Video Share

I had the privilege of listening to Denise Vega speak at a writing conference a couple years ago.  She is not only extremely knowledgeable about writing and living the writing life but is also very motivational and encouraging.  She is awesome at sharing her talents and knowledge with other writers, and I wanted to share her recent video about finding a publisher for your children's book for any of you interested in viewing it.

Here is the link for Denise's video:  http://www.findapublisherforyourchildrensbook.com/submission-possible-video-1/

You can also learn more about Denise at:

http://www.denisevega.com/blab-o-denise/

I encourage you all to go visit and follow Denise for ongoing info and support!

Write On

I have found myself spinning in circles (literally and figuratively, it seems) numerous times over the course of these last couple weeks as summer winds down, sports seasons change and work looms ever closer.  There has been a final push this last week as I prepared my therapy room for the upcoming school year before an open house and tried to get myself organized somewhat--though by organization I mean preparing sticky notes and lists of what yet needs to be accomplished.  What has been lacking significantly is writing time which tends to make me cranky...and reading time which also makes me very cranky. 

I started thinking about the times I've committed to writing first before anything else in the day and trying to utilize every block of time, large or small, throughout the day.  Those times were most productive for me, and I definitely need to get back to that state of mind. 

I found this quote this morning on Pinterest (yes, wasting time while waiting for my daughter to finish an MRI) which seems the perfect spring board for a return to productivity...

"You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page.  You can't edit a blank page."  Jodi Picoult

Well, duh!!!  That does, however, require physically writing.  So, as I embark on a new school/work year, I am recommitting myself to a better writing life as well.

If you care to share how your writing life transitions from summer months to school time (regardless of working in a school setting), I would love to hear all about it. 

Guardian Angel Publishing New Releases

Congratulations to all authors and illustrators of the August 2015 Guardian Angel Publishing new releases.  Great work! 
You can read and learn more below...

99 Monkeys on a Bus
Littlest Angels
Author-Christine Marie Alemshah
Illustrations Copyright © 2015 Jack Foster
Nobody believed Bobby’s outrageous story about seeing monkeys on a bus, but he persevered and found a way to show everyone they really existed.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/99-monkeys.htm

A Puddle for Poo
Early Reader Chapter book
Author Mary Vigliante Szydlowski; Illustrator KC Snider
Something has to be done about the Baker's dog, Poo! Her digging, chewing, and bad behavior is driving the neighbors crazy.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/puddle-poo.htm

Pepé Maurice Pierre, Poodle Extraordinaire
Animals & Pets
Author Kelly Hashway; Illustrator Jack Foster
Pepe is no ordinary French poodle. When Meg enters him a dog show, his differences make him the star of the show.
http://www.guardianangelpublishig.com/pepe-maurice.htm

Supermoon
Academic Wings
written and illustrated by Melissa Ross
On a night time hike with his dad, a young boy overcomes his fear of the dark with the help of an unlikely superhero called Supermoon.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/supermoon.htm

Two House Lilly
Chapbook for Tweens
written and illustrated by Candace Hardy
Lilly Ferris’ life is a calendar of Red Weeks and Blue Weeks as she moves between life with her dad and his new family and her mom and Grandma Ada. It takes a family crisis to convince her that two families isn’t a bad thing.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/2house-lilly.htm

Best Friends Forever

Congratulations to all involved in the August 2015 issue of Guardian Angel Kids eZine!  What an awesome magazine!

Read more here: http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/

A Beautifully Touching Story

 

Papa's Suns, written by Kevin McNamee and illustrated by Samantha Bell (Guardian Angel Publishing, June 2015), is an endearing story showing the love and affection between a boy, Jacob, and his grandfather, Papa.  Papa and Jacob enjoy spending time and doing simple things together like drawing.  Papa creates many wonderful drawings, but Papa's suns are Jacob's favorite.  Papa uses repetition in making his suns ("first we make a circle...") which is a great learning tool for children.  One day, Jacob learns Papa is in the hospital after having a stroke.  Mr. McNamee does a very nice job explaining stroke (only half his face moving and the other droopy with trouble speaking), rehab ("that's where they taught his body how to work again") and recovery ("his body is still learning how to do things again") in terms children can understand which is very helpful for any struggling to understand what happens when a family member or loved one suffers a stroke.  Ms. Bell's illustrations are so realistic with such terrific detail and really bring the story and characters alive.  Children and adults alike will cherish Papa's Suns, a wonderful story showing how, while some things in life change, others stay the same, like the love and bonds between Papa and Jacob and even the simple things enjoyed together, like drawing.  Great work!

Disclosure:  I received this book from the author but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher.

You can find more info here:

www.kevinmcnamee.com
http://www.facebook.com/KevinMcNameeWrites
www.SamanthaBellBooks.com
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com

A Must Read

The Veterans' Clubhouse, written by Kristen Zajac and illustrated by Jennifer Thomas Houdeshell (Guardian Angel Publishing, June 2015), is a heart-warming, faith-based story of caring and giving of oneself to others in need, in this case homeless veterans.  This story, about a homeless Vietnam veteran named Charlie who is down on his luck, is told from the perspective of two children who work tirelessly to create The Veterans' Clubhouse for those veterans struggling to find work and a place to live.  This story uses art, music and colorful sounds to create a fun story to which kids, and adults, can easily relate.  The Veteran's Clubhouse shows other kids how possible it is to make a positive difference for others in this world and affirms that persistence and hard work pay off in the end.  This story is particularly important in this day and age in which we now live with so many veterans struggling for work and shelter.  I dare say the characters in Ms. Zajac's story will motivate many children to want to help others needing assistance.  Ms. Houdeshell's illustrations are truly incredible and bring the characters and story to life in such vivid color and detail.  Well done!  I love this book and highly recommend it.

Disclosure:  I received this book from the author but this review consists of my honest opinion, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher.

You can find more info at:

Children's Author & Writer for Everyday Family
http://www.kristenzajac.com
http://www.everydayfamily.com/author/f9c4dce0354faeec6ad63376475873c0/

http://www.zhibit.org/jenniferhoudeshellartist

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/vets-clubhouse.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generating Book Sales

I've been thinking lately about how to re-energize book sales of Bedtime Kisses as sales seem to be in a bit of a slump lately.  Granted, it has been a crazy summer as of late and I haven't been very good at promotion; however, I've been mulling ways to creatively generate new book sales.

Today, I was perusing a new book, The Book: The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children 2015 (www.scbwi.org), and found a chapter entitled, "Keeping Your Book Alive."  That is just what I have been trying to figure out how to do.

This chapter discusses considerations pre-acceptance (hard and softcover, publishers, contract negotiations, etc.), post-acceptance/pre-publication (checking for accuracy, cover copy, inclusion in catalogs, etc.), marketing (reviews and awards) and book life post-publication (availability, rights, print life, etc.). 

There were certainly many great ideas, and I will be following through with those I have not already; however, it really made me start to wonder what all of you find most effective in re-kindling the sales fire when it subsides a bit.

If you are willing to share your ideas and tips for generating sales, I would love to hear them as I am sure would many others.  Perhaps we can all learn new techniques and ideas from each other.

If you are interested in this book, you can find more information at www.scbwi.org.  I haven't had it long and have only browsed through a few chapters thus far, but it seems well worth the investment.