Joannie’s schedule of events at bookstores, libraries, schools, and conferences,
plus a celebration of books published by friends in her writing critique group.
plus a celebration of books published by friends in her writing critique group.
2023 Events
March 7: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Super Moms! (Book 1, Animal Heroes series) by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper; illustrated by Jamie Harper. March 14: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Rob Dunlavey. March 28: BOOK BIRTHDAY! SPIN by Rebecca Caprara. April 28 – 30: NEW ENGLAND SCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE: “Time to Stretch” Yes! We’re back IN PERSON! Join your fellow authors and illustrators for a weekend of craft and camaraderie at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield, MA. Say hi to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. Registration opens March 6, 2023. For more details, check out the New England SCBWI website. 2022 Events April 29-May 1: New England SCBWI Spring Virtual Conference. Theme: “Find Your Star: Let it Shine.” Registration and program/workshop details for ZOOM event online. May 10: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Doppelganger Danger (Mission Multiverse Book 2) by Rebecca Caprara. August 30: BOOK BIRTHDAY! The Polter-Ghost Problem by Betsy Uhrig. October 25: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Bioblitz! Counting Critters by Susan Edwards Richmond; illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. October 25: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Amy Hevron. November 4 (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm) PAJAMA NIGHT. Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA. Join me for a cozy night of storytelling! I’ll be reading from B is for Berkshires and a few surprise books. Enjoy favorite books shared by volunteers at this free celebration of National Family Literacy Month. Go for a story walk, get a FREE BOOK to take home, and don’t forget to wear your pajamas! November 8: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Mega-Predators of the Past by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Howard Gray. December 20: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Science Play! (Storey Publishing’s Busy Little Hands series) by Susan Edwards Richmond. 2021 Events January 16: (12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern) FREE VIRTUAL NONFICTION BOOK LAUNCH EXTRAVAGANZA! Join more than two dozen award-winning children’s nonfiction writers for a book launch party for Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep, edited by Melissa Stewart. Register via The Writing Barn to join the extravaganza. February 9: BOOK BIRTHDAY! The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang; illustrations by Jana Christy. February 19 – 21: SCBWI WINTER CONFERENCE: Inside Children’s Publishing. Hosted on Zoom with video recordings available through March 31, 2021. Participate live or at your convenience. Check out the SCBWI website for the full schedule and to register. April 27: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Summertime Sleepers: Animals that Estivate by Melissa Stewart; illustrations by Sarah S. Brannen. April 30 – May 2: NEW ENGLAND SCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE - Virtual Voyage: Finding Joy in the Journey. Hosted on Zoom. Join fellow authors and illustrators for a weekend of online craft and camaraderie. Saturday’s workshops will be recorded and offered to registered participants for viewing for one month after the conference. Check out the New England SCBWI website for the full schedule and to register. May 11: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Mission Multiverse by Rebecca Caprara. July 6: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest Rhyme by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Steve Jenkins. September 28: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara. September 28: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Welcome to Dweeb Club by Betsy Uhrig. 2020 Events Book Birthdays: This year I’m also celebrating the release dates for books published by friends in my writing critique group. Congratulations, everyone! January 28: BOOK BIRTHDAY! The Passover Mouse by Joy Nelkin Wieder; illustrated by Shahar Kober. March 28 POSTPONED (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) ADVENTURES FROM THE BERKSHIRES TO THE BEACH. Artisans at Polly’s, 314 Boston Road, Sutton, MA. I’ll be joining Joanne Roach-Evans for a fun day with not one, but two scavenger hunts and book signings. Come explore ideas for family adventures! May 1 – 3: CANCELLED NEW ENGLAND SCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. May 5: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Uncle Bobby’s Wedding New Edition! By Sarah S. Brannen; illustrations by Lucia Soto. June 23: BOOK BIRTHDAY! ICK! Delightfully