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& book giveaway!When Gloria Loring began writing about turning points in her life she realized that coincidence was a key player in many of these events. So she began to wonder . . . what is coincidence? Just a quirky aligning of timing or something more? Soon she found herself on a self-guided trip through scientific theory, religious beliefs, and more as she tried to untangle the mystery we call coincidence.
Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous is Loring's spiritual exploration of how coincidence helped her make sense of life's challenges and uncertainties. Coincidence helped her raise $1 million for diabetes research; it arrived in the form of mysterious letters during her separation and eventual divorce from actor-writer Alan Thicke; and it helped her discover and then heal from the trauma of long-forgotten childhood sexual abuse. It also brought her a chance encounter with the man she is married to today. With eloquence and humor, Loring takes readers on a quest for a deeper understanding of life's journey and the role coincidence plays in all of our lives, revealing that even the most difficult circumstances can be beneficial. Her experiences may be just the evidence readers need to begin watching more closely what they are attracting and what they are running from in their own lives.
While coincidences may appear to come out of the blue, Loring suggests that we can all play a starring role in their appearance. "For years, I'd been waiting for someone else to make (my life) better. You'd have thought I was starring in "The Perils of Pauline." In truth, I wasn't a victim, I was a volunteer. . . . Coincidence gave me an experience of the lesson I needed to learn: You don't have to wait for someone to save you."
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: HCI (October 12, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0757316484
ISBN-13: 978-0757316487
Twitter hashtag: #TheGloriaLoring
Coincidence Is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous is available as a print and e-book at
Amazon and
Barnes and Noble as well as your local bookstores.
Book Giveaway Contest:To win a copy of
Coincidence Is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes this Friday, March 8 at 12:00 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:When not starring on the soap opera
Days of Our Lives, Gloria Loring found herself expressing herself with music. She is the recording artist of the #1 hit song
Friends and Lovers as well co-composer of television theme songs
Diff’rent Strokes and
Facts Of Life. Gloria’s new musical show
TV Tunez, a celebration of television’s best theme songs that earned standing ovations, is in development for a Las Vegas run. She is currently in the studio with producer Ted Perlman and songwriting legends Burt Bacharach and Desmond Child.
After her four-year-old son was diagnosed with diabetes, she created and self-published two volumes of the
Days Of Our Lives Celebrity Cookbook which raised more than $1 million for diabetes research. She has also written
Kids, Food and Diabetes, Parenting a Child with Diabetes, The Kids, Food & Diabetes Family Cookbook, and
Living With Type 2 Diabetes: Moving Past the Fear. Gloria was honored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with the Lifetime Commitment Award and the Founders Award from the National Disease Research Interchange.
The Miss America Organization gave her the Woman of Achievement Award, an honor she shares with past recipients Barbara Bush, Roslyn Carter, and Hillary Clinton. She is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women.
Find out more about the author by visiting her online:
Gloria Loring’s website:
http://www.glorialoring.com/Facebook:
www.Facebook.com/GloriaLoringTwitter:
@TheGloriaLoring-----Interview by Jodi WebbWOW: Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous spans many years of your life? How long did it take you from when you first decided to write your book until its publication?Gloria: Twelve years. I started the process in 1999, and at first it contained only my stories. Yet I knew I wanted it to be valuable to the readers, so I researched coincidence, reading dozens of books on the subject. And because Albert Einstein said the words that title by book, I began reading about the intersection of scientific observation and spiritual wisdom. What I found fascinated me. Then I read up on lives of the great saints and sages to better understand their spiritual experiences. All of it supported and expanded my perspective on coincidence, and yet even then I couldn’t finish the book.
Some of my hesitancy was the fear that people might think it’s a religious book, because the word “God” is in the title. But when I noticed how many books on the bestseller lists were about spiritual issues, I realized the time had come. Only a few months after completing the writing, I found an agent and a very good publisher, HCI.
WOW: Do I spot another coincidence? You’re writing a spiritual book, spiritual books are popping up on the bestsellers lists? But let’s get back to those twelve years. That is a long time. But of course, since most WOW readers are writer/something else—whether it be writer/teacher or writer/president of the PTA or writer/dog rescuer—we all understand about there not being enough hours in the day. In the beginning, how long did you expect it to take to write your book?Gloria: I thought it might take a year or so. I was also writing the songs that accompany each chapter at that same time, and imagined them as a “book with its own soundtrack” set. I finished recording the songs and released the CD, but each time I went back to the book, I realized there had to be more depth, more common sense, more expanded understanding. I took titling my book with Albert Einstein’s words and genius very seriously!
