Package With Care

It is always interesting to me to receive books in the mail. The thrill of something new to read sends little tingles down my spine as I eagerly rip open the packaging. And speaking of packaging, that brings me to today's topic: Package With Care.

I have received books with many forms of outer wrapping. I have received books in boxes, I have received books in bubble mailers, and I have received many books in plain Manila envelopes. It is the latter form of mailing material that causes me concern. Postal workers, as dedicated as they are, can not control the rigorous journey a book takes as it makes it's way from author to recipient. As a book journeys through a maze of automated shoots and conveyor belts and dumps none too gently into a large bin, it can take a pretty good beating. I have ended up opening my mail box to find books that have arrived in extremely mutilated, ripped, gouged, and generally dilapidated Manila envelopes.

It is my experience that as an author you have spent time, effort, and energy painstakingly writing, proofing, and re-writing your manuscript only to spend more time then you probably care to remember trying to find someone interested in publishing said manuscript. Those of you fortunate enough to find that special party must then go through the whole process of getting your manuscript ready to become a book. Once in book form and lovingly held in your adoring hands, you probably shed a small tear of joy for the work you have produced. So why then, in the name of all that is good, do you mail out your magnificent creation  in paper barely thick enough to line the bottom of your neighbor's bird cage where he keeps his parakeet named Sparky.

I understand that as an author you probably have a a very tight and most likely minuscule budget for marketing, but please take a little pride in your work. Bubble mailers can be purchased in small bulk quantities at almost any major store for under five dollars a pack. You have already come so far as an author, don't spoil your reputation with shoddy packaging.

Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Something Great For the Three to Eights

Although my daughter is past reading books in the three to eight age bracket, many of you still have children or grandchildren in this range. So with that in mind, here are four books worth considering.

My first book recommendation, The Miracle of Rain by Sherry Rossman, is a wonderful story for small children who might be afraid of rain storms. In The Miracle of Rain you and your special moppet can follow the adventures of Nora and her cat Molly as their friend Smickett the raccoon shows them that God has a purpose for even the loudest and scariest of rain storms. See how Nora is transformed from a fearful young girl into a fantastically happy one who dances to the rhythm of the rain with all the other special forest creatures.




My next recommendation is Ode to Icky by Maranda Russel. Ode to Icky is a well written, funny story of a girl and her very, very, very stinky cat; and it is chock full of amazing illustrations that bring the story to life right before your very eyes. I read with interest, wondering what the outcome of Candy's perfume experiment would be. The only flaw I found with this book was that the ending left me wanting more. I was left wondering what Candy felt and learned from the whole stinky perfume incident. All things considered, a great book for young ones seeking a good reading adventure.




My third recommendation for today is A King's Decree and the Brave Three by Jacey Verdicchio. Jacey Verdicchio has taken the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and has simplified it for the very young. Beautifully illustrated and Biblically accurate, A Kings Decree and the Brave Three is an excellent book that also comes with a free audio book download which allows the readers to listen to this lovely rhyming story as they silently read along.

And last but certainly not least, I recommend a book by Ohio Author Melissa Ivey Staehli titled I Love You to the Moon. I Love You to the Moon is a beautiful story of a parent's love for their child. The watercolor style illustrations lend an added warmth to the catchy rhymes, and the extra large print and simple sentences are perfect for beginning readers. The size of the print made me want to point to each word as I read, which strikes me as something a child would find useful when learning to read.




Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Recently my publisher arranged a book signing for me in a used book store in Marion, Ohio. So as instructed, I called the book store owner to verify the date and time of my signing. As Carl and I spoke I told him I would have some posters printed up and I would drop one off to be used in his window for advertisement. He was agreeable to this and went on to tell me that the authors that have the best signings in his shop are those that promote the event themselves.

Marion is about a forty five minute drive from where I live and I am not at all that familiar with the area or the people that live there; so at first, this seemed to be a difficult obstacle to overcome. Ever resourceful though, I quickly put on my thinking cap and set about to find a solution. As I was contemplating what to do, I remembered that my husband works with a man that lives in Marion. "Do you think Bob would be willing to take some flyers and place them at locations in Marion?" I asked hesitantly. My husband promised to ask that night when he went to work.

