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“When I was growing up, I dreamed about becoming a cowgirl, a detective, a spy, a great actress or a ballerina. Not a dentist, like my father, or a homemaker, like my mother -- certainly not a writer, although I always loved to read. I didn't know anything about writers. It never occurred to me they were regular people and that I could grow up to become one, even though I loved to make up stories inside my head.”
JUDY BLUME (my mentor as a child reader and writer even though I didn’t realize it)
Leigh-Anne Kidwell
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Links to Leigh-Anne's Favorite Sites for Aspiring Author's
Young Adults (&kids) Book Central
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Reader
Rating See Detailed Ratings
Posted November 17, 2008,
8:50 PM EST: Two sisters, Mary and Samantha, travel to visit their Aunt and
Uncle for two weeks on a vineyard in California during summer vacation. Mary
wants to learn how to run the vineyard. She's thinking it might be neat to
take on the family business one day. Her sister Sam's interests lie in boys,
shopping, and the beach. Both girls must deal with major disappointments, as
two weeks turns into most of the summer due to family issues.
Sharing a room is normally tough, but especially when you're not speaking to
the other occupant. Mary and her sister fight whenever they speak to each
other and tension grows between the two sisters. Mary loses herself in the
work around the vineyard. Samantha occasionally lends a hand, but she's more
interested in one of the workers than the vineyard itself. When trouble
starts on the vineyard, Mary feels determined to discover the culprit, even
if it means prying into her sister's business.
SUMMER VINEYARD has a similar setting to PEACHES, but for a younger
audience. The sisterly behavior between the two main characters rings true
through their quarreling and also their reconciliation. The descriptive
quality of the novel makes this a quick and
good read.
Frederick, MD -- 7 March 2005 -- "PublishAmerica is proud to announce that it has acquired the rights to publish "The Year I Lost My Popularity", by Talbott Tennessee's Leigh Anne Kidwell. PublishAmerica expressed confidence today that Ms. Kidwell's book will quickly resonate with an audience. The company believes that The Year I Lost My Popularity is a well written and crafted work of contemporary fiction that fits their specialty like a glove. PublishAmerica primarily publishes works by, for or about people who face a challenge in life, and who overcome it by turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. PublishAmerica believes that Ms. Kidwell is a promising talent in this field." - PublishAmerica
_______________________________________________________________________
October 13, 2005 - Jennifer Murray Somerset - BookPleasures.com
Leigh-Ann Kidwell’s book,
The Year I Lost My Popularity tells the story
of Elizabeth, who just two weeks prior to her thirteenth birthday moves
to a new town about an hour away from everyone and everything she has
known all her life. As with all changes in life, especially ones during the teen years, it’s
a hard one to adjust to. In the end Elizabeth learns that all that
matters most is being true to yourself and your beliefs and to give
people a chance to like you for who you are and vice versa. You tend to
meet the truest of friends under the strangest of circumstances and
those are the ones to treasure the most.
I found Kidwell’s book to be a realistic depiction of junior high and
high school, at least what I remember it to be. The being picked on and
ostracized for the strangest of things and the confusion about it all is
conveyed well through the character of Elizabeth. I personally would
have liked to have a bit more observation about the friends that this
character made from her point of view during her realization about
popularity. Overall I think Kidwell did a good job imparting to the
reader what’s really important about popularity in a way that teens and
adults as well can relate to without being heavy handed about it.
I also appreciated that Kidwell allowed Elizabeth to come to the
realization about friends and what’s important in a realistic evolution
of understanding for a teenager. In other instances I’ve seen, adult
author’s tend to forget that in our youth, understanding what is
important in the long run is sometimes very difficult to see even if
it’s staring you in the face. The quick judgment that comes with many
years of experience is applied to characters that are not presented as
having that experience, thus making them seem hollow for the sake of
tying up loose ends. With the character of Elizabeth, Kidwell allows her
to keep making the same similar mistakes in judgment often made with
inexperience. Thus the character was allowed to be her “age” and
not an adult trapped in the body of a youth. Even though the story
itself is a short one, the evolution that is so important to the story
was addressed in a way that progressed the story along quickly yet not
make you as the reader feel rushed to a conclusion. I also
recommend it to parents of teenagers as a refresher as to what it was
like at the age of thirteen and trying to find your place in your world.
