Elle Pierre's Blog, page 3
August 9, 2017
Book Review: "How to Invite An Elephant to Tea" by Genellyn Driver (Illustrated by Luigi Lucarelli)
How to Invite An Elephant to Tea by Genellyn DriverMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
HOW TO INVITE AN ELEPHANT TO TEA is a whimsical how-to teaching children the proper way to perform what the title suggests. More of an illustrated instruction manual than an actual story, I love how believable it is, explaining the proper way to prepare the table, the best elephant guests to invite as a beginner party host/hostess (there are three types, apparently), and where to find these intelligent elephants in the first place. The paragraphs are short (max. 2 sentences) and easy to understand; I think this would be a good book to help children improve their reading skills.
The artwork is bright and quirky (I re-read the book just to look at them again!) and really compliment the talents of both the author and artist. I hope they can work together again in the future!
I recommend this book for children 4-8 who enjoy playing pretend, tea-parties, and/or elephants!
View all my reviews
August 5, 2017
Who Needs Sleep? - Interview
Afternoon, Goodreaders!
Today I was interviewed by Annalise, creator of "Who Needs Sleep?", a book blog for fun and controversial books. I was able to share my experiences as an indie children's author/illustrator.
https://whoneedssleep.blog/2017/08/05...
Today I was interviewed by Annalise, creator of "Who Needs Sleep?", a book blog for fun and controversial books. I was able to share my experiences as an indie children's author/illustrator.
https://whoneedssleep.blog/2017/08/05...
July 25, 2017
Kindle Countdown Deal | July 28th - 30th
Hey there, Goodreaders! :)
Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends
7 reviews | 4.5 star avg. | Children's > Social Issues > Friendship/Children's > Animals > Lions, Leopards, Tigers, etc.
Endorsements:
https://bferrante.wordpress.com/2017/...
https://www.amazon.com/Tip-Lulu-tale-...
US/UK READERS - Tip & Lulu will available for purchase @ $0.99/£ 0.99 this weekend starting FRIDAY @ 12AM and ending SUNDAY @ 12AM (July 28th-30th).
Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends
7 reviews | 4.5 star avg. | Children's > Social Issues > Friendship/Children's > Animals > Lions, Leopards, Tigers, etc.
Lulu is a playful little leopard cub, eager to make new friends. But it’s hard to make friends when everyone is afraid of you. Then one day, unexpectedly, she meets Tip, a shy meerkat pup. Can the two very different animals become friends?
Told in rhyming verse, Tip and Lulu is a charming tale about friendship, compassion, and acceptance.
Endorsements:
https://bferrante.wordpress.com/2017/...
https://www.amazon.com/Tip-Lulu-tale-...
US/UK READERS - Tip & Lulu will available for purchase @ $0.99/£ 0.99 this weekend starting FRIDAY @ 12AM and ending SUNDAY @ 12AM (July 28th-30th).
May 29, 2017
FEATURED - Indie Book Trailers & More
All this week, my trailer for Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends is being featured on the front page of Indie Book Trailers & More (https://indietrailers.wordpress.com/).
Big thanks to G. M. Barlean for the opportunity!
Big thanks to G. M. Barlean for the opportunity!
May 1, 2017
UPDATE: Going Off the Grid
Lol, not really, but here's what's up:
So I've recently been "commissioned" to illustrate a special project for a budding author. May 1st marks the day I begin production on my end of this project. Since I tend to focus the majority of my energy on my projects when I have them, I wont be as active here for a bit. (Though I'll probably still rate books.)
I hope to finish illustrating by the end of the summer or the beginning of fall, and publish shortly after, provided everything unfolds as it should. My current project, Parables in Pictures Vol. 1, will be on hiatus until then (It's half-finished!). I promise you wont be disappointed by what's in store!
Keep writing, drawing and creating great stories!
Best wishes,
Lauren :)
So I've recently been "commissioned" to illustrate a special project for a budding author. May 1st marks the day I begin production on my end of this project. Since I tend to focus the majority of my energy on my projects when I have them, I wont be as active here for a bit. (Though I'll probably still rate books.)
