On the road again...

It's funny how the places you imagine are, in reality, so much like the place where you live. What I mean by this is that I had always envisioned the state of New York to be this big, urban expanse and I really hadn't thought that there would be parts of the state that looked so much like my hometown.

I recently visited the city of Waterville, NY to present one of my Tea & Mystery discussions at their public library. As usual, the presentation went well and I met some very nice people there. I was surprised that the scenery didn't actually change between where I live in Ohio and there. In fact, had I not missed my daughter so much, I wouldn't have even known I'd left town. Although the foliage is beautiful this time of year, after about three or four hundred miles of the same landscape, you start to wonder if you're actually moving forward. The drive did give me a chance to start working on my next Rona Shively novel. I got my first three chapters drafted on the way to Waterville.

I've always loved visiting new places and this road trip proved to be all too short. Since I recently started a new job, I wasn't able to stay as long as I would have liked to check out the rest of the area. Perhaps next time I'll have a couple of days to spare. Until then, I'll just have to look at my own trees.

If your library would like to have me come out and do a Tea & Mystery presentation, please contact me here. I'm still booking these events and would love to visit as many libraries across the United States as possible.

Until next time...

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What a week!

I've been extremely busy this week and although I'm certainly starting to feel it now, I'm also very motivated by what I've been doing. On Monday, I started a new job as a librarian for a local elementary school. In addition to my part-time schedule at my previous job and my writing and my promotional efforts, I'm just a wee bit tired. I haven't had time until today to put together a thought much less enter it here on the blog.

I didn't realize just what schools were up against until I was told by my principal that I have absolutely no budget for books. My first thought was, "No budget for books? How are you supposed to run any kind of library without a book budget?" After a few moments of panic, I started to think about ways that I could get what I need for the library. People are always willing to donate things for kids, so I think the logical place to start is by asking people what they can do to help me build up the library's collection. This would be easier, of course, if people weren't scraping to put together what they need for their own families to get through each day. It's a shame that our government is so focused on fighting this war and manipulating us with their political shenanigans that they can't take care of what is needed here at home.

I always enjoyed visiting the school library when I was a kid. I spent lots of time there, so I'm hoping that I can make this library a place where kids really want to be. I think that without the library, my life would have been missing a very important component. I'm motivated by the notion that what I put into this job can make a big difference to a kid who might not realize what they would miss by not reading. Books open up doors for kids and make them realize that there is more to life than what is right in front of them. Readers become productive members of society. They get it. Some of them might even take up writing. It makes me happy to think that some years down the road, one of my kids might even be the next R.L. Stine or Beverly Cleary or even James Patterson all because they had a librarian who taught them to appreciate a good book.

The challenges I am facing in this new position are welcome challenges. As a writer, I know that I will truly enjoy having yet another ongoing opportunity to encourage children to read. I'll keep you posted as to my progress with the new job.

Until next time...



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Got Rona Shively?

Here we go again, folks! Another contest! This time, it's serious! The prize is a $50 Visa Check Card to use as you please! All you have to do is e-mail me a photo of yourself (clothed, please) holding a copy of either In the Wash or Under Lock and Key or both! This contest will run through midnight on October 30th. The winner will also receive a cool Rona Shively t-shirt!

I've also got some prizes in mind for second and third place, but we'll see how it goes!

Anyway, go to your local library or bookstore, get the book and get your picture taken. It's that simple. If your bookstore or library doesn't have Rona, ask them to please get her for you. If you'd rather just get it yourself, you can head over to Benston Writes and order your own copies. Right now, we're running a special. Get both In the Wash and Under Lock and Key for the special price of $29.95+shipping! Signed, sealed and delivered!

Get in the game and enter today!