Read the Leigh-Anne interview by Teens Read Too Magazine
_______________________________________________________________________
Reviews from Barnes and Noble:
The Year I Lost My Popularity
"...Great Book for Young Girls"
Sandra, A reviewer, 01/12/2007
"I read this book after I moved to a new town and like Elizabeth felt a little out of place. I was a good, quick read and I enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more by the author." SANDRA 1/12/07
From AMAZON:
"My Granddaughter loved it!"
by
Karen Rivas
(GA, USA)
"When my son and his family
were getting ready to move from Dallas to Knoxville I was overjoyed! Tammy,
my granddaughter, was not thrilled -- junior high is a tough age to have to
leave your friends behind. Having met Leigh-Anne at a seminar, I thought 'The
Year I Lost My Popularity' would help Tammy feel a little better --
lots of kids move these days... "
"The report from Tammy: Thanks Gram, I loved this book!"
AS SEEN ON AMAZON.COM:
The following review was contributed by: *Jennifer Murray Somerset:
Click Here to Read Jennifer's Reviews
Leigh-Ann Kidwell’s book, The Year I Lost My Popularity tells the story of Elizabeth, who just two weeks prior to her thirteenth birthday moves to a new, town about an hour away from everyone and everything she has known all her life.
As with all changes in life, especially ones during the teen years, it’s a hard one to adjust to. In the end Elizabeth learns that all that matters most is being true to yourself and your beliefs and to give people a chance to like you for who you are and vice versa. You tend to meet the truest of friends under the strangest of circumstances and those are the ones to treasure the most.
I found Kidwell’s book to be a realistic depiction of junior high and high school, at least what I remember it to be. The being picked on and ostracized for the strangest of things and the confusion about it all is conveyed well through the character of Elizabeth. I personally would have liked to have a bit more observation about the friends that this character made from her point of view during her realization about popularity. Overall I think Kidwell did a good job imparting to the reader what’s really important about popularity in a way that teens and adults as well can relate to without being heavy handed about it.
I also appreciated that Kidwell allowed Elizabeth to come to the realization about friends and what’s important in a realistic evolution of understanding for a teenager. In other instances I’ve seen, adult author’s tend to forget that in our youth, understanding what is important in the long run is sometimes very difficult to see even if it’s staring you in the face. The quick judgment that comes with many years of experience is applied to characters that are not presented as having that experience, thus making them seem hollow for the sake of tying up loose ends. With the character of Elizabeth, Kidwell allows her to keep making the same similar mistakes in judgment often made with inexperience. Thus the character was allowed to be her “age” and not an adult trapped in the body of a youth.
Even though the story itself is a short one, the evolution that is so important to the story was addressed in a way that progressed the story along quickly yet not make you as the reader feel rushed to a conclusion. I also recommend it to parents of teenagers as a refresher as to what it was like at the age of thirteen and trying to find your place in your world.
http://www.bookpleasures.com/Lore2/idx/0/1719/article/The_Year_I_Lost_My_Popularity.html
TeensReadToo.com
Check out Leigh Anne's interview with Jen Wardrip of Teens Read Too
http://authorsunleashed.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-with-leigh-anne-kidwell.html
My next Novel
"The Power of Three"
This is a book that mothers and daughters will want to read together. It shows both the adult point of view and the young teen.
THE POWER OF THREE is the story of three girls (thirty years ago) in middle school who are close friends. Yet for some reason, they find it hard to stay friends all at the same time. Two of them are usually upset with the third leaving the third out of the triangle. Together (and sometimes apart) they experience the typically early teenage things girls of their age do… school work, neighborhood boys, sibling rivalries, birthdays, parent mingling, divorce, first love, jealousy…. Realizing all this is better when you have a friend to lean on. Until one day when someone has to move away….