I hope to finish illustrating by the end of the summer or the beginning of fall, and publish shortly after, provided everything unfolds as it should. My current project, Parables in Pictures Vol. 1, will be on hiatus until then (It's half-finished!). I promise you wont be disappointed by what's in store!
Keep writing, drawing and creating great stories!
Best wishes,
Lauren :)
April 24, 2017
Book Review: "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson (Illustrated by Donna Diamond)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine PatersonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA was an interesting read, that's for sure. I liked the authors writing style, which captures the rural dialect used by the characters.
This book is your typical coming-of-age story, in my opinion: Jesse, the main character, starts out innocent, with a childish desires (HINT: Wanting to be the fastest runner in the 5th grade), begins to see life through a new light with the help of Leslie, the imaginative girl-next-door, then, COMPLETELY out of the blue, tragedy enters his life (HINT: DEATH), and by the end of the book, he's a slightly different person.
Dangit coming-of-age stories.
I'm not going to say I hated the entire book... but I didn't like the ending at all. It just wasn't... satisfying. Let's say Leslie had a terminal illness, went to the hospital, Jesse saw her one last time, and then she died. THAT would of been a sad, but nice, heartfelt ending to a coming-of-age story. But no. She drowns. Alone. IN THE WOODS. Coincidently, while Jesse is at an art museum, enjoying himself with his favorite teacher.
I'm sorry... WHAT?!
Look, I get it: Life is fragile. Children shouldn't be given the misconception that life is full of sunny days and picture book endings, and books should help children understand that. And I guess that's the point really? You don't always get that perfect ending.
This is one of those books I think everyone should read at least once in their life, just so they know what it's about.
View all my reviews
March 29, 2017
Author Q & A: About Self-Publishing
This week I received an email via my website from someone who was interested in self-publishing for the first time. She asked me some very good questions regarding self-publishing/marketing/reader engagement and I thought that they would be a good resource for aspiring indie writers. Hope this helps someone!
How do you know what your readers want from a picture book? Do you seek their opinions before creating a story? There's a saying that goes "Write for yourself first, your audience second." I believe that in order to produce the very best story you can, your heart needs to be in it. You should never write something just because that's what people supposedly want; you have to write what is needed. That said, I do conduct research on what themes are currently popular in children's literature, what issues kids (and people in general) are struggling with today, and what parents feel is lacking from modern children's literature. I get most of this information from surveys done by blogs, e.g. http://writeforkids.org/ as well as opinion pieces done by parents and/or other writers, and of course, the news.
Do you receive feedback from your readers? Depends on what you mean by feedback. After publishing Tip and Lulu, my initial feedback came from friends and relatives who all had generally good things to say about it, but also provided me with advice to make the story better (like improving the saturation of the illustrations). Several months later, after doing some marketing, I discovered that generally people besides my family liked what I wrote, and were willing to put a good word in for me. So I guess my short answer is this: If you want to get advanced feedback, stick to friends and family members, and small children if you have or know any, and then, take a risk! Not everyone will like your story, but if your story is good, there will always be someone who does, and that is so rewarding, believe me!
What about your books do you feel appeals to your audience? I try to create characters with charming personalities and amusing or endearing qualities, without making them seem too perfect. I tend to incorporate themes like compassion, empathy, acceptance, and kindness, in a way that is amusing yet all the while educational. You may have noticed this emphasis in Tip & Lulu, which taught children to be kind to those who may not have been kind to you.
Why did you choose to self-publish? Honestly, I liked the idea of being my own boss. When I published my first picture book, I was in my mid-teens, and at the time I didn't believe that finding an agent was the best idea at such a young age. I read news articles about other young people who were self-published authors, and said "I want this to be me!"
What is the cost when self-publishing picture books? Did you have a lot of books published at once or do you use print on demand? I use Createspace, which is a print-on-demand service. What I love about POD is that there really isn't that much coming out of your pocket, unless you place an order. When a book is sold, Createspace would take a share for printing costs, and then you get the rest. Since I am also an illustrator, I don't have to worry about costly things like cover design or interior illustrations, which can be very expensive. But as far as pricing goes, here's a breakdown of the costs, assuming you'll be your own formatter, editor, and designer:
Filing for Copyright = $35.00 ($80 if you file using a mail-in form),
Obtaining an ISBN = Free - $125 per format (That means one ISBN for ebook, hardcover, paperback, etc.),
and Marketing/Promotion = N/A (This depends on how much money you are willing to spend).
