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Winning the Maryland Author Award

January 15, 2019 by Mary Amato 8 Comments

Dear Members of the Maryland Library Association,

I’m so thrilled to be the recipient of the MLA’s William G. Wilson Maryland Author Award for 2019. I’m already working on the talk I’ll be giving at this year’s conference in Cambridge, MD, and I look forward to connecting with you all there. I’ve been a fan of libraries ever since I got my first card, and librarians have had a huge impact on my life as a reader and writer. I couldn’t be more honored.

My thanks to the MLA, to William G. Wilson, to all the librarians who were involved in the decision process, and to everyone who helped to fund the award’s endowment.

Literarily yours,

Mary Amato

About the Award
The Maryland Library Association established the Maryland Author Award in 1996 to honor Maryland authors. Each year a committee of MLA members grants the award in one of four rotating genres: adult fiction, youth literature, poetry and non-fiction. In recognition of the commitment and efforts of William G. Wilson, a librarian and 1995/96 President of MLA who was instrumental in starting the award and has worked tirelessly to promote its endowment, the award is now named in his honor.

Free Skype-an-Author with Mary Amato

January 6, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

April 25, 2019

Every year, I offer on free Skype day for teachers and students. During the year, I take reservations for time slots for free 15-minute Q-and A on a first-come, first-served basis.

To schedule your free Q&A session, please email me info (at) maryamato (dot) com from your school/library email address with all of the following info listed in one message:

Preferred time (listing your time zone, please)
Your name and your skype name.
Name of school, snail mail address, and phone number of school or library
Grade level(s), size of audience, and book(s) on which you’d like the Q/A to focus.

If your session is approved, you will receive guidelines via email and your school name will be added to this schedule.

Looking for a longer Skype workshop? See more info.

Rave Reviews

“The skype visit with Mary Amato was great and inspiring!” –Mary Litwinczuk, Weaver Lake Elementary, MN
“We had a very successful Skype experience with Mary Amato. We did the two-part character creation workshop. We would like to schedule for the same time next February!” –Hope Preston, Gill St. Bernard’s School, NJ
“This afternoon was incredible! All 70 sixth graders were riveted to the screen while you were talking. I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful things you shared with us about your writing process. What a truly inspiring discussion. One really neat coincidence was that I had just shared my writing notebook earlier in the morning and then you shared yours. The connections were flying like wild fire…You have made a wonderful lasting memory for so many students today.” –Franklin, WI 6th grade teacher
“My students loved her and I loved the way she subtly got across the message of ‘grit.’ She told students how important it is to revise written work… and how mistakes can be a fabulous opportunity for learning.” Patricia London, Media Specialist Avon Middle-High School, MA

From Students:

“I don’t like writing, but when Mary said that she did not like writing as a kid and now she is a author it encouraged me to want to learn how to write now. She let me know that I could be a great author some day.” – R.J.
“The thing that really was a life lesson and really inspiring was the quote she said – ‘The only way you fail is by not trying.’ – Laykin
“The Skype with Mary Amato taught me that if you jot something down you are more likely to remember it.” – Ava
“It was a great experience to meet Mary Amato, and talk to her about her writing process! Skyping is a very fun activity. I would love to do it again. It is fun to see different ways authors, like Mary Amato, create amazing books. So all in all I loved Skyping with Mary Amato.” – Bailey

Introducing Lucy McGee

September 10, 2018 by Mary Amato 1 Comment

The Lucy McGee Book Series is a collection of books (best for ages 7-10) that feature a girl named Lucy and her friends and family. Lucy is a budding young songwriter and a ukulele player. Each book contains 3-4 songs along with lots of fun extras, such as mp3s, lyric/chord booklets, instructional videos, and more here.

Four books are planned for the Lucy series. The first is out; the second book will be available June 4, 2019. You can find order the books at your favorite local independent bookstore, or on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Workshops, Classes, and Events

July 5, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Learn with me

For more info about any of these events, please email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

Mary Amato’s Singing and Songwriting with/for Baby

Three Wednesday nights 6:15-7:15 pm September 5, 12, 19 at College Park Arts Exchange in College Park, MD. Note: This class will be offered again at the same time on November 28, Dec 5, Dec 12.

Explore the power and poignancy of your own voice in this special class for new parents and parents-to-be. We’ll learn chants and lullabies–some designed to soothe baby, others designed to soothe you! We’ll also learn songwriting techniques and each create our own signature songs. No musical experience necessary. For expecting and/or new moms and/or dads. You may bring the baby, but no older siblings or walking toddlers, please.

Mary Amato’s Songwriting Breakthrough

Three Wednesday nights 7:30-8:45 pm September 5, 12, 19 at College Park Arts Exchange in College Park, MD. Note: This class will be offered again at the same time on November 28, Dec 5, Dec 12.

