Author events aplenty: April, May, June +

April 16, 2024 — I was nervous and excited about my first in-person author events at a school last month, Literacy Night at Brick Elementary School. I’m what I call a friendly introvert. I’m naturally friendly but I need my quiet time to recharge my batteries. I was a painfully shy child and that shyness is still within me in certain situations. Being introverted, I have to push myself to do certain events (or even get on a phone or a video call). Once I get to places, I tend to relax and do pretty well. It seems that “getting there” is the hard part sometimes. Can anyone else relate? Everything went smoothly at Brick’s Literacy Night and I thoroughly enjoyed the time connecting with children through my first picture book. I have such a love and respect for children and being able to make them smile or laugh makes me happy from head to toe. 

Now that I’ve broken the ice, there’s a small avalanche of author events upcoming that I’d like to share with anyone who might be interested. My very first author event was in March 2023 at Leon & Lulu, Clawson, (with thanks to a bestie, Heidi Fodera, for telling me about this and my next event. I’ve dubbed her my “honorary agent”). I also participated in the Troy Library’s Book Fair in fall 2023. Since the upcoming events take place in several different cities, I hope to connect with some new people and maybe see some old friends who live nearby. Here’s the list and a little about each event. My events are always listed on the homepage of my website and I update frequently. Being a former website manager at work, it’s in my nature, I guess. The events at Brick are not open to the public, but I list them here as part of my upcoming author schedule. 

• Brick Elementary School, STEM Career Day
  10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 8970 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
  This is a closed event for the Brick Elementary School students. I hope to see some of the nice folks I met at Literacy Night, and meet many new ones. 
• Michigan Book Hop kick-off, Adventure, Ink, Milan, book signing
  10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, April 27 - Independent Bookstore Day
  108 E. Main St., Milan
  The Michigan Book Hop begins on April 27, Independent Bookstore Day, and runs through May 27. Indie bookstores throughout Michigan are participating. Play BINGO with cards available at the bookstores and win prizes. I’ll be at Adventure, Ink in Milan signing my book to help kick it off and I’d love to see you there.
• Adventure, Ink, Milan, book signing
  5 - 8 p.m., Thursday, May 16 (during downtown Milan’s Third Thursdays)
  108 E. Main St., Milan
  The third Thursdays of the months of May - September, 2024 in downtown Milan feature live music, pop-up markets, street dining, activities and events, and special deals at area retailers. Downtown Milan is called “a hidden gem just south of Ann Arbor” by Destination Ann Arbor. I’ll be back at Adventure, Ink, signing How Happy Is a Lark? for any little ones in your life. The picture book makes a great gift : )
• Chelsea District Library’s Local Author Fair, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13
  221 South Main Street, Chelsea (part of Chelsea’s Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights).
  Arts, entertainment and musical acts happen in historical downtown Chelsea every Thursday night in June and July. Each week brings something new, family-friendly and free. See you there!
• Brick Elementary School hosts Reading in the Park
  6 - 7 p.m., Splitter Park
  Lincoln Consolidated Schools hosts this evening of outdoor storytelling. Sounds like fun! 
• Buy Michigan Now, 4 - 8 p.m., Friday, August 2, Downtown Northville
• Ann Arbor Community Bookfest, time TBD, Sunday, November 2, AA District Library

Image: Top, courtesy Brick Elementary. 

I’d love to see you there! If you have my book, please bring it along and I’ll be happy to personalize and sign, and if you don’t have my book yet, and you’re interested, I’ll have books for sale.