Don't forget to vote tomorrow! And also don't forget - I have tons of patriot/VOTE coloring pages. CLICK HERE!
Go VOTE!
Don't forget to vote tomorrow! And also don't forget - I have tons of patriot/VOTE coloring pages. CLICK HERE!
Savannah Children's Book Festival!
This coming weekend I have the great pleasure of speaking once again at the fabulous Savannah Children's Book Festival in historic Savannah, Georgia, on Saturday, November 10th from 10:00am to 4:00pm. (I'll be on stage at 11:00pm and 1:00pm.) I'll also arrive early to visit three schools in the area - can't wait! Thanks so much to my good friends at the Live Oaks Public Library for inviting me. I hope to see all of your there!
CLICK HERE to see the guide!
Are you a marathon writer?
GREAT blog post by Kristi Holl at Writer's First Aid (A Medicine Chest of Hope): Are You A Marathon Writer? Please go read!
She talks about how it's often not talent that leads to a published author's success, but persistence and the "acceptance of rejection." There's so much of it in our seemingly sweet and innocent business of children's books. Although none of it is personal, it's hard to believe it when it's in your mailbox (or in-box). THAT is what makes children's books such a very tough business.
As I commented on Kristi's post: I often tell people this is a tough business, but they don’t really get it. After all, there are few other businesses that have to deal with rejection like we do – sometimes on a daily basis. I’ve learned to live with it, but sometimes they get under your skin and can really get you down. Sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for much longer.
But I can’t give up. Not that I’d want to, but I truly don’t think I could. Once stories start pouring out of you, it’s nearly impossible to put a cork in to hold that flood. And some stories do make it through to being published – I have 15 published books. But for every ONE that’s been published, I have so many in the drawer that never made it.
For those of you on the same journey, I wish you thick skin. Rejection is part of this business. But indeed, so is hope. Hope that the next one will be the one, hope that you will grow in your skills, hope that your manuscript will end up in just the right hands...
For all that the rejection in this business can get you down, children's book creators are some of the most HOPEFUL people I know. It's what keeps us going.
She talks about how it's often not talent that leads to a published author's success, but persistence and the "acceptance of rejection." There's so much of it in our seemingly sweet and innocent business of children's books. Although none of it is personal, it's hard to believe it when it's in your mailbox (or in-box). THAT is what makes children's books such a very tough business.
As I commented on Kristi's post: I often tell people this is a tough business, but they don’t really get it. After all, there are few other businesses that have to deal with rejection like we do – sometimes on a daily basis. I’ve learned to live with it, but sometimes they get under your skin and can really get you down. Sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for much longer.
But I can’t give up. Not that I’d want to, but I truly don’t think I could. Once stories start pouring out of you, it’s nearly impossible to put a cork in to hold that flood. And some stories do make it through to being published – I have 15 published books. But for every ONE that’s been published, I have so many in the drawer that never made it.
For those of you on the same journey, I wish you thick skin. Rejection is part of this business. But indeed, so is hope. Hope that the next one will be the one, hope that you will grow in your skills, hope that your manuscript will end up in just the right hands...
For all that the rejection in this business can get you down, children's book creators are some of the most HOPEFUL people I know. It's what keeps us going.
The Ruby Red Trilogy
I sometimes receive audio books to review. My policy is if I don't like something, I stay quiet on the subject. But I don't want to stay quiet on these! I just finished listening to RUBY RED and SAPPHIRE BLUE, the first two books in The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier, translated by Anthea Bell, and I am thoroughly hooked! Set in London with all their fun language quirks, Gwyneth Shepherd learns that she inherited the time travel gene in her family, not her cousin - the one who had been training for tromps through time her entire life. Unprepared, Gwyneth literally dives into her new fate with a few surprises of her own, a quirky gargoyle and smart best friend as sidekicks, and an infuriating boy.
I can't wait for the third in the series, as they really do leave you hanging, because I found them completely engaging and delightful. There's some violence and a bit of snogging, but otherwise, this is a mild YA that anybody who enjoys fantasy, time travel, and a bit of the paranormal will like too. Check out the trailer:
Full disclosure: I purchased the first audio-book. The second audio-book was supplied by the publisher (MacMillan).
