Do dreams of playing Quidditch, boarding the train at Platform 9-3/4 for a visit to Hogwarts and meeting Harry, Hermione, Granger and Ron Weasley keep your student’s imagination spinning? Perhaps the would-be-sorcerer sharing your home has even been inspired by J.K. Rowling’s books to try his or her hand at writing. If so, here’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, local authors and members of the California Writers Club will be at the Pleasant Hill Barnes & Noble bookstore (552 Contra Costa Blvd.) from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. to talk to Contra Costa County middle school students about the group’s annual Young Writers Contest and FREE writing workshops. Special guest Harry Potter will also be on hand.
Students from all over the county have participated in this contest and workshops each year, inspiring them to write. Besides earning an opportunity to chat with published writers, many students come away with prizes, kudos and a possible head start to a future as a writer.
Need another incentive? How about cash? Twenty-seven sixth-, seventh-and eighth-grade winners will share $1,575 in prize money and attend a banquet where they hobnob with authors of many genres. Need a bigger nudge? Maybe free chocolate rings your chimes.
Need to do a little multitasking? Check a few names off your gift list while you’re at Barnes & Noble — just think of all the gift-giving events coming up in the months ahead: holidays, birthdays, Mr. Dumbledore’s anniversary as headmaster, broom-christening parties, pet frog and rabbit adoptions . . . .
Present a sample voucher you’ll receive from the authors, and Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of your purchase to help support the Young Writers Contest.
Oh, yes: and about Harry Potter. Look for him in the Target/Toys R Us parking lot. He’ll be the one with the Hogwarts robe and a menacing cloud of helium balloons. One of those balloons (while supplies last) will contain a $20 gift card redeemable at Barnes & Noble.