Teen Tech Week is March 7th - 13, hosted by YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association. A great way to celebrate is to host a Virtual School Visit with your favorite YA author. Need a good resource? Visit
Teen Tech Week
Teen Tech Week is March 7th - 13, hosted by YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association. A great way to celebrate is to host a Virtual School Visit with your favorite YA author. Need a good resource? Visit
Thinking About Picture Books with Perry Nodelman
Wonderful article at Chicken Spaghetti of Perry Nodelman's take on the specifics of creating picture books, "Thinking About Picture Books." If you are trying to create them - read this. It is absolutely illuminating. Here are some quotes:
Wonderful!
"Like sonnets, picture book texts represent the fulfillment of complex requirements, but work best when they seem simple to read and make the fulfillment seems effortless."
"...on its own, a picture book text is not completely anything yet, any more than a playscript is complete before its performance."
This month's Carnival of Children's Literature is LIVE at Sally Apokedak's Whispers of Dawn: http://bit.ly/8ZSrWB
Wee Folk Studio® - Salley Mavor
Lately I have been fascinated by the things people can create with felt, from sculptures to dolls. I watched some videos of the methods, and while it looks like a lot of fun, it also looks like a lot of work. And time, which I don't have. So, I suppose I'll just have to enjoy the magical creations others create.
For instance these amazing limited edition dolls made by children's book illustrator Salley Mavor. She uses the same method to illustrate her books and boy do I want to get my hands on one! Aren't they incredible??
Thanks to illustrator Loreen Leedy for the heads up!
How NOT to approach an editor
The Southern region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators holds their annualSpringmingle Conference this weekend. They always kick it off with a quick list of how NOT to approach an editor. But despite that, people still do inappropriate things. Like this...
This was a great skit created by Paula Yoo and editor Arthur Levine for the SCBWI NY conference in January. Thing is, I have heard of this happening - or manuscripts being handed under the doors in stalls. Seriously.
So guys - don't do this.
Most editors keep a window open for submissions from conference attendees after they return home. Sit on your... manuscripts and mail them after the conference!
Now to end on a positive note - here's a great post at Dee Scribe on "How Not to Scare Away Publishers & Agents." I especially liked her comments on urgency:
And I guess that's the bottom line.
This business moves slower than molasses in winter, you can work with that or let it drive you crazy. It's your choice, and the only thing you have any control over.
This was a great skit created by Paula Yoo and editor Arthur Levine for the SCBWI NY conference in January. Thing is, I have heard of this happening - or manuscripts being handed under the doors in stalls. Seriously.
So guys - don't do this.
Most editors keep a window open for submissions from conference attendees after they return home. Sit on your... manuscripts and mail them after the conference!
Now to end on a positive note - here's a great post at Dee Scribe on "How Not to Scare Away Publishers & Agents." I especially liked her comments on urgency:
...publishers/agents and authors work within different urgency scales...[publishers/agents] are involved in a business where what they do has to form part of a plan; where they have to prioritize.She invites budding writers to get social while they wait - it's why we have so many great support organizations like SCBWI. It's also a great place to rant/scream/talk about how much patience is required to be a writer.
And I guess that's the bottom line.
This business moves slower than molasses in winter, you can work with that or let it drive you crazy. It's your choice, and the only thing you have any control over.
10 Rules of Writing, from authors for The Guardian
GREAT and funny article on "10 Rules of Writing" by such authors as Elmore Leonard, Diana Athill, Margaret Atwood, Roddy Doyle, Neil Gaiman, etc. Here are some gems:
Margaret Atwood, #7: "You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there's no free lunch. Writing is work. It's also gambling. You don't get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you're on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don't whine."
Roddy Doyle, #10: "Do spend a few minutes a day working on the cover biog – "He divides his time between Kabul and Tierra del Fuego." But then get back to work."
Geoff Dyer, #2: "...I've developed an aversion to writing in public. I now think it should be done only in private, like any other lavatorial activity."
