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WICHITA, Kan. – Every year for the past 101 years, dreams have come true at the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championships. The meet’s 102nd running will be no exception, this Friday and Saturday, as more than 3,000 … Continue reading →

Then slip on your ruby red slippers, click your heels together three times and repeat…

I’ve teamed up with my local indie in Bernardsville, NJ.

I’ll be signing THE MONSTORE at The Bookworm on Thursday, June 20 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

But, if you can’t make it, you can still get a signed copy made out to your favorite kiddo. (Or yourself, or Toto the dog, as the case may be.)

Just call The Bookworm at 908-766-4599 and pre-order. Specify to whom you’d like me to sign the book. I’ll be heading over there periodically to sign copies and they’ll ship ‘em out to you.

You’ll also receive one of these cool, exclusive “Grand Opening” stickers with your book…

Some assembly required.

Sorry, Ruby Red Slippers sold separately.

I recently took a full-time position as a proofreader for an accounting firm. Proofreading financial reports differs from the type of proofreading I’ve done in the past, but I’m learning a lot and enjoying it.

Over my writing career, I’ve discovered the importance of remaining flexible to making a living from writing. The writer who has diversified talents is better able to weather changes in the economy and workforce than a one-skill wonder.

Some writers choose to work a full-time job outside the writing field for better financial security. They may find a nonwriting job drains their creativity less than a writing job does, giving them the energy and enthusiasm to write in their spare time.

Proofreading work is a good fit for me because it draws little from my creativity but keeps me current and my writing mechanics sharp.

Author Grant Overstake scratched his head when a shipping invoice showed multiple copies of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon had been sent to Festus, Missouri. The mystery was solved when he discovered, to his delight, that the order had been … Continue reading →

Title: The Star

Author: Clemy Warner

Release Date: June 3rd, 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Dark Fantasy

Reveal Host: Lady Amber’s Tours

Blurb:
Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.

She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, staring at the light coming in through her window, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.

Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.

The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.

Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.

He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.

She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save her, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.

His name was Nate.

Author Bio:

I was born in England in the West Midlands in 1991 where I am still currently living, growing up alongside one younger and three older brothers.

Books and writing was an interest that I began to develop from the first years of secondary school, and on my thirteenth birthday, I began to plan and design the idea to write a fantasy novel. I finished secondary school with high GCSE’s and then went on into further education to study English and all aspects of art and design. After six years of writing, planning and overall editing of the book, it was successfully completed, containing over 82,000 words, and self published in the first week of 2011.

With high expectations in myself, I immediately began to write a second novel in the series, while keeping my art and design a part of the process. The achievement of completing the first novel ‘Purest Light,’ allowed the ideas of the second to flow much easier and it was completed by early 2012. As I was writing the third and final book, New Beginnings, at the same time, the series was finished by its publication in 2013.

Writing is now a part of my everyday and I have started on my newest project, The Star, which is also planned to be the first of three. Only time will tell.

Excerpt:
Nate signalled for her to move forward, watching as she did after a brief hesitation. She stopped several strides in front of him and waited for him to speak. “How many windows are there?”

Not really understanding the relevance of counting windows, Abbii turned to count them.

“No!”

Startled by Nate’s outburst, she glared at him, more out of shock than malice.

“Without turning.” He watched as confusion took over her face. “Close your eyes and focus on the energy of the sunlight beaming through the glass.”

Abbii shuffled in her place, not really understanding, but when Nate smiled, she did as she was asked. She closed her eyes, immediately feeling self conscious that Nate’s gaze was focused onto her.

“Clear your mind of everything else. Think of somewhere you feel calm.”

Keeping her eyes closed, Abbii took in Nate’s statement. She felt her heartbeat increase and her breath seemed shallow, but as she relaxed her shoulders, the rest of her body seemed to follow. She listened to the faint breeze that circled through the large space, hearing leaves pitter-pattering against the wooden floor.

“Anywhere you feel calm.”

Although her mind was full of questions and worries and a fear that she would lose herself, Abbii found that an image began to form in her head. Bursts of blue and silver light soothed her, and once the image had focused, she realised why. She could see the lake at The Everglades, with the moon reflected clearly upon its surface. The stars were shining brightly, and the air was still. The feeling of calm which enveloped her felt uplifting.

“Now keep that feeling inside of you and focus onto the light of the sun.”

Not at all distracted by Nate’s words, Abbii kept hold of the calmness inside of her and expanded her mind in some way, feeling the energy of the sunlight. She could feel its warmth and the way it passed through the glass of the bay windows. The years of dirt and dust made no difference; the power of the sunlight beamed through it without faltering.

“How many are there, Abbii?”

Realising that she could sense several different areas of the sunlight’s energy, Abbii realised that each one represented one of the windows.

There are eight.

This Tuesday, Rafael and I will be on the Sharp-Schu Book Club meeting on Twitter hosted by Librarians extraordinaire John Schumacher and Colby Sharp!

