Me (center) at a recent Reading IPP Scout Workshop  held at Harleysville Books in Harleysville, PA. 
  We had 36 scouts that night and lots of laughs. Pictured with me are scouts (left to right) Megan, Becky, 
  Jessica, Rosemary, Katie, and bookstore owner Shelly Plumb.

 Cadettes, Seniors and bridging 6th grade Juniors
 Earn Your Reading IPP by having
 Marie Lamba, author of What I Meant... present her workshop
  So What’s the Story?
 to your council, service unit or group of troops

 Here's what some scouts who have taken this workshop have said...
"I loved it! The passages were funny, and hearing her talk about her own experiences was really engaging. I would totally do it again. Write on, Marie!"

"I think this workshop was good because it teaches us how to follow our dreams, and teaches us about writing. I can't wait to read the book!

"I've written 3 short stories, but they got rejected by various magazines. You motivated me to keep trying!!!"

"Having Marie Lamba speak to us was very intriguing. Her experience and how hard she worked to get her book published really moved me. Plus, I loved her information on book technology."

"I loved listening to Marie talk about her experience as a writer. I can't wait to read her book. This experience taught me never to give up."

"I thought it was fun because everyone got involved and excited!"

"This 2-hour workshop was very motivational and inspiring. Thank you, you have given me another life to look forward to."

 "I thought is was really interesting, and I liked how there were passages read from 
 the book. It made me want to read it. I also liked the reading of the rejection letters."

 "Wow, the time really flew! I enjoyed hearing especially the process on how a book goes
 from the author's computer to the reader's hands! I also really liked hearing short
 passages from the book to get me excited to read it! Thank you so much for doing this -
 it was really cool to actually meet a real author!

 "Easiest, quickest IPA I have ever earned. Very good. Not boring as I thought it would
 be. Thanks!"

 "I thought it was good. I really don't like to read, but I REALLY want to read this
 book sooo badly."

 
 And scout leaders have said...
"You made the whole process so easy for any troop leader or event coordinator to run that I believe you'll be in hot demand!...I'm so glad I found your website. I've had only compliments from other leaders as to how much they enjoyed the workshop and how well run the event was--thanks to you. It was such a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to reading your book once my daughters finally put it down!"

"This was wonderful! You did a great job. The girls loved it!!"

 "I have only heard positive comments from the parents and girls I have talked to...I thought the technology discussion was very interesting, and I think the girls really appreciated meeting a 'real' author! To complete an IPA in 2 hours is something that is very difficult to do, and I think you managed to do it in both an interesting and informative way!"

"Great job! The readings and the information from Guttenberg to the future technology
 was fabulous!"

 "Terrific message of persistence. Adults don't often communicate the level of               difficulty and rejection they must deal with to succeed."

 Your group can now host this interactive workshop with the author, where
 she’ll discuss, among other things, the writing process, teen angst,
 complete injustice and the not-so-glamorous life of a full-time writer.
 The session will include readings by the author, Q&A sessions, discussion
 and will end with the author signing each participant’s own copy of     What I Meant... Each scout will be asked to bring a used book in good
 condition to donate as part of the service project requirement. Plan
 ahead for your spring and fall schedule as dates are now being  booked.

 Marie welcomes you to contact her for questions about planning a So
 What's the Story? workshop by emailing her at marielamba@hotmail.com.
 Please include "scout workshop" in the message line.

  Reading IPP Requirements fulfilled through workshop:
 Skill #2: Literary Terms…find 5 in a reading
 Skill #3: Find a challenge you may face and see how book may address it…Analyze how
 the character copes. What can you learn?
 Technology #1: How does a manuscript become a book?
 Technology #6: How were books made in the past?
 Service #5: Design bookmarks and donate with a book
 Career #1: Author’s Tea: Author reads, we all discuss and have a Q & A
 Career #4: What does a Literary Agent do?

 So What's the Story? Workshop Details:
 * 2-hour workshop
 * Suitable for groups of 10-100 girls (minimum of req. girls for locations farther away
 from eastern Pennsylvania)
 *Cost per participant, which will be determined with the help of your group, will include
 the price of one copy of What I Meant... per girl, supplies to create bookmarks, a
 Reading IPP, and possibly a snack. (Marie Lamba's time is offered to the scouts free,
 however longer trips may require some travel reimbursement.)
 *Scout planners will have to allow enough time to preregister girls and preorder books
 for the event (a minimum of 3 weeks between final registration date/date of ordering
 books and the actual event is advised).
 *Scout hosts will be responsible for booking a location, collecting advance payment
 from scouts, and ordering/paying for books and reading IPPs prior to event date.