Events

 

May – September 2018: Barbara is in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota for the summer and will be selling and signing her books at the following events:

•      June 8-9: Fergus Falls Summer Fest
•      June 16: Perham Turtle Fest
•      June 30: Arts and Crafts Open House, 10 am to 4 pm, 2162 Shady Lane
•      July 22: Detroit Lakes Art in the Park
•      July 28: Pelican Rapids Art in the Park
•      August 8-9: Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference
•      August 11: Vergas Looney Daze

 

 

March 10 & 11, 2018: The Tucson Festival of Books is one of the largest book events in the country. Renner Writes is hosting ten children’s books authors in Booth 348A. Check the schedule on the right for signing times of these Award-Winning Authors.

 

 

 

 

December 9, 2017: The Mesa Book Festival will be held in downtown Mesa, Arizona from 2:00-8:00 pm. Visit Barbara at the booth with authors Rita Goldner and Joanne Grady to purchase books for holiday gifts and have them signed. Barbara will be reading her new book, Quincy the Quail Saves a Life, at SCBWI’s “Read at the Tree and Book Signing” from 5:40-6:00 pm.

 

 

December 2, 2017: Barbara joined SCBWI-AZ members and other fabulous authors at the Red Mountain Library in Mesa, Arizona for a day of signing books and meeting children of all ages. Thank you Librarian, Stephanie Foster, for inviting us.

 

 

 

November 18, 2017: The North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 North 7^th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, will be hosting Authors Day from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm where a group of Arizona Authors will be signing their books and answering questions. This is a free event; however, the books must be purchased in the Center’s Gift Shoppe. All proceeds from the sale of the books will benefit the Save Our Mountains Foundation for the operation and programs at the North Mountain Visitor Center. Barbara will be launching her new picture book, Quincy the Quail Saves a Life.

 

November 4, 2017: The Tempe Book Festival is Saturday, November 4th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Members of the Publishing and Book Promotion group, lead by Laura Orsini, will be displaying and signing their books at this book lovers’ event. Barbara’s books Quincy the Quail Leads His Family on an Adventure and Quincy the Quail Saves a Life will be available for purchase. Hope you can make it: 3500 S. Rural Road (SW corner of Rural and Southern), Tempe, Arizona.

 

October 15, 2017: The Gecko Gals Ink hosted the 2017 All-Zona Book Fest from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Tucson Jewish Community Center in Tucson, Arizona. Barbara revealed her new Quincy the Quail book, Quincy the Quail Saves a Life. This event featured authors from all over Arizona. Pictured are kid lit authors Rita Goldner, Joanne Grady, and Barbara Renner.

 

October 14, 2017: To celebrate Indie Author Day, Arizona authors read selections from their books at the “Books Take You Higher Gala” sponsored by the Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing Group. Barbara read her new book, Quincy the Quail Saves a Life. The celebration included food from Pita Jungle, live music, trivia contest, and much more. The Gala took place from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Creative Living Fellowship, 6530 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ. www.BooksTakeYouHigherGala.com

 

October 5, 2017: Mountain View Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona hosted several local authors for their Authors’ Day. This is a terrific way for students to meet authors and practice their writing skills. Barbara read Lonnie the Loon Flies South for the Winter to 4th Grade classes and then discussed the difference between Minnesota and Arizona. Using a graphic organizer that shows the elements of a short story, the classes collaborated on a story of their own.

September 25, 2017: Ponemah Elementary School on Red Lake Nation, Minnesota has invited Barbara to read her Lonnie the Loon books and present a lesson to the Pre-Kindergarten classes during Parent Night. Barbara will read the books that have the QR Codes so the children can listen to the loon calls and animal sounds. She will discuss interesting facts about loons and distribute coloring pages as a follow-up activity.

 

 

August 12, 2017: Barbara enjoys selling her picture books at the Looney Daze Street Fair in Downtown Vergas, Minnesota every year. Food, crafts, clothing, and fresh produce vendors line main street from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.  Vergas is located by Rose Lake and is famous for the largest Loon in the world.

