Outstanding Board Member

On June 20, at the Annual Meeting of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Mary Nickum was awarded Outstanding Board Member, 2010 in recognition for her work to reorganize the Excellence in Craft (EIC) Contest and Awards. The EIC Awards recognize the best outdoor writing in 10 categories.

The Microsoft Store and Mom's Story

The Microsoft Store will be hosting an event for kids and families that have or know someone with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on July 30th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to meet with Mary Jo Nickum, author of Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS. Mary has been diagnosed with MS for over 30 years and is an inspiration for all of those learning to cope with this challenging disease. Her book provides information on how to better understand MS, who gets it, how the disease is diagnosed, the various forms of MS and listing of material and organizations available to assist families in the fight against MS. While parents are learning from Mary Jo in the theatre area, the kids will be provided with fun activities to learn more about the store and the technology used in everyday life. They will even be introduced to future technology through an entirely interactive experience with the staff! We hope to see you there!


When: Friday July 30th, 2010

Welcome time: 6:00-6:30

Event time: 6:30-8:00pm

Where: The Microsoft Store

Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall

7014 E. Camelback Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

(480) 308-0800



Light Refreshments will be provided

**RSVP: Space is limited for this event, so please do not wait to RSVP.

RSVP: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=149256

Blog Tour

I'm thinking of doing a blog tour in August. How many in Chalet would be interested in taking part?

I'll come to your blog and post, and you will post on mine.

vacation/business

I'm off to my usual vacation/business venture. First to Rochester, Minnesota for the annual meeting of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) where I will give my talk: "In Defense of the Independent Publisher" at a session by the same name. Then it's on to Wisconsin where my sister, as one of the Library Friends, has organized an event at the Park Falls Public Library, where I will discuss my book, writing for children, and a signing for Mom's Story.
I'll keep you up-to-date as the next 3 weeks unfold.

Positive Reply from Editor

I just received a positive reply from the editor to my picture book submission. I promised her a revision by mid July, but, right now, I really have no idea how I'm going to revise it. I'll give it some serious thought this month while I'm on a working vacation!