Tuesday May 21st, starting at 7:00 pm, CST time.  Follow hastag #

 #SharpSchu

http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2013/04/may-sharpschu-book-club.html

(Raf and I hop on around 715 Central time)

Hope to see you there!

I’m a runner. You can call me every insult in the book and I really won’t care. I will probably even laugh. But the second you call me a JOGGER…all bets are off.

———
Make your running even FASTER…posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.

More Runner’s Strip comics and cartoons HERE.
———

1) What’s something that non-runners say or ask you that may annoy you?

2) Do you use runner and jogger interchangeably or do you definitely keep the adjectives in line?

3) How do you usually react to insults?
Usually I do end up laughing.

1ST PRIZE: £5,000

Judging Panel:

Kirsty Lang, arts journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4′s Front Row
Val McDermid, award-winning novelist, journalist and short story writer
Novel Competition 2013Charlotte Robertson, literary agent at Aitken Alexander Associates

The three finalists will be offered free professional feedback by The Literary Consultancy.

The 12 shortlisted authors will be invited to meet literary agents and editors at a special networking event in London.

The competition is open to unpublished women novelists writing in any genre for adults, including literary fiction, women’s fiction, young adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, chick-lit, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction… but not nonfiction or fiction for under 13s. To constitute a novel, your book must total at least 50,000 words.

Closing date: 23 September 2013

Please note: This is NOT an annual competition. The next adult novel competition will not be until 2015 (TBC).
Please make sure you have read the rules THOROUGHLY before submitting

YOUR NOVEL
•Your novel can be in any genre, but must be for adult or young adult readers. Nonfiction and fiction for children under 13 is not eligible. To qualify as a novel, your book must total at least 50,000 words.
• You may submit up to 5,000 words, which must be the first 5,000 words of the novel. Any preface is included in your 5,000 words. There is no need to submit a synopsis.
• Please complete your novel before entering. Shortlisted entrants will be asked to submit a full manuscript and synopsis for the final stages of the judging process. Entrants unable to comply will be disqualified.
• Please submit your work typed, double-spaced on A4-sized paper, single sided, with pages numbered and your novel’s title on every page.
• Your novel will be judged anonymously, so do not put your name on the pages of your novel. Use a separate cover page with your name, address, telephone number and email address, plus the title of the novel you are submitting.
• No alterations may be made to a novel extract once submitted.
• Your submission will not be returned, so please keep a copy. If you want confirmation that we have received your postal entry, please enclose an SAE labeled ‘Acknowledgement’. Sorry, we do not send copies of the result to entrants.
• The winner will be contacted in February 2014 and announced in the Mar/Apr/May 2014 issue of Mslexia.

ELIGIBILITY
•This is a competition for unpublished novelists. Women who have had a novel published commercially, for any age group, in any country, are not eligible.
• Women who have had other types of books published (e.g. poetry, memoir, nonfiction), but have not had a novel published, are eligible.
• Self-published manuscripts are eligible.
• Novels should be in English (or English dialect) and should not have been published or accepted for publication by a commercial publisher.
• Novels should not be a translation of another author’s work.
• You do not have to subscribe to Mslexia to be eligible, but you do have to be a woman. We will accept novels from women of any nationality from any country.
• Employees of Mslexia are not eligible.

HOW TO ENTER
•Send your novel extract by post or enter online at http://www.mslexia.co.uk/novelcompetition.
• If entering by post, mark your envelope ‘Women’s Novel Competition’ and send it postmarked no later than 23 September 2013 to Mslexia Publications Ltd, PO Box 656, Freepost NEA5566, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1BR. We regret FREEPOST is not available for entries from overseas, so please make sure you attach the relevant postage to your envelope.
• If entering online, be sure to follow the instructions on the website carefully. Novel extracts and cover sheets should be sent together as a single attachment.
• The entry fee of £25 allows you to enter an extract from one novel. You may enter as many novels as you like, provided each novel extract is accompanied by the £25 entry fee.
• Entry fees must be in pounds sterling. If you want to use a different currency, please pay online on our website via PayPal, which will convert your fee automatically into pounds sterling.
• You can pay by cheque (payable to Mslexia Publications Ltd) or by debit or credit card (phone +44 (0)191 204 8860 with your details). You can also pay online via our website, but in this case you must include with your entry a note of the date on which you paid, and the email address you used, so that we can trace your payment.

Runners seem to like to worry. Perhaps it’s a bit of the self masochism in us, on some level we must like to hurt, so it makes sense the same attraction is there for worrying. Our brains never seem to never be happy, or feel quite right, unless we’re preoccupied with something troublesome. [Why it has to be a negative is a topic for a post of another day!]

Am I doing enough? Is that a ‘new’ pain? Is that an INJURY?! Did I go out to fast? Am I doing too much? Should I ice that again? etc…etc. A common one is worrying about paces.

Well that’s only natural, of COURSE runners worry about paces…and they should. Paces are numbers, they are concrete, they are the benchmarks that tell us if we’re heading in the right direction, if all of this work is paying off. For runners, numbers are what show us progress. Paces, times, the black and whites of our sport are what feed that runner’s OCD-neurotic monster. It fuels our motivation.

