Deborah Diesen
Children's Author

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If you're interested in scheduling me for an appearance, I would love to hear from you!  I enjoy visiting schools and reading at bookstore and library story times.  I do events and appearances during the months of April through October (I generally do not schedule events for during the months of November through March). You may contact me by clicking here.   My biography is available here, and there are free book-related downloads in the Kids' area of my site.

Currently scheduled events are listed below.  I'll be adding to the list as I schedule additional appearances.  Please, always confirm details of time with the host location before attending.

Upcoming 2013 Events

May 18, 2013	Children’s Festival of Reading, Knoxville, TN http://knoxrooms.sirsi.net/rooms/portal/page/21676_Childrens_Festival_of_Reading
July 9, 2013	Michigan Reading Association conference on Mackinac Island
September 8, 2013	Kerrytown BookFest in Ann Arbor, MI

Past Events & Visits

May 3, 2013		Rome Elementary, K-2, in Dix, Illinois
April 14, 2013		Children’s Author Meet and Greet, Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library, Monroe, MI
April 10, 2013		People’s Church Preschool in East Lansing, MI
September 9, 2012		Kerrytown BookFest in Ann Arbor, MI
June 27, 2012		Session during Grandparents University at MSU in East Lansing, MI
April 25, 2012	Evening	Family Night in Muskegon, MI
April 18, 2012	Day	School Visit in Gaylord, MI
April 17, 2012	Evening	School Family Night in Lansing, MI
April 12, 2012	Day	School Visit in Allegan, MI
March 26 & 27, 2012	Day	School Visits in Mason, MI
March 13, 2012	Day	Skype session with a class in NC
March 1, 2012	Day	Skype session with a class in IL
Saturday, Feb 4, 2012	1 to 2	Part of an author panel at CADL Haslett Branch in Haslett, MI
November 17, 2011	10 AM and Noon	Bookstore story times at the Saginaw, MI Barnes & Noble
November 13, 2011	Noon to 3	Writers on the River Book Fair in Monroe, MI
November 10, 2011	Day	School visit to Black Elementary and Green Acres in Warren, MI
October 25, 2011	Day	School visit to Reid Elementary in Goodrich, MI
October 6, 2011	Noon	Speaker at the Missouri Library Association’s Children’s Services Round Table Luncheon; also accepting the 2010 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award for The Pout-Pout Fish
Oct 5-7, 2011		Attending the Missouri Library Association conference in Kansas City, MO
October 3, 2011	Evening	Speaking to the Jasper County, MO International Reading Association Group
September 11, 2011		Story time at the Kerrytown BookFest in Ann Arbor, MI
June 30, 2011		Session about writing at MSU’s Grandparents University in East Lansing, MI
June 21, 2011		Story time at Flat River Community Library in Greenville, MI
June 6, 2011		Visit to MacDowell Elementary in Detroit, during a Bess the Book Bus visit
May 19, 2011		School visit to Holly Elementary
April 15 and April 16		Story times for Eaton Great Start in Grand Ledge and in Charlotte, MI
April 12, 2011		School visit to ABT Elementary in Dearborn, MI
April 2, 2011	11:30 AM	Session about finding your niche in the wonderful, wide-ranging world of children’s literature at the Rally of Writers in Lansing, MI
March 30, 2011		School visit to Sayre Elementary in South Lyon, MI
Sunday, March 13, 2011	1:30 & 3:00	Story times at the Hannah Center in East Lansing
March 3, 2011	1:00 PM Mountain Time	Skype session with Hermosa Elementary in Hermosa, SD
November 14, 2010		Writers on the River in Monroe, MI
November 4, 2010	10:30 AM	Story time and signing at Schuler Books, Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing, MI
October 22, 2010	10:30 AM	Story time and signing at the Barnes & Noble in Grand Rapids, MI
October 16, 2010	11:00 AM	Story time at the Grandville Barnes & Noble, as part of the Book Fair for Brown Elementary
October 14, 2010	10:30 AM	Story time and signing at Barnes & Noble in Flint, MI
October 12, 2010		School visit to Central Academy in Ann Arbor, MI
October 8, 2010		Authors’ Feast at the GLIBA Trade Show in Dearborn, MI
October 2, 2010	11:00 AM	Story time at Literary Life in Grand Rapids, MI
September 27	6:30 PM	School Visits all day in Petoskey, MI, then an evening story time and signing at McLean and Eakin in Petoskey, MI
September 24, 2010	10:30 AM	Story time and signing at Pooh’s Corner in Grand Rapids, MI
September 18, 2010	11 AM – 1 PM	Story time and book signing for the Jonesville District Library in Jonesville, MI – to be held at the Williams Elementary School Cafeteria as part of the Braden’s Birthday Party