Anne Enright, #3: "Only bad writers think that their work is really good."
Neil Gaiman, #5: "Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong."
PD James, #3: "Don't just plan to write – write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style."
Thanks to Kristin O'Donnell Tubb for the link!
Margaret Atwood, #7: "You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there's no free lunch. Writing is work. It's also gambling. You don't get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you're on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don't whine."
Roddy Doyle, #10: "Do spend a few minutes a day working on the cover biog – "He divides his time between Kabul and Tierra del Fuego." But then get back to work."
Geoff Dyer, #2: "...I've developed an aversion to writing in public. I now think it should be done only in private, like any other lavatorial activity."
Anne Enright, #3: "Only bad writers think that their work is really good."
Neil Gaiman, #5: "Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong."
PD James, #3: "Don't just plan to write – write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style."
Thanks to Kristin O'Donnell Tubb for the link!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Lending Library
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and to view more coloring pages - click here!
When was the last time you visited your library? You know, spent some time there browsing the shelves, pulling out titles, flipping through, soaking up the possibilities of all those great stories. Been a while? Maybe you should treat yourself...
By the way - y'all have sent me some excellent suggestions for future Coloring Page Tuesday images. They are in line, so you will see them soon. And keep those ideas coming!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Click the covers to learn about my newest picture book, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
When was the last time you visited your library? You know, spent some time there browsing the shelves, pulling out titles, flipping through, soaking up the possibilities of all those great stories. Been a while? Maybe you should treat yourself...
By the way - y'all have sent me some excellent suggestions for future Coloring Page Tuesday images. They are in line, so you will see them soon. And keep those ideas coming!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Click the covers to learn about my newest picture book, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
B&N using CommonSenseMedia ratings on books - but whose sense is it and should B&N explain it better? Sassy Monkey: http://bit.ly/d5GjBJ
Will eBooks Create An Elite Reading Class?
Sound words by New York Times bestselling author, Karin Slaughter, at the Huffington Post: Will eBooks Create An Elite Reading Class?
So while we embrace this technology, I sincerely hope we don't do it at the expense of our roots.
My comment at the Huffington Post:
As a children’s book author/illustrator and creator of an iPhone picture book app (Lula’s Brew) I have found myself, unexpectedly, in the middle of those who embrace eBooks and the nay-sayers. eBooks are great on the fly, especially for children, but they are not ideal in all situations. Therefore, I do not believe eBooks will usurp physical books. Much as you sometimes prefer a movie in a real theater vs. your home, an eBook is simply another option - albeit a pricey one. I am excited by the possibilities the electronic format presents as a creator. However, I hope we never lose our roots - the printed book. For there is still a need despite the disturbing idea of a University library getting rid of books to make room for computers and coffee. Reading must start somewhere and to my mind, a love for reading starts with physical books - opportunities open from there.
The good news is people ARE reading. The National Endowment for the Arts recently reported that Reading is on the Rise for the first time since they started tracking the statistics. Why? Because with emails, texting, and social networking, we are becoming a reading society. We’re just reading in different ways.
I’m excited about these new ways to share my stories - and to enjoy them. Although, I regret the polarization eBooks are creating as I believe keeping ALL reading options vibrant and available to ALL people will have the most positive impact on our society.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
"...access to the written word equals access to opportunity. If there is still an American dream, reading is one of the bootstraps by which we can all pull ourselves up."You all know I have embraced the idea of iPhone Picture Book Apps, but I want to be very clear that I NEVER want us to do away with printed books. There is a very important role for physical books that electronic media will never be able to replace. Ever. Whether that be a book-mobile in the Appalachians or a Camel Book Drive in Kenya. Some places just aren't appropriate for eBooks.
"On one hand, here is a device that can put a limitless supply of books at your fingertips. On the other hand, here is a device that is so expensive that only a select few can afford it. It seems to me that with digitized books, we are taking a giant leap into the past, when access to literature was available only to those of means."