Have you always wanted to write a song but have never given yourself permission? Or are you an experienced songwriter stuck with a stubborn case of writer’s block? Or are you a well-seasoned songwriter who wants a challenge? During this class, we will work with highly specific prompts to write one or more songs (either lyrics only or lyrics with music)–not from our own life experiences, but rather by adopting another point of view. Class will be tailored to meet the needs of participants with and without musical experience. Adults and teens welcome.

Creative Writing Skype Classes

Each three-session seminar will include focus on a different theme, such as character, dialogue, conflict, etc. Each session will include discussion, facilitated real-time writing, tips, strategies, and feedback. All of the seminar themes can be applied to the work of novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, and songwriters. Since Skype sessions are one-on-one, any skill level from professional to beginner is welcome. Email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

Songwriting Skype Classes

Each three-session seminar will include focus on a different type of song structure. No musical experience necessary and you don’t have to be able to play an instrument. Since Skype sessions are one-on-one, any skill level from professional to beginner is welcome. Email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

One-time Workshops and Events

Page to Stage Workshop and Performance with College Park Arts Exchange

Join leaders Mary Amato and John Feffer and fellow writers and theater-lovers for a day-long mini playwriting workshops. During the day we’ll write short scenes exploring character, voice, and conflict. In the evening, we’ll perform the work we create in front of a live audience. This event is for writers, poets, storytellers, songwriters, comedians, and actors who want to learn more about the process of creating and giving voice to characters and who want an opportunity to hear/see work come alive in front of an audience. More info to come.

Uke-making Camp with Gadgetlab

Make your own cool (and quality) ukulele and learn how to play it. Gadgetlab’s Karen Giacopuzzi and Mary Amato team up to teach this camp. This camp is full.

Songwriting 101 Workshop with Carpe Diem Arts

Learn songwriting techniques in this 2-hour workshop taught by Mary Amato. No musical experience necessary and you don’t have to play an instrument. This class has passed.

Student Open Mic

This is your chance to sing your song, read your poem, or perform stand-up in front of a warm, friendly crowd. Potluck. Please bring a dish and whatever you’d like to drink. This will be an outdoor stage. No rain date. No payment required, but you must register to attend. This event has passed.

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Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery

May 10, 2018 by Mary Amato 1 Comment

Even Ghosts Need the Chance to Speak the Truth, Don’t They?

“Sam finally allows himself to look up. He and Lacy lock eyes, and a joyous warmth rushes through him.”

Meet Lacy and Sam. She is a sixteen-year-old wannabe slam poet who wakes up in an historic cemetery–confused. He is a 17-year-old Civil War soldier whose job it is to teach new ghosts the strict rules of there after and to warn her about Suppression, a punishment even worse than death. Lacy desperately wants to leave the stifling cemetery and find out how she died, but every soul is obligated to perform a job. Given the task of providing entertainment, Lacy organizes an open mic. With the help of Sam and other new allies, will the open mic become a chance for the sad, frightened residents of the cemetery to finally express themselves? WARNING: This novel contains profanity as well as sensitive and complex themes related to death, dying, alcohol abuse, and physical abuse, and is for mature teens and adults.

What Makes the Book Unique?

- Hybrid play-novel form. I started this as a play and decided to incorporate various play writing elements into the process, but did not follow the rules of either form.
- Narrator voice and direct address.
- Mix of humor and seriousness.
- Historical setting. The play-novel takes place in Westminster Cemetery, the actual cemetery where Edgar Allan Poe is buried.
- Edgar Allan Poe, his Raven, and his family. Fans of Poe’s twisted tales will meet a newly imagined Poe and a trio of his relations.
Pre-Publication Praise for the Book

“Amato (Guitar Notes, 2012) is no stranger to playing with form and genre…a unique read that fans of Poe, poetry, or stage plays will find something to grab onto.” –Booklist

“The resulting alchemy capitalizes on the strengths of both media to create a unique, fully-realized world… Quoth the Raven, “Encore.”–Kirkus

Author Notes about the Writing Process

Find out more about my writing process and watch a video about one of my revision exercises in this link.

Author Notes about the Research Process

Find out more about my research process in this link to come.

Essays/Interviews/Blogposts related to the book

Listening to Old Ghosts: The Haunting Influence of Our Town and Spoon River Anthology published in Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Pinterest Page

See my gallery of images used in writing and researching.

Guess Where the Riot Bros are Headed?

May 3, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Can you figure out the language of this new translation?

Teen Diaries

March 28, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

After visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, I wrote this essay for Teen Librarian Toolbox about the power of diaries–especially for teens. In the essay, I also mention my suggestion for a library display and share my Encourage Diary Writing Display sign.

Potomac Elementary STEM Songwriting Residency

March 7, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

What do students do when they write a song?

