Holiday Greetings

Wishing Everyone a Happy Holiday Season!

See you next year!

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Books Together.

My selection is What's Your Source?: questioning the news by Stergios Botzakis.

This informative book is a child-friendly way to explore information literacy and examine the news using critical thinking skills. Discussions cover a variety of media sources, target audiences, perspectives and information safety. For children grades three to six. Includes a glossary and index.

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by The Reading Tub.

My selection is "When I Grow Up: a young person's guide to interesting and unusual occupations" by Jessica Loy.

Fourteen careers ranging from Alpaca farmer to robotics engineer, set designer to pet photographer are given individualo double page spreads as they are highlighted for the reader with colorful photo-essays. Each occupation includes basic information about the job, education and/or skills required to be successful.

Loy's book would be a fun introduction to a discussion of future careers and a great way for readers to imagine themselves in various settings.

Poetry Friday is hosted today by The Miss Rumphius Effect.

My selection is Winter Song by William Shakespeare. This song from Shakespeare's comedy "Love's Labour's Lost" is beautifully illustrated by Melanie Hall.

Here is a lovely way to introduce Shakespeare to young readers. The joys and trials of an Elizabethan winter find expression in Shakespeare's lively phrases and Hall's colorful double page spreads. Alice Provensen provides an introduction and glossary for the less obvious words and phrases.

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today at Playing By The Book.

As we enter this splendid holiday season, I've selected Celebrations! written by Anabel Kindersley and photographed by Barnabas Kindersley with a forward by Harry Belafonte.

Celebrations! was published in association with UNICEF. The book provides a multicultural look at children's celebrations, both secular and religious, from eighteen countries around the world

This Writer's Wednesday I'd like to express my thanks for...

• A family that respects and supports my need to write.



• Friends who cheerfully read my work and provide thoughtful comments.



• and Fans who read my books and ask for more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Practically Paradise.

My selection is One Grain of Rice: a mathematical folktale written and illustrated by Demi.

Drawing on her experiences from living in India, Demi retells an Indian folktale and illustrates her story in the glowing gold leaf and rich colors of traditional Indian artwork. One Grain of Rice tells the story of Rani who outwits a greedy raja with her clever use of a basic mathematical ploy and succeeds in feeding her starving country. Offered a reward for her honesty, Rani's request is a simple one - a single grain of rice to be doubled the next day - the amount to be doubled again every day for a thirty days. The raja learns a lesson about generosity as his storehouse is emptied and Rani's people are fed with a billion plus grains of rice thanks to her inspired use of math.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted this week by Random Noodling.

My offering is Winter Eyes - poems and paintings by Douglas Florian.

Here is a celebration of the simple joys of winter for young children. Homey and graceful watercolor and colored pencil artwork illustrates the forty-eight poems.

Writer's Wednesday

It's Writer's Wednesday and I'd like to share two very different, but valuable posts that I found thought provoking.

From Pen and Ink: I Am Thankful For My Writing Tools by Sue Berger...a post about gratitude. As writers, we often talk about how we struggle with our craft. Here is an opportunity to put that struggle in another perspective.

From Cynsations: Writing Across Formats: Dian Curtis Regan. If you've ever been tempted to venture into a new format, you'll find some great information here about how one format can inform your writing in others.

I began my career writing for adults. Then shifted to children's picture books and even did some screenplays. It was certainly a challenge, but everything I learned has been a positive influence on the other areas of my writing experience.

Enjoy!

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by In Need of Chocolate.

I'm continuing my "fun with math" by offering Math Appeal: mind-stretching math riddles written by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs.

Playful puns and brilliantly colored double page spreads offer readers the challenge of finding strategies such as identifying the pattern in a group of objects in order to count them. Here is an engaging lesson in problem solving that could be used individually or in a classroom. Teacher notes are included at the end of the book.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Liz In Ink.

My selection is The Tree That Time Built: a celebration of nature, science and imagination.

This anthology of nature-inspired poems is collected by Mary Ann Hoberman, U.S. Children's Poet Laureate and Linda Winston, anthropologist and teacher. The book includes more that 100 poems and a CD with poets reading their work.

Writer's Wednesday

Writing is serious business: Struggling through the fog of a first draft, the endless rounds of revision, the quest for publication, and if all goes as planned - learning the ins and outs of promoting your book.

Somewhere along the line, it's easy to forget to have a bit of fun along the way. Lighten your mood and brighten your day with these recent posts.