So while we embrace this technology, I sincerely hope we don't do it at the expense of our roots.
My comment at the Huffington Post:
As a children’s book author/illustrator and creator of an iPhone picture book app (Lula’s Brew) I have found myself, unexpectedly, in the middle of those who embrace eBooks and the nay-sayers. eBooks are great on the fly, especially for children, but they are not ideal in all situations. Therefore, I do not believe eBooks will usurp physical books. Much as you sometimes prefer a movie in a real theater vs. your home, an eBook is simply another option - albeit a pricey one. I am excited by the possibilities the electronic format presents as a creator. However, I hope we never lose our roots - the printed book. For there is still a need despite the disturbing idea of a University library getting rid of books to make room for computers and coffee. Reading must start somewhere and to my mind, a love for reading starts with physical books - opportunities open from there.
The good news is people ARE reading. The National Endowment for the Arts recently reported that Reading is on the Rise for the first time since they started tracking the statistics. Why? Because with emails, texting, and social networking, we are becoming a reading society. We’re just reading in different ways.
I’m excited about these new ways to share my stories - and to enjoy them. Although, I regret the polarization eBooks are creating as I believe keeping ALL reading options vibrant and available to ALL people will have the most positive impact on our society.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
Follow Me Drive and Giveaway!
One of the cool things I can do with this new blog is have followers. And oooo it does an ego good. But since I'm new to this, I don't have many yet. So, how's this - when I get to 100 followers here on my blog I will do a random drawing from my existing followers and one follower will win a free signed copy of one of my books (their pick). Sound good?
To follow me, Visit my Blog and scroll down in the sidebar - click "follow" at the "Google Friend Connect" widget. And remember, you can also subscribe via email or sign up to receive "e's news" (big announcements) or my weekly Coloring Page Tuesday Alerts. Woosie - I got all kinds of ways for you to stay in the loop!
Update! I'm so glad y'all are spreading the word about this, but I do need to clarify this is for the first 100 followers only. I may change that in the future, but not just yet. So sign up soon!
To follow me, Visit my Blog and scroll down in the sidebar - click "follow" at the "Google Friend Connect" widget. And remember, you can also subscribe via email or sign up to receive "e's news" (big announcements) or my weekly Coloring Page Tuesday Alerts. Woosie - I got all kinds of ways for you to stay in the loop!
Update! I'm so glad y'all are spreading the word about this, but I do need to clarify this is for the first 100 followers only. I may change that in the future, but not just yet. So sign up soon!
Interview at the Reading Rhino
I was recently interviewed by the developer (Rhodesoft.com) of my iPhone Picture Book App, "Lula's Brew" at their new blog, Reading Rhino. We talked about inspiration, rhyming, multicultural books, and the new iPad. The interview is at http://rhodesoft.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-with-elizabeth-o-dulemba.html, and you can learn more about "Lula's Brew" at http://dulemba.com/ActivityPage-Lula.html.
Click the iPhone to learn about my new app - Lula's Brew!
Kumi Yamashita - Shadow Artist
Novel Writing - Round 3
Okay, I haven't shared a TON about writing my current novel - so here's a catch-up.
Round 1. Throw it all on the page. I was writing back story, getting to know my characters, and creating scenes I needed to include. But, it was mostly all for me - information I needed to know. It wasn't the book, not yet.
Round 2. Write the story... in alternating viewpoints between Archie and Jinx. It's on paper, it's working. Almost 50,000 words - the average length of a YA novel. And it's a good story.
One problem - Jinx was stealing the show, and it isn't even her story. (Although she figures heavily in the plot.) That often happens in alternating viewpoints, but what to do? (And no, it really can't be Jinx's story.)
Rework her chapters - delete some of them - a lot of them. Figure out what was making her so dynamic and pull that energy into my main character - Archie.
