Love, Life, Books

Where I'm At

2012-02-08T11:25:00.005-06:00

NOW, ONLINE:

Check out the lovely review of SHATTERED by Alexa at www.alexalovesbooks.com on February 1, 2012.

Also, read my interview by Cheryl Rainfield at www.cherlyrainfield.com , posted February 7, 2012. While you're there, check out her books: SCARS and HUNTED.

IN THE FUTURE, IN PERSON:

March 6, 2012 ~~ Dominican University ~~ with Oak Park River Forest High School, Fenwick High School and Trinity High School Students ~~ I'll be facilitating conversations with the students at their Youth Conference during break-out sessions.

March 14, 2012 ~~ Oak Park River Forest High School Psychology Club ~~ Presentation on my young adult novel, SHATTERED, focusing on some of the psychological issues in the book: trauma and transformation, support, and empowerment; and on the inspiration for this story and how I went about writing a psychological story. I will be signing afterward.

March 16, 2012 ~~ Illinois Reading Council ~~ Illinois Author/Illustrator Luncheon/Signing

Stop by and say Hi!

New Year Old Attitude

2012-01-25T08:34:00.005-06:00

It's a new year--2012. Time for a fresh start. I'm seeing things in a new way. I've set a goal to write a new novel and have been making notes and lists of books to read to support this endeavor. But I also want to bring something along from the past years into this one. I want to continue to cultivate a daily "attitude of gratitude." Being grateful focuses my mind to see the small things that bring light to the day.

Last summer, a lightning storm struck a tree in front of a house on Des Plaines River Road, the road I use to get to my occupational therapy job. I didn't notice it on the way to work. But on the way home, a man was out there with a chainsaw, buzzing away. He wasn't taking down the trunk. No he was actually carving. Interesting. I made a note to check the spot on my return to work the next day. To my surprise, instead of just a pitiful stump, there is now a magnificent bear carved from the trunk of a 100-year-old elm tree. My bear, which is what I've come to think of him as, is 14 feet tall and he's standing in a way so that he's angling, looking back at his family's house. But what I see when I drive by is his smile. And he makes my day.

It's not just the beauty of his smile. But the idea that art is smiling at me.

Making art is not only a gift an artist offers to all of us, but it is a gift to the one who makes it. Doing art is a beautiful experience. Being playful, creative, getting new insights and seeing the human spirit in a new way--is quite a wonderful way to live.

I'm grateful for those chances when I get to do my writing. When I get to be artful.

Seeing the small details in this world, in my life--they all make my life rich. My bear makes my life rich.

Thank you.

P.S.--If you want to see my bear, go to:
www.triblocal.com/des-plaines/2011/08/23/when-storms-give-you-stumps-make-art/

Be Your Best Self: Beryn Wins Game Ball

2011-10-16T13:45:00.005-05:00

I'm an avid baseball fan. In fact, I'd go so far as to call myself a "baseball geek." I'm a big Red Sox fan and I usually watch a couple innings a night. I start everyday, reading baseball websites, learning baseball news because I'm also a fan of the game. Sometimes I'll sit down and watch a game because I want to see Tim Lincecum of the Giants pitch, or Jason Verlander of the Tigers. I also love good hitting. So I'll watch Albert Pujols play for the Cardinals or I'll watch a whole Red Sox game because I love the line up of Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Big Papi, Kevin Youkilis, and well the rest of them, they're all fun to watch. I thought I'd be following them into the offseason, through play-offs and into the World Series. So you could say they broke my heart with their September meltdown resulting in them never even making it into the play-offs.

This is where I was when I went to New Jersey to visit relatives and to see my niece, Beryn Wienstock, play softball on October 1st. I was glad to see all the relatives, but I tell you, my heart was sad that the postseason was going on and there was no chance to wear my Red Sox jersey and to sit in front of the TV and cheer for my beloved team.

And then I saw my neice Beryn play her softball double-header. She's awesome! That day she had 3 RBI's, 2 doubles, 2 singles and a great catch she made in left-center field! I don't even know if her team won the games, and I don't care because watching her and her team, with their energy, attitude and smartness, well it lifted my spirits. After her 2nd double, I said out loud, "there's your MVP!" Afterward, she came out of the dugout carrying the game ball. Her coach had awarded it to her for her amazing performance that day. I was and am still very proud of her.

Thank you Beryn for reminding me that it isn't really about winning or losing or going to the offseason...it's really about how you play the game. Giving it your all. Trying your best. Being your best self.

Book Sale/Signing

2011-09-07T13:26:00.004-05:00

I'm happy to say I'm participating in the

Aurora Public Library Local Author Fair

Saturday, September 10, 2011

1-4 p.m.

