Inside Writing and Publishing — DuPage Branch, 2012
Program Schedule
January 24: From Blogger-Mom to Published Author
January 31: History, Mystery, Bones, and Gold: Developing Ideas into Books
February 6: How I Kept My Day Job and Became a Published Author
February 16: Rejection Bootcamp: Sometimes “No” Just Isn’t About You
February 25: Everything e: Writing for Today’s e-Market
March 3: Characters Count: Dialogue & Characterization in a Character-Driven Story
Tuesday, January 24, 7 pm
Barbara Barnett — From Blogger-Mom to Published Author
Barbara Barnett, co-executive editor of Blogcritics Magazine and author of Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. shares her story of becoming a published author. Starting with nothing more than a personal blog and a desire to write, Barnett began her path toward her lifelong goal. Persistence and a little luck led Barnett to an agent, book deal, and more. She will detail her story and offer insight into how aspiring writers may also find their dream.
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E Maple Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521
To register contact Adult Services, 630-986-1976
Register online, click here
Co-sponsored by Oak Brook Public Library
Tuesday, January 31, 7 pm

Sally M. Walker — History, Mystery, Bones, and Gold: Developing Ideas into Books
How can you get your creative juices flowing and develop your ideas into books? Sally M. Walker, author of more than 50 award-winning nonfiction books for children, addresses these questions and more in her talk about the writing process. She discusses topics to write about, tools of the trade, research techniques, and development of the voice or perspective.
Warrenville Public Library District
28W751 Stafford Place, Warrenville, IL 60555
To register contact the Circulation Desk, 630-393-1171 x100
Co-sponsored by Wheaton Public Library
Monday, February 6, 7 pm
Keir Graff — How I Kept My Day Job and Became a Published Author
Keir Graff knows what it’s like to get a bad review—and what it’s like to give one. The author of The Price of Liberty and three other novels is the senior editor of Booklist Online. He has earned his unique perspective on publishing through hard work, serendipity, and sometimes painful trial and error. In this lighthearted and informative talk, Graff tells his story of breaking into print while offering practical advice about getting published, starting with the question every writer needs to ask: “Will getting published make me happy?”
Villa Park Public Library
305 S. Ardmore Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181
To register contact the Check Out Desk, 630-834-1164
To register online, click here.
Co-sponsored by Addison Public Library
Thursday, February 16, 7 pm
Joelle Charbonneau — Rejection Bootcamp: Sometimes “No” Just Isn’t About You
Learn how to understand and survive getting rejected. From a decade of professional acting and singing and now writing, Joelle Charbonneau had to learn how to deal with and triumph over rejection. She is going to teach you the tricks of the trade in understanding your rejections, keeping them from crushing your creative spirit, and helping you persevere until you finally get “the call.”
Glenside Public Library District
25 E. Fullerton Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL, 60137
To register contact Adult Services, 630-260-1550
To register online, click here
Co-sponsored by Bloomingdale Public Library
Saturday, February 25, 2 pm
Helen Gallagher — Everything e: Writing for Today’s e-Market
Are you interested in e-writing, e-publishing and e-marketing? Helen Gallagher, author and national speaker on publishing and technology, will discuss ways to get published in today’s online market. She is the author of Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way! and Blog Power & Social Media Handbook.
Helen Plum Library
110 W. Maple Street, Lombard, IL 60148
To register contact Adult Services, 630-627-0316
Co-sponsored by Glen Ellyn Public Library
Saturday, March 3, 2 pm

Michael Raleigh — Characters Count: Dialogue & Characterization in a Character-Driven Story
Michael Raleigh, a lifelong Chicagoan, has published seven novels, including In the Castle of the Flynns. He will discuss how to make characters come to life and be more vivid. In addition, Raleigh will cover what to do and what not to do when writing dialogue as well as how flat characters and bad dialogue can kill a manuscript’s chances of being taken seriously. Examples of good characterization and dialogue will be given.
Bartlett Public Library District
800 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103
To register contact Adult Services, 630-837-3560
Participating Libraries
Addison Public Library
4 Friendship Plaza, Addison, IL 60101
630-458-3320
Bartlett Public Library District
800 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103
630-837-3560
Bloomingdale Public Library
101 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
630-924-2730
Glen Ellyn Public Library
400 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630-469-0879
Glenside Public Library District
25 E. Fullerton Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL, 60137
630-260-1550
Helen Plum Library
110 W. Maple Street, Lombard, IL 60148
630-627-0316
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E Maple Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521
630-986-1976
Oak Brook Public Library
600 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-368-7725
Villa Park Public Library
305 S. Ardmore Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181
630-834-1164
Warrenville Public Library District
28W751 Stafford Place, Warrenville, IL 60555
630-393-1171
Wheaton Public Library
225 N. Cross Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
630-868-7520