It's PICTURE BOOK MONTH!
Today kicks off the 2012 Picture Book Month! I'm so proud to be a co-founder this incredible campaign invented by children's book author Dianne de las Casas. Fellow co-founders are Katie Davis, Tara Lazar, and Wendy Martin. Joyce Wan designed the adorable logo and I do the calendar each year:
This year's line-up of amazing authors and illustrators includes such greats as Kathi Appelt, Doreen Cronin, Tony DiTerlizzi, Brett Helquist, E.B. Lewis, Chris Raschka, Adam Rex, John Rocco, Dan Santat, Jon Scieszka, Don Tate, and the list goes on! Each will talk about why picture books are so important to them on their assigned days.
For librarians and teachers, it's a great way to thematically frame your studies each day - either by theme or author. Please feel free to use my coloring pages when you do - I have images that will match up with many of the themes.
So celebrate picture books all through November and forever!
This year's line-up of amazing authors and illustrators includes such greats as Kathi Appelt, Doreen Cronin, Tony DiTerlizzi, Brett Helquist, E.B. Lewis, Chris Raschka, Adam Rex, John Rocco, Dan Santat, Jon Scieszka, Don Tate, and the list goes on! Each will talk about why picture books are so important to them on their assigned days.
For librarians and teachers, it's a great way to thematically frame your studies each day - either by theme or author. Please feel free to use my coloring pages when you do - I have images that will match up with many of the themes.
So celebrate picture books all through November and forever!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
I hope you collect lots of sweets this Halloween - even if it's kisses from your favorite ghoulie. Remember I have lots of free Halloween coloring pages - CLICK HERE.
And click here to read some interesting Halloween factoids. For instance, did you know that the original jack-o'-lanterns were made from turnips?
Coloring Page Tuesday - Scaredy pumpkin and GIVEAWAY!
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!
Happy Halloween!
Costumes, candy, and spooky tales. What do you like best about Halloween?
CLICK HERE to find more Halloween images to color. And share your Holiday creations in my gallery so I can put them in my upcoming newsletters!
GIVEAWAY!
DON'T FORGET - I have a trick-or-treat LULA'S BREW GIVEAWAY going on. Today is the last day to try to win. CLICK HERE to sign up!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Post it to a blog, then share it in my GALLERY!
Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
Costumes, candy, and spooky tales. What do you like best about Halloween?
CLICK HERE to find more Halloween images to color. And share your Holiday creations in my gallery so I can put them in my upcoming newsletters!
GIVEAWAY!
DON'T FORGET - I have a trick-or-treat LULA'S BREW GIVEAWAY going on. Today is the last day to try to win. CLICK HERE to sign up!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Post it to a blog, then share it in my GALLERY!
Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
Book Signing at Little Shop of Stories
Yesterday I capped off my LULA'S BREW book signing tour at Little Shop of Stories. There was a great crowd of kids and their grown-ups, all dressed up for Halloween (the kids that is). I wish you could see them all in the photo above.
I handed out coloring pages and spider rings, while Little Shop handed out candy. Truly, you can't see the crowd, but I hope my smile gives you a hint how many there were. Including author and illustrator buds Michael Austin and his wife Kim, and Lynn Cullen. Even though I didn't get to spend much time with them, it means so much when fellow creators lend you support at events like this. We stick together.
Afterwards, there was a parade through downtown, which is where all the kiddies and their parents headed. But it was so windy and cold, Stan and I opted for a snack at The Square Pub. Lo and behold, the parade came to us, ending up in the plaza right in view of our window table.
Even more amazing... the skeleton puppeteers and brass band all headed for the Square Pub too. So these were our dining buddies...
I especially liked the pirate one.
As the crowd gathered in the plaza, somebody asked "What's going on?" Somebody else said, "It's just Decatur." Which is exactly why we love living where we do. You never know when there will be an impromptu dance performance, music, odd costumes, etc, at any time of year!
Best of all, we have Little Shop of Stories, which I am proud to say is MY local indie children's bookstore. They have been so supportive of me, my career, especially handling pre-orders of LULA'S BREW (thanks Krista!). I couldn't be more grateful!