Eola Community Center

555 S. Eola Rd.

Aurora, IL 60504

Book Sale sponsored by Barnes and Noble

I'd love to sign a copy of SHATTERED for you!

Living in a Baseball Park

2011-08-24T14:26:00.005-05:00

It's getting near the end of summer. I love this time of year, because the race is on, to see which baseball team can get into the post season. This is when I start checking the standings every day, to see who's inching their way closer and closer to the World Series.

Since 2006, my family and I have been been visiting ballparks. This past July, we visited the new Target Field in Minneapolis. Wow! It's so beautiful! Prior to this, I'd been to Petco Field, Dodger Stadium, visited the Oakland A's, the Giants and the Mariners on the west coast. On the East Coast, I've been to Fenway Park, and the old Shea Stadium. I'm from Chicago, so of course I've been to US Cellular Field and Wrigley. And I love to day-trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee, so we've been there, too. I've also been to see the Tampa Bay Rays play and the Toronto Blue Jays.

I would have to say my all-time favorite place is Fenway in Boston. It's old and new all in one. I love that it's preserved and well taken care of and it just feels historic and beautiful to be there. Target Field is my 2nd favorite. It was friendly and just really nice. Plus they have this big gold glove (check out the picture above). I love Miller Park because they have a dome. You never have to worry about the rain when you go there.

I love ballpark food. US Cellular has the best hot dogs! In Seattle, you can get chocolate covered strawberries on a stick and in San Francisco, they have garlic fries. Milwaukee has great cheeseburgers.

In Toronto, we stayed at the hotel that is attached to the stadium. You just head out the lobby, around the corner and down the stairs and you're there. A baseball fan's dream.

This time of year, I have a hard time concentrating on anything other than baseball. I'd like to ditch work and my chores and go sit in a ballpark every night. In fact, I'd love to move into a skybox at Fenway, turn it into my apartment and be available for the rest of the season!

On Terry McMillan's book, "Getting to Happy"

2011-08-13T19:57:00.007-05:00

Saturday, early, I grabbed a book, thinking I'll read a chapter and then figure out what to do next with my day. It's 8 hours later. I've indulged in reading all day long. Like I used to do in the summers. When I was a kid. Such a simple pleasure! I first got into Terry McMillan when "Waiting to Exhale" came out, years ago. I loved these 4 friends, Robin, Savannah, Gloria & Bernie when they were younger. Now, they're in their 50's. Like me. They're all dealing with tough stuff and I feel rejuvenated, having spent the day with them, watching them all transform.

McMillan asks a brave question in this book: "What is happy?" Each character defines it for herself and then works to get there. I found myself asking: what does my happy look like?

Last month, the owner of WestSide Books, the home of my novel, Shattered, put the company up for sale. Every day since, I've moved through a different kind of emotion or thought about it. I don't know what it means for the future of all of us authors at WestSide. I just know I feel a lot of anxiety because it's all so uncertain. I hope another publisher will buy us, hire Evelyn Fazio--who was the heart and soul of WestSide(she's in the picture with me above)--and move us all forward, continuing to publish realistic fiction for young adults. What is certain is I don't have control over any of it.

But what I do have control over is my writing life. For me, "getting to happy" is about continuing on with the life I had before WestSide. A lifestyle I created while being a grad student at Vermont College. Spending time reading young adult literature, to learn how to write for teens, journaling to be true, and writing and re-writing to get it right.

I'm also back to wanting to get published. I'm working at putting my best work on the page, even if it takes hours to write one sentence. Even if it takes 5 drafts to get the story out. Moment to moment, word by word, I'm living the me I was meant to be: a writer. Yes, publication brings its own kind of special joy. But honestly, what makes me ecstatic is creating.

I don't know if I'll ever make it to another publication. But I'm pretty sure, if I keep on writing, I'll make it to happy.

A Challenge for Writers

2011-05-27T18:28:00.004-05:00

Here's a question for you: What makes a good writer?

Each writer has to discover this for herself, which is half the fun of doing it. I think that what makes a good writer is taking the time to truly live your life. By being present. By experiencing whatever it is that you're doing, wherever you are, and paying attention to the five senses.

Think about it--

By seeing, really seeing the orangy-red in that hibiscus blooming on the tree on the way to the beach, and

by hearing the actual chords to that song on your I-pod, and

by feeling that cool breeze on your arm when you left the house and forgot your jacket after lunch and

by tasting your favorite ice cream, really tasting the crunching of the mega chocolate chips mixed in with the smooth, chilly chocolate, and finally,

by smelling the salt in the air

--you've got the stuff that makes up a good sentence about a story set at the beach!

