This past Saturday I was fortunate enough to attend the Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Ohioana is a completely free gathering for lovers of books and showcases central Ohio's local authors. There was so much to do and to be honest with you it was just as good if not better than some of the conferences I've attended and actually paid for.
I can't even begin to rattle off all the individual seminars, because there was just so many. One of the main things I wanted to share with you guys is I met the Regional Advisor for the local chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.
There is a ton of advantages available to members of SCBWI. If you are serious about getting published in the children's market this is the professional society for you. They have annual conferences, local monthly meetings and networking opportunities. A great place to meet other people with the same interest as you.
The second thing I wanted to share with you all is the great books I discovered by authors right in my back yard. A couple of them I had reviewed their novels on READING, WRITING & WAITING, so it's always nice to put faces with books.
Erin McCahan, I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
Erin McCahan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but moved to Columbus, Ohio when she was nearly five. She spent her best collegiate years at Hope College in Holland, Michigan and Capital University in Columbus, where she still lives.
Here Comes the Bride — If She Can Pass Chemistry.
Eighteen-year-old Bronwen Oliver has a secret: She's really Phoebe, the lost daughter of the loving Lilywhite family. That's the only way to explain her image-obsessed mother; a kind but distant stepfather; and a brother with a small personality complex. Bronwen knows she must have been switched at birth, and she can't wait to get away from her "family" for good.
Then she meets Jared Sondervan. He's sweet, funny, everything she wants — and he has the family Bronwen has always wanted too. She falls head over heels in love, and when he proposes marriage, she joyfully accepts. But is Jared truly what she needs? And if he's not, she has to ask: What would Phoebe Lilywhite do?
I met Erin McCahan yesterday. She was super nice and remembered my book review!
Linda Gerber, Trance
Linda Gerber learned out of necessity to write on the go while living the expat life in Japan, where she served as the Regional Advisor for the Tokyo chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the best-selling author of novels for teens and tweens. Her books have landed on such notable lists as the ALA Popular Paperbacks, Women’s Sports Foundation recommended reads, and Literacy Lab recommended reads. Her latest book, Trance, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Gerber currently lives and writes in Dublin, Ohio, blissfully ignoring her husband, four kids, and one very naughty puppy.
Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear; it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.
Author Website
It was really cool to meet Linda because her blog actually quotes my review! That's proof that authors do read reviews guys! My review of Linda's book TRANCE.
Lisa Klein, Cate of the Lost Colony
A writer of historical fiction for young adults, Lisa Klein is a native of Peoria, Illinois. She received her BA from Marquette and her PhD in literature from Indiana University. Klein was an assistant professor of English at The Ohio State University for eight years, where her special discipline was Shakespeare and Renaissance culture. Klein lives in Columbus.
Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens-until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists-and Cate-increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World. Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love-kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.
I had seen this book on several blogs and even discussed it with a girl in my critique group, but I had no idea the author was local! Can't wait to read this one. YA needs more historicals!
Kristina McBride, The Tension of Opposites
Kristina McBride, a former high-school English teacher and yearbook advisor, wrote The Tension of Opposites in response to the safe return of a child who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend’s house. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two young children. This is her first novel.
It’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.
For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? Ho...moreIt’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.
For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? How dare she have other friends, go to dances, date boys, without knowing what happened to the girl she thought she would share everything with?
And then one day, someone calls Noelle’s house. She’s alive.
A haunting psychological thriller taken straight from the headlines, The Tension of Opposites is a striking debut that explores the emotional aftermath of a kidnapping on the victim, and on the people she left behind.
“Tense! The constant push and pull of friendship, pain, love, and jealousy is beautifully drawn. A definite must read.” – Jay Asher, author of the New York Times bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why
GoodreadsAuthor Website
I'm really excited to read this one! Reminds me of the Elizabeth Smart story.
Happy Reading!!!
ANNIE
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1 comment:
Sounds like a great festival, Annie--glad you had fun! :D
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