Runners thrive on numbers. So paces and miles, naturally. The problem is worrying stressing over the WRONG numbers. Let’s make a deal:

DO worry about the paces of your hard runs, races, and workouts.
DON’T worry about the paces of your easy runs.

Ahhh, there we go. Easy in concept but quite a different beast to wrestle when applied to the never-logical runner’s brain.

It’s far too easy to get sucked into thinking all paces are created equal. They AREN’T. They don’t hold races for ‘easy’ days…they could but then why not just make it a real race?

You see, it’s the hard running that counts. It’s the fast running that counts for PR’s. Let’s force logic onto our running brains here:

If you want to run FAST then the days that COUNT are the HARD ones.

How do you make sure your legs and body are recovered and prepared to run fast and hard on the days that count? Well, make sure they are able to recover between hard workouts. That means your easy days need to be run at whatever pace it is that allows them to recover.

Simple. Logical. But simple and logical sometimes get mangled in the runner’s brain.

So next time your brain starts off on a manic stress-induced worry attack because *HOLY CRAP* the pace of my easy run was soooo slow. STOP. Pause. Ask yourself this:

What was the pace of my last hard workout or race?

If the answer was that the pace was in the direction you want your running to go, if it’s showing progress…then who the flip cares about your easy day pace?!

Stress about what matters.

If your runner brain must worry about something pick something a little more benign. Maybe worry about the fact that your watch tan is blinding me.

1) The runner brain often can struggle with simple and logical, what’s another instance you have?

2) How do you keep your hard and easy day paces separate and at the right effort level?

3) Some run watchless, do you go naked on some of your easy days?

GRAIN VALLEY, Kan. – There was quite a big commotion on Main Street in Grain Valley this afternoon, when, like a windblown prairie fire, rumors began to spread that Maggie Steele had been invited to appear on a national TV … Continue reading →

From the same team that brought you The People’s Pennant comes a thought provoking and informative book on design entrepreneurship. Kern and Burn: Conversations With Design Entrepreneurs features candid conversations with 30 leading designers who have founded startups, channeled personal passions into self-made careers and taken risks to do what they love. Through insightful stories, quotes and quips they share their failures, successes, and perspectives.

The distinguished group of guests include: Armin Vit, Keenan Cummings, Ben Pieratt, Riley Cran, Don Clark, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Jessica Hische, Kyle Sollenberger, Tad Carpenter, Duane King, Joe Gebbia, Aaron Draplin, Mikey Burton, Katie Kirk and many more. Pick up a copy here.

——————–

Also worth viewing…
Brent Couchman
Jason Munn Interview
Mikey Burton

Not signed up for the Grain Edit RSS Feed yet? Give it a try. Its free and yummy.

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First, I want to congratulate Gigi because her latest book, COME AUGUST, COME FREEDOM, is a finalist in the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Awards!  Hooray!  (Voting is open until June 30th.)  It’s a particularly important book for Virginia, documenting — in novel form — what it must have been like for the enslaved Gabriel and his compatriots to try organize a rebellion in 1800 and attempt to gain their freedom.  Gigi researched and uncovered fascinating documents pertaining to his life and the times.  I think it should be required reading in every Virginia school, at least.

Gigi has written a variety of acclaimed books all dealing with different, and tough, issues:  CLAIMING GEORGIA TATE, A CERTAIN STRAIN OF PECULIAR, CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER, and its sequel coming this summer, MACADOO OF THE MAURY RIVER!

To get to know the lovely Gigi better, I asked her to answer some questions for us — enjoy!

Favorite season?

Summertime and the living’s easy. I love summer!

Cat or dog?

A redbone coonhound named Biscuit and two horses: Albert and Latte.

Favorite sport or form of exercise?

Yoga and horseback riding. Or, yoga on horseback! My favorite sport to watch is VCU Men’s Basketball.

Language in which you’d most like to be fluent.

I studied Russian in college, and wish I had made the time to really immerse in the language. But, I really wish I had studied Latin. It seems like people who know Latin know their way around words and language very well.

Country you’d most like to visit.

Wales. I’d like to go listen to some storytellers and ride horses in the mountains.

What / who gives you spiritual guidance and inspiration?

The Bible, nature, my horse, and my grandparents inspire and guide me.

What’s an important “nugget” that you’d like readers to take away from your book?

Come August, Come Freedom is based on the historic events surrounding Gabriel’s Rebellion, one of the largest slave rebellions ever organized in U.S. History. The leader of the rebellion, an enslaved blacksmith named Gabriel, was born in 1776 and was executed for the conspiracy in 1800. I hope readers will take away the nugget that our history is full of heroes and sheroes who we may not read about in textbooks.

Why did you write this book / choose this topic?

The historical record on Gabriel’s Rebellion is so fascinating. His is a story about power, politics, military strategy, the early republic, and the insistence of enslaved Americans to determine their own lives.