The senses focus a writer to get detailed and poetic and interesting. It's what brings a character, a setting, a point of view to life for the reader.

I challenge you, go ahead, live your life. To the fullest. And become your best writer self that you can be!

Where You'll Find Me

2011-04-15T10:42:00.003-05:00

April 16, 2011

I'm keynoting,

teaching 2 writing workshops

and signing copies of SHATTERED

River Forest School District 90

Young Authors Conference

Roosevelt Middle School

7560 Oak Avenue

8:30-noon

Children's Literature Conference

2011-02-23T17:10:00.009-06:00

I'm looking forward to particpating in the

31st Annual Children's Literature Conference

Northern Illinois University

March 11, 2011

1:00 - 1:50

Local Author Booktalk Session: Young Adult

Featuring six Illinois young adult authors booktalking our newest books:

Barbara Binns, James Kennedy, James Klise, Adam Selzer,

Claire Zulkey & yours truly, Kathi Baron

3:40-4:30

Local Author/Illustrator Autographing Reception

I'll be signing copies of Shattered

www.cedu.niu.edu/oep/conferences/childrenslit/index.html

Guest Interview: Hallie Claire Waltezko

2010-12-04T14:27:00.007-06:00

November was National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. This year, my 14 year old niece, Hallie Claire Waletzko participated. She started on November 1, 2010 and on November 29, 2010, she completed a novel, 1 day early, writing a total of 50,289 words!

If you've ever written a novel, you can appreciate what it takes to get 50,000 words down on the page. But in a month? So far, with my new novel, it has taken me 2 years and 3 months to complete that much! If you've never written a novel, try to picture yourself doing it. It's remarkable, right?

I'm so impressed by Hallie, that I asked her to let me interview her about her NaNoWriMo experience. Read on and be inspired!

Here's what she had to say:

KB: What was your process like--ie what did you do to be able to get 50,000 plus words written in the month of November?

HCW: Going into it, I didn't actualy expect to hit the 50,000 word goal. But the NaNoWriMo website sets daily goals for you, and I would always be really determined to meet those goals. As well as word count goals, I would set time goals, like "Okay, I'll write without stopping for the next 15 minutes." Or I would set plot goals, where I would write until something happened in the story so I wouldn't lose the thought.

KB: Did you ever want to quit?

HCW: I wouldn't say I ever really wanted to quit altogether. There would be days when I got home from school really late, and would stop before I got to my goal of the day. There were times when I had computer issues, and get really frustrated, but overall, I just kept going.

KB: Did anything surprise you while doing NaNoWriMo?

HCW: Yes, everything surprised me! By the first few days, I realized that my characters were making their own decisions! At the end of October, the NaNoWriMo website sends you an outline of what should be happening every few days. By Day 3, they say, "Realize this isn't the novel you were intending to write, and that's okay." And that's totally true.

KB: Any advice for novelists?

HCW: I guess my only advice is to just write. Don't worry about whether or not what you're writing is any good, that comes later. But getting the words out of you is really important, and a program like NaNo is really helpful with that.

KB: Thanks so much, Hallie!

Young Authors Conference 2010

2010-10-21T14:50:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to say I'll be presenting 2 writing workshops to middle grade students this Saturday, October 23, 2010!

The Annual District 97 Young Authors Conference is from 9-11:00 at Lincoln School, 1111 S. Grove, in Oak Park.

I'll be talking about my young adult novel, Shattered. I'll also provide a writing prompt and will facilitate a critique group, so that students will get the chance to explore 2 tools writers often use. A free journal will be given to each participant.

A book sale will be held in the gym from 11:00-11:30, with books provided by the Magic Tree Bookstore. All participating authors will be on hand to sign.

This special event is one of the reasons I love living in Oak Park!

Going to college

2010-07-20T21:57:00.002-05:00

We found out that my son, Dan, is assigned to move into his dorm at DePaul U. on Sunday, August 29th. Seeing this date on the page makes it so real that he's going. And turns these last days of summer ultra precious. I want to take each chance--a minute or long hours--to enjoy his presence in our house. Until he goes, I want to make sure I don't waste any time while he still lives with us. There's still time to savor his childhood. To be a family under one roof.

I love being surrounded by his teen-aged life--having his friends drop in, eating our food. Hanging out in ballparks, watching him play baseball. Watching baseball games on TV together. Him sleeping until 1:00 PM. Him texting, buying video games, going out to play putt-putt. I even want to appreciate his messy room. And how he forgets to do his chores; and how I nag him.

It's been a grand run, these last 18 years. I'm proud of him. Excited he's going to college. That he gets to go on this incredible journey.

