I’m on today at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival

Hi everyone,

Today I’m “presenting” at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival. Virtually that is. Here’s the festival’s Facebook link. https://www.facebook.com/LIWCLF/ You can watch the video I made for the kids and adults who will be watching. Yesterday, the opening day of the four day event, 4,000 people liked the site. I hope that many will be back today.

I’m told that these sessions are being archived so that people can return to them in the future. That also goes for the award ceremony tomorrow night when I receive the L.I.W. medal. I’m delighted about that!

If you like what you see on the festival page, please leave them a note of encouragement. Everyone likes a pat on the back for a job well done.

Blog tour stop #12 and Unbound Book Festival

Hi everyone,

Today it’s my pleasure to be hosted by friend and fellow writer Matt Forrest Esenwine on Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme at https://wp.me/p2DEY3-2n0. Matt has a different approach to the host post and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss more of the writing aspects of the book. So, thank you, Matt, and let’s do it!

On another issue, I have one eye on an upcoming event that will require a lot of preparation. It will be my first time to participate in the Unbound Book Festival, held on the campus of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, April 24 and 25. Speakers come from all over the country and I’m happy to be one of them this year. Here’s a link to the festival, which includes a very good video of the event in 2018. http://www.unboundbookfestival.com/

Archived

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I was filling out a questionnaire for a promotions manager regarding a book coming out in the spring — a tedious but necessary task to be done now and then. In looking up the address for Maya Kucij, director of the Children’s Literature Festival held annually on the UCMO campus in Warrensburg, MO, I ran across the listings of authors who have donated papers to the university’s archival collection.

Next year will mark the festival’s 50th anniversary. It was started by teacher Phil Sadler and librarian Ophelia Gilbert.

When Phil and Ophelia retired, the festival continued to flourish under the great leadership of Naomi Williamson, and when Naomi retired not long ago, the reins were handed to Maya. We who write or illustrate books for kids count our blessings for this wonderful event and the folks who make it all happen.

You can go to the link provided to see how large the collection of donated manuscripts has grown in the university library over the years. I’m proud to have many of my things in it. They fill three dozen boxes or more. I have a lot more in my basement that I need to place before the humidity ruins them. http://guides.library.ucmo.edu/harrisond1

To show how times have changed, my original donation included over 1,100 letters to and from editors, fans, and others involved in my efforts. Today? Letters? Really?