Book Signings at Hall's and Avid
Saturday I had the great pleasure of being the guest at TWO fabulous bookstores. For both, I dressed up like Lula in LULA'S BREW - striped stockings and all! (And can I tell you how fun it is to wear a cape? No wonder kids love to do it.)
I started the day as part of the author read-a-thon at Myra Mead's Hall Book Exchange in Gainesville, Georgia:
Myra has been a great supporter of me and my books, so I relish the chance to give her love back. Especially considering her's is the only bookstore in that area. She is a true cheerleader of literacy and a love of reading!
Next, hubbie and I drove to our alma-mater, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, to visit Janet Geddis and her one-year-old adorable Avid Bookshop. This sweet little shop truly does harken back to "You've Got Mail" and all the wonderfulness that a bookshop can be. I mean, how can you lose with an entrance like this:
There are even antique ironing boards with fresh cut flowers in vases and stools for relaxing outside:
Inside, I had a dedicated young crowd of loyal bookstore fans turn out for my reading of LULA'S BREW.
Today I'm off to Little Shop of Stories. More soon...
I started the day as part of the author read-a-thon at Myra Mead's Hall Book Exchange in Gainesville, Georgia:
Myra has been a great supporter of me and my books, so I relish the chance to give her love back. Especially considering her's is the only bookstore in that area. She is a true cheerleader of literacy and a love of reading!
Next, hubbie and I drove to our alma-mater, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, to visit Janet Geddis and her one-year-old adorable Avid Bookshop. This sweet little shop truly does harken back to "You've Got Mail" and all the wonderfulness that a bookshop can be. I mean, how can you lose with an entrance like this:
There are even antique ironing boards with fresh cut flowers in vases and stools for relaxing outside:
Inside, I had a dedicated young crowd of loyal bookstore fans turn out for my reading of LULA'S BREW.
Today I'm off to Little Shop of Stories. More soon...
Children's Sales SOAR...
...in the First Half of 2012, Says AAP, as reported in THIS ARTICLE by Publishers Weekly. We often hear that picture books are cyclic, as are mid-grade and young-adult (although with all the new adult readers reading YA, that may be changing). The recession (heck, really since 9/11) either helped cause or coincided with a slump in picture books, so it's nice to see these numbers. My favorite genre is making a comeback!!!
Le grand éléphant
This amazing elephant was created by Francois Delaroziére and Pierre Orefice for Machines de l'ile á Nantes in France. I saw a photo of it on Pinterest months ago and saved it. Well, here the thing is in motion! You steam punk fans are going to loves it! Not the greatest thing to listen to, but positively amazing as a sculpture:
As the website says:
As the website says:
He lives in the central street of the Nefs. When the majestic animal goes out for its walk, it is like architecture in motion departing a steel cathedral. The 49 passengers on board embark on an amazing journey on the Ile de Nantes. Each time the pachyderm goes out, it is a unique spectacle for everyone to enjoy.Thanks to The Kid Should See This for the heads up.
LULA'S BREW - the official GIVEAWAY!!!
You, yes YOU can win a free hard cover copy of LULA'S BREW, signed and dedicated to your favorite witchie!!! And the drawing will be ON HALLOWEEN - how's that for a Trick-or-TREAT!?
I usually host other people's books with interviews and giveaways on Thursdays. Well, this Thursday the giveaway is mine. And I'll share some little known factoids about LULA'S BREW...
Did you know that LULA'S BREW has been in the works since 2007? Yup, maybe even longer. She was one of my earliest book dummies. The art was created as pencil drawings, which I then colored digitally in Photoshop.
Art from the dummy won me a Grand Prize in the SmartWriters.com competition! I got a trophy and everything!
Did you know that LULA'S BREW was an APP before it was a book? Yup, one of the very first children's picture book apps for the iPhone and later for the iPad. I even did the voice for the apps! (And learned that it's a bad idea to eat Indian food before doing a voice recording.)
I wrote an article about my experiences with Lula for the SCBWI Bulletin (the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators): "My 1st iPhone/iPad Picture Book App." I gave talks at conferences and even did some very high-tech school visits. LULA'S BREW was cutting edge back then.