September 12, 2010	3:00 PM (new time)	Story time and signing at the Kerrytown BookFest in Ann Arbor, MI
August 20, 2010	2:00 PM	Story time at the Orion Township Public Library in Lake Orion, MI
August 18, 2010	10:00 AM	Story time at The Reading Tree in Grand Rapids
August 10, 2010		Speaker at the Even Start Conference in Gaylord, MI
July 28, 2010	1:00 PM	Story time at the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library in Blissfield, MI
July 16, 2010	11:30 AM	Story time at the New Buffalo Township Public Library, New Buffalo, MI
July 11, 2010		Participated in the Eastwood Schuler Books celebration of the 50^th anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird
July 7, 2010	7:00 PM	Story time at the Cheboygan Area Public Library, Cheboyagan, MI
July 1, 2010		A class for Grandparents University class at Michigan State University, plus a booksigning at the closing picnic.
May 20, 2010	11:00 AM	Story time at the Berrien Springs Community Library, Berrien Springs, MI
May 11, 2010		Story time at the Ann Arbor District Library in Ann Arbor, MI
May 4, 2010		Story time at the Grand Ledge District Library in Grand Ledge, MI
April 29, 2010	11:30 am	Story time at the Saginaw Barnes & Noble
April 27, 2010	5:30 pm	Story time and discussion about writing/publishing at the Fowlerville District Library in Fowlerville, MI
April 22, 2010		School visit at Lansing Christian School
April 20, 2010		Preschool visit in Dearborn, MI
April 17, 2010	11:00 am	Story time and signing at Schuler Books, Eastwood, Lansing, MI
April 15, 2010		School visit at Windemere Park Charter Academy
April 13, 2010		School visit and story time session at the Albion District Library
March 30-31, 2010		School visit to Cheektowaga, NY
March 27, 2010	11:00 am	Story time and signing at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor, MI
March 22, 2010	4:15	Story time at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland, MI
November 8, 2009	12-3	Book sale and signing at Writers on the River at the Ellis Reference & Information Center of the Monroe County Library System
November 7, 2009	2:00 pm	Story time at the Bedford Branch of the Monroe County Library System
November 7, 2009	11 am	Story time at the Frenchtown-Dixie Branch of the Monroe County Library System
October 22, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Albert J. Zak Memorial Library 11 am and 1 pm at 2360 Caniff Avenue, Hamtramck,  48212-2947
October 20, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Dowagiac  District Library 10:30 am at211 Commercial Street Dowagiac,  49047-1728 2:30 pm at Hamilton Elementary School
October 18, 2009	1:30 and again at 2:30	Story time at the Kent District Library Cascade Branch
October 17, 2009	11-1	Book signing at the Fenner Nature Center Apple Butter Fest in Lansing, MI
October 15, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Rochester Hills Public Library 10:30 am at 500 Olde Towne Road Rochester, 48307-2043 1 pm at Hampton Elementary
October 14, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Genesee District Library 10 am at Happy Elephant Daycare Center, 2469 S. Linden Rd, Flint 48532 12:45 pm at Lake Fenton Early Childhood Center, 11425 Torrey Rd, Fenton    MI, 48430
October 13, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Sandusky Public Library 1:15 and 2:45 pm at Maple Valley Elementary
October 9, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Spies Public Library 9 am and 1 pm Central Standard Time at 940 First Street Menominee,  49858-3296
October 7, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Pere Marquette District Library 10:30  and  12:30 pm at 185 East 4th Street,  Clare, 48617-1541
October 6, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Manchester District Library 10:30 am at 912 City Road (M-52)  Manchester 1 pm at Klager Elementary School
October 1, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Lenawee County Library 1:45 pm at Onsted Elementary School 6 pm  and 6:30 pm story time at Lenawee County Library
September 30, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Mason County District Library 10 am at 217. E. Ludington Ave/US 10, Ludington,  49431 1 pm at Lakeview Elementary School
September 29, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Herrick District Library 10 am at 300 S. River Ave. Holland, 49423 1:30 pm at Rose Park Elementary
September 24, 2009		Michigan Reads Tour:  Benzonia Public Library 1 pm and 2:30 pm Mills Community House, 891 Michigan Avenue, Benzonia,  49616 Library is within Community House.
