Events
Upcoming Events
Baltimore Book Festival: Zombies vs. Unicorns
When: Friday, September 24, 2010, 5:30-700 PM
Where: Children’s Bookstore Stage
MOUNT VERNON PLACE
600 BLOCK NORTH CHARLES STREET
BALTIMORE, MD 21201
Zombies versus Unicorns Debate with Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan, Holly Black, Diana Peterfreund & Kathleen Duey. Team Zombie takes on Team Unicorn to prove which fantastic creature is superior. Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier lead their authors in a debate inspired by their new short story collection Zombies versus Unicorns.
For Booksellers and Librarians
If you would like Diana to attend a signing or other public appearance, please contact her directly.
There are a small quantity of bookmarks available. They are high-quality, glossy, full-color cardstock. If you would like some, please contact Diana with the quantity required. Available while supplies last.
In addition, she has an even smaller quantity of signed bookplates (and “autographed copy” stickers). If you are interested in turning your stock into autographed copies, please contact Diana.
Thank you for your support!
Writing Workshops
Diana Peterfreund often visits writing groups and conferences to give craft and industry workshops. Below is a list of some of her more popular topics:
WHEN BEAUTY MET THE BEAST: USING FOLKLORE AND MYTHOLOGY TO GIVE YOUR STORIES RESONANCE (WHETHER OR NOT YOU WRITE PARANORMAL)
Fairy tales and legends speak to something deep within the human spirit. The stories have existed for centuries and millennia for good reason: they work the audience. Now, make them work for you. Is your book “a Cinderella story?” Are you working on a “fractured” fairy tale or a “retelling?” Are the characters in your stories folklore creatures like vampires, werewolves or fairies, and you want to know how to make them “fresh” and different? Or maybe your books aren’t paranormal at all, but you’re you using folklore conventions like clever youngest sons or wise old women without realizing it? Learn how many of the most successful stories out there are creating connections with their readers by borrowing from myths, legends, and folklore, and how you can do the same.
CAREER PLANNING BEFORE AND AFTER THE SALE
In many ways, it’s beyond your control, and yet career planning should be an essential part of your strategy every time you make a sale. It is possible to chase specific goals while keeping a fluid and flexible career plan. This workshop, suitable for both the soon-to-be-published as well as the multi-published author at a crossroads, talks about concerns and philosophies to keep in mind while evaluating your options, and different strategies for dealing with setbacks, wrong turns, surprises, and—yay!—windfalls. In this workshop, Diana analyzes real examples of career planning strategies and discuses what worked, and what didn’t. (Worksheets.)
NETWORKING 101 (With Marley Gibson)
Did you ever hear the writing urban legend of the writer who pitched her critique partner’s book that ended up selling at auction? Well, the players of the very real tale, Diana Peterfreund and Marley Gibson, are here to share their knowledge, experience and success in the field of networking. Skillful networking not only resulted in Diana’s first sale, but also in Marley Gibson’s debut, a four book series for Puffin. You’ll learn what to say after introducing yourself, how to talk freely about your writing, your interests and yourself. You’ll also learn to look at yourself and your writing as a “product” and how to market that product to your “consumers” (editors, agents and readers.) You’ll see that communication isn’t simply limited to talking to someone, but reading body language and reaching out through non-verbal means, blogs, websites and loops. You’ll learn fun techniques for remembering names, opening up to fellow writers and fan readers, working a room and how to approach those elusive agents and editors who lurk at writers’ conferences. (Interactive exercises, worksheets.)
PITCHING DISASTERS AND HOW TO PULL OUT OF THE TAILSPIN
Imagine this: you’re sitting in a conference room across the table from the editor or agent of your dreams. You’ve spent a long time preparing for this moment – you practiced your pitch with your critique partner, picked out a few choice phrases to describe your hero and heroine, winnowed down your complex and original plot to a two-sentence high concept overview, and written the whole thing down on a handful of index cards in case you freak out and forget what it is that your book about. You’re all ready… aren’t you? Sure, as long as the industry pro 1) still acquires what you write (job descriptions and line needs change at the speed of light in this biz), and doesn’t blindside you with a pet peeve that bears an uncanny resemblance ot your latest project. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned, but if you keep your head and your sense of humor, you can survive and even benefit from pitch scenarios gone wild. Let Diana show you how. (Interactive.)
WHAT’S ALL THIS TALK ABOUT HIGH CONCEPT?
It’s the phrase du jour in the industry. High concept stories are in demand in today’s market. You can definitely sell books without it, but it might be that extra little something that defines the “breakout book.” But very few people understand what it means, including a few of the industry pros requesting it! Discover the origins and development of “high concept” and its current definition. Figure out if your story is high concept and how to craft your story pitch to bring out the most high concept elements. Learn how to avoid false “high concept” pitfalls and explode misconceptions about the term. Come away from the workshop with your own high concept pitch sure to pique industry interest. (Interactive.)
Interested in having Diana do a workshop for your writer’s group on these or any other topics? Contact her.
Past Events
RWA Annual “Readers for Life” Literacy Signing
When: July 28, 2010, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Walt Disney World® Dolphin Resort, Pacific Exhibit Hall, in Orlando, Florida.
This event is open to the public; there is no admittance charge. The list of authors who will be there is here.