WOW: First of all, I’m blown away that you wrote a soundtrack for your book! You have such a busy life: performing, raising money for diabetes, having a family, writing literary soundtracks! How and when did you find time to write? Gloria: At one intensive writing time, I wrote from 7 to 9 every morning and made quite a bit of progress in those months. But then the fear arose again, “who’s going to read a book by singer and actress Gloria Loring that has 'God' in the title?”
WOW: Oh, we all know that fear, no matter what type of book we're writing. But I'm wondering about the evolution of your book. Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous doesn't feel like a book that was planned. You don't seem like an outline kind of gal. Can you give us some insight into the creation of you book. Gloria: This book is like Topsy from the “King and I” - “It just growed.” The story in Chapter One, “Expect a Miracle,” prompted me to remark to an interviewer that it was an amazing coincidence, and he replied, “Yes, but coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. Those words of Albert Einstein’s inspired my writing the book. His words stayed with me and as my life unfolded, I saw the gracious hand of coincidence everywhere I looked. I was also encouraged by a quote in Julia Cameron’s book
The Artist’s Way, “We must share the gifts we have been given.”
WOW: So what happened when one year turned into two turned into . . . did you ever feel discouraged about not having enough time to dedicate to your writing? How did you keep yourself enthusiastic for your book . . . did you give yourself pep talks, did you have a group of supportive writers behind you, what made you keep going?Gloria: Until the last months, when I began to read and share chapters with others, I wrote the book with very little input. I just kept asking myself, is it true, is it real, is it useful? My favorite part was doing the research. I had files of clippings, pages of quotes. Coincidence was always working on my behalf. It seemed every time I picked up a magazine or book, I found something that fed the book.
WOW: It's difficult to pinpoint your book . . . it's part memoir, part inspirational/spiritual, part self-help. It seems there is something for everyone. If you had to describe what type of book you wrote—in ten words or less—how would you describe it?Gloria: It’s a memoir with a message of healing and inspiration.
WOW: You included many personal stories to help illustrate points throughout your book. Was it difficult deciding what to include and what to cut? Did you worry about telling family secrets or did you find it empowering?Gloria: Trying to understand my personal stories led me to find the wisdom, the teachings, and the scientific and spiritual perspective I found supported my experiences. My goal was to explain what I had been through and how coincidence leads us to what we need to know and what we need to grow.
Although writing of the inappropriately sexualized contact with my father was difficult, the ways coincidence led me to healing were too powerful to dismiss from my personal storyline. Telling the truth was absolutely empowering. As one brave person told me, “We are only as sick as our secrets.”
WOW: What's the single most important thing you learned during your writing?Gloria: To never again be afraid to tell my truth.
WOW: That’s a powerful lesson to take away from your writing. I hope we can all gain as much meaning from our work. Can you tell us what will be next for you?Gloria: I do have the set-asides from this book, a few chapters worth of wisdom I had gleaned, that already has a title as a follow-up book. This summer and fall, I will be conducting workshops based on the healing principles in the book, and am also developing twelve “lessons on coincidence” with Dr. Alvin Jones for a CD set.
I just completed the audio version for Audible.com and after reading through the whole book out loud for three days, I am thinking of creating a one woman show. The songs that begin each chapter so beautifully illustrate and illuminate the stories. I’m excited about all the possibilities ahead of me. It’s as if a new chapter of my life has begun.
WOW: Oh my goodness, that last answer exhausted me! I may have to take sympathy nap! But I would love to see you in a one woman show based on Coincidence Is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous. Call me when your show comes to Pennsylvania.
----------Blog Tour DatesMonday, March 4@ The MuffinStop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/Wednesday, March 6 @ A Writer’s LifeWe all face times when we're "on stage" as the center of attention (wanted or not)--everything from work presentations to wedding toasts to a solo in the church choir. Performer Gloria Loring gives tips on conquering stage fright.
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.comFriday, March 8 @ Donna’s Book PubLearn more about the real person behind the Days of Our Lives character Liz Chandler with an interview of actress (and author) Gloria Loring.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.comMonday, March 11 @ ColloquiumSoap opera star Gloria Loring reveals "The Good Use of Celebrity" and gives away a copy of her latest book
Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous.
http://www.jhsiess.com/ Wednesday, March 13 @ Words by WebbLearn what an old soap fan has to say about Gloria Loring’s venture into the writing world.
http://jodiwebb.comFriday, March 15 @ SoapsStop by soaps.com for an interview with Gloria Loring, including a few questions from her soap opera fans. You'll also get a chance to win a copy of her book
Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous.
http://www.soaps.com/Tuesday, March 19 @ CMash Loves to ReadLearn more about how soap opera star Gloria Loring became a diabetes advocate and author enter to win her memoir
Coincidences Are God's Way of Remaining Anonymous.
http://cmashlovestoread.com/Friday, March 22 @ Lori’s Reading CornerGloria Loring, actress, singer and diabetes advocate, tells you how to "Make It Up and Write It Down." She's also giving away a copy of her memoir
Coincidence Is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous.
