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30 • The Beacon October 31 , 2024
Author visits with River View Intermediate School students
By Josie Sellers For The Beacon
Author Michelle Houts wants to teach students about more than just her books . She wants to encourage them in their own reading and writing and the creative process .
Houts , who published her first book in 2009 , spoke to third-graders through sixth-graders at the River View Intermediate School on Oct . 22 . She also visited with the younger Black Bears at the elementary school .
“ I have picture books for the younger students and books up to the middle grades ,” Houts said . “ I write fiction and nonfiction . I like different projects and being able to change it up . Nonfiction books take a tone of research , so when I ’ m done with one of those , I want
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to start one that is more whimsical .”
She has published 13 books . Prior to becoming an author , Houts spent time as a special education teacher and school speech pathologist . She lives in Celina but is familiar with the Warsaw area as she often visited her cousin who now teaches at River View Elementary .
“ I enjoy seeing the concept or idea for a book go from the writer all the way to being published and in a bookstore or library ,” Houts said .
She demonstrated this process by having the students pick a classmate who they thought could fill certain roles to help take a manuscript to a printed book . There was a writer , agent , publisher , editor , art director , illustrator / photographer , marketing person , proofreader
Josie Sellers Author Michelle Houts spoke to third-graders through sixth-graders at the River View Intermediate School on Oct . 22 .
and book seller / librarian . Sometimes Hollywood also shows up and will want to turn your book into a movie .
Third-grader Eli Roth filled the role of the publisher . He was given a pretend bag of money and had to pay everyone .
“ I learned how you pay for books ,” Roth said .
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Houts explained how some of these positions in the book-creating process needed someone who was creative and others needed someone with a business or math mind .
“ You don ’ t only have to love to read and write to be in the book industry ,” Houts said . “ Some of these people up here have math or business minds or even do art . You could be any one of these people someday . Everybody has strengths , and it ’ s really cool to recognize people for those strengths .”
Third-grade teacher Diane Daugherty took a moment after Houts ’ presentation to have her sign a book for her . Daugherty
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is a fan of the “ Lucy ’ s Lab ” books created by Houts .
“ I like their connection to science ,” Daugherty said . “ They have interesting characters , and they ’ re humorous .”
For more information on Houts and her books , visit www . michellehouts . com .
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Sacred Heart Elementary School hosted a Pizza and Pumpkins Night for students and their families . Students were able to carve or paint a pumpkin and get pizza . Brian Darr donated the pumpkins , and Amici ’ s and Creno ’ s donated the pizza .