How to use this Page

Darlene Laney is a wife, mother and grandmother residing in Fresno, California with her husband Carlos Laney.  She holds a Master’s degree in Education-Counseling and is a Board Certified Christian Counselor through the American Association of Christian Counselors as well as a licensed Evangelist.  She is the developer and facilitator of Color Me Beautiful, an etiquette and social skills development program for tween and teen girls.  When Darlene isn’t facilitating her program, she enjoys reading, drawing, writing and spending time with her three grandchildren.   

You can learn more about the author and her books at: http://www.darlenelaney.com and http://www.godspecialforces.com      

Thank you for joining us today, Darlene. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I’m a passionate person.  I don’t believe in doing anything half-heartedly.  When I’m in, I’m in all the way.  That’s how I have been with my writing.  I don’t approach it casually; it is something I do every day regardless of how I’m feeling.

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

I guess I had to be eight or nine.  My favorite thing to do was writing about the “Rat Family.”  I could spend hours making up stories about them and I even put illustrations with the writings.  I stopped writing stories when I got in my teens but I kept a diary and later journals.  I gave up writing for a time when I was told by a writing instructor that I could not write. However, I kept writing my journals and made several attempts at starting a romance novel.  It wasn’t my best work but I kept on writing because I enjoy putting stories down on paper.

Why did you decide to write stories for children?

After I finished the God’s Special Forces (GSF) Manual.  I had been working with girls teaching etiquette and social skills and wanted to come up with a way to make learning about self-esteem, body image, peer pressure and the like easier to understand.  I had been working on the God Squad for some time and decided to create a story about them that centered on challenges faced by tweens and teens today.

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

It’s harder but a lot more fun!  Tweens and teens are full of surprises.  You can’t just put them in a box and come up with a standard response.  No, there can be a hundred different ways for them to respond to a particular situation. So when I’m developing the story, I will write an interaction or reaction over and over until it just sounds right.

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

Developing the characters and making them believable. I want my characters to be memorable and someone the girls reading my books can identify with and hopefully want to emulate.

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

Six ordinary girls ranging in ages from 12 – 15 years attending Carver Preparatory going about their ordinary lives.  Then they get the call…Calling all girls! Calling all girls!! And things become anything but ordinary.  Transformed, empowered, and dressed for battle, they become the God Squad on a Mission Him-Possible.  Their mission is to befriend and help a fellow student overly concerned with being accepted by the popular group and willing to do just about anything to belong.

What inspired you to write it?

My granddaughters and all the girls that have been a part of the God’s Special Forces program.  I’ve watched these girls be transformed by the Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit and learn to walk in the knowledge of who they are in Christ, God’s workmanship—his masterpiece—go on to be the confident and capable young women God intended them to be.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

The book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and my website: http://www.darlenelaney.com

What is up next for you?

The next episode of the God Squad in Mission Him-Possible.

Do you have anything else to add?

I hope everyone reading this interview will buy a copy of my book; but I especially hope that if you know of a girl that has a negative self image or is being challenged by the pressure put on her by her peers, I hope you will get them a copy of this book.  It’s an easy and enjoyable read!

Thank you for spending time with us today, Darlene. We wish you much success.

Thank you!

Hard to believe the summer came and went so quickly. Between vacation, sports camps, and vacation Bible school, it seemed summer was over before it got started. Suddenly, though, my girls have decided they would rather read on their own than together at night. Part of me is hurt, but the Lil’ Diva turned 12 last month and the Lil’ Princess switched to a new school where expectations are even higher, so it’s to be expected. They can’t remain babies forever.

We had started Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and Storyteller by Patricia Reilly, but now they are off reading other books, so not sure whether we will complete these or they will read them alone. The Lil’ Princess finished Falling in by Frances O’Roark Dowell this week. She loved it. The Lil’ Diva is reading Witchlanders by Lena Coakley. Dad has given up on reading lately. Other than his daily paper, his work hours have not allowed him to read for leisure.