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.comWednesday, April 3 @ Tiffany Talks BooksAfter you read today's review of
Coincidences Are God's Way of Remaining Anonymous, you'll jump at the chance to enter and win a free copy!
http://www.tiffanytalksbooks.com Friday, April 5 @ Thoughts in ProgressWe've all had them. Some we remember fondly. Others we wish had been exiled to a deserted island. They're lousy boyfriends and that's what actress, diabetes activist and author Gloria Loring wants to talk about today! Join the fun and get a chance to win her memoir
Coincidences Are God's Way of Remaining Anonymous.
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/ To view all our touring authors, check out our
Events Calendar. Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following us on Twitter
@WOWBlogTour.
Get Involved!If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at
[email protected].
Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win a copy of
Coincidence Is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget this Friday, March 8.
a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!
& giveaway contest!Once upon a time . . . a magical girl fell in love with a magical guy. Are these tales just for children or can adults enjoy a romance that takes place in another realm, an amazing world full of magic and incredible creatures? Author Lawna Mackie is certain that we all need a bit more fantasy added to our romance so she pens love stories that happen in worlds she creates from dreams.
Today she begins her tour for
Perfect Misfits, a fantasy romance that weaves the romantic triangle of Tempest, a misfit on the run in a snowy nightmare of a mountain; Ryder, a gargoyle and reluctant hero; and Fedor, an evil king who wants Tempest for his own. Will Ryder be able to uncover the key to freeing not only Tempest but also himself from their respective prisons or will Fedor rule the day and make Tempest his bride?
Paperback: 272 pages (also available in e-format)
Publisher: Create Space (November 10, 2012)
ISBN-10: 148026234X
ISBN-13: 978-1480262348
Twitter hashtag: #LawnaMackie
Perfect Misfits is available in print and e-format at
Amazon and your local bookstore.
Book Giveaway Contest: To win a copy of
Perfect Misfits please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest
closes this Friday, December 14 at 12:00 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:Lawna lives in Didsbury, Alberta with her husband and her animal companions Dozer, Daisy and Mandarin. She loves mountains and water . . . almost as much as she loves fairy tales.
Although she read her first romance as a teenager it was years later, when she stumbled across a paranormal romance, that she knew she had found her passion. Lawna spent years telling friends the wild dreams she had and occasionally would try to craft them into stories but more often than not, they would end up in the recycling bin. Then one summer she challenged herself to just sit down and WRITE. So she did. Four books later, Lawna is still writing.
Find the Author Online:Author website:
http://www.lawnamackie.caFacebook:
http://www.facebook.com/lawnamackieTwitter:
http://twitter.com/lawnamackie------Interview by Jodi WebbWOW: How did you begin writing?Lawna: I was a closet writer for a time. I always thought I could write a book, but my insecurities got the better of me. About six years ago I picked up my pen and paper and took a shot at it. I couldn’t believe how excited I was. The words just seemed to pour out of me.
My very good friends were writers or communicators and I really thought I’d embarrass myself in front of them if they knew I was writing. Of course when I came out of the closet, they were shocked and very supportive of my efforts.
WOW: Fantasy romance is becoming an increasing popular genre lately. How were introduced to fantasy romance and what made you realize that was what you wanted to write? Do you write in any other genres?Lawna: As a teenager I discovered paranormal romance and being a romance junkie, I absolutely fell in love with the paranormal side of romance. As I started to write more I seemed to have this urge to create worlds and bizarre creatures. It was then that I decided to write romantic fantasies. I love the worlds I create and the odd creatures that associate themselves with my heroes and heroines.
Besides fantasy, I pretty much like to write anything BUT it still has to be romance. My books just have to have a happy-ever-after or I’m not happy. I also really like to write historical romances with a western flare.
WOW: With most fantasy books an alternate world is created. Is it fun to create your own world? Is it difficult to remember the "rules" you create for your own world. After all, on Earth we have gravity, people don't fly, etc., but in your world the rules are different.Lawna: I think I’m fortunate because a lot of my worlds are created when I sleep! I end up dreaming of a creature in a make believe world and when I wake up I’m bubbling with excitement and can’t wait to start writing down what I’ve experienced. It usually gives me the start, but it is difficult to create different worlds. Everything has to be in great detail in order for the reader to experience what the author is trying to have them picture.
I do have to make notes about colors, powers, and traits of the world and characters that I’m creating. If I didn’t I’d never remember! I like magic and use that a lot in my stories. Although there are some rules regarding the magic used, it really gives me great flexibility when allotting powers to my characters. With fantasy, I can do whatever I want to as the author. Creatures can fly and defy gravity. They can disappear, and even change their forms if they wish. I love the freedom I have when writing fantasy.
