Chris Van Dusen's Blog

My new book, If I Built a School, comes out next week and I will be launching it on its release date, Tuesday, August 13th at The Owl & Turtle Bookshop in Camden, Maine. I will be signing copies from 2:00-4:00 PM. If you’re in the area, please stop by.

I have a few other signings lined up as well. They are:

With the release of the new picture book, A Piglet Named Mercy, written by Kate DiCamillo, my publisher, Candlewick Press, is sending me on the road for a number of events. Here’s a list of where I’ll be:

Since I don’t have any book signings coming right up, I thought I’d repost this information. People often wonder how and where they can get a signed book and this is the easiest way. PLUS it supports a local independent bookstore. Just follow these simple steps and before you know it, a signed book will be delivered to your door:

1.) Call The Owl & Turtle Bookshop in Camden, Maine. Their number is 207-230-7335.

2.) Tell them you’d like to order a signed copy of _____________.

3.) Tell them who you’d like the book signed to, or if you have a specific message, what it should say.

4.) Give them your address and credit card info.

And you’re done! Of course there is a shipping fee in addition to the price of the book, but that’s it. The store will contact me and I’ll stop by and sign your book, then they’ll send it right off. It’s super easy.

And if you ever find yourself in Camden, please stop by The Owl & Turtle. It’s located at 33 Bay View Street and the owners are Maggie and Craig White. They would love to meet you. It’s the kind of place you want to grab a cup of coffee and stay for hours. I hope you get the chance visit.

This Monday, July 16th at 2:00 PM, I’ll be visiting the Rockport Public Library on Route 1 in Rockport, Maine. I’ll bring my books, read some stories, show some illustrations and sketches and answer a few questions. If you’re around, please stop by. And if you have any of my books and you’d like them signed, please bring those, too. You won’t be able to buy books at this event, so please keep that in mind.

Hope to see you Monday!

I don’t have many events planned for this summer, but I wanted to let you know about an upcoming book signing. I’ll be at Treehouse Toys on 47 Exchange Street in Portland on Saturday, July 7th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Last time I was there I had a great turnout and met some really nice people. I hope to meet you there this time!

As I posted awhile back, my calendar for the remainder of this school year is full, but I’m now booking visits for the 2018-19 school year. My work schedule will be pretty busy this year with three new book projects in the works, so I might have to limit the number of visits. Also, I’ll probably have to stay in the New England area because of my workload. But if you’re interested, please don’t delay. The best way to schedule a visit is to contact me through the CONTACT page here on my website. As they say, “The early bird gets the worm!”

Please note: My rates have changed. This new fee went into effect on January 1st. If you already have a school visit scheduled for this spring, don’t worry. I will honor the old rate. But any new visits booked from here on in will be charge the new rate. Also, if you’re thinking of scheduling a visit to your school and you haven’t already done so, I’d encourage you to read through my SCHOOL VISITS page. Your questions might be answered there.

Thanks in advance for your interest.

I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas,

For the fourth (and last!) time this holiday season, I’ll be back in Portland signing books this weekend, but you may not want to miss this one. A dozen of Maine’s finest children’s book authors and illustrators will be gathered in one place to autograph their books making it a perfect opportunity to pick up a personalized gift for the child on your list. Here’s the info:

The Children’s Book Holiday Mingle will take place this Sunday, December 10th, from 1:00-3:00 PM at PRINT: A Bookstore, 273 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. The event will be cosponsored by Curious City, and the authors scheduled to attend are:

If I missed you yesterday at Letterpress Books, you can catch me twice this coming Saturday, December 2nd. I have two signings scheduled that day.

❄️ The first will be at Longfellow Books in Portland. It’s their annual Bring Your Child to a Bookstore Day. The Portland Stage Company will be there reading Hattie & Hudson as well as Scott Nash’s new book, I’m Afraid Your Teddy is in Trouble Today. The event starts early, at 8:30, and Scott and I will be signing books from 9:00-11:00. I have to leave right at 11:00 to drive back here to Camden for signing #2.

❄️ The second event will take place at The Owl & Turtle Bookshop in Camden from 1:00-3:00. Joining me at this group signing will be Melissa Sweet, Liza Gardner Walsh and Kimberly Ridley. This is part of Camden’s Christmas-By-The-Sea weekend and it should be a lot of fun.

I hope I get the chance to meet you at one of these events.

Please join me tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. I will be signing books at the great independent bookstore, Letterpress Books in Northgate Plaza (91 Auburn Street) in Portland, Maine from 10:00 – noon.

I’m looking forward to it – it should be fun – and I hope to see you there!