Thirty years later (today’s time) we visit with the three women again. After all these years, living in the same town, none of them have kept in touch like they promised when they were kids. Each has their own life and going through the typical things adult women go through…work, kids, husbands, boyfriends, divorce, losing their jobs, death, loneliness… experiencing all this without a good friend to lean on. After they find each other again, it was like they never lost their best friends. They are closer now, understanding each other the only way true friends can with all their quirks and faults.
How did they live so close and never run into each other? How did they forget to keep in touch?
“The last time I heard from Tiffany she was getting married. I couldn’t go. I had to work that day.”
Isn’t it amazing how life interferes with the one thing that really matters?
They find each other after all these years for a reason…you will just have to read the story to find out why.
Stay tuned.
This story was a hard one for me to write. I dealt with changing personalities, different points of view and then jumping not only from a young teenager to an adult which I had never portrayed in my stories, but three different teenagers and women. It was fun, but a huge challenge for me to get it just right and make sure the characters had their distinct voice. I also did a lot of research on subjects from the reading up on the town the story was set in, Smyrna, Ga. Near where I grew up in Conyers to research the latest fashion lingo, journalism, cancer, and more. It was great fun and I really got to know the people in the book so well they became my friends. I hope they will become yours.
EXCERPT FROM BOOK:
JEALOUSY STINGS
“Beep...Beep...Beep,” Krista jumped out of bed as soon as her alarm started going off.
She was so excited about this morning. She knew exactly what she was going to wear, her orange short sleeve peasants blouse with ruffles on the bottom and a big ribbon wrapped around the middle right under her growing chest. Krista had starting developing already and sometimes she was a little embarrassed by it. But as she put on her clothes she noticed how nice her boobs looked today. She felt grown up. She had bought new bras last week on the shopping trip with Sarah and her mom. Karrie had tagged along too and she was the one who helped her with the process. Together they picked out three pretty pastel colors that would look right under anything. They also had a little padding in them so it helped her chest look more rounded instead of pointy like her newly development was beginning to take shape. She pulled on her jeans, dark denim with fade marks down the leg and shinny rhinestones in orange, green, blue and white making paisley shapes in three different patterns on the front and the back pockets. They were slim too; almost too tight. But that is what everyone was wearing. She had to lie on her bed to get the zipper up all the way. She had bought black boots too, but it was a little hot outside for those. She couldn’t wait until the weather was a little cooler to wear them. Her slides would have to do for now.
Krista walked down the hall to the bathroom that she shared with her sister. Her sister had access through her own room so it was hard to tell when she would be in there. Krista still needed to brush her hair and teeth. The door was locked. It was getting late and she was scared she might miss the bus if she didn’t leave soon.
She knocked on the door. “Karrie, I need to get in there for a minute. I have to leave for the bus in fifteen minutes.” Trying the nice approach first, and hoping it wouldn’t upset her sister too much to keep her in there longer than necessary.
“In a minute, I am taking my rollers out of my hair.”
“Can you let me in so I can brush my teeth at least?” Krista didn’t understand why her sister had to lock the door when she was only fixing her hair.
The lock unlatched and Krista opened the door slowly. Her sister was sitting on top of the counter while she removed a hundred plus rollers from her hair. She was throwing them in the sink.
“Can you get those out please; I need to brush my teeth. How can I turn the water on with those yucky hair things in the sink?” now she was getting upset.
Karrie rolled her eyes. “You might need to get up earlier if you need to get in here. I have to shower, dry my hair and roll it every morning, so I need the bathroom.” She reached in the sink and grabbed a hand full of fluffy sticks that magically rolled her sister’s hair into beautiful spiral curls every day. Krista had to admit, Karrie took a long time to get ready. However, the final product turned her into a gorgeous girl. She knew what to do to make her face light up and her hair shine. Her sister was always trying new make-ups on Krista and hair styles, but Krista didn’t have the patience to sit still and do all the steps when it came time to get ready.
“Thanks.” Krista smirked when her sister pulled the last roller out of the sink. There was long red hair all over the basin bowl so she had to clean that out before she could brush her teeth.
