» Posts in News and Events
May 10, 2013
For years, Jersey City, a place with a population of nearly 250,000, didn’t have an independent bookstore. Tachair Bookshoppe filled the void last year and is already a fixture in the downtown community, a place where you can go to read, drink coffee, catch a musical performance, and see paintings from local artists. Tachair is Gaelic for a meeting place and I hope you will meet me there for some readings from DWEEB, The Only Ones, and (possibly), The Riverman.
- When: Sunday, May 19 at 5:30 PM
- Where: Tachair Bookshoppe at 260 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
- How: Drive or take the PATH train to Grove Street and walk northwest on Newark Avenue until you reach 2nd Street
- Why: Because it will be fun!
This world needs more places like Tachair. Like them on Facebook for even more information. And please come out and support them…and me!
No Comments | Posted by Aaron under Books, DWEEB, News and Events, The Only Ones, The Riverman | Bookmark or Share
April 19, 2013
I’m giving away books! Not my books, mind you, but copies of a little-known novel by a precocious young writer named Maggie Atwood (I think it’s about DIY projects or something*). Here are the details:
Come on by and grab a copy while supplies last!
*I know the book isn’t about DIY projects. But it is about Etsy, right?
No Comments | Posted by Aaron under Books, News and Events | Bookmark or Share
October 24, 2012
Speaking to students for “Read Across America Day”
Whenever I attend a book festival, people invariably ask me the same question: “Do you ever do school visits?”
I do. I do indeed.
Like many authors of children’s literature, I find that the best way to share my love of books is to talk about them with curious young readers and enthusiastic teachers. But how would people know this about me? Because, until now, I’ve barely mentioned the fact on my web site. Well, it is a fact, my friends. And if you’re a parent, a teacher, an administrator, a librarian, an independent bookstore owner, or anyone else who’d like to arrange for me to visit your local school(s), then please drop me a line. I am available for any or all of the following:
- Presentations — Give me 40-60 minutes, a podium, and a whiteboard/screen with a digital projector and I will do my darndest to keep a cafetorium full of kids not only awake but enthralled by pictures of me in footy pajamas and tales of inspiration, embarrassment and poisonous snakes. Please note: unless contractually obligated to, I will not enter the room to the tune of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck.
- Readings — I will happily read passages from DWEEB, The Only Ones, and even the soon-to-be-published The Legend of Fiona Loomis. These passages may involve humor, intrigue and/or a character named Chet.
- Q&As — This is always the easiest way to connect with inquisitive students. They can ask me almost anything about my books and my life as a writer and I will answer honestly, only occasionally uttering the phrase: “Wouldn’t you like to know, tough guy?”
- Workshops — Does your English class want to discuss and practice writing and revision techniques? Learn about the publishing industry? Cook some top-notch enchiladas? I’m there.
- Signings — If you have a local bookstore on board, I will definitely stop by to sign and sell inventory and meet readers one-on-one. Be warned, though. My handwriting is abysmal and still haunts the nightmares of my middle-school teachers.
- Skype Talks — If you don’t have the time or resources, an alternative to an in-person visit is a virtual pow-wow. Quick. Easy. Fantastically futuristic.
So there you go. Every school and situation is different, but I can adjust to your needs. Just contact me and we’ll hammer out the details. The only thing I require is that your students read, or start reading, at least one of my books. It makes the experience much more enjoyable for everyone. And, let’s be honest, you’re not inviting me to your school to show off my tap-dancing skills. (Or are you?)
No Comments | Posted by Aaron under Books, News and Events, School Visits, The Only Ones, The Riverman | Bookmark or Share
October 3, 2012
Apparently, this week is Banned Books Week. I’ve never participated, but according to Wikipedia, it’s a week when children dress as Holden Caulfield and parade through streets lined with illiterate PTA members who pelt them with rotten tomatoes. It all culminates in a barn dance, where a bespectacled college comp lit major stands on a bale of hay and shouts, “You know who also banned books? Stalin!” And then an animatronic Stalin descends from the rafters and the Caulfields and the PTA members join together to smash the commie robot to smithereens.
Now, if you’re a book lover (as I’m sure yo are), you could participate in such festivities this weekend or…you could come visit me and a whole bunch of other great NY/NJ/PA authors at the Collingswood Book Festival. Here are the details:
Saturday, October 6
Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ
10AM-4PM: I’ll be signing and selling copies of DWEEB and The Only Ones
2PM: I’ll be on a panel called Reaching Out to Young Adult Readers
I attended the 2010 festival and it was a beautiful day in a charming town full of friendly people. I’m expecting more of the same!
No Comments | Posted by Aaron under Books, DWEEB, News and Events, The Only Ones | Bookmark or Share
September 5, 2012
Guess what? I got into Princeton!
Wait a minute, though. Before you go shining up a class ring for me and calling Goldman Sachs to tell them they’ll have a new CEO in a few years, I should probably qualify that statement. I wasn’t invited to Princeton the University. I was invited to Princeton the Children’s Book Festival.
Which, of course, is even better!
Here are the details:
Saturday, September 8, 2012
11am–4pm
Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
I’ll be hanging out in the Purple Tent, signing copies of DWEEB and The Only Ones. We can chat about The Riverman Trilogy, maybe talk some sports or movies, and perhaps solve some of the world’s problems. Hope to see you there!
No Comments | Posted by Aaron under DWEEB, News and Events, The Only Ones | Bookmark or Share
