Fusion Creative Writing Summer Camp

The Fusion Creative Writing Summer Camp at River Bend Bookshop takes your love of reading and melds it into a creative writing experience that is guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing all summer long. Each day, July 12-15th from 3:00-4:30pm ET, participants will 'meet' via Zoom and engage in conversation with their favorite authors about  their craft. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to motivate our youngest authors to take their talent to the next level.

What you get:
- A signed and personalized copy of each of our nationally recognized author/mentors' latest books

- An official River Bend Bookshop writing journal

- Daily, exclusive, LIVE (via Zoom) chats with the featured author/mentor. Topics to cover: writing processes, tips and tricks of the trade, publishing processes, and much more!

- Daily writing prompts and feedback

Space is extremely limited, please register early to guarantee your spot. Partial scholarships are available for special circumstances, please contact lauren@riverbendbookshop.com to apply.

When: July 12-15, 2021 from 3-4:30 p.m.
Where:RIver Bend Bookshop
Cost: $145.00
Who: Children ages 10 and up (except by special permission)

We'll explore genre writing, including Fantasy, Mystery, and Humor, and will discuss series development, writing with a partner, and exploring social themes.  The ideal camper is interested in all kinds of stories, and will find something to love about each of the four featured books - even if they don't typically read books in each style. 

Our Special Guests
 

Monday, July 12th, Kate Klise: Kate is a popular author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Her latest release, Don't Check Out This Book, is yet another fun mystery  told in her trademark style, this time set in the small town of Appleton.

Tuesday, July 13th, Aaron Reynolds:  Aaron is the New York Times bestselling author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Fart Quest, Here Comes Destructosaurus!, Carnivores, and the Caldecott Honor–winning book Creepy Carrots!. He regularly makes time to visit schools where his hilarious hands-on presentations keep kids spellbound. Aaron will be discussing his latest Fart Quest release and helping us craft the perfect comedic story! 

Wednesday, July 14th, Laura Brown has written curricula and scripts and served as Content Expert and Research Director for series produced by Nick Jr., Disney Junior, Amazon Kids, DreamWorks Animation Television. Her writing partner, Elly Kramer, is currently the VP of Production & Development at Imagine Entertainment in their Kids and Family division and has created and led the development of numerous award-winning and highly-rated TV shows, online games, and innovative apps. Laura and Elly will talk about collaborations and writing for a younger audience.
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Thursday, July 15th, Kwame Mbalia: Kwame's debut middle-grade novel, TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it—along with the sequels TRISTAN STRONG DESTROYS THE WORLD and TRISTAN STRONG KEEPS PUNCHING, (out October 5th)—is  published by Rick Riordan Presents/Disney-Hyperion. He is the co-author of LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR with Prince Joel Makonnen, from Scholastic Books, and the editor of BLACK BOY JOY. 

Books from all featured authors are listed below.