Disgusting Animal Dinners, Dwellings, and Defenses by Melissa Stewart. July 7: BOOK BIRTHDAY! A Perfect Day by Sarah S. Brannen. September 22: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Double the Danger and Zero the Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig. Betsy’s debut middle grade novel! November 15: (4:00 pm – 5:00 pm) VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH! Friends and Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children. Register online for this FREE event, hosted by The Blue Bunny Bookstore. The anthology features poems and art by over 60 New England poets and illustrators from The Writers’ Loft (including two of my poems). November 16: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-Winning Children’s Book Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing edited by Melissa Stewart. 2019 Events Book Birthdays: This year I’m also celebrating the release dates for books published by friends in my writing critique group. Congratulations, everyone! January 22: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Bear Needs Help by Sarah S. Brannen. April 2: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Seashells: More Than a Home by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. A companion book to Feathers: Not Just for Flying. April 4 – 6: WHISPERING PINES WRITERS’ RETREAT – 2, Whispering Pines Conference Center, 401 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI. I’m looking forward to an inspiring and productive event. May 3 – 5: NEW ENGLAND SCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. June 22 (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) SUMMER FUN DAY! The Enchanted Passage Children’s Bookstore, 145 Armsby Road, Sutton, MA. I’ll be joining Joanne Roach-Evans and April Jones Prince as we read from our books and discover inspiration for summer fun. Expect to be enchanted with summer-themed crafts, Mystery Games, a Scavenger Hunt, and a few surprises. August 4 (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) SUMMER SHOWCASE. The Enchanted Passage Children’s Bookstore, 145 Armsby Road, Sutton, MA. Meet over a dozen local authors, artists, vendors, and entertainers during this fun-filled afternoon. I’ll be joining the festivities as we celebrate books with story time, kids’ activities, crafts, music, delicious treats, and more. October 1: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Bird Count by Susan Edwards Richmond; illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. Susan’s debut picture book! October 12 (10:30 am – 11:30 am) STORYTIME. Aesop’s Fable, 400 Washington Street, Suite 200, Holliston, MA. Perfect timing to pick up a book for the holiday weekend and explore one of our newest local indie bookstores! Storytime will include sharing behind-the-scenes secrets about B is for Berkshires. Stay after storytime to discover treasures to keep in a special scavenger hunt around the store. 2018 Events Book Birthdays: This year I'm also celebrating the release dates for books published by friends in my writing critique group. Congratulations, everyone! February 13: BOOK BIRTHDAY! A Seed is the Start by Melissa Stewart. February 28: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Alice Paul and the Fight for Women’s Rights by Deborah Kops. March 7: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Anybody’s Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball by Heather Lang; illustrated by Cecilia Puglesi. March 13: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Things We Haven’t Said: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out by Erin Moulton (Editor); Sharon Abra Hanen (contributor) April 20 – 22: NEW ENGLAND SCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Motel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. You might even win an autographed copy of B is for Berkshires. June 12: BOOK BIRTHDAY! 100 Bugs!: A Counting Book by Kate Narita; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. June 23 (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) CELEBRATING SUMMER WITH BOOKS: Explore Backyards, Beaches, and the Berkshires! The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, 12 Spruce Street, Acton, MA. Join us as we kick off the season in style with local authors and illustrators providing inspiration for summer fun. Scavenger hunt with prizes, Storytime, and hands-on activities. I’ll be celebrating summer with Shennen Bersani, Joanne Roach-Evans, and Kate Narita—who launches her debut book: 100 Bugs! A Counting Book. July 31: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Wolverines by Melissa Stewart. September 1: BOOK BIRTHDAY! Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. 2017 Events April 15 (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) AN APRIL SHOWER OF BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHORS, An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café, 111 South Street, Plainville, MA. Join ten authors and illustrators of children’s books for a fun-filled event. Scavenger hunt with prizes, refreshments, book sales, and signing. See flyer for details and information about the authors and illustrators featured at the event. April 21 – 23: NESCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Motel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. You might even win an autographed copy of B is for Berkshires. May 19: (4:00 p.m.) STRANGER THAN FICTION: FASCINATING TRUE STORIES FOR YOUNG READERS, Barnes & Noble, 1 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA. Some of the greatest stories ever told aren’t stories at all—they’re true tales of events that are weirder, stranger, and more interesting than your average fiction book! Please join us for a non-fiction panel discussion and author signing as Heather Lang, Laura A. Woollett, and I discuss our work and talk about why it is so important to introduce children and teens to fascinating true stories. For more information: 508-628-5567. December 2 (9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) FENN SCHOOL BOOK FAIR, The Concord Bookshop, 65 Main Street, Concord, MA. Special author event for B is for Berkshires starting at 2:30 p.m. – reading, book sale, signing, and surprises. Discover more details about this Fenn School fund raiser on the Concord Bookshop website. 2016 Events Book Launch Party (through March 31). Discover more fun facts from B is for Berkshires on my SCBWI Book Launch Party page. Enter my contest to win an autographed copy of the book, or other exciting prizes! Contest ends on March 1. February 27 (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) LEAP INTO READING, An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café, 111 South Street, Plainville, MA. Join eleven authors and illustrators of children’s books for a fun-filled event. Scavenger hunt with prizes, refreshments, a “Writing for Kids 101” table with information for aspiring children’s book writers, book sales, and signing. See flyer for details and information about the authors and illustrators featured at the event. March 6 (1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) W IS FOR WINTER – Northfield Mountain, 99 Millers Falls Road (Route 63), Northfield, MA. Free family program for ages seven and older! Join Joannie and Northfield Naturalist, Kim Noyes, for a fun-filled afternoon. Explore the outdoors to use nature as inspiration, then use Joannie’s tips to discover options for the design of your own unique book. Bring your imagination, a camera (cell phone is fine), and dress in warm layers. Participants will leave with a book they have begun, and finish working on it at home. Program meets in the yurt behind the Visitor Center. Pre-registration required. Call: 1-800-859-2960. April 29 – May 1: NESCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Motel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. You might even win an autographed copy of B is for Berkshires. May 21 (10:00 a.m.) CELEBRATING SUMMER: From the Berkshires to the Beach, Wellesley Books, 82 Central Street, Wellesley, MA. Activity, story hour, sales and signing with Joannie and fellow Islandport Press author/illustrator of Seashells – Treasures from the Northeast Coast, Joanne Roach-Evans. For more information: 781-431-1160. November 12 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) 3rd ANNUAL CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL, Mount Wachusett Community College Cafeteria, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA. Join local authors and illustrators of children’s books at the Central Massachusetts Children’s Book Festival for a family-oriented day of fun, food, and fantastic books. Details on the Festival website. December 4 (11:00 a.m.) HOLIDAY STROLL, Wellesley Books, 82 Central Street, Wellesley, MA. Book sales and signing with nine local authors. Come celebrate the season with 60 Wellesley merchants. Special events and savings! See the Holiday Stroll website for details on all the fun. 2015 Events March 14 (11:30 am - 1:30 pm): BOOKS & BOWLING BONANZA, AMF Auburn Lanes, 101 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA. Join Joannie, a long-time Auburn league bowler, to celebrate the launch of B is for Berkshires. Games, door prizes, reading, Q & A, book sales/signing, and more. Contact: Auburn Lanes at 508-791-5700, or Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester. March 15 (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm): DUAL BOOK LAUNCH, The Concord Bookshop, 65 Main Street, Concord, MA. Join two SCBWI Concord Critique Group members as they celebrate March book releases: Heather Lang is launching The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall, and Joannie launches B is for Berkshires. Contact: The Concord Bookshop. March 28 (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm): BOOK LAUNCH PARTY, The Parlor Café, 303 Ashland Street, North