By: Lisa McMann,
on 7/13/2011
The McManns will be wearing the pink hot pants of Jesus, eating bacon at every meal, and buying Ithillgorn a puppy.
Also, Tommy Lee Jones gets credit for something.
3stars Eight-year-old Storee Wryter is a happy, self-assured little girl with a cat named Critique. Her friend Kyria wants Storee and her parents to adopt a puppy. They are not sure and think the cat would not like the intrusion. Mr. Henry, Kyria’s father, arrives to explain what is involved in bringing a puppy into [...]
By: Laurel Gaylord,
on 12/8/2010
By: Kristi Valiant,
on 9/17/2010
It's so fun receiving first copies of a book. Or two books! I received my first copies of Dancing Dreams and Oliver's First Christmas from Accord Publishing. I turned in the final illustrations for Dancing Dreams days before I had my baby in January, and the finals for Oliver's First Christmas were due in April. Both of these will be released within the next month.
They both use AniMotion(tm) technology, which is a fancy way of saying that there are action windows which look like animations as you turn the page. You can see the dancer in the red dress is in two different poses above. Super fun!
Kristi Valiant
www.kristivaliant.com
http://kristivaliant.blogspot.com
On Friday, I finished the biggest, most intense revision of my middle-grade novel. When I first submitted it to fab agent, it was 30,000 words. She loved the main character's voice, her lists, the comic strip she creates, and the humiliating but oh-so-humorous moments. She asked for an exclusive revision and wanted to see more of my MC's strengths, and another layer to the story by adding an external goal to help push the action from chapter to chapter. I ended up adding two new external goals (and finding a way to tie them together to show why they're both super important to her). WOW...I can't believe how much stronger my manuscript is and how much more confident and determined my main character is! My first full round of revisions brought the word count up to 48,600 words, and I was able to whittle it down to a little over 44,000 words before sending the requested revision back to her.
It felt fantastic to hit the send button! After happy dancing, I took a day off with my family to celebrate, then attacked a picture book on Sunday that was screaming for attention and read through all the notes of the MG I was revising when the agent first contacted me. It feels great to jump back into that revision, and in order to make the time pass quickly, I'm going to see how much of my MG and PB revisions I can get done before hearing back from the agent. It helps keep my mind off the wait and makes me even more productive than usual.
I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who cheered, gave me incredible feedback, and supported me throughout this revision. I feel so lucky to have amazing friends like you. (((Hugs)))
I was so busy revising, that I didn't have a chance to share some photos of my puppy's first birthday. It's hard to believe my adorable little 6.2 pound Bullmasador is one already...and that Lollipop is somewhere in the 80 pound range (unless she gained even more weight since our last vet visit). She loves curling up around my chair while I write, and is such a sweet dog.
Here's what Lolly looked like when we adopted her from The Humane Society in September and how she looks at one year.
And this is Becca fork feeding her the birthday breakfast eggs she made, and giving her a treat she and Sammi baked:
By: Lauren,
on 7/30/2010
as dictated to and translated by Jamie Taratoot, Events Coordinator
Did you guys see that movie The Blind Side? I’m a huge Michael Lewis fan—MONEYBALL WHAT!—plus I’ve been a huge Sandra Bullock buff ever since her performance in Speed 2. So needless to say, Blind Side was a must-see for me last year.
Anyway, I was SHOCKED by how much that movie resonates with my real life. Consider these similarities between me and the protagonist, Michael Oher:
1. Oher lived in poverty for 16 years; I lived in a cage for 6 years
2. Oher was adopted by a southern lady with strong opinions; my mommy is southern and has very strong opinions about me eating chicken bones in the park (SPOILER ALERT: she’s against it)
That’s it really, but still, isn’t that kind of eerie? If you haven’t seen that movie, do so soon. I’m saving this Amazon credit I have leftover from Chanukah to buy it when it comes out on Blu-Ray.
Okay, sorry about that tangent. I’m actually here to recommend a few books published by Oxford University Press, which is the place my mommy works and gets all kinds of awesome books that are perfect for passing time in an apartment while your mommy is at work and not walking you. (Note to Mommy: more walks, please.)
Here are a few of my favorites. All of these books have earned Bentley’s Two-Duclaws-Up™ seal of approval:
Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs to Know
Love the title! This book closely resembles a pamphlet I put together for Mommy a few months ago titled Bentley: What Mommy Needs to Know. Here’s the abridged version of that classic:
1. Walks are awesome
2. The park is the best
3. I love you, Mommy
4. Off-leash times in the park are before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM
5. I hunt these squirrels for your protection
6. Time to go to the park
AIA Guide to New York City, Fifth Edition
The authoritative guide to architecture in my city of residence. My neighbor Clyde, a 2-year-old Labrador with a big stupid mouth, lives in one of the buildings on page 641. He wouldn’t stop bragging about it during our Bananagrams game this weekend. Things got a bit heated.
