Since I won’t be holding any more PB Peek Weeks during 2011, I wanted to point you to some amazing opportunities for picture book writers over at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY AUCTION. And some are still going for bargain prices. Check these out.
Whether you’re in between critique groups, oh so “close” or just need a read, I’ve got something for you. Plus you may be able to do a little Christmas shopping too. I hope you can stop by, maybe do a little bidding and help a worthy cause.
Many of these items are still going for rock-bottom prices. And you can check out all the items and the auction details at: http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com/
I hope you’ll consider bidding, picking up some great writer deals and helping this worthy cause.
My guest blogger today is Melissa Conroy (Yes! She has a famous author dad!) whose sweet new book Grandma is an Author releases today. It’s an interactive story and journal about creativity and writers’ block. But after visiting her amazing website and browsing her many creative endeavors, I have a hard time believing Melissa is ever blocked. And I got a chance to ask her about just that.
JR: How do all your creative endeavors inspire each other – your books, your dolls, your sculpture, your prints, your knits? How do they compete for your time? In other words when you wake in the morning, how do you decide what to do? I’m not necessarily talking about a routine here, but more about discerning which muse is calling to you.
MC: When I made my portfolio website, it was an opportunity to catalog what I had been working on for many years. I know it looks like a huge variety of pursuits, but in real time it has been a slow evolution from one thing to the next. When I had a studio in Brooklyn I could make large sculptures. Now, my life is more suited to making picture books. Ideas come in moments when I am not expecting them. Years ago, the image of a fort of translucent sandbags appeared in my head. It was there to greet me every time I daydreamed. That fort became a mini obsession. I worked on it for six months, piling and securing stiff translucent pillows until it was taller than me. It was a glowing oasis in my studio for about a month before slowly collapsing. If the vision of translucent sandbags came to me today, I would have the inclination to weave it into a story.
The mediums I use go back to when I was a child. I taught myself to sew in second grade to repair stuffed animals. I see a direct connection between my soft sculpture and more recently, my dolls to those early stitches. Drawing was another childhood discovery. The moment I realized I could draw was thrilling. The world began to reveal itself to me through drawing. I began to see details, shapes, colors, relationships and even personality in things that I had never noticed before. When I am feeling stuck I go outside and draw something. Drawing is the medium that is always at my disposal, while other mediums will tap me on the shoulder now and then.
JR: I hear you when you say ideas come when you least expect them. But translucent sandbags? Wow! I would love to see that in a gallery OR a picture book someday. I also love that you sew. And the fact that you repaired stuffed animals is so tender. I think we could have been 2nd grade friends.
With all you do, you can’t possibly EVER be without creative inspiration. So what led you to write a kid’s book about writer’s block? Tell us more about Gus. And tell us more about the journal that comes with the book.
MC: Perhaps doing so many different things can be a symptom of writer’s block. Reach a roadblock with a painting? Take out some needles and knit for a while. Having two options at my disposal helps. I can return to each with fresh eyes. That’s why I enjoy picture books so much. I love shifting from text to drawings and back to text until they are dependent upon each other.
I like to think I have plenty of ideas to work from. But, ideas don’t always equal functioning stories. When I sat down to write Grandma is an Author, every story I started hit a wall after the first page. I felt like there was a writers block ghost floating around in my head, turning my words into mush. At the same time, I found myself helping my daughter create monsters to keep her fears at bay. It started with drawings, then led to monster rugs made from fabric scraps that she put next to the front door. Finally, she took a cardboard box and created a monster. He was like the ancient stone lions placed at the foot of buildings to scare away enemies. She could place him wherever she felt he would be most useful. Then I thought, what about a writer’s block monster? Making a monster that can stand up to writer’s block seemed like a fitting solution and one the main character, Rusty would come up with.
Because Grandma is an Author is about writing, it is designed to look and feel like a composition book. In the back there is a little journal with speech and thought bubble stickers to use. Kids can use the journal to write and draw. But, if they find themselves stuck I highly recommend making a writer’s block monster. I made four monsters while writing the story.
Ha! Four monsters. I think every writer needs at least one. Thank you, Melissa for stopping by!