It will be so quiet when he goes. So for now, I want to enjoy his noise.

SouthEast Wisconsin Festival of Books

2010-06-18T09:10:00.003-05:00

Saturday, June 19, 2010, 4:00-4:50

"That's Tough - Teen Characters Who Deal with Hard Stuff"

This presentation will feature young adult author Pat Schmatz (MOUSETRAPS) and Kathi Baron (SHATTERED). Each will discuss their main character's challenges, followed by a brief reading. A panel discussion, moderated by Kim Suhr, Director of RedBird-RedOak Writing Program, will focus on the complexities in writing about teens with complicated lives. A signing will follow.

For more information, go to http://www.sewibookfest.com/.

Reading/Signing

2010-06-04T20:36:00.003-05:00

I'll be reading from my young adult novel,

Shattered,

at Borders

(1144 Lake Street)

in Oak Park

on Saturday, June 5th

at 2 PM.

A signing will follow.

Hope to see you there!

On Abundance

2010-05-28T17:10:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe it's almost the very end of May. I've had a busy month. A happy month. So I'd like to mention all of the positive things that have happened.

My son, Dan, made his decision to go to DePaul University in the fall. Colleges all around the country were expecting to hear from students about their college plans by May 1st. DePaul is a 45 minute El ride from our house. I'm happy that Dan will get to start a new phase of life in such a beautiful area of the city...and happy that he'll be in town.

On May 5th, I spent the day with the students of Kennedy Junior High. They have the biggest school library I have ever seen. I gave 4 presentations about my young adult novel, Shattered, and even got to have lunch with the Screaming Pens Writing Club. Many students asked questions, giving me a chance to remember how much fun it was to write my book. One student shared about a novel she's writing. I was inspired by how creative she was.

On May 7th, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Alison Cuddy for the 848 show on WBEZ. You can hear the interview on Wednesday, June 2nd, at 91.5 FM, 9:00-10:00 AM or 8:00-9:00 PM. It will also be available at the link: www.chicagopublicradio.org/program 848.aspx

I celebrated my birthday on Sunday, May 23rd. I woke up with our cat, Leo, snuggled up to me. What a great way to wake up! I enjoyed going out to lunch with my husband and son.

On May 24th, writer Carol Grannick posted an interview she did with me. You can read it at www.theirrepressiblewriter.com. It made me happy to read the comments writers left. It's nice that our conversation lead to an interesting dialogue about the importance of positivity and resilience in writing.

And finally, on May 25th, we went to the Oak Park and River Forest High School Junior and Senior Honors Convocation Ceremony. My son, Dan was awarded the Robert Gauger Memorial Scholarship for merit in science and technology. He made his parents very proud!

I wish you an abundance of positive things!

At Trinity Lutheran

2010-04-16T09:06:00.002-05:00

I liked this school! On Wednesday, April 14th, I visited Trinity Lutheran School in Tinley Park, IL.

Ms. Heins' classroom looks out onto a courtyard. It was an especially fine spring day: birds flying in and out, grass so green, sun lending light. Though lovely, that was not as inpiring a sight as was this: after I gave a writing prompt, 18 seventh and eighth graders immediately went into writing mode. It was kind of like waiting for a my husband to finish cooking the new recipe he found on the Food Network. I couldn't wait to taste their work.

We heard from Matt, who courageously offered to share his poem. Then we made a pretend critique group and gave him feedback. He had some fresh (as in just baked bread) lines in there. I wanted him to develop it more, not because it couldn't stand alone, but because his poem was about music, about it being endless, and I wanted it to go on and on.

Mrs. Septoski--Sydney's mom--took our picture together. It was a brief moment but my heart felt glad to get to be with the students. And who knows, maybe I was standing with some future authors.

Visiting OHS: Full Circle

2010-03-31T11:11:00.002-05:00

On March 26th, I visited my high school: Orrville High School. Home of the awesome Red Riders.

I was looking so forward to this because this is the place where I started writing--poems in Mr. McDaniel's creative writing class. But more than that, this is where I spent so many good days when I was a teen. I went through the front doors and it was like my mind opened to mini movies. There was talking and laughter in the halls but I was hearing the sounds of my friends, remembering how I couldn't wait to see them each day.

I began the visit in the office. Mrs. Andrea Dodds--who I've known since first grade at St. Agnes-- greeted me with a big hug. It was very much a homecoming.

This was an extra special day because the boys basketball team had won their semi-final game at state the day before and were leaving early to return to play for the championship. There were posters everywhere. My favorite was: "Our fans are better than yours." People were dressed in red, white and black, including me and my "Book Tour Alex" doll. Three guys showed up wearing retro basketball uniforms from the '70's. I think they're my friend Beth Scott Landers' nephews. I had forgotton just how short the shorts were back then!