WOW: How do you go about creating a new world? I read that JK Rowling turned to old myths and fables for some of her world. Did you do the same? Did you do any research?Lawna: Really my ideas do come from dreams I’ve had. I think I’m a very visual person so sometimes I get great ideas when I’m camping, looking at mountains, or staring at a body of water. There is no limit to what a person can create if you just let go of the barriers holding us back from these thoughts.
I don’t have to do much research, sometimes I look at mythology for ideas, but I don’t spend much time researching.
WOW: Are you a plotter or a pantser?Lawna: I’m a pantser through and through! I hate outlining. I just run with my ideas and watch the story come to life. I love that about my writing. It’s like I can’t wait to write because it’s really like I’m reading the story also. I don’t know where it’s going!
WOW: What is you day to day writing schedule? Do you have any advice for our writers?Lawna: I usually like to write first thing in the morning before I go to work! It’s tough to find time and I think it’s the hardest part about being an author. I also find larger chunks of time to write on the weekends.
WOW: I think most of us can sympathize with that “where will I find the time” puzzle! What are you working on now?Lawna: Right now I’m working the sequel to my novella
Quinn's Christmas Wish. I’m very excited about it and my readers are also.
I’m also just finishing another novella called
Bareback for Cowboy which is part of the Stampede Sizzlers series. This book isn’t a fantasy in the “new world” sense, but I did like fantasying about the characters and the story. It’s very HOT.
WOW: Just what we all need for a cold winter’s night. Thanks for taking us into the world of a published writer—a world we all fantasize about!---------Blog Tour DatesMonday, December 10 (today!) @ The MuffinStop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/Wednesday, December 12 @ The Book CastWe're having fun today! An audio interview with Lawna Mackie, author of
Perfect Misfits.http://www.thebookcast.com/Thursday, December 13 @ Words by WebbStop by for a review of Lawna Mackie's
Perfect Misfits by a newcomer to the world of fantasy romance.
http://jodiwebb.comMonday, December 17 @ Buried in BooksEver wish you could meet a favorite fictional character? Today's your chance with an interview with Tempest of
Perfect Misfits. You can also enter to win your own copy.
http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/Wednesday, December 19 @ A Writer’s LifeStop by to learn more about Paranormal and Fantasy Romance author Lawna Mackie.
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.comFriday, December 21 @ Thoughts in ProgressJust what is the appeal of fantasy books? Learn from a big fan of the genre...and the author of several fantasy books...Lawna Mackie. You can also win a copy of her latest book
Perfect Misfits.
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/Saturday, December 22 @ Fresh FictionEnjoy a little holiday spirit when Lawna Mackie shares how Christmas inspires her writing. She's also giving away two of her books:
Perfect Misfits and
Quinn's Christmas Wish.
http://freshfiction.com/blog/Wednesday, January 2 @ Romance JunkiesStop by for a guest post from fantasy romance writer Lawna Mackie and the first chance of the new year to win her latest book
Perfect Misfits.
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/Friday, January 11 @ I’d So Rather Be ReadingNeed something new for a new year? How about Fantasy Romance! Get a peek at just what fantasy romance with today's review of
Perfect Misfits by Lawna Mackie.
http://www.idsoratherbereading.comTo view all our touring authors, check out our
Events Calendar. Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following us on Twitter
@WOWBlogTour.
Get Involved!If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at
[email protected].
Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win a copy of
Perfect Misfits! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget this Friday, December 14.
a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!
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By: Jodi Webb,
on 12/3/2012
Blog:
WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin)
(
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The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton,
Angela Shelton,
Add a tag
& giveaway contest!If you had a super power what would it be? Invisibility? The ability to fly? X-ray vision? What about the ability to make hats? Not regular hats but magical hats . . . hats that make people blossom, help them become the person they secretly wish they could be. Tilda Pinkerton has that ability. But will hat making help her save the universe from evil powers trying to destroy it?
Somewhere out in the Sombrero Galaxy, Tilda Pinkerton is being hunted by the Keeper of Darkness. But Tilda isn’t worried. Of course that could be because she doesn’t remember who she is or what she’s doing on the planet of Ooleeoo. Even in the middle of cosmic danger, Tilda does what she does best: creates hats that make people . . . not better, but MORE of the person they are meant to be. When the mayor of Ooleeoo bans Tilda’s hats is he just being a curmudgeon or is he secretly working for the enemy? Can Tilda figure out who she is in time to save the galaxy?
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton is the perfect combination: it has a roller coaster ride of a story for middle-grade readers and the interesting addition of words to expand their vocabulary that will make parents (and teachers) happy. If your child is looking for a new series to enjoy
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton may be the answer to their reading wishes.
