How to use this Page

For those of you on the East Coast. . .



Hofstra University, co-sponsored by the SCBWI, presents its 24TH ANNUAL CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CONFERENCE!
Saturday, April 26

From their website: Here's an opportunity for published and aspiring writers and illustrators to gather with librarians, educators, editors, booksellers and all others who wish to create or share good children's books. The program features: two general-session speakers; six special-interest groups (from which you may choose); and a panel of two children's book editors, who will critique many randomly selected, first-manuscript pages submitted by registrants. Be inspired to begin or complete that children's book you've always wanted to write. $94 Tuition for SCBWI Members, $99 non-members. If you want to apply for this discount kindly contact (516) 463-7200. Online registration is not permissible.

View the brochure here.

Hofstra's Center for Continuing Education and Professional Advancement, also, offers writing courses, seminars and workshops in which instructors work closely with serious-minded students who are willing to write regularly and participate actively in class discussion of their own and each others' work. Instead of extensive lectures, the instructor provides guidance by focusing on student manuscripts. Their courses range from the fundamentals of well-crafted business writing to the more creative forms of screenwriting, essays or writing for children.

Hello everybody,

First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU to all the people who made The Magic Violin virtual book tour a success!

Thank you to all the nice people who took time out of their busy lives to host my tour and leave comments on my tour stops. I really appreciate it! Some people commented on my every stop--really, I'm so very grateful and wish I could send you all gifts!

And now, the winner of the $20 Amazon gift certificate is......................

lisalmg !!!!!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas, everybody!

Mayra

How cool is that?

Sue Eves, the British children's book author who interviewed me on her blog on December 10th, just informed me that the British SCBWI has announced our interview and my virtual book tour on their front page... Yeah!

http://www.britishscbwi.org/

Happy holidays!
Mayra

Hello,

I'm happy to announce that my first picture book, THE MAGIC VIOLIN, is now available on Amazon. They haven't uploaded the cover art yet, but it should go up pretty soon.

Cheers!

Mayra

Hi all,


My publisher, Guardian Angel Publishing, just sent me the cover art for my upcoming children's picture book, The Magic Violin.



More than anything, 8-year old Melina wants to become a good violinist. When she loses confidence, her Rumanian teacher Andrea decides it’s time for a magic dose of self esteem. A mysterious, old woman in rags gives Melina some curious advice; a violinist Russian hamster, who happens to live under the old woman's hat, offers her a virtuoso performance; a shooting star fills her with hope on Christmas Eve. Is Melina actually playing better, or has her violin become magic? Who is the old woman in the townsquare, and why does she wear the same emerald ring as her teacher Andrea?


The message of The Magic Violin is that real magic lies in believing in oneself, and that if we trust ourselves, we can accomplish anything. The story, written for 5 to 8 year olds, shows how being compassionate and generous can have its rewards. It also introduces children to music and other countries--Belgium, in this case.

This will be my first--and hopefully not last!--violin-related children's book. People who know me are familiar with my love for the violin and how it has inspired my work.