At Pen and Ink: Do You Speak Query? by Kris Kahrs

At Teaching Authors: A Savage-soothing Tip for Novelists Pseudo, Real and/or Lost by Esther Hershenhorn.

At The Librarian Writer: 3 Reasons I'm Not Concerned That My NaNoWriMo Word Count is Dismal.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted to day by Shelf-employed.

My selection is The History of Counting, written by Denise Schmandt-Besserat and illustrated by Michael Hays.

To say that this book traces the development of counting would by accurate, but certainly wouldn't give the author all the credit do her. An archaeologist who specializes in the Middle East, Schmandt-Besserat has focused her expertise on one of humankind's most essential activities. Written with scientific accuracy, the book makes this complex topic very accessible without losing track of important details.

The History of Counting moves from primitive counting methods through the expected ancient civilizations from Sumerian to Roman and finally to the Arabic system used today. The text is enriched with discussions of abstract counting, the use of ten digits and a look at people such as the Paiela of Papua New Guinea who utilize unique methods for counting or reckoning "how many."

Written at a fifth grade level, the book includes a glossary and is illustrated with glowing paintings that provide a beautiful counterpoint to the text.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Teaching Authors.

My selection is 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey.

Inspired by the Clement C. Moore poem, The Night Before Christmas, this fun-filled poem follows a bus load of school children on their field trip to a Farmer Mack Nugget's turkey farm where they set about rescuing the birds intended for dinner. The story begs to be read aloud and don't forget to share the colorful illustrations.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Capstone Connect.

My selection is Animals in Fall, written by Martha E.H. Rustad. This deceptively simple book is an excellent standards-based science resource on animals and seasons. Short sentences and accessible vocabulary make it particularly suited for students who are struggling to develop their reading skills. Colorful photographs add information and visual appeal.

A glossary, index and bibliography of books and websites are included.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup

is hosted today at

The Writer's Armchair with Toby Speed.

The last Friday in October is Frankenstein Friday.

With that thought in mind, I had to select the following book by Adam Rex: Frankenstein makes a sandwich: and other stories you're sure to like, because they're all about monsters, and some of them are also about food, you like food, don't you? Well, all right then.

There is plenty of spooky fun in this collection of poems about monsters facing their fears and dealing with everyday situations that become weirdly complicated. The Invisible Man gets a haircut, the Phantom of the Opera has the song, "It's a Small World," stuck in his head, The Creature from the Black Lagoon forgets to wait an hour before swimming. Wolfman, Bigfoot, Dracula...they're all here and demanding to be read aloud.

Rex followed this 2006 success with more monster inspired fun in the 2008 Frankenstein Takes the Cake, detailing Frankenstein's wacky Wedding. The monster cast includes Dracula, the Sphinx, The Headless Horseman and even an alien encounter to produce plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Write About Now.

My selection is Snail Trail written and illustrated by Jo Saxton. A colorful snail leads the readers through an assortment of paintings by well-known masters in search of the one like himself.

The rhyming text makes a brief observation of each work beginning with Jackson Pollock and ending with Henri Matisse's collage, The Snail. The book is an enjoyable introduction to looking at art for readers in K-3.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Great Kid Books.

My selection is Shrinking Days, Frosty Nights: Poems about Fall by Laura Purdie Salas. Written for K-3, this collection is a lovely introduction to many different poetry forms. Colorful photographs, a reading list and glossary complete the book.

Writer's Wednesday

FYI

Get ready for NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month -- coming in November: catch the post at Pen and Ink.

Check out Writing the Perfect Query Letter @ Write for Kids.

For plotting read, Plot First, Please! @ Through the Toll Booth.

On the subject of Making Mistakes, the post at Adventures in Children's Publishing is well worth the read.

National Day On Writing inspires Teaching Authors to ask the question -- Why do We Write?

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by MotherReader.

My selection is The Halloween Book of Facts and Fun, written by Wendie C. Old and illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. This enjoyable and informative book includes Halloween history, traditions, party ideas and safety tips. There is a chapter on El Dia de los Muertos and another on the Irish folktale "The Tale of Jack-o-lantern." The bibliography lists related books and Internet sites. Riddles are sprinkled throughout the colorful illustrations.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Picture Book of the Day.

