Happenings

In keeping with the "Locally Grown" theme, I'm having a mini book signing at the Yorktown Grange Fair on Saturday, September 11 from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm. If you're attending the Fair on Saturday, I hope you'll come and visit me!
I'll be in the Exhibitor Tent, near the Barnes & Noble booth.

Yorktown Grange Fair
Saturday, September 11 (1:45 pm - 2:45 pm)
Fairgrounds on Moseman Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
(914) 962-3900
http://www.yorktowngrangefair.org/

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On August 25, I was interviewed about DUST and my fiction writing by Robyn Murphy on Roboloblyn's Universe of Books for "Writer's Wednesday."
Check it out! http://bit.ly/aUPe3J

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On July 10, I participated in the Inwood Book Fair & Signing at Coogan's Restaurant in upper Manhattan with eight New York area authors--novelists, poets, non-fiction writers, and a photographer. I had a terrific time--and learned a lot about how other authors think and write. Here come the photos!


We all sat at a long table with name tags and copies of our books. Many thanks to John & Barbara McMullen for coordinating the event!


Here's our author's panel, which John F. McMullen (right) emceed. The other participants included (l.to r.): Stan Trybulski, Amy Holman, George Hopkins, Thomas Wm. Hamilton, me, Paul Levinson, Don Wortzman, and Kathleen Collins.


Each of us had five minutes to discuss our books. Of course, I talked about how I got the idea for DUST.


People attending the event ate lunch while they listened to our short presentations. Here, Stan Trybulski explains his crime novel series.


Barbara McMullen (left) expertly handled our book sales.


I signed a copy of DUST for a fan of supernatural fiction.

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I had a wonderful--but weird--experience signing copies of DUST at Tazza Cafe at the Heritage Hills Shopping Center in Somers, NY on June 17. Almost immediately after I arrived at about 11:30 am, the power went out and remained mostly off until I went to the restroom at 1:30. When I flicked the light switch, that's exactly when the power returned! Do I have (unknown) supernatural abilities? Ask owner Ed Novak, who was with me when I turned the electricity back on. He said the incident gave him goosebumps!

Many thanks to Jodee and Ed for letting me have a book signing at their lovely cafe. I had a great time--and the food is terrific too!

Here come the pictures!


Jodee and Ed Novak promoted DUST in Tazza Cafe and helped to make the book signing a great success. I'm sorry I seemed to disrupt the electricity! As my sign says: Weird things really do happen!


Mort, my first customer!


Reporter Rich Monetti (left), interviewed me for a story on Patch.com, giving me an opportunity to talk about one of my favorite topics: dust devils. Here, I'm explaining the strange weather phenomenon to Neil, who must have been impressed: He bought a copy of DUST.


Jodee's mom, Deena, bought copies of DUST for herself and for her grandkids.


...And here's Emily, one of the grandkids, who came into the cafe and received her copy of DUST.


Maria bought DUST for herself and her teen daughter.


Eileen and Frank came to Tazza Cafe especially for a signed copy of DUST.


Gladys was my final customer of the day.

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I participated in Yorktown Community Day in Yorktown Heights (NY) on Saturday, May 15. The proceeds of this town-sponsored event benefit drug prevention programs for Yorktown youth (Alliance for Safe Kids and the D.A.R.E. program). It was a beautiful sunny day, but strong wind gusts made displaying book materials a real challenge! Here are some photos:


The back of the DUST poster is tied to the table with string to keep it from flying away.


This girl examines my "DUST" Basket--a raffle prize for a lucky winner. 


I signed a copy of DUST for this lady.


Visitors check out the participating tables.


This family showed interest in DUST--and the "DUST" Basket.


Stacey Ann Beitler, author/illustrator of the children's books Willy Goes to the Farm and Willy Helps a Friend had an adjoining table at the event.


And here's the lucky "DUST" Basket Winner: It's Maria DeMartino of Yorktown! I delivered the prize to Maria a few days after the event. Happy DUSTing!
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On Monday, May 3, I talked about novel writing to students in Katherine Callahan's creative writing class in Walter Panas High School in Cortlandt Manor, NY. I loved talking to the teens--and I hope they did too! Thank you, Ms. Callahan! Here are a couple of photos:


Notice the "Welcome" to me on the board.


Even though I spoke for the entire second period, the students seemed to be listening. I don't know if they were really interested--or just being polite.

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I participated in Barnes & Noble's "New Writers for Haiti" Bookfair on Sunday, May 2 in White Plains, NY. The event promoted Haitian culture, with 10%-20% of the total bookfair proceeds donated to Haitian relief. Here come the pictures:


This sign in the front of the store promoted the event.


Eighteen authors participated in the event, arranged in nine tables lining the corridor leading to Barnes & Noble. I was at Table 2 at the end of the hall.


I signed a copy of DUST for this woman who bought many other local authors' books.


Both Mom and daughter are looking forward to reading DUST.


Racquel Brown Gaston, author of Deadly Instincts, examines DUST.


I signed a copy of DUST for Robert Santoro, author of Wrath and Pride, books of the Deadly Sins Series.


DUST was a Mother's Day present for this woman's mom.

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DUST is a great vacation read!


Here I am in the library of the Norwegian Gem (with DUST), cruising to Florida and the Bahamas at the end of March.


