Into the Unknown...
Hollins Girls
Each summer high school girls come to camp at Hollins University to have fun, learn lots, and check out the digs to see if they might want to come to college here.
They're called Hollins Girls, and Tracy Roberts organized an inspiring line-up of things for them to do this summer. While I'm typing, they're taking an art class from Ashley Wolff down the hall. Yesterday, I got to talk to them about Appalachian Folk Tales and Jack Tales and how they've been such a strong thread in my life. This was an old fashioned front porch sort of talk - I even had a fan! (Lemonade would have topped it off - note for next year.)
It was hot as blazes on that front porch, but everybody was in good spirits and we had a great time. The girls were such an attentive and interested audience, it was an absolute joy to share with them.
Here we are just starting out, getting to know each other...
And demonstrating the evolution of storytelling...
And the whole gang. Nice girls with promising futures! (And notice the ukelele!)
The 10 Most Beautiful School Libraries In The World
Like the Central Library, University of Technology, in Delft, Netherlands pictured above. Click here (or the image) to go see them all at Buzzfeed.com.
Coloring Page Tuesday - Fairy Reading to a Snail
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Learn about my Cinderella story picture book, The Prince's Diary, click the cover.
A BIRD ON WATER STREET is OUTTA HERE!
Until the copy edits are done, that is. But the major changes are done - completed - finito. We're down to typos, commas, and misspelled words. I have lost all objectivity and can no longer judge whether or not my story is ANY good. Although I did just read the first page to a fellow published writer here at Hollins and we both got chill-bumps. I think that's a good sign. Yes?
Still, it's mildly terrifying to know my words are getting that much closer to being public, where anybody can read them. I find myself torn between the pride of "Look What I Made!!!" and "No, don't read it, you might not like it!" I suppose it will be out of my hands very soon... I hope you like it. :)
To celebrate sending my manuscript off—back to my editor, Ruth Sanderson and I went to Brusters and had banana splits for lunch. Best banana split EVAH!!!!!
Still, it's mildly terrifying to know my words are getting that much closer to being public, where anybody can read them. I find myself torn between the pride of "Look What I Made!!!" and "No, don't read it, you might not like it!" I suppose it will be out of my hands very soon... I hope you like it. :)
To celebrate sending my manuscript off—back to my editor, Ruth Sanderson and I went to Brusters and had banana splits for lunch. Best banana split EVAH!!!!!
Book Necklace for your favorite book lover!
I can think of a lot of people who would love this necklace for Christmas! It's from Cool Hunting. CLICK HERE to get details.
How To Train Your Dragon 2!!!!!
Oooooo - I can't WAIT!!!! Click the image to go check out the trailer:
Most Amazing Critique Group EVAH!
One of the advantages to teaching at Hollins University is the talented brains I'm surrounded by. Each Sunday a group of the writing and illustration professors gather in Rose Hill (the old house I'm staying in) and talk about our works-in-progress and give advice.
Although incredibly humbling to be surrounded by such well-published/respected writers, we all get past that and just have an amazing time. Our guest speakers join us when they can, so we had the great pleasure of hearing works and receiving advice from David Almond (Skellig, Hans Christian Anderson Award Winner) for two weeks. We ALL talk about how much we'll hate to leave this oasis of creative feedback when term ends. It will be a sad day.
Meanwhile, here's the gang: David Almond, Lauren Mills, Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner, Yours Truly, Hillary Homzie, Ruth Sanderson, and Brian Attebery. Not pictured are Ashley Wolff and Rene Englott. (Click the image to see it larger in a new window.)
Here we are being silly:
And here is the gang at work:
JD Donnely sat in to listen on this one (she's in the background), and my hubbie, Stan, is the awesome photographer.
And it gets even better! This week Caldecott winner, Eric Rohmann will be joining us! Woosie!
Although incredibly humbling to be surrounded by such well-published/respected writers, we all get past that and just have an amazing time. Our guest speakers join us when they can, so we had the great pleasure of hearing works and receiving advice from David Almond (Skellig, Hans Christian Anderson Award Winner) for two weeks. We ALL talk about how much we'll hate to leave this oasis of creative feedback when term ends. It will be a sad day.
