This past weekend I attended a conference for writers and illustrator's of children's books. It is the annual Northeast Region's conference of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. If you write for children, you need to belong to this group as it is the leading professional organization for children's writers.
The keynote speaker on Saturday was Cynthia Lord from Brunswick, Maine. Cynthia wrote Rules, A Newbery Honor book. Don't miss a chance to hear her speak as she is a wonderful presenter and quite inspiring. The workshops were some of the best I've attended at this conference and I now have some direction for some of the projects I have in mind.
The big trip is coming up soon. After two more school visits here in Maine, I will be off to Pennsylvania and Minnesota. The school and library visit in PA are all set and I have Googled all the directions from one destination to the next. Now the question is - what to wear?
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Kids and Books - love them!
What a wonderful time I had last week at the Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor, Maine. The students were eager participants in my visit and kept me smiling -and on my toes - all day! We wrote wonderful poems together and they asked very insightful questions. This is a very involved school. The day I visited, scientists from the Jackson Labs in Bar Harbor were working with the second grade finding germs in their classroom and a visiting artist was teaching dance with various other grades. As I left the building, older students were preparing the compost bins and gardens for the growing season. Thanks, Tremont, for a great day!
A little news from the second grade class where I volunteer: they won this year's Read-a-thon and were each awarded a gift certificate to the Bath Book Shop. They walked up to the book store yesterday and stopped to see me at the quilt shop on the way back to school to show me their purchases. I am so proud of them!!! Kudos to their teacher, Mrs. Michaud. It is an honor to help in her classroom.
I am off to a writer's conference next weekend and look forward to learning more about writing for children in the current economic climate and about marketing. It is always inspiring to be around other authors and to hear about the projects they are pursuing. I recently purchased a digital voice recorder and am finding it quite useful. I "write" as I am walking and the results are encouraging. Now to save up to buy the software that will convert it to text. Right now I must listen and type - not very efficient the way I type!
We have been enjoying beautiful spring days, I hope you are, too.
A little news from the second grade class where I volunteer: they won this year's Read-a-thon and were each awarded a gift certificate to the Bath Book Shop. They walked up to the book store yesterday and stopped to see me at the quilt shop on the way back to school to show me their purchases. I am so proud of them!!! Kudos to their teacher, Mrs. Michaud. It is an honor to help in her classroom.
I am off to a writer's conference next weekend and look forward to learning more about writing for children in the current economic climate and about marketing. It is always inspiring to be around other authors and to hear about the projects they are pursuing. I recently purchased a digital voice recorder and am finding it quite useful. I "write" as I am walking and the results are encouraging. Now to save up to buy the software that will convert it to text. Right now I must listen and type - not very efficient the way I type!
We have been enjoying beautiful spring days, I hope you are, too.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
New York, Too!
Another unexpected email bringing another unexpected surprise! The New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award committe has selected
A Isn't for Fox to be included on the suggested reading list which they will promote along with the Charlotte Award ballot. The actual ballot will be released April 1st. The award is named for the spider in E.B.White's classic children's book, Charlotte's Web. It is rather humbling to have two states choose your book as one they want the young students in their state to read.
In the writing room there are several projects in process. Using a new voice recorder, I am "writing" early chapter drafts for an adult novel - don't hold your breath! I continue research for a middle grade novel and have several magazine stories and picture books at various stages of revision.
I am excited about returning to Mabel Wilson school this Thursday. Word has it that the kindergarteners are learning about poetry - I can't wait.
A saying my mom was fond of at this time of year:
Spring has sprung, the grass is ris'
I wonder where the birdies is?
Enjoy the warming temps, the tips of bulbs and the smell of spring.
A Isn't for Fox to be included on the suggested reading list which they will promote along with the Charlotte Award ballot. The actual ballot will be released April 1st. The award is named for the spider in E.B.White's classic children's book, Charlotte's Web. It is rather humbling to have two states choose your book as one they want the young students in their state to read.
In the writing room there are several projects in process. Using a new voice recorder, I am "writing" early chapter drafts for an adult novel - don't hold your breath! I continue research for a middle grade novel and have several magazine stories and picture books at various stages of revision.
I am excited about returning to Mabel Wilson school this Thursday. Word has it that the kindergarteners are learning about poetry - I can't wait.
A saying my mom was fond of at this time of year:
Spring has sprung, the grass is ris'
I wonder where the birdies is?
Enjoy the warming temps, the tips of bulbs and the smell of spring.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"March"ing into Spring
Although there is still snow in the yard, we can see the dirt driveway again and there are bulbs poking their heads up through the ground. Dare we hope that spring is really on its way?