My selection is Celebrate Halloween by Deborah Heiligman. This book provides background on the origin and customs of Halloween in an engaging and informative text that is well-illustrated with photographs. A bibliography is included.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "I started out no more'n a bunch of rags on a Virginia plantation," is from the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book -- Almost to Freedom written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Colin Bootman.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Carol's Corner.

My selection is Pumpkin Butterfly: poems from the other side of nature, written by Heidi Mordhorst and illustrated by Jenny Reynish. This collection of 23 poems takes a surreal look at a natural world where butterflies are the spirits of newly picked pumpkins. The language is vivid and active and the illustrations are a carefully conceived counterpoint to the poetry.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "I started out no more'n a bunch of rags on a Virginia plantation."

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Madigan Reads.

My selection is Paper Crafts for Halloween by Randel McGee. Instructions and patterns for the paper projects are paired with information about the history of Halloween and a bibliography of related books and Internet sites.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Rose was the first child born free and easy to Jackson and Millicent MacGruder." is from the Coretta Scott King Award Winning book: Thunder Rose, written by Jerdine Nolen and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Poetry Friday

Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Biblio File.

Now that October has arrived, Halloween-themed books are a major request from our young patrons. I thought I'd get a head start with: Hallowilloween: nefarious silliness -- written and illustrated by Calef Brown. Brown is clearly enjoying the opportunity to play with sound in these fanciful nonsense verses inspired by the season's spooky holiday.

Here is Friday's Famous First: "Rose was the first child born free and easy to Jackson and Millicent MacGruder."

Writer's Wednesday

It's a potpourri Writer's Wednesday

• Pen and Ink posted an interesting interview with Lynda Burch, founder of Guardian Angel Publishing. Discover what Lynda has to say about this small press: ebook and POD publisher and the market in general.
• Cynsations as a marvelous interview with Clementine Series author, Sara Pennypacker.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Wendie's Wanderings.

My selection is I Spy Shapes in Art by Lucy Micklethwait.

• Built on the "I Spy with my little eye" games familiar from driving trips, Micklethwait encourages her young readers to find shapes in 14 famous paintings from artists ranging from Warhol to Matisse. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn to look at art in a new way and introduce some of the world's best known talents.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "For hundreds of years, most people thought the earth was the center of the universe, and the sun and the moon and all the other planets revolved around it." is from the Caldecott Honor book Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei created and illustrated by Peter Sis.

Poetry Friday Roundup

Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Karen Edmiston.

• My selection is Ivan's Great Fall: poetry for Summer and Autumn from great poets and writers of the past, by Vanita Oelschlager with illustrations by Kristin Blackwood.
• Oelschlager tells Ivan's story in poetry which begins and ends with her own work. The rest of the story is told through the voices of many well-known poets -- Dickinson, Stevenson, Sandburg, and Whitman, to name a few. Along with each poem is a short note about the author.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line?

"For hundreds of years people thought the earth was the center of the universe, and the sun and the moon and all the other planets revolved around it."

Writer's Wednesday

I'm taking the day off to...

you guessed it...

WRITE!

But let me recommend today's post at Teaching Authors. It's well worth the time and be sure to follow up on the links.

There is an excellent list of resource books provided. As writers we must always continue to perfect our craft.

Special thanks to Carmela Martino for sharing.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today at Wrapped in Foil.

My selection is Johnny Appleseed, written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jim Burke. Yolen cleverly combines the legend and the man by introduction a bit of the legend and following it with factual information. Together the two narratives: Johnny Appleseed/John Chapman provide a vivid portrait of this celebrated American icon. Burke's richly colored folk art inspired artwork is a wonderful addition to the text.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Laura was washing the dishes one morning when Old Jack, lying in the sunshine on the doorstep, growled to tell her someone was coming." is from the Newbery Honor book By the Shores of Silver Lake - written by Laura Ingalls Wilder with illustrations by Garth Williams.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Wild Rose Reader.

September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day so what could be more perfect for Poetry Friday...

Pirates: Poems written by David L. Harrison and illustrated by Dan Burr in rich detail with just the right sense of foreboding for his subject.

"Shiver me timbers,"Harrison's twenty poems in a variety of styles are rich with all the favorite pirate jargon as he sets sail on a voyage to show that a pirate's life wasn't all swashbuckling fun. Floggings and a life ended by the hangman's noose were real possibilities. Written at a sixth-grade level, this is a book designed for older audiences who are interested in pirates and will appreciate the language. The poetry would also be a good choice as a teacher read-aloud introduction to the subject or time period. Harrison completes his book with factual notes.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identity the title and author of this first line? "Laura was washing the dishes one morning when Old Jack, lying in the sunshine on the doorstep, growled to tell her someone was coming."