As it turned out, Bob was extremely happy to help me. He promised to post a flyer on the bulletin at his church. He also said he would ask the manager at the local Circle K, where he is a regular customer, if they would be willing to put one in their window. Leaving no stone unturned, Bob also said he would ask around and see if there were any other spots that might be suitable for posting my flyers.

I then remembered that my husband and I have a friend from a neighboring town that works in a factory outside of Marion. Surely, I thought, some of the people she works with must live in or around Marion. So, I e-mailed her and asked if she would be willing to pass out business cards with my signing information written on the backs to interested parties. She too gladly agreed to help.

Because I was not afraid to ask for help, I went from no contacts or prospects of contacts in the Marion area to two really good contacts willing to help me promote. I find that people are generally happy to help; they are just waiting to be asked.

Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Happy Birthday Fern Valley!

I must admit that the journey of being a published author/book marketer has been a roller coaster ride with emotional ups and downs. When my journey started, I knew it would be fraught with mountains of hard work, rejections, disappointments, and frustrations; but it has also been a journey of love, passion, determination, joy, and fulfillment.

As March quickly descends upon us like an unexpected snow storm, I can hardly believe that my first children's book Fern Valley - A Collection of Short Stories is going to be a year old. Much the same way I look at my daughter, who just turned seven, and wonder how time could have passed so swiftly; I look at my book and say, "Didn't I just give birth to these stories?"

So being the fun loving mom that I am, I decided to throw Fern Valley a birthday party and you are all invited. Oh, and did I mention that all of your friends are invited as well? That's right, come on over to Fern Valley's fan page, join the party, and enter to win a Fern Valley Birthday Pack. It's more fun then a barrel of monkeys and a whole lot cleaner too! The best part of all is that this party lasts until Fern Valley's official birthday on March first.

Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Words, Words, Wonderful Words

I have always loved words. Even when I was young, I reveled in the fact that I had an extensive vocabulary. I loved to read, I loved the way words looked on paper, I loved to find out what words meant, and I loved to play word games like scrabble and boggle. It is probably no surprise then that I ended up a writer.

But what I find most extraordinary is the fact that my seven year old daughter seems to have naturally inherited this same love of words. She was begging me to teach her to read at the age of three; and from the time she was old enough to hold a pencil, she has loved to write words in notebooks. Any and all words she knows how to spell get written down in tidy columns, and if she doesn't know how to spell them she asks. If I make a shopping list, she too wants to make one. If I am working on a story, she wants to write one of her own.

Word games seem to amuse her as well. For instance, on the thirty minute ride to school this morning, I played a word game with her. I told her, "If you could only use three words to describe a person, what would they be?" Then I proceeded to ask her to describe individual friends and family members. Some people's names evoked immediate responses while others caused her to think for a few seconds, but after each she requested another name.

When I asked her what three words she would use to describe her daddy, she came back with loving, nice, and willing. Now I don't know about you, but I seriously doubt that "willing" would come to my mind when describing friends and family. So, I asked her what she meant when she said she thought of my husband as willing.

"Well," she said. "When daddy plays puppies with me, I don't think he really likes it; but he is willing."

This child is a constant amazement and joy to me. If I hadn't already been totally and irrevocably in love with her, her use and love of words would definitely have tipped the scales. Which brings me to the question, "How do you feel about words?" Really, I would love to know.

Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Three Books Worth Your Time

As my first post of the New Year I thought it would be nice to reflect on books I read and reviewed in 2011. While I read many books and enjoyed most all of them, Three books stood out above the rest. The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins; My Hero, My Ding by Lisa A. Tortorello; and My Finny Fin Fin by Judi Chesshir. Not only did I find great pleasure in reading these books, but I also had the distinction of meeting Lisa in person and of interviewing both Aaron and Judi.

