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Hudson Tells! and Marilyn A. Hudson Author

SCHEDULING STORIES NOW : March & July

Wearing my STORY PERFORMER hat, I am available at this time for the week of March 14-19, 2011. Email me (marilynahudson@yahoo.com) and we will see what we can work out! I can provide a story program for children from K-5th or a teen program featuring ghost and legends tales (an Oklahoma specific slant available). 

I also have a lot of dates still open for July 2011 for your summer reading program. I look forward to hearing from you.  If more than one library is within easy driving distance of another (10- 40 miles approx.) so that one might be done in the morning and one in the afternoon, it is possible a price break may be possible.

Preparing Story Programs featuring the "Ghost Teller"

Appearing in October at the Choctaw Library, Warr Acres Library, and the Overholser Mansion.   As the "Ghost Teller", Marilyn A. Hudson is the only storytelling in Oklahoma currently featuring tales of legend, myth, local history, and her own original stories for and about this haunting season....

LIBRARIES: NOW SCHEDULING FOR FALL BREAK 2010

It is not too late to schedule storytelling during Fall Break, aka the week of Oct. 11-

Contact: Marilyn Hudson

SALUTE TO THE LANGLEY, OKLAHOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Jeanie Norman is the Director of the Library and she runs a "tight" but fun ship!!  Her team went all out to bring the world to their youngest customers. The library uses the old school house across the street to bring special events and activities to life.

SALUTE TO GEARY, OKLAHOMA LIBRARY!

Geary, Oklahoma is a small community in west central Oklahoma. Kay Perkins in the "Wonder Woman" who keeps the library operating, impacting the lives of young and old alike with access to great books, informative web sites, and entertaining and educational programming to motive young minds.

PLANNING AHEAD: SUMMER 2011

SUMMER: 2011 SUMMER READING THEME IN OK LIBRARIES "World Culture/Travel"

My Program: Suitcases Full of Tales!  (2011/A)

Grab the passport, pack a bag, and do not forget the camera! Children will learn a little geography, create a postcard, and hear some marvelous tales from exotic locales around the globe! With the “Trunk of Treasures” – costumes and fun – they will also be part of the program.

Age: Pre-K -5th grade
Miles: 150 miles (however, will consider longer if two or more libraries in the general region schedule a program). Ask about same day-same area discount!   If two libraries in driving distance of each other schedule me on the same day (morning and afternoon) - a discount will be applied!!
Cost: $100 + standard 2-way mileage

Workshop2Go: "Sharing Books with Young Children"

Description: A workshop for all who share books with young children. Learn how to select and share age appropriate children's literature, be introduced to ways to bring stories to life, and make the book-child experience 'jump off the page.'

Where: Greater Metro OKC area. Want an on-site session? Call for details.

When: Varies (July 2010-October 2010)

Who: Day care providers, volunteer readers, grandparents, parents, church workers, and others.

Contact: marilynahudson@yahoo.com Phone: 4045-701-3996 (leave message).

Marilyn A. Hudson holds a degree in history and library, she has been a children's librarian in both school and public libraries, and has been sharing stories and literature with children and families for over fifteen years.

SUMMER 2010: SPLISH, SPLASH - A STORYTELLIING BASH!

No matter where you live encourage children and teens to read over the summer. Storyteller Marilyn A. Hudson will be sharing stories in several Oklahoma libraries this summer: Claremore, Geary and Langley.

She still has a few spots open in mid to late July. Hope aboard the "S.S. Imagination" for an all ports tour of stories. Email: marilynahudson@yahoo.com. Visit the ODL touring roster for pricing and travel details.

OKLAHOMA TELLERS: KUDOS: Support Your Local Storytellers#links

OKLAHOMA TELLERS: KUDOS: Support Your Local Storytellers#links

A Salute to All The School And Children's Librarians!

Having been one myself, a salue to all the school librarians and those who do children's programming in public libraries. This committed group of professionals seek to instill a love of reading, stories, books, and learning almost every day. They are often not counted as important because they work with children and youth - not so! They are crucial to student success. So, hats off to them all!

NEW TROUPE READIES PERFORMANCE

"CASTING STRONG SHADOWS" is a tribute to the positive influence of some fine men and how important it is to remember their stories. Members of the story-theater troupe, Stories2Go, include: Susie Beasley Kathryn Thurman, Marilyn A. Hudson, Molly Lemmons, and Barbara Wright Jones.

Had A Blast at the County Line!