Research/brainstorm (it’s okay to be messy)
Write rough draft
Recognize and follow patterns
Use repetition
Experiment with rhyme
Use rhythm
Revise
Make sure each song has a surprise
Rehearse

Students at Potomac Elementary explored lots of elements of songwriting in my songwriting residency. Thanks to teachers, staff, PTA, and first-grade students for all the enthusiasm.

Our subjects were math and science. Teachers Ms. Siegel and Mrs. Li gave me a list of topics that first graders study. I chose a different topic with each class: Magnets, Soil, and Measurement.

Here are the songs the students wrote. When you listen to the songs, pay attention to the pattern, the rhymes, the rhythm, and the meaning.

Download the pdf of the You Need Me song about soil with lyrics and chords. Sing and play along with the song.

Download the pdf of the Magnet Magnet song with lyrics and chords. Sing and play along with the song.

Download the pdf of the Ruler Power song about soil with lyrics and chords. Sing and play along with the song.

First we did brainstorming to write down all the things about the topic that we know. Sometimes questions would arise and we had to do research to make sure we were correct. Then we used our brainstorm to write a rough draft. We had to experiment with different rhymes and rhythms to make sure the song made sense and sounded good to our ears. We had to recognize a pattern in our first verse and then apply that pattern to the rest of the verses. We decided that a good song has magnetic properties—it sticks to your brain!

Besides learning a lot about songwriting and writing original songs, we also learned about collaboration and about democracy (we had to vote on different ideas throughout the process).

I loved seeing how, at PES, kids are encouraged to respectfully disagree. As we wrote our rough drafts, sometimes a statement would be made about the science by one student, and another student would challenge the accuracy of the statement. This prompted us to stop the songwriting process and do a little research to determine accuracy before we continued. Bravo!

Since this residency was a part of the science block, I also introduced a question: can we make musical instruments out of magnets? What about soil or sand? We experimented to get results. Which kind of particle of sand do you think would be the loudest in a shaker? Course or fine?

Parents, here’s what you can do at home.

Continue the folk song tradition of taking a song you already know and changing the words. This is a great activity for car rides! As our warm-up, we took a folk song that uses math and changed the words to make it a little more challenging. Substituting new words for old words in a folk song is a great way to encourage songwriting. When you substitute words, you have to make sense and you have to remember the new ones. It takes focus and concentration!

50 bottles of juice on the shelf.

50 bottles of juice.

Take ten down and pass them around

40 bottles of juice on the shelf.

2. When you are listening to a song with your kids, ask:

Is there rhyme?
What’s the pattern of the song?
What’s the rhythm of the song?
What’s the emotion of the song?
Does the rhythm and melody fit the emotion/meaning?
What’s the main idea of the song?
Is there a chorus (a part that repeats)?
Is there repetition?
Is there a surprise?

3. If your child writes a song for fun at home, encourage him or her. As first graders, they might write silly songs. Their songs might not even make complete sense. That is okay. Please don’t try to make your child’s song perfect. Comment on something positive about the song. Does it have rhyme? Does it have rhythm? At this age, experimentation, play, and fluidity are important.

4. Add a ritual of making up songs together or singing songs that you know before dinner, while you’re cooking, when you’re stuck in traffic.

5. Sing and play the original songs above! I’ll have a new series of chapter books out in September that is about a songwriting club in an elementary school. The books will come with songs that are perfect for elementary school students. Happy reading and keep singing!

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Rock Creek Valley Residency

February 23, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

What a great school! I loved seeing all students in third through fifth grades for an assembly and then getting the chance to do writing workshops with fourth graders. We focused on developing character and wrote monologues about an unusual day in the life of… whatever animal they wanted to be. I encouraged the writers to put clues in their work, but NOT to say outright what kind of animal they were. Every student wrote and got the chance to perform a portion of their stories. To model how students could take a piece of writing and create an audio story, we collaborated on recording one story from each class–complete with sound effects.

Great job, kids!

A huge thanks to the fourth grade team and to the PTA for coordinating this year’s creative writing residency at Rock Creek Valley Elementary School.Special thanks to parent Shauna Hill and to teacher Rebecca McNiece for all the communication and coordination. Listen to the three stories below. (If you can’t see them, your computer is blocking. Try https://soundcloud.com/mary-amato-author/sets/rock-creek-valley-2018.

Can you guess the animal who love waffles in this story?

Can you guess the animal who is learning to fly and hunt?

Can you guess the animal who is trying to impress the King of the Jungle?

Alexander Hamilton Elementary School

November 21, 2017 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Thanks to students, staff and parents who welcomed me to the Alexander Hamilton Elementary School for a busy day of author visits. I loved getting the chance to be on the AH morning news show. Another treat was the special lunch with student writers. The stories they wrote were interesting, funny, and surprising. Keep writing! Special thanks to librarian Linda Murphy for all her preparation and planning.

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