When do you write?

I work full-time, so I write when I can. Early in the mornings, late at night, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays!

Where do you write?

All sorts of places! In the winter, I sit in the big wing chair in our living room with a fire burning in the fireplace. During spring and summer, when the river is low I like to write on a big rock in the James. I LOVE to revise during half-time at basketball games. And, I get some writing done in my office, too.

What helps you write?

My dog, a composition notebook, and a Ticonderoga #2 pencil.

How do your ideas come to you?

Often ideas come while I’m walking or practicing yoga. Lots of ideas occur during research, too.

Is there a sequel?

No, there’s no sequel to Come August, Come Freedom, but I might write about a different man who was involved in the rebellion.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m working on the third book in the Horses of the Maury River series. The second book, Macadoo of the Maury River, comes out this August. And, also this summer, I’ll release a mobile app based on the first book, Chancey of the Maury River for the iPad, Nook, and Kindle.

Why should kids read books when there are so many other things to do?

Because readers are leaders. If you look back over history, those who determine their own lives and those who change the world can read, including the blacksmith Gabriel.

I love that, Gigi!  Thanks for the interview!  To learn more about Gigi, please visit her website.  Happy reading!

My ability to function as an individual relies quite heavily on my running. Perhaps more correctly my ability to function as a sane and friendly person does.

I like to run first thing, I try to not go out into normal society until after my run…more out of a courtesy. I’m pretty sure I’m grouchier. It’s because something IS wrong with me, there’s a bit missing. It’s my ‘fix’ of miles and endorphins.

So please, for the sake of yourself and everyone else, don’t speak to me until after my run. I promise that I AM a kind, engaging, and humorous person. The pre-run version of myself…we’ll just think of that as my ugly, evil, non-running twin.

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More cartoons HERE!
—–

1) When do you like to get your run in?

2) Do you definitely feel like you’re a different person pre and post run?

Dave Roman’s Astronaut Academy:Re-Entry is out today!

The Comics Are Great site is hosting a series of contests and giveaways to celebrate its release: http://comicsaregreat.com/aaday

One of the prizes is an original sketch of Claudette and the gang by Rafael:

So what are you waiting for?  Go get the book, join the celebration!

The annual celebration of the children’s books, Children’s Book Week is here. Sponsored by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child A Reader, includes events across the U.S., downloadable resources for kids and educators, and a Gala honoring the year’s Children’s and Teen Choice Book Award winners. This year, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Walter Dean Myers will present the Impact Award to author and journalist Michele Norris, whose work at National Public Radio is “creatively and significantly advancing our collective mission of instilling a lifelong love of reading in children.” From the CBC: “Ms. Norris conceived of NPR’s Backseat Book Club, a book club for children ages 9-14 that encourages them to read along with the monthly selection and to send their questions in to NPR. At month’s end, some of those questions are put to the book’s author during a segment on All Things Considered. Programs like this promote the joy of reading, a necessary element in instilling a lifelong love of reading in children.”

In honor of Children’s Book Week, we invite you to post your favorite new titles (within the past two years) from Black authors and illustrators in the comments below. At the end of the week, we will compile the list for your summer reading enjoyment.

Thank you.

The Brown Bookshelf Team

I love this idea.  A tiny library in your own neighborhood.  Most of us have books we don’t mind donating and it’s kind of fun to see what’s in there that you might enjoy reading — like a little treasure box.  You can find a Little Free Library all over the world.  This is our local little free library.  It was low on kids’ books so I donated a copy of Mockingbird.  Do you have one in your town?

I’ve always imagined that my juvenile art would look good all over kid’s comforters,  wall paper, trash and even their pajamas.  Well I’ve come one step closer to reaching that goal with my latest venture.  I’d like to introduce my line of throw pillows by Society 6.  Bright and colorful, the fun images will make room any bedroom or playroom look fun.  Check them out all 12  (and growing)  at http://society6.com/ScottNelson/pillows

A treat for you today.

Yesterday I had the very great pleasure of sitting down with author Dr. Chitra Divakaruni, illustrator Susy Pilgrim Waters, and their editor Neal Porter.  You may be aware of the remarkable collaboration these clever folks have concocted.  The book is called Grandma’s Great Gourd and it’s a Bengali folktale of unparalleled loveliness.

Ms. Divakaruni is quite the author in the adult book world (you may have heard of her Oleander Girl) and it is a pleasure to see folktales from her.  While speaking, she told me that she owed a turning point in her life to librarians.  I asked to hear her story and she has kindly allowed me to print it here.  Since it involves a Chicago librarian I think it’s a great tie-in to the upcoming ALA.  It makes me think of my Chicago librarian peeps out there like Julie Jurgens who blogs at Hi, Miss Julie,Eti Berland, and Heather and Jennifer Norborg.

For the librarians.

