I'll be helping organize the Author Showcase put on by Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators CenCal (SCBWI) and Kern Reading Association (KRA) Friday, September 23 from 3:30 to 5:00 at Zephyr Lane School Cafeteria, 6327 Zephyr Lane, Bakersfield (immediately south of the Fairfax exit off Hwy 58). 

Schools from across Kern County are invited to send a representative to this meeting to hear authors and book a school visit for the 2022-23 school year. Eleven authors will participate in short speed-dating style chats to describe their author visits. Attendees will receive a packet of information on all participating authors. Schools will choose their own author and date and make all arrangements themselves. In addition to organizing, I'll be one of the authors available for school visits. 

We're offering great prizes and nibbles. In addition to book prizes, free memberships and other goodies, each school in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a FREE school visit with the author of their choice. Prize tickets for the author visit are limited to one ticket per school and the winner must be present to win. RSVP here ​tinyurl.com/ms2vbzrx  Russo's will be there to sell books and answer questions on ordering books for school visits. Use the contact button to email me with any questions. 

Saturday, September 21, 2019, I'll be speaking at WriteFest '19 at the Grant Brimhall Library, 1401 East Janss Road in Thousand Oaks, California, 91360. The event is free and runs from 9am to noon. It's put on by the Ventura County Writers Club in conjunction with the Thousand Oaks Library. 

I'll be talking about Revising with Vision and Purpose. The wonderful Bruce Hale, author and author/illustrator of more than 50 children's books will teach how to Make Your Story Unputdownable--Suspense Tips for all Genres. 

Admission is free, but advanced registration is required. Full details & registration directions are here https://venturacountywriters.com/writefest-19/  

 FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019
I'll be giving author assemblies at Compton Junior High in Bakersfield.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 6:30PM YOUNG AUTHORS' DINNER
That evening I'll be appearing at Kern Reading Association's Annual Young Authors' Fair Dinner at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bakersfield at 6:30pm. Reservation forms are here: http://www.kernreadingassociation.org/young-authors-fair.html
Scroll down to Authors Dinner Reservation Form. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019, 7:30am to noon YOUNG AUTHORS' FAIR
I'll be presenting and signing books as part of Kern Reading Association's Annual Young Authors' Fair at the Larry Reider Center (20th & K Street) in Bakersfield. Bring your children to hear break out sessions with me, Sneed Collard, Marcie Colleen, Kristine O'Connell George, Reyna Grande, & Myron Uhlberg. It's free and KRA will have books for purchase and signing.  You can find all the details here: http://www.kernreadingassociation.org/young-authors-fair.html
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My newest book, The Women's Rights Movement: Then and Now is out this month in time for the Women's March. This book is dedicated to my sister Nancy who successfully fought against gender discrimination in law enforcement.  Geared toward children in grades 5-7, it examines the issues behind both the second and third waves of feminism. If you and your daughter marched together this would be a good resource for continuing the discussion of women's rights. 

I'll be giving a free workshop on student writing Thursday, October 20, 2017 at 4:30 for Kern Reading Association.  It will be held at the Kern County Superintendent of School's Office in room 1B. Come and learn how to get students excited about writing.  My newest book, Orphan Trains: Taking the Rails to a New Life will be for sale.  

Although my newest book, Orphan Trains, Taking the Rails to a New Life, won't be released until fall, advanced reader copies are now available for book reviewers through Net Galley.