I’m also reading a lot less than usual this year. It can’t be helped. My schedule is nuts. I try to read a tiny bit in the tub each night, but I’m also trying to make sure I get enough sleep now that I am getting up early with the girls. Here’s what I’ve read since my last post:

Strong Rain Falling by Jon Land (thriller)
Don’t Let the Wind Catch You by Aaron Paul Lazar (coming of age mystery)
Designed for Relationship by T.J. MacLeslie (Christian living)
Murder by Syllabub by Kathleen Delaney (cozy mystery)
Who I Be by Annie Brown (Christian living)

I’m currently reading the inspirational travel adventure memoir, Two Are Better by Tim and Debbie Bishop, and the historical novel, The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner.

What have you been reading lately? Any favorites?

That’s it for this edition of From the Family Bookshelf. Keep reading!

Book publishers have gone to great lengths in the past year to keep big political memoirs out of the hands of journalists. In response, journalists have worked themselves into a lather to obtain them. But outside of newsrooms and political parlors, it’s a safe bet that most Americans are not salivating over the juicy details.

The latest commotion comes courtesy of President George W. Bush’s memoir, “Decision Points,” which doesn’t actually hit stores until Nov. 9. Bush’s christian publisher, Crown, embargoed the book, meaning the media was not given an advanced copy and booksellers face legal action if they sell the book early.

This sent news organizations into tizzy, with each seeking to be the first to get the book and break news about its content. Yesterday, The New York Times did just that after it “obtained” a copy. The big news was that Bush pondered replacing Dick Cheney with Sen. Bill Frist before the start of the 2004 election.

Interesting, sure. But it’s not exactly like three years ago when Americans stood in long lines at midnight, fretting about who would win the last clash between a boy wizard and Lord Voldemort in another embargoed book, the final “Harry Potter.” Yet a publisher’s embargo bestows significance on a book that may not actually offer up terribly much that the public actually cares about.

Tidbits we learned from recent 2008 election recaps and memoirs from Bush White House figures were hardly enough grist to sustain the 24-hour news mill, and most were probably quickly forgotten soon after being read.

What gnawing questions have these books answered?

–What did Laura Bush think about her daughter Jenna’s underage drinking? (It “was just dumb.”)
–How did Karl Rove feel about the possibility his adoptive father being gay? (“Frankly, I don’t care.”)
–How did Sarah Palin react to the rumors that she was divorcing her husband, Todd? (“Divorce Todd? Have you seen Todd?”)

Embargoes are useful to publishers because they help build anticipation for a book’s release. And although they may publicly state that they are angered when news organizations break them, they are also pretty pleased by the free publicity that leaks give their book.

But embargoes can be problematic. For example, at the 2006 National Book Publishers Festival 1,000 showed up to hear Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward speak about his latest volume on the Bush administration, “State of Denial.” But at the last minute they were told he was barred from speaking because the book was embargoed and that Woodward’s first interview had been promised to “60 Minutes.” When an audience boos, it’s hardly a marketing success. (Matt Lauer has snagged Bush’s first interview since leaving office. It will air as a primetime special on Nov. 8, the night before Bush’s memoir is released.)

Publicists may pull their hair out trying to protect their embargo and members of the media may fall over themselves to break it, but it’s hard to say if there are any winners in this game. In fact, the two biggest losers may be the customers and the booksellers. Both miss out when books that are hyped online aren’t available for book publishers purchase at the store. Will a disappointed reader’s interest still be piqued next week?

On October 1st, 2009 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with Paul Muckley, senior editor for non-fiction at Barbour Publishing, a Christian book publisher. He helped answer some key questions that face authors entering the Christian book market, including

• What exactly is a “Christian audience”? How narrow—or broad—is that category?
• What really is a “Christian book”? What does a “Christian book” include, or exclude?
• How does Christian fiction differ from secular fiction? What is included or excluded from a specifically “Christian” novel?
• How does one’s Christian faith “come through” in a manuscript? What should—and shouldn’t—be done in assembling a manuscript?
• How can an author know whether his or her idea fits a particular Christian publisher’s niche?
• What does a publisher want to see in a book proposal? What helps—or hurts—a prospective author’s submission?