Writer's Wednesday

I've been chatting - online and face to face with a number of aspiring writers recently and so I'm going to refer you to one of my favorite blog posts:

20 Tips for Writing Children's Books by award-winning poet and author Pat Mora.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Rasco from RIF.

Friday is Constitution Day and this is Constitution Week so my selection is Constitution Day, written by Robin Nelson. This book is created for very young readers and is a lovely introduction to further study of the constitution. A colorful red, white, and blue format with large pictures and brief sentences makes the pages visually appealing and the text easy to access.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First:"You ever hear of the jazz playin' man, the man with the cats who would swing with his band?" is from the award winning (Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Honor) book - Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, written by Andrea Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

Poetry Friday Roundup

Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Picture Book of the Day.

My selection is Golden Kite Award winner, When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer by Walt Whitman, illustrated in picture book form by Loren Long.

This presentation uses a young boy as narrator for Whitman's verses. The child's fascination with the stars, prompts his well-meaning parents to take him to an astronomy lecture. Bored by the dry dissertation, the youngster slips outside to joyfully contemplate the heavenly panorama that is spread across the night sky.

Long tempers the elegant precision of his paintings with contrasting doodles provided by his sons creating a visual parallel with the poetic lines.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "You ever hear of the jazz playin' man, the man with the cats who could swing with his band?"

Writer's Wednesday

It's Writer's Wednesday and here is a reminder for all you aspiring writers out there.

Before you submit, it is time to give that manuscript a final check by asking if every scene, every conversation, every word is essential.

This isn't about how much you love the writing. Ask yourself two questions:

• Does the story need it?
• Do your readers need it?

If the answer is no, cut it. If the answer is yes...

Then ask yourself two more questions.

• Does the story/reader need that information at that exact place in the story?
• Does the story/reader need all that you've written or would less be better?

For more on the subject of editing check out yesterday's post at Writers In Residence: Weight Loss for Writers, or How I Trim Ugly Fat from My Manuscripts by Jackie Houchin.

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by The Miss Rumphius Effect.

In recognition of the day, my selection is Labor Day written by Mari C. Schuh. Written for K-3, this book is part of a series on national holidays. This work is illustrated with photographs and discusses when and why Labor Day was created and shares some of the ways in which people celebrate the day. The book includes a glossary and bibliography.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Would Gracie-the-cat be jealous if the Pyes got a another pet - a dog?" is from the Newbery Honor Book, Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today at Susan Writes, the blog of Susan Taylor Brown.

My selection is Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon: Poem, written by Ruth Forman with illustrations by Cbabi Bayoc. This illustrated poem's setting is a summer in a South Philadelphia brownstone neighborhood where children celebrate the fun to be had even when you don't have a front or back yard.

Here is a link to the author reading from her book on NPR.

Friday's Famous First: Can you name the title and author of this first line? "Would Gracie-the-cat be jealous if the Pyes got another pet - a dog?"

Writer's Wednesday

It's Writer's Wednesday Miscellaneous:

For those of you contemplating the step into self-publishing...here's an interview with Eric Hammel at Jane Friedman's There Are No Rules titled - Self-published Authors Should Band Together.

Think it's too late to take up writing? Be inspired! Read this interview with Hugo Cipriani at Writers in Residence. Mr. Cipriani became a published author at the age of 94.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by The Booknosher.

My selection is Math Fables written by Greg Tang and illustrated by Heather Cahoon. A series of rhyming stories are used to introduce students to number grouping for K-3. Not only are the stories fun and visually interesting, the language will add some new words to the reader's vocabulary.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First:"Muchachos and muchachas, boys and girls, do you know what happened to the fearless little girl who lives in the pink stucco house behind the plaza?" is from The Dream Stealer, written by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Book Aunt.

Today's selection is - The fastest game on two feet: and other poems about how sports began -- written by Alice Low and illustrated by John O'Brien. In addition to the often humorous verse, Low includes facts and a timeline about the origin of the sports that range from gymnastics to golf, basketball to bowling. O'Brien's lively ink and watercolor illustrations are a happy addition to the text.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Muchachos and muchachas, boys and girls, do you know what happened to the fearless little girl who lives in the pink stucco house behind the plaza?"

