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Author Vivan Vande Velde made a side trip to MHS to make a presentation in the Ruby Tuesday room to some of the 9th grade English classes. She was on her way to the TN Assoc. of School Librarians conference in Franklin, Tennessee to accept the Volunteer State Book Award for her book Smart Dog. Ms. Vande Velde is the author of some two dozen books for young adults. During her presentation she talked about how her first book was rejected by publishers 32 times before it was finally published! She also talked about how she typically has little or no contact with the illustrator for her book jackets and is often surprised by how the cover finally turns out. Ms. Vande Velde then showed us some of her book covers and talked about the business end of her writing -- how much money she makes for each book sold and for some of her short stories. Finally, she autographed her books during an autographing session in the library conference room. It was a memorable event!

          
Ms. Vande Velde speaks in the RT room.                  She shows childhood pictures of her inspiration for                                                                                   her book Smart Dog.

        Refreshments during the books signing.                         Teachers waiting for their autographs.

      
Students waiting their turn.                                           Lots of student interest!

            
Mr. Newman getting that autograph.                       The rest of the library staff with Ms. Vande Velde.

             
English teachers with our author.                                     Mr. Pickle gets in on the action!.

                 
One final picture of the author and Ms. Vose.                    She's working on her new book!

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