KIDLIT 411

I can't believe I haven't posted since July!!  Well, really, I can since a lot has happened since then: 


~ My son got married in September, so the summer and early fall were packed full of wedding planning, showers and dress shopping!   


~ I went back to teaching full-time (I had been part-time teacher / part-time lead teacher for four years) so I have twice the number of students this year.  

~ On the writing side - I've been trying to find time to write and edit my picture book manuscripts; I joined my second critique group; I've done several guest posts on friends' blogs; I'm still a judge for Rate Your Story and submissions have skyrocketed; I've been doing a lot of critiques from my critique service; and I've been preparing for the May 13th release of my new book!




~ And, to be perfectly honest, I've wasted a lot of time on social media!

So, what does this have to do with KIDLIT 411?  I discovered this amazing new site and I contacted its founder, E. Kiely Kearns to tell her how awesome the site is and to ask if she'd add me to the list of critiquers.  She said she would and she'd link to my blog too if I started posting more regularly.  That's when I realized I hadn't posted since July!!  

So, I want to thank E. Kiely Kearns for creating her amazingly helpful and informative site and for the big nudge!  I just want to ask her one thing - where were you when I was getting started?  Oh yeah - in grade school :-)

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Something to Crow About!

I can't believe I wrote all about my new editor, Marissa Moss, and my new agent, Karen Grencik, and I forgot to talk about my new book, COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS!

About two years ago, I came up with the idea for a "boy who cried wolf" story, but with a rooster instead of a boy.  That story morphed into one about a rooster who goes on vacation, leaving the other farm animals to wake the farmer.  The problem is . . .

                   Farmer McPeeper's a very deep sleeper,

                   Not even an earthquake could shake him.

                   A poke or a pinch wouldn't budge him an inch,

                   'Cause only his rooster could wake him!

Throughout the week, different animals try to wake the farmer, but with no success  . . .

                      "I know that I'm quiet, but I'd like to try it -      

                      here goes," said a shy little sheep.

                      Her "cock-a-doodle baaa" didn't travel too faaa

                      In fact, she made barely a peep.

Finally, Rooster comes back and the animals are certain he will wake the farmer at last.  However . . .

                      Rooster coughed and sputtered; he wheezed and muttered

                      "There's something I think you should know.

                      The damp ocean breeze made me sniffle and sneeze.

                      My voice is so weak, I can't crow!"

Though disappointed, the animals put their heads together and devise a clever way to wake up the farmer.  There's a surprise twist at the end so I'm going to leave you hanging here - sorry!

Back to my book deal . . .  

COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS! will be illustrated by the amazingly talented, Ashley Wolff!  It will be published by Creston Books  in fall, 2014. It seems like an eternity away but I know, from my experience with 1 Zany Zoo, how quickly those two years will go!

I'll keep you posted on the book's development and will definitely let you know when it's released!!

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