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Quiet Owl Books (July 31, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0615646778
ISBN-13: 978-0615646770
Twitter hashtag: #TildaPinkerton
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton: Crash Landing on Ooleeoo is available in print and e-format at
Amazon,
Barnes and Noble and your local bookstore.
Book Giveaway Contest: To win a copy of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes this Friday, December 7 at 12:0
0 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:
Angela is an author, actor, and public speaker. She has been writing since she was eight years old. Her first novel was adapted into the movie
Tumbleweeds. Angela won a regional Emmy award for her portrayal of SafeSide Superchick in The Safe Side video series created by Baby Einstein’s Julie Clark. After living in Los Angeles for over a decade, Angela left the big city for a one-light country town to marry her first love and fulfill her dream of writing books in a barn house.
Her Tilda Pinkerton books can be traced back to her childhood fear of dictionaries! Angela was a big believer in the “if I can’t spell it, how can I find it in the dicitionary to learn how to spell it” school of thought. In fact, she was so frustrated by the uselessness of dictionaries that she destroyed several during her childhood. She eventually got over her fear of dictionaries (OK, she still hates them. But she learned to hide her antagonism for word books), and began writing. Her Tilda books contain a plethora (Go ahead, look it up. At least you know how to spell it!) of wacky words and definitions to expand the vocabulary of readers in a fun way. No dictionaries involved!
Find the Author Online:Tilda Pinkerton website:
www.tildapinkerton.comFacebook for Tilda Pinkerton:
http://www.facebook.com/tildapinkerton Twitter: @TildaPinkerton
Angela Shelton:
www.angelashelton.com Facebook for Angela Shelton:
http://www.facebook.com/AngelaSheltonFanPageTwitter: @AngelaShelton
------Interview by Jodi WebbWOW: We always love to hear the story of the birth of a book. How, when, and where did you get the idea for your Tilda books?Angela: Actually, the idea of Tilda Pinkerton was presented to me during a meditation prayer. It was in 2010, January in Malibu. I was praying in the meditative way that I do and I asked what I was meant to write next. I always ask the muses (aka those little creative angels who plant ideas into our minds) because they tend to give you the best ideas. I asked what I should write next that was original, fun, and good for children and adults alike. I sat there and waited.
I heard Tilda Pinkerton collects hats in a very English accent and my eyes popped open. I announced that I loved it and wanted to hear more. Then I heard in my mind—not like hearing voices or something—Whenever Tilda Pinkerton gives you a hat, your life changes forever.
I loved Tilda from the first moment the idea of her was placed in my mind. And so Tilda Pinkerton was born, not through me but through a higher source. That’s how I work best.
WOW: Your main character, Tilda Pinkerton, is making her debut in a middle grade series. But we see that you also have a chapter book for younger readers. Did you plan to cross age groups with Tilda? How did it happen? Is the middle grade series a "warm-up" for the chapter books? Angela: The plan is to write a vocabulary builder with a character you grow up with—literally. So as you learn to read, the more you can learn about Tilda and her adventures from the picture book to the big book.
The middle grade book is a bit of a warm up, yes. It tells the history of where Tilda originated from and what started her on her hat making journey. The chapter books for K-3 take place when Tilda has already made it to Earth. So, the younger readers actually know more about Tilda’s future than the older readers do.
I’ve been around a lot of children at a lot of different ages and have seen how they love to advance. If they are reading a book series, they are very proud of the fact that they are on book four and their little sibling is only on book one. They love knowing more about a character than their friends do too. By switching things up and having the younger books be in the future, I let the little ones in on a few more secrets. There will also be a picture book series that tell the big book stories in very simple terms with gorgeous artwork.
WOW: Why do you think Tilda appeals to such a wide range of ages?Angela: I think Tilda appeals to all ages (so far 50+ are her most popular readers!) because the theme of finding ones inner strength while good battles over evil is universal and ageless. Plus, I think everyone loves hats and what better hats to have than a magical hat given to you by Tilda Pinkerton?
I wrote what I wanted to read and what I’d want to read to my little ones. A story that makes you think while inspiring you to learn new bigger words and concepts is right up my alley.
WOW: Do you have a preference for writing chapter books or middle grade? What are some of the challenges presented by writing for each age group?Angela: I absolutely love writing the chapter books. They are quick, fun stories loaded with life lessons and educational lessons—thank you to the elementary school teachers who are helping me on them. The chapter books focus on Tilda’s magical hats helping with various jobs so they definitely have more of a simple focus than the larger books.
But honestly, the big books are my favorite. I love that Tilda started making hats in the Sombrero Galaxy—and that there really is such a place. I love getting to write about nebulas and it pleases me to no end that things like the water bears and bionic bugs really exist!
It was decided that Tilda should first appear in the big books since it tells her history. The chapter books officially launch in March, 2013. Then I get to write my hands off for quite a few years it looks like—assuming readers love Tilda as much as I do. There are 26 chapter books mapped out and so far 5 big books. So, we shall see!
