Kirby Larson's Blog, page 59

Newsletters

I love reading my fellow book creators' e-newsletters and it has occurred to me that you might enjoy reading them, too! Here are a few of my favs:
Lois Brandt puts out a newsletter called Mews News, (so named to honor a former feline member of the Brandt household), which is always chockfull of writing prompts, as well as reasons to spend more time with butt in chair.
Elizabeth Dulemba, illustrator and author, offers a coloring page, inspiration and encouragement in her cheery posts. She's also a great networking resource.
Middle grade novelist, Barbara O'Connor, shares her own book news and reading recommendations in one of the most beautiful-to-look at newsletters. 
Picture book queen, Ann Whitford Paul, talks about her writing processes in Paul's Post. She offers invaluable writing insights, as well as information about the classes she teaches in the Los Angeles Area.

And, of course, I do a (mostly) monthly newsletter myself, sharing travel adventures, writing misadventures and tips on books I think you simply shouldn't miss.
It's easy to sign up for any of these newsletters -- go to Ann, Barbara and Lois' websites and click to subscribe! Click here to subscribe to Elizabeth's.

Brilliant Book Trailer

True confessions: I'm not a huge fan of book trailers. But here is one that does it all right! Enjoy!


(Be sure to buy Jo Kittinger's Rosa's Bus from your local independent bookstore!)

Don't Forget!

Tomorrow, from 11-12:30, I'll be at the Northgate Barnes & Noble, for a bookfair fundraiser for Page Ahead.

Come say hello and buy a book for a good cause!

Illustrator Tip

This post by Jaime Temairik involves paints, palettes and peppermint taffy. She makes me want to unleash my inner Grandma Moses!

Come see me on Saturday!

This Saturday, from 11-12:30, I'll be at the Northgate Barnes & Noble, for a bookfair fundraiser for Page Ahead. It's a "Meet and Greet" the author to get holiday gift books autographed. I'm eager to meet my fellow participants Robin Shannon with her Historic Hotels and Restaurants and Dani Cone ,author of Cutie Pies.

Come say hello and buy a book for a good cause!

Good News for a Good Friend

My dear friend, Kathryn Galbraith, has a beautiful picture book, Planting the Wild Garden, which has been rightly recognized as an Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 / NSTA / CBC / 2012.

Woo-hoo, Kathryn!

Where's Kirby?

You may have noticed I've been off-line. Not inappropriate given it's been a holiday weekend. We had a lovely Thanksgiving with some dear friends who taught me to use an immersion (or stick) blender to whip cream. Who wudda thunk? No mess no fuss and in seconds, voila, whipped cream. On Friday we went to the new Muppet Movie where I only embarrassed my family three (or four) times by crying, not only during the movie, but during the trailers. (I mean, The Whale Movie -- what's not to tear up over?) Saturday I enjoyed watching my friend Emma in a delightful Studio East production of Twas the Night and then on Sunday Neil and I and Winston ran away to Shangri-Lar where, after driving 90 minutes through driving rain, we were blessed with blue skies as we turned down our road.
Another reason I've been a bit quiet is that I'm starting work on a new book (gotta keep busy while awaiting the editorial letter for the manuscript turned in a few weeks' back). I'm at the research phase which is time-consuming but fascinating. Once again, I'm rooting through the historical New York Times and Seattle Daily Times and whatever else I can get my fingers on as I gather as much material as I can. 
Sid Fleischman wrote his historical novels during the day and researched them at night, changing plot points if research uncovered reasons to do so. This method clearly worked for him but, for me, not so much. I must plod and poke and ponder until I feel acclimated to that other place and time enough to begin to spin a tale.
So don't think I'm ignoring you. I'm just a woman at work.
Now, here's Sid:

Fan Letter Friday

This young man is definitely not a vegetarian. But what great writing advice: Use great ideas (I like his spelling better than mine).

Thought for the Day

"Some beautiful things are more impressive when left imperfect than when too highly finished."
― La Rochefoucauld

Catching Up

Whirlwind few days -- off to Little Rock to accept the Arkansas Diamond award (with pals Mary Nethery and Jean Cassels) Jean, Mary and I after our panel
Jean drawing the Bobs for a director chair back
Bad news, ARA folks: Mary, Jean and I would do *anything* to be with you all again. Serves you right for serving up an super-sized helping of southern hospitality! We mentioned we were hungry and, voila, lunch was served!
Our lovely award

NCTE -- a blur of good writing friends: presenting with Deanna Day-Wiff, Deborah Hopkinson and Jim Murphy; dinner with Pam Munoz Ryan, David Levithan and almost with Andrea Davis Pinkney (who couldn't handle the Hancock Tower heights); lunch with Jenni Holm; glass of wine with Karen Cushman; another dinner with Candy Fleming, Jenni, Pat Mora and amazing teaching professionals like Nancy Roser and Colby Sharp (to name a few). New friends: Jennifer Nielson (read her The False Prince!); Matthew Kirby (read his Icefall!) and Kathleen Schlick Noe (read her Something to Hold!); and old, including the much-beloved Mr. Schu and Tom Angleberger who has completely won me over with his charming, delightful Horton Halfpott. View from the Hancock Tower at the Scholastic Family Dinner
Me, Jenni Holm and uber teacher Colby Sharp at the Random House educators' dinner


Glad to be home, however, and while you are all whipping up Thanksgiving feasts, I am whipping up homemade dog food for Winston the Wonderdog who has developed a very sensitive tummy. 

I am grateful for: friends to celebrate with, a home to come to and stories yet to read and tell.