Life in the Spotlight

I returned to The Founders Home in Boyds Mills in March to take a class in author and book promotion from Peter Jacobi. There were only 4 of us, all published authors, and Peter taught us how to create and present any kind of speech or presentation, including a school visit.

Here I am presenting at an elementary in Hawley, PA, about how Substitute Groundhog was made. It's fitting that the story of a Pennsylvania groundhog should first be presented in the state that makes the most of its groundhogs! Our presentations were videotaped and later critiqued by everyone in the group. The four of us, Vicky from New York, Vicki from Atlanta, and Ann from Michigan all shared the "cringe factor" and all bonded because we worked so hard and experienced so much together.

Peter also taught us how to respond to interviews, and Harold Underdown showed us ways to use social media to selectively promote ourselves and our books. He gave us each autographed copies of his Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, which has been extremely helpful.

Lindsay George gave us a lot of tips on how to grab and hold the attention of children and give them a terrific presentation. The food was amazing, with a special green meal served on St. Patrick's Day. Each evening, writers and editors from Boyds Mills or Highlights would join us for dinner and grown-up conversation. The week flew but we returned with much to help us in our future lives as authors in the spotlight. I highly recommend any workshop given by Peter Jacobi!