WOW: You absolutely have to tell us how you got such an incredible book cover! How important do you think a book cover is in children's literature? How did you get so much input when the rule is that, unless they are also the illustrator, authors get little or no say in illustrations, book covers, etc?Angela: I begged. I pleaded with the painter to paint it and I pleaded with the publisher to pay for it. I discovered Shanna Trumbly, the amazing painter from Trumbly Designs in Oregon where I bought a few of her pieces. Much later, after I had finished Book One of the Tilda series, an Oregonian friend reminded me of Trumbly as I was beginning the cover design process with the publisher.
I emailed Shanna from her website and told her about the book and asked her if she worked on commission. Sadly, she replied that she did not work on commission but the book sounded very interesting. The next day she emailed me back saying that she’d had a dream of a green hat and wanted to know more about my book!
From how Tilda was born, I bet you can understand how excited I was that a dream had inspired her. I told her all about Tilda and voila she said she would paint the cover. Then I had to go get it paid for. But when the group at Quiet Owl saw Trumbly’s work, it did not take long to convince them that she should paint Tilda.
WOW: Your book has an unusual vocabulary facet. Why did you decide to include so many "50 cent words" in your book?Angela: I had problems with big words as a child. Even though I was always placed in the advanced classes and gifted kids programs, I had a serious disdain for the dictionary. I slowly lost that as I got older, along with my fear of admitting I did not know a word used in conversation. I used to get so frustrated and angry at not knowing a word. Now I’ll pull out my Iphone and ask what a word means.
I wanted Tilda Pinkerton to be a fun vocabulary builder for kids and adults as well as a beautiful adventure. And of course, as an author I get to live through Tilda, who has a much better vocabulary than I do.
WOW: How are you reaching out to your potential audience? How are you making your book appealing not only to children but also to parents and teachers? Angela: Finding new readers via blogging has been working well. Thank you, WOW!
Tilda is also reaching more children through the teachers that I’ve worked with on the books. I reached out to a group of local elementary teachers on the chapter books to help me with the teacher’s guides.
Teachers and parents love that there are teacher guides that go with each chapter book. We’ve tested them out on a group and I’m working with a group of teachers to make sure I make their lives easier by adding all kinds of things they can use in their classrooms, including many reproducables – a thing I did not know about before Tilda’s Teachers began helping.
WOW: What's up next? Angela: I have new things for kids and adults!
Book Two of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton has begun and it is one wild ride. Tilda’s chapter books for K-3 are launching in March along with a smart board website for teachers.
I write the most in the winter and have two other books in the works for adults. One is about my decade as a model in the fashion industry – that’s some mommy private time reading! I also have another book about how four French chairs saved their owner from a sociopath. The chairs tell the story and it has been very fun to write since each chair is very opinionated. One of them only wants male models to sit on her. It’s definitely not a kid’s book.
I love to write for younger readers, but there is always naptime . . .
WOW: I can see your model and French chair books are definitely going to have to visit different blogs for their WOW blog tours! ---------Blog Tour DatesMonday, December 3 (today!) @ The MuffinStop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/Thursday, December 6 @ Words by WebbWondering what
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton is all about? Stop by for today's review.
http://jodiwebb.comFriday, December 7 @ Cathy C. HallLearn how dinosaurs affected Angela Shelton's writing and enter to win a copy of her middle grade fantasy
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://www.cathychall.wordpress.comMonday, December 10 @ Kid Lit ReviewsAngela Shelton, author of the Tilda Pinkerton books, is revealing a secret all children's authors should know: why teachers are an author's most valuable supporter.
http://kid-lit-reviews.com/Thursday, December 13 @ Joanna CelesteNeed a great book for the tween in your life? Stop by for a review of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://www.joannaceleste.comFriday, December 14 @ Mother-Daughter Book ClubLearn about the challenges of writing fantasy for children from author Angela Shelton and win a copy of her latest book middle grade novel
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://www.motherdaughterbookclub.comMonday, December 17 @ Read These Books and Use Them!Stop by to learn more about author Angela Shelton and the wacky Tilda Pinkerton! Also, enter to win a copy of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://margodill.com/blog/Friday, December 21 @ Joanna CelesteHave you ever wondered what it's like to be a space warrior...who also happens to make magical hats? If so, today's your chance to meet Tilda Pinkerton, star of the middle grade fantasy book
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://www.joannaceleste.comThursday, December 27 @ It’s About Time MamawDon't miss a visit with Angela Shelton, author of a most unusual middle grade reader. You also have a chance to win
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.comWednesday, January 2 @ Buried in BooksWant an attitude adjustment for 2013? You need a hat! Angela Shelton, author of the a middle grade fantasy about a hat maker named Tilda Pinkerton shares the power of hats today. She's also giving away a copy of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton.
http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/Thursday, January 3 @ Buried in BooksDon't miss a review of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton and your LAST CHANCE to win your very own copy!
http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/Monday, January 7We're calling out the experts today! Stop by for a review of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton by a children's librarian. Don't miss your LAST CHANCE to win a copy!
http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/To view all our touring authors, check out our
Events Calendar. Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following us on Twitter
@WOWBlogTour.