Here’s To You, Mrs. Berenson

By

Chitra Divakaruni

It was a blustery evening in Chicago, the sky colored like slate. As I waited for the bus, my eyes watered in the bitter, biting wind that was colder than I had ever imagined wind could be. The cold pierced through my bright orange coat—a coat that I’d bought with high hopes in Calcutta, my hometown, just a month ago. There, friends had exclaimed over its cheery brightness in admiration. Here, the few people waiting at the bus stop (dressed in sober browns and blacks) eyed it—and the sari I wore under it—with silent suspicion.

Finally, the bus appeared around the corner, its doors wheezing open. I climbed in and sank into a seat thankfully. The toddler whom I babysat had been cranky all day. At dinner, he had thrown his bowl of spaghetti-and-sauce at me, ruining my sari. When I’d remonstrated, he promptly flung himself onto the floor and indulged in a tantrum. A long one. But at least it was over. Soon I’d be at the apartment where I was staying with relatives. In a few hours, after dinner and dishwashing and comedy shows on TV with indecipherable jokes, I’d be able to pull out the sofa-bed and crawl into it.

Just then the bus shuddered to a stop. The engine rattled loudly. This was followed by an ominous silence. The driver fiddled with various mechanisms. Then he announced that the engine was dead. We would have to get down and wait for the next bus.

Hunched in my orange coat which miserably failed to keep out the freezing wind, I followed the others down the sidewalk. Maybe, I thought as I trudged along, coming to America had been a mistake. Maybe I should give up on my dreams of higher studies and go back. Agree to an arranged marriage like my cousin had done.

Then I saw the small building with its brightly lit glass walls, the American flag in front, the sign on the wall. Library, it announced. It looked so warm inside, I couldn’t resist, even though I knew I’d get late, that my relatives would worry. I walked in a little fearfully. In libraries back home, you had to buy a membership before you were allowed to sit at the reading tables or check out the two books each patron was allowed. And I had no money to spare.

But here no one stopped me. The woman at the desk—an older lady in a cardigan with her white hair pinned back in a neat bun–gave me a welcoming nod. I walked past her to the stacks filled with books, breathing in their unique smell. It struck me that I hadn’t been in a library ever since I’d arrived in America. I hadn’t read a single book.

I came back to the desk and asked the woman—a tag pinned to her cardigan said, A. Berenson, Librarian—if I could borrow a book. She asked me if I had identification. I produced it. She typed out a card with my name on it. It was that simple. When I asked her how many books I could borrow, she said, “As many as you can carry out! What are you looking for?”

There was such genuine interest in her voice, that I was emboldened to confide to her a dream that seemed to be slipping further from my grasp each day.

“I want to go to graduate school and study American Literature,” I whispered.

I had expected a look of disbelief, perhaps even pity. But she nodded as though what I said was entirely possible. She took me to the stacks where she paused, considering carefully, then handed me a book. The Great Gatsby, the title proclaimed. I had never heard of it, but already I trusted Mrs. Berenson. She picked out several other books. When I walked out of the library, hugging their sweet weight, the night had grown warmer. Or was the warmth inside my heart?

That night I opened The Great Gatsby and plunged into a fascinating world of affluence and excess, of desire and disappointments. My own problems receded as I participated in Gatsby’s drama and waited tensely to see if he would find love. I stopped reading only when exhaustion forced my eyes shut.

I took the book to work the next day and read it in between my duties. When my young charge threw his usual tantrum, I ignored him and kept reading. This novel response astonished him into silence. In three days, I’d finished the book. I took it back to Mrs. B, and expressed to her my outrage that Gatsby had been killed, that fiction could be as unfair as life. She listened with her calm smile, then said, “But it’s made you care. It’s made you want to do something about such things, if you get a chance. Isn’t that more important?”

I’d never thought about reading in that way before. A small, very small thought flashed in my mind for a moment: I’d like to write like that someday. Outrage my readers. Make them care. Make them do something about injustice.

Over the next months, Mrs. B gave me many other books. Native Son. The Woman Warrior. Sister Carrie. The Turn of the Screw. My Antonia. Fahrenheit 451. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Cat’s Cradle. Bless me Ultima. After I finished each one, she took time to listen to my responses. And in between, “because fun is important,” she introduced me to her favorite singers, from Billie Holiday to Simon and Garfunkel

Something happened to me in those months that I can’t explain. Though my outer circumstances hadn’t changed, my attitude was different. Perhaps it was because Mrs. B took my opinions seriously and encouraged me to think large. Perhaps it was that she chose for me books where characters struggled, like me, to achieve the American Dream—often under circumstances far worse than mine. Maybe it was the spirit of the songs I listened to on the portable cassette player she had loaned me: a spirit full of hope and compassion and joyfully aware of the fragility and beauty of human life. In any case, I became determined that I wouldn’t give up. I saved my salary, studied seriously each night, took the required exams, got accepted into college, put aside my pride and borrowed money for relatives to pay my fees. I got one degree and then another. I married, moved across the country, had children, started teaching, and slowly, tentatively, began to write. In all the busyness of my life, Mrs. Berenson slipped into the cracks of my memory.

