rgz

readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!

Showing posts with label Radcon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Radcon. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Author Cavalcade in Pasco!

Let me just start with a few highlights. Aren't these the best?

1. a six foot tall Native American guy with long hair and piercings connected to LOOSE THREADS
2. a teen girl told me, "I've read ON POINTE over 10 times!"
3. a mother told me HOLD ME TIGHT was helpful to her child in therapy
4. a teen texted her bestie to tell her she was standing next to me
5. and that one middle school girl returned for just one more hug

Needless to say, I had a WONDERFUL visit at the Pasco Author Cavalcade. It was AWESOME thanks to organizer, librarian Michelle Lane, and her volunteers! They worked so hard to get funds and prepare every facet of the experience. Radcon, a sci-fi conference. was a generous donor and provided a really fun environment for us all at the Red Lion.

Appearing authors included: Royce Buckingham, Dia Calhoun, Patrick Carman, Brenda Cooper, ME, Ben Mikaelsen, Deborah Reber, and Suzanne Selfors. We were treated like rock stars, I tell you.

Schools from all over the Tri-Cities were bused to the hotel. There were 4 workshops, 2 lunch sessions, and a signing.

My workshop was held in the Red Lion bar. :~) How many YA authors can say that? It was a great venue because the tables provided excellent space to collage. And I have admit that there was no alcohol in sight.

The high schoolers and middle schoolers made excellent visual maps of the verse entries that they wrote on the spot!


Even the guys were mapping out their words. Woohoo!


Dia and I were able to join author Maureen McQuerry for a wonderful lunch the following day as well. She was a lovely host!

Now that the whirlwind weekend is over, and Radcon just a great memory, I stumbled across this video created for On Pointe by Cavalcade. How sweet it that? I HIGHLY recommend authors attending if you should get an invite. This is an area that appreciates authors and loves lit. You will be treasured!

So here's the video they created. Awesome possum! And thanks, Cavalcade!



Find more videos like this on Voicethread for Educators

Psst. Everyone bug Dia for her impressions and the video they made of Firegold!

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Radcon 2010

You never know where you might end up during an author visit. Seriously. Dia Calhoun and I just returned from the Cavalcade of Authors in Pasco. But it was RADCON who helped fund the author extravaganza. Dia and I were immersed in the sci-fi con that is:

This guy guarded the entrance to our hotel wing.


I saw things I've never seen before. Sorry I was slow to pick up the camera. Not sure of the protocol in the moment, I now realize that most would have loved to have their photos taken. *sigh* Well, here's a bit of what I saw:

* Weapons for zombie defense
* Animal tails swinging on backsides
* A lot of tinfoil hats to ward off aliens
* A shop filled with wands
* Death
* A 300 lb man dressed as a baby doll
* A lot of steampunk
* Pirates
* Manga characters
* Klingons
* Captain Kirk
* Zombie boy

And that's just what comes to mind right now...


I LOVED IT! What a blast mixing with folks who are such avid fans. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a YA Con? Just imagine the guest list. In the meantime, I'll be thinking about returning next year. But what will I wear?


Any other sci-fi con lovers out there in rgz? What would you wear to a YA Con?

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