News!

Kathleen Ernst

Spring, 2007

Happy spring! It's time to play outside, work in the garden, and go for bike rides... but I hope you save some time for reading, too.

Rachel M. & Secrets in the Hills

Are you keeping up with the American Girl mysteries? My second Kit mystery (after Danger at the Zoo) is now in print! Midnight in Lonesome Hollow was published this spring.

Here's Rachel M. with my Josefina book, Secrets in the Hills. Rachel lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Photos like these really make my day.

I had a great time meeting some new readers this spring. Thanks to everyone at Books & Company in Dayton, Ohio, and the Blue Marble Children's Bookstore in Fort Thomas, Kentucky for making me feel welcome.

It was a special treat to visit the Blue Marble, a wonderful independent bookstore staffed by people who really know their stuff! And I was lucky enough to visit on the day of the book discussion group. If you're in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, and haven't visited, you're missing a great thing.

The Blue Marble Children's Bookstore

Kathleen Ernst at Smurawa's Country Bakery

We even had a book signing at Smurawa's Bakery, which was a treat in more ways than one. Why aren't more author events held in bakeries?

Kathleen Ernst & Pulaski students In March, I participated in the Pulaski School District's Young Authors and Illustrators Program. These are just a few of the talented writers and artists I met. I was impressed!

Kathleen Ernst & Pulaski students

Thanks to everyone in Pulaksi for showing me such a good time!

Kid Sleuths panel, Malice Domestic, 2007

Nancy Means Wright, Sarah Masters Buckey, Peter Abrahams, and me.

In May I attended Malice Domestic in Crystal City, Virginia. This conference celebrates the traditional mystery.

On the "Kid Sleuths" panel, we had a lively discussion about writing mysteries for children and teens.

Kathleen Ernst with Society of Midland Authors award, 2007

On May 8th, the Society of Midland Authors honored Hearts of Stone with their Children's Fiction Award. The Society represents books published in a twelve-state area. What a thrill!

The banquet and awards ceremony were held in the beautiful old Chicago Athletic Association building. We watched the sun set over Lake Michigan as we ate.

I enjoyed hearing from the other honorees--novelists, historians, poets, memoirists, biographers.

Harriette Gillem Robinet & Kathleen Ernst, Chicago, 2007

I didn't think I would know anyone at the banquet, and was delighted to see the very talented Harriette Gillem Robinet at my table! Harriette and I both had mysteries nominated for the Edgar Award in 2001. She writes wonderful historical fiction.

Spring is always a busy time of year. I'm working on two novels (one in revision, one in draft form) and getting ready to teach at Write-By-The-Lake next month. And all of my gardens need weeding! Until next time, happy reading!