I performed a Skype Book Reading/Discussion with kids from the Fort Plain Jr/Sr High School in New York on March 27th. Using the high school media lab, they opened a free account with (VOIP online phone service provider) Skype and video-called me at my home through a PC. I'm equipped with a videocam and free Skype account myself, so I was able to see the kids in the classroom, and they were able to see me. In fact, they projected the Skype-cast up on a big screen so everyone could get a good view. It took hardly any time to set up...and it was FREE!
The kids had a great time asking me all sorts of questions about RESURRECTION MEN and writing in general. And I received a kind note thereafter, from the progressive Fort Plain librarian, Mary Van Patten, who is the first educator in her district to exploit the Web in this way:
"The students were so thrilled with this experience. Fort Plain is a small town, next to Canajoharie NY; it's exit 29 off the NY Thruway. There are a lot of dairy farms in the area. Many of these farms are being bought by Amish people. Because of the Erie Canal, it was once a prosperous town. The students I work with are great...Thanks so much for making this happen."
What a great way to leverage the Net to get closer to readers. I'm encouraging all elementary, junior and high school librarians out there who are carrying my T.K. Welsh (or J.G. Sandom) titles to contact me at CyberSibyl@gmail.com in order to set up a similar Skype Book Reading/Discussion.
Have the children read one of my YA historical novels and then invite me into your media or music lab to talk about the book. Using Skype and a webcam, a PC video call is easy and free, and it makes a real difference to the students when they can pose their questions directly to the author.
In fact, participants of any Book Club or Book Circle with ten members or more who purchase one of my novels--like THE WAVE, GOSPEL TRUTHS or my forthcoming religious thriller THE GOD MACHINE--can contact me at CyberSibyl@gmail.com to set up a similar FREE Skype Book Reading/Discussion.
Invite me into your living room, and I'll invite you into mine. Rather than simply discussing a book amongst yourselves, as usual, imagine having the author right there to answer your questions directly.
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