Come See the New Library – and Kate’s New Book!

The Fountaindale Library in Bolingbrook is once again hosting a bevy of authors to wrap up their National Library Week celebrations on Saturday, April 16 with an Author Fair.

Kate will be among them, bringing with her newly-released activity book, a companion to Ruth by Lake and Prairie. The book includes puzzles, paper dolls and ships, pioneer recipes and other fun things to do within a simplified summary of Ruth’s story.

Also new is the Fountaindale Library. Long in the preparation, Bolingbrook is cutting the ribbon this Saturday, March 26 on their beautiful new facility. The public is welcome to share the excitement which begins at 12:30pm and includes story-telling, musicians and jugglers.

Of course you can also check out the new library on April 16 during the Author Fair. This year’s theme for Library Week is “Create Your Own Story @ Your Library.” Come on over and chat with Kate about how to create your story!

Congratulations to Our Bookfest Winner!

The Glen Ellyn Bookfest was held downtown on Saturday, June 19, sponsored Glen Ellyn's Downtown Alliance. Shops hosted local authors for book sales and signings.

Kate enjoyed hanging out at the Vintage Living Store, a charming couple of rooms overflowing with old photos, textile, jewelry and other treasures. Chatting with visitors about local history and their own writing aspirations was quite enjoyable!

Visitors were able to sign up to win a family pass to the Naper Settlement Living History Museum. The drawing was held and congratulations go to Luisa from Glen Ellyn! Luisa was thrilled and said it was the first time she had ever won anything. Her pass for two adults and two children is in the mail to her now.

A big thank you to Luisa and all the other people who stopped by to buy books and say hello! Hopefully, Glen Ellyn will hold another Bookfest next summer!

Meet and Greet Authors at Glen Ellyn's Bookfest

On Saturday, June 19, Glen Ellyn's Downtown Alliance will be hosting its first Bookfest. Many of the shops downtown will host local authors for book sales, book signings and chats about writing with more than 30 authors on hand from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

As one of the authors, Kate will be set up at the Vintage Living Store, a charming shop filled with antique "found treasures." A map listing each shop and author will be available at downtown stores, or you can download a copy now.

In addition to authors scattered throughout downtown, programs for children, families and adults will take place all day. Learn about "Local Underground Railroad History' from Glennette Tilley Turner or hear spine-tingling tales of suspense by Marie Ringenberg. Later in the afternoon, adults can join authors J.A. Konrath and Charlene Baumbich for cocktails.

Elizabeth Berg will be the keynote speaker at Glenbard West High School Auditorium and will sign books as well. Her presentation as well as some other events require tickets, so see the Glen Ellyn Bookfest website for details and a schedule of all the events.

Bookfest promises to be a fun event for readers, writers and shoppers of all ages, so plan to come by for a bit. Be sure to say "hello" to Kate at Vintage Living when you do!

1000 Teenagers and Chicago's Mayor Daley -- How Scary is That?

On Saturday, May 15, Mayor Daley's Book Club held their Spring Conference. Kids from 7th through 12th grades have been meeting in school libraries and branches of the Chicago Public Library all year long, reading and discussing books. At the Spring Conference, teenagers by the busload arrived at DuSable High School to attend workshops and meet authors.

At the suggestion of a fellow author, Dyanne Davis, Kate submitted a proposal to teach a workshop at the Conference. She was thrilled to be accepted and was busy preparing when she got a call from the organizer inviting her to be a "special guest."

As a "special guest," Kate got to hang out in the V.I.P. green room with the other guests, among which was award-winner Allan Stratton. But she also had to sit onstage with the guest authors, with officials from Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Library, and with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Don't forget this was also in front of 1,000 teenagers sitting in the audience and staring up at the stage.

Fortunately, there was no public speaking required of her during that Opening Ceremony. Nerves were conquered, all went well, and Kate went on to lead two classroom sessions on "Creative Non-Fiction: The Reality TV of Literature."

The kids were great, the discussions were interesting, and meeting a bunch of new authors is always a joy. Photos and video will be posted at Kate's website soon, but you can read more about it now at K.C. Boyd's blog.

More Winners from April's Author Events

With National Library Week occurring this month, Kate's been busy at several events meeting readers and writers of all ages. Many of those readers and writers dropped their name into the basket for a chance to win a family pass to the Naper Settlement living history museum and we have winners!

Congratulations to Helen of Bolingbrook and Jovanka of Chicago! Your family passes are in the mail so you can take advantage of this gorgeous spring weather to walk around the Naper Settlement grounds.

Highlights of this month's author events included:

• A stretch limo which ferried the authors from a satellite parking lot to the Fountaindale Library making every author feel like JK Rowling!
• Meeting another author who went to the same parties Kate went to while in college
• Meeting other writers and illustrators at the Creative Chicago Expo
• Hearing fellow authors read from their works at the Bellwood Library

While many schools, libraries and community groups don't schedule author events over the summer, fall will inevitably come again. If your group is looking for a presentation on Illinois history or the writing process, consider Kate as your next speaker. For topics and availability, see Kate's presentation web page.