 

August 9 – 10, 2017: Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon picture books series at the 17th Annual Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference in Mahnomen, Minnesota. In addition, Barbara is scheduling classroom visits as a guest author for September. The conference is for parents, early childhood, elementary, high school, social workers, mental health, nurses, and administrators. National and local experts will share the latest innovative strategies to help every child succeed, from prenatal to young adult. Registration forms can be found at www.whiteearthchildcare.com

 

July 22, 2017: Join Barbara as she participates in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota’s 29th annual Art in the Park. The event runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Barbara will be selling her picture books in Sherin Park, Spot #63.

 

 

 

July 19, 2017: The Tamarac Wild Life Refuge in Rochet, Minnesota hosts Wild Wednesdays in the summer for children of all ages. Attendees learn about wildlife, then craft a project, and end with a nature walk down special trails in the refuge. On July 19 the focus will be the Common Loon, Minnesota’s state bird. Barbara will be reading her picture book, “Lonnie the Loon Learns to Call” while the children practice their loon calls. Afterward the nature walk, Barbara will be signing her Lonnie the Loon books in the gift shop. The event begins at 10:00 am.

 

June 24, 2017: The Island Bookstore is located on Mackinac Island in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Barbara will be doing a book signing there on Saturday, June 24th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, featuring her Lonnie the Loon picture book series. For more information about the bookstore and to read The Turtle Talk Newsletter, visit their website.

June 17, 2017: Turtle races, hog roast, horse drawn wagon rides, and a rodeo. These are just some of the activities during the annual five-day Turtle Fest in Perham, Minnesota. On Saturday, June 17th, there is an Arts Festival from 9:00 – 3:00 at the Perham Center for the Arts. Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon books at that time, so, if you’re in the neighborhood, come on over.

June 10, 2017: Barbara will once again participate in the Author Fest hosted by Beagle and Wolf Books and Bindery at the American Legion in Park Rapids, Minnesota on Saturday, June 10, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Signed books can be purchased on site through Beagle and Wolf Books. Over 30 Minnesota authors will be participating. Click on the Beagle and Wolf Books link for directions and more information.

May 5, 2017: Mountain View Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona hosted authors and poets to participate in their Young Authors’ Day. Students in grades 4th – 8th wrote stories, created short story outlines, performed Readers Theater, learned about writing books, and much more. Barbara had fun teaching 4th graders about the elements of a story. Mountain View Elementary offers such wonderful programs for their students.

 

April 8, 2017: The “Art at Cinnamon Roost Farm” in Glendale, Arizona features local artisans, crafters, and creators of culinary delights. Barbara will be selling her picture books at the table with the Publishing and Book Promotion Meet Up Group. The farm is located at 5220 West Cinnabar and runs from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. For more information about the event, follow this link.

 

April 7, 2017: Barbara has been invited to read her picture books to the Kindergarten through 4th Grade classes at Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory. Barbara will include a lesson comparing the state of Minnesota to the state of Arizona and provide a set of coloring pages for the children to enjoy. Visit Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory’s website for more information about this school and enrollment procedures.

 

March 18, 2018: Authors’ Day at North Mountain Park Visitor Center was created to raise money to

support the Save Our Mountains Foundation. Barbara’s signed books are for sale in the gift shop and will be available for purchase at this free event from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Barbara is unable to attend, but her very talented illustrator, Amanda Wells, will be there signing Quincy the Quail Leads His Family on an Adventure.

 

March 11 & 12, 2017: The Tucson Festival of Books is an annual event held on the University of Arizona’s beautiful campus. Come see where “Words and Imagination Come to Life.” Barbara will be signing books at the AZ Authors’ Association booth, #138, on Saturday from 9:30-1:30 and all day Sunday. She will be at the YA Authors Rendezvous booth, #454, on Saturday from 1:30-3:00 and Sunday from 12:00-1:30. Come listen to Barbara as she reads from her books Sunday from 11:30-12:00 in Booth #138.

March 2, 2017: Mountain View Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona is having

a Read Across America Campaign by having local authors read their books to the classes. Barbara will be reading her picture books to three 3rd grade classes from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. She will also teach a lesson about loons and quails as well as distribute coloring pages to the students.

