How to become a published author

Even after 30 years in newspaper reporting, I can tell you it's still a thrill whenever I see my work in print. So how do you get started? Here's a baby step, especially for middle school students: write a book review for the Democrat and Chronicle's Our Towns section, which is published on Fridays.
Each week Our Towns features a review written by a local student in eighth grade or younger. The reviews are pretty short. It doesn't matter if someone else has already reviewed the book (there are always new readers who need the information,) or if the book is something kids have to read for school. This week's review, for instance, is The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963, which is a standard on local school reading lists.

If you want to try it, contact Denise Young, the editor of the section. She can be reached at DEMYOUNG@democratandchronicle.com, or by calling (585) 258-2565. Besides your inspiring words, you'll need a "mug shot" of yourself, preferably in digital form. It can be a school picture you don't hate too much. If you're thinking "Oh, they don't need my review, they probably have tons of other kids waiting to be picked," you couldn't be farther from the truth. They're dying to get new submissions. Really.

News from Atlanta

Former SOTA Creative Writing Teacher Tom Painting moved to Atlanta a little more than a year ago when he retired after 18 years at SOTA. Here's a note he sent me recently:
Good news at this end. I've landed a teaching position at the Paidiea School here in Atlanta. I'm teaching English and creative writing in the junior high. I subbed at the school last year and concluded that it was the ideal place to work. Two weeks into the school year and I couldn't be happier....The school it a little over a mile from our house. A walk, which is unusual in Atlanta. People here drive crazy distances.
I'll be presenting a haiku workshop in Hot Springs, Ark., in November.
My own kids are off to a good start to the school year and Laura continues to adjust to her position at Emory Health.
As well as things are going here, I miss you all very much. SOTA is a very special place. ...
Best,
Tom

If All of SOTA Read the Same Book ....

...we'd all be on the same page. OK, sorry. Couldn't resist that awful pun.
Anyway, in case you haven't heard, this year's selection for the book all of Rochester will read is "The Madonnas of Leningrad," by Debra Dean. It's the story of an elderly woman with Alzheimer's floating in and out of her present and her youth as a docent at the Hermitage Museum during a time of great deprivation. I'll be seeking Title I funding to bring the author to SOTA and arrange some other programs in conjunction with the event. Stay tuned and puh-leeeze speak up if you have suggestions, ideas, connections, anything! The city-wide event is in March 2012.

Walking and writing in the woods

Writers & Books has started a new program called "Beyond Reading," which involves a number of events focusing on a single book. The first selection is Bill Bryson's often hilarious "A Walk in the Woods." The book details his ill-formed plans to walk with the entire Appalachian Trail in one year.

The kick-off event is a walking book discussion Oct. 1 in Ellison Park for children (age 8 and up) and their parents. Sounds like the perfect event for middle school writers. Registration is due by Tuesday, Sept. 27. Cost is just $4, and includes a journal to use on the hike.

Other seated and walking discussions are scheduled throughout the month. For more information, visit http://www.wab.org/. To register or ask questions about the event, email karen@WAB.org.