Years later, when my first book of stories was published, I walked into our local library—a place my children loved as much as I did—and went to the stacks. There it was, nestled between Dickinson and Dybek: Arranged Marriage, by Chitra Divakaruni. I had to touch it to make sure it was real. And suddenly I was in that other library, those other stacks, and Mrs. B was smiling at me, handing me The Great Gatsby. A song she’d loved flowed through my mind, the words molding themselves to fit what I felt, what I never got a chance to tell her: God bless you please, Mrs. Berenson, I owe you more than I can ever say. And then, because fun is important: Hey, hey, hey.

https://www.facebook.com/chitradivakaruni

http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/books/oleander_girl

http://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Great-Gourd-Bengali-Folktale/dp/1596433787

Congrats to Maggie’s pole-vaulting friends Caitlin Hawk (10-8) and Nick Meyer (16-2) of Bishop Carroll HS for soaring to gold medals at the Wichita City League Meet! The high-flying Golden Eagles, coached by Denis Fraizer, are big fans of the … Continue reading →

This week we have Denise Ortakales who is a gifted paper sculpture illustrator. Here is Denise:

I was always artistically inclined as a child and loved to cut and paste. After high school I went to college and earned an Associate degree in Graphic Design. I married soon after, working in a variety of jobs, everything BUT graphic design. Why? Who knows, but different crafts and hobbies kept my artistic fires burning for years.

After my two children were born, I took some evening courses to update my graphic design skills. One of my teachers helped me realize that I what I really wanted to be was an illustrator. I had been buying beautifully illustrated children’s picture books for years, for the children I thought. I wasn’t fooling any one but myself.

In 1997, I went back to school. I have my family to thank for their support (and babysitting) throughout the next two years. Within one month, I had my first assignment and I’ve been busy ever since. In 1999 I graduated from the Art Institute of Boston with a BFA in Illustration. Soon after I received a contract for my first children’s book to illustrate.

Fast forward to today. I am still doing a variety of projects for various adult and children’s magazines (Consumer Reports, Utne Reader, Ladybug, Spider) and children’s books. I’ve also taught at the Art Institute of Boston, Chester College, and McIntosh College.

Here is Denise explaining her process:

First I start with a sketch…

Next I enlarge the sketch and trace it onto tracing paper.

I assemble my papers. Sometimes I paint my papers ahead of time. Sometimes I use a toothbrush, sponge, airbrush or anything to get the different textures I like.

Each shape is transferred to the colored paper . . .

. . . then cut out. I use an X-acto knife and many blades.

For the clouds I decided to paint them after they were cut. That way I could place the sponge painting exactly where I wanted it.

I glue spacers behind each piece. The thickness depends on how high I want it to stick above the background and other pieces. Typically I use foam core but you could use any type of cardboard or foam meat trays. Here I used thick blocks of Styrofoam. I usually use a white glue to glue the piece to the background. Aleene’s Tacky glue works best. Here I’ve used a repositionable glue which is why it looks yellow.

Here I’ve painted the background with a variegated swirly pattern.

At this point I lay my tracing paper sketch over the background. It’s a guide for placement of the other pieces.

Gently I lift the tracing paper and place the piece underneath it, not letting it touch the background until its fairly close to where it belongs. I’m usually able to fine tune the placement once its laid down. I continue this way until its done.

Here’s the finished piece. After it’s dry, it can be photographed.

Below are the covers of Denise’s books.

How did you end up going to the Art Institute of Boston?

I was looking for a small school with an illustration program. NH didn’t have one at the time. A substantial scholarship sealed the deal. I thought for sure traveling 100 miles each way, three times a week would get old fast. But it didn’t. I learned to love my commute—no children whining, I could listen to MY music, I could reflect on my day—I kind of miss it!

What types of classes did you take that really helped you to develop as an illustrator?

Illustration I & II, Children’s Book Illustration, Advertising Illustration, Buses, Billboards & CDs, 3D Illustration, Promotional Illustration, Illustration Survey. I made the mistake of taking five studio courses one semester. I did approximately 25 illustrations within those 15 weeks. Brutal, but I now know how to meet a deadline.

What did you do after you graduated?

6 months later I had my first book contract. I also did some editorial illustration.

Did the Art Institute help connect you to companies that could give you work?

Not directly, but I got my first job from an alumnus who looked for other AIB grads.

Did you start out right from the start doing paper sculpture?

Yes. Once I discovered my affinity for paper sculpture, then I decided to become an illustrator and go to school.

What was the first thing you did that you got paid to do?

It was a cover and two-page spread for a computer magazine. I had only been in school for one month. Gulp! After the phone call, I ran to my teachers and said, “What do I do now?” I think they were skeptical that I could pull it off.

How long have you been illustrating?

That first job was in 1997.

How many children’s books have you illustrated?

Six.

What was the first book that you illustrated?

Planets by Jennifer Dussling, published by Grosset and Dunlap in 2000. I was mortified that they published 6 spreads upside down in that first edition (well, they were round planets!)

