Town Crier photo courtesy of ushistory.org.

Like the Town Crier of old, this page lets you know what's happening with my stories and my life as a writer in general. When something fun and exciting happens or is about to happen, I'll post a bit about it here for you to read. Keep checking back!

September 2008

September 20 -- National Book Festival in Washington DC - Inventor McGregor will represent the state of Colorado in children's literature!

Wednesday September 10th - Inventor McGregor is the featured book for
Just One More Book Children's Podcast- "a podcast about the children's books we love and why we love them."

Sterility is the Smother of Invention: Inventor McGregor [5:39m] | Download

This is a great site for all book-lovers - http://www.justonemorebook.com/.

August 2008

Check out my interview with Rob McNealy from Startup Story Radio. We discuss my book, "Inventor McGregor", winner of the Colorado Book Award, 2007, and the process of writing for children.

http://www.startupstoryradio.com/

June 2008

Finally, we have an illustrator for Raj, the Bookstore Tiger. Her name is Paige Keiser. Check out her website - www.paigekeiser.com. More details to come!

May 2008

Black and white sketches for Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer are in! Book is due out in 2010.
Illustrator is S. D. Schindler.

February 2008

Check out the new updates on Makumbi Children's Home in Zimbabwe. Click on about me and then my charities.

December 2007

A couple of radio interviews to report. Check out these websites to hear them:

www.kgnu.org, Wednesday, November 28th, 8:45am, Morning Magazine.
Hear an Excerpt:

www.850koa.com Colorado's Morning Magazine, 6:am, Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Accepting the Colorado Book Award for 2007.

October 2007

Inventor McGregor is the winner of the 2007 Colorado Book Awards in Children's Literature!

A big thank you to all the schools in DC who extended such a warm welcome to me last week. Many of their comments and feedback on my presentation will be posted on the school visits section of my website in the coming week.

The new illustrator for my upcoming book, Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer, is SD Schindler.

September 2007

The Teachers' Guide: The Giant King is now available for download from the Giant King page. It provides hints for teachers on how to use the book to enhance the teaching of a wide range of subjects: social studies, reading, writing, art, research activities, and drama. You can also download it here.

August 2007

July 2007

We have a change of illustrator for my upcoming book, Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer. Check back soon for more details.

May 2007

Just back from a great trip to D.C. Many thanks to Holy Trinity Elementary and Anthony Hyde Elementary for a great welcome to your schools!

March 2007

Good news to share - Inventor McGregor has been included in the 2007 edition of "The Best Children's Books of the Year," published by the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education.

January 2007

A new year and a new picture book contract for me! It's called, Raj, the Bookstore Tiger. Check back later for more details. Also, check out My Charities for an update on Makumbi Children's Home.

December
Our annual fund raising for Makumbi Children's Home in Zimbabwe resulted in a total of $12,000. Thanks to all our wonderful donors! Kindness breeds kindness! And a big thank you again to the children, parents, and staff of New Hope Academy in Tennessee, who raised $400 for Makumbi at their musical play of The Giant King in May.

November 12
Children's Hospital in Denver chose my book, The Giant King, to give as a gift to all their donors. What a great way to celebrate kindness - kindness breeds kindness!

November 1-4
I had a wonderful trip to Kansas City. The children at St. Peter's School and St. Elizabeth's gave me a great welcome and I had fun sharing my books with them.

October 26
I have a new page up on my web site, the "Adaptations of My Books" page. The first adaptation of my books is a play by the New Hope Academy in Tennessee based on "The Giant King". Click here to read about the play and see some photos of the play.

September
Another school year has begun and I am getting ready for some school visits. Check out my calendar for my upcoming presentations.

August
National Inventors' Month
Check your local library for books about inventors and inventions. And of course, tell your friends about "Inventor McGregor."

Tuesday, July 18th
I will be appearing on Channel 9 KUSA, Colorado and Company at 10am to talk about my books.
Make sure to tune in!

Thursday, July 13th
I did a storytime at Tattered Cover today at their new location on 2526 East Colfax. I know that many people have bemoaned this move from Cherry Creek, but their new location is wonderful - easy parking, still centrally located, and a great layout with lots of light and space, and of course still plenty of nooks and crannies for curling up undisturbed with a great book. Thanks to Tattered Cover for inviting me to celebrate your new location!

Thursday, May 11th
New Hope Academy in Tennessee performed their spring musical based on my book, THE GIANT KING. A lovely lady called Candace Kirkpatrick adapted and directed this musical. The musical scores were composed by David Mullen, and recording artist and NHA teacher Calvin Nowell played the part of the giant. I was unable to see the performance, but Candace sent me a DVD and I was delighted to see how all these children brought this story to life with such energy and enthusiasm. Candace brought my book to several teachers at NHA because she thought the children would identify with the story and be excited to share the message of hope and peace. Candace told me that this is exactly what they are trying to teach to the children at New Hope -- that we should not judge by externals, but look at the heart.

At the end of the performance a love offering was collected for the children of Makumbi - the AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe, and so now I am able to send these children over $400.

Thanks to Candace and all the staff and children of New Hope Academy!