An evening of lattes and laughs for parents, teachers, readers and writers of fiction for young people.
They might be called kids’ books – but kids aren’t the only ones who read them. Far from it.
There’s a big adult market for children’s fiction too. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians are always on the hunt for something to interest their young readers. Many grown-ups, as well, use “My kid might like it” as an excuse to pick up Young Adult books for their own guilty pleasure.
And then, of course, there are all those prospective writers and illustrators looking for inspiration for their own novels or picture books.
The Kid Lit Café is a series of events aimed at these hidden lovers of children’s fiction. In the comfortable setting of Coburg Coffee House, host Vicki Grant (author of Quid pro Quo and Not Suitable for Family Viewing) will interview various guests involved in the kid lit business – authors, illustrators, editors, publishers.
Kid Lit Cafe 1 – Wednesday, October 21
Kicking off the series on Wednesday, October 21 will be beloved children’s author, Sheree Fitch.
Since her early success with Sleeping Dragons All Around, Sheree has written everything from other picture books (Toes in my Nose) to young adult fiction (The Gravesavers) to adult fiction (Kiss the Joy as It Flies). Now she’s taken on her darkest story yet in Pluto’s Ghosts, a new novel for senior teens.
Come join the discussion as the delightful Sheree Fitch talks about her writing life. All welcome. Admission free.
Wednesday, October 21, 7 to 9 pm
Coburg Coffee House
6085 Coburg Road
Halifax
Kid Lit Cafe 2 – Wednesday, March 3
Jill MacLean
Reluctant Readers. For parents, they’re a worry. For teachers, they’re a challenge. But for authors, they’re an opportunity. The YA ‘quick read’ market is one of the most buoyant sectors of the publishing industry.
Join us at this month’s KidLit Cafe for a lively discussion about reluctant readers – who they are, what they like to read and how to write for them. Literacy specialist Catherine Bouliane, junior high librarian Rebecca King and authors Jill MacLean (The Present Tense of Prinny Murphy) and Carol Moreira (Charged) will join host Vicki Grant (Pigboy) on the panel but we’re also hoping to hear lots of questions and comments from the audience.
The Kid Lit Cafe 3 (Truro) – Monday, May 3, 7 to 9 p.m
Gary Blackwood
The Kid Lit Cafe moves to the Fair Trade Cafe in Truro (535 Prince Street) to discuss “How Reader’s Advisory Unlocks the Creative Reader. Join me, author Gary Blackwood (The Shakespeare Stealer) and educational panelists Pat Dixon, David Boehm, Sheena Henderson and Norma Johnson MacGregor as we look at new ways to interest kids in reading.
Kid Lit Cafe 4 – Wednesday, May 12, 7 to 9 p.m.
We’re back at the Coburg Coffee in Halifax, talking about “The Naughty Bits: Dealing with Controversial Topics in YA fiction. Dalhousie School of Information Management professor Vivian Howard and author Michael Ungar (Too Safe For Their Good) will have their opinions on the subject and so will I. My book, Quid Pro Quo, was banned in two school districts in Ontario.
Kid Lit Cafe 5
Picture This: A Look At the Illustrators Art
I’m delighted to have Kathy Kaulbach (www.hildarose.com) and Sydney Smith (http://www.hutten.org/sydney/) join me for “Picture This: A Look at The Illustrator’s Art” on
Hi there,
We are a locally based children’s publisher based in Chester, Nova Scotia. We have several authors who would be interested in participating in your Kid Lit Cafe. Who should I speak to about sending author bios and book information?
Thank You,
Kara Gourley
Director of Sales and Marketing
Bryler Publications
Hi, Kara – You can e-mail me with the information. I’m just doing up my schedule for the coming year now. Thanks! Vicki
Hi there, where did you come up with the idea of the book ” Nine Doors “, and are you going to make any more books?
Hi, Sidney – I don’t remember exactly where the idea came from. I think my editor at Orca asked me if I’d like to write another Currents book for 10- to 14-year olds and of course I said yes. I didn’t have an idea at the time so I had to sit down and come up with one. I tried to think of all the things kids that age do and “Nicky-nicky-nine-doors” just popped into my head.
And yes, I’m going to write more books. I’ve just finished one called BETSY WICKWIRE’S DIRTY SECRET and I’m busy writing a sequel to PIGBOY. (One of the things I have to do is come up with a title for it…) Thanks for writing! Vicki
Good point, Kelly… Hope you’re well! V