I haven't read "The Great Neighborhood Book," but have you considered organizing a block party when it's not 110 degrees outside? I find that gatherings with personal invitations and name tags (with fun facts about the wearer), both of which seem to have fallen out of fashion in the 21st century, can bump up attendance numbers and prompt get-to-know-you conversations.
In a totally different way, I've been thinking about community, too. After living in Mexico for nearly a year, I've noted on many occasions how people/families here tend to take care of one another in a way I've witnessed with extreme rarity in the United States. Maybe it's proof that people who have less tend to give more? I still haven't put my finger on it ... but when I do, I'll let you know!
Okay, so the next time there are "appealing books by terrific people" being launched clue me in, will ya? I don't get out much. I should.
The neighborhood book looks fantastic too. I'm so sorry to say that as long as we've lived here, I hardly know any of our neighbors. Really, I don't "KNOW" any of them beyond a nod and wave, a few sentences at best.
Good observations here, Chris. It makes me think (yet again) of the possibilities of the social mediasphere once we get past our own niches.
The other day I was talking to a friend about the insularity of the edublogosphere: many education bloggers simply don't interact with much of the blogosphere outside of the educational realm. That's neither here nor there when considered by itself . . . until it starts to constrain educators who could easily be learning more and contributing more in wider circles.
So . . . what are the natural areas of outreach for the kidlitosphere? Geoblogging for neighborhoods? Mommy- and daddyblogs? Topical blogs related to the nonfiction you're working on? Others?
I don't know the answers -- I'm just throwing out ideas.
Rebecca, the first thing that comes to mind is setting up an online group just for my (and Stefani's) block, and touting the neighborhood book along the way. I think the online group might make a nifty lever for getting something going on some of the book's other ideas.
Stefani, have I got a book for you...
Tim, I think the answer to the outreach question is "all of the above, and more" -- whatever helps keep each of us tuned in to and inspired by the wider world that our books are a part of.
A lot of good things to think about. I've also been wondering about how to move things outside our little corner of the world...
On the one hand, it's good to have a place where you don't have to explain yourself and what you read over and over...
On there are people outside our corner who would love the books we blog about, or would love to know some of the other stuff we discuss.
It is sad, isn't it. I grew up in one of those type of towns. Then I moved to the Bay Area (not that different, I am sure). What you need is a kid in primary school. Then you get involved with the school stuff. Then you know people. At least that is how it is supposed to work.
I am soon to go through this with my own first book and I am a bit nervous. I hope for many good friends of friends to show up for me. Wish me luck, although I am sure it will be a hit in my hometown. Mom and Dad are pretty proud.
Jen
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