February 25, 2017: The Phoenix West Reading Council will hold their mini-conference for teachers at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Barbara will be selling her books to the attendees from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

February 25, 2017: Arizona Authors’ Association fosters literary achievement and serves authors, publishers, and editors in Arizona and the nation. Their “2017 Crafting the Written Word Conference” is Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Barbara will be presenting a workshop entitled “Crafting Query Letters” from 8:45 – 9:35 a.m. in the Mohave Room.

February 15 – March 15, 2017: Barbara is participating in a Spring Fever book giveaway through Young Adult Author Rendezvous. Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Witch and Wizard by James Patterson, $100 Amazon gift card, or more than 20 signed books by a variety of authors. Click here for details about entering and to see the list of books that are being given away.

January 17 & 20, 2017: Barbara has been invited to Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona to read her books to the kindergarten and first grade classes as a guest author. She will also give a lesson on a loon’s habitat and migration pattern using a map of the United States. Northwest Christian School is devoted to an educational program which upholds high standards of scholastic and behavioral excellence.

 

December 9, 2016: The Phoenix Festival of the Arts is celebrating its fifth year in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s event returns to Margaret T. Hance Park, December 9-11, 2016. Hours vary by day. More than one hundred art vendors and cultural organizations are scheduled to participate in this year’s Festival. It’s a perfect time to connect with the community and shop for holiday gifts. Barbara will be selling and signing her books on Friday, December 9 from Noon – 5:00 pm. She will introduce her newest picture book, Quincy the Quail Leads His Family on an Adventure.

 

November 26, 2016: Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday. This is time to support your local businesses and local authors. Barbara will have a book signing at Jarrod’s Coffee and Tea Gallery, 154 W. Main Street, Mesa, AZ, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Arizona authors from a variety of genres will be participating in this event, so there will be lots of gift-buying opportunities.

 

November 18, 2016: Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon picture books at the annual Chandler Author Walk on Friday, November 18th at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, West, in Downtown Chandler (3 South Arizona Avenue) from 6:00-9:30 p.m.

In addition, participating vendors include over 35 local artists who will be selling a variety of paintings, drawing, jewelry, woodworking and more.

This family-friendly event is free-to-attend. Vendors are located in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park as well as along San Marcos Place. Guests can enjoy live music by local duo, 76th Street from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and an interactive activity provided by literary magazine, Four Chambers Press of Phoenix.

November 5, 2016: Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon books at the Festival of the Arts on Saturday, November 5th at the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix. There will be live music, pet adoptions, dance ensembles, film shorts, and lots of vendors.  Barbara will be in booths 23 & 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 13, 2016: Looney Days Street Fair in Downtown Vergas, Minnesota will be on Saturday, August 13, 2016. It runs from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm on main street. Barbara will join food vendors and street vendors to sell her Lonnie the Loon picture book series. Vergas is located by Rose Lake and is famous for the largest Loon in the world.

 

August 10-11, 2016: Barbara will be a vendor selling her Lonnie the Loon picture book series at the 16th Annual Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference in Mahnomen, Minnesota. Over 500 early education caretakers and teachers from all over the country attend this awesome conference that is famous for well-renowned speakers and inspirational breakout sessions.

July 16, 2016: Summerhill Farm, seven miles north of Park Rapids, Minnesota, contains seven specialty shops featuring clothing, unique home accessories, specialty food, and toys. Barbara will be signing her Lonnie the Loon books there from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Author Mike Lein will be sharing a table with Barbara. Mike is the author of Firewood Happens: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in Minnesota’s Northwoods. Come visit this charming area that used to be a working dairy farm.

 

July 13, 2016: Barbara is doing a book signing at Goose Gang Toys in Perham, Minnesota from noon – 2:00 pm. Come visit with Barbara and browse this delightful store that showcases toys, candy, popcorn, yogurt, and more. Visit Goose Gang Toys for just a taste.

 

July 7, 2016: Barbara is reading her Lonnie the Loon books during story time at DetroitLakes Public Library from 10:30 – 11:30 am. Afterwards, Barbara will distribute coloring pages to the children for an activity. Visit the library’s website for more information.

 

 

June 18, 2016: Barbara will be signing her books at an Author Fest, sponsored by Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery, at Armory Square in Park Rapids, MN on Saturday, June 18, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Her books will be available to purchase at Beagle and Wolf Books. Over 30 Minnesota authors will be participating. Click on the Beagle and Wolf Books link for directions and more information.

