December 6 - Short essay on the author/illustrator relationship at Cachibachis
December 10 – Interview at Sue Eves' blog
Hello,
I'm happy to announce that my first picture book, THE MAGIC VIOLIN, is now available on Amazon. They haven't uploaded the cover art yet, but it should go up pretty soon.
Cheers!
Mayra
I would like to thank all the people who took time from their busy lives to vote for my children’s story, The Doll Violinist, at the ABC’s Children’s Picture Book Competition. Even though I didn’t win, it was certainly a different experience and I at least learned how much I’m capable of promoting and networking under pressure and with a deadline. The 2-week voting period has left me exhausted and I definitely look forward to a calmer and less stressful Halloween season...
Congrats to Gillian Colley and Nikki Shoemaker, for their winning title, What's Wrong with Mud?!!!!!!!!
Moving on to other projects...! :-)
First of all, a sincere, deeply felt THANK YOU to all the people who voted for my story, THE DOLL VIOLINIST!
I don’t know yet whether or not I’ve won, but your support really meant a lot to me. Some people voted every single day and I honestly wish I could send gifts to everyone who so faithfully supported me.
Now I will announce the 5 lucky winners of my drawing...
1st Prize, an antique doll in Brussels lace goes to Jackie Young.
2nd Prize, a $50 Amazon certificate goes to Jack Mishler.
3rd Prize, a sterling silver & zirconium ring goes to Linda Gates.
4th Prize, a print copy of my novel, Dark Lullaby, goes to Cherie Michalec.
5th Prize, a print copy of Angel in a Bubble, goes to Susan Ford.
Congratulations to all the winners!!!
A note on how I did the drawing:
I grouped together all the voters under the ‘star’ system used by Gmail.
I copy and pasted the list onto a Word document.
I printed out the list.
I cut each voter’s name separately into small slips of paper (people who voted 5 times had 5 slips of paper, people who voted 8 times, had 8 slips of paper and so on)
I crumpled them and tossed them into a vase.
I closed my eyes and reached for 5 slips of paper, one at a time for each prize, starting with the first.
The ABC Book Competition voting ends today....whew...that seemed very long to me.
If you haven't taken the time to go read the stories and view the art, take a look at this year's entries. Mayra Calvani and I are the team for The Doll Violinist. We've both got prize drawings at that occur tomorrow for those who vote for us and email us regarding their vote. See info further down in my blog for details if interested.
Thank you so very much to all who have supported us and voted during this LONG two weeks....we are sincerely grateful.
May the best team win!
The 5 Minutes for Mom Blog, blogged Mayra Calvani's book (and my illustration of it) The Doll Violinist in the ABC COntest. Check it out.
I also just saw that LauraWilliams blogged about us as well. She has a homeschooling blog called Laura Williams' Musings here. Thanks so much Laura!
My story, The Doll Violinist, is a finalist at the 3rd Annual ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition!
I would like to announce that my story, THE DOLL VIOLINIST, is a finalist at the ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition!
What makes this competition different is that while the finalists are chosen by judges, the winner is chosen by online public vote. In other words, YOU the reader, get to choose the winner—that lucky author who will walk away with a publishing contract!
To view the finalists in the competition and vote for my story, please visit the competition website at http://www.abcbookcompetition.org/ . The two week voting period starts September 16, 2007 and will continue through midnight September 30, 2007. The winning author / illustrator team will be announced October 8, 2007.
People who vote for my story will be automatically entered in a drawing and prizes will be as follows:
1st Prize: An enchanting antique doll in Brussels lace
2nd Prize: $50 Amazon gift certificate
3rd Prize: Beautiful zirconium & sterling silver ring (size 8)
4th Prize: A print copy of my latest paranormal thriller, DARK LULLABY
5th Prize: A print copy of ANGEL IN A BUBBLE (children’s picture book)
All you need to do is vote for THE DOLL VIOLINIST, then send a message to mayra.calvani(at)gmail.com and write ‘You got my vote’ on the subject line. If you don’t send me a message I won’t be able to enter your name in the drawing, so please don’t forget!
I’ll be sending a reminder as soon as the voting starts.
Thanks so much for your support. I hope you will vote for my story and help me walk away with that publishing contract!
Best regards,
Mayra Calvani
I've been working on illustrations for a lovely picture book by Mayra Calvani. The book is titled The Doll Violinist, and has been nominated among the finalists in this year's ABC competition. My illustrations also are included in the nominations.
Please let me share with you this exciting news...
My yet-to-be published picture book, THE DOLL VIOLINIST, just made it to the finals at the ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition!
I was just notified yesterday and I'm really thrilled. If anything, it is a great validation for all the hours I spend at the computer. Just to be chosen as a finalist is an honor for me. The link to the competition is www.abcbookcompetition.org, if you would like to find out more about it.
This is the third year this competition takes place. The winner will be anounced in October and will receive a royalty-paying publishing contract plus 1,000 copies of the printed book (in hardcover) to do with as the author chooses.
The artist working on the illustrations is the very talented Amy Moreno. Check out her website to see her marvelous work, www.amycullingsmoreno.com. A musician as well as an artist, she has truly captured the essence and feel of the story. Amy also moderates a yahoo group for Latino/Hispanic children's writers & illustrators. Check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Latino-Hispanicwriters4Kids/
Okay, enough bragging. I'm off to fix myself some breakfast...
Mayra
Hi Mayra, I am sorry you didn't win,I was voting for you.Hopefully in the future your next book will be considered.