The Year Money Grew on Trees is not Aaron's first book, however it is his first YA book. It is a superbly written story of a determined boy. Goaded into an agreement by his conniving neighbor Mrs. Nelson and trying to evade the summer job of doom lined up by his father, Jackson Jones works diligently to live up to the bargain of restoring a neglected apple orchard. Jackson enlists the help of his siblings and his cousins and spends a summer learning as he goes. Will he manage to grow a crop of apples worthy of selling? Will he be able to sell the apples once they are grown? Will he fulfill the bargain made with Mrs. Nelson and in return become the true heir of the orchard. The answers to these questions and many more await you in this wonderful book.

Not only is Jackson Jones the main character most believable, but he also managed to find a special place in my heart. With every page I read, I rooted Jackson on. With every page I read, I wanted him to succeed more than anything. In some small way, I saw myself at that age. If we do not soon see more YA fiction from Aaron, it will truly be unfortunate thing.

My Hero, My Ding by Lisa A. Tortorello is a beautiful memoir of the time spent with her grandfather. I have always loved a good biography, autobiography, or memoir, so it is understandable that I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa's account of the special bond she and her grandfather shared while she was growing up. It was a joy to learn about Lisa's childhood and laugh at the antics displayed by her and her grandfather. My favorite story was of the time she roped the door of the workroom to a drawer across the way, locking he Grandfather in securely. She then told a subsequent customer, "He's tied up at the moment, but he'll be out shortly." I came away from My Hero, My Ding feeling that it would have been a great experience and lots of fun to have known Lisa and her grandfather during that time. I recently met Lisa at a book expo we both attended, and I can say she is truly the warm and friendly person of whom her Ding was so fond.

My Finny Fin Fin is a wonderful book written by Judi Chesshir an elementary teacher with a gift for teaching and writing. Judi puts a whole new spin on the tale of The Three Little Pigs with her book. Three dolphin brothers each attempt to choose a good home, but only one chooses wisely and survives being eaten by the Big Bad Shark. Beautifully written, and beautifully illustrated, this book is a must have for all those in love with children’s fairy tales. Not only is this a great book, but as an added bonus an audio version is available for download. As incredible as Judi's book is, the audio version takes it to a whole other level.

So if you are looking for a good piece of YA fiction, a good memoir, or a picture book with a great audio download then these three books are definitely worth your time. Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day.

Interview With Illustrator Rosemarie Gillen

As you all know I normally interview children’s authors, but today I am expanding my blog to include the fabulous illustrator Rosemarie Gillen. Thank you for joining us, Rosemarie.

How did you become interested in the world of illustrations?

I have always loved to paint and draw since I was very young. I remember I would go to a friend’s house and play and their mom would set up watercolor paint with very special paper, watercolor paper which made the whole experience feel like I was a real artist. This made an impression on me and starting me thinking about the possibility of one day becoming an artist.
In the 90’s I remember falling in love with a Van Gogh and I imagined myself painting it. So I went and brought supplies and started painting to satisfy my curiosity and much to my surprise I was able to copy the great masters. I continued to fill the walls of my home with reproductions of Great Masters and I enjoyed it as a hobby until one day I saw an ad on Craigslist adversting for artists for children books which led me to children’s illustrating.

Do you come from a background of artists or creative people?

My mom could draw very well. I think that the ability to draw can be inherited but also learned also.

What types of illustrations do you commonly work on?

I work mainly on picture book illustrations but have also created e-books, chapter books, covers, and promotional materials.

Did you find it difficult to break into the book illustrations business?

Yes, it was extremely difficult to get published. You are not considered published until you have been published with a traditional magazine or publisher.

What do you like to do in your spare time when not illustrating?

I play the piano and paint reproductions of Great Masters. And I relive my childhood through my son. I get my physical activity by playing outside with my son and his friends. We sled down our hill in our back yard in the winter, play basket ball, ride bikes, fly kites and have Nerf wars.


Do you have any advice for young artists?

