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Post by Donna J. Shepherd, Writer, Speaker, Singer.
I’m doing the happy dance because the fantastic group of middle grade authors called EMBLAZONERS I’m a member of, are featured in the March/April issue of Middle Shelf! If you don’t know much about Middle Shelf, here’s something to pique your interest:
“Middle Shelf is a digital-only magazine featuring the best books for middle grade readers. Each bi-monthly issue includes author interviews, reviews, excerpts, and photo essays.”
The kind folks at Middle Shelf—an off-shoot of the larger Shelf Unbound company—offered the Emblazoners a great discount for our advertisement. This is where having a group of indie authors is a great advantage—the ad was more than any one of us would spend individually (even at the discount) but together, it was something of a no-brainer! Plus the Emblazoners are in the process of building some brand recognition for our group, so if you have a chance, please surf by our website and subscribe to our recent catalogue. Plus, you’d get to see what other great things we’re doing, and perhaps find your next favorite MG author!
This is a quote from Middle Shelf’s premier issue last fall:
“Good books have the power to entertain, to spark imaginations, and to transform lives, which is precisely why Middle Shelf came into being. We want to connect middle grade readers to the very best books, whether they’re on the bestseller lists, published by small or indie presses, or self-published.”
Check out Middle Shelf’s Facebookpage to keep current with news about middle grade books and authors, and if you’re an author, to see how to advertise with them. Cheers, all! Middle Grade Books Rock!
Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: September 2011 – Engage your children in good behavior http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/
Hi All,
I’m happy to announce that the July Edition of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine is now online. This month’s theme is Outer Space. So if you or your little ones would like to see some great stories, poetry and articles (or even some online games created by yours truly), please visit
http://guardian-angel-kids.com/. The full media release is below.
M E D I A R E L E A S E
CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine
Email:
[email protected] Website:
http://guardian-angel-kids.com/ For Immediate Release
Children's Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Swirls through Outer Space - July 2011
Issue
The unknown and intrigue of outer space is a delightful way to engage our
youngsters in the planets beyond Earth. To watch the amazement flash over
their faces and their onslaught of questions to follow is a splendid way to
explore space from the pages of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine.
We are proud and thrilled to share with our readers the July issue of
everything "outer space" and all its amazement through poetry, stories, and
articles at
http://www.guardian -angel-kids. com.
Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at
submissions@ guardian- angel-kids. com and let them know what you think of
Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to
please!
Letter from the POETRY editor: Donna J. Shepherd
Featured Books:
Video Special Feature: Sparkie: A Star Afraid of the Dark by Susann Batson
What if the Moon written and illustrated by Tracy Ahrens
Children's poetry, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:
"I Spy Wishes," by Corinna M. Johnson - sparkles with vivid imagery.
"Out of this World," by Abigail Charles - swirls you through outer space on
an alphabet adventure. Clara Smith's illustration will leave your young
muses wanting to learn more about the wonders of outer space.
"The Star Way," by Sandie Lee - like us stars are all different and go
through many stages in their lives. Share this wonderful article with your
young muses and learn about the life cycle of a star.
"An Orbiting Laboratory," by Lee Rosenfield - learn how a space station
stays "afloat" and how the astronauts live aboard the space shuttle in this
intriguing article of an orbiting laboratory.
"The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Child," by Nicole Weaver - as parents
we must prioritize our time, so we can stay engaged in our children's
emotional and educational growth. Learn important tips to implement in your
child rearing.
SPECIAL BONUS VIDEO FEATURES for KIDS
Whispering Wally written and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
I Can't See, But I Can Imagine, a musical picture book by Patricia Bennett
Wilson. Illustrated by Sharon Bean. Video Produ
This morning before church I was perusing some of the latest posts of my favorite blogs. I went to Fuse #8(aka Betsy Bird)'s blog. She had posted her Video Sunday post. (OK, take a second to go to that link.)
OH MY GOODNESS FUSE #8 POSTED OUR TRAILER! And when she described me she used words like "our very own" and "extraordinaire"!!!
I grinned and squealed and hugged my mom a couple of times and screamed some more. Very fun, very fan-girly.
Tonight I was talking to Traci (who co-made the trailer with me) and I said, "So, you know A Fuse #8?" And she didn't. So I went on to explain how Betsy is a librarian at the New York Public Library and she served on last year's Newbery Awards panel and how it was pretty much my life ambition to be noticeably linked by her! And in case she still didn't get how huge this was, I told her, "OK, in acting there is me and there is Julia Roberts. That is the difference between me and Fuse #8. She's a celebrity." So then I hear Traci telling her mom some mixed version about "Newbery, she picked those" and "She's like Julia Roberts!"
The whole time I am of course grinning and laughing. But seriously, Fuse . . . or am I allowed to call you Betsy now? You made my day. This was even cooler than when the publisher linked us on their website.
Yesterday's writing prompt of the day from A Writer's Book of Days was "in a cemetery." A memory from last year came out of my pen.
* * *
The wind whips us. I clench my thin sweater about me, wishing I'd brought something heavier. My mother and aunts and their cousins stand together, hugging and crying softly. Lois looks lonely and sad and I pity her just a little. The minister - a Mr. Collins-like man - laughs raucously at someone's conversation, grinning infuriatingly like he's at a birthday party. My great-grandpa is dead! I want to scream in his face. A slap or two wouldn't hurt, either. I turn away from him, looking once more at the black-clothed aunts and cousins, each holding a single red rose, all trying to wipe away the tears. I stand silently in this crowd of relations, none of whom I know as well as I could wish. I find my father and lean against him. Funerals are horrible, misery-filled affairs that nobody likes but everyone attends. I hate them, I say to myself. I want to get away from the helpless crying and this grim, dramatic scene and be somewhere else. Somewhere warm and happy and pleasant.
The editor of Fandangle Magazine has announced a contest for kids! The contest is open to kids ages 6-10 years old who reside in the United States. For more details, click HERE.
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 8/11/2014
By: Shari Lyle-Soffe ,
on 9/1/2011
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By: Kevin McNamee,
on 7/6/2011
By: Erin,
on 11/4/2007
Terrific interview! VS is an inspirational woman. It's amazing how she balances it all. Thanks for featuring such a dynamic woman.
Regards,
Donna