Paul Muckley works at Barbour Publishing overseeing projects ranging from Bible reference to children’s activity books, daily devotionals to Bible crosswords and word searches. He’s been with Barbour since 1998. Paul and his wife, Laurie, have adopted three children, and like to serve as unofficial ambassadors for adoption.

Listen to the PodCast!

0 Comments on Paul Muckley - Writing and Publishing Christian Based Books as of 1/1/1900

Add a Comment

5 Comments | Previous | Top | Next

By: tara, on 4/16/2009
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Children, Children's Books, KidLit, Picture Books, Christmas, Parenting, Picture Book Review, Children's Writing, Author Interview, Writing for Children, Christian Books, Baby Jesus, Add a tag

I had the pleasure of meeting author Jeannine Norris at a recent NJ-SCBWI mentoring workshop. One of the organizers, Kathy Temean, held up a copy of Tonight You Are My Baby and pointed to Jeannine, the author, sitting right behind me. Kathy told us that Jeannine had met her editor at a previous NJ-SCBWI event. Amazing! I immediately knew I had to talk to Jeannine about her path to publication.

Jeannine, how long have you been writing?

I have been writing for about four years. I dabbled in writing when our children were babies, as I missed the creative stimulation of my former job. I really started to write when our youngest went to pre-K.

Where did the inspiration for Tonight You Are My Baby come from?

The inspiration came when our daughter, Quinn, who was four years old at the time, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As a mother, I needed the strength to help our daughter get through this difficult journey. I started to think about Mary, as the mother of Jesus, and her incredible strength. I decided to write about the Nativity, from a mother’s perspective, and, if the book was published, donate part of the proceeds to helping kids with brain tumors. Quinn’s tumor was benign, and next year will be her five-year celebration! We started a foundation, At Least Kids, that contributes to pediatric brain tumor research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and supports families struggling financially. A portion of each book sold is donated directly to At Least Kids.

What a scary time for you as a parent, but what a blessed outcome—a healthy child, a beautiful book and a charitable foundation.

You met your editor at a writer’s event here in New Jersey. Can you tell us how the deal transpired?

I met my lovely editor, Catherine Onder, at a NJ-SCBWI mentoring workshop. Catherine heard Tonight You Are My Baby during the first page session. Another editor asked to see the rest of the manuscript, but it was eventually declined. Several months later, I met Catherine at another NJ-SCBWI workshop (with another manuscript) and she remembered the first page of Tonight You Are My Baby. She asked to see the rest of the manuscript and several months later it was acquired. I couldn’t have been happier! The right time, the right place, a great editor. I’m a huge cheerleader for SCBWI events. Opportunities abound!

I love NJ-SCBWI, too!

After your book was acquired, what was the editing process like?

The editing process was fascinating! I needed to add a few stanzas, when Tim Ladwig, the illustrator, started working on the book. Catherine helped me with the revisions as well. I have to say, I love revising, as my book became so much better! Revisions and rhyme are always a challenge—often it means changing the entire line, instead of just a word. Catherine pointed out that I had used the word “quiet” several times in my manuscript. Not a good idea when you are only dealing with 400-500 words! I hadn’t even noticed. When I do my school visits, I always tell the students about my revisions. A good editor is like a good teacher—encouraging, has a vision, and wants your work to be its best. Kids are always surprised that even authors make many revisions.

Interesting–how many times had you repeated “quiet”?

I think I had repeated “quiet” three times!

I suspect that many writers have a “crutch” word or phrase in a manuscript that we just don’t notice. Yours was “quiet.” Mine is “just.” (See?) It takes a good editor to point that out!

Why the need to add the stanzas? Was it because of the illustration spread count? Or did Tim add a drawing you hadn’t envisioned?

We added three stanzas because when Tim started to draw the story arc, we wanted Mary first traveling to Bethlehem and meeting Jesus several pages in. Naturally, the book is about a mother and her baby, but we needed additional stanzas to add other images: the angels trumpeting, the sheep/cows/donkey in the stable, the wise men bringing gifts. All those stanzas were added during revisions. As it happens, the angels trumpeting is my favorite illustration! It’s not what I imagined, and I love it! Tim was so creative. The rest of the illustrations are what I saw in my mind’s eye when I was writing. Tim really “got it”—Mary is very young, completely accessible and a joyous mother.

