Putting the pieces back together

Hi everyone,

This week I’ve be notified that two of my cancelled events have been re-set for next year and I’m invited to participate in both — the Unbound Book Festival in April and River Read Children’s Literacy Festival in October 2021. ZOOM visits are on an upswing. I’ve agreed to three in the last couple of days: one for a library, one for a school, and one for a book store. Two of those events are in Missouri and one is in Florida. I’ve also been added as a co-presenter at National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) in Colorado in November. I look forward to hearing from others who had to cancel events this year as they look toward the future and make plans for later this year and throughout the next. I’m ready when they are. And aren’t we all!

What was and now is

Hi everyone,

This was going to be a busy week. Tonight I would wear the special tie I only wear once a year on this occasion and attend the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet. Around mid-week Su and Dan Hutchens would arrive to stay with us while they attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri. On Friday I would visit three schools in Columbia, Missouri. On Saturday I would give a talk at the Unbound Book Festival in Columbia and then make a two hour drive to speak at fund raising book festival in Fordland, Missouri.

None of that will happen of course. Tonight I will attend a virtual social hour honoring the Teacher Appreciation event. The rest of the week is open. My goal is to make two more videos, tweak my “so-so” interview, write four poems, and start the process of moving my e-mail address away from AT&T, which promises to be an arduous task. I’ll be notifying a lot of people about my new address in the coming days.

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/