SPEAKING/TEACHING
The sign reads Akwaaba, which means welcome in Twi.
I’ve spoken to audiences of all ages, from infants–at a weekly story time for babies from birth to one at Redwood City’s nationally acclaimed Public Library–to adults at writing conferences including SCBWI’s Golden Gate Conference at Asilomar, the California Library Association Conference, and the Jack London Writer's Conference. For years I taught a community college course on “How to Write a Children’s Picture Book and Get It Published.”
Over 7, 000 children in classrooms and auditoriums all around the San Francisco Bay area have participated in my talks on writing.
If you’d like to hear me speak on writing, theater, how William Shakespeare and I wrote Playing Juliet or another topic, please email me at joanne.wetzel@stanfordalumni.com.
About My Books
Beth Sondquist’s secret wish is to play Shakespeare’s Juliet, someday. But if she keeps breaking so many theater superstitions, she may never get onstage again.
“Playing Juliet is cinematic, fast-paced, full of theater magic, misdirection, and Shakespeare. What could be better for any reader who ever wanted to act in a play? I couldn't stop reading.” Jane Yolen, author of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? and Owl Moon
About Me
Broderbund, Inc. 1997
Content writer
National Writing Awards
Bank Street College of Education–Noteworthy Books for Children Published in
1992: The Christmas Box.
Highlights for Children Humorous Writing Contest, 1990. Finalist: "Mary Fred and the
Costume Parade."
Writer's Digest Children’s Nonfiction Writing Contest, 1998. Honorable Mention: Mr. Peale and the Mammoth Bones.
Writer's Digest Writing Contest 1989. Honorable Mention, Article: "Flowers for My Father."
Alfred A. Knopf, 1992
“A Noteworthy Book for Children”
Bank Street College of Education
“Superior, well above average”
Horn Book
Carolrhoda Books, 1987
“Stage-struck youngsters will welcome this”
Horn Book
“A lovely book...loaded with pictures...well put together.
If you have children interested in being in theatre, read this.”
Jerry Friedman: KGO Radio
My Work on CD’s and Web Sites
I got to sit in a chair shaped like an elephant when I was at the Elephant Cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland, where J.K. Rowling went when she was writing the Harry Potter books. I couldn’t resist working on one of my manuscripts while I was there.
Chair at the Elephant Cafe, Edinburgh.
I don’t like Daleks!
©2020 JoAnne Stewart Wetzel
Sky Pony Press, November, 2015