What has surprised you most about being a published author?

My big surprise was—I didn’t really have any big suprises! The tremendous benefit of using the SCBWI and Verla Kay discussion boards is using the experiences of other authors to make the path easier. I am hugely indebted to those who have traveled this literary path before me! Through the discussion boards and workshops, I felt really well-prepared. Any of my questions were answered: simple questions such as “How do I make postcards?” to more complicated questions dealing with contracts. One pleasant surprise was that all of my school visits were wonderful. Each one was gracious, organized, prepared AND I sold a lot of books! Again, I learned how to prepare pre-order forms, write school contracts and even develop a PowerPoint presentation through the experiences of others. There is much to be learned, but a wealth of information is readily available.

What other advice do you have for aspiring children’s authors?

I would urge writers to join a critique group—or start one of their own! I belong to an online group and a local group. I met both of these groups through SCBWI conferences. Critique groups have so much to add! My groups provide me with valuable, honest comments and help prepare my manuscript for an editor’s eyes. I would also suggest aspiring authors gain writing credits through magazine articles, local publications and online sites. The extra income is nice, too! Attend every SCBWI workshop/conference you can afford. I’ve had an SCBWI workshop on my birthday list for the past several years! If your manuscript is acquired, be prepared to market yourself–heavily. The debut author MUST knock on doors, visit schools, call the bookstores, have a website, ask for interviews. This is your opportunity! Finally, have fun. Write what will bring you to your desk each day with a smile on your face.

That’s excellent advice, thank you, Jeannine.

Although Tonight You Are My Baby is about the birth of baby Jesus, a celebration of Christmas, what makes it a relevant read throughout the entire year?

Tonight You Are My Baby is really a celebration of a mother’s love. It’s about the boundless joy that every new mom experiences. The knowledge that a baby’s birth is truly a miracle—a gift unto itself. Tonight You Are My Baby is a celebration of Christmas, but it’s also a celebration of a mother’s heart. The book is certainly most popular at Christmas, but I find many people buying it for other occasions: new baby presents, baby showers, birthdays, etc. Mothers and little ones snuggle as they read of the love story that took place long ago.

Extra cuddle time: a wonderful reason for everyone to pick up this glorious book. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey to publication with us!

Tonight You Are My Baby
Story by Jeannine Norris
Illustrations by Tim Ladwig
HarperCollins, September 2008
Check it out!

5 Comments on From Manuscript to Picture Book: Tonight You Are My Baby, last added: 5/11/2009

Display Comments

Corey Schwartz said, on 4/16/2009 9:52:00 AM

Oh, what a touching story. Great interview, Tara!

Sherrie said, on 4/16/2009 12:39:00 PM

Great article, Tara! I love hearing about new authors and how they made their connections. Thanks!

Kelly H-Y said, on 4/16/2009 2:46:00 PM

Wow, what an incredible story and interview! Thank you so much for sharing this … definitely a special one.

Christy said, on 4/16/2009 9:41:00 PM

Wow! Great interivew!

Four Debut Authors Discuss Their Journey « Writin said, on 5/10/2009 12:29:00 AM

[...] http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/tonight-you-are-my-baby/ [...]

Add a Comment

1 Comments | Previous | Top | Next

By: Mayra Calvani, on 12/10/2008
Blog: Mayra's Secret Bookcase (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  picture books, angels, christian books, bedtime story, time for bed angel, ronica stromberg, Add a tag

0 Comments | Previous | Top | Next

By: Mayra Calvani, on 2/8/2008
Blog: Mayra's Secret Bookcase (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  cynthia reeg, gifts from god, christian books, children's books, picture books, christian books, cynthia reeg, gifts from god, Add a tag

Beautiful and spiritually inspiring, Gifts from God is a tribute to God and all the things that are pure in our lives--the innocence and laughter of our children, the tenderness of a newborn, the magnificence of a sunset, the 'laughter' of a waterfall. With a few simple lines, some taken from the Bible, some from her imagination, author Cynthia Reeg has created a lovely book for the entire family, one to be read not only at bedtime, but at any hour of the day. The photographs and imagery are, in one word, captivating. This is a must children's book for your Christian fiction bookshelf.