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm sharing this worthwhile post:

Writer's In Residence has an interview with Cheryl Malandrinos from Pump Up Your Book. Cheryl discusses Blog Tours and shares some valuable information about online book promotion.

And don't miss Tales from the Rushmore Kid: Writing Tip of the Day from Ann Whitford Paul and Alexis O'Neill.

Nonfiction Monday Roundup is hosted today at Playing by the Book.

I selected Graphing Habitats, written by Sarah Medina. The book is part of the Real World Data series of nineteen titles designed to explain, explore and illustrate how a variety of graphs can be utilized to organize information about subjects ranging from habitats to sports. Written at a sixth-grade level, this would be an excellent crossover book for mathematics and science. The book includes a bibliography, glossary and websites.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Grandpa was a song and dance man who once danced on the vaudeville stage." is from the Caldecott Award Winning Book Song and Dance Man, written by Karen Ackerman and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Teach Poetry K-12.

Today's selection is Messing Around On The Monkey Bars: and other school poems for two voices, written by Betsy Franco and illustrated by Jessie Hartland. This is a collection of 19 school-related poems most of which are written as a conversation between two speakers. This would be a fun resource for readers theater or to use as an introduction to reading aloud. Students will related to the light-hearted themes that are mirrored in the whimsical illustrations.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Grandpa was a song and dance man who once danced on the vaudeville stage."

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm writing on a deadline...doing a final polish (I hope) now at chapter 18 of 22.

In the meantime follow this interesting and informative discussion on the Pros and Cons of Traditional publishing vs Self-publishing at Editorial Ass.

Regardless of how you are published, ultimately the goal is to sell books and here is a current article from the LA Times on promoting an author's brand whether it is the books or related products and services. The article discusses Open Sky a new online site designed to allow published authors and others to sell to the public. I haven't checked it out yet and this isn't an endorsement, but it might be worth a look. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done business on the site. What did you think?

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Apples With Many Seeds.

My selection is the Robert F. Sibert honor book, The Brooklyn Bridge, written and illustrated by Lynn Curlee. This beautifully illustrated book details the construction of what was once the tallest structure in North America. The text weaves together the engineering feat with the lives of John, Washington and Emily Roebling who brought this historic project to completion.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Now don't y'all go touchin' nothin'," Stacey warned as we stepped onto the porch of the Wallace store. is from the Coretta Scott King author award winning book, The Friendship written by Mildred D. Taylor with illustrations by Max Ginsburg.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by The Stenhouse Blog.

I'm continuing my "Back-to-School" theme with Hamsters, Shells and Spelling bees: school poems, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins with illustrations by Sachiko Yoshikawa. This book is part of the I Can Read series for K-3. Hopkins has collected twenty poems by well-know poets such as Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and J. Patrick Lewis in easily accessible language for young readers. Poems are a variety of styles and range in subject from multiplying hamsters to backpacks, measles to show and tell, art class to the school bus driver. Bright, light-hearted illustrations are delicious.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Now don't y'all go touchin' nothin'," Stacey warned as we stepped onto the porch of the Wallace store.

The Manuscript's Done...Now What?

It's Writer's Wednesday and I'm sharing some posts that deal with post-writing questions.

At Kidlit.com: "Should you send a Slew?" a post on queries and submitting your best work.

At Adventures in Children's Publishing: "Thank you Rejection" by Terry Lynn Johnson, a post about finding an agent.

At Writer's in Residence: an interview with writer Darrell James discusses what an author can do to prepare for the release of a book and maximize the potential for success.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today at Moms Inspire Learning.

The traditional apple season - September to November - falls at the beginning of the school year and it's no surprise that teachers make the most of that fact by incorporating apples into classroom lessons.

One Red Apple, written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by Karla Gudeon follows the life cycle of an apple from farm to table to new trees growing from the seeds scattered by birds to begin the process anew. The book is beautifully written and employs a young girl to trace the apple's cycle. The illustrations are in a richly colored folk-art style that is perfectly suited to the text. This book would fit very well into lessons on apples, life cycles, seasons, change and the interconnections of living things in nature.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not mean to lay a curse on me," is from the Newbery Honor book Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Author Amok.

School is fast approaching and I'll be back in my school library within the week. Consequently, my selection is a book of school related poetry titled" First Food Fight This Fall: and other school poetry written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. This collection of poems, written in student voices and employing a variety of forms, covers the school year and explores a wide range of activities, classes and experiences. The bright illustrations are equally varied and capture the mood of each poem.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not mean to lay a curse on me."

