I'm thrilled to welcome Indie Debut author Lori Calabrese to my blog today! Lori's first picture book, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade, has just been released by Dragonfly Publishing.



Here's a quick synopsis of this bug-filled adventure:

Hoping to win the upcoming Bug-A-Fair, Matt pries a strange bug off the grille of his Dad's car. But as the fair nears, Matt catches a different kind of bug: a cold. Will Matt become student of the year or will he create a third grade epidemic?

1.      How did you come up with the idea for the Bug? Did you have a bug collection as a child?

You know, I never did have a bug collection although I have vivid memories of running around the front yard, catching fireflies with my brother. We’d often catch them in jars and let them go later. Although I was never a real bug person, it was fun watching those little buggers light up!

The idea for The Bug didn’t come about from any insect, though. It came about from another kind of bug—a stomach bug! You know the one—that vicious virus that hits your house, and doesn’t leave until it’s gotten everybody sick. I know every Mom out there reading this is shaking their head right now saying, ‘Been there, done that!’

 My oldest got it, unfortunately, and when everybody called to find out how he was doing, I always replied, “He caught the bug.” I know a lot of people who use that saying and I used it so much, it made me stop and think, “Why do we call a virus a bug?” I knew I had something, so I took the idea, expanded on the play on words of catching a cold and catching an insect and before I knew it, I had The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade.

2.      I noticed that your book is in rhyme - something that I'm terrified to try. Do you write rhyming picture books a lot? What challenges do you find when trying this format?

 

I LOVE writing rhyming picture books and if I had my way, that might be all I’d write! However, the picture book market is tough right now and rhyming picture books are a tough sell. Many other writers are also out there trying their hand at this genre, so it’s very competitive. But I love it so much and guess you can say, I’m one who must!

 

However, there are definitely many challenges when trying to write a rhyming picture book. First, there’s the rhyme. It’s not as easy as everyone thinks, which I realized when I first sat down to write one. It’s an art form to get rhyme and meter right, and I’l

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I'm so excited! My publisher, Story Pie Press (formerly Earth Day Publishing) just emailed me the cover of my upcoming picture book, Samson's Tale - a story about childhood cancer!

Doesn't it look awesome? Kathleen Spale, the illustrator, did a fantastic job. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

The plans right now are that the book will be available December 17th. More info to come on a launch, events, etc! And of course a portion of the proceeds will go to childhood cancer charities!

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Click over to C.Lee McKenzie's blog, read my interview and post a comment for a chance to win a free signed copy of Owen and the Dragon!

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Donna McDine just posted a nice review of Owen and the Dragon at the National Writing for Children Center. Thanks Donna!

I'd love to gather in a few more reviews - anyone know bloggers who'd like to take me up on the offer? Leave a comment and I'll send you review copy of the book.

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Today I'm excited to host fellow Indie Debut 2010 author Beth Bence Reinke who has not one but two pictures books coming out this year with 4RV Publishing. Beth's first picture book, In My Bath, is a delightful and whimsical story. She takes the reader on an imagination thrill ride, pretending to be different animals splashing and sliding in the tub. It is an easy story for kids to have fun with and imagine all sorts of creatures in their bath.

Tell us about In My Bath - what inspired you for this story idea?

Two things inspired this story. First was a bedtime picture book that showed a little girl pretending to sleep in different animal beds like a bird nest, in a cave, underwater. The second was a bedtime routine with my sons where I acted out silly skits using their stuffed animals - including an elephant and manatee, which appear in In My Bath. Those two things merged into a little boy imagining different water-loving animals in his bathtub.

Although picture books don't have a lot of words, they are some of the most difficult books to write. How long did it take you to write In My Bath?

First I wrote down two things– the steps in taking a bath and a list of water-loving animals. Then I matched an animal to each step and wrote what the boy and animal were doing. That all flowed pretty quickly. The reworking and editing took longer. I tend to put things aside for a while to let them “cool,” then come back to them with fresh eyes. So even though this is a short book, it was probably several weeks from start to finish.

I love the illustrations in your book - did you have any input?

 When submitting the manuscript, I noted which animal or bird would be on each page to help the editor understand and visualize the story. Once the illustrator was assigned to the project, I didn’t see the illustrations until they were finished. I think Ginger did a fantastic job!

You have another picture book out shortly - tell us a little bit about that one.

 A Wish and a Prayer releases this summer from 4RV Publishing. It is a story about a boy named Jason whose pet parakeet flies out the window and is lost. The book explores the differences between wishing and praying.

Where can we read more about you online and/or purchase your books?

Visit me at http://www.bethbencereinke.com You can purchase the books from my website or 4RV Publishing. They are also available from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble online. If you prefer shopping in a brick and mortar store, any bookstore will order them for you.

Thanks Beth!

 

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Today, I'm hosting author Danika Dinsmore to talk about her new novel, Brigitta of the White Forest.  Welcome Danika!


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1. Tell us a little bit about your background and your book
 Well, I’m a restless creative mutt, how about that? I started my writing career as a poet, earning my poetic license through education, strenuous literary event production, and miles of spoken word performances. Somewhere along the way I decided I had a good idea for a screenplay. I spent a few years at the University of Washington in a screenwriting program and thought I had found my true calling
A few years later I wrote a screenplay for a fantasy adventure that started garnering interest from producers. It dawned on me that it would make a good children’s book. I tried to convince someone to adapt it for me, but alas, she laughed and told me to write it myself. So I did. Lo and behold, I accidentally became a novelist.