Item Description: Here’s your chance for a thoughtful, in-depth critique of the first 20 pages of your middle grade manuscript from a middle grade author herself, Lindsay Eland. Believe me on this – Lindsay’s critique will raise your manuscript to a whole new level of wonderful. Along with your critique, you will receive a signed paperback copy of Lindsay’s novel Scones and Sensibility! What could be sweeter?
For more information about Lindsay Eland and her books visit:www.lindsayeland.com
Market Value: 30.00
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Item Description: Tara Lazar writes picture books and designs jewelry. I suppose you can say she’s always creating something! For this auction, Tara offers a picture book critique (800 words or less) that is redeemable at any time for as long as she’s alive! This includes critiques on revisions of the same manuscript, too. She will also provide the winner with a hand-crafted pair of antiqued brass crescent moon earrings with blue-green glass beads. So you can have a polished manuscript and look polished at the same time! This item will ship in time for Christmas!!
To learn more about Tara, her writing and her fun, fun, fun upcoming book The Monstore (2013) please visit:http://taralazar.wordpress.com
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Donated by: Catherine Menoni (my mom, to whom Light Up the Night is dedicated!)
Item Description: “Nonna” is Italian for grandmother. And this 91-year-old Nonna to 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren (more on the way), has crafted this 34″ X 46″ blanket with wee ones in mind. Wrap up your baby in this beautiful, soft, hand-crocheted baby afghan and they’ll be cozier than ever, truly embraced in a grandmother’s love.
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Item Description: The lucky winner will strike it rich. Because this prize package includes not only a copy of TEACH YOUR BUFFALO TO PLAY DRUMS personalized and signed by Audrey Vernick, a Buffalo tote bag, and 30 (that’s right 30!) Buffalo bookmarks but also …
a copy of IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? signed by Daniel Jennewein the illustrator (with buffalo sketch) and Audrey Vernickthe author. And it will all ship in time for Christmas.
HOLY BUFFALO!!!
Market Value: Priceless
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Donated by: Tricia Lawrence, Social Media Strategy, EMLA
Item Description: Win a 30-page PDF workbook and 60-minute phone consultation with Erin Murphy Literary Agency’s social media strategist, Tricia Lawrence. Wondering how to best use social media to further your author career? Think through your vision, your passion, and your goals and get advice from Tricia about how best to spend your time and energy.
To learn more about Tricia and find out what her social media services can do for you check out: http://www.realbrilliant.com
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Item Description: Everyone loves Ellie McDoodle! And here’s your chance to WOW one of your favorite young readers. Author and illustrator Ruth McNally Barshaw is offering three signed paperback books of the popular Ellie McDoodle series with one-of-a-kind doodles added, plus, as a bonus, original art signed by the amazing Ruth herself. Will ship in time for Christmas (U.S. addresses only).
About Ellie McDoodle:
Her real name is Eleanor McDougal. Her friends call her Ellie McDoodle because she’s always doodling in her sketchjournals. She spies on people and carries a sketchjournal EVERYWHERE.
She keeps track of everything including games, crafts, ideas, pranks, people, animals, nature… you name it, it’s in her book and Ellie has an opinion on it.
Would you like to peek inside her sketch diary? Here’s your chance! Ellie’s the star of some cool books.
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
Prize Details: My oh my! Don’t let this one pass you by. Get that manuscript in tip-top shape then send it in for critique by kidlit agent extraordinaire, Ammi-Joan Paquette with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. She’ll take a look at the first 25 pages of a middle-grade or YA novel, or a full picture book text. What are you waiting for???
About Ammi-Joan Paquette: Joan joined EMLA in spring 2009 and already has placed dozens of manuscripts with editors. She is especially passionate about connecting with and launching the careers of debut authors. As the “East Coast branch” of EMLA, Joan works from her home office in Massachusetts, with long-distance support from the main Flagstaff office. She represents all forms of children’s and young adult literature, but is most excited by a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting with surprising twists and turns, and stories told with heart and resonance that will stand the test of time.
This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I’ll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 – 11/18. And I’ve got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.