Round 3. I'm rewriting the story - Archie's story. I'll be able to use a ton of what I've already created, but I need to ramp up the tension, put more on the line, and get more inside of Archie's head. I also need to concentrate on the order of events and pacing. I'll ask questions like, "Am I telling this in the most push-you-forward kind of way?" Will my reader be able to put the book down? (I don't want them to.)
So, I've been mulling for about two weeks - walking around distracted, running into walls - as I try to figure it all out. I still have a lot of work to do, but I've gotten to know my characters and the adventure they're experiencing intimately. Now I just need to figure out the BEST way to share it... so I'm diving back in (not a completely comfortable venture) and will let you know when I resurface.
Round 1. Throw it all on the page. I was writing back story, getting to know my characters, and creating scenes I needed to include. But, it was mostly all for me - information I needed to know. It wasn't the book, not yet.
Round 2. Write the story... in alternating viewpoints between Archie and Jinx. It's on paper, it's working. Almost 50,000 words - the average length of a YA novel. And it's a good story.
One problem - Jinx was stealing the show, and it isn't even her story. (Although she figures heavily in the plot.) That often happens in alternating viewpoints, but what to do? (And no, it really can't be Jinx's story.)
Rework her chapters - delete some of them - a lot of them. Figure out what was making her so dynamic and pull that energy into my main character - Archie.
Round 3. I'm rewriting the story - Archie's story. I'll be able to use a ton of what I've already created, but I need to ramp up the tension, put more on the line, and get more inside of Archie's head. I also need to concentrate on the order of events and pacing. I'll ask questions like, "Am I telling this in the most push-you-forward kind of way?" Will my reader be able to put the book down? (I don't want them to.)
So, I've been mulling for about two weeks - walking around distracted, running into walls - as I try to figure it all out. I still have a lot of work to do, but I've gotten to know my characters and the adventure they're experiencing intimately. Now I just need to figure out the BEST way to share it... so I'm diving back in (not a completely comfortable venture) and will let you know when I resurface.
Coloring Page Tuesday Widget for YOU!
I've created a Coloring Page Tuesday widget for you to add to your blogs! Just Visit my Blog and scroll down in the sidebar. (It's hard to miss.) At the bottom of the widget is a button which will let you automatically pop it into your blog or share it with friends. (Clicking this image will take you to my blog.) The widget will update with each week's new Coloring Page Tuesday image! What do you think? Do you like it??
Storybook Look: Illustrations by Southern Artists Video
I just discovered this funny little video the Southern Arts Federation put together on our gallery show Storybook Look: Illustrations by Southern Artists...
Storybook Look is still touring the South and still has available dates if you'd like to bring it to your neck of the woods. Read about how the show began, where it's been and where it's going at http://dulemba.com/StorybookLook.html. Click the log below to find more information at the Southern Arts Federation website...
Storybook Look is still touring the South and still has available dates if you'd like to bring it to your neck of the woods. Read about how the show began, where it's been and where it's going at http://dulemba.com/StorybookLook.html. Click the log below to find more information at the Southern Arts Federation website...
Who Moved My Buy Button?
Yup. Little boys, big toys. Hm.
Well, here's what's great about our modern day technologies... The Authors Guild has created a website to monitor when Amazon pulls stunts like this. It's called Who Moved My Buy Button? And for all you book creators out there - I suggest you sign on (you don't have to be an AG member). You can list your books (via ISBN) through the site and if your Amazon purchase buttons ever go inactive - you'll receive an email about it. It's still in beta, but I think it's a great idea!
I cannot remember a time when so many people were discussing books ... books have a 'buzz' about them... Jason Pinter: http://bit.ly/aPuaEz
Seth Godin "How to use clichés" http://bit.ly/cD1JZw Interesting facts - hilarious links. Great advice! :) e
Coloring Page Tuesday - Mardi Gras Day!
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and to view more coloring pages - click here!
