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By: Bowie Style,
on 7/11/2012
hootsweet is another fabulous paperchase collection from their autumn winter range. it has yet to arrive in stores, but we are lucky enough to get a sneak preview from their press show display held in london last week. the design features a variety of owl characters, each one very different, in a sketchy loosley drawn style. if hootsweet takes your fancy it will be in store this autumn on
By: Bowie Style,
on 7/11/2012
for the autumn season paperchase develop gift items and stationery with christmas presents in mind. here are a few pictures from the paperchase press show snapped in the gift area.
By: John,
on 7/11/2012
It’s always so spectacular to watch a master at her work. Be sure to watch through to the end.
Wherein I reveal my secret to drawing horses
By: Barbara Kerley,
on 7/11/2012
By: Michael Thorn,
on 7/11/2012
from a business report in The Indpendent:
E-book sales are up 70 per cent on a year ago at the Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury, helping to offset a 2 per cent slide in print book revenues and keep profits on track.Add a CommentNigel Newton, chief executive, described the e-book growth as a "seismic shift", pointing to how digital sales across the US outstripped hardback sales in the first quarter.
By: Lydia Gil,
on 7/11/2012
By: penelope,
on 7/11/2012
Neil Brigham began drawing at a very young age, spurred on by his kindergarten classmates. Some years later, he put aside the finger paint and crayons while he completed a Masters of Art in illustration from Syracuse University. It was there that he really learned to scribble under the guidance of David Passalacqua and Murray Tinkleman. In addition to his illustration projects, Neil spends time making prints as a member of the Zea Mays Printmaking Studio in Florence, Massachusetts. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and Society of Illustrators Los Angeles.
By: Ratha M.,
on 7/11/2012
Dumbledore's Army
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry, Ron, and Hermione form a secret organization called Dumbledore’s Army (D.A. for short). Its purpose is to stand up against High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge, and practice Defense Against the Dark Arts (which she has forbidden). Harry, Ron, and Hermione recruit members from all the Hogwarts houses, bringing everyone together for this common purpose. Together they prepare to battle against and defeat Voldemort.
This got us thinking . . . what if YOU could form your own Dumbledore's Army? If you could start a real live group to deal with the problems of the world, what would you fight against? Would you want your army to bring food to hungry countries? Work on cures for certain diseases? Find homes for all abandoned animals? Clean up the earth, and punish corporations who do damage? The sky is the limit.
What kind of change would you want to see in the world? We want to know what's most important to you. Let us know what your Dumbledore's Army would do in the Comments below.
— Ratha, Stacks Writer
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Posted on 7/11/2012
I mentioned the contest for the title of 'World Book Capital 2014' a few days ago, and now UNESCO has announced that Port Harcourt named "World Book Capital 2014" -- beating out Oxford, among others (scroll down here for all eleven finalists).
(Yerevan, of course, is the current World Book Capital City, and it is Bangkok's turn next year; given that the only previous African city to hold the title was ... Alexandria, in 2002, the announcement perhaps does not come entirely as a surprise.)
As they note:
The city of Port Harcourt was chosen "on account of the quality of its programme, in particular its focus on youth and the impact it will have on improving Nigeria's culture of books, reading, writing and publishing to improve literacy rates," according to the Selection Committee.There's certainly good potential here, and I hope the Nigerians take advantage of it, and the time they have to prepare. Add a Comment
Posted on 7/11/2012
Via BooksLive I see that the Lumina Foundation has announced (warning ! dreaded pdf format !) the fifteen-title strong longlist for the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.
Selected from "Four hundred and two (402) entries from 26 African countries", they at least seem to have gotten a decent sampling of African literature -- though the requirement that: "For a book to be eligible, it must be written either in English or French" kind of limits things (the prize honors 'Literature in Africa', a continent of some fifty nations where it's apparently unthinkable that anyone write in any language other than English or French ...).
At least it's not just a short story prize, like the much more touted Caine Prize (and, at $20,000, hands out a bit more money (the Caine winner gets £10,000)0, but they could be a bit clearer on exactly what they're trying to honor: as it stands, they claim that: "Any excellently written book by an African in any genre may qualify for this award" (but don't forget that caveat: only if it's written in English or French ...).
Still, good to see a continent-spanning (sort of) book prize of this sort.
By: Paige Keiser,
on 7/11/2012
By: Kathy Temean,
on 7/11/2012
Thanks to the generosity of board member Neal P. Gillen, The Writer’s Center is pleased to announce that it will award $500 annually to the author of the best first novel published during a given calendar year. Conceived and funded by Gillen, the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns Prize honors three dedicated writers and members of The Writer’s Center faculty—Ann McLaughlin, Barbara Esstman, and Lynn Stearns—each of whom unselfishly nourish and inspire students and fellow writers.
The Writer’s Center will solicit a group of no more than 15 volunteer judges to serve as first-round judges. These volunteers will evaluate books to determine if they meet eligibility requirements, and they will read and evaluate the submissions. Submissions advancing to the second round of judging will be evaluated by a team of three final judges. Final judges will be selected from our membership and workshop leader pool. These judges will determine at their sole discretion the Award recipient.
The Winner will be announced in October. He or she will receive a feature in the 2013 Winter/Spring edition of The Workshop & Event Guide, at Writer.org, and our blog, First Person Plural. In addition, if feasible, he or she will be invited to read at The Writer’s Center during a reception to honor his or her work.
Send entries to:
The Writer’s Center Attn:
Laura Spencer
Re: Undiscovered Voices Scholarship
4508 Walsh St
Bethesda MD 20815
I know there are a lot of you who had a book published in 2011. There is no fee to apply. All you need is three copies of your book to send in. Besides the $500, it would be good publicity for the book and you. Good luck!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
2 Comments on Best First Novel of the Year Award – Includes Self Published, last added: 7/12/2012
Fairy-tales are my absolute favorite. Books, movies, cartoons, it doesn't matter I just love a good love story. One of my new favorites is Mirror Mirror.