Get Involved!If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at
[email protected].
Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win a copy of
The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget this Friday, December 7.
a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!
Believe it or not we have officially entered the holiday season. As we plan our Thanksgiving menus (for those in the U.S.) and write our Christmas lists our thoughts turn to home and to the friends and family who make our lives complete.
WOW
! is very happy to kick off your holidays with a modern day classic tale called
The Christmas Village.
In this story, Jamie is having a difficult time because his father recently left and nothing feels right. While staying at his grandparent’s home for Christmas, Jamie’s attention keeps going to his grandmother’s miniature Christmas Village where everything seems so perfect. One night, Jamie is magically drawn into the little village, and he finds that things are not always as they seem. Can Jamie help his friends? Will he ever find his way home?
It’s a winter adventure for the child in each of us—but instead of telling you about it I want to show you!
I just love that
book trailer!
The Christmas Village is available at
Smashwords and at
Amazon in print and for Kindle.
Paperback: 198 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (October 2011)
ISBN-10: 1463646259
Hashtag:
#TCVllgBook Giveaway Contest: If you would like to win a copy of
The Christmas Village, please leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in a random drawing. The giveaway contest closes this
Thursday, November 10th at 11:59 PM, PST. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag
#TCVllg, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post on the following day Friday, November 11th. Good luck!
About the Author: The Christmas Village is Melissa Goodwin’s first novel, but Melissa has been writing for children for some time now in publications such as
Fun for Kidz,
Boys’ Quest and
Hopscotch for Girls. In addition to writing for children’s publications, Melissa writes articles targeted at the opposite end of the age spectrum. She’s fun and friendly, she’s a restorative yoga instructor, and she’s married to an artist! I just can’t wait for you to meet her.
Stay in touch with Melissa at:
Melissa Ann Goodwin:
http://writeryogini.blogspot.com/The Christmas Village:
http://thechristmasvillagebook.blogspot.com/FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Christmas-Village/243381569015162
27 Comments on Melissa Ann Goodwin Launches The Christmas Village: Tour and Giveaway, last added: 11/10/2011
& Book Giveaway Comments Contest
Sometimes one is not enough...one potato chip, one pair of black heels, one trip to the beach and, of course, one book. I could never own just one book. Several years ago, trapped on the couch in bedrest I counted the books on my bookshelves. 400+! But forget about owning books, for many people writing one book just isn't enough. Melissa Foster is one of those people. Last month Melissa toured with her novel
Megan's Way and this month it's time for her novel
Chasing Amanda.
Chasing Amanda is about two chances. The first time, Molly Tanner didn't even realize the importance of the little girl crying in the parking lot, but when history repeats itself she isn't going to let her second chance slip through her fingers. She'll do anything to save this little girl...and ultimately herself...even if means risking her family, her sanity, and her life.
Nine years ago, Molly escaped the urban rush of Philadelphia, and the memories of being the last one to see a little girl before she was abducted and killed, for the slow paced life of the small town of Boyds, Maryland. Her life finally seems to be back on track: her son is in college, her adoring husband loves her, and she's happy.
But it all falls to pieces when another little girl is abducted from a nearby park. Taunted by clairvoyant visions, Molly is determined to decipher the clues to find this little girl. While unearthing clues Molly discovers another side of Boyds, where the residents--and the land itself--hold potentially lethal secrets and another side to her husband, one that threatens to tear them apart.
Chasing Amanda has been nominated for the Dan Poynter Global e-Book Award. The winners will be announced later this summer. Keep your fingers crossed! Megan's Way, which was on a WOW! Blog Tour last month, won the 2011 Beach Book Award for Spirituality, was a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Spirituality and has also been nominated for the Dan Poynter Global eBook Award.
Chasing Amanda is available for purchase in print and e-book formats at
Amazon and
Smashwords.
ISBN: 978-0615477527
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Format: Paperback, 378 pages and e-book
Hang on to your seat for this thrilling peek inside
Chasing Amanda here. And check out the exciting book trailer below!
