Author event and giveaway: Kathryn Erskine
I recently attended a Book Your Tea event for Kathryn Erskine and it was so much fun! The event was informal and Kathy was so friendly, it was like chatting with an old friend.
Kathy has a law degree and practiced trademark law, and while she was successful at it, she wasn’t passionate about it. Her mother always wanted to publish a novel but died young so was never able to fulfill her dream. That made Kathy realize she should pursue her passion while she could and inspired her to start taking writing classes and attending writing seminars.
After two years, Kathy was ready to give up, but attended one last writing conference, since she’d already paid for it. The publisher who spoke there was motivational and inspired Kathy to keep trying. (Ironically enough, that speaker is her publisher today.) It was seven years before one of her books was published, and her second book, Mockingbird, won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature! Kathy said she was shocked when she won that award. She planned a speech at her publicist’s insistence and surprised herself when she was able to remember it when her name was called.
It took Kathy six weeks to write Mockingbird. Since her daughter has Asperger’s Syndrome, she based the main character’s actions and reactions on her. After the book was completed, her daughter read it and said that it’s accurate.
Kathy prefers writing in first person and said she wakes up with ideas, so does her best writing in the mornings. Her books usually aren’t written in the order we read them. Kathy is currently working on an adult novel, a picture book, and a middle grade book. Her latest book, The Absolute Value of Mike, was published on June 9.
I got Kathy to autograph copies of Mockingbird and The Absolute Value of Mike for one lucky reader. To enter to win MOCKINGBIRD and THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE, both by Kathryn Erskine, simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST Monday, August 22, 2011. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
For more children’s books reviews, go to Booking Mama’s feature, Kid Konnection. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, leave a comment as well as a link on her site.
I love Kathy’s work—and her story (and her publisher!!). So glad you got to spend some time with her.
Best wishes for success with The Absolute Value of Mike and your upcoming books.
Oh what fun! I haven’t read either. Thanks for this post!
Isn’t it nice to have YA books that aren’t just about werewolves and vampires? Thanks for the reviews and the giveaway.
Sounds like you had a fantastic event! You’re so lucky to have these going on in your area.
This book sounds like it would make a wonderful gift!
That is a really cool success story. I love hearing about people who are following their dream and despite being rejected over and over, persevere and make it. I do have Mockingbird on my shelves, but I’m signing up to win the signed copy for my ALL auction! I think it would be very well received!
It is a great story! I really need to read her books. I’m sure I’d love them!
I have Mockingbird in my TBR pile, and can’t wait to get to it!
I find Kathryn’s story so inspiring and think that her books sound very interesting. I have a copy of Mockingbird that I really need to get to, so I will have to let you know what I think of it!
I have heard good things about Mockingbird but have yet to read it. The author sounds like a humble person, so likable!
You made me want to read Kathy’s books. Glad you got to meet her and chat about her books.
Sign me up! Thank you for the giveaway. Enjoyed reading about the meet up and Kathy’s background for the book. Inspirational and a reason to never give up a dream.
So glad I saw this…I didn’t know she had a new book out. I loved “Mockingbird”. So lucky you got to spend some time with her.
I DO have a copy of Mockingbird, and really loved it. If I win a signed copy, I will keep it for myself and donate my copy to my son’s school. His fifth-grade reading teacher has already been the recipient of many books from me to add to the kid’s collection!
This is inspiring. And the book sounds really good.
I love how she shared the book with her daughter like that when she finished to ensure she got it right. I think that’s awesome. I have listened to Mockingbird but I’d love to read it as well.
Sounds like a great event as usual. I may have accidentally entered twice. I don’t remember seeing this post earlier in my email subscription, so hopefully I entered only once. If I did, feel free to delete the duplicate.
Oh, I’m so disappointed that I missed out on the possiblity of winning a signed copy of THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE. I loved MOCKINGBIRD (I read it as an ebook download from the library) and was fortunate enough to have Ms. Eskine autograph a few “real” copies of it for me at an author visit she held in Martinsville, VA.