Hosting a Virtual Book Launch

A virtual book launch is a great way to get readers interested in your book on the day of its release. One of the great things about writing for the middle grader is that they are tech savvy enough to participate in a virtual launch. Here are some tips and tricks for hosting a virtual launch that includes your middle grade reader.

1. Set up an event page on Facebook
Even though your middle grade reader probably doesn't have a Facebook account, their parents probably do. And by hosting on an event page instead of your own Facebook page, you don't have to worry about the middle graders or their parents following you. They just join the event.

2. Co-host the party on your blog or website
Some middle graders won't be allowed to go on Facebook even with their parent's account, so make sure you have a blog or website that is also posting during the event. If you normally have restrictions on comments, make sure to relax them during the event to make it easy for someone to post.

3. Choose a time that is early enough for middle graders to participate
I decided to hold my event from 7:30 - 10:30 pm ET. This was an early enough time on the east coast and a late enough time on the west coast.

4. Set up a schedule
I posted a schedule a few days before the event. Content that was more appropriate for my middle grade audience went up earlier in the night. I also gave away prizes every hour so that attendees didn't have to wait until 10:30 to win.

5. Have some age appropriate prizes
Adult readers wanted book plates and ARCS. Middle graders love anything that has the book's name on it. And it doesn't have to be fancy. I used a sharpie marker to write my book title on some baseballs and a beach ball and those were my most sort after prizes.

6. Encourage questions
The best questions of my launch came from my middle grade readers.

7. Ask your audience questions
I had a couple of questions that tied into my book ready before the launch to use any time things got slow.

8. Preset blog posts
It can be very challenging posting at two places at once. A blog allows you to set the time that posts will be made. If I were to do it again, I would have every blog post written at least a day in advance and set to release once an hour. That way you can focus only on commenting and answering questions. Creating the blog posts before the launch can also avoid any technology hitches. I had planned to read a chapter live during my launch but I couldn't get the video to load. The other two videos I had created before the launch went up without any issues.

9. Assume that more people are ready and watching than those who participate
The day after my launch I got emails from people who hadn't commented but had either been to the launch or came by later to read all the posts. Continue to use the event site and blog to talk to your silent fans as well as your loud ones. They'll appreciate it.

Not quite sure what I mean by a virtual launch? Go to my blog for a better definition. To see my virtual launch visit my Facebook event.

Some great resources I found were How to Host a Virtual Launch and Throwing a Virtual Launch Party.

Any more questions about hosting a virtual launch? Ask below.

(This was originally posted on Publishing From the Heart after the launch of The Sweet Spot in June. Unfortunately, that blog needed to be deleted due to hacking.)

Brighting Our World: Books that Promote Love and Kindness

It's been a very dark autumn, and not just because of the days getting shorter. The news seems to be filled with stories that promote hate. Raising middle graders in a world where it is okay to give speeches and make social media comments that would make people uncomfortable in a polite conversation can be challenging. Here are two books from other challenging time periods your middle grader can read to see love in action.

In Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmdt, the main character Doug is growing up in America during the time of the Vietnam War. Doug moves to a new town and is immediately stereotyped as a "bad boy" based on his poor family and long hair. When his brother is accused of robbing some of the local stores, people's attitudes towards him get even worse. But Doug's good nature shines through and as people get to know the real Doug, the reader witnesses kindness in action. Told from the first person point of view of Doug, Okay for Now can help a middle grader understand that age old phrase, "You can't judge a book by its cover."

In The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine, the main character Marlee has to challenge the racist feelings of others and decide to take action. Set in 1958, before desegregation, Marlee finds out that her best friend has been posing as white when she is really black. Marlee decides that skin doesn't matter and works to make sure that she keeps her friendship, even when others would use violence to prevent it. Told from Marless's point of view, this book shows how even a shy young girl can stand up for others.



Do you have a favorite book that promotes kindness? Please share your recommendation in the comments.

#nErDcampLI 2015

If you love books and teaching, then you have to find your local Nerd Camp. I found mine on Long Island on November 7.

Even though my school had run an edcamp and I followed the tweets of #nErDcampMI over the summer, I still wasn't quite sure what to expect when I walked in the door. I certainly wasn't expecting a huge hug from #nErDcampLI's coordinator, JoEllen McCarthy. JoEllen and the other organizers directed me to an empty board with spots for workshops waiting to be filled. And like magic, it was loaded with interesting and exciting topics taught by both educators and rock star authors.

Since I was there as both an educator and a rock star author, I was persuaded to run a workshop of my own.

The organizers, JoEllen, Alison McDermott, and Kristen Picone, welcomed us all to the event and explained how the day would work. Then they sent us off to our first session.

A handful of educators came to my session on using notice, wonder, and think to explore character traits. They were very understanding when I only had enough material to cover a half an hour. But that is the beauty of this event, you learn with your feet! So as soon as the room emptied out, a new group of educators walked in and I presented all over again. As part of my presentation I shared the draft of my Teacher's Guide which has a strong focus on character analysis. You can download the guide for free here. 

After going to a wonderful session on POV given by author Victoria Coe, I sat with many of the other rock star authors to answer questions about becoming a teacher-writer. There was so much talent in the room and the teachers asked great questions.

The day ended with a book signing. Teacher attendees were encouraged to invite their classes to meet the authors and I loved meeting so many wonderful educators and adorable children. 

It was a great day and I loved being there as both an educator and author. I met some amazing teachers, like Dahiana Romero, who is currently getting her masters in education. 

I also spent time with many rock star authors such as Victoria Coe, Corey Rosen Schwartz, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Josh Funk, Carol Ekster, Paul Czajak, Chris Grabenstein, and Christine Leronimo. You can see a complete list of the author attendees here.

Victoria Coe

Corey Rosen Schwartz

It was an amazing day. I can't wait until they do it again!

For more information on #nErDcampLI, visit their website or follow their hashtag on Twitter. And don't forget to look for a #nErDcamp or #Edcamp in your area.