Did you know that as an app, LULA'S BREW was downloaded over 10,000 times? Not too shabby, eh? I'm proud - yes indeedy.
Did you know that LULA'S BREW is available not only in hard cover and paperback, but also for the iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook, and as a pdf? CLICK HERE for links to them all.
Did you know that LULA'S BREW is still breaking new ground with Xist Publishing's publishing model? All of Xist's printed books are are produced using print-on-demand resources. (They aren't actually produced until orders are placed.) It cuts down on waste, warehousing, and may be the wave of the future for publishing. This is definitely something to keep an eye on!
Did you know that one of my best fan emails ever was from a mom whose little girl dressed up as Lula for Halloween? BREAK my heart to little pieces!!! OMG!
Did you know I have LULA'S BREW coloring pages, a word-find puzzle, computer wallpaper, and the actual recipe for Lula's Brew? Yup - CLICK HERE!
GIVEAWAY
Must live in the continental US to win. The drawing will be held next Wednesday - on HALLOWEEN!!!! Trick-or-treat!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
How art, technology and design inform creative leaders
This TED talk with John Maeda, President of the Rhode Island School of Design, is worth your time if you're a creative type. Especially the part about type - if you're a type-geek like I am. (Can I say "type" one more time? Type. There, I did it.)
Thanks to SwissMiss for the heads up.
Thanks to SwissMiss for the heads up.
Coloring Page Tuesday - Lula on a broom
Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!
Last chance for Lula!
"Lula didn't like to fly on a broom or practice magical spells. She wanted to brew up tasty dishes with pleasing aromas and smells.
Lula dreamed of being a chef in her neighborhood's favorite haunt. She wanted a four star bistro, her very own restaurant."
You have just over a week to purchase LULA'S BREW in time for Halloween! A great place to do it (and get your copy signed and dedicated) is to catch up with me at one of my upcoming book signings:
• Hall Book Exchange, Gainsville, Georgia (USA), October 27, 2012, 9:00am
• Avid Bookshop, Athens, Georgia, October 27, 2012, 1-2pm - read about it at "Halloween Story Time at Avid Bookshop", Athans, Georgia, in Athens' Macaroni Kid
• Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, Georgia, October 28th, 3:00pm
Hope to see you there... preferably in costume!
OCTOBER IS ALL ABOUT LULA'S BREW!
Signed, dedicated orders of LULA'S BREW are still available for the hard cover edition - although we're down to the wire! Call my local independent children's book store, Little Shop of Stories, at (404) 373-6300 (USA).
She's also available via Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle/Kindle Fire!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Post it to a blog, then share it in my GALLERY!
Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
"Lula didn't like to fly on a broom or practice magical spells. She wanted to brew up tasty dishes with pleasing aromas and smells.
Lula dreamed of being a chef in her neighborhood's favorite haunt. She wanted a four star bistro, her very own restaurant."
You have just over a week to purchase LULA'S BREW in time for Halloween! A great place to do it (and get your copy signed and dedicated) is to catch up with me at one of my upcoming book signings:
• Hall Book Exchange, Gainsville, Georgia (USA), October 27, 2012, 9:00am
• Avid Bookshop, Athens, Georgia, October 27, 2012, 1-2pm - read about it at "Halloween Story Time at Avid Bookshop", Athans, Georgia, in Athens' Macaroni Kid
• Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, Georgia, October 28th, 3:00pm
Hope to see you there... preferably in costume!
OCTOBER IS ALL ABOUT LULA'S BREW!Signed, dedicated orders of LULA'S BREW are still available for the hard cover edition - although we're down to the wire! Call my local independent children's book store, Little Shop of Stories, at (404) 373-6300 (USA).
She's also available via Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle/Kindle Fire!
Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Post it to a blog, then share it in my GALLERY!
Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
Chip It! by Sherwin-Williams
LOVE this new tool by Sherwin Williams! Upload an image to Chip It! and it will come up with a matching color palette! How groovy is that?
Here's the color palette for Lula's Brew - gorgeous!
Here's the color palette for Lula's Brew - gorgeous!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)