It is all about hard work and attitude; it is not a get rich quick scheme. It is not something that is accomplished quickly. Be prepared for years of hard work and do everything you can to stay true to yourself. Be unique. Find other illustrators that are willing to mentor you to help you through the difficult job of learning this business and all that it entails. Never try to go it alone.


What do you think is the most rewarding thing about illustrating?

I love the freedom to make your own hours, the ability to make your own deadlines, being home with your child, and creating success for yourself.
Creating art is relaxing it the best part of who you are it gives you the freedom to express yourself. It gives you the ability to touch other people hearts through your work.

Do you have a web site with examples of your work that we might see?

Yes, I have a web site which is located at www.rosemariegillen.com where you can view samples of my color illustrations, black and whites, covers, educational material, and information on how to contact me.

Top 10 Things New Authors Should Be Doing

1. Write Stellar Material.
Lets face it, everyone has a story to tell but only those stories that are of the highest quality will sell well. This means you must pay careful attention to spelling, typos, grammar, punctuation, details, etc...

2. Get A Critique.
Having your family, neighbors, or friends proof reading your material is all well and good; but having a professional critiquing your work can make all the difference in the world. A professional will not shy away from telling you facts that might hurt your feelings. This is not because they don't care, but instead because they do care. A professional will tell you where your story is weak and what you need to do to polish up your material. And you can bet your bottom dollar that a publisher is going to be more attracted to a well written, well polished manuscript!

3. Be Determined and Persistent.
An author has to have a thick skin and the will to carry on because lets face it, with roughly 800,000 new books per year being released the competition is stiff. With competition like that, you are bound to hear no frequently. Don't think of "no" as a negative but instead think of it in the respect that you just haven't spoken to the correct person yet. This is your dream, don't let it die easily!

4. Market Before Your Book is Published.
It is never too early to let people know what you are working on. Think of it like Christmas advertising. New products are always advertised well before Christmas, whetting the appetite of the potential buyers. So start whetting the appetite of your potential fans.

5. Have a Website.
This ties in with marketing before your book is published. People are curious by nature and like to know all about other people. Use this to your advantage by having your own author website. Make it entertaining and engaging but not solely about you or your book. Offer your potential fans something of value. If you write westerns, perhaps you can show people how to find western products or dude ranches. If you write romance, have a section with a "romantic poem a day". And so forth and so on. On my website Fun For Kids I include recipes, crafts, poems, and much more.

6. Have Business Cards Printed.
Business cards are a great and inexpensive way to promote any type of business even the business of writing. Hand them out everywhere you go: restaurants, hair salons, grocery stores, libraries, and gas stations. I've even been know to include them in the envelope when I pay my bills.

7. Form Relationships With Other Authors and Bloggers.
Recently I read an article that stated being published was a community effort so to speak and I totally agree. No one person has all the ideas, all the contacts, all the reach, or all the tools needed to become a success. So join forces. Review books for other authors, blog about other authors, invite other authors to be interviewed, and you will see your efforts reciprocated.

8. Be Proactive.
Don't wait for fans and opportunities to come to you because this is not "A Field of Dreams". If you write it, they will not come, at least not without some good old fashioned leg work. People can't buy what they don't know about. Look for people to review your book, look for contests, book lists, book fairs, craft fairs, radio shows, and selling opportunities of every kind. They are out there, it just takes some ingenuity to find them. This takes us back to #7 where you get to know those other authors who will share opportunities they have come across with you because you do the same.

9. Don't be Afraid To Try New Things.
If you have never blogged, don't worry; everyone has to start somewhere and with time you will find your comfort zone. If you are nervous about public speaking, start out with a pre-recorded radio interview or podcast. If you have recording capabilities, record yourself reading a passage from your book. If you don't have a book trailer, make one. There are several easy to use sites out there that walk you through making a video or book trailer. I am especially fond of One True Media. The options are endless, so get out there try, try, try.

10. Have Fun.
Of all the possibilities a new author can and should be pursuing, this is the most important. If you aren't having fun, then what is the purpose of being an author? Neither writing nor getting published is an easy task and marketing a book is even more difficult; but it doesn't have to be a life draining death sentence. With a little bit of effort, you can begin to feel confident and you can even become an authority in your given genre. The world lies at your feet just waiting to be conquered; not just on the written page, but in reality as well!

Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Teacher Judi Chesshir Becomes Children's Author

I love children’s stories old or new and was pleasantly surprised when I read Judi Chesshir’s story, My Finny Fin Fin. My Finny Fin Fin is a retelling of The Three Little Pigs with a big bad shark instead of a big bad wolf and three little dolphins instead of three little pigs. I loved this version of an old tale reborn and was even more impressed when I read along with the sensational audio version. Such an interesting story caused me to want to know more about the author. I hope you enjoy finding out more about Judi as well.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself such as where you hail from and how many children’s books you have had published.

I am a mother to two wonderful boys and a wife to a drummer. I teach 2nd graders during the day and market my book at night. I can’t claim one spot as my home while growing up. We moved around a lot every time my dad was promoted in his job. By the time I was 17, I had moved 19 times. I feel like I grew up in California though; I lived there during part of my high school years and most of my close friends are from that time in my life.

What made you decide to write for Children/YA age groups? Are you currently working on anything else?

I wasn’t planning on writing a children’s book. My dream was to write a novel, but God had other plans for me. I needed a compare & contrast lesson for “The Three Little Pigs.” We had studied that story the week before. I didn’t have time to run to the library, so I wrote a story in front of my class. I chose dolphins and a shark as my main characters, since those animals were what my students enjoyed learning about earlier. I let the students decide what happened to the dolphins. They chose to follow the original version of “The Three Little Pigs.” After the story was finished, we compared it to “The Three Little Pigs.” Then I placed it onto an online writing portfolio. The public was able to view the story. People commented that I should get this story published, so I decided I should try. A few months later, I had a contract sitting on my doorstep from the publisher and I was thrilled. I’m not currently working on another book. My goal right now is to learn how to market this book first and then I will work on another one.

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

I enjoyed reading fairy tales. I loved the made up stories and how anything could happen in them.

Do you have any humorous stories to tell about being an author or dealing with the public?

I found myself smiling when my students had finished listening to the audio of my story. Then they read out loud with a partner. I noticed that some of them were using different voices for the shark and dolphins. I thought that was so cute, since I didn’t tell them to do that.

What do you find the most difficult aspect of being an author and what advice would you give perspective authors?

The hardest part about being an author is trying to get my book known. There are so many books out there that it is hard to let the public know it even exists. I have been spending lots of time on the internet to try and tell others about my book and where to get it. I have found that word of mouth, book reviews, and book signings seem to be the best way to get my book known so far. My advice to any new author is to not give up. If you have a dream of publishing a book, then do anything you can to make it come true. There are different options for publishing. You can go the agent route, find a publisher on your own, or even self publish. Just find the one that fits you best.

What accomplishment are you most proud of (literary or otherwise)?

I am proud to say that I have been a teacher for over 20 years. I have had the pleasure of teaching writing to lots of children almost daily. I also get to teach reading as well. Both of those are my favorite things to do, so I hope I inspire the students that I teach.

What do you think causes a book to stand the test of time?

A story that captures a child’s imagination and is well known will be around for a long time.

What hobbies or interests do you have besides writing?

I enjoy hiking, traveling, and reading. All of these activities take me into a different place where I can have adventures.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about such as awards or your website address?

I am happy to say that my book will be featured in the “50 Greatest Authors You Should Be Reading, 2011-2012 edition,” by the Author’s Show. A contest was held and the public voted on the authors they were interested in and I was thrilled to be included. can find out more about this book at: http://www.theauthorsshow.com/

My book will also be featured in “Taste and See First Chapters Book,” by John 3:16 Marketing Network.

My book is available in paperback & e-book from:
Tate Publishing
Amazon
Barnes & Nobel


You can order autograph copies & hard covers from me by contacting me on my website

My Finny Fin Fin, paperback or hard covers also come with a free audio download on the last page, so the books can be put on a phone, computer, iPod, Nook, and Kindle.