ALA Annual Conference
When: June 25-29, 2010
Where: Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
Events: Harper Colins Fiction Breakfast, Saturday, June 26 (7:15-9:00 AM, W Hotel, Altitude Room, 515 15th Street NW); signing in Harper booth, Saturday, June 26 (3:00-3:30 PM)
Yay, librarians! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, Dewey-decimal style…
Annapolis Book Festival
When: April 17, 2010
Where: The Key School, 534 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, Maryland
Event: Topics in Young Adult Fiction
Time and Place: 11 AM, Room 3, Barn Learning Center
Come watch Diana (and a bunch of other awesome YA authors) talk about controversial subjects in YA literature. Take bets on how long it takes for Diana’s head to explode.
Book Expo America
When: May 25-27, 2010
Where: Javits Center, New York City
Event 1: Speed Dating With Children’s Authors; Wednesday, May 26, 11am-12:30pm (location TBA)
Event 2: Ascendant ARC signing and Giveaway; Wednesday, May 26, 3:30-4pm (Autographing Area, Table 18)
I think the Speed Dating thing is something booksellers are invited to, but the ARC giveaway will no doubt be a violent free-for-all. 
NYC TEEN AUTHOR FESTIVAL
NYC Teen Author Festival Symposium
DATE: Friday, 3/19 (2-5, 7:30-9)
LOCATION: New York Public Library, South Court, 42nd Street
TIME: 2:10-3:00 P.M.
Using Genre to Tell the True Story of Adolescence
featuring: Judy Blundell, Sarah Beth Durst, Lauren McLaughlin, Diana Peterfreund, Sara Shepard, Maggie Stiefvater, and Robin Wasserman
RAMPANT ON TOUR!
Teen Author Reading Night in NYC
When: 6-7:30 PM, January 6, 2010
Where: Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425 6th Ave, at 10th St., New York City
Who:
Alexandra Bullen, Wish
Gitty Daneshvari, School of Fear
Dream Jordan, Hot Girl
Robin Palmer, Little Miss Red
Diana Peterfreund, Rampant
And if y’all are very good, Diana might read a bit from Ascendant.
Books of Wonder
Sunday OCTOBER 18TH
1:00 – 3:00PM
18 West 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
FANTASTIC FICTION SIGNING WITH:
John Hulme
Michael Wexler
Daniel Kirk
Troy Cle
Dan Poblocki
Sarah Beth Durst
Marissa Doyle
Diana Peterfreund
>> Maryland/DC Launch Party:
Saturday, August 29, 2009, 2 P.M.
Borders Books (White Flint Mall)
11301 Rockville Pike 11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895
301-816-1067
Diana will be reading from Rampant, answering questions, and signing books. There will be snacks and killer unicorn giveaways!
>> Virginia/DC Launch Party
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 1 P.M.
Barnes & Noble (Tysons Corner Center)
7851 L. Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA 22102
703-506-2937
Diana will be reading from Rampant, answering questions, and signing books. There will be snacks and killer unicorn giveaways!
More tour dates to come!
DRAGONCON
September 4-7, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia
More info at the DragonCon website
Diana will be appearing at DragonCon! Find her in the Exhibit Hall to get a signed copy of her newest book, RAMPANT, or check out her panel:
Title: Writing for the YA and Children’s Market
Description: How to write for an audience that’s half your age–or less. Tapping into the minds of today’s young people–what DO they want to read?
Time: Sun 11:30 am
Location: Manila / Singapore / Hong Kong – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Borders Signing
Tampa Area Romance Authors
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2-4 PM
Location: 909 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa FL 33609 (Near 1-275)
NYC Teen Author Festival
Juvenalia Smackdown Panel
Date: Monday, March 16, 2009, 4-6pm
Location: Tompkins Square Park branch of the NYPL, 331 E. 10th Street
Join Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Alaya Johnson, Justine Larbalestier, David Levithan, Diana Peterfreund, and Scott Westerfeld as they read some of their (ahem) less accomplished work from their middle school and high school years. Hosted by Libba Bray.
See the whole festival schedule here.
Washington Romance Writers
Date: October 11, 2008, 11:30 a.m.
Location: Centreville Library in Centreville, Virginia
Rites of Spring (Break) on Tour!
*Launch Party*
MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2008 7 PM
Borders Books
11301 Rockville Pike 11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895
301-816-1067
*Bookstore Anniversary with Nora Roberts*
SATURDAY, JULY 12 2008, 1-3 PM
With Nora Roberts (and other authors)
Turn the Page Bookstore (13th Anniversary Celebration)
18 N. Main St.
Boonsboro MD 21713
ttpbooks.com
*Virginia Signing*
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 2008, 7 PM
Barnes & Noble
1851 Fountain Drive 1851 Fountain Drive
Reston, VA 20190
703-437-9490
Book Signing & Reading
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007, 7 PM
Borders Books & Music
White Flint Mall
11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895
New York City Launch Party
AUGUST 3, 2007, 9 PM
532 West 27th Street
New York City
Reading, Discussion & Signing
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2007, 7 PM
Borders Books & Music
White Flint Mall
11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895
Book Signing
JULY 26, 2006
RWA Literacy Book Signing
Atlanta, GA
(Romance Writers of America Conference)
Book Signing
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006, NOON-1 PM
The Bantam Dell Booth
Book Expo America