When Krista finally left the house she had to jog a bit down the street to where she planned to meet Sarah. She was so glad she had someone she knew to begin school with. She and Sarah had become real close over the summer and she looked forward to hanging out with her every day. She was glad she had some classes with her too. The only scary problem was she didn’t see her once she got to school until third period English. Krista had a different homeroom teacher, Math and Reading teacher. Then they had English, lunch and PE together. Her sixth period was Home Economics for her alternative class. Sarah had picked Music. Her day ended sharing Social Studies with Sarah in Mr. Harris’ class.
As Krista reached the bend in the road where she could see rest of the neighborhood she noticed Sarah waiting for her. She was talking with two boys. She had seen them in the neighborhood once or twice. Sarah had called them the mean twins.
“Hey ya’ll,” she said as she reached the three of them.
“Hey Krista, this is Ben and Ken the twins I told you about.” Sarah introduced them.
“Hi, nice to meet you.” She watched as both of their eyes scanned her body and landed on her boobs. She was afraid that boys would notice her chest with this padded bra on. Self consciously she covered herself with her book bag and they all walked up to the bus stop. They seemed to be the first one’s to be picked up. Sarah’s brother Jacob was one of the last one’s to get on. Krista couldn’t help but stare at him when she saw him. He was so cute. He had the darkest hair which he just let hang wildly all over his head. Jacob winked at her as he passed their seats. He never said anything to them, but she knew he was checking her out. Sarah and Jacob didn’t get along all the time, so she never got to hang out with him. Krista hoped that she could get to know him better now that they were going to the same school and riding the same bus.
“Who is that?” Krista asked Sarah as they took their seats and a girl quietly took the seat up front.
“That’s Mary. She’s the one I told you about that lives at the bottom of the hill in the white house on the corner. She never comes out of her house. I’m not sure what’s wrong with her.”
Krista thought that was just stupid to spend all your time inside. The bus took off and they headed down the rode. It pulled down a neighborhood next to theirs. She remembered it when they had been looking for houses, but the realtor told them only retirees lived there and it was way out of their price range. As the bus rode down the street she noticed that all the houses looked a like. Every one of them was three story brick homes with black or blue shutters. Each had a small front stoop for a porch and large manicured green lawns. They pulled up in front of a house with black shutters. There was one of those expensive cars with a fancy emblem over the license plate parked in the drive way. It looked like a person in the drivers seat was about to pull out, but instead, a girl with short bouncy blonde hair got out of the passenger side and made her way to the bus.
Within seconds the girl popped up and was standing at the front of the bus. This was one of those cutesy, bouncy, rich girls, Krista was sure not to like. Her hair was too curly to be natural. She probably had it done at one of those fancy boutiques her sister was always talking about. Krista wondered if this girl put curlers in her hair like her sister did every morning. Blondie walked past the seat where she and Sarah sat then took the one behind them. Krista recognized her from some where, but couldn’t place where. She was about to make a silly comment to Sarah about her curls when Sarah jumped up and turned in her seat to introduce herself to the new girl. What is it with her? Krista thought to herself. Does she feel she has to be the neighborhood greeter or something?
She missed half the conversation until Sarah mentioned her name.
Krista turned around and smirked at the girl. She was new too apparently and in the seventh grade also. Her name was Jiff or something. Krista could really care less. Before she heard anymore the bus driver yelled for everyone to turn around and take her seat. That she was glad of. Sarah sat down and rolled up her shoulders in the way people do when they are excited.
“She’s in our grade. Maybe she has some classes with us.”
“Maybe,” Krista muttered. She didn’t say a word the rest of the trip.
I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta and like the character in my first novel “The Year I Lost My Popularity!” we moved to another city when I was a young teenager. I know how difficult a move at any age is, I have moved many times in my life, but as a teenager it stinks. You have to leave all your best friends and the familiarity behind and go to a new school where everyone knows everyone and it is hard to make your way into the clicks that have been formed for years. The book is not a story about me, but when I sat down to write “The Year I Lost My Popularity!” I remembered those emotions of moving when I too was young and how difficult it was to fit in to a new setting. You will also find a few of the crazy challenges I my self had to endure that first year I was in a new school in some of the scenes. They were too good to leave out of Elizabeth’s life.
