Wordstock

Here in the Pacific Northwest we writerly folks have a local tradition, it's called: Wordstock. It's a writer's workshop/festival filled with fun information for readers and writers.

One of the things I love about Wordstock is the price. It is so affordable that there is no reason not to go. Here is a list of the 2012 prices: 1 day-$7, 2 days-$10, groups of 10 or more: $5,  kids ages 0-13-free (but a ticket is still required).

That's the reason I always try to volunteer. And, it's a wonderful way to get to know other writers/readers and people with like-minded interests.

I've volunteered a couple of years and highly encourage others to do the same. Plus, there are all sorts of events associated with the festival that take place ahead of the BIG event, one example is a poetry slam.

And there are so many wonderful, friendly people to get to know. Like Kelsey. She volunteers a ton of her time to the cause.

She sat with me at the Registration Table but she was doing way more than me because she was a black shirt - I was a red shirt. Shirt colors are the way to quickly distinguish the worker bees from the real honey bees (or the ones who really know what's going on behind the scenes.)

And Kelsey bought a couple of the cutest books ever, at the festival: Baby Mouse by Matt Holm and illustrated by Jennifer Holm.

So, if your budget is tight but you want to get into the wonderful writerly world, take note! Write this one word down: WORDSTOCK.  And put it on your calendar for next year. You won't want to miss it! Guaranteed.

Baby Mouse

Matt Holm was sharing his talents and creating magic with a little mouse: Baby Mouse.

He drew pictures for the kids, having them help him come up with ideas. The kids loved it - almost as much as me. I enjoyed seeing the kids all get so excited to use their imagination and then watch it come to life with Matt's Magic Art!

It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Baby Mouse is a Graphic Novel for kids and if you have a little one, and even if you don't, you should go to the Green Bean Bookstore and check it out. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.

Bridget Zinn's Silent Auction was Friday 5/29

It was a great night. Bridget looked beautiful standing here with Jone.

And I finally got a chance to sit down and chat with Suzanne Young, who I met at a conference a year ago but have never been lucky enough to spend any time with. She's a bubbly bundle of energy and she ran around selling raffle tickets for the cause.

I also got a chance to sit between the two wonderful writers who both go by the same name: Lisa, Schroeder and Madigan.

Plus, the great illustrater Matt Holme from Baby Mouse was there.
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My husband and I were checking out the items up for bid, when I pointed out a pet message that I thought would be fun to bid on.

He said, "Are you crazy? If anyone's getting a message, it's going to be me."

So we ended up winning a Thai message for my hubby. It sounds heavenly.

I was lucky enough to win a critique from Margot Finke. There were other great prizes and other great people there. Check out the links to read more.

A special Thank-You! to Jone MacCulloch for all her hard work putting the event together and Lisa Nowak!!!

(Two of these photos were taken by Suzanne Young - I only had my cellphone with me - so I'm sure you can guess which ones those are. ;-)

Baby Mouse - A Graphic Novel for Kids

Brother and Sister Team: Jennifer Holm and Matt Holm collaborate on Baby Mouse.



I guess you have to be logged into FACEBOOK to be able to view the movie - SORRY!

But the graphic novel, Baby Mouse, is aimed at kids ages 7-10.

You have to click on the screen and then click on the carrot to start the show.