The HHS Creative Writing Club attended the Tour deNoir program at the Louis Bay 2nd Library on October 16, 2014 to enjoy live readings and book signings by three authors who presented themselves as “a traveling band of young adult authors with a taste for darkness.”

After introductions each author gave a reading from her latest book, illustrating for the young writers the skill of building fear and tension in a plot. Kate Brian read first from her book Shadow Lands which tells a story about a teen and her family in the witness protection program. Following this reading Lisa Amowitz read from her book Vision, about a boy whose blinding migraines come with scary, violent hallucinations. And finally Elizabeth Kiem read from her book Hider, Seeker, Secret Keeper, in which a talented dancer becomes a prime suspect in attacks on another young dancer.

The authors then took questions from the audience. They patiently answered questions such as “How do authors get the ideas for their stories?” “How long does it take to write a book?” and “How do you choose your character names?”

The books were available for purchase at the event from Hawthorne’s own indie bookstore, Well Read. The authors signed books, gave away posters and bookmarks and mingled with the students.

All three autographed books are available in the HHS Library Media Center.