Gifts from God
By Cynthia Reeg
Illustrations by Mary Sue Roberts
eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-933090-34-4
Print ISBN: 978-1-933090-33-7
Copyright 2007
Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

In Kitty Kerplunking: Preposition Fun, Reeg teaches children, in a light and fun way, the uses of prepositions. How does she do this? With the help of one very cute Kitty and his antics about the house.

Each page features an engaging, colorful illustration and a sentence showing a preposition.

For instance...

"Preppy the kitty … pitter-pattered ON the piano keys."

Each time the preposition in the sentence is capitalized. At the end of the book there's a useful study guide as well as six pages of activities, including a criss-cross puzzle, word search, seek & find, and fill-in-the-blanks. This is the perfect book to introduce young children to prepositions.

Kitty Kerplunking:
Preposition Fun
by Cynthia Reeg
Illustrations by Marina Movshina
ISBN: 1-933090-27-8
978-1-933090-27-6
January 2006
Guardian Angel Publishing

You may also want to visit this author's website at: http://www.cynthiareeg.com/

0 Comments on Reviews of GIFTS FROM GOD and KITTY KERPLUNKING, by Cynthia Reeg as of 1/1/1900

Add a Comment

0 Comments | Previous | Top | Next

By: Mayra Calvani, on 1/23/2008
Blog: Mayra's Secret Bookcase (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  cynthia reeg, gifts from god, christian books, kitty kerplunking: preposition, picture books, guardian angel publishing, christian books, kitty kerplunking: preposition, cynthia reeg, gifts from god, guardian angel publishing, Add a tag

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. Nearly as quickly as I learned to read and write, I began creating. I wrote stories and poems in elementary school. A few won local prizes or were published in local newspapers. I enjoyed the acclaim, but mostly I wrote because I enjoyed writing so much--taking a blank page and making it come to life with words. In high school, college, and beyond, I continued taking classes to improve my writing skills. After years working as a librarian, I decided I wanted to write full time.

Tell us about your children's books.

Currently, I have two children's picture books available through Guardian Angel Publishing: GIFTS FROM GOD and KITTY KERPLUNKING: PREPOSITION FUN.

GIFTS FROM GOD is a celebration of 12 simple but profound heavenly gifts. The book combines beginning reader sentences and Bible verses with breathtaking photo art. GIFTS FROM GOD is an inspiring read for young and old.

In KITTY KERPLUNKING, prepositions kerplunk all around Preppy the kitty in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Preppy's amusing antics provide young readers a fun introduction to prepositions. A study guide and six activity pages are also included.

Describe your working environment.
I am very fortunate to have a lovely wood-paneled office with bookshelves overflowing with books and mementoes to work in. I have a big desk which is usually rather cluttered looking, but when I do tidy it up, I often can't find where I've put things. :-) I know a librarian should be a better organizer.

But I do have many alphabetized drawers of files with clippings, and information, and all my writings. In fact, my files are also overflowing. I guess I am an information junky. But I recently received a new computer for my birthday, so at least I have tons of space on it to fill up. I have a nice view ofthe world through my office window--trees and grass and flowers (from spring through fall) and a busy street with vehicles zooming by to remind me that life goes fast so my fingers should be flying on the keyboard, completing another new story.

I also have my office crew--my two cats, Herman and Henry; and my dog, Holly. They usually assist me throughout the day. The cats nap on top of my printer or almost on top of my laptop as I type. And Holly meditates on my lap or closeby. They always enjoy hearing first readings of works in progress and offer no end of revision suggestions. And they encourage me to expand my workspace environment to help keep my ideas fresh--which means we often work on the sunny, comfy loveseat in my bedroom where they all can nap (I mean work)in even greater ease.

Are you a disciplined writer?

