Recently an author and audiobook narrator discussed their book, a fall conference brought authors to the stage, an author made her picture book debut, YA romance authors came together, a nonprofit welcomed an author for a volunteer event, and local authors showed support at an event.


Time and Again

Author Caroline O’Donoghue (r.) received a warm welcome at New York City’s Strand Bookstore on September 7 for a sold-out event presenting her YA fantasy/romance duology opener, Skipshock (Walker Books US). Broadway actor and Skipshock audiobook narrator Natasha Hodgson (l.) joined O’Donoghue for a conversation about the book. The event closed with a q&a and book signing.


A Bookish Breakfast

On September 10, the New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council held its Children’s Author Breakfast during NEIBA’s fall conference in Manchester, N.H., welcoming four authors to discuss their new works. Pictured here: authors C.L. Herman, Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, Jenan A. Matari, and Kate Messner after presenting their books.


No Secrets Here

On August 30, Amelia Bothe celebrated her debut picture book, Ellie Has a Secret (Clarion), with a storytime event at Barnes & Noble Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. The picture book follows the titular Ellie, who finds a shell with a creature inside it at school and takes it home with her, but struggles with feelings of guilt.


‘Falling’ in Love

On September 6, Beanbag Books in Delaware, Ohio, welcomed author Misty Wilson for the launch of her YA novel Falling Like Leaves (McElderry). In the YA romance, teen Ellis is forced to move from New York City to Bramble Falls, Conn., and although she yearns to return to her hometown, she finds herself growing more attached to the small-town life. Wilson was joined by fellow author Kristy Boyce for a conversation, and the bookstore brought to life the novel’s fall festival, with cookies, bacon, harvest spice lattes, and a scavenger hunt. Here (from l.), Wilson and Boyce with sweet treats and their books.


From Coast to Coast

On September 11, illustrator Kevin Hawkes made his way to Great Cranberry Island in Maine to lead workshops for kids and families from the state’s unbridged islands. Hosted by the Seacoast Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Maine’s outer islands and Downeast coastal communities, Hawkes took part in the Teaching and Learning Collaborative, an event that brings together island families for a day of learning, art, and connection. Hawkes hosted his own workshops, organized by Island Readers & Writers, and each student left with a signed copy of Weslandia (Candlewick), a picture book by Paul Fleischman and illustrated by Hawkes. Here, Hawkes gives a demonstration to a group of students.


A Local Star

Local indie, Page 1 Bookstore in Albuquerque hosted NAACP Image Award nominee Khadijah VanBrakle to celebrate the launch of My Perfect Family (Holiday House), her latest YA novel. The story centers on Leena, who is drawn to her estranged grandfather after he falls ill, but is warned by her mother about the complexity of his relationship to the family. Several local authors came out to support VanBrakle at the event. Seen here: Laurel Goodluck (first row, second from l.), VanBrakle (first row, c.), Daniela Ramirez (second row, second from l.), Marti Johns (third row, second from l.), Susan Metallo (third row, third from l.), Zahra Marwan (fourth row, l.), and Kit Rosewater (fourth row, second from l.).