As well as doing in-person school and bookstore events, I love reaching out to readers virutally via Skype. So, this fall I'm offering 10 visits as a Skype "tour" for classrooms, book clubs, homeschool groups, etc to talk about NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books). And it's free!

Details:


Title: NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books, releases Sept 1, 2011)

Best for Grades: 5-12

Themes/topics for discussion: family issues, music, marching band, social pressures, reaching out to others, making friends, creativity and passion

Writing Topics I like to discuss: brainstorming, revision, editing, character development, humor, incorporating personal experience into fiction

About the book: Thirteen-year-old Elsie Wyatt wants to be an orchestra superstar, like her dad and grandfather. The first step? Get into Shining Birches, a super-selective summer music camp.
But a missed audition (thanks, Dad!) and approaching application deadline lands her in the plumed hat and polyester pants of her school’s marching band—where she can’t play her own instrument, can’t sit down, and can’t seem to say the right thing to anyone…let alone Jake, the cute trumpet player she meets on the first day. Surviving marching band is going to be way harder than Elsie thought!


Available days/times for Skype chats: Mon/Wed 11:30-12:15pm EST in September and October; some afternoon/evening availability, as well

Tour Dates: September & October 2011; scheduling 10 visits

Email: erinmdionne@yahoo.com