Yes. This is my job now, so I to to work everyday. I try to have at least 3 days of the week in which I work a "regular" work day--9 to 5 from my home office. Then my other two weekdays, I work at volunteer and other projects related to my writing--tutoring, Bible study, school visits. And often I do some work on weekends as well. I'm always reading--which is part of my work.

What is your working style?

I like to take care of emails and other must do commitments first thing in the morning. I don't enjoy the business work of writing--researching the market, creating cover & query letters, mailing lists and promotional business stuff. So often I'll set aside a day just to do that boring work. Then on my other days, I can devote my brain cells strictly to my writing. My creative right brain doesn't like to be tied down on those business-oriented left brain days. :-)

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?

Yes and Yes! I have a fun and informitive website--so I've been told--for kids, parents and teachers, and writers, too. I'm always updating it with new activities, book lists, writing information and more. It's at http://cynthiareeg.com/. Under the WHAT'S NEW section, you'll find my blog--which currently has a "Where in the World Am I" picture and clue puzzle going on to see if my readers can figure out where I've been on my last holiday.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I'm revising a realistic contemporary novel titled, PROMISES KEPT. In this story Berty and her father, Curtis, an auto mechanic, live in a rural community about an hour west of St. Louis. Her mom, May, moved to St. Louis less than a year ago after the divorce to pursue her fashion design dreams. Berty remains torn between her commitment to stay with her father and her guilt for her lonely mom, whose interests she doesn’t share.

Berty’s best friend is her neighbor, Randall, an African-American boy abandoned by his teen mother. He lives with his stoic grandmother, Gran Millcee. When Randall, the Trash King, an avid collector of odd items, begrudgingly gives Berty one of his finds, she promises to discover its origin as a means of paying Randall back. When their new widowed teacher, Mrs. Evans, leads their fifth grade class on a study of Missouri’s own famous son, George Washington Carver, Berty soon learns of his ties to Randall’s family.

In this story where many promises are made, it’s Berty’s dad who reminds her that, “Promises are easy to make, Berty. It’s the keeping them that’s hard." As Berty learns about her dad’s hidden addiction, her mom’s driving passion for design, Gran Millcee’s deteriorating health, Randall’s run-away mom, and her new teacher’s sad past, Berty unravels the mystery of Randall's trashed treasure and comes to understand the importance of promises--even though they can’t always be kept.

Plus, I've just finished the final editing of my short story, "The Emily Explosion," which is soon to be published in the anthology, THE GIRLS, from Blooming Tree Press.

And another short story of mine, "BF's and Butterflies," will be in the April 2008 edition of STORIES FOR CHILDREN online magazine. It's always exciting to finally see the stories in print and receive such wonderful reactions from the readers. :-)

What is the best advice on writing you've ever received?

From Larry Brossler, the Editorial Director at Boyds Mills Press, at a writing conference when he said, "Believe!" Believe in your writing and make it happen--no matter the difficulties you face along the way. That's my motto and I'm sticking to it

0 Comments on Interview with Children's Picture Book Author Cynthia Reeg as of 1/1/1900

Add a Comment

0 Comments | Previous | Top |

Posted on 6/27/2007
Blog: OUPblog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  UK, Politics, Current Events, quotations, A-Featured, Dictionaries, tony, blair, jay, thatcher, brown, chirac, Labour, Conservative, prime, minister, Add a tag

Kirsty OUP-UK

After ten years as Prime Minister, Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is being succeeded by Gordon Brown. Today I’m taking a look back at Tony Blair’s time at the helm with a little help from the Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations, edited by Antony Jay. Below are some of the best and most recognisable quotes from the last decade or so, as well as a few words about Tony Blair by others including Margaret Thatcher and Jacques Chirac. If there are other quotations you can think of, then please feel free to leave a comment below.

“Labour is the party of law and order in Britain today. Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”
speech at the annual Labour Party Conference, 30 September 1993, when Blair was Shadow Home Secretary (more…)

Share This

0 Comments on Not a Time for Soundbites: Tony Blair in Quotations as of 1/1/1990

Add a Comment