Author Tonya Hacker recently scheduled a series of select evening events at the historic "County Line" resturant in NE Oklahoma City. Called "BBQ and Banshees" they featured presentations by various authors, researchers, personalities and storytellers. The "Oklahoma Ghost Teller" was there on Oct. 10 sharing some real tales of the haunting side of the city. Also there that night was author of "Strange State" Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma", Cullan Hudson, finishing up a program tour of the state (Ponca City, Honobia, and Enid) before heading back to Puerto Rico and more research and writing. Also, co-author of "Ghostlahoma" Tanya Hacker was there sharing some of her research and providing a tour of parts of the resturant few get to see and sharing stories of its haunted past. All told, a grand night with some wonderful people, good food, and great stories!

Me Videotaping Sample Stories

Doing sound check before the taping at Choctaw Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 26.

GhostTales2Go

The 'ghost gals' are Barbara Jones, Marilyn A. Hudson, and Molly Lemmons.

New Book Available

Whorl Books, Thumbprints Imprint, presents....
Madame Delaine and the Mystery of the Girl Detective
Synopsis

In a time rife with clairvoyant charlatans, unscrupulous private detectives, and corrupt police forces, one woman uses her formidible skills of observation to crack cases and corral crooks.This time around, she's going to get the help of a young girl in solving a mystery in territorial Oklahoma City - whether she wants it or not. Madeleine Madame Delaine is no ordinary psychic - in fact, she's no psychic at all. But she will play one if it helps her get the information she needs to solve the many mysteries she finds herself wrapped up in. No, Madame Delaine is just an ordinary woman with a good eye, a great memory, and a clever mind for putting the subtle pieces of any puzzle together. Clues are no match for this extraordinary mentalist.

Book Details
Genre: Age 9 to Age 12 ;
Paperback: 31 pages ;Binding: Saddle
Cost: $12.00 + s/h ;
Publisher: Whorl Books / Marilyn Hudson ( June 2009 )

About the Author:
Hudson is an award winning writer who is also a professional librarian, educator, storyteller, and pubilshed author. Her published works include "One NightClub and a Mule Barn" (Tate, 2006) ; "Off the Page! Basic tips for conducting a storytime" (HHP, 2005) ; "Elephant Hips are Expensive" (HHP 2005), "Those Pesky Verses of Paul" (Whorl Books, 2009) and others. Her short fiction has been included in the Red Dirt Book Anthology (all three volumes) and numerous newspapers and magazines (print and online).

Order direct from CafePress.

Now Booking in Duncan Area for Fri. Oct. 23, 2009

MARILYN A. HUDSON – AUTHOR & STORYTELLER
A special opportunity for area schools in honor of the CHISHOLM TRAIL BOOK FESTIVAL, Sat. Oct. 24, 2009 (http://www.duncanarea.com/). I am now scheduling special programs for Friday, Oct. 23m 2009.

PROGRAM(S):

“Before There Were Books There Were Stories!” – A fun story program featuring ancient legends, early Oklahoma stories, and an original tale.

Ties in well with social studies and language arts curriculum and goals.

TIME REQUIREMENTS:
20 min., 30 min., or 40 min. time slots available depending on age of audience.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Large enough space so that there is not too much crowding, but not so large as to loose intimacy. The library, a large hallway, a corner of the gym (if not being used), a classroom – all can serve well as performance space.

COST: Special Chisholm Trail Book Festival price is $95 per performance; can do multiple schools in one day if arranged far enough in advance.


WEBPAGE:
www.marilynahudson.blogspot.com and www.freewebs.com/marilynahudson

EMAIL:
marilynahudson@yahoo.com and marilynahudson@gmail.com

PLANNING AHEAD?

The annual summer themes are now out and for those who like to plan ahead, here are some of my offerings:

2009 Get Creative At Your Library

SAVE OUR STORIES: Local History Means Local Stories (beginners workshop)

Using her history and information degrees and love of stories, Marilyn A. Hudson has developed a workshop encouraging local history projects, local history collections, and story sharing of local history. Attendees will learn the basics of collecting local history, how to do a photographic inventory of their town, how to collect oral histories, and ways to creatively share and promote the stories they collect!

Approx. 1 hour

Age: YA or Family or Adult

$150 + 2 way mileage

Prefer travel range of up to 150 miles; will discuss up to 250 miles.

