Book covers are an emotional quagmire for authors. We have absolutely no control over what the cover will look like. Perhaps I’ve got some baggage as far as my book covers go, because I found this post from the Chronicle Books Blog to be a fascinating peek into the world of book cover design.
Original post by paradisefound
I discover the darndest things when I’m researching my books. I’m editing my medieval book, and right now focusing on medieval witchcraft and sorcery (no hands-on projects here, I promise!). I just discovered this site, where you can order spells to suit your every need. Who knew?
Original post by paradisefound
Original post by paradisefound
Love this, from Editorial Anonymous:
Typeface is not the writer’s chance to make her manuscript more beautiful. If your manuscript needs decoration, it’s not good enough yet.
Original post by paradisefound
My Tropical Island Paradise article featuring places to go and things to see on the island of Oahu is now online at Disney’s Family.com.
Original post by paradisefound
The upcoming release of The Golden Compass movie has upset lots of people because (I’m told) that God dies in the film. I have no idea if this is true or not - I’ve yet to read the book (I know, I know) and certainly haven’t seen the movie. In any case, Barnes and Noble has a nice video of Phillip Pullman sharing details of how the book and movie came about. I found it interesting.
Original post by paradisefound
There’s an interesting article up at Publishing Trends that discusses the traditional method of dispersing ARCs, or Advance Reader Copies of newly published books. No more are these books going out only to professional reviewers. Now, real people are getting ARCs via a number of different programs (one from LibraryThing). I’m a big believer in word of mouth, and tried to get my first book publisher to send out ARCs to a select list of readers (to no avail, I might add).
I daresay that the internet plays a big role here. With so many people blogging, there’s a much grander audience for those real readers when they really like a book. Not only do they tell the ladies at the salon, but they’ll blog about the book and probably link to the book, creating a real live “book meme” as blog readers follow the link trail to learn more if […]
Original post by paradisefound
I can’t quite recall how I came across this blog, but I am loving the heck out of just how much first time author (and Gluten Free Girl) Shauna James Ahern is enjoying her book touring.
Original post by paradisefound
Robin recently mentioned that she’s going to be using my book, Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself to supplement her upcoming unit on colonial America. I just thought I’d mention that the book is available as a FREE download, here. Seriously. Free. What are you waiting for?
Original post by paradisefound
Thanks to those of you who have visited me over at my other blog, Great Solutions to Team Challenges, for What Else Wednesdays and other stuff.
Today, I had my 100,000 hit.
Cool, yes?
Original post by paradisefound
Thanks to those of you who have visited me over at my other blog, Great Solutions to Team Challenges, for What Else Wednesdays and other stuff.
Today, I had my 100,000 hit.
Cool, yes?
Original post by paradisefound
The lovely folks organizing the 2007 Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards - otherwise known as the Cybils - are now accepting nominations! I won’t be participating this year, but I feel it is my duty to keep you all informed about the opportunity to give a shout out to your favorite books of 2007. Anyone can nominate a book (try that with Oscar!), though you are limited to one nomination in each category. To nominate a book, you’ll need to go here.
Original post by paradisefound
Kids are funny. Being a book author is NOT very impressive to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. However, having your NAME on the cover of a book is decidedly more impressive.
Here are just a few of the questions I was asked today:
- Do you know what was Shakespeare’s first book? (asked by a very serious student who was slightly disappointed that I didn’t know the answer)
- How did they make jewelry during ancient times? (asked by a group of four very hip, bejeweled girls)
- Are you … famous?
- Do you know where the free bags are?
- Do you have anything I can have?
Note to self: next time bring either free stuff, ride in on a fire truck, or bring a dog like to police department did.
Original post by paradisefound
Amazon has a new tagging feature that allows visitors to “tag” a book, helping to place it in appropriate categories. If you own (or are familiar with) any of my books, would you do me a favor and head on over to Amazon (just click the covers in the sidebar) and tag the book(s) with whatever tags you feel are appropriate? The tagging section is about halfway down the page. Thanks!
Original post by paradisefound
Well, it’s valentine season in magazine land. So, while everyone else is thinking back to school and Halloween in the no too distant future, I’m playing with hearts and flowers to create some fun valentine crafts. Hey, that’s even worse than Christmas items showing up in stores in September, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, check out the October issue of FamilyFun for my article Ready, Set, Play! It features five energy burning games for kids. Also in the October issue are some very cool Halloween costumes which I had absolutely nothing to do with.