Ms. Denise Rehm hosted me in the lovely LRC space--she and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Ms. Pat Warner introduced me to each class that arrived and she told me when any players were in the class. I spoke about my young adult book, Shattered during periods 1 through 5. In the middle of 5th period, we all went out in the hall to cheer on the basketball team. The pep band was leading a parade, playing "The Horse"--a song I used to love to twirl baton to--and the team and cheerleaders followed behind. Then the team got on the bus and headed to Columbus.

I went to lunch with my friend and classmate, Mrs. Barb Bupp. We ate in the chemistry lab with other teachers. It made me laugh because I barely passed chemistry back in the day.

After that, I returned to the LRC and held a writing workshop. We explored a writing prompt and then I walked them through how writers use a critique group to improve their work. Throughout the day, students asked good questions. The best part was when a student stopped in to tell me my book had made her cry. I told her I was sorry she cried, but honestly, that's the best compliment an author can get, because I know she and I connected through this book.

I met neices, nephews and children of my classmates. Students were very polite to me. I was struck with how attentive everyone was--which must've been hard since they were all looking forward to the game the next day. The teachers were really into the students and proud of the writing that students are doing. It made me think that it's still a magical place.

It was such a long time ago that I was a student there--more than 35 years ago--but I felt so at home. This is a place that is small enough to feel like you matter and big enough to do your dreams.

The next day, I watched the basketball game on TV. It didn't turn out as any of us had hoped. But I am so proud of this team. I saw grit, heart and smarts out on that court. I saw a bunch of guys never give up. In story terms, they are all heroes.

Seeing Baseball

2010-02-24T11:48:00.002-06:00

Everywhere I go, people are saying the same thing: "I'm tired of winter." As I write this, it's a cloudy gray day. It was snowing earlier. More of the same. But I saw the best thing over the weekend. ESPN is covering spring training. I was sick and bored and flipping channels. What a beautiful sight it was to see Red Sox players standing on green green grass wearing shades. They were just throwing but it gave me a jolt of hope.

That was a shot of pitchers and catchers only. Today, the whole team reports. It's a fantasy of mine to become one of those fans that heads to Florida to watch spring training. Travel all over the Grapefruit League, watching teams get ready for the season. I can just about remember what sun feels like when I daydream that!

The new MLB season is just about 6 weeks off. I guess I should get back to that unfinished novel of mine or do those house projects, because once the season begins, I confess, I'm not all that productive. I do feel a bit more energetic after seeing video of some great pitchers. We can make it!

Writer's Workshop: On Yearning

2010-02-03T08:49:00.002-06:00

Save the date!

Thursday, February 11, 2010, I'll be presenting a workshop on the concept of yearning, as described in Robert Olen Butler's book, From Where You Dream. I will do a brief reading from my new young adult novel, Shattered. A discussion will follow about how Butler's ideas focused me on my protagonist's yearning and specifically, how the book helped me to create the draft that finally sold to WestSide Books. Also, I'll give a writing prompt to assist participants to begin to use the concept of yearning in their own work.

The workshop is offered by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Oak Park/Near West Suburbs. It will be held at Dole Branch Library, 255 August Blvd., in Oak Park, from 6-8 pm. It is not required to to be a member of SCBWI to attend the workshop.

I'll be happy to sign copies of Shattered afterward.

For more information on SCBWI, visit www.scbwi-illinois.org

Hope to see you on February 11th!

I'm Now on Twitter

2009-12-27T19:35:00.001-06:00

I am at my mother's house in Ohio and my tech- savvy niece got me a twitter account! Check it out! http://twitter.com/KathiBaron

Visiting Trinity High School

2009-12-20T17:28:00.003-06:00

I had the good fortune to visit Mrs. Julia Buckley's advance composition class at Trinity High School in River Forest, IL earlier this month. During a writing workshop, the students wrote poems and I walked them through a critique group. The poems we heard were awesome! I felt so inspired by the work of these young adult writers.

At lunch, the librarians, Mrs. Molly Klowden and Mrs. Sue Tindall hosted a Q & A session in the lovely Trinity library. Students attended who had read my book, Shattered, and we had an interesting discussion. Their questions were intriguing and reflective and made me think a lot about the choices I made in writing the novel.