Or Fat Tuesday - whichever your poison - is today! So party hardy with King Cake, parades and masks. It's a day to have fun!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Click the covers to learn about my newest picture book, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
Or Fat Tuesday - whichever your poison - is today! So party hardy with King Cake, parades and masks. It's a day to have fun!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Click the covers to learn about my newest picture book, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
Off the Roll - Scotch Tape Sculpture Contest
To my Coloring Page Tuesday followers
Dulemba.com has had to move to a new address (blogger will no longer host ftp hosted blogs like mine was after February 22nd): http://dulemba.blogspot.com/. So for those of you who have linked to individual Coloring Page Tuesday images - I apologize, but those links will no longer work. I did what I could on my end - I went through all my CPT images and updated their links - so their link addresses are now current. But you may need to update links on your end. The link to the Coloring Page Tuesday main page will remain the same.
Sorry for the trouble! Hopefully this will be home for the next 20 years or more and we won't have to go through this again!
Sorry for the trouble! Hopefully this will be home for the next 20 years or more and we won't have to go through this again!
Subscribers to my blog... (via email)
If you receive this email, then my RSS address change went through without you needing to do anything - Yay! (Could a few of you let me know? Email: elizabeth at dulemba dot com.) The only hiccup is, I think it tried to send you my entire blog yesterday. So sorry for the enormous email! But it should be working now, and you should only receive my most recent blog posts from now on.
Truly, if this worked, I am so pleased. I really didn't want to lose you guys!
P.S. - If you'd like to receive my blog posts via email - go to my new blog and sign up in the sidebar. Thanks!
Truly, if this worked, I am so pleased. I really didn't want to lose you guys!
P.S. - If you'd like to receive my blog posts via email - go to my new blog and sign up in the sidebar. Thanks!
Our World in White - Snow in the South!
A snowstorm is blowing its way across the South. We haven't had snow like this since I was a kid. Wow.
childrensillustrators.com is back!
You can view my page at http://www.childrensillustrators.com/elizabethodulemba.
Appalachian Culture and Google Alerts!
I LOVE Google Alerts. If I didn't have my name and books listed there I probably wouldn't have heard about a fantastic project recently created at Dixie Elementary Magnet School in Lexington, Kentucky. Their inspired teachers and supporters recently hosted a week-long project exploring traditional folktales and how the arts connect diverse cultures. It was written up in their All About Kids online magazine.
Do you recognize some of the art in their mural? Yup, they featured Paco and the Giant Chile Plant and Soap, soap, soap. I was so tickled, I contacted the school and I now I will have the great pleasure to meet these talented kids and inspired teachers in person during a school visit this March. I can't wait!
Go to my visits page to learn more about inviting me to your school!
Changes at dulemba.com
Blogger will no longer be hosting ftp-run blogs - which of course, mine was. So I've had to make some changes around here. The biggest change is my new blog address: http://dulemba.blogspot.com/. (Please update your bookmarks!) Another change is you can now "follow me" through blogger (scroll down in the side column) and my posts are now archived with their titles! So there are some good things from the change.
Overall, if dulemba.com doesn't look very different, then I did a good job...but I'm not holding my breath.
I'm betting you hit some links that don't work, or your subscription got a bit messed up. If you hit technical difficulties like that, will you please let me know? (I'm still trying to streamline some things.) You can email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com. You've all been so supportive, I want to make sure this remains a warm and fuzzy, no stress environment. Thanks!
Overall, if dulemba.com doesn't look very different, then I did a good job...but I'm not holding my breath.
I'm betting you hit some links that don't work, or your subscription got a bit messed up. If you hit technical difficulties like that, will you please let me know? (I'm still trying to streamline some things.) You can email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com. You've all been so supportive, I want to make sure this remains a warm and fuzzy, no stress environment. Thanks!
Google Books - book previews
There has been a lot of stink in the book world over Google's right (or not) to scan books. It's all very complicated and makes my head spin. But I have to say, something like this is a pretty cool way to get the word out about my titles.
This is Google's new preview feature. And so far my three books in the ParentSmart KidHappy™ series are available. They even include reviews if you click through to view the preview larger online.
