nice to see a partnership between the school and public libraries in a community.
Teen 14: Locals already know that the main branch of the Richmond Public Library on Franklin Street is always figuring out ways to make reading come alive, especially for kids. So, they’re going to play host once again for a teen author event. Join Virginia authors who have works for teens published in 2014. 
It’s a ready-made night for librarians, teachers, and readers who want to meet and make friends with the truly kick-ass authors we have in the Commonwealth. PLUS, food, music, giveaways. If last year’s event was any sign, it’s going to be a really fun night. Details on their Facebook page or click on the jpg poster here.
Hermitage High School Anti-bullying Book Event with Erin Jade Lange. You know her novel? It’s called Butter, about a kid who decides to eat himself to death on Internet. Here’s the trailer. We’ve cooked up (ugh, the pun!) a good conversation about our books and bullying. Note: it’s a closed event, but it will be available by podcast to other high schools.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-a06kH3Vw&w=420&h=315]
James River Writers Conference: My favorite conference each year because it brings us all together – writers across every genre and age group – talking, teaching, and learning about the writing life. The Library of Virginia’s literary luncheon on Saturday features Barbara Kingsolver as the guest speaker. (She’s one of my daughter’s favorite authors, so Sandra gets to come along!) But really, the JRW Conference will, as usual, feature an impressive A-list of award-winners and bestselling stars. Check out the full list and register.
I’m also giving a standing ovation to JRW for a adding a new way to share the fun of book geekdom with the community. RVA Hearts Writers will put their conference authors all over the city to offer free workshops and panels on everything from diversity in kid lit, to the Muppets, historical fiction, and the ins and outs of self-publishing. Check out all you can learn. The fact is that artists of all types have always made communities more interesting and vibrant. Nice to see the literary arts so well-repp’d in that effort.
Happy reading!
Cariños de,
Meg