You can read more about the visit and check out the pictures at:
http://www.triblocal.com/Oak_Park_&_River_Forest/Detail_View/view.html?type=photos&action=detail&sub_id=125668

Baseball is Divine

2009-11-02T10:45:00.003-06:00

I want to write about baseball today, because if the Yankees win tonight, this will be the last day of the 2009 major league baseball season. Because of this, I feel the need to set aside a small time in my day to celebrate baseball. This game that I love.

Ever since fall 2004 when my son Dan came home from school, asking me to take him to get a Red Sox cap because they were going to the win the World Series, I have been a fan. Side by side him, I watched that series and fell in love, with the game, with the Red Sox, with the idea that humans are capable of so much. And of course, it made me love my son even more than I already did.

In the fall of 2005, Dan was diagnosed with a serious kidney disease. He went through chemo as part of a treatment protocol that lasted all of his 8th grade year. During chemo, we read Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King's book, Faithful, which chronicled the 2004 Red Sox season, ending with them winning the World Series. The book pushed us forward, kept us going during those times; we didn't know that Dan would become well like he is now, but we knew the Red Sox would win the World Series and we kept reading. Also during that time, I watched more baseball than I care to admit. It was a ritual that kept me sane. During everyday, I went to the TV like I was going to church. Each time a player hit a home run, or went back to the plate after previously being struck out, it gave me hope that I could also step up, keep going, being Dan's caretaker; that I could follow doctor's orders, get him through this.

Since that time, I've continued to watch a lot of baseball. Not so much as that chemo year, but still quite a bit. Maybe there is some part of me that needs the reminder that we can all make it in this complex world in which we find ourselves. We can inspire each other. We are a team. One small smart action usually benefits more than the person who acts. There is much to celebrate and be grateful for: a bountiful season of 2009 baseball... and especially, that my son Dan is WELL...and if the Phillies win tonite, the chance to see one more baseball game. Which I definitely plan to watch!

NOT Forgotten September

2009-10-14T09:49:00.009-05:00

In September, I had the lovely opportunity to guest post at David Jakubiak's Recession Kitchen blog. So technically, I did blog in September! Just not here. Check it out at: http://www.recessionkitchen.typepad.com/ to read about why I served chocolate chip cookies at my book launch party for Shattered at the Magic Tree Bookstore this past Saturday!

The party was divine, if I could just be totally honest. Thank you to Iris at Magic Tree and the rest of her staff for hosting us. I said that day and I'll tell you now, it's one of my favorite places in Oak Park. If you live far away and can't go there in person, go there online: http://www.magictreebooks.com/. It meant so much to me to get to be in that store signing my book for people.

Cafe Winberie's served up some amazing chocolate chip cookies. And there were a bunch left over and my family and I have been munching away on those ever since. Every time I eat a cookie, it takes me back to those few incredible hours at my book launch party.

Thank you to all of the lovely people who came and stood in line to get a book signed! My mother, Carol, my sisters--Paula, Lisa and Joey, my neices--Hallie, Maddie and Zadie, my nephew, Freddie, and my brother-in-law, Craig W. came in for it. They're from Ohio and New York. My very good friend, Brenda and her daughter from Ohio were there. My babysitter, Dana, was even there! And my catsitter, Debbie. Then there were lots of other friends--from my son's elementary school--Adriana, Mike and Liz, Leigh, and Lynda; and baseball--Carol, Anastasia, and Lorelei; and our temple--Marsha and Kathy; and the Wallenfeldts and John Chaplain. Members of my writing group were there: Julia, Martha, Cynthia and Elizabeth. Occupational Therapy colleagues were there: Kris, Marcia and Dorianne. My hair stylist, Pasquale of Snip City, came. (Thanks for the great hair and the flowers!) My neighbors were all there--up and down the street--Julie, Terry, Don and Laura; and Wendy, who lives behind me. Mike was there, who is currently painting my house. My husband's co-workers came. Members of my cookie-baking party group were even there, the Fabers and the Bairds! My son's friends were there--Mauro, Dillon, Charley and Camilla. Also, members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators--Pam Todd, Stephanie Kuehnert, and Lisa Bierman. Jenny Capelli--who let me ask her a ton of violin questions during the writing of the book--she was there. And her student, Rachel Brade performed and I was so moved, I cried. And there were some new faces and I am glad I got to meet you! And of course, my wonderful husband, David, and son, Dan, they have been there through it all. BIG hugs to ALL of you.

My wonderful high school friend, Dave Evans, and his family surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. So they were with me in spirit. My sweet author friend, Julia Buckley posted a picture from that day on her blog at http://www.juliabuckley.blogspot.com/. Check it out! You can see the lovely flowers, the cool bookstore, and me signing.

My son, Dan, made a playlist of all the music mentioned in the book. We played it while I signed. It made me smile to get to listen to all that violin music that day. Thanks, Dan!