The only thing I don't like is under "Get This Book" they don't connect to Indiebound, offering viewers a way to buy the books from their local independent bookseller. Wassup widdat???
See the other previews at my ParentSmart Activity Page.
Learn about proper parenting language and the power of choice in, Ready for Bed! , Ready for the Day!, and Ready to Play! - click the covers!
This is Google's new preview feature. And so far my three books in the ParentSmart KidHappy™ series are available. They even include reviews if you click through to view the preview larger online.
The only thing I don't like is under "Get This Book" they don't connect to Indiebound, offering viewers a way to buy the books from their local independent bookseller. Wassup widdat???
See the other previews at my ParentSmart Activity Page.
Learn about proper parenting language and the power of choice in, Ready for Bed! , Ready for the Day!, and Ready to Play! - click the covers!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Happy Valentine's Day
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and to view more coloring pages - click here!
Valentine's Day is this Sunday! Do you have plans with your favorite Valentine? Here's a traditional Cupid to help you celebrate...
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
It's always nice to celebrate the day of love with all things pink - like...
my picture book Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese - click the cover to learn more!
Valentine's Day is this Sunday! Do you have plans with your favorite Valentine? Here's a traditional Cupid to help you celebrate...
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
It's always nice to celebrate the day of love with all things pink - like...
my picture book Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese - click the cover to learn more!Author Overload
RT @thewritermama: The Remedy For Author Overload (Hint: It’s a Very Short Word) http://shar.es/aPGY0 SO, SO TRUE!!!A bit more on this subject:
I am lucky enough to have followers who love my work and want to help spread the word by asking me for giveaway books, visits, and artwork to share in charities, fund-raisers, at needy schools, etc. Sometimes I receive several requests a day. As you can imagine, at that rate, there's no way I can say 'yes' to everybody. (And just responding to them all can eat up huge chunks of creative time.) But these are sincere requests for good causes from well-intentioned people and I really do want to help.
So, what to do?
It's part of why I create my coloring pages and make sure all my books have lots of fun free activities. So, I sincerely hope you are enjoying them and sharing them! It's my way of giving back for all your wonderful loyalty and support. Thanks so much!
The Potential of SixthSense Technology
From TED: The Thrilling Potential of SixthSense Technology. All I can say is WOW. And check out the tech as it pertains to book browsing!!!
Gustaf Tenggren
Gustaf Tenggren was one of the masters of the early days of picture books. He set a standard we still work by today. He was also one heck of a marketer. He started out with Disney but quickly realized it did him no good to sign his work 'Disney.' Hence, the Tenggren books and the golden days of the Golden Books.
Did you have a "Tenggren Tell-It-Again Book" when you were a kid? Do you recognize the style? Go to AnimationArchive.org for a fantastic summation of Tenggren's work at Gustaf Tenggren and the Genesis of the Golden Book Style.
One More Story
One More Story is a groovy resource for your kids - recently voted a top 10 Digital Resource by School Library Journal! You can subscribe to enjoy up to 108 picture books online - including some Caldecott winners. They can be read to you (or not) in English or Spanish or Mandarin! Very groovy way to spend a Saturday.
20 Mind-Blowing Social Media Statistics
Facebook turned 6 on February 2nd and there are some pretty amazing statistics on what it's become. Read "Facebook Turns 6, Gets Billing as Top News Reader" from eWeek.
And From Econsultancy: 20 Mind-Blowing Social Media Statistics revisited.
Here's a peek (go to the article to read more):
• Facebook claims that 50% of active users log into the site each day. This would mean at least 175m users every 24 hours… A considerable increase from the previous 120m.
• Twitter now has 75m user accounts, but only around 15m are active users on a regular basis. It’s still a fair increase from the estimated 6-10m global users from a few months ago.
• LinkedIn has over 50m members worldwide. This means an increase of around 1m members month-on-month since July/August last year.
