Just a reminder -- there's a signing tomorrow at Don's Books in Kokomo. Rosemary Laurey and Elizabeth Vaughn will be there, and I cannot wait to meet them. The signing will take place from 2 PM to 4 PM. For more information, check out this website.

Here's an interview with Judy Blume, and this is what she says about people who ban books:

It's about fear. It's about control. And fear is contagious. I don't know why people think that if only they can control what their children read they can control their children's minds. It doesn't work that way. It's as if, if it's in a book it gives you permission. They're afraid that their kids will read about it and then it'll happen to their kids or their kids will do it. It doesn't work that way at all in real life. Reading about it can satisfy your curiosity so you say, 'No way. I'm not getting into that.'

I'm trying to practice my Chinese again. Ha! Not easy. Though I did find this great resource on the internet called Beijing Bookworm that is so comprehensive I get tired just looking at it. It's run by the wonderful folks at the US Embassy. Here, also, is an interesting discussion about issues in contemporary Chinese literature.

And here, the importance of empathy in writing, by Kris Reiz.

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Writing Opportunities via Funds for Writers:

STATE FARM EMBRACE LIFE AWARDS
http://www.sfembracelifeawards.com/
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NO ENTRY FEE
Deadline May 18, 2007. Do the words INSPIRATIONAL, REMARKABLE, HOPEFUL describe you or a woman you know who has persevered following the death of a spouse? If so, State Farm Life Insurance Company wants to hear this story. We’re dedicated to honoring everyday women who have inspired others with their grace and ability to embrace life. State Farm will honor five remarkable women at a gala luncheon in New York City on September 25, 2007. Each honoree will receive a paid trip for two to attend the luncheon along with a cash prize of $10,000 USD to spend as she chooses. Tell us your story or the story of a woman who Embraced Life in an essay of 1,000 words or less. Entries should include the following information. Judging will be based on these criteria:

A brief history of the nominee and the circumstances leading up to the loss of her husband. How the nominee moved beyond her grief to Embrace Life and inspire others. How the experience changed her. What she would do differently and what advice, both personally and financially, she would offer others facing a similar situation.

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CHILDREN'S THEATRE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
http://www.childrenstheatrefoundation.org/guide.html
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Grants for children's theater. The practice of CTFA is to encourage original and artistic groups across the nation. A single extended project may be funded over more than one year when so proposed initially and accepted by CTFA. Generally, awards up to $5,000 will be considered. Occasionally larger awards may be granted upon application. Most grants are for one year projects, taking place no earlier than September 1 of the submission year. Exceptional projects extending up to two years, however, will be considered. Deadline April 30, 2007.

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TCG TRAVEL GRANTS
http://www.tcg.org
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The Theatre Communications Group is inviting applications for TCG/ITI Travel Grants, which support travel in either direction between theater professionals in the U.S. and their counterparts in Russia or Central/Eastern Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia.

Grants of $3,000 will be awarded to theaters and individual theater professionals (artists, administrators, or educators) to cover transportation and living expenses essential to the project, including research materials, communication costs, theater tickets, and/or the services of an interpreter. Deadline April 30, 2007.

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ARTS IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION - OKLAHOMA
http://www.state.ok.us/~arts/grants/alted/alted1.html
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The Arts in Alternative Education program provides funds to assist with hands-on instruction and participation in the arts in Alternative Education programs in public schools in Oklahoma. The program is offered through a partnership of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the State Department of Education and is designed to motivate students whose needs are not met by traditional educational services. Arts in Alternative Education applications may be submitted either by May 1 for a full year project or by December 1 for second semester projects.

What can be funded? Costs associated with providing arts instruction and experience in the arts, including artists, arts educators, consultants, orother arts resources. Teaching resource materials. Arts-related field trips for students in the alternative education program.