Thank you to EVERYONE who came out to the Tomball Little League Event! We had such a great time! Thank you to the Tomball Little League Association who hosted the event and to Mayor Fagon of Tomball for naming September 19th as Iggy the Iguana Day. A big thanks goes out the the Chick-Fil-A cow and the team at Chick-Fil-A for helping host this event in Tomball. The community support inside your city made all of this possible. We can't wait to participate in more local events in the area. Here are a few pictures from Iggy Sequel Launch Party! Thank you to Asher Gray Photography for all of the great pictures from the event! www. ashergray.com.

SEPTEMBER 19TH IS OFFICIALLY IGGY THE IGUANA DAY AS ANNOUNCED BY MAYOR FAYGAN OF TOMBALL, TEXAS!!!!!

Come to Iggy’s Sequel Launch Party on Saturday September 19th, 2009 from 10am to 4pm at the Tomball Little League Fields. 125 W. Huffsmith Rd, Tomball, TX.

Come by Iggy’s tent for fun, prizes, food, and autographs from the author of Iggy the Iguana. Be the first to get your copy of Iggy’s Sequel, Summer League!

Schedule:
10:00am Reading of the Proclamation and National Anthem
10:00 am 4pm Baseball Games
2:00pm Grand Prize Drawing for a Gift Basket of all of Iggy’s Merchandise

Congratulations Lindsey and Caroline for your great achievement! Lindsey came to me a year ago and told me that she and her best friend Caroline really wanted to get their story published and needed some advice. There is a big difference between people who ask for advice, receive it, and never use it ... and people like these two girls who actually proceed with the information given. It is an absolutely honor to have this book dedication. If a story about my childhood pet, Iggy, turned fiction can inspire young people like this to follow their dreams, then that is what being a children’s author is all about. Way to go girls!!!!!!! I’ve never had a book dedicated to me, so this is such a HUGE deal to me ... I see so many great things in your futures.

Love,
Melissa and Iggy

Be sure to check out Mr. Teddy Loses His Bow Tie and read a few pages from the story!!!! Published by KidPub

http://www.kidpub.com/news/mr-teddy-loses-his-bow-tie-lindsey-vogt-and-caroline-mccord-170900

Hi Everyone!
I’m excited to announce that I am the new Children’s Columnist at the WestSide Story Paper in Houston, TX. Iggy is working his way to becoming the mascot for the Paper! WAY TO GO IGGY!!!!! The column will be geared for Children and Parents, so be sure to check in on me and Iggy weekly! You can view the paper on line daily ... and be sure post your comments at the paper online. Visit the Kids Korner at http://www.thewestsidestory.net/SubSection/Kids_Korner_Iggy_the_Iguana/Kids_Korner_Iggy_the_Iguana/393

I will be signing copies of Iggy the Iguana at the Kroger Grand Re-Opening on 5150 Buffalo Speedway in Houston, TX this Saturday, August 1st from Noon to 4pm. Come out to say hi and take a picture with me and Iggy!

Watch Channel 2 Houston Tuesday night July 21st at 5pm for Melissa M. Williams’ Iggy the Iguana News Story. http://www.click2houston.com/news/20132629/detail.html

FACES IN THE CROWD
Author makes mark with ‘Iggy the Iguana'
By FLORI MEEKS CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
July 13, 2009, 12:15PM

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/tomball/news/6526910.html

The Tomball Little League fields have a permanent home now in children's fiction.

Author Melissa Williams, a 2000 graduate of Cypress Fall High School, has incorporated the fields into her new children's book, Summer League, and she'll be unveiling the book there later this summer.

“I picked the Tomball fields as the place for the district tournament,” Williams said. “I like to incorporate Houston-area locations that readers can recognize.”

Summer League is Williams' second installment in Williams' Iggy the Iguana series, which is geared for elementary school students age 7-11. She first created the Iggy character when she was 8, in honor of one of her childhood pets.

“Children love hearing that,” the Memorial Heights resident said. “It encourages them to be a little more creative when they write.”

For Williams, writing has been an important outlet since she was 6.

“Creative writing was my get away,” she said. “I've always kept a journal.”

Williams promised herself that one day she would develop her stories about Iggy into a published children's book.

Children's fiction wasn't William's primary career goal, though. After earning a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in professional counseling, she anticipated a career writing inspirational books for adults.

But before pursuing that path, Williams decided to keep her promise to herself about Iggy.

“I wasn't going to be one of those people who wanted to do something and never did it,” she said.

Williams published Iggy the Iguana in 2008 with illustrations by New York artist Kelley Stengele. The book has been well received, and for Williams, Iggy has become a way to encourage readers, just as she hoped. She's simply working with a younger readership.

“Iggy has become full force,” Williams said. “It is my life. I've taken something I had a love for as a child, and I turned it into a career.”

In his first book, Iggy makes the move in the fourth grade from a public “all-iguana” campus to a public elementary school with all sorts of animals. There, he learns to overcome his shyness and insecurities and get to know the other pupils.

Since her first book's release, Williams has visited schools throughout the country to read to students and encourage them to find their own creative sides.

