Dannie M. Olguin at 2022 ALA Annual Conference

So incredibly excited to co-present at the 2022 American Library Association's Annual Conference & Exhibition. Are you attending? Search for my last name here.

The Moth Radio Hour - Phoenix StorySLAM

This week, I did something terrifying and wonderful.

One of my favorite podcasts is The Moth Radio Hour. I've been listening for years and have always wanted to participate in a StorySLAM, but I never felt worthy of an audience. I've been to a couple, but never tossed my name into the hat to tell a story.

That changed this week. I put my name in the hat, hoping to be one of 10 randomly selected storytellers. The theme in the City of Phoenix was Books, and I was the ninth storyteller to be chosen. I got up on that stage, didn't pass out or pee my pants, and told a true story that ended up winning the Slam!

Now I have the opportunity to participate in a Moth GrandSLAM, where 9 other StorySLAM winners from Phoenix will share true stories in front of an even bigger audience.

I never expected my name to be chosen, and I definitely didn't think I'd win. I just wanted to prove to myself that nothing bad would happen if I didn't get chosen or if I got up there and bombed.

Never in a million years did I expect to win tonight, but I'm honored and humbled. There were a lot of really good storytellers out there and I'm glad I got to spend the evening in such delightful company.

Watch it here!

Donating Copies of BETWEEN SAFE AND REAL to Kids Need to Read

I donated a few copies of BETWEEN SAFE AND REAL to the Kids Need to Read charity. Their mission is to donate hundreds of new books to six libraries in high-poverty areas around the nation. It felt like kismet that their headquarters is only about half an hour from my house, so while I was there I decided to spend a couple of hours getting dusty and helping with inventory.

On top of getting new books into underfunded libraries, they also send donated books to underfunded schools, foster care homes and facilities, and Little Free Libraries.

It's important work that they're doing and I'm honored to be even a small part of the program.

Monster Gallery

The first book I ever wrote was a second grade project called Monster Gallery. Every week, we had to write a new story about a classic monster, and this project sparked my love of writing.

Growing up in poverty meant I didn't have access to paper at home, so I cannibalized my least favorite stories for the paper. Sometimes for homework, so my little brother would have something to draw on, and sometimes for other stories. I wish I still had all of the stories I tore out of this book, but I'm glad I have the ones that still exist. I have a vampire, werewolf, mummy, even a bride of Frankenstein among a few others.

Seeing Monster Gallery next to Between Safe and Real--my first set of short stories next to my first published novel--fills me with joy and reminds me of just how far I've come.

Hope and Representation

Hope and Representation, a guest post by Dannie M. Olguin Teen Librarian's Toolbox, which is a microsite of School Library Journal:

Between Safe and Real wasn’t fun to write and it’s unlikely readers will think it’s fun to read, but I’m okay with that because I truly believe representation matters, even when it’s not fun.

AISL Conference 2022 - Reaching At-Risk Youth with Kidlit

Dannie M Olguin, Author

2 minutes ago

So excited to speak alongside these authors! Just one week from today!

Unboxing Between Safe and Real

Autograph copies came in! It's a little overwhelming to see so many books with my name on them, but it's super fun to think that soon, all of those books will have my name written in them. I've been dreaming about autographing my own books since I was a little girl!

If you want your very own autographed copy, you can order one here: https://www.dmolguin.com/.../purchase-autographed-copy.html

Unboxing of Between Safe and Real