During the cruise, I signed a copy of DUST for Patricia. Happy reading!

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I gave a talk about DUST and then signed books at the East Fishkill Community Library in Hopewell Junction, NY on February 18. Here come the photos:


I discussed how I got the idea for DUST and my writing techniques.


Here's another view of the audience.


After the book talk, I signed a copy of DUST...


and another copy...


and another copy...


and yet another copy.


I'm surrounded by new DUST fans.

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On January 27, I was a guest blogger on Science Fiction & Fantasy Insider, a division of Night Owl Reviews. Read my post on "Characters in Charge" and you can also win a signed copy of DUST!
http://sffinsider.blogspot.com/2010/01/characters-in-charge-by-susan-berliner.html

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I participated in Putnam Valley's Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) Literacy Fair on January 15 at the Putnam Valley (NY) Elementary School, signing copies of DUST for adults and older teens in a 1st grade classroom. Here are some photos:

Setting up in the classroom.

A family checks out DUST.



A school district photographer takes my picture. (Am I a celebrity?)



Some children collected autographs of the participating authors.



These kids were buying a copy of DUST--for one of their moms.



Signing another copy of the book.

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I did a "virtual book tour" in November 2009, which included online interviews, guest posts, and reviews of DUST. My itinerary for the month is listed below.
Check it out!

November 2 - http://www.fivemonkies.com/2009/11/special-guest-post-from-susan-berliner.html

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We had a small, but attentive, audience for the Authors' Panel on Publishing-on-Demand (POD)/Book Signing event on November 15 at the Mount Pleasant Library in Pleasantville, NY. I'm posting a few photos below:



I've got my props--DUST poster and colorful duster--and I'm ready for the event to begin.



Our 3-author panel (l. to r. - Don Wortzman, me, and John F. McMullen) is set for the library talk.



As always, I am making a point about DUST.



Our Authors' Panel business manager, Barbara McMullen, expertly handles our book sales.



Another DUST reader! I just signed this woman's book.

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On November 10, fellow authors John F. McMullen, Don Wortzman, and I briefly discussed our publishing experiences at a senior community in Yonkers, NY. Here are a few pictures:

As usual, I am talking about DUST.

Poet John F. McMullen discusses his writing.



Author Don Wortzman describes his experience writing and publishing his thriller.



I think the audience enjoyed our talk, but I know they were looking forward to lunch, which was served immediately after we finished speaking.

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The November 7 book signing at Barnes & Noble in Mohegan Lake, NY was fun, but tiring. I loved talking to strangers and telling them about DUST--but standing for more than five hours was tough! Here are some photos:



After signing this man's book, I discovered that I once worked with his ex-wife.



This couple was interested in the book--and the bookmark.



Notice the photo on the back cover of the paperback book this man is holding. It's Stephen King. I knew he would be a potential DUST reader!

Both of these women were intrigued with DUST.

This was my last customer. As you can see, we were all very happy!

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My talk at the Mahopac Libary on Wednesday, October 21 was more intimate and informal than the Hart Library talk last month where I stood behind a podium. Here, everyone sat around--or near--a large rectangular table. The casual environment led to more questions. Afterwards, I signed copies of DUST. Here are a few photos:

Setting up for the Mahopac Library talk.

A view of the long table.

Signing a copy of DUST.

Another new DUST reader.

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The article below is from The Putnam Examiner. It focuses on my inspiration for DUST and on my October 21 talk at the Mahopac Library. I love the first line!

For a clearer version, here's the link (Scroll to page 10): http://www.theexaminernews.com/archives/putnam/PutnamExaminer10-13-09.pdf

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I gave my first solo informational talk about DUST at the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak, NY on Saturday, September 12. Although I was very nervous before the event started, it turned out surprisingly well. People in the audience listened attentively and seemed to enjoy the talk. I'm posting a few photos below:

At the podium just before the Hart Library event.

The audience seemed to be listening. (At least no one was sleeping.)

Another view of the audience at the library.

After the talk, I signed a copy of DUST for this mother and daughter.

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The Authors' Panel/Book Signing at Lola's Tea House in Pelham, NY on August 22 was my first "speaking engagement" about DUST. It was a good learning experience. Afterward, people said the talk by all four authors on publishing-on-demand was interesting and informative. I just wish more people had attended! Here are a few photos from the event:

At Lola's Tea House (l. to r. from rear): Authors George Hopkins, John McMullen, Don Wortzman, and me, speaking.

I guess I had a lot to say!



Maybe all that talking tired me out. I couldn't seem to keep my eyes open after I had just signed this man's book!

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I had my first book signing at Barnes & Noble in the Cortlandt Town Center in Mohegan Lake, NY on Saturday, July 25. Considering the weather (hot, sunny, and gorgeous--the best day of the summer), it was a success. I'm posting some  pictures below:

I'm signing a copy of DUST. Note the "Dust" Basket on the left. It was won by Gene Ehrens of Yorktown.

My first customer!

Another customer--a fellow writer!

DUST is suitable for all ages. Mom purchased the book for her daughter.

Marsha Smith was one of the first people to read DUST. She loved it! (Read her comments on the Reviews page.)

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The first newspaper article about DUST was published on July 15, 2009. Here's the link:

http://www.ncnlocal.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=6950