Saturday, August 8, 2009	11 a.m.	I will be at the Young Folk BookFest, part of the Great Lakes Folk Festival.  Plenty of children's book authors will be on hand throughout Saturday and Sunday.  At 11 a.m. on Saturday, I will be there for the official announcement of The Pout-Pout Fish as the 2009 Michigan Reads book.  I will also do a reading of the book.  See you there!!
Monday, July 13, 2009	2:00 p.m.	Story time at the Delta Township District Library
Thursday, May 28, 2009		Gift of Literacy event in Eugene, Oregon.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009	Morning	Bryant Elementary School visit as part of the Ann Arbor Book Festival Authors & Illustrators in Schools program.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009	11:15 a.m.	Story time at the Cedar Springs Library
Wednesday, April 22, 2009	10:30 a.m.	Story time at Ransom District Library
Saturday, April 18, 2009	10 a.m.	Early Childhood Connections of Eaton County and Great Start program.  Eaton Intermediate School District Building, 1790 Packard Hwy, Charlotte, MI.  Free copy of The Pout-Pout Fish given to the first 50 families who attend.  For more info, call 517/541-8793.
Friday, Apr 17, 2009	6:30 p.m.	Early Childhood Connections of Eaton County and Great Start program.  Dart Bank, 1020 Charlevoix Dr., Grand Ledge, MI.  Free copy of The Pout-Pout Fish given to the first 50 families who attend.  For more info, call 517/541-8793.
Monday, Mar 30, 2009	All Day	School visit.  St. Michael School in Grand Ledge
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009	10:30 a.m.	Story time.  CADL Author Series, Main Library
Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009	10 a.m.	Story time.  CADL Author Series, Stockbridge Library
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009	10 a.m.	Story time.  CADL Author Series, Foster Library
Saturday, Dec 13, 2008	1-3 p.m.	Book signing at the Flint Barnes & Noble
Sunday, Dec 7, 2008	1-3 p.m.	East Lansing Barnes & Noble
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008	10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.	Story times at the Saginaw Barnes & Noble
Saturday, Nov 15, 2008		Barnes & Noble, Lansing, Michigan.  Story time 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov 9, 2008	1-3 p.m.	Writers on the River Monroe County Library System 10th Annual Author and Book Fair Ellis Reference & Information Center About 30 authors from Michigan and the Ohio area will be there.
Saturday, Nov 1, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time at Literary Life bookstore in Grand Rapids
Saturday, Oct 18, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time at the Grand Rapids Public Library, part of the Grand Rapids Celebration of the Book
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008	7:30 p.m.	Children's Author Roundtable at Schuler Books, Eastwood Towne Center This is a joint event with the fabulous Ruth McNally Barshaw and Dan Mishkin.  We'll discuss our road to publication and offer information to aspiring children's book writers.