As a young teen I loved to read and write. My favorite author was Judy Blume; I have re
My family at Bear Mountain
in New York
ad all her books, twice! I used to love writing poems and short stories. I would write about everything from make believe to actual events I was going through in my life. However, I never considered writing as an actual career. Instead I received a degree in Marketing with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. I used my emphasis for a few years after graduating and worked in the retail industry managing clothing stores.
After living on my own and paying my own bills for a few years, I met and married a wonderful man that swept me away from Atlanta and moved me to Alabama where we were married and started a family. I was fortunate enough to be able to quit work and stay at home to raise my son. Not until a year later, when I was getting a little bored with only having the title of “mommy” and “wife”, did I begin to write again. I thought I would use the experience of moving (again) to help other young girls in similar situations.
It took me two years to finish the book. I would put it down for few months unsure of what I was doing. I wasn’t titling myself as a writer and thought of it as a hobby to escape the mommy wars. I would return time and again after building up the confidence to continue writing. Finally, I had an ending. Now what? I hadn’t begun this journey with any thoughts of what I would do with the book if it was ever finished. With the encouragement of a close friend, my husband, and a little curiosity I research what to do with a finish novel. I became very familiar with the library, something I hadn’t stepped into since school. And I found a publishing house to send my novel to. After mailing my finished work, I sat back and thought, now what? What was I thinking? Nobody is going to want to read this!
I was lucky. I got word not two weeks later that a publishing house wanted to publish it. I am not sure what actually went through my mind at the time. I was a little weary about it all. Maybe this was a bogus publishing house, what would I have to pay to have it done? Was this a joke? After reading up on the company, I realized that it wasn’t a joke and I had actually got lucky. All my research had paid off.
So here I am five years later and two published novels under my belt working on my third. We have moved two different times, hopefully residing in New Jersey for a while. All the time, I have kept up my passion and stuck to the writing. Even after my second child was born and I concurred the biggest move in my life, up north. Not such an easy defeat for a southern girl. I love it up here though, the weather is perfect (unless you count the time I got my Suburban stuck in our driveway in the snow trying to take my son to school and had to call my husband who works a good half hour away to come dig me out) the area is small town yet close to the big city and my kids can walk to school (except when it is 20 degrees and I choose to drive them and get stuck) and my son, bless him, who has moved several times in his own young life, is finally fitting in himself. He is a fighter who has had to make new friends many times in his life and be the new kid in town. My hope is for that not to happen too many more times unnecessarily. Everyone needs a place to call home.
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I enjoy writing. It is my passion. I have finally found something I truly want to do. My goal is to teach young teenagers that it is important to continue reading and cherish all that you write. If it is something you might be interested in for the future, don’t waste any time. Get involved with school literary and creative writing courses now. But most of all, just keep reading. I will keep writing! Find your passion.
Leigh-Anne Kidwell
The kids and me at Grandma's
Keep in touch…
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** For more information on Author Events or workshops in the New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania area, please contact Leigh Anne Kidwell at
leighanne@leighannekidwell.com
2009 Events:
MAHWAH PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG WRITER’S 6th GRADE AND UP
July 10th: 3:00 pm - 4:30
pm ~ All about you!
What type of writer are you? In this session we will find the writer within
you, uncover the story inside you, and do a writing portrait.
July 17th: 3:00
pm – 4:30 pm ~ Dialogue and Point of View
Find out the “do’s and don’ts” of dialogue writing as we create a
conversation from writing prompts. For the point of view topic we will take
a story and tell it from several characters viewpoints to see how each
changes the entire story’s focus.
July 24th: 3:00
pm – 4:30 pm ~ Poetry, Description and Details
Discover the poet in you. We will talk about different types of poetry and
create our own. We will also find out how to insert the proper details and
description into our creative writing.
July 31st: 3:00
pm – 4:30 pm ~ Contest and Publishing
Come find out the how, who, where and when to submit your work as a young
writer. This session is for the serious writer and you should come prepared
with at least one piece of work that you would want to enter in a contest or
submit to have published. We will cover from start to finish on how to get
published!