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By: Jennifer DeDonato,
on 7/11/2012
Oh…wow…This is GORGEOUS!
A wild boy is found in the woods by a solitary hunter and brought back to civilization. Alienated by a strange new environment, the boy tries to adapt by using the same strategies that kept him safe in the forest.
Directed and animated by Daniel Sousa danielsousa.com
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 7/11/2012
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Today we celebrate Heidi MacDonald, founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Beat, a comics pioneer, and a great person!
Why today? Well, way back in 1982, Heidi published her first piece of comics journalism (at least, the earliest I could find) in the July 1982 issue of the Comics Journal, titled “Archetype Meets Angst” (p. 35). Since most of the comics industry will be at Comic-Con this July weekend, I figured I’d surprise her with this post, and allow everyone to congratulate her, and maybe buy her a burrito.
Look!
Heidi would go on to write many more articles for the Journal and its sister publication “Amazing Heroes” in the heady days of the Black and White Boom/Bust, mini-comics, and self-publishing. She worked at the Hollywood Reporter, and eventually became the comics editor at Disney Adventures, introducing talented cartoonists to a huge readership of children. (It was at DA that the first color version of Jeff Smith’s Bone was published, possibly convincing Scholastic to print the entire series in color years later.) She was a founding member of The Friends of Lulu, which advocated for more female involvement in the comics industry, either as fans or professionals. Heidi had a brief stint as an editor at DC Comics, working on both the Johnny DC line as well as Vertigo. While at Vertigo, her editorial acumen midwifed Brian K. Vaughan’s “Y the Last Man”, which would win five Eisner Awards. She’s even been published herself! (And appeared in comics, as well, courtesy of Alex Ross!)
Not afraid of new technology, she has been active online since the early 1990s (and maybe sooner… Compuserve had an active comics forum long before AOL became a household name). She tweets, facebooks, blogs… in a variety of guises and formats.
So I noticed the thirty-year anniversary. Heidi had gobsmacked me last October with an appreciation, so I thought I’d return the favor! Heidi is widely known, generally (and sometimes grudgingly) respected, and one of the Tzadikim of the greater comics community. So I secretly contacted the Future Mr. Beat, Ben McCool, and explained my plan. I needed his support, not only as a sounding board, but also because my Rolodex is rather weak. I set up an email address (MessagesForHeidi at Gmail) and asked him to spread the word. Below you’ll find various testimonials, presented in the order they were received. If you
By: angelaNS,
on 7/11/2012
…and the living is busy! Anyone who is in the business of children’s services in a library is busy right now. I’m surprised you even have time to read this! Summer Reading Club is sheer madness for library staff, but we all know the rewards are great. This summer, we’ve been madly rushing to get ready for a Wild Animal Puppet Show, in which we use our beautiful Folkmanis puppets and pretend they are real, 
presenting a “Steve Irwin” type program teaching facts and fun about the animals we bring along. My summer assistant is agreeably wearing a costume to go along with the charade. We are doing a bubble program, and trying to work out the best bubble solution and figure ways to remind 7-year olds NOT to breathe in when playing with soap; spending a lot of time making toys with masking tape, string, and Dixie cups, and watching for sales at the Salvation Army so we can stock up on t-shirts for our Teen Tee Parties. I am preparing stories to share at an Autism Camp, writing missions for Humans vs. Zombies, stocking up on stickers, pencils, and tattoos, keeping all the branches supplied with everything they need to make summer a reading joy for kids. Busy? You bet! Gotta go, puppet show starts in 20 minutes!
By: Betsy Bird,
on 7/11/2012
I’m glad I came but just the same I must be going. La la!
Nothing like starting the day off with a Groucho Marx quote, eh?
So here we are with me running hell-for-leather as quickly out of this country as humanly possible. It’s time for my yearly pilgrimage to Stratford, Ontario for the Shakespeare Festival. Would that I could write this off as a business expense (ho ho). Alas, no such luck. Still and all, off I toddle, to partake of good theater, good wine, and a chance to sit in a hot car with a cranky one-year-old for 9+ hours. When next you see me I will be a changed woman. Think of me fondly for even as I write this I imagine I am probably covered in the splatter of tossed babyfood and wailing human misery (did I mention she has a double ear infection, eye infection, fever, runny nose, and diaper rash?).
More as I can give it to you . . .
By: Kristi Valiant,
on 7/11/2012
Tonight, Sean had his 4th time trial at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was clear skies, mostly, until the first riders pulled up the start line. The skies filled up with clouds… then the wind kicked in. Hard. Sean did great, but his time was a little slower than his last trial… but it was [...]
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Posted on 7/11/2012
Spiritual Warfare for Women is written by Leighann McCoy – a pastor’s wife, women’s minister, mom, and cancer survivor. Having survived her own personal struggles with the enemy, she has drawn much of the material from her work from her own life and her experiences in ministry. McCoy covers general spiritual principles such as God’s [...]
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By: Elvia Montemayor,
on 7/11/2012
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By: Stephanie Theban,
on 7/11/2012
I posted a review of Drawn, and an interview with Marie some time ago. It was a great book and a great interview.
By: April Henry,
on 7/11/2012
By: ADK,
on 7/11/2012
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting the official site of children’s author Artie Knapp!
Where Alligators Bowl, Roosters Moo, and Elephants work at car washes!
COPYRIGHT © 2012 ARTIE KNAPP
Use of any of the content on this website without permission is prohibited by federal law
You have a bit of a perfectionist streak, too?
Looks like a great opportunity.
Good Luck to anyone who submits!