Marketing Your Book

It's Writer's Wednesday and here are a couple of perspectives on Marketing your Book that I'd like to share.

Wow Wednesday at Adventures in Children's Publishing offers a tip from middle-grade author Anita Laydon Miller on making your book more marketable.

And from Through the Tollbooth, a thought provoking post titled "The Times They are a Changing," contrasting the market for self-published vs. traditionally published books. The post incorporates comments and statistics from Stephen Roxburgh's keynote speech at Chautauqua on the future of publishing.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonficton Monday is hosted today by Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian.

Teaching math is challenging, so I'm always on the lookout for books that can bring some fun to a lesson or help answer the question, "Why do I need to know this?" How Baseball Managers Use Math by John C. Bertoletti and Rhea A. Stewart is one of a series of books that delve into how various occupations: race car driving, deep sea diving, etc. utilize mathematics in their professions. This title looks at statistics and how they relate to the game. Bertoletti and Stewart have also authored How Fashion Designers Use Math.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Long ago the Lord of the Sun sent the spark of life to earth," is from the Caldecott Medal Winner, Arrow to the Sun: a Pueblo Indian Tale, by Gerald McDermott

Poetry Friday Roundup

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Irene Latham at her blog: Live, Love, Explore.

My offering is the Caldecott Honor Book Song of the Waterboatman and Other Pond Poems, written by Joyce Sidman and beautifully illustrated using woodcuts by Beckie Prange. This is a wonderful mix of poetic forms with science facts presented in prose sidebars with a glossary at the end. Sidman's eleven poems cover the four seasons in the life of a pond and it's creatures from spring peepers to a painted turtle's hibernation.


Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Long ago the Lord of the Sun sent the spark of life to earth."

It's Writer's Wednesday

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves as authors is to develop a strong support system of fellow writers who can offer us helpful critiques.

We write in a vacuum and nothing can help elevate the quality of our work like fresh eyes on our manuscripts. I'm very fortunate to have a best friend who is an amazing writer so we are able to share and support each other on our writing journey. Not everyone is so lucky.

There is help out there, but it can take some work to find it. My first recommendation would be join SCBWI - the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. SCBWI has regional chapters that offer a variety of educational and networking opportunities such as writer's days, critiquenics, workshops, etc. This can be a great place to connect with people who share your particular interests.

Local colleges and adult education classes through your city also offer writing classes. These classes are helpful in developing your work, but offer another advantage. Many of the instructors also lead or are familiar with private critique groups in their area.

Of course, you can always consider beginning a local critique group or joining an online group.

Finding the right fit doesn't always happen on the first try. You may have to visit a group more than once to get a sense of the group dynamic or visit more than one group before you find the place where you belong.

Here are some questions you'll need to answer:

• Does the group read the type of work that you write? Yes, good writing is good writing, but there are specifics related to picture books, MG, YA and the genres (mystery, sci-fi, etc.) that you and the other writers will need to know to maximize the experience. A general writing group can be fine in the beginning, but at some point it will be helpful to have at least one other person in the group who is familiar with your particular kind of work.
• Is there an established routine? Does the group spend a few minutes sharing news and then get down to the business of reading manuscripts or do the members devote most of the meeting to conversations about what they are going to write some day?
• Are there rules for critiquing? The comments can be hard to hear, but they should be kind, well-intentioned and offered with clearly stated suggestions for improvement not vague remarks such as, "You need more character development." Members should recognize that their reaction to and assessment of a manuscript is a subjective one. The goal of each critique should be to help the author find their voice, not rewrite the work in the style or voice of the other members.
• Are there rules for the person whose work is being critiqued? It's human nature to defend your work. However, if you are busy forming an answer or explanation for the comments being offered, then the chances are you aren't listening as carefully as you could. Members of the group should be encouraged to listen, to take notes, to consider the comments over time and then to decide for themselves which remarks they will act on.
• Is the group dynamic well-balanced, warm, and welcoming? Does everyone receive fairly equal time to be read and to make comments or does one person's writing or opinions dominate the session. Do the members genuinely like each other and get along? Even if you are leaving the meeting with pages of notes for correction and improvement, do you feel good about the experience? Are you already looking forward to coming back?

A critique group should empower you, inspire you, and push your creativity to the next level!