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A visit to Toronto
I recently visited Toronto, Canada. It’s the home of Scholastic Canada, the publisher of “After All, You’re Callie Boone” as well as the books I’ve written for boys under the name W.C. Mack (“Hat Trick” and “Line Change”).
I wanted to share a picture of myself in front of their office, where I met editors, designers, marketing wizards and all kinds of folks who love books as much as I do.
Anyway, the Scholastic building looks like just the kind of place I would have imagined as a kid, when I first started to dream of being a writer.
Who doesn't love a big red dog?
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Oregon Spirit!
“After All, You’re Callie Boone” was chosen by the Oregon Council of Teachers of English as a 2010 “Honor Book”, which meant I had the chance to meet a bunch of great authors and teachers at the award ceremony. I was thrilled to be part of it all and will post a couple of photos soon.
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Pleased as punch!
I’m delighted to report that “After All, You’re Callie Boone” has been:
selected for the Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year list,
nominated for Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Award, and
nominated for New Hampshire’s Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award.
Yay Callie!
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And the nominees are. . .
How cool is this?
Callie Boone has been nominated for the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice 2011 Diamond Willow Award.
Click the link to read more and check out the rest of the nominees. . .
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Hooray for Libraries!
I’ve just learned that the Ontario Library Association has chosen “After All, You’re Callie Boone” as one of its “Best Bets” for 2010.
I’m pleased as punch!
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A Book Club Visit
The gang's all here!
I’ve just returned from a lovely visit to Seattle, where I dropped in on a local book club, who’d just read “After All, You’re Callie Boone”.
They were kind enough to let me listen in on their discussion, then had some great questions for me, like:
Q: Why is Callie Boone a diver?
A: I wanted Callie to be training for something she’d ultimately have to do alone. No matter how much she practices and how much help she gets from the people around her, when it comes to the competition, and she’s standing at the edge of the diving board, it’s all up to her.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
A: Since I was a little kid. I loved to read and I always wanted to see my own book on a library shelf.
Q: Do you like writing?
A: Yes. I love it, and it’s a very big part of my life. It’s kind of a funny hobby, though, because writing a book involves spending a lot of time alone, but after it’s finished, a writer has to switch gears and start talking about the book with readers, interviewers, etc. Something that had been very private suddenly becomes public!
Q: Do you use people you know as characters?
A: Sometimes there are bits and pieces of friends and family in the characters. Sometimes I use real arguments that I may have lost in real life. The fun thing about fiction is that I can think about what I wish I’d said, and re-write the moment.
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Officially Launched!
Thanks to all of the folks who came to the Portland launch at A Children’s Place Bookstore. I hope you had as much fun as I did!
The gang's all here. . .
The staff was great and they even let me sign their “Author Table”, which is loaded with tons of autographs. I was pleased as punch to be a part of it.
Callie's favorite expression seemed like a good fit. . .
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An interview with Amy
Check out my recent chat with Portland local, Amy Baskin.
There might even be a free book in it for you. . .
http://amy-baskin.blogspot.com/2010/06/winnie-mack-book-giveaway.html
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Portland Launch Party!
If you’re in the Portland area (Oregon, that is), please join me for the official U.S. launch of “After All, You’re Callie Boone”.
Yes, there will be cupcakes.
When: Thursday, June 24th from 4pm-6pm
Where: A Children’s Place Bookstore (4807 NE Fremont St, Portland)
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Back to School
I recently paid a visit to Mulgrave School (in my hometown of West Vancouver, B.C.) to chat with a group of 63 Sixth Grade students about writing, inspiration and more.
It was my first school visit and I was asked all kinds of great questions, like:
Q: Are your characters are based on yourself and people you know?
A: I use bits and pieces from real people (including myself!) but make up the rest. It’s interesting to see who recognizes themselves. . .and who doesn’t!
Q: Did you keep your 137 rejection letters?
A: Yes, I did! When I was at UVic, one of my professors mentioned he had enough rejection letters to wallpaper a house. I think I have enough for a small bathroom.
Anyway, I had a great time talking with the students and I was amazed by how many of them were already working on writing projects of their own. Very cool!