• Facebook currently has in excess of 350 million active users on global basis. Six months ago, this was 250m… meaning around a 40% increase of users in less than half a year.
And From Econsultancy: 20 Mind-Blowing Social Media Statistics revisited.
Here's a peek (go to the article to read more):
• Facebook claims that 50% of active users log into the site each day. This would mean at least 175m users every 24 hours… A considerable increase from the previous 120m.
• Twitter now has 75m user accounts, but only around 15m are active users on a regular basis. It’s still a fair increase from the estimated 6-10m global users from a few months ago.
• LinkedIn has over 50m members worldwide. This means an increase of around 1m members month-on-month since July/August last year.
• Facebook currently has in excess of 350 million active users on global basis. Six months ago, this was 250m… meaning around a 40% increase of users in less than half a year.
Loretta Ellsworth's IN A HEARTBEAT
Today I would like to introduce you to a talented author - Loretta Ellsworth. She is celebrating the release of her latest novel IN A HEARTBEAT!In a Heartbeat has a strong plot line - a star ice-skater is killed suddenly in a freak fall and her heart is donated to a sick teen who has needed a transplant for years and was running out of time. But when her heart is transferred into the new girl's body - some things from the past life linger... here's the trailer:
Q. Loretta, WHAT was the inspiration for this story??
A. As is often the case, the inspiration for my book came from a personal experience. My nephew died in a motorcycle accident, and although they weren't able to save his heart for transplantation, many of his other organs
went to people waiting for transplants. We were surprised to learn that Jason had signed up to be a donor - he hadn't told anyone of his decision. Shortly after that, my mother died of heart failure. Writing this book was therapy for me, a way to work through my feelings and to give voice to Jason as a donor. I purposefully made the donor a girl so that she could develop her own characteristics and there would be no comparison to my nephew.
Q. You talk about ice-skating like an insider (this coming from an outsider - ha!). Are you a part of that world? How did you get it right?
A. I'm not an insider, although in Minnesota I guess pretty much everybody knows how to skate. I spent time at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and visited with coaches and skaters and parents. I attended skating competitions and I had a competitive skater and her mom both read my manuscript to make sure I had the skating lingo right, and to check my skating terms and descriptions.
Q. The ideas of what happens to us when we die were distinct and new to me. Can you summarize how you described it, and do you hold those opinions yourself?
A. I didn't want to attempt to describe Eagan's version of heaven - that seemed an impossible task to me, so I put her in a sort of limbo, an in-between place. Since she dies in the first chapter, the challenge for me as a writer was to give her some obstacles and her own conflict to resolve. Her relationship with her mother makes it difficult for her to leave her life behind and move on.
Q. You've written many other books I'd like my readers to know about - can you share?A. I've published two other books - one called THE SHROUDING WOMAN, which is historical fiction about a girl whose aunt is a shrouding woman, an occupation few people know existed before funeral homes and undertakers were around - they were special women in the community who prepared bodies for burial. This book is now being published in Japan as well as the U.S. My other book is called IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD and it's a story of a girl named Erin whose only connection to her dead mother is through the pages of a worn book her mother adored. Erin decides to take an unannounced and unescorted bus trip from her home in Minnesota to Alabama in search of her literary idol, Harper Lee, the author of her mother's favorite book (and mine).
Q. Tell us a bit about your writer's life. What was your path to become an author and how has it shaped your life?
A. Even though I always enjoyed writing when I was young, I didn't start writing seriously until I had four children of my own. It took many years of hard work, classes, writing workshops and critique groups, and hundreds of rejections and revisions before my work saw publication. It taught me that nothing is easy, least of all getting published, but if you're dedicated to learning the craft and have a lot of perseverance (and I mean a lot!), you will get published.
Q. Anything else you would like to share?
A. Despite the difficulties of publication that most authors face when starting out, it's still a blessing to be able to do what you love. I enjoy the journey that writing each book takes me through and spending time every day with my characters.