 

May 6, 2016: Barbara has been invited to present a lesson about writing stories to Marti Noland’s 4th Grade class at Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory. In addition to teaching her lesson, Barbara will be reading her books to the Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade classes. Visit Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory’s website for more information about this school and enrollment procedures.

 

April 16, 2016: “A Celebration of Books” is the theme of this year’s Tempe Book Festival. The festival will be on Saturday, April 16,  from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Tempe Arizona Public Library, 3500 South Rural Road. Barbara will be signing books all day and reading her books from 1:00 – 1:30 pm. Visit the City of Tempe’s website for more information and directions to the library.

 

April 2, 2016: Barbara, along with 6 other artists, will be selling their work at a Spring Bazaar and Art Sale from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at 3537 East Encanto Street, Mesa, Arizona 85213 (west of Val Vista between Brown and University). Join Mary Jane Vasconez (beaded and silver jewelry), Nancy Kamber (fused glass), Andie Gorski (paintings), Suzy Tansey (Coobie bras, goat’s milk lotions, footies), Cheri Good Quilt Design (custom quilts), Loren Erman (custom wooden spoons), and Barbara for a unique art sale to celebrate spring.

March 31, 2016: As a guest author at Natural Choice Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, Barbara will be reading her new book, Lonnie the Loon Flies South for the Winter. In this book, the children will be able to hear the Loon’s Wail, a Quail’s call, a Cactus Wren’s song, a rattlesnake’s rattle, and a coyote’s howl. The children will learn about a unique friendship as Lonnie becomes friends with a Quail named Quincy. Visit Natural Choice Academy’s website for more information about this amazing school.

 

February 29, 2016: Barbara will be reading her books to the 3rd Grade class at Gateway Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ. This day is the first day of “Read Across America” week, which celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2.

 

February 24, 2016: Phoenix-Area Authors is having a reading and signing event at the Spoke & Wheel Restaurant, 8525 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85020, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Barbara will join 5 other authors for a reading, signing, and selling event sponsored by Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing. For more information about this event, click here.

 

December 11 – 13, 2015: The Phoenix Festival of the Arts showcases local artists, cultural organizations, food trucks, and music performances. Aspiring artists can join the Phoenix Mural Project and paint alongside professional local artists. As part of the Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing Meetup group, Barbara will be selling and signing Lonnie the Loon Finds His Home, Lonnie the Loon Learns to Fly, and Lonnie the Loon Learns to Call. She will be pre-selling her new book, Lonnie the Loon Flies South for the Winter, which is scheduled to come out in January 2016. In addition to her books, Barbara will be selling Larry’s Words of Wisdom 2016 Desk Calendar, the Crazy Women’s Cookbook, and Christmas cards by Amy. The festival is located at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix AZ 85004.

 

December 10, 2015: Barbara was asked to promote her products at a Christmas Gift Open House sponsored by Stacy Steele, Independent Sales Director for Mary Kay. Stacy will be offering many beauty specials as well as giving away free lip gloss gift. Barbara will be selling her three Lonnie the Loon books, Larry’s Words of Wisdom 2016 Desk Calendar, and the Crazy Women’s Cookbook. The open house will be 1-3 pm and 4-8 pm in Phoenix, Arizona. Contact Barbara for the location.

November 24, 2015: Barbara will be reading her three Lonnie the Loon picture books to a kindergarten class at Imagine Schools – Rosefield in Surprise, Arizona. She will be giving a lesson about the common loon and its habitat. After the reading, she will distribute coloring pages for the students so their learning will be reinforced. For more information about Imagine Schools – Rosefield, visit their website.

November 17, 2015: The Phoenix Christian Preparatory Preschool has asked Barbara to read her Lonnie the Loon picture books to their students. After the readings, Barbara will assist the children with their coloring pages to reinforce the lessons learned from Lonnie the Loon. For more information about the preschool, visit their website.

November 12, 2015: Barbara will be a guest author at the Anderson Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. She will read her Lonnie the Loon picture books, discuss facts about the Common Loon, and provide coloring pages as an activity for the children. For more information about this wonderful school, go to their website.

