Good News Friday: Charitable Authors!

Happy Friday, everybody! One of my favorite things about being an author is being involved in charitable causes. Sara Zarr and I belong to a great group of Utah-based authors and illustrators called the Rock Canyon Writers and tomorrow (Saturday, August 21) we'll be doing our 3rd annual Writing for Charity event, "A Book for Every Child," in Salt Lake City, Utah. Click HERE for more information. It's a really great opportunity not only for readers to connect with their favorite local authors; aspiring authors can have their writing read and critiqued by a nationally published author!

There's also a silent auction. Click HERE to see what all is up for auction (though more will be added for the event itself). Some items that are already proving popular are lunch with James Dashner, lunch with Brandon Mull, a picutre book critique by Kristyn Crowe, the not-to-be-missed opportunity to have Shannon Hale brag about you on her blog, a chance to be murdered in one of Dan Wells' novels, and getting to be a character in a Jessica Day George novel. The money earned from this event will go to putting books into the hands of underprivileged children.

Anyway, this is my Good News Friday post because yes, I wanted everyone who can come to come, but also because I am SO thankful to belong to a group that's so gung-ho about making a difference.

Photos: 1. Here is the Rock Canyon Group at last year's charity event which was at the Treehouse Museum in Ogden, Utah. 2. 8 of us sharing the love at the Purple Cow, an indie bookstore in Tooele, Utah (Mike Knudson, Wendy Toliver, Randall Wright, Emily Wing Smith, Kristen Landon, Sara Zarr, Jessica Day George, and Anne Bowen). 3. Emily Wing Smith, Sara Zarr, and James Dashner. 4. Anne Bowen, Emily Wing Smith, and Wendy Toliver at the Provo Library.

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Writing for Charity

If you happen to live in the Utah area, this might be of interest to you. Even if you live elsewhere, hopefully you'll enjoy reading about this fun charity project and it will inspire you to do something proactive to help people in need.

This summer have unfettered access to professional children’s authors, all in the name of charity! Saturday, July 19 several local authors will host a Writing for Charity event in Salt Lake City, with all profits going to The Wheelchair Project, which provides wheelchairs for people in third world countries. Come hear writers talk about their process, how to write for a young audience, storytelling tips, and the ins and outs of the publishing business. In addition, have your picture book text or first page of your novel (the most important page!) workshopped by professionals.

When: Saturday, July 19, 9 am to 1 pm

Where: Salt Lake Main Library, 200 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

Cost: $45 (tax deductible!)

Authors include Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Ann Cannon, Kristyn Crow, Becky Hickox, Kimberley Heuston, Anne Bowen, Aprilynne Pike, Ann Dee Ellis, Mike Knudson, and Wendy Toliver (me!)

And on a totally unrelated note, check out my new cover. MISS MATCH will be out right in time for Valentine's Day!

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