My granddaughter has seen the book draft! I read her The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite (copyright, Melody Rhodes, 2009). I wanted to gauge her reaction to the story, pre-publication.
After all these months of working on the story and seeing it emerging into a book, this was a special moment!
Zee was very excited! This is the first time she heard the story while seeing it with the actual illustrations. I'm sure she's pictured scenes in her head but this was something tangible. (What would we do without laptops and webcams?)
She absolutely loved it! Zee giggled and thought the whole thing was hilarious. This is what I was hoping for. The most important thing to me is that children relate to the story and enjoy it.
When we finished reading, I asked Zee if she could find the clue and guess what it was. Zee thought this over and studied the pictures. She was proud of herself for winkling it out.
She begged me to read her the next story. Then, of course, it was "Gammy, where's the pictures for the second story?" So I had to explain that the first book had to be published before we could start working on the illustrations for the next book.
Zee wanted to know why she wasn't in the first book ("Gam, how come there's no pictures of me?") so I explained that the publisher lived far away.
"How many books are you going to make?" she asked. I told her that was a secret. In actuality, I don't know, as the creative process has its own momentum and I've learned to let it take the lead.
I can breath a sigh of relief, the book has made the grade!
* The first BEDBUG BOOK book is finished and we have now done most of the pre-publication legwork. It will be published soon and I will keep everyone apprised as to when and where, as matters progress.
What Others Are Saying
Coming Soon . . . The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite
How Bedbug Got Started
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Kids May Be the Best Judge of Children's Books
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bedbug in the Works
Hello Everyone
As you can imagine, it has been a busy couple of days. We are still busy tweaking the first Bedbug story. Final decisions are being made as the book continues to evolve to the point where it is ready for publication.
I'm thrilled that we are at this stage and I've developed a deeper appreciation that so very much goes into the making of a book: many, many decisions and changes and last-minute tweaks so that the final result is that much better.
My hat goes off to my publisher. She's a saint, in my books-- a multi-tasker, if ever there was one. We've formed a close bond, working, as we have, these months to bring Bedbug alive. It's been such a special journey and an exciting one!
And where would writers be without their publishers? It takes one publisher with vision to help a writer to cross the finish line, to get to where the writer has desired to go with his or her story.
I'm so thankful that this publisher gave due consideration and decided to go with my Bedbug story.
Athlyn
Monday, October 12, 2009
Bedbug Well Received at Thanksgiving Supper
Hello everyone
Yesterday, my boyfriend printed off a copy of the Bedbug cover photo and took it over to our friend's house. We were all getting together for a Thanksgiving dinner. Some 18 people were invited to the meal.
Two of my friends came and picked me up and the drive down to Michelle's house was simply lovely with the fall colors.
When I got there, everyone came rushing over. They absolutely loved the cover! I kept hearing remarks: "That Bedbug is sooo darn cute." "He's just adorable!" "When can we have the book?" This was so encouraging and unexpected.
My friend, Donalda, said she wanted 5 signed copies; another friend, Dee, asked for 2 copies; Alex, a 10-year-old girl told me she loved Bedbug and asked if she could have her own copy of the book. "Of course," I told her. I then explained that each book contains a clue that gives a hint about the next story. Her eyes got big. She turned to her mother and said "Mommy, I really want that book."
- I explained that this is the first book in the series.
- Everyone wanted to know when the book would be out.
- Michelle, the friend who was hosting the dinner, placed the printed cover on her fridge.
What an exciting Thanksgiving.
Athlyn
Bedbug Links
- 'The Bedbug Books' at Facebook (type the first part into the search box at Facebook)
- The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite--the creation of the bedbug character: how a little bedbug became more than an idea.
- The BEDBUG Blog--news and updates about "yours truly."
- Bedbug is Coming--You guessed it! Another page about Bedbug.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Exciting Author News! Joel Schnoor Publishes I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head
Hello Everyone. Wow! This has been a month of good things. In today's post I want to share some very exciting news.
Joel Schnoor has published a new book entitled: I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head: Conquering English and Its Ruthless Ways. This book will be a wonderful resource for those who struggle with grammar.
Joel (Nutuba) has made the subject interesting and entertaining with the hilarious antics of Aunt Ruth. Those who have read and chuckled over Joel's "Aunt Ruth" articles at Triond, will know what good things are in store with this new book.
Joel discusses the book in A Self-Publishing Journey: I Laid the Egg
* I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head is now available!
Additional Reviews of I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head
Other Links
Congratulations Joel. What an achievement!
Friday, October 02, 2009
One of my Articles in TableAus Mensa
I was pleased to receive two courtesy copies of one my Suite 101 health articles:
Facts about Fat: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly, that was chosen to appear in the Australian Mensa magazine, TableAus.
I whipped off a letter to the editor today, thanking him for choosing my article and publishing it in the magazine. This should prove to be a good publishing credit.
I'm hoping the editor will consider another article I wrote: War Against Trans Fats in Canadian Diet: Canada Blazing Trail to Reduce Trans Fatty Acids in Food Production. This article discusses the harmful effects of trans fats and the implications for consumers.
It's going to be an exciting month, I believe! My children's book just may be published before the month is through, so there are many good things to look forward to.
Enjoy the beautiful fall colors, everyone.
Athlyn
* photo credit RonnieB
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Blogging Resources
Hello Everyone! Today's post discusses blogging resources
Readers will notice that I've added Write and Earn a Living to additional blogging directories. It's one of those goals that has been sitting on my back burner. Ugh! . . . if only we had a 48-hour writing day!
Adding your blog to blog directories is a necessary task--all-be-it one that most of us are hard-pressed to find the time to do. I plan to get tough with myself!!
It's not enough to create good quality blog posts or to post regularly. Your blog needs to get out there, where others see it.
I'm encouraged by the increasing number of readers this blog has attracted--and I believe this has been, in part, due to my blog's presence in blog directories. Two of my personal favorites are Blog Catalog and Blogged.
I'm including article links that provide good blogging resources. These are all steps I've taken to increase my blog traffic.
Blogging Resources
Blogging Basics: 15 Steps to Get Your Blog Noticed--must-do's to boost your readership.
Adding a Blog to Facebook's Networked Blogs --harnessing the power of a vast blogging network to put your blog in front of Facebook users. I've done this with four of my blogs. One of my blogs is pictured below. Since adding these blogs to Facebook Networked Blogs, I've seen an increase in readers. Each time you post, your blog shows as a thumbnail at Facebook, which is an excellent method of traffic generation.
Neat Blog Buttons: Twitter Birds, Hit Counters, Maps and More--neat gadgets, badges and buttons to dress up your blog.
Google AdSense Privacy Policy Generator-- have you installed the privacy policy Google requires for blogs?
Free Pictures: Where, Oh Where, Do I Get Free Photos?--adding photos to blog posts can really spruce up the look of your blog-but where do you find good free photos?
I hope you enjoy these blogging resources. Utilize them and see your readership and earnings grow! And don't forget to let me know how you make out!
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