How did that book contract come your way?

Probably from sending samples or postcards.

I see you have published with Grosset and Dunlap. How did you connect with them?

Good Morning, Garden was published by Cooper Square Publishing. Can you tell us a little bit about them?

It was published by Northword Press which was bought out by Cooper Square. Working for Northword was great. Sadly their gone.

How many children’s magazines have you done work for?

Ladybug, Click, Spider, ASK, Babybug, and Cobblestone.

Was The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain (Myths, Legends, Fairy and Folktales) the first book you wrote?

It was the first one I wrote that sold. I have a few picture book dummies I’ve been working on.

How did that come together with Sleeping Bear Press?

The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain was based on a beloved rock formation here in New Hampshire. While at AIB, I took a Writing for Children course. One of the assignments was to rewrite a folk tale or legend and make it your own, so I rewrote one about the Old Man. When the rock formation collapsed in 2003 and made the news, I knew it was time to dust it off. I revised the story and sent it out immediately. Sleeping Bear called within a month.

Carrot in my Pocket was published by Moon Mountain Publishing. Could you tell us a little bit about them and how you got the job to illustrate?

They were a new company. Since several friends also worked on some of their early books, I suspect they looked at local illustrators through the New England chapter of SCBWI. Unfortunately, they have since closed.

I notice you have illustrated a couple of books with other illustrators. How did that work?

Do you ever touch up the photographs with Photoshop?

Yes. Mostly dust or lint that shows up on the photographs.

What types of things do you do to get your work seen by publishing professionals?

Attend conferences, sign up for critiques, portfolio displays, website, BLOG, mail postcards.

Do you have an agent? If so, who and how long have the represented you?  If not, would you like one?

No agent. I’d be open to open to one though.

Have you seen your style change since you first started illustrating?

Well . . . I’ve actually been considering a change . . . to 2D. I am a little envious of 2D artists that don’t have to worry about photographing their artwork, or storing bulky pieces. A stack of spreads for a picturebook can be 20 x 30 x 4 feet tall! I’ll never give up on 3D but I’ve been working on an acrylic style to give clients options. It’s also good to mix things up once in a while. Keeps things fresh.

Have you gotten any work through networking?

We’ll see. I just attended a conference and rubbed lots of elbows.

Do you do any art exhibits to help get noticed?

No but I probably should.

Are you open to doing illustrations for self-published picture book authors?

No. I prefer working with established publishers. They understand art and artists, and allow you the freedom you need to create the best book possible. The fact that they can pay a decent fee doesn’t hurt either.

Do you own a graphic tablet? If so, how do you use it?

I have Wacom Intuos 3 that is a few years old now. I only use it for sketching.

How much time do you spend working on your art?

Not as much as I should because I have a day job, or rather, a morning job. If you’re asking how long it takes to create my art, a typical spread takes 2-4 days after the sketch has been approved by the publisher or client.

Any books on the horizon?

Nothing currently in the publishing pipeline.

What are your career goals?

I suppose the holy grail is a picture book that I’ve written AND illustrated. But really I would be happy with a few dozen more books, illustrated or written.

Why did you choose Paper Sculpture instead of drawing and painting like other illustrators?

I like to say that paper sculpture chose me instead of me choosing it. But in reality I remember seeing it as a child and wondering how they did that. When I was considering illustration as a career, I found a book on the paper sculpture and I knew that I had to try it. It was one of those Aha! moments that you shouldn’t ignore.

What kind of paper and glue do you use?

I use charcoal and pastel papers which are about the same thickness or a little thicker than construction paper. I prefer the papers that are colored in the pulp rather than printed color but will use anything if it’s the perfect color or texture. My favorite glue is Aleene’s Tacky Glue which is a thick white glue available at most craft stores. Really, any white glue will work, the key is to put it on VERY thinly.

What do you use to make your images 3-dimensional?

I use scrap pieces of foam core and mat board glued behind each piece of paper. If you’re trying this at home, try several layers of corrugated cardboard or foam meat trays work well too.

How did you learn to do Paper Sculpture? Did you have to go to school?

I really taught myself. I went to art school twice but I didn’t learn to do paper sculpture there. There are some books on the topic but the best way to learn is just to try it. Here are some of my favorite books:

Paper Sculpture : A Step-By-Step Guide by Kathleen Ziegler and Nick Greco.
More Paper Sculpture by Kathleen Ziegler and Nick Greco.

Couldn’t you get the same look on the computer?

Yes, you could get a very similar look. But I enjoy the creating of the actual piece, getting sticky fingers and paper cuts. I’ve always enjoyed a variety of crafts and creating art on the computer doesn’t hold the same fascination for me. Besides, I’m already on the computer too much surfing the internet, reading email and updating my websites.

What does someone need to consider if they want to try creating paper sculpture?