“I've probably visited about 80 schools this year,” she said. “This is something kids start at a very early age. I love to hear their interest grow when I say I did this as a child.”

In Summer League, Iggy and his pals are on summer vacation and playing summer league baseball. The book also introduces a new character, an animal in remission from cancer.

“I want readers to see how Iggy approaches this character,” Williams said.

It was editor and graphic artist Sharon Wyatt who suggested visiting the Tomball Little League fields to get ideas for the baseball scenes in Williams' book.

“Tomball has one of the best baseball programs ever,” said Wyatt, who lives in Tomball. “It was a great experience when we went through it.”

Williams attended a league game and later decided to incorporate the fields into her story.

Wyatt said she's been enjoying watching Williams blossom as a children's author. Wyatt is the mother of Williams' longtime childhood friend, August. As teens, August and Williams were cheerleaders at Cypress Falls High School.

“Melissa is very passionate and dedicated about working with children,” Wyatt said. “She wants children to learn from her stories.”

Williams' books are available for purchase online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com and also at her Web site, IggytheIguana.com.

Williams has not set a release date for Summer League, but expects to present the book at the Tomball Little League fields in August or September.


MELISSA WILLIAMS

• Age: 27

• Community Connection: 2000 graduate of Cypress Falls High School

• Occupation: Author, founder and executive author of LongTale Publishing LLC

• Fast Fact: Williams based book character Buddy, a bullying bullfrog, on suggestions from young readers.

• Quick Quote: “I have the animals in the Iggy Iguana books go through a lot of the things kids go through.”

I want to thank all of my campers for making last week such a fun, productive, and exciting week. It was such a joy for Miss Kelley and I to get to know each and everyone of you. We are so impressed with how much work and creativity you all were able to produce in only 5 days. Congratulations to everyone for getting your review inside the sequel, and a big congratulations to my back cover winners, Emily, Hayden, and Jason. I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you for future events and contests. The Turtle Town Group winners will be announced by the end of the summer, so keep checking Iggy’s Blog and your email to find out who won.

Keep writing and drawing ... all of you are blessed with many special gifts.

Melissa and Iggy

Catch my Live Radio Interview on the Bobby Ozuna Show this Wednesday Night 6/17/09 7PM CST. http://www.artistfirst.com/bobbyozuna.htm We will be giving away a paid for Scholarship to one deserving child to my 5 Day Creative Writing and Illustration Camp in the Houston/Cypress Area. The camp starts on Monday June 22nd, so tune in to give a young aspiring writer this lasting gift. To inquire about scholarships and opportunities for your child, please email me at [email protected]. or visit www.iggytheiguana.com.

Congratulations to Iggy’s June Kids Book Review Winner, Diamond Avila!!!! Keep reading to find out what she had to say and become inspired by her motivating words!

“I loved Iggy the Iguana! It is a great book for kids to read. My favorite character is Snap Shell. I admire how you made the character a wannabe surfer guy. Which means, he is not. I can’t wait until the second book comes out. This book inspired me to write about my life. Who knows, maybe I’ll write a book about my childhood. Thank you for coming to my school!”

Diamond Avila

Hi Everyone!

I will be at the Kroger at 13135 Louetta,  Cypress, TX on Friday June 5th from 3pm to 7pm and Sunday June 7th from 12pm to 3pm autographing copies of Iggy the Iguana. Be sure to check out all of the new summer activities going on in your area with me and Iggy!!!! Don’t forget the 5 DAY CREATIVE WRITING AND ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD IN THE CYPRESS AREA ON JUNE 22ND THROUGH THE 26TH. Come by for a registration packet or email me for details at [email protected].

Have a great summer!!! Keep checking in for updates on Iggy’s Website.

Melissa M. Williams will be doing an Iggy the Iguana reading followed by an author signing this Saturday 5/9/09 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Barnes and Noble located on Westheimer at Voss. Please join us for an afternoon of fun as a portion of all book sales will benefit St. Michael’s School!

Tune in Wednesday to learn how to find your niche in the book industry from children's book author, Melissa Williams.  
 
The success of writing a book is not as simple as just creating a good story ... it's about branding your idea into something memorable and relatable to the audience of your choosing.  In the children's book market, the potential to create a name for yourself and your book comes from developing a vision that follows your characters and leaves a lasting impact on your readers.  Once you find your niche, the possibilities continue to emerge and build upon each other with the opening of every new door. 
 

Wednesday, April 29th
3pm (CST)
 www.stevenkaylive.com
Click here to listen live!
Learn more... www.iggytheiguana.com
 
  

Thank you, Iggy Fans, for all of your wonderful letters, character ideas, and questions last month.  I would like to answer some of my favorite questions I received from my biggest Iggy Fans!

