ShortHand Publishing - Mission Hill Return Author Visit

MISSION HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

RETURN AUTHOR VISIT

NOV. 24/03

Today’s visit was our first return author visit. Having visited Mission Hill school in May, it seems strange to say it was last year but when you are talking in school years, even though it was in 2003, it was last year.

As we were setting up our things, it was nice to see a couple of young fellows helping Librarian, Mrs. Monroe, put away books that had been returned. It didn’t take them long at all. I suppose this wasn’t their first time doing this job. It’s interesting to me that possibly they didn’t even realize that they were being trained to do a job.

We were welcomed by Ms. O’Keefe and Mrs. Peltone’s grade one classes. Seeing that these children were in kindergartner last year this was the first time they were meeting us. Just because this was a smaller group than we had last year doesn’t mean they were any less enthusiastic.

In Mrs. Monroe’s introduction she mentioned that I was unlike some of the authors that have visited the school, in that I am a local author. She also mentioned that she always reads the dedication in a book and wonders why the author chose that particular person to dedicate the book to. “If we can’t figure it out while reading the story we’ll have to ask Katharine about it afterwards,” she told the children.

Then it was time to start reading the second episode, Lost & Found. I’m always intrigued by the reaction the children have as the story is being read and as they realize the similarity between the pictures in the book and the ones that are displayed on the table in front of them. As expected there were a few nudges here and there, making sure that ones neighbour recognized the similarities as well.

When the story was over Mrs. Monroe commented on the dedication once again saying, “Now we know who the book was dedicated to and why.” We talked a little about the relationship that developed between Kathy and that person but I can’t disclose too much information because I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, should I visit your school.

However, I will mention one very observant girl’s question that lead to a little confusion. Her question was, “Is that the lady in the book with the glasses on?”

I wasn’t quite sure what she meant but when I followed her gaze I saw the original illustration of the older lady in the story, with glasses on. Assuming that was who she meant I replied, “Yes it is.”

However Mrs. Monroe was quick to realize that the young girl meant my Mom, who was sitting behind the table wearing her glasses. We quickly straightened out the mix up and shared a laugh over it.

To my delight I was not asked my age today, instead there were a lot of comments about the pictures in the book and about the artist. I explained that Fawn Boucock did the illustrations for us and we also talked a little about the process of creating them. All the children thought the pictures were wonderful, as do we.

Because we didn’t take the rocking chair this time, comments were made about ShortHand Publishing’s logo that we had displayed. You can see the logo in the picture of Mrs. Monroe reading the story. We were asked if we had established a publishing company since our last visit.

I explained that Mom was my publisher and it was now up to us to promote the books just as a larger firm would do. This tied in with a question that one of the teachers asked, “Are your books in any of the stores around town?”

It was at this point I shared which stores are carrying my books. For information please check in our bookstore for a location near you.

Monroe’s took the opportunity to suggest to the children that if they were thinking of buying someone a Christmas or even a birthday gift, a book is always a great idea because they can read it again and again. Then she went on to recommend my books and I thank her for the free advertising.

The thing with self-publishing is, unless you have a well known name or an unlimited bank account, you need to sell the books that you have published in order to continue publishing.

There were a few more questions and then it was time to close out another successful author visit. I have been trying to remember having anyone come to my school when I was a youngster. I have even asked Crystal, a friend that was a grade ahead of me in school, and she also doesn’t remember having any special guests. For that matter we didn’t even have a library like the schools have today. I hope the children realize how fortunate they are. So much has changed since my school days, but on the other hand I guess you could say that “my school days” aren’t quite over yet. And for that I’m very thankful.

I truly enjoy these visits and hope they can continue for a long time. So we close now and I’d like to thank Mrs. Monroe for asking me back. As well as the teachers and all the wonderful students who made us feel so welcome.

Until next time, be well. J