References: Rosemary Czarski 405.390.8418 Dana Morrow 405.231.8650

2010 Water
Cruise on the S.S. Imagination!
A fun filled adventure as storyteller Marilyn A. Hudson charts a course filled with mystery, adventure, and marvel. On the good ship 'Imagination' anything can happen and every port of call is a place of wonder. Stories of the seas, the shores, and the ships.
Age: Pre-K -5th grade
Miles: 150 miles (however, will consider longer if two or more libraries in the general region schedule a program)
Cost: $100 + standard 2-way mileage

2011 World Culture & Travel
Suitcases Full of Tales!
Grab the passport, pack a bag, and do not forget the camera! Children will learn a little geography, create a postcard, and hear some marvelous tales from exotic locales around the globe! With the “Trunk of Treasures” – costumes and fun – they will also be part of the program.
Age: Pre-K -5th grade
Miles: 150 miles (however, will consider longer if two or more libraries in the general region schedule a program)
Cost: $100 + standard 2-way mileage

KUDO'S FOR SPOOKY TALES

Kind words for Marilyn Hudson aka "The Oklahoma Ghost Teller" and her appearance as storyteller at the recent Paracon. She encouraged attendees to find and uncover local stories and share those. Then she shared some folklore and tales.:

"Marilyn A. Hudson...Opened this years Oklahoma Paranormal Conference with her skills of story telling! It was a dark and stormy night was the theme of this years event as we celebrated the ghost story. Marilyn helped us all understand the importance of these stories and why we should share them not only in words, but verbally with future generations. She is not unfamilair with the stage by any means, being a seasoned speaker and story teller, she was able to generate excitement with the crowd and help us all realize the importance of story telling. It's not about fact, fiction or the need to believe, it's the art and craft of telling a story and making it fun and entertaining. Thank you Marilyn for doing what you do and we hope that ParaCon guests will remember to tell stories!!!" --G.H.O.U.L.I. website

Best of all one attendee said "...you rock!"

[Thanks Pamela for the pictures!]

SUMMER 2009: SAVE OUR STORIES!

Title of Program: Save Our Stories: Beginners Workshop

Description: Using her history and information degrees and love of stories, Marilyn A. Hudson has developed a workshop encouraging local history projects, local history collections, and story sharing of local history. Attendees will learn the basics of collecting local history, how to do a photographic inventory of their town, how to collect oral histories, and ways to creatively share and promote the stories they collect!

Cost: $150.00 + travel.

Age(s): 5th graders through Adult; great for families with older children!

Contact: marilynahudsonATyahoo.com Put on the subject line: Summer Workshop - SOS

NEW PROJECT UNDERWAY

Save Our Stories!: Local History - Local Stories
In these workshops, learn the basics of finding the facts about family history and local history using library, government, and online resources. Learn what the architecture of homes in your area has to say about the past. Discover how to get started using local resources to track down local history and legends. Discover how innovative local partnerships can protect, preseve, and promote your community! “Save our stories”….so they can be communicated to new generations.

Alternate Presentations include "The House Down the Street" revealing partnerships highlighting ghost tours, and local legends;

"Out of the Attic" focuses on tapping into the more personal family history aspects. Begin recording local history through oral history interviews of older adults in the community. Discover clues in old photographs and unlock the stories hidden all around your family or community; "Historying" shares ways to turn boring history into stories that entertain.

Presenter Marilyn A. Hudson blends degrees in history and library-information with her experience as a storyteller to bring these presentations to vivid life.

TELLABRATION - BETHANY, OK

Sat., Nov. 22, 2008

7 p.m.

Southwestern Christian University

7210 NW 39th Expressway

Bethany, Oklahoma

405-789-7661 x 3451

NEED HELP PROMOTING YOUR BOOK?

Here is a free service for anyone who has a book that needs additional exposure and promotion. Visit: http://writersandauthorspromotion.blogspot.com/

A WORD ABOUT STYLE

Storytelling is an oral art form that is at its art an intimate art.

It is at its height when an exchange between teller and audience is established. Like an opera that draws one into the musical play or a painting that says more the longer one looks at the details or the overall image, storytelling is a powerful communication tool. In recent years, more and more touches of theatrics have been added to be "crowd pleasers" under the assumption that "today's child or audience" needs action and variety.

Not necessarily....I have seen tough inner city children who could not sit still for a commercial- sit awed and entranced, hanging on every word the storyteller spoke and without the frenzy or bellicose elements. Or, clustered around a storyteller in the center of a room, as she softly told her tales.....I was not the teller in either of these memories.....so I can be totally objective....

I have also seen a lot of meaningless shouting, audience participation, and over the top acting in some storytellers that was fun to watch but was a lot like eating spun sugar....it left you feeling a little empty......it was junk food that left nothing for the mind or the heart to think on and discover days later....

Each of these styles can be useful and fun and achieve satisfaction in customers and audiences. Neither should probably be used to define storytelling into one particular style.

Something to think about.....