Exciting News!
I have been invited to talk about HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS  on the podcast LOOKING UP WITH DEAN REGAS on the NPR affiliate WVXU (91.7), Cincinnati Public Radio. I'll be interviewed in studio September 25th, and will announce the air date as I learn it. Replays may be found here:
https://www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up​

"Join Dean Regas, astronomer, author, and space expert on a journey through the stars! Guests from all over the globe bring their knowledge and passion about today’s latest scientific discoveries and advancements. From eclipses to supernovas, from rockets to rovers; there’s a whole universe to explore! Dean is the author of “How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto” and “100 Things to See in the Night Sky” and was the longtime host of PBS' Stargazers television program. Looking Up is a production of Cincinnati Public Radio.
Dean is the author of “How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto” and “100 Things to See in the Night Sky.”
Looking Up is a production of Cincinnati Public Radio."

Whom do you invite to stop by? Who will benefit from reading your book?
Kids with an interest in biographies, science, astronomy, NASA, the Hubble Telescope, space, strong women or role models, or people who face challenges head on will enjoy this book. Though the vocabulary is a little high, it may be read aloud to younger kids who will enjoy it just as much as older children. Also, if you love timelines, or additional information about the story, those are also included. And the artwork is beautiful too!

Could you please tell us something curious about you and/or your book?
I initially had a telephone interview with Dr. Roman for my research for this book, but when I met her in person, she was 91 years old. She was still talking to groups about astronomy, and had recently given one to her senior living community, where we shared noodle soup one afternoon. She was treated like a rock star. Everyone knew her and about her accomplishments. I had learned during the telephone interview that she used a specific book for her astronomy club when she was a child. I located a copy on Ebay and brought it with me for her to autograph, which she did. That book is mentioned in my picture book, and I display the autographed copy on my table at book events.

Is this your first time participating in Kentucky Book Festival? If yes – what are you looking forward to the most? If you’ve participated before – what was your favorite experience at the Festival?
This is my first time participating at the Kentucky Book Festival and I’ll be so excited to be back in Lexington! After attending the University of Kentucky, I moved to Dayton for my job and I have missed Lexington ever since. I hope I see familiar faces in the crowd and that my book will make my hometown proud.

Join me at the 42nd annual Kentucky Book Festival, the state's oldest and largest literary festival.
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To see this year's author lineup visit:
https://kybookfestival.org/lineup-2023/
https://kybookfestival.org/jennifer-sommer-kbf23/

100 Ohio authors and illustrators with over 300 titles will meet readers and sign copies of their latest books at the 35th annual Buckeye Book Fair in Wooster. The book fair has books for sale, author speakers, and literary activities for all ages.

Saturday, November 4 from 9:30 - 4:00 p.m. at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster, OH.
​Visit https://Buckeyebookfair.org/ for more information.

​Join us for a special event where I will be signing books, and start your holiday shopping!





​November 19, 2023
3:00 p.m. Central
Stoneybrooke 
6377 Canton Road, Cadiz, KY
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Watch for more details.

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Saturday, March 25, 2023 - Grand Lakes Area Literature Festival - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm - Tri Star Career Compact, 7655 State Rte 703, Celina, OH 45822

​Saturday, April 22, 2023 - Ohioana Book Festival - Columbus Metropolitan Library - 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215

​Saturday, June 10, 2023 - The Bookery Bookfair - Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226
At 1:30-2:00 p.m. I will be talking about my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/read-with-me-a-childrens-book-festival-tickets-615294491387​     for more information.

​Author details may be found on this page: 
https://www.bookerycincy.com/pages/read-with-me-childrens-book-festival

The illustrator Gayle Cobb will display her original art from HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS in an upcoming showcase presented by the Centerville Arts Commission. Please join us for the opening reception of her work, where I will be signing copies of HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS. 

​Friday, August 11
6-8 p.m.
​Centerville Police Department, 
155W. Spring Valley Pike
Dayton, OH

I will be signing copies of HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS.

Family Astronomy Night 

Sep 14, 2023
 7:00 pm
​Come join us for a special Family Astronomy Night featuring award winning author Jennifer Sommer!

Copies of Sommer's new book "Her Eyes Were on the Stars" will be available for purchase and she will even be present to sign them for you. The theme for the evening will be Telescopes. You won't want to miss this so get your tickets soon!

Family Astronomy Night is our new fun and interactive craft/activity night for families at the Cincinnati Observatory. If you have enjoyed our Cosmic Kids or Astronomy Night programs, this is for you! Geared for families with children 5-12 years old, Family Astronomy Night will include solar viewing (if clear), a tour of the Observatory, and a hands-on space activity or craft. It will be fun for the whole family.

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, Free for Observatory Members​

Space is limited. Sign up today.

​Gayle Cobb is the illustrator of my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS. I met Gayle originally through the Cincinnati chapter of SCBWI and I chose her to illustrate this book because of her style - which was a more realistic and detailed style - that I thought worked well for the subject and age range I was aiming for. It's not standard for an author to choose and work directly with an illustrator. However, I intended to publish this book myself and originally planned to go through Ingram. Gayle already had experience working with Braughler Books, a hybrid publishing company, and after talking with both Gayle and David Braughler, I decided this was a better way to go. Though Gayle was willing to go with whatever decision I made, working with Braughler Books ended up being the right choice for me as an author who had never independently published a book. The process was seamless and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The book is absolutely beautiful and I receive many comments on the stunning artwork. Here are more answers to questions you’d want to know about Gayle.