Original post by paradisefound
I finished the seventh book in the series yesterday. Wow. I was sad at the end, not because of the deaths (well, maybe a little) but because it was over. The whole series. No more looking forward to the next one, no more waiting to find out what happens, no more fighting between kids and adults to read. To READ! People are fighting over the chance to read because of J.K. Rowling. Many people have critiqued her for not being an excellent writer, and yet she crafted a story and an entire world that inspired people to pick up a book (or seven). I have to wonder who will fill those shoes.
Like Tim, I do wish that Hogwarts had played a larger role in the story. I found a couple of chapters to be slow and almost dispensable; tThe first one-third of the book was a little slow for me. […]
Original post by paradisefound
You all know about the air-brushed beauty brought to you by the magazines that grace your supermarket checkout. Fewer of you may know how picky many magazines are about the real people who make their pages. While I’ve not run directly into it, I have writer friends who speak of sources that they couldn’t use because they didn’t look good enough to photograph for the magazine. Fully qualified, excellent sources for a story, rejected because they are not considered attractive. Blech. Now Real Simple magazine is under the spotlight for a casting call seeking only attractive families, and only those that have a mom, a dad, and 1-3 kids. Love the picture Gawker used to illustrate the story.
Original post by paradisefound
Unless you’ve forked out for more than one copy of Harry Potter so everyone can read at once, your household will likely resemble mine: one kid reading, the other staring at him and mentally murmuring, “Hurry Up! Hurry Up!”
If, like me, you’ll be needing ways to keep the non-readers occupied, check out these ideas:
How about photography? There’s a photo contest going on over at Picture This, open to kids 13 and under (Blog Nod: Fast Times @ Homeschool High).
Or you can introduce the restless few to Sodaplay.
Maybe pull out a cardboard box and get the creative juices flowing - kinda like magic!
Of course, your bookless kids may just prefer to sit and stare!
Original post by paradisefound
Because apparently I have at least two.
If you have a copy of any of my books, might I impose upon you to post a review at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Powells? I’m working on putting together some presentations for teachers locally, and it would be very excellent for them to be able to see that these books are working for other people if they happen to look at the books online.
Review:
Team Challenges at:
Amazon - Powell’s - Barnes & Noble
Tools of the Ancient Greeks at:
Amazon - Powell’s - Barnes & Noble
Great Colonial America Projects at:
Amazon - Powell’s - Barnes & Noble
Thanks!
Original post by paradisefound
Just turned in the final draft for the game article I’ve been working on. Now I’m on to the final two. We have a four day vacation planned early next month, so if I’m going to be able to relax, I’ve got to get these last two done by month’s end.
Original post by paradisefound
Today is Tell an Author You Care Day. Emily Beeson from Whimsy had an author experience that led her to create this one-day event. Emily says that you can:
“1. Write a letter or email to a favorite author. I think JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer receive plenty of fan letters. Think of an author you love that may need a little boost.
2. Write a positive review on Amazon and, if you want to, link to it in your blog.
3. Buy a book by a favorite author and give it to someone who will enjoy it.
4. Profile an author in your blog. I’m not talking just another review. Tell us a little about the author and mention at least one of his/her books that you love.”
Original post by paradisefound
You have the opportunity to attend a clothing optional book signing. I’ve spoken with many authors who struggle with how to plan a successful book signing and how to attract people to their table or booth. They’ve talked about Hershey’s Kisses and dog biscuits, but not a one came up with a plan like this.
Original post by paradisefound
I must admit I’m not familiar with this author. Apparently he is a YA author with several books to his credit. I’m always afraid to admit that I’m unfamiliar with an author like this, because, well, I wonder if everyone else in the world has heard of him and somehow I missed the boat.
But, I have a YA. My YA works at the library and runs across all kinds of interesting stuff and brings home all sorts of books that I’d never dream of bringing home. And still I don’t recognize this name.
And yet, I just saw on Jacket Flap that his last two blog posts have accrued nearly 300 comments - each! I figure these people must know more than I about Scott and his books. I did the only logical thing and headed over to Jen Robinson’s Book Page to see if she’d reviewed any of his books […]
Original post by paradisefound
I just ran across this new podcast (and accompanying blog) that features interviews with authors. From their site:
Writers Revealed is a live weekly podcast which promotes our picks for today’s most buzzworthy books & authors.
The program appears to feature only the authors of adult books, but those of you with an ipod and a treadmill to tread might find these podcasts to be of interest. Tell the folks at Writers Revealed what - or who - you’d like to see on their show and you could win 20 new books.
Blog Nod: Buzz, Balls, and Hype
Original post by paradisefound