Saturday, October 11, 2008	9:00 a.m.	Speaker at the Educators' Breakfast sponsored by the Flint Barnes & Noble
Saturday, September 27, 2008	Afternoon	SCBWI-Michigan Conference in Plymouth, Michigan Speaker on a panel about School Visits
Friday, September 26, 2008	Afternoon	School visit to Bates Elementary in Dexter, Michigan
Saturday, September 20, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble in Bloomfield Hills.
Saturday, September 13, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time at the Alpine Avenue Schuler Books 3165 Alpine Ave., Walker, MI  49544.  (616) 647-0999. This is a joint story time along with Sue Thoms, fellow Michigander and author of the children's picture book Cesar Takes A Break.
Saturday, September 6, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble in Rochester Hills.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008	10:00 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble in Kentwood, MI. 3670  28th Street SE, Kentwood, MI  49512.  (616) 954-2211.
Thursday, August 14, 2008	10:00 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble in Holland, MI.
Thursday, August 7, 2008	10:30 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble in Flint, MI.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008	10:30 - 11:15 a.m.	Story time at the Capital Area District Library, Downtown Lansing Branch 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI
Saturday, June 28, 2008	11:00 - 1:00	Story time and signing at the Midland Mall Barnes & Noble I had a terrific time returning to the town I grew up in for a story time and signing.  I saw former neighbors I haven't seen for years, as well as a few teachers.  What a lovely time.  My thanks to Andi and the staff of the B&N store for making me feel so welcome, and for every one who showed up with their friendly faces and good wishes.
Thursday, May 22, 2008	6:30 p.m.	Bedtime story time and book signing at Rivertown Bookstore. I read The Pout-Pout Fish to a great group of kids, many in their PJs.  Much fun, and there were even fish cookies to eat!
Friday, May 16, 2008	6 - 7:30 p.m.	Hobnobbing at the Ann Arbor Book Festival author reception Enjoyed this very much!
Friday, May 16, 2008	Morning	School visit to Dicken Elementary, Ann Arbor Dicken Elementary is a great school, and the students were terrific.  Spoke to two second grade classes and three first grade classes.  A very enjoyable morning.
Sunday, May 4, 2008	1:00 p.m.	Story time at Everybody Reads, Lansing. Everybody Reads is unique treasure on Lansing's Eastside.  I was there as part of their 2nd anniversary.  There were several events going on and a wonderful celebration-feeling to the whole thing.  I read my story twice; signed books, bookmarks, and cootie-catchers; saw lots of friendly faces; and throughout it all had a great time.  Much fun!
Saturday, May 3, 2008	11:00 a.m.	Story time and Author Reception at Schuler Books, Eastwood Towne Center What a wonderful time I had at my official book launch!  I read my story as well as Boni Ashburn's Hush Little Dragon and Sue Thoms' Cesar Takes a Break.  My thanks to everyone:  to all the parents and their children who came to hear the story; to my family; to my critique group; to my neighbors; and to Rhoda and Whitney at Schuler Books for all their good work in making the event possible.
Friday, May 2, 2008	9:45 a.m.	Guest on The Coffee Break on 89.7 WLNZ This was fun.  I was nervous to begin with, but I relaxed midway through.  Karen and Jack, the hosts of The Coffee Break, are great.  Thanks for a good first-ever on-air experience!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008	All Day	School visit to Delta Center Elementary, Grand Ledge A terrific day!  The students, teachers, and staff were very encouraging during my debut school visit.  I'm sure I learned as much from them as they did from me.  My gratitude goes out to everyone who made me feel so welcome, and to all the students for their kind enthusiasm.
Thursday, April 17, 2008	10:00 a.m.	Story time at Barnes & Noble, Lansing Mall This was a lot of fun.  Christine at the Lansing Mall B&N runs a regular Thursday story time which is lively and well-attended.  'Twas a pleasure to be a guest reader, and I enjoyed myself immensely.  The kids at the story-time blubbed along with Mr. Fish beautifully.  Thanks, all!