Using technology to connect teens and tweens with books and authors. Presentation at Reading Roundup, April 2010, by Ellen Booraem, Deva Fagan, Megan Frazer, Carrie Jones, and Kelly McClymer

1. Using
Technology
to
Connect
Authors and Teen/Tween
Readers

2. Ellen Booraem

3. Deva Fagan

4. Megan Frazer

5. Carrie Jones

6. Kelly McClymer

7. Social Networking

8. Twitter - Justin the Librarian
• 140 max
characters
• Compatible
with
Facebook
and blogs
• Allows for
dialogue

9. Twitter - Astronaut Soichi

10. Twitpic

11. Live Journal

12. Group Blogs - Authors
• The Spectacle—thespectacleblog.wordpress.com
• The Enchanted Inkpot—
community.livejournal.com/enchantedinkpot
• Teen Fiction Café—teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com
• Books, Boys, Buzz—yawriters.blogspot.com
• YA Fresh—yafresh.blogspot.com
• GuysLitWire—guyslitwire.blogspot.com
• Type M for Murder—typem4murder.blogspot.com
• Fangs, Fur & Fey—
community.livejournal.com/fangs_fur_fey

13. Group Blogs - Readers/Reviewers
• Kidlitosphere Central
• Young Adult Review
Network—YAreview.net
• Readergirlz—
Readergirlz.com
• Teensreadtoo—
Teensreadtoo.com
• (And Kidsreadtoo)
• Teenreads.com

14. Group Blogs - Debut Authors
• Insight into new authors
• Special contests
• Giveaways
• Sneak peeks into upcoming titles

15. Debut Authors 2009 - 2011

16. Group Blogs - Publisher Lines

17. Publisher Website Goodies
• A look inside the publishing process -- editors, artists, and more
• Extras like author podcasts, games, and lesson plans
• Free promotional downloads
• Opportunities for teens to sign up for programs to review advance
copies of new books
• Email newsletters

18. Keeping Up With Publishers
• Sign up for email newsletters
• Follow Publishers on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace
and/or YouTube
• Subscribe to blog RSS feeds (GoogleReader, Bloglines,
etc.)

19. Publisher Websites
• Bloomsbury Kids: http://www.bloomsburykids.com/
• Disney Hyperion: http://hyperionbooksforchildren.com/
• Egmont: http://www.egmontusa.com/
• Flux: http://www.fluxnow.com/
• HarperCollins: http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/
• Macmillan: http://us.macmillan.com
• Penguin Group: http://us.penguingroup.com
• Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids
• Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/
• Simon & Schuster: http://kids.simonandschuster.com/

20. Teen Advance Readers
• Macmillan’s InGroup -- Ages 13-19; email InGroup@hholt.com
– Simon & Schuster’s PulseIt -- Teens read advance copies for free
online; http://pulseit.simonandschuster.com
– Random House’s RandomBuzzers -- Teens earn free books by
participating; http://www.randombuzzers.com/

21. Review by Expert

22. Review by Peer
• Peer-generated reviews
• Peer-generated discussion

23. Interviews
• Interesting “behind
the scenes” with
author
• News of upcoming
books
• Reader interaction
in comments
section

24. Podcasts

25. Live Chat
• Interesting “behind the scenes” with author
• News of upcoming books
• Reader interaction in comments section

26. Skype an Author
• What is Skype and how do I use it?
• *Skype is a computer application that allows you to
make free video calls via the internet.
• *You need a computer with a camera, a microphone
and speakers (many have these built in now) and an
internet connection.
• *Download Skype for free: http://www.skype.com

27. Skype-an-Author Contact Info
• A searchable list of authors: http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/
• Authors who offer free 20 minute visits to classes or book clubs:
http://kmessner.livejournal.com/106020.html

28. Skype-an-Author Visit Tips
• Author and teacher Kate Messner offers tips at :
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/ca6673572.html
– Test everything in advance, and be prepared for technical glitches
– Encourage kids to have questions prepared.
– Relax and have fun!

29. Kay Cassidy’s Scavenger Hunt
• A way for libraries to get kids involved in reading -- prizes!

30. 2009 Lupine Winner
• Interactive games for kids