In this newsletter:
General news
Upcoming events for kids and parents
Dear Parents and Colleagues,
I’ve got a lot going on! My new middle grade novel, How to Make Magic Real, is about to be released. I’m offering free events for kids and free/low-cost events for adults. Please help me spread the word: Advertising doesn’t work in this space—it’s all about parent and teacher recommendations.
Also, my spring courses at Athena’s Advanced Academy are open for enrollment. Keep reading for details.
Finally, I was updating my website and noticed that the link to homeschool curriculum for my chapter book, Hanna, Homeschooler, was broken. So now it’s fixed. Homeschoolers: You can use this curriculum while reading Hanna with your kids. Remember: “Homeschoolers need a Ramona!”1
Upcoming events for children and parents
How to Make Magic Real online reading for kids and parents!
Listen to Prof. Suki read from her new book and talk about why and how she wrote it. While Suki reads, children are encouraged to draw their own pictures of the Fairy Cottage or book characters. Drawings emailed to Suki will be displayed on Suki’s website!
This reading is FREE but one child in the family needs to register at Athena’s to attend.2
The whole family is welcome. All attendees get a coupon for 10% off the book and will have their artwork featured on Suki’s website.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 9:00 am Pacific
Parent Workshop: Encouraging Healthy Writing Habits
One of my great passions as a teacher is helping parents understand how much influence they can have on their student’s writing. The home environment and parents’ attitudes toward their children’s writing are perhaps even more important than any instruction a student might receive.
Any adult may enroll in this workshop for $12. All attendees get a coupon for 20% off the book.
Saturday, Nov. 8 2025, 4 pm Pacific
Parent Workshop: Nurturing the Natural Writer
When I counsel new homeschooling parents, one of my most important pieces of advice is to find a homeschooling community—one online and one IRL. The Gifted Homeschoolers’ Forum was my lifeline in my early homeschooling years. It’s a wonderful organization, and I speak often at their online conference. I’m excited to give a workshop about teaching writing to homeschoolers in January.
Presented through Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (click for info). Open to all GHF members (free or paid memberships).
Jan. 17, 2026 details TBA
That’s what one of my children said while standing in front of the chapter book section of our library. Chapter books are so school-obsessed!
Registration just lets us know your contact information in case we have to reschedule and to send you the book discount link. It does not enroll you in courses or require you to enroll in courses.