Each session will start with a “Get
your juices flowing” writing prompt, include writing exercises and
sharing work. As always there will be a drawing for your choice of the
following book:
“THE YEAR I LOST MY POPULARITY!”
and “SUMMER VINEYARD”
For more information on any of these workshops visit the young adult librarian; you must sign up to attend.
July 10, 17, 24, and 31
Young Writers Workshop ~ Mahwah Public Library for 6th –
10th graders
July 10, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ~ Finding The Writer Within You
July 17, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ~ Developing Dialogue and Point of View
July 24, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ~ Poetry, Description and Details
July 31, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ~ Step by Step Submitting for Contest and Publishing
For more information email Leigh-Anne or call the library 201-529-READ___________________________________________
Sunday March 15, 2009 – Girl Scouts of Franklin Lakes will enjoy a day full of writing workshops at the Franklin Lakes Public Library. Schedule is as follows:
1:15-2:15
BROWNIE Grades 2 and 3
-
Developing your
story
– Building characters, plot, setting and timeframe for a story. Writing
prompts will be provided or they may choose something they already have been
working on or think of in class.
2:30- 3:30 JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS Grades 4 and 5
-
Dialogue
– Working a dialogue between characters. The storyline and characters will
be provided.
3:45 - 4:45 CADETTES Grades 6-9th
-Research
Game
– Teens will work together to see how much you know without research and
then compare this to how much you learn with research. This game will need
access to computers.
___________________________________________
Tuesday January 27th and Tuesday February 3rd – Young Writers Workshop at Washington Township Public Library. Open for 5th and 6th graders. From 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Session description below.
Tuesday February 23rd and Tuesday March 2nd – Young Writers Workshop at Franklin Lakes Public Library. Open for 12 years old and up. From 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
-Session One – Building The Story! “Where to find storylines, getting to know the main characters, developing plot, setting and time-frame”
-Session Two – After the First Draft! “Research, critique techniques, where to find the best contest and places to publish work for young writers”
~Both sessions will include writing prompts, group exercises, sharing with the class, and one on one with the author!
~Bring in the story you are currently working on and have it critiqued.
~Submit work from each session for the opportunity to have it in the Creative Writing Workbook Mrs. Kidwell is writing!
~Each day there will be a drawing for a signed copy of one of the following books, “The Year I Lost My Popularity!” or “Summer Vineyard”.
The books will also be available to purchase at a special discount price!
Visit the public library today for more information or contact: Mrs. Kidwell at leighanne@leighannekidwell.com
___________________________________________
Creative Writing Workshop, Ramsey Public Library, Ramsey, NJ
Tuesday Oct 7, 2008 - Young Writers Workshop (session one); Ramsey Public Library, Ramsey NJ, 3:30 on – 5:00 pm. For grade 4th, 5th, and 6th. The session will cover ~ Building Your Story "where to find the best storylines, character development, plot twist ideas, setting and timeframe."
Tuesday October 14, 2008 - Young Writers Workshop (session two): Ramsey Public Library, Ramsey, NJ. 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. The session will cover ~ After the First Draft "research, critique, techniques, contest available to your writers, publishing magazine and online."
Creative Writing Workshop, Mahwah Public Library, Mahwah, NJ
July 7, 2008 – 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
SESSION ONE: Story Lines – how and where to find them,
terminology of the writing industry, tools needed to get started on the
craft.
July 14, 2008 – 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
SESSION TWO: Developing Stories – character interviews, plot,
setting and time frame.
July 21, 2008 – 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
SESSION THREE: Research and Editing – Using the internet,
books and library to help get the right information for stories. Reworking
the writing and critique techniques.
July 28, 2008 – 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
SESSION FOUR: Publishing – the what, where and how to get the
story in print.
Meet The Author Night
June 10, 2008 – Meet the author night, Mahwah Public Library, Mahwah,
NJ. 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
Presentation will include readings from both “The Year I Lost My
Popularity!” and “Summer Vineyard”. Discussion on the author’s road to
publication and books will be available to purchase. Sign up for summer
creative writing workshop at Mahwah Public Library begins this night.
