I’m very excited to be hosting a workshop for teens (ages 12+) at Arlington Heights Memorial Library in Arlington Heights, IL, on Wed., August 7, from 1:00–3:00 pm. The event is part of their 2013 summer reading theme, “Make it: Read. Discover. Create.” In addition to reading from my YA novel, Permanent Record, and discussing the book, writing in general, and publishing, I will also conduct a hands-on DIY ‘zine workshop. As a founding editor of Lumpen magazine in Chicago, and a contributor to many ‘zines both local and national, I hope to bring my weird experience in the obsessive, frequently bizarre world of ‘zines to the teen attendees of the workshop. Teens can register for the workshop online here, by phone, or drop-in.

We’ll talk about how to get started making your own ‘zine, including culling material from both original and found sources (What goes in it? What can it be about? Answers: anything you want!), the nitty-gritty fun work of putting the thing together (Xerox? Tape? Staples? Color or B&W?), and distribution methods (selling vs. giving it away, and how to approach both angles).

We will have materials on hand so teens can get started making their own ‘zine to bring home, and I will also give away several copies of new and vintage ‘zines (some made by teens, others made for teens) for reference, many ordered from the best source of unusual publications, aberrant periodicals, saucy comics, and independent ‘zines in Chicago: Quimby’s Bookstore. And I’m so pleased and grateful that my friend, Kathy Moseley, creator of the wonderful personal ‘zine, SemiBold, has given me about a dozen back issues to give away. I always loved SemiBold, not only because of Kathy’s down-to-earth, intelligent writing style, but because she handles personal stories with a sensitive, deft hand. Simply put, when you read her ‘zine, you feel like a real person is sharing herself with you. And that’s what most of us wanted to do when we put out our own ‘zines: to share ourselves, our stories.

Do you work for a school or program that serves children in need? If so, please read on and click the link below to learn about a wonderful way that your organization can get great books for your kids, for free or at low cost.

First Book is able to make new, high-quality books available to schools and programs that serve children from low-income families. This is an outstanding program, and these people are hell-bent on ending illiteracy.

The Book Nerds force me to talk about my first kiss! First boyfriend! Humiliating jobs! Crying! And force me to pose in my Nerd Life t-shirt! And because Jean, the head book nerd of them all, is so nice, I was happy to do it. Interview, review, and signed book giveaway here.