2. What was your inspiration for this book? How did the story unfold for you?
 It began as an attempt to write something more marketable. I had written a lot of experimental poetry and dark indie dramas . . . all of which I enjoyed with a passion, but none of which were leading to making a living as a writer. I decided that I would have to think bigger and broader and I just let that idea bounce around in my head for a while.
 One day I was store-sitting for a friend. Her store was filled with magical items, tarot decks, renaissance wear, and statues of fantastic beings. I found myself surrounded by faeries and suddenly the characters of Brigitta and Himalette popped into my head. The story came shortly thereafter, fully formed, as if I had plucked it from the ether.
 This didn’t make the task of writing it down any easier, but writing the screenplay first was a great help. I used it as an outline for the novel. I’ve often thought of teaching people to work this way, as screenplays are necessarily imagistic and are great for story structure. 

 3. What do you like best writing or revising? Any stories to share about the writing/revision process for Brigitta?
 I like them both for different reasons, but what I love most is the surprise of each. The surprise of it appearing, magically, from nowhere, and the surprise of reading it later and discovering that it works! Editing is extremely satisfying, tightening the writing, solving plot issues, delving deeper. 
 Revision takes a long time and it’s challenging to stay patient for one more round of editing. When I finished the third draft of the novel, I thought I was pretty much done. Little did I know how much better it would be after three more drafts. I am lucky to have several talented writer friends to trade critiques back and forth. We hold no punches with each other. 

 4. What skills do you have that make you a better writer?
 I know not to let my ego get in the way of listening to a solid critique. I know how to take feedback in stride, to really think objectively about what the person is telling me. It is vital that one doesn’t let hurt feelings distract them from becoming a better writer. I ask, “Can this feedback make the story and my writing better?”
 I also know when to trust my own instincts. It’s a balancing act. 

 5. Tell us about any new projects you have in the works.
 Other than editing the 2^nd book in the White Forest series, I am developing a web series. It’s not for kids, though. This is something I struggle with a little, actually. After one becomes a children’s writer, does one then have to censor themselves

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This past weekend, I participated in my first two booksignings. They were both very different events and I think I learned a lot from each. As most authors know, unless you are super famous like John Grisham or J.K.Rowling, time spent at a booksigning can be ...well... lonely. So - I found it good to enlist two helpers for moral support at each event - my daughter and my mom!

First on Saturday, I visited the Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley, PA for their Beckoning of Booklovers event. There were several authors there and I was at a table with two other ladies. Honestly, three at a table was a bit crowded, but chalk that up as something learned! I also learned something about my marketing style. At my table there were both extremes - one auther who was very aggressive and another who appeared to be bothered she was there. It was an interesting dynamic to say the least!

Here are some pics from the day -



Here's one of my helpers -



The next day, I did a signing at the Barnes & Noble Waterfront in Homestead, PA. They were having a school book fair and invited me to read a bit from Owen and the Dragon and sign some books. Everyone I met there was incredibly nice, from both the store and the school.They made me feel really welcome.





I even bought the stuffed dragon in the picture below because he matches Phineas so well!!



Although I didn't sell a lot of books, I enjoyed the experience and talking to the different parents, teachers and kids.  It made me excited to start some school visits this fall!

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Stop over at fellow author Jo Ramsey's blog for another interview about Owen and the Dragon. Jo is the author of YA novel Connection, which I have sitting on my desk and calling me to read (which I promise to do as soon as I finish my Explorer outline which is due on Monday!!)

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The blog tour rolls on - this time I'm visiting the blog of fellow author Lori Calabrese. Check out our talk here!

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Fellow Indie Debut member, Scott Heydt, is hosting me at his blog for a few more questions about writing and Owen and the Dragon. Check it out!

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Owen and I are traveling to a faerie world! Check out our latest stop at Danika Dinsmore's blog, The White Forest!

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What a perfectly named blog for my next tour stop! Head on over to fellow Indie Debut 2010 author, Miriam Forster's blog to check out my latest interview.

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This month, I'll be visiting the blogs of my fellow Indie Debut 2010 authors and answering questions about Owen and the Dragon and writing. The first stop is today at Amy Allgeyer Cook's blog, The Invisible Sister. Stop by and feel free to leave a message!

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Check out my interview with Pedro Soto of Soto Publishing Company over at the Indie Debut 2010 blog!

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I'm celebrating the release of Owen and the Dragon this month! Join me on a blog tour of my fellow Indie Debut 2010 writers to learn a bit more about me and the book. Check back soon for the final schedule!

Owen is a ten-year old boy who has just moved to a new town and left behind his best friend and everything familiar to him. Unable to face unpacking his room, Owen decides to explore the woods behind his new home. He is stunned to discover a dragon named Phineas. Owen soon gains the dragon’s trust and learns that Phineas has lost the ability to fly. As he struggles to find a way for the dragon to return home, Owen learns friendship can be found in unexpected places.

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On Thursday, I did an interview on on Book Bites for Kids with Host Suzanne Lieurance. I was really nervous beforehand! In case you missed it, here's the replay:

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