This Zoom has been postponed.

This year’s “Authors on the Move; Authors on the Zoom” marks our 19th year of bringing together distinguished authors and their recently published books for an evening of literary delight. Because of the times we live, the format changed but what did not change was the good time our guests and authors had together. We found a format that many enjoyed and have decided to continue to explore the digital format.

In the spirit of continuing Authors on the Zoom, we will work developing a calendar of events for our supports with a similiar format to Authors on the Move. After a 30 minute conversation with lead authors, guest will enjoy 2 breakout room rotations for more in depth dialogues. Tickets are $50 per household, and include our lead author’s books. To inquire further or learn about sponsor opportunities, call April Javist at 916-836-3556 or email at april@sacramentoliteracy.org.

All book sales for the event will be offered through Capital Books.

Some say JaNay Brown-Wood came right out the womb filled with stories to tell and the unlimited energy and excitement to tell them. In sixth grade, her teacher predicted that she would become a famous author, and JaNay is eagerly making her way down that path as a Teller of Stories. JaNay grew up in Fresno, California within a community overflowing with creative family members and stories to tell.

Not only does JaNay have a passion for writing and performing, she has a strong calling for educating as well. Her interests led her to UCLA where she graduated with her BA in Psychology and Applied Developmental Psychology, then on to CSU Sacramento where she earned her MA in Child Development, and finally on to UC Davis where she completed her PhD in Education.

Currently, she teaches and conducts research at California State University, Sacramento and lives in Sacramento with her fantastic husband Catrayel, and their lovely daughter Vivian.

Although JaNay is early on her path to publishing, she continues to persevere, just like her character Imani from Imani’s Moon, her first publication and the winner of the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and is someone who truly enjoys hearing, writing, and telling stories!

By day, Gayle Pitman teaches Psychology and Women/Gender Studies at Sacramento City College. By night, she writes children’s books and engages in other forms of subversive creativity. Her debut picture book, This Day in June, won the 2015 ALA Stonewall Award, was a Rainbow List Top Ten pick, and won the IRA’s 2014 Notable Books for a Global Society Award. Her books, teaching, and general commentary have been featured in publications ranging from School Library Journal to The Advocate. Gayle has also been interviewed on National Public Radio, the BBC News, “Good Day Sacramento,” and various podcasts. Her most recent book is Sewing the Rainbow: A Story About Gilbert Baker.

Gayle grew up in suburban New Jersey, on the sidelines of Ed Koch and Donald Trump, ACT-UP and Andy Warhol. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1990s and collided right into third-wave feminism and sex-positivity, the Dyke March and the Lesbian Avengers. By 2001, she had landed in Sacramento with a new relationship, a doctoral degree, a full-time job, and a mortgage, wondering, “How did I get here?” Here in Sacramento her writing took off and she is delighted to be able to share the things she loves with children and teens, like LGBT history and culture, feminism, and women’s history, while also providing them with a joyful vision of what our collective futures could be.