The next few months are filling right up with school visits in Maine, tentative ones in PA and a book signing in Minneapolis! This month I will be returning to the Mabel Wilson School in Cumberland, Maine. I had a great time there last year and look forward to meeting this year's kindergarteners. In April I will travel to Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor and at the end of the month to the Cushing School in Wilton, Maine. In early May I will be visiting the Saccarappa School in Westbrook and then leaving on a three week trip. After several days visiting family in Mt. Gretna, I will head to Pittsburg to meet my daughter for the Spring International Quilt Market. This is my first trip to "market" and I am excited! From there, I will travel to St. Paul to visit my sister and to do a signing at The Red Balloon bookstore. I also hope to meet with my editor face to face:)
I am going to learn more blogging skills in the next weeks and hope to add some links to favorite web sites - both book and quilting related. Enjoy the slow awakening of the earth and take some time to refresh yourself as well.
The next few months are filling right up with school visits in Maine, tentative ones in PA and a book signing in Minneapolis! This month I will be returning to the Mabel Wilson School in Cumberland, Maine. I had a great time there last year and look forward to meeting this year's kindergarteners. In April I will travel to Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor and at the end of the month to the Cushing School in Wilton, Maine. In early May I will be visiting the Saccarappa School in Westbrook and then leaving on a three week trip. After several days visiting family in Mt. Gretna, I will head to Pittsburg to meet my daughter for the Spring International Quilt Market. This is my first trip to "market" and I am excited! From there, I will travel to St. Paul to visit my sister and to do a signing at The Red Balloon bookstore. I also hope to meet with my editor face to face:)
I am going to learn more blogging skills in the next weeks and hope to add some links to favorite web sites - both book and quilting related. Enjoy the slow awakening of the earth and take some time to refresh yourself as well.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ready for Spring!
As I watch the sun rise this morning through a forest of white, I realize that despite the beauty of the scene, I am ready for spring. I am beginning to return to my 5am rising, after two months of sleep-in hibernation. It was just too dark to get up!
Of course, that hibernation has put me behind schedule in everything from submissions to house repairs and quilt orders. Maybe I should get up at 4am for two months to catch up. I don't see that happening!
Mother Nature decided to interfer in last week's book signing at LL Bean, sending snow and rain throughout the day and keeping the shoppers home. But we did have a fun storyhour and I met some great folks from Maine and from away. I did manage to finally forget my red ant tablecloth at a signing and will have to return to Bean's to pick it up. But that is OK as I have a gift card to use:)
Much to do - think spring!!!!
Of course, that hibernation has put me behind schedule in everything from submissions to house repairs and quilt orders. Maybe I should get up at 4am for two months to catch up. I don't see that happening!
Mother Nature decided to interfer in last week's book signing at LL Bean, sending snow and rain throughout the day and keeping the shoppers home. But we did have a fun storyhour and I met some great folks from Maine and from away. I did manage to finally forget my red ant tablecloth at a signing and will have to return to Bean's to pick it up. But that is OK as I have a gift card to use:)
Much to do - think spring!!!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Beans
The calendar for spring is beginning to get filled in with school visits and signings. This Thursday, February 19th, I will be reading and signing at the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, Maine. The storyhour begins at 10:30am and I will be there to chat and sign books until 1:30pm. If your school vacation plans include a trip to Freeport, come on down on Thursday and stop by to say hello.
Other school visits are lining up and I look forward to returning to see friends and to make new ones. A trip to Pennsylvania and Minnesota is shaping up for May - more about that in a future blog. Good luck to my sister as she makes the big move to St. Paul this week - travel safely!
I am certainly enjoying the education I am receiving each week as I spend time in second grade. What a refreshing view they have of the world and I just love their honesty and curiosity. I am learning!
If you live here in New England, enjoy the school vacation week. There are still school visit dates available for spring, so please suggest a visit to your child's teacher or to your parent group. It is always fun to do something different in the spring after the long winter!
Other school visits are lining up and I look forward to returning to see friends and to make new ones. A trip to Pennsylvania and Minnesota is shaping up for May - more about that in a future blog. Good luck to my sister as she makes the big move to St. Paul this week - travel safely!
I am certainly enjoying the education I am receiving each week as I spend time in second grade. What a refreshing view they have of the world and I just love their honesty and curiosity. I am learning!
If you live here in New England, enjoy the school vacation week. There are still school visit dates available for spring, so please suggest a visit to your child's teacher or to your parent group. It is always fun to do something different in the spring after the long winter!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Book Award Shortlist!
Don't you just love opening your email and receiving a totally unexpected surprise? Today was that day for me. A Isn't for Fox has been selected for the nomination list for the 2009-2010 Keystone to Reading Book Award! Students in grades K-6 in the state of Pennsylvania (home state for both Laura and I) will read the nominated books during the 2009-2010 school year and vote for their favorite in March 2010. The winning author will be honored in October 2010 at the Keystone to Reading Association meeting in Hershey, PA. Like they say at the Oscars - just to be nominated is enough. Big smile!!!
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