 How old were you when you started writing?  8 years old
2.  How many pets have you had through out your life? Over 40 animals
3.  Have you ever lost your pet Iggy?  Yes!  I left him outside, and he climbed to the very top of my neighbor's tree.  It took over an hour to find him.
 What are some of your favorite books?  Charlotte's Web, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Mr. Popper's Penguins! 
How long did you have your pet Iggy?  Around 5 years
Do you plan on making a new series? All of my books in the near future will be Iggy related. The Iggy and Friend’s Picture book series will be coming out next year. I would also like to write books for adults too!
Why did you have so many pets? I loved taking care of animals and playing with them.
Is Iggy still alive. No. :O( Iggy passed away back when I was a kid. It was very sad, but his memory is alive in my writing and in his book.
How old do you have to be to write a book? Any age! I will be starting a book writing project soon, to help kids get their stories published by my publishing company, LongTale Publishing.
What made you want to be an author? I have wanted to be an author since I could pick up a pen. I have always had a BIG imagination. It is a part of my personality. I love writing and will be doing it for the rest of my life. It was my dream, my goal, and I had to follow my dream!

Iggy and Molly are jumping for joy because they have a BIG announcement to make. Melissa Williams, Author of Iggy the Iguana, and Kelley Stengele, Illustrator of Iggy the Iguana, will be holding a 5 day Character Development Summer Workshop in the Houston Area!!!!!

Date: June 22nd - 26th
Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Location:16011 FM 529 Rd Houston, TX (Inside Hobby Lobby)
Requirements: Available to incoming 4th through 6th graders

WHAT DOES THE CAMP INCLUDE?????
5 Mornings of hands on instructional time with the author and illustrator

All Art Supplies

Attendees will learn specific techniques on the creation and development of a character for their own story ... with the chance to see their character appear in the third book of the Iggy Series, Turtle Town!

Your Very Own Bound Book Project, which we will be working on through out the week.

Creative Writing Instruction and Art Instruction.

TAKS reading and writing objectives included in Instructional Time.

Discussion Group on the Iggy the Iguana Books

A Chance to Appear in the NEXT IGGYTUBE VIDEO!

EVERYONE WILL RECEIVE:
An Iggy T-Shirt and Folder
Daily Prizes
Daily Snack

Price: $250

Please email Melissa Williams at [email protected] for registration packet and more information. To learn more about Melissa’s School Book Tour watch IggyTube@!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh44bqxHRhw

Hi Everyone! Check out my National LIVE Radio Interview on the Perceptive Marketing Hour with Sandy Lawrence, tonight (Monday April 6th) at 7pm Central Time! Go to http://www.artistfirst.com/perceptivemarketing.htm to listen! We will be discussing the journey of writing for children and speaking to the audience of Iggy the Iguana. I will also have never before heard announcements regarding the Sequel and NEW Creative Writing Workshops for kids this summer!

Congratulations to Lily Schiff from Armstrong Elementary for winning the March Writing Contest. Last month Iggy Fans were asked to tell me what lesson they learned after reading Iggy the Iguana. Lily learned one of the most important lessons ... TO ALWAYS BE YOURSELF! Read what she had to say!

“This book was awesome and I can't wait until there is another one! I learned a lot of things from this book, but the one I think is the most important would be to always be yourself. I got this from Iggy's first day of school he was him self and right away he met Lizzie Beth!” -Lily Schiff, 4th grade

I encourage all of you to tell me some of the other lessons you learned from the Iggy the Iguana Story! There are A LOT out there!!!!! You could win an Iggy stuffed animal and the chance to be on the next Iggy Video, just like Lily!
 

During the month of March, I have had the opportunity to meet so many awesome Iggy Fans! Here are a few pictures from my Iggy Book Club Night out! If you have a group that would be interested in starting your own Iggy Book Club in the Houston, Texas Area, please contact me at [email protected] to set something up!

WIN AN IGGY STUFFED ANIMAL by telling Melissa about the lesson you learned from reading the book! Winner's paragraphs will also be published on the website and you will have the chance to be interviewed by Melissa for the next Iggy video.

Send Melissa an email to [email protected] with 50 to 100 words on what you learned from the Iggy the Iguana story. Be sure to include your first and last name, grade, school name and teacher's name. Winners will be announced in the April newsletter!

I want to give a special thanks to some of my BIGEST Iggy Fans for inviting me to their school last week to share Iggy the Iguana with all of their friends! We had such an awesome day! Here are a few pictures from the that afternoon!

Iggy and I would like to thank all of the students at Travis Elementary for a great author visit! Your questions were awesome! Make sure to check the website for updates and to continuing reading chapter two online! I hope to read your book reviews very soon!

I want to thank everyone for tuning into my Live Radio Interview with Bobby Ozuna. If you happened to miss the show the other night, you can listen again whenever you like by going the the weblink http://artistfirst.com/bobbyozuna.htm. Feel free to post comments on the show’s blog! If you have problems finding the show you can also try the direct audio link, http://66.49.193.35/ArtistFirst_Soul_Of_Humanity_2009-02-04.mp3

Congratulations, Veronica, for winning the free book drawing at Red Elementary today! I had such a great time speaking with all of the wonderful students at Red Elementary. I look forward to hearing what you have to say about the book once you finish reading! Be sure to send me your reviews! [email protected]

Here are some great pictures with my Iggy Fans!

http://es.houstonisd.org/RedEs/Iggy%20Author%20Visit/index.htm