November 6-7, 2015: Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon picture books at a Holiday Boutique in Surprise, Arizona. The boutique will feature beautiful items crafted by local artists. Kick off the holiday shopping season and join Barbara at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 14783 West Grand Avenue anywhere from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days. Refreshments will be available.

September 28, 2015: Barbara spoke to the students of a Creative Story Telling course at the White Earth Tribal & Community College. She read her Lonnie the Loon books to the college students, discussed the lessons that the stories hold, and discussed her personal journey as to why she became an author of children’s literature. In this course, the students are looking at the art of storytelling with the goal of reading comprehension and improved writing abilities.

September 19, 2015: Maamigin Achigaazo (which translates to “The Gathering Place” in Ojibwe) is the first public library in the White Earth Tribal Community in Minnesota. The Grand Opening was August 21, 2015 and already has $50,000 in books and other literacy materials. Barbara will be reading her Lonnie the Loon books, giving a lesson about Loons, and helping children color pictures of Loons. All three books and a plush stuffed loon will be added additions to the library shelves.

September 14, 2015: Barbara was asked to present a program about Loons at the Laureate Kappa 

chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Even though the ladies live on or around the area lakes, they learned new and interesting details about Loons. Barbara’s books contain facts about Loons, and she read excerpts from Lonnie the Loon Learns to Call. In addition, she demonstrated how to listen to the Loon calls using a QR Code Reader.

August 15, 2015: The Vergas Street Fair is part of Vergas Looney Days, a family oriented community celebration in Vergas, Minnesota. Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon book series as a participant in this street fair. Vergas is the home of the world’s largest Loon.

August 11-13, 2015: Barbara will be selling her Lonnie the Loon book series as a vendor at the 15th Annual Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference at the Shooting Star Casino Hotel & Event Center in Mahnomen, Minnesota. They are expecting at least 750 participants who work with children ages birth to adolescent to attend this conference. For more information about this conference, go to White Earth Child Care.

June 27, 2015: Joetta Weible hosted her annual Arts and Crafts Open House in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Some of the featured artists included Joetta’s beautiful hand-crafted beaded jewelry, photography by Candis Sommerfeld, and mosaics by Pam Collins. Barbara’s Lonnie the Loon picture books were popular, and the loon calls echoed throughout the house. Luckily the calls did not disturb the live jazz music played by Plan B that entertained the visitors to the open house.

June 20, 2015: The Perham Turtle Fest was in full swing in Perham, Minnesota. Barbara’s table at the Craft Show was right between the pony rides and a gentleman from Fargo, North Dakota selling soft bows and arrows. Loon calls echoed throughout the park as Barbara demonstrated how the sounds could be heard in her new book, Lonnie the Loon Learns to Call.

June 1, 2015: Barbara was a guest author at the “Kids Incorporated Learning Center” summer camp. She read all three Lonnie the Loon books to children ages 4-8. After the book reading, the children worked on coloring
pages from the books. The children learned a lot about Loons, and even gave Barbara a hug when it was time for her to leave. “Kinds Incorporated” is located at 4848 E. Cactus Rd., Suite 600, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Check out their website:

March 14-15, 2015: “The Tucson Festival of Books” was held on the University of Arizona campus. This was a free event where you could browse the works and purchase autographed books from over 350 authors. The Lonnie the Loon book series was represented in Booth 133, with 

author signings on Sunday, March 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. For more information about this fabulous event, you can go to their website.

December 13-24, 2014: The “Phoenix Publishing and Book Promotion Meetup” group held a 12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaway Contest. Twelve books were raffled off in a fun promotion that introduced new and seasoned authors to Arizona. Lonnie the Loon Learns to Fly was the 8th Day of Christmas, December 20, 2014, giveaway.

December 6, 2014:  Barbara participated in The Holiday Author Event at

The Pressroom in downtown Phoenix. More than 60 local authors
came together for a book signing/meet-and-greet.

With genres from thriller to paranormal romance to children’s books to business to spirituality to personal development, there was something for almost every taste.

 

The lovely embroidered linen tablecloth that
you see on this display was purchased from The Lace and Linens Co.