Thanks for the interview, E, and best of luck to you
and your wonderful books.
Thanks so much for the great read Loretta!
Wonderful things are already happening for IN A HEARTBEAT - Korean rights have been sold and it has been chosen as a Midwest Connections Pick by the Midwest Bookseller’s Association.
Loretta is officially on tour in the blog world this week - so you can read more by visiting each day:
Feb. 2 – Little Willow http://slayground.livejournal.com
Feb. 3 – Elizabeth Dulemba http://dulemba.com
Feb. 4 – April Hamrick http://aprilnichole.com/
Feb. 5 – Dary Wishard http://www.libraryloungelizard.com
Feb. 6 – Kim Pickett - http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com
Feb. 7 – Lauren Rusiloski - http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Feb. 8 – Yan Lin - booksbytheircover.blogspot.com
Feb. 9 –Kerry Millar- http://shelfelf.wordpress.com, Alea Adou- aleapopculture.blogspot.com
Feb. 10 – Ashley Thompson - booksaremylove.blogspot.com
Feb. 11 – Cindy Hudson - mother/daughter bookclub (review) www.motherdaughterbookclub.com
Feb.12 – Cindy Hudson - mother/daughter bookclub (interview)
Feb. 13 – Kate C. - http://readthisbook.wordpress.com
And here is Loretta, R.A. Nelson, Me, Jennifer Echols, and Jay Asher at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery back in April 2008. She's a blast to hang out with!
The Fun Theory
You have to check out The Fun Theory! The idea is that people will be more responsible, healthier and happier if we just make the things we usually avoid, a little more fun to do! Here's one example:
Click their logo to learn more and see more social experiments:
Thanks to School Library Journal for the heads up!
Click their logo to learn more and see more social experiments:
Thanks to School Library Journal for the heads up!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Oh Princess! And We Have a Winner!
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and to view more coloring pages - click here!
Valentine's Day is getting closer - love is in the air! Especially for all you Prince and Princesses out there!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Book Giveaway - We Have a Winner!!!
Woosie! We have reached over 1,500 subscribers to "Coloring Page Tuesdays" and "e's news"!
The moment our 1,500th person subscribed, I went in and did a random drawing of all our current subscribers and the winner of a signed copy of Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón is.... Peggy H.!!! Peggy was the 874th subscriber to Coloring Page Tuesdays just this past January. Congratulations Peggy!!
And keep telling your friends about Coloring Page Tuesdays - we'll do another drawing when we reach 2,000! (Let's think postively, shall we?)
Valentine's Day is getting closer - love is in the air! Especially for all you Prince and Princesses out there!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog!
Book Giveaway - We Have a Winner!!!
Woosie! We have reached over 1,500 subscribers to "Coloring Page Tuesdays" and "e's news"!
The moment our 1,500th person subscribed, I went in and did a random drawing of all our current subscribers and the winner of a signed copy of Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón is.... Peggy H.!!! Peggy was the 874th subscriber to Coloring Page Tuesdays just this past January. Congratulations Peggy!!
And keep telling your friends about Coloring Page Tuesdays - we'll do another drawing when we reach 2,000! (Let's think postively, shall we?)
Ring~Ring=Fring~Fring
From iPhone Savior: "Fring App Debuts Skype Calls Over iPhone 3G." Video phone calls on your iPhone? Wow.
Y'know, I remember when I was a kid (back in the stone ages) going on a weekend science class field trip to NASA (yeah, it was a cool class) to see the space shuttle and all the other cool things the scientists were up to at the time. What was hot that year? Gumby on tv, space ice-cream, and mock video telephones.
The idea was they would be in all our homes some day - these massive contraptions (the size of a mini-fridge now) that we would stand in front of to talk to somebody via video.
If the me of today could go back to the me back then and show her this new gadget/feature, I think she/I would have fainted. (Okay, now I'm confused enough I still might.) But isn't that a trip of a thing? Just wild.
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