A group of 19 students from West Haven High School and Bailey Middle School got to meet RL Stine and other best-selling authors at the Saugatuck StoryFest in Westport on Sept. 28.
WHHS freshman Maxwell Leatherman presented Stine with sculptures of two of the author’s famous characters, the “Abominable Snowman” and “Slappy.” Leatherman gave the author one to keep, and kept the other, which Stine signed.
The students also listened to panels during which the authors gave writing tips.
Stone, best-selling author of the young adult book “Dear Martin,” encouraged students to learn basic grammar rules so they can then write in whatever style they choose.
Aside from meeting the author of the iconic “Goosebumps” series, the students were able to chat with best-selling authors Nic Stone, Jerry Craft, Tiffany Jackson, and Ibi Zoboi. Festival organizers gave each student lunch and a book of their choice from the event’s book store.
“You have to learn the rules before you can break the rules,” Stone said.