Author Presentations
March 19, 2008 –
Presentation of third top winner for Winter Creative Writing Contest; Eisenhower Middle School, Wyckoff, NJ. 8:00 AM, Television Broadcasting Morning Show.Leigh-Anne will present the prizes and answer questions with winner on the school’s morning television show.
February 28, 2008 – Meeting with two of the three winners of the Winter Creative Writing Contest; Ramsey Free Public Library, Ramsey, NJ. 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Prizes include a gift certificate to Borders bookstore, material for inspiring creative writing, copy of choice of signed book, photo with author, and story will be shown on Leigh-Anne’s website with photo. (look for the stories in the Creative Writing Contest section)
The top winner will receive help in editing work and submitting it to several publications for print publishing.
Creative Writing Workshop, Washington Township Public Library, Washington Township, NJ
February 25, 2008 – Meet the author night and mini creative writing workshop; 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Discussion includes reading from “Summer Vineyard”, how important research is for stories to work well, editing and publishing. Question and Answer period will follow and book drawing for a signed copy of the novel.
February 11, 2008 – Meet the author night and mini creative writing workshop; Washington Township Public Library, Washington Township, NJ. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Discussion includes reading from “The Year I Lost My Popularity!”, the road to publication, and a mini creative writing workshop which will cover terminology, how to find storylines, and character developments. Question and Answer period will follow and book drawing for a signed copy of the novel.
Presentations and Workshops In Tennessee:
January 12, 2006: Creative Writing Workshop at Girls, Inc. in Morristown, TN. at 4:15 pm.
January 17, 2006: Book signing, discussion and workshop at Barnes and
Noble in Knoxville, TN at 7:00 pm
January 28, 2006: Kids Entertainment Day in Madison, TN 8am to 5 pm
come visit me and other local authors and entertainers for a fun filled day
of entertaining! We will be at the Madison Arts Center.
Creative Writing Workshop:
I will be offering a creative writing workshop this summer at the Hamblen
County Library for grades 5th - 10th. All young inspiring writers are
encouraged to attend. They are free and you may attend all or just the one
that may benefit you the most.
Sessions:
July 14th, 4 pm to 5:30 pm "Tools For The Young Writer"
July 22nd, 10 am to 11:30 pm "I Have An Idea, How Do I Get Started?"
July 28th, 4 pm to 5:30 pm "Edit, Edit, And Then Edit Again"
August 5th, 10 am to 12 noon "I Have A Finish Manuscript, Now What?"
There will be a 30 minute lesson followed by an hour of writing and
workshop for each session. Please e-mail me for more details.
**Trivia Contest sponsored by Teens Read Too, which Leigh-Anne contributed to last December:
http://www.teensreadtoo.com/Day27.htmlDay 27 Prizes & How to Enter
You only need to enter once to be in the running for all prizes listed for today. One entry per person per day. To be eligible to win, you must include the following information in your email entry:
1) Full Name 2) Mailing Address 3) Valid Email Address 4) Date of Birth 5) Answer to the day’s trivia question. 6) Correct subject line: Day 27
All winners will be notified via email after January 1, 2007.
Prizes will be shipped within 4-8 weeks after notification. Enter now for a chance to win!
Prize #1: Leigh-Anne Kidwell Gift Pack - Contains a copy of The Year I Lost My Popularity and Summer Vineyard.
Prize #2: "Celebrate Christmas With a Vengeance" courtesy of Penguin
Young Readers Group.
Prize #3: Fantasy Gift Pack courtesy of Random House Children's Books
Prize #4: Serenity Manga Gift Pack courtesy of Real Buzz Studios & Glass
Road Public Relations
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** For more information or workshops in the New Jersey, Connecticut,, Pennsylvania area, please contact Leigh Anne Kidwell at leighanne@leighannekidwell.com
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Girl Scouts and Brownie Troop Writing Workshops
Here I am with the Brownies. I would do this all day if I could.
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My Kids - They are so cute at times. On our way to a Yankee Game
Scout - Our newest addition! what was I thinking!!!