(Sorry again about the couch, Mommy.)
The Oxford Handbook of the Development of Play
This one actually hasn’t released yet, but the title tells you everything you need to know: playing is the best! There’s probably an entire chapter about the park! Plus there are all kinds of sweet photos of monkeys. Look at this!
0 Comments on Friday Pet Blogging: Bentley as of 1/1/1900
By: Cheryl,
on 2/6/2010
I've decided to play with this little guy for my character. Having a little trouble with what to call him, though.
By: Kit Grady,
on 12/2/2009
Working on a few sketches to send into the SCBWI Magazine.
By: Shari Lyle-Soffe ,
on 6/10/2009
Today my guest is author and reviewer, Mayra Calvani.
Today he barked at Rolling Art.
So this first morning of 2009, I took the artist (who will be turning 1 year on his “Pound Birthday” on the 10th) , on a walk and in front of us coming out of the Yacht Club strolls (or rather rolls) a giant painting of the Eiffel Tower.
Now, Puppicasso started barking wildly at it –
Could it be memories of Paris?
Could it be an Art Critique?
Could it be that he was excited at the innovation of moving art?
As it turned the corner, there was a Thomas Kincaidian landscape painted on the back side of the Tower painting.
He was not barking at the painting at all, but the two men wheeling it around, and that was probably his most artistic comment on the moment. He was barking at the mechanics and the men, rather than the appearance of the picture….or he was simply being a puppy, sans Picasso.
Posted in Other Trains of Thought Tagged: Art, Picasso, Puppy
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 4/5/2008
"Anyone who is a parent with a child that has begged, hollered, and begged some more for a pet will enjoy Crash and Marcelo, the little boy who gets his wish. The glee and joy in his cute little face is described vividly by author Mayra Calvani.
Reading “Crash”, a child and a parent discover the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. Marcelo also discovers that naming his new family member is not as easy as he thought. Many ideas come to his head, none really fitting in with the cute Golden Retriever.
The name he finally picks surprises his parents. But as you read, you realize this is the PERFECT name... This is a great book to buy for your child, you know, the one who is begging and hollering and begging some more for a pet. It will teach and prepare them for the responsibilities surely to come when a pet finally comes gift-wrapped." --Lea Schizas, Muse Book Reviews
I would like to thank Lea for such a great review and also to recommened to all of you Lea's affordable promotional packages for authors. For only $5 she'll advertize your book on her high-traffic site for one whole month! Really, where can you find such inexpensive promotions? I just bought several ads for my books. You may see them here:
http://museitupclub.tripod.com/
http://museitupclub.tripod.com/MissionStatement.htm
http://museitupclub.tripod.com/News%20and%20Info.htm
For only $8, she'll add your book to her Bookstore for a whole year!
http://museitupclub.tripod.com/Muse%20Bookstore.htm
Go to her site and check it out!
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 4/2/2008
By: Kate,
on 3/3/2008
By: Sarah Darer Littman,
on 2/11/2008
We are no longer dogless!!!
This afternoon, we welcome the newest member of our family - Benny.
He is a twelve week-old Havanese puppy. As you can tell, the kids are very, very happy! So am I!!!
Look at that cute black nose. And those little eyes! (The girls are pretty cute, too...)
Sigh. It's great to have a dog in the house again. Now if I can just train Benny to destroy the Furby...
Read the rest of this post
This is another illustration I've completed in the efforts of building more samples of children in my portfolio. This was much faster than the "Summer Fun" image I completed early January and was tremendous fun as well. Looks like I'm in for a great month!
By: msedano,
on 3/26/2007
Denver teatro readings.
East LA Rep extends Black Butterfly run.
Tia Chucha's reopening
RealtalkLA Launches magazine to hit streets in May.
Watch out Tu Ciudad! There's a new lifestyle magazine coming to town and it's pointing in your direction. The big difference is RealTalk LA is a free monthly magazine and website that intends to carve its nickle out of the LA Times, LA Free Press, Pasadena Weekly.
Publisher Jay Levin and staff threw an open house recently to launch the magazine. Located a mile north of the Spring Street headquarters of the Los Angeles Times, the old industrial building has been spiffed up into a modern-day information factory.
A magnificent stage set painting by Margaret Garcia greets the visitor to Real TalkLA's studio. It's a warren of spaces partitioned into ten foot walls. Bundles of cable snake their way in the shadows at the walltops. Muy high tech place, a web and print design studio like this. A panorama of Garcia's larger paintings lines the corridors. I turn a corner and there is Margaret and her prima Cookie.