As you can probably tell, I am still floating in a cloud of love and joy. I really loved sharing my book with everyone and I truly hope you enjoy Shattered.

Party Central!

2009-08-26T17:54:00.003-05:00

YOU'RE INVITED!

Come celebrate the launch of my first novel,

SHATTERED.

Saturday October 10, 2009

1 – 3 PM
Book signing and dessert

Magic Tree Bookstore

141 N. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park IL 60301

Call 708 848 0770 or email iris@magictreebooks.com
to RSVP/reserve your copy

for scoop on the book, visit www.kathibaron.com

My New Website

2009-08-12T22:00:00.002-05:00

My website is finally built!

Thank you...
to my son, Dan, who suggested the background and templates;
to my husband, David, for helping me to upload the images and link to other sites;
to Evelyn, my publisher, for more helpful suggestions;
to that patient techie guy at GoDaddy.com for helping me to set up my new email account;
and finally, to my cat, Leo, for keeping me company for hours and hours.

Come visit! www.kathibaron.com

Lucky

2009-08-03T18:34:00.005-05:00

I just returned from my high school reunion. Okay, I'll tell you. It was our 35th. I know a lot of folks who don't ever go to theirs. But then, they probably didn't grow up in Orrville, Ohio and graduate with the class of '74. For us, it's a chance to leave our normal lives for a bit and to be in a kind of magic. In a place where you never know who's going to make you laugh next. The old stories are still funny. The ones we created this weekend are good, too.

I wonder what our teachers would think if they could've peeked in on us without us knowing. I'm sure they'd be astonished. Because despite all those shenanagins that occured in their classrooms (like roadkill mysteriously placed in a desk), we've all somehow grown up to be people with jobs, Moms and Dads, people solving problems--big and small--some doing remarkable things, like curing the world.

Over the years, we've heard rumors that our teachers were glad to see us go. While we all somehow graduated, I don't think academics are the main reason we showed up every day. We showed up because we wanted to be together. We were good friends. Not just girls with girls and the boys with boys, but girls and boys were close, too. And we have this collective good sense of humor and constantly entertained each other. Which we con't to do at each and every reunion.

I heard lots of well wishes for my young adult novel, SHATTERED, that will be released on September 1st. Initially, in 2008 when my publisher made an offer on my manuscript, I emailed my classmates to share my good news. At our reunion, a year and a half later, I realized they were joyous for me, and all that happiness I had shared with them in 2008, came back to me in person at this reunion. It made me giddy. Like I had the best date to the prom, ever.

They are the reason I write for young adults. Growing up with them was a blessing. A world I want to go back to and can't, so I do it in my imagination. I seek their companionship each time I create a teen character. In my novel, Cassie has a sweet, hyper-organized, supportive best friend, Winnie. She also meets and dates a hottie--Nick--who is very nice and thoughtful. Many of these kinds of people make up my high school class. Throughout the reunion I kept thanking God and my lucky stars that I got to grow up with classmates like this.

My advice to teen readers: do your best work in school, but save time and energy to focus on your friends. These are some of the best times you will ever have. Be present. I promise you, if you do, the magic will double and triple over the years. I wish this for you: to be so LUCKY!

Baseball: (Big) Fan of the Game

2009-07-29T08:05:00.005-05:00

I didn't forget to write. This is baseball season. This time of year, you can find me sitting in front of a game. My son, Dan, just wrapped up his summer league season. Oh, I hated for that to end. My favorite thing about summer is getting to sit in ballparks. For hours. Dan's now 17 and has been playing since he was 6, so I've had lots of chances to learn different neighborhood parks. Also, as a family, we've been on a major league ballpark quest. We've been to Fenway (my favorite) several times; and we've visited the home parks of these teams: the Padres, Dodgers, Oakland A's, the Giants, Mariners, the Mets (the old stadium), the Brewers and we're from Chicago, so of course we've been to see the Cubs and the White Sox. This summer we'll visit the Tampa Bay Rays.

I love a summer night. Watching the sky change as the players move through the innings. Eating peanuts. We are lucky to have the baseball package on cable, so on any one night, I can see ten different games. This year, it was thrilling to watch Dan pitch a complete game; and strike out 5 guys. Last week, the Chicago White Sox pitcher, Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game. I missed the actual game, but I cried when I read the story in the Tribune. On Monday night, during the fifth inning, Josh Becket, of the Red Sox (one of my all-time favorite pitchers), had thrown only 66 pitches; and 56 were strikes!