Transferring the 3-dimensional image to a 2-dimensional page is by far the biggest headache. Unless you are a professional photographer, you need to hire one to insure that your work will look it’s very best. At first, when you are just creating samples, it is a VERY expensive cost to cover. Be prepared for clients that have never used 3-dimensional artwork to balk at the photography expense. It’s your job to educate them.

The other problem is storing these darn things. Make friends with a framer who will give you good deals, otherwise they start to pile up and take over closets.

Are there any schools that teach Paper Sculpture?

Not to my knowledge, and I think that’s part of the fun of it, that a million other people aren’t out there doing the same thing. So buy yourself a good book (see above) and dig in. It’s not that difficult. You probably did something similar as a kid.

How do you handle the photographing of your artwork?

Because my work is 3-dimensional and difficult to ship, I have it professionally photographed locally. The photographer and I work together to create depth using lighting and shadows. I can then supply clients with digital files for publishing purposes.

Do you need to go to art school to become an illustrator?

Art School is absolutely not necessary to become an illustrator. No art director has ever asked to see my degree. It will, however, bring you up to speed quicker and perhaps save you from learning your lessons the hard way. I am a firm believer in the merits of art school but it may not be for everyone. Some of the benefits that you may not have thought of are:

Learning to talk intelligently about your work which you’ll need to be able to do with an Art Director.

Learn to be objectively critical of your own work.

Form a circle of peers that you can call on for advice and comradery when you are out on your own.

If you can meet assignment deadlines in art school, you’ll have no problems meeting deadlines in real life.

What are you working on now?

Um . . . a YA historical fiction novel? Yes, I’ve written it. 70,000 words, thank you very much. I have tried desperately to write picture books but could never get them below 2,000 words! So I embraced my wordyness and went in the other direction. It is such a rush finishing a first draft of a novel. I love it! It engages a completely different part of my brain. But that also makes is hard to illustrate and write novels at the same time.

Last summer I was appointed Illustration Coordinator for Northern New England SCBWI, so I am also busy working on conferences, Illustrator’s Day, and other activities for our illustrators.

Any words of wisdom you can share with the illustrators who are trying to develop their career?

Yes, listen to your inner voice. Not the one that whispers how bad you are at drawing, or telling you you’re a poser. You’re probably already listening to that one. Stop! Listen closer to the one that tells you something in your image is not working, or needs fixing. Have you ever had someone critique your work, and you thought, “yeah, I kinda knew that?” It’s because you ignored that little voice (I speak from experience.) Listen and your work will improve.

Thank you Denise for sharing you wonderful artwork, process, journey, and expertise. Please make sure you continue to share you successes with us. We looking forward to following your career.

If you would like to visit Denise and see more of her work, you can find her at: www.sculptedpaper.com.

Taking a minute to leave Denise a comment is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Talk soon,

Kathy

The title of a book is so important – and not many people have titles as consistently good as Gabriel Garcia Marquez (in my humble opinion) – and I suppose that is linked to the fact that not many people write as well as he does (again … in my humble opinion..)

Think of these:

Love in the time of Cholera

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Chronicle of a Death Foretold

The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World

No-one writes to the Colonel

Memories of my Melancholy Whores.

The General in his Labyrinth

Other titles I like, from other authors

Up in Honey’s Room – Elmore Leonard

The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver

Of Mice and Men – Steinbeck

And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street – Dr Seuss

Death is a lonely business – Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine – Ray Bradbury

Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe

Looking for Transwonderland – Noo Saro Wiwa

OK I’ll stop now … but it is a hard thing getting a title right, and it does matter!

It’s The next Big Next I tell ya!
What is?

This!
This is THE NEXT BIG THING!
See, it’s like this… it’s a global blog tour that started in Australia.The idea is to bring awareness to authors and illustrators and their current work. I was tagged by the talented Ginger Nielson. At the end of this post  you see the awesome authors/illustrators that I’ve tagged…. because they’re The Big Thing!

So on to the questions.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

I would love to illustrate a book about a monster or maybe  a scary, but not too scary character that is actually quite lovable.  That hasn’t happened…… yet!   So, I wrote my own.  I love to bring the misunderstood to life. With this book  we get to experience the little monster inside us all.

This book is for the 4- 8 range.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?                                         

Hmmm….. actors maybe not so much, but animated for sure!  Hand drawn please!

6) Who is publishing your book?
This book along with my other one, titled “Ruby’s New Stew” have no homes as of yet.  They’re polishing themselves up to go knocking on doors though. Did I mention I’m open for suggestions?  :)

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
It started small in one afternoon and bloomed to a full manuscript in about a week. It has been edited several times since then.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I try to never compare. We’re all so different in our writing and illustration. It’s important to find your voice. However, I do love Cinderella Skeleton written by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by David Catrow. Another one that I really enjoy is The Wizard written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Brandom Dorman.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The love of the good story that we can all related to, while knowing that everything is going to turn out okay in the end.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
His backpack has teeth!  :))

Next on the blog tour are two very talented artists:

Candace Trew Camling

Just photos.  It was such a gorgeous day I couldn’t help taking photos along the way: