Recently authors accepted awards; debut authors embarked on their first book tours; studios celebrated their launches; an author had a run in with a former teacher; an actress made her literary debut; and an author brought out never-before-seen characters on tour.
Kerlan Award Winner Announced
The University of Minnesota Libraries and the Rain Taxi Literary Review partnered to present the Kerlan Award to author Andrea Davis Pinkney in a hybrid event on October 11. Pictured here (from l.) are Gretchen Wronka, president of the Kerlan Friends; Alexandro Genis, chair of the Kerlan Award Committee; Andrea Davis Pinkney; Lisa Von Drasek, curator of the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature; Holly Weinkauf, owner of the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul; and Pamela Klinger-Horn of Rain Taxi Literary Review.
An 'Interesting' Debut
Debut author Nick Brooks (l.) celebrated the launch of his middle grade series starter Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont (Union Square Kids) by hitting the road for a book tour. On October 3, Brooks appeared at The Gathering Spot D.C., with books sold by Mahogany Books. Brooks appeared in conversation with author Roseanne A. Brown.
An NYC Launch
Disney Publishing Worldwide held a launch event for the new Melissa de la Cruz Studio on October 6. Held at Versa in New York City, book industry professionals and media gathered to celebrate, with namesake author Melissa de la Cruz and author Mariko Tamaki making appearances. Tamaki crafted one of Melissa de la Cruz Studio’s first projects, the recently released Anne of Greenville. Pictured here (from l.): authors Kitty Curran, Melissa de la Cruz, Mariko Tamaki, Disney editorial director Kieran Scott, Jesse Weaver, and Jason June.
A Student-Teacher Reunion
On October 8, author Alyssa Colman (r.) attended the Princeton Children’s Book Festival and had a serendipitous meeting with her high school English teacher, Richard O’Hara, whom she thanked in the book’s acknowledgments.
The Princess Treatment
On October 3, actor and author Tamera Mowry-Housley (c.) appeared at Barnes & Noble Tribeca to celebrate the release of her memoir You Should Sit Down for This: A Memoir About Life, Wine, and Cookies (Legacy Lit). The event was in partnership with Saving Our Cinderellas a portion of programming under the Save Our Daughters organization that focuses on showcasing confidence to BIPOC adolescents. The Thurgood Marshall Academy “Cinderellas” all received signed copies of the book and the opportunity to meet Mowry-Housley.
Characters Come to Life
Author John Patrick Green made a stop at The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, N.C., on September 27 as part of his Investigators: Heist and Seek tour. Heist and Seek (First Second) makes the sixth addition to Green’s Investigator series. At the event, Green debuted character costumes and led guests in an interactive drawing activity.
