Recording a book talk for Colorado book store

Hi everyone,

This morning I look forward to recording a poetry reading with a nature theme to be shared virtually later this month by the noted book store Second Star to the Right in Denver, Colorado. Poet LESLIE BULION and I will read from our work, talk about poetry, and perhaps respond to prepared questions from our host for the program, SOPHIE NOGAR.

I’ll read from THE DIRT BOOK and from other titles if time permits. I need to get out to Colorado before much longer.

The night beat

Hi everyone,

From sundown till sunup, while you and I were resting, new stories were written by the new crew.

Raccoon 

Raccoon’s sly, been around,
had her share of ups and downs.
Light-fingered nighttime thief,
dines in style on what you leave.
Fading shadow, shaggy streak,
vanishes silently up a tree.
Knows how to pilfer, when to climb,
an escape artist, one of a kind.


~ (c) 2020 David L. Harrison, from AFTER DARK

Early thoughts for the week

Hi everyone,

Wow. It must be Monday. When I sat down to work at 6:15, I already had a rejection in my e-mail. It’s a whimsical story that may or may not find a home somewhere, and this is only the first time out, but still I wish I’d had my coffee first.

Today I’m working on a science story that I think is good but so far hasn’t found its niche. I’ve pulled it aside to rework by telling it in a different voice. I hate to see a good story go to waste.

My thanks again to the folks at The Library Center in Springfield for putting together, promoting, and hosting the virtual presentation Saturday morning by Jane Yolen and me. It turned out well. During the AFTER DARK segment, kids gave me some sound effects to one poem and we did some echo reading with a couple of others. Jane joined me for the next forty minutes to talk about and read from RUM PUM PUM. All in all, a quick sixty minutes.

On Wednesday Jane and I have a conference call with an editor to discuss options on what we might do for them. Looking forward to that.

How to get books for tomorrow’s event

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow morning at 11:00 I, along with Jane Yolen, will give a virtual presentation at The Library Center. You can still sign up today for the free program by calling the library and give them your library card ID. This will be a very kid friendly event. I’ll read a poem or two from AFTER DARK and kids who are signed up can follow me along with echo reading and sound effects. Then Jane comes on and we’ll read from and talk about our book, RUM PUM PUM, about a little boy in India who misplaces his drum. A friendless tiger finds it, learns how to make it “talk,” and sets off down the road attracting a parade of new friends.

These two books as well as other of my titles are available through Pagination Bookshop at 1150 E. Walnut Street, an independent bookstore and literary venue housed in a historic home built in 1905.
You can contact Jen Murvin and the staff at paginationbookshop@gmail.com or visit visit the store in person. They’re open to socially distanced and masked browsing Tuesdays-Sundays 12-5, with extended hours Saturday until 6 PM, and their ONLINE STORE is open 24/7! You can choose in-store pick up, shipping, or ship a gift to a loved one. Jen is offering a 15% discount on my books so that’s a good deal. If you want me to sign your books, let her know and I’ll take care of it when I go to her beautiful store later to sign them.

I hope to see some of you tomorrow.

Library Program this Saturday

Hi everyone,

I’m pleased to announce that this Saturday Jane Yolen and I will give a virtual presentation at The Library Center in Springfield, Missouri. Here’s the information printed in the Library District review of upcoming activities and programs at each branch.

Harrison and Friend Present: Tigers, Wolves and Skunks, Oh My!
December 17, 2020 — Celebrate Springfield’s favorite children’s author and the release of his latest two titles at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, for grades K-5.

David L. Harrison introduces “After Dark,” about creatures of the night, and “Rum Pum Pum,” about a lost drum and a friendless tiger that finds it. Join us for this virtual event to hear the author read from both books and tell you how he wrote them.

David will be joined by Jane Yolen, renowned author of 398 books for children and adults, and an esteemed poet and essayist.

Viewers are invited to supply sound effects and echo reading during the event! Registrations accepted Dec. 23-Jan. 8 and must be made by a parent or guardian by emailing nanceed@thelibrary.org and providing their library card number. A link and password to access the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.

David’s books are available for purchase at Pagination Bookshop, 1150 E. Walnut St., Springfield. Place an order by emailing paginationbookshop@gmail.com, provide name and how you would like the book(s) personalized by David Harrison. Or message to facebook.com/paginationbookshop or Instagram instagram.com/paginationbookshop/.