I get inspired seeing people do the kinds of things baseball players do. Like a good story, there's tension and drama as they move through the innings of a narrative arc. Over the years, it has inspired me to keep going with my writing. To think of it word by word, like a pitcher throwing pitch by pitch to get to the end of an inning, the end of the game, to the end of my manuscript. To keep stepping up to the plate--submitting my work--even though I'm striking out, getting rejections in the mail. My favorite is to see Big Papi of the Red Sox hit a long fly ball out to center, over the green monster, over the fans sitting in the monster seats, out of the park to land in Yawkey Way. I keep that vision in my head as I write. Maybe my homers are few and far between, but maybe I'll get a single. And eventually get home!

As you can probably tell, I'm passionate about baseball. So I had to write in a baseball player in my new book, Shattered. His name is Nick Ortiz. He's the complete stranger-turned-important-person in the main character's life. He ends up giving Cassie some important baseball advice. Like all baseball players, and the game itself, he inspires me. And Cassie too.

Dream State

2009-07-15T12:39:00.003-05:00

ALA ended yesterday, but I remain in a dream state. I signed 120 books in an hour on Saturday at the WestSide Books booth. I loved getting to sign my book and offering it to others. More than that, I loved meeting the sweet people who stood in line to get it. It touched me that so many librarians planned to give it away as a prize to the teen who had read the most books this summer. Some teachers planned to circulate it among their students. Best of all were the teens who came by. Your interest made my day. Thank you!

ALA

2009-07-04T09:13:00.004-05:00

The American Library Association (ALA) conference is coming up. It's in Chicago this year, at McCormick Place. I'll be signing SHATTERED at my publisher's booth: WestSide Books, Booth #1628, on Saturday, July 11th from 11:00 AM - 12:00. If you're attending, stop by and say hi!

On Reading: Dick and Jane, Spot and Puff

2009-06-19T11:00:00.003-05:00

It's vivid--my memory of sitting in Sister Dismas's classroom at St. Agnes School in Orrville, Ohio--learning to read. My eyes saw the words on the page and the words popped in my brain. Like the book was the key, and my eyes turned that key. Suddenly, I was going for a ride. A ride all by myself for the first time! I no longer had to rely on my mom to read to me. There they were: Dick and Jane, Spot chasing Puff. And on and on to other books. Amelia Bedelia made me laugh so much with her funny interpretations of Mrs. Rogers' directions.

Summers were spent going and coming from Orrville Public Library, with stacks of books. I still have my page from the summer reading program. For each book you read, you got to put a sticker of an apple on the tree. I filled my tree with apples and felt so proud. But even moreso, I was having the time of my life going places with all those characters.

Recently, I just finished reading my ARC (advanced reader copy) of my book. Only 4 small things to change. Then it will go into production. September 28, 2009 is the release date. Cassie, the main character, goes on her own special journey. I hope readers will come along!

Medicine in the Mail

2009-06-06T16:11:00.009-05:00

This week I came down with the flu. On top of feeling crappy, I became quite crabby. I hate being sick! So it was perfect timing to get some good mail. Two days into the flu, I received a paperback version of my soon-to-be-published book, which is called an advance reader copy, or an ARC. It really cheered me up!

The ARC is my last chance to proofread and edit it in preparation for its release as a hardcover on September 28, 2009.

It's a strange and wonderful thing to hold a book I wrote! I LOVE the cover. I've posted it to share with all of you. (scroll down to view it). My publisher said that last week at the Book Expo, they received a lot of compliments on it.

The illustrator is Michael Morgenstern. If you have time, check out his work at http://www.mmorgenstern.com/ His art is amazing!

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to do. . .

BLOG LAUNCH

2009-05-27T15:57:00.003-05:00

Today I launch my blog!

Eons ago, when I was a teenager and wrote my first poem, it felt amazing to let out my thoughts and feelings; to make visible what was once invisible. To experience for the first time the glory of making art.

Later, as an adult, I wrote stories and more poems, filled journals and went to writing conferences and classes. Over time, writing has given my life more focus. What's clear is my days are made rich because of words: writing them on the page as well as reading them in books.

From the moment I learned to read, books have given me the chance to be an adventurer. They've allowed me to explore the lives of others and foriegn landscapes. They're a chance to learn stuff, about others and myself. About what matters.

This week, an advance reader copy of my first novel, SHATTERED, will become available for review by booksellers. My publisher, WestSide Books, will have it on display at their booth at Book Expo America in New York City. This is my last chance to make final edits before publication of the hardbound edition this fall.

In this blog I'll be writing about the journey from writer to published author and beyond. I don't know what I'm in for. Let's find out together!

SHATTERED

2009-05-27T10:11:00.002-05:00

Coming Fall 2009 from WestSide Books...