Real Talk LA's web executive Kamren Curiel admires Garcia's work and took the opportunity to sit at the tequila tasting table and chat about Curiel's collection. Publisher Jay Levin stopped at Margaret's table to say "hello." Culture Clash's Ric Salinas arrived a few moments later, and the actor and publisher shared a few quick laughs.
Real Talk LA is not Chicana Chicano media, but it'll have an influence and be influenced by. The target audience is 600,000 mid-twenties to low fifties second and third generation ethnics of all flavors. Gente who pump at family rates around $70,000 a year into the local advertisers' pockets.
In Los Angeles, this is code language for a lot of Mexicans. The publisher knows Black and Asian communities make up a lucrative chunk of Real Talk LA's market. Given the look and feel of the launch, there's almost a guarantee of better diversity here, than say, the LA Times, whose westside bias censors arts coverage of the Northeast and Eastside of town. Lastima. Pendejos. And with color and polished paper covers, a better value than newsprint, so wacha LA Free Press and Pasadena Weekly.
Advertising positioned in a package like this gains instant credibility. Levin's slick package has the gloss and high style to make the product sizzle, in so far as the team can put forth a quality piece month after month after month. The temptation to lean to the west, toward Hollywood must loom in the editor's mind.
Levin has good people working with him. Culture Clash, for example, is discussing a monthly humor and culture column, according to Salinas. La Bloga hopes the magazine and website will feature monthly literature and reading columns. Real Talk LA's staff will be the secret ingredient. Judging by the open house, most of these are: Young. Attractive. Dynamic go-getters. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.
mvs
Denver Troupe Brings Teatro to the Frontrange
email from the Troupe to Manuel Ramos...
Su Teatro announces Spring Reading Series
El Centro Su Teatro proudly announces its Spring Reading Series—a vehicle for new play development aimed at discovering and nurturing new and innovative playwriting talent through live reading, examination, discussion, and critique.
The Spring Reading Series will kickoff Wednesday, March 28 at 7pm at the Laughing Bean Café on 10th and Santa Fe, and the series will continue each Wednesday through April 18—same time, same place. Su Teatro company actors and guest artists will read the select playscripts and audience members will be invited to participate in talkback discussions.
Leading off the series will be “Braided Sorrow” by Marisela Treviño Orta—a poetic meditation on the unsolved murders of female maquiladora workers in Ciudad Juarez. “Braided Sorrow” won the prestigious 2006 University of California Irvine Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, and it will receive a full production this fall, kicking off Su Teatro’s 2007-2008 35th Anniversary Season.
“Braided Sorrow” will be followed by “Las Monedas de Ismael” by Aaron Vieyra (April 4), “The Kinetic End” by Valarie Castillo (April 11), and “El Blanco” by John Kuebler, which was a finalist for the 2007 Rocky Mountain Theatre Association Playwriting Award (April 18). All four plays explore contemporary themes that challenge our beliefs and test our resolve, including economic exploitation, alcoholism, terminal illness, and identity politics.
For more information about Su Teatro’s Spring Reading Series, please contact El Centro Su Teatro at (303) 296-0219 or [email protected]. Also visit www.suteatro.org, www.myspace.com/elcentrosuteatro, and www.myspace.com/thelaughingbeancafe
East LA Rep captivated everyone who saw its staging of Sandra Cisneros' House on Mango Street.
EAST LA REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS...
Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Woman and other Super Hero Girls, Like Me.
created by Luis Alfaro
written by Maria Elena Cervantes, Sandra C. Munoz, & Marisela Norte
Feb 23 - April 1, 2007
Friday & Saturdays @ 8 pm
Sundays @ 3 pm
Admission: $8-20 Sliding Scale
El Gallo Plaza Theater
4545 E. Cesar Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
For info and to RSVP please call (323) 276- 1868
[email protected]
www.eastlarep.com or www.myspace.com/eastlarep
The upsanddowns of bricks and mortar indie bookstores have more ups than downs this week, in news from the San Fernando Valley...
email from Luis Rodriguez to Daniel Olivas
Hey. HEY! That's...that's...those PEOPLE! OMFGWTFPDQ!!!!
Awesome giftie. Landru loves all McManns. Thanx!
Well of course she does -- Tommy Lee Jones, of course, sometimes known as Sir who also loves all McManns.
Hope it's extremely awesome, Landru. Love to you and all the fam, and wuv to Sir.
hey lisa i love your book wake it is my favorite book. i have read all your books. they are amazing. are you gonna right another book? i hope so. maybe one day i can meet you. come to cleveland. we need you LOL. do you know of any books like yours?
Danya, I'm always working on more books. Watch for THE UNWANTEDS, on sale August 30th. So glad you like the others!
i never thought you would anwser. you are my favorite author. i read your books all like twice. do you know of any books like wake? are their any contests to win your autograph or book? can you read the first chapter of the book i am writing? i can beileve you saw this i am so happy.