Veteran Author Peg Kehret

As you are probably all well aware, my passion is for children’s books. It makes little difference whether I am reading them to my daughter, having her read them to me, or reading them for my own pleasure. Another interest of mine is interviewing children’s authors and finding out just what makes them tick. To have a well established children’s author such as Peg Kehret agree to be interviewed is icing on the cake. Thank you for taking the time to share a bit of your life and wisdom with us, Peg.


Please tell us a little bit about yourself such as where you hail from and how many children’s books you have had published.
I live on a small wildlife sanctuary near Mt. Rainier National Park, in Washington State. I’ve published fifty books for children. Early in my career I published plays, short stories, and two nonfiction adult books.


When you were young, did you imagine that you would some day be a children’s author, or did it you have other career prospects in mind?
As a child, I wanted to be either a veterinarian or a writer. Now I include animals in most of my books.


Of all of the books you have written, does any one title or series hold a special place in your heart?
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, is the true story of how I was paralyzed when I was twelve years old, and my year of recovery. Writing it brought back many memories and I have special feelings toward it. I’m also fond of the three books (The Stranger Next Door, Spy Cat, and Trapped) that are co-authored by Pete the Cat, because I laughed so much as I wrote the sections from Pete’s viewpoint.


Do you have any humorous stories to tell about being an author or dealing with the public?
I get a lot of funny letters from kids. One girl wanted to know if I would send her Justin Bieber’s phone number. Another said, “If you are no longer living when you get this letter, please have someone close to you respond.”



What do you find the most difficult aspect of being an author and what advice would you give perspective authors?
First drafts are the hardest part for me. I’m slow to get started and it takes awhile before I know the material is book-worthy.
The most important advice I have for beginning authors is to be persistent. Don’t give up too easily. My first two books never got published. It’s especially hard to keep going when you haven’t published yet because other people don’t take you seriously. You have to believe in yourself and your own vision.


From where does your inspiration come and has writing become easier for you through the years?
Usually an idea is sparked by an incident that I hear about, or something I read in the newspaper, or even an overheard conversation. My latest book, Ghost Dog Secrets, happened because I read a letter to the editor of a small weekly newspaper. The writer complained about a dog that was tied up day after day with no food or shelter. She had complained to an animal control agency but got no action. I thought about that situation and wondered what a twelve-year-old boy would do if he saw such a dog and couldn’t get the authorities to intervene. If he unchains the dog and takes it, is he rescuing it or is he stealing private property?


What accomplishment are you most proud of (literary or otherwise)?
My husband and I raised two children who are honorable people. In my career, I’m proud that I’ve had a part in encouraging children to enjoy reading. I have hundreds of letters from grateful parents and teachers, each telling me about a particular child who never liked to read until he/she got hooked on one of my books.


What do you think causes a book to stand the test of time?
Books that touch our feelings are most likely to last. Tricky plots are fun to read once but the books we return to are those with important themes that make us think and those that create an emotional reaction.

What hobbies or interests do you have besides writing?
Physical problems from post-polio syndrome make it difficult for me to be as active as I was in the past. I read a lot and I do foster care for rescued cats. Many of my books grew out of personal interests. The ideas for Cages, Don’t Tell Anyone, and Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays all came from volunteer work with my local Humane Society.


Is there anything else you would like to tell us about such as awards or your website address?
All of my awards are displayed on the wall in a hallway next to my office. They encourage me and bring back happy memories. I’ve won forty-eight state young reader awards, a Golden Kite from SCBWI, the PEN Center Award in Children’s Literature, the Henry Bergh Award from the ASPCA, and an Edgar nomination from the Mystery Writers of America.
My web site is www.pegkehret.com. I have a Facebook author page and a blog; both have links from the web site.


Thank you for answering these questions for me and my readers Peg. I particularly enjoyed the comments you received from children. I can also understand how enjoyable it was for you to write from Pete the cat’s point of view; that is what I enjoyed most while reading Spy Cat.