An open book: Author’s Night connects with readers at school fundraising event
Nicole Tavenner
Jess Owen, a Whitefish author, visits with attendees at MVCA’s Author’s Night.
Nicole Tavenner
Author Paul Fugleberg sells a copy of “Among Other Things” as customers browse.
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Ara Nelson likes to write under her bed. It’s a quiet, private and comfy spot for Ara, a second-grade student at Mission Valley Christian Academy, but none of the other dozen or so authors at Author’s Night admitted to writing under their beds. They write mainly at a favorite desk or table.
With several genres represented, authors brought their books to the event to help raise funds for the private school. Agreeing to give 10 percent of their sales for the day, authors visited with attendees and signed books.
Jess Owen, Whitefish, who writes “epic fantasy adventures of a gryfon,” brought her books to the event. She said some people are concerned about her spelling of “gryfon.”
Owen writes at a little desk in the corner, embellished with a quote by Ursula Le Guin that says, “You should be writing” urging her on. She tries to write at least 1,000 to 2,000 words per day.
One MVCA student, Anna Schiele, 10, had her own table and sold her book, too. With the help of her mother, Anna printed and laminated several copies of a book she wrote about frogs. She made enough money to buy a book from another author.
Books and writing fit right in with MVCA Headmaster Chris Bumgarner’s goal to foster a love of reading and writing at the school.
The Smith sisters, Helen, sixth grade, and Hailey, third grade, are readers, and he credits them with inspiring classmates to read more.
Helen is writing a survival story now. She likes to read that genre, and mysteries, too. Hailey enjoyed “The Boxcar Children and the Blue Bay Mystery.” Hailey especially enjoys music class, where students listen to music and then write a story about it.
Freshman Jayd Conrad is enrolled in creative writing. The class just finished a mystery unit, but she prefers free style poetry and writing short stories.
“I enjoy it; I write a lot,” said Jayd.
When challenged to write a quick haiku, Jayd and her teacher, Theresa Bauer, answered with:
“Written in a sec
Oh, the pressure piling up
Run away to end.”
Readers and writers even helped with the theme of the fundraiser, since this year parents suggested an author’s night.
“This is something different,” Bumgarner said.
“We don’t have (an author’s night) in our valley very often.”