Book Giveaway Contest: If you would like to win a copy of Chasing Amanda, please leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in a random drawing. The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, July 7 at 11:59 PM PST. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitte
I believe in divine guidance and intervention in our lives. I think sometimes I forget that the "coincidences" in life may be more intentional than I realize. I also think, as you've clearly lived in your life, we have to be willing to knock on doors and walk through them. Like a tapestry, all the threads that sometimes don't make sense when they're being woven, ultimately form a beautiful and complete picture that become our life. Thanks for sharing your story, Gloria. All the best to you with your book-- may it touch lives and inspire hope.
I've been fortunate enough to have already read "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous."
After reading Gloria's inspiring book, what struck me was the honesty and wisdom within the pages.
Congratulations, Gloria, for writing such an inspiring book, and thank you Jodi and Gloria for a great interview.
Thank you Jodi for your enjoyable, creative interview. Thank you Gloria for your honesty and inspiration. Can't wait to read your book (that I hope to win!:)) WriteON!
Here's a coincidence--I was just talking about coincidences with my husband yesterday and about how sometimes I think God has a plan for us, and we just can't fight it. He's an air traffic controller, so more than likely, we are going to be affected by the sequestration you keep hearing about in the news. On the same day that this seemed to be a reality, I got an email for a freelance job from someone I hadn't heard from in a year. Coincidence? :) I would love to read this book!
What an inspiration!
After I left my marriage, my counselor told me I was a tenacious survivor. She asked me how I managed and I shared that I always believed that the right people or the right things were always there for me when I needed them. Some people saw them as coincidence, but I saw them as gifts from God.
Thanks for sharing your story, Gloria!
I love reading stories about synchronicities that occur in people's lives. It's fascinating and makes me feel hopeful about life. If we set intentions, the Universe can orchestrate things in ways we might never have thought of. I plan on reading this book!
Inspiring interview, Jodi and Gloria!
My hubby and I have been talking about coincidences a LOT this weekend. On Saturday, he took his new motorcycle for a ride because the weather was gorgeous here in Southern California, around 80 degrees, and he wanted to ride up the coast. By chance or coincidence he stopped by a used motorcycle gear shop and found a leather jacket that fit him perfectly. A few minutes before he came in, a guy almost purchased it but decided against it because he was too tall, so the length didn't fit him exactly right. My husband put the leather on and went riding. Not even five minutes after he left the store, a tow truck swerved into his lane and sideswiped his front tire. My hubby's bike slid under a car and (it's totaled), and he went sliding across the street. Then the tow truck driver just took off!! There were witnesses, but nobody got the guy's license plate. TG, he's okay except for some road rash, but it was the jacket that saved his body. It would've been hamburger. Seriously. I don't know if that's coincidence, divine intervention, or just luck, but it's been tripping us out all weekend.
Wow, Angela! So glad your husband is ok. What a terrifying experience. The "coincidental" jacet purchase story probably could have been included in the book. I do think it's important to follow our intuition/gut feelings because that's what leads us to say, stop by a motocycle shop out of the blue.
Dear Everyone!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about my interview with Jodi, and about my book. And yes, Angela, your husband is so fortunate. I have come to understand intuition as the inner form of coincidence, both inner and outer giving us clues, leading us on.
That's the beauty of Albert Einstein's words, "Coincidence is God's way..." They lead to a life of personal adventure, watching for the ways the magnificence intelligence that created us is working on our behalf.
Cheers, Gloria Loring
What an insightful interview! I can't wait to read Gloria's book now. I am so glad your husband listened to his intuition and stopped at that motorcycle shop, Angela! And yes, over the years I too have learned to NEVER ignore my intuition.
When I was 16 years old, intuition made me realize a van full of young men who stopped me in a parking lot as I was leaving work did not have my best intentions at heart. Intuition was screaming at me to run, and I did.
Intuition also screamed at me this past summer, telling me to quit ignoring my doctor's orders to get a baseline mammogram at age 35. I finally listened, and two diagnostic exams and an ultrasound later, I have a wonderful radiologist who has decided I should come in twice a year so they can keep an eye on one specific area of calcification.
And the time a few months ago when I was late for my massage appointment because I couldn't find the gift certificate for it? I missed being caught up in a horrible traffic accident on the highway by about ten minutes, the exact amount of time I spent searching for the lost gift certificate (which I NEVER found), by the way. I got to the appointment late, grateful, and the spa didn't care that I didn't have the piece of paper with me.
Renee,
I've reserved the name mycoincidences.com for a web site, and am so looking forward to hearing the wisdom of stories like yours. Now I have to get it set up! You inspire me to want to do that.... Gloria
Thank you for that sweet comment, Gloria! That sounds like it will be an amazing site. I truly believe many people don't realize the magnitude of all the "synchronicities" that occur in our lives, as MP mentioned. We would be so much better off if we did.
Thank you for writing this book. I believe it will be a blessing for those that think lots of things are all "luck". God is behind everything that happens!
Tricia Andrews
Thanks, Tricia. It has been , and continues to be, an amazing journey.