Tag: Giveaways

A picture of the sunrise on a river and me sitting in the distance on a stand up paddle board.
Giveaways, Resources, News and Updates

September News | Book Launch!

Julie Darling

Photo Credit: Anna Cools

Pictured above is me, attempting to soak up the last dregs of Summer. It’s been in the 90s here in Michigan, which makes it impossible to believe that Fall is almost upon us. Despite clinging to these final hot and sunny days, I couldn’t be more excited for it to be September. This is the month the books will release!!! I can’t wait to finally hold them in my hands. I can’t wait for you all to have access to them. They’re available for pre-order on Amazon now. You can also pre-order them here on the Routledge website starting on September 9th.

I’ve also received word from my publisher that I have fifteen sets to give away across book launch events. Like and reshare any of my book launch social media posts throughout September, including this blog post, to be entered into the drawing.

Lastly, a request. The #1 way authors get discovered is through Amazon reviews. Once you see the books, if you have a moment to give an honest review on Amazon, I’d be eternally grateful.

AI Tool I’ve been experimenting with.

Over the summer I gave three presentations about AI in Education. The first was as a spotlight speaker at the Longwood University Summer Literacy Institute, the second was on a panel for the Michigan Education Association, this talk will be turned into a course soon, accessible to MEA members and the final presentation was to the librarians at Ann Arbor Public Schools.

After each of these talks, participants messaged me about the songs they’d created using the music creation AI tool, Suno. If you’d like to listen to the songs I shared at the presentations, you can listen here. Suno is fabulous for creating catchy music with lyrics that reflect your prompt. My favorite is ‘Library Beats’.

I’d love to hear your Suno creations too! If you want to, you can share with me over social media or send the link to my email: AuthorJulieDarling@gmail.com

Image of dramatic clouds over the ocean off the coast of South Carolina.
Giveaways, Resources, News and Updates

August News – Giveaways | Official Launch Date!

Julie Darling

Last week I was in South Carolina with a friend where these big, dramatic skies made me think of opportunities…possibilities…stories yearning to be told. I’ve been working on another writing project. A novel this time. It’s been in the works for years, actually.

I’d mostly set it aside this past year because I was completing a Google Project Management Certificate (which I finished in June!) and putting the final touches on my forthcoming book series which now has an official launch date!

Setting aside those two big projects has given me a little more headspace to come back to the novel, and now that I’ve told you all about it, I have to finish it, right?!

I hope this late Summer inspires you to come back to those projects that still have your heart.

September 30th, 2024 is the release date!

September 30th, 2024 is the official launch date for our new 3-book series! These can be purchased as a set or individually.

They’re available now for pre-order on Amazon.

Book Giveaway!

I’m celebrating the official release date with a giveaway of my first book! Between now and July 31st like/reshare the giveaway announcement here, on Facebook, Instagram or X, then complete this 4-question form. The randomly selected winner will be notified on August 1st.

Want a second entry? Sign up for my newsletter by July 30th for the link to a second chance to win. Good luck!

Book I’m Reading.

While waiting in the Charleston airport, with a delayed flight, I decided I didn’t want to read any of the three hardcover books I’d dragged along with me and instead went to the airport bookstore, where I found HBR’s The Year in Tech 2024 on the paperback, bestsellers shelf.

It covers a huge swath of the tech world including essays on neurotech, Web3, AI, XR and the Metaverse. Of particular interest to those of you who attended ISTE may be an essay on ChatGPT written by keynote speaker Ethan Mollick. His new book Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI is currently on my to-be-read pile.

That’s it for now! See you back here next month for book launch details!

Image States that I'm Presenting at ISTELive24
Resources, News and Updates

Read | Write | Tech – June 2024

Julie Darling

This June I’m gearing up for two big events!

I’ll be presenting at the 2024 ISTE conference and Ann Arbor SummerFest in the same week! I’ll also be giving away signed copies of my first book, Social-Emotional Learning Using Makerspaces and Passion Projects at both. I’d love to see you there!

June also means Summer reading! Scroll down for details about programs and websites for kids and adults, alike.

There will not be a July newsletter, while we concentrate on book launch and book tour event planning. Sign up for the emailed newsletter here for this content, plus special book launch giveaways and discounts delivered directly to your inbox!

If you missed my National Children’s Book Week: CS For Young Readers panel presentation last month, the recording is now available here.

June Presentations – More Details

On Monday, June 24th from 3-4 p.m. I’ll be presenting Teaching CSTA K-2 Standards Using Books, Games and Songs at the 2024 ISTE conference in Denver, CO. This session will be in-person, live-streamed and recorded, for ISTE conference participants. You’ll need to register for the in-person and/or virtual conference to attend.

On Friday, June 28th from 5-8 p.m. you’ll find me with illustrator D. J. Cools and Booksweet in the KidZone tent at A2SF, giving a sneak preview reading from our forthcoming titles, Little Hackers and Little Computer Scientists, singing the Debugging and Silly Password songs from the Guidebook and teaching kids about binary, ciphers and cybersecurity vocabulary. Enter the in-person drawing for a signed copy of Social-Emotional Learning Using Makerspaces and Passion Projects and a basket of makerspace supplies. Free event.

Summer Reading Resources

AI powered Sona gives you recommendation based on book descriptions that you type in.

Literature Map asks you to enter the name of an author you like and then creates a map of other authors you may also enjoy.

Which Book gives you curated recommendations which can be selected by region of the world, mood, character, plot and bestsellers.

The American Library Association puts together recommended Summer reading lists compiled for Pre-K through 8th grade. You can access the lists here.

Barnes & Noble has a Summer Reading program for kids in grades 1st-6th as well as suggested Summer reading lists for all ages.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, Pizza Hut does in fact still have their read books for free pizza program for Pre-K-6th graders. It’s called BookIt. You can find more details and enroll here.

Don’t forget about independent bookstores and your local public library! They also have fantastic Summer reading contests, prizes and incentives (and everything is free)!

If you’re looking for additional reading ideas, the Library of Congress has great reading lists from every state, you can peruse the 2024 compilation here. Consider taking a walk in your area and exploring some of the Little Free Libraries! You can locate many of them on this Little Free Library World Map.

Happy Reading! – Julie