Meanwhile, here's the gang: David Almond, Lauren Mills, Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner, Yours Truly, Hillary Homzie, Ruth Sanderson, and Brian Attebery. Not pictured are Ashley Wolff and Rene Englott. (Click the image to see it larger in a new window.)
Here we are being silly:
And here is the gang at work:
JD Donnely sat in to listen on this one (she's in the background), and my hubbie, Stan, is the awesome photographer.
And it gets even better! This week Caldecott winner, Eric Rohmann will be joining us! Woosie!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Bubbles!
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Learn more about my fun picture book Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese - click the cover.
Drums for a smile
DRUMS from Simon Panrucker on Vimeo.
Best uncle of all time? Yah!Thanks to Colossal for the heads up.
IKEA Lemonade Stand
IKEA now has this fantastic lemonade stand available for only $15! Assembly required, of course. Oh, how I would have grooved on this as a kid - rather than trying to build the exact same thing from leftover dry-wall board (no, it didn't work).
Thanks to SwissMiss for the heads up.
Saying good morning at Hollins
During our morning walks, we have to go up this steep hill.
The reward is that at the top, we then go through the stable and say hello to all our friends...
The last one is Bella Legosi. Happily, I will get to go hang out with Bella next Friday and brush him and pet him and generally spend some quality time with him. Turns out he's been stabled of late and could use some love. The barn crew was more than happy to let me volunteer. I can't wait!!!
The reward is that at the top, we then go through the stable and say hello to all our friends...
The last one is Bella Legosi. Happily, I will get to go hang out with Bella next Friday and brush him and pet him and generally spend some quality time with him. Turns out he's been stabled of late and could use some love. The barn crew was more than happy to let me volunteer. I can't wait!!!
Walking at Hollins
Gads, there's so much I want to share with you! I'm going to have to break it up over several days, that's all there is to it.
So, every morning I walk the road that runs around campus with Candice Ransom and Ruth Sanderson. Once around is 1.6 miles. Twice is 3.2. Three times is almost five miles. We usually go twice, sometimes three times.
For somebody who was on a cane for two years before my foot surgery - this is a MIRACLE!
And what better place for a miracle than here? Time flies when we walk because this is a little of our view (a few of these will open a larger version if you click on them - feel free to save as computer wallpaper if you like):
It's just so stunningly beautiful here, I can't begin to relate. And there's wildlife everywhere. Each morning we see bunnies, groundhogs, beavers, herons, birds, horses, dogs and cats, and sometimes deer. I'll have to show you those photos on another day (although they're harder to take). Meanwhile, our walks go well and I can't think of a better way to wake up each morning. Happy birthday America - you beautiful country!
So, every morning I walk the road that runs around campus with Candice Ransom and Ruth Sanderson. Once around is 1.6 miles. Twice is 3.2. Three times is almost five miles. We usually go twice, sometimes three times.
For somebody who was on a cane for two years before my foot surgery - this is a MIRACLE!
And what better place for a miracle than here? Time flies when we walk because this is a little of our view (a few of these will open a larger version if you click on them - feel free to save as computer wallpaper if you like):
It's just so stunningly beautiful here, I can't begin to relate. And there's wildlife everywhere. Each morning we see bunnies, groundhogs, beavers, herons, birds, horses, dogs and cats, and sometimes deer. I'll have to show you those photos on another day (although they're harder to take). Meanwhile, our walks go well and I can't think of a better way to wake up each morning. Happy birthday America - you beautiful country!
Little Pickle Press - Publisher of the YEAR!!!!!
I am thrilled to announce that Little Pickle Press, my publisher for my debut mid-grade novel A Bird on Water Street, was chosen as ForeWord Reviews' Independent Publisher of the Year at this year's ALA (American Library Association) annual conference!!!!! To quote the press release:
ForeWord’s Publisher, Victoria Sutherland, notes, “Little Pickle Press is the epitome of who we try to distinguish with this award. In a short time and against all odds, Rana has built an award-winning, environmentally-conscious children’s media company creating enhanced ebooks, apps, music, and educational resources that spur meaningful conversations between parents, teachers, and children. She sets a terrific example for new publishers entering the market place.”This is a BIG DEAL!!!!
Congratulations to all the hard-working folks at Little Pickle Press! I am proud to be a pickle!!!
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