“City Spies” author James Ponti’s visit was sponsored by the Library Foundation of Southlake
There was nothing clandestine about James Ponti’s visit to Southlake on July 10. The New York Times bestselling author of the City Spies series and Edgar award winner of Trapped delightfully engaged students and adults during a 75-minute writing workshop. The event was sponsored by the Southlake Public Library and the Library Foundation of Southlake.
Fifty children had a wonderful opportunity to attend writing workshops and learn from a master like Ponti. To overcome writer’s block, Ponti demonstrated a technique he calls the “story machine” where participants write down a unique array of protagonists, settings, problems, and antagonists. He then instructed his audience members to pull random selections of the various story-telling elements to create intriguing, and sometimes humorous, combinations of potential stories.
“Mr. Ponti was just a delight – both as a person and as a writing instructor,” said Lori Burr, president of the LFOS. “He was so charming and down-to-earth when he spoke to the students to give them valuable advice on how to write compelling stories. At the end of the session, you could see the students smiling from ear to ear, eager to get back to their desks to continue their own stories.”
Ponti advised the would-be authors that writing a book can be an overwhelming task and recommended setting a goal of crafting a short story or poem. “The most important part of writing is finishing the project,” said Ponti, an author of 11 middle grade novels.
The visit from Ponti along with a writing camp in June marked the third major initiative for the LFOS. An earlier fundraiser led to the donation of two AWE Children’s Learning Stations to the library. Valued at about $11,000, these Early Literacy Stations deliver award-winning content through a safe environment to help prepare students for school readiness. In winter 2023, LFOS hosted a reading challenge called “Funopoly” that helped motivate young readers with games and prizes throughout the holiday break season.
The Library Foundation of Southlake is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the support and success of the Southlake Public Library through advocacy, fundraising, and engagement that delights and benefits the community. The efforts of the LFOS are guided by an extensive library survey conducted in 2021, feedback generated through community discussions, and the expert guidance of the dedicated library staff.
Donations to the LFOS are tax deductible. Anyone donating $100 or more will be listed on the LFOS website. Individuals donating $500 or more will receive a yard sign in recognition of being a Champion of the Library Foundation of Southlake. Donations of $1,000 or more will also receive a tote bag. LFOS also raises money for programs by selling t-shirts at its non-profit store.
To donate, visit https://libraryfs.org/donate/. Visit www.libraryfs.org for more information on LFOS. LFOS is also actively looking for individuals to get involved with its efforts. To participate, submit a volunteer leadership interest form. Together, we can write the next chapter of the Southlake Public Library.