Adams, MA. Join us to help Joannie and Gillian launch their book, B is for Berkshires, with light refreshments, book sales and signing, and more. Contact: The Parlor Café or 207-846-3344. April 9 (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm): FAMILY FUN NIGHT, The Cottage Children’s Center, Inc., 197 Union Street, Marlborough, MA. Joannie will make a guest appearance for a reading and book sale. This event is closed to the public. April 11 (11:00 am – 5:00 pm): CARNIVAL OF CHILDREN’S AUTHORS, Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester, 65 James Street, Worcester, MA. Joannie will be joining a dozen children’s book authors and illustrators for a carnival of art and words. From picture books to middle grade novels, the day promises to be an informative and fantastic voyage celebrating children’s literature and art. For details and a complete schedule of events: Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester or 508-796-5613. April 24 – 26: NESCBWI SPRING CONFERENCE, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Motel, Springfield, MA. Say hello to Joannie at the registration and door prize tables. You might even win an autographed copy of B is for Berkshires. May 9 (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm) BOOK SALE & SIGNING, Berkshire Emporium & Antiques, 59 Main Street, North Adams, MA. Here’s a chance to get a book autographed by the author AND photographer! Joannie and Gillian will both be present to sign their book, B is for Berkshires. The Emporium is also hosting book signings for two other local authors as part of a day of celebration of all things related to the Berkshires. Come join the fun at the Spring into Summer Expo, sponsored by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce—Main Street in North Adams from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Rain date: May 10. June 6 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) SAFE SUMMER FUN DAY, UMassMemorial - Marlborough Hospital, 157 Union Street, Marlborough, MA. Say hello to Joannie – make your own Ninja stress ball! This child-oriented health and safety fair features hands-on hospital exhibits and fun, family-oriented activities. More details: 17th Annual Safe Summer Fun Day. June 20 (12:00 pm – 3:00 pm) LOCAL AUTHOR EVENT, Barnes & Noble, 120 Watertower Plaza, Leominster, MA. Joannie will be signing copies of her book, B is for Berkshires, as part of an event featuring local authors. Are you looking for last minute Father’s Day presents for the kids to give Dad? B is for Berkshires is the perfect gift. Discover A through Z ideas for family adventures and places to explore with Dad in western Massachusetts. It’s time for a road trip! June 27 (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) NONFICTION PANEL: Have you ever wondered…? Researching and Presenting Non-Fiction for Children’s Books, Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester, 65 James Street, Worcester, MA. Joannie will be joining children’s book authors Nancy Castaldo, Jane Sutcliffe, Heather Lang, and J. Roach-Evans for a panel discussion on research and presenting nonfiction material in kid-friendly formats. Discover the stories behind the books. A perfect panel for educators, parents, librarians, writers, or anyone interested in children’s books. For details: Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester or 508-796-5613. July 18 (11:00 am - 12:30 pm) FROM THE BERKSHIRES TO THE BEACH: LOCAL AUTHORS CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF NEW ENGLAND, Booklovers’ Gourmet, 55 East Main Street, Webster, MA. Join Joannie for a book talk, reading, book sale, and signing with fellow Islandport Press author/illustrator of Seashells – Treasures from the Northeast Coast, Joanne Roach-Evans. October 15 (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) BEHIND THE BOOK: A JOURNEY FROM CONCEPT TO BOOKSHELF, Adams Free Library, lower annex, 92 Park Street, Adams, MA. Join Joannie and Gillian as they talk about the publishing process, focusing on the collaboration, research, writing, and revision needed to match text and photos—all within a tight production schedule. For more details: 413-743-8345. November 14 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) 2ND ANNUAL CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL, Mount Wachusett Community College Cafeteria, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA. Join area authors, illustrators, and photographers of children’s books at the Central Massachusetts Children’s Book Festival for a family-oriented day of fun, food, and fantastic books. December 19 (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.) FROM THE BERKSHIRES TO THE BEACH: Signed books make great gifts! Booklovers’ Gourmet, 55 East Main Street, Webster, MA. Book sales and signing with Joannie and fellow Islandport Press author/illustrator of Seashells – Treasures from the Northeast Coast, Joanne Roach-Evans. |