Did you hire an editor before publishing? No! And I've paid for it, sadly. If you can afford an editor, hire an editor, especially if you plan on writing something with a lot of opportunities for spelling mistakes, like a novel. Otherwise, ask a studious friend or family member to help you. Another option I've found is https://www.grammarly.com/, but in order for it to be useful, you have to pay for premium service monthly.
What did you learn about self-publishing from your first experience of releasing a book? Self-publishing isn't magic! It takes a lot of time, effort, and money, perhaps more than if you were with a traditional publishing house. I'll admit I was a little distraught when I had first released Ollie the Opossum. With Tip & Lulu, I tried a little more by becoming a Goodreads Author and writing book reviews, paying for advertisement spots on Amazon and Goodreads, and participating in a book review swap, which is when indie authors trade their books (usually as files) and review them for each other in order to help the other gain publicity. There's is still so much I have to do OFFLINE (like book signings, attending conventions, school visits, and library readings), but for now, the Internet has been my primary hub and fits into my current lifestyle.
Do you advertise to find more readers? Yes, though I've just gotten started. Most of my advertising is online, through goodreads and amazon.com. The best way to advertise yourself is to be present online. Start a book review blog. Interview other authors. Ask to guest post on indie blogs. Pay for reviews. Check your sales reports from time to time to see how you're doing. And of course, wait. Don't expect anything to happen overnight.
Are your books sold in stores or online or both? For the time being, my books are only available online. I plan to start donating copies to local libraries, as well as working out consignment deals with local bookstores in the future.
If you have any other advice you'd like to add, please voice your opinions in the comments! If you have questions you'd like to ask regarding self-publishing, please fill out the contact form on my portfolio website (http://laurenpierrearts.wixsite.com/s...) or ask me right here on Goodreads.
How do you know what your readers want from a picture book? Do you seek their opinions before creating a story? There's a saying that goes "Write for yourself first, your audience second." I believe that in order to produce the very best story you can, your heart needs to be in it. You should never write something just because that's what people supposedly want; you have to write what is needed. That said, I do conduct research on what themes are currently popular in children's literature, what issues kids (and people in general) are struggling with today, and what parents feel is lacking from modern children's literature. I get most of this information from surveys done by blogs, e.g. http://writeforkids.org/ as well as opinion pieces done by parents and/or other writers, and of course, the news.
Do you receive feedback from your readers? Depends on what you mean by feedback. After publishing Tip and Lulu, my initial feedback came from friends and relatives who all had generally good things to say about it, but also provided me with advice to make the story better (like improving the saturation of the illustrations). Several months later, after doing some marketing, I discovered that generally people besides my family liked what I wrote, and were willing to put a good word in for me. So I guess my short answer is this: If you want to get advanced feedback, stick to friends and family members, and small children if you have or know any, and then, take a risk! Not everyone will like your story, but if your story is good, there will always be someone who does, and that is so rewarding, believe me!
What about your books do you feel appeals to your audience? I try to create characters with charming personalities and amusing or endearing qualities, without making them seem too perfect. I tend to incorporate themes like compassion, empathy, acceptance, and kindness, in a way that is amusing yet all the while educational. You may have noticed this emphasis in Tip & Lulu, which taught children to be kind to those who may not have been kind to you.
Why did you choose to self-publish? Honestly, I liked the idea of being my own boss. When I published my first picture book, I was in my mid-teens, and at the time I didn't believe that finding an agent was the best idea at such a young age. I read news articles about other young people who were self-published authors, and said "I want this to be me!"
What is the cost when self-publishing picture books? Did you have a lot of books published at once or do you use print on demand? I use Createspace, which is a print-on-demand service. What I love about POD is that there really isn't that much coming out of your pocket, unless you place an order. When a book is sold, Createspace would take a share for printing costs, and then you get the rest. Since I am also an illustrator, I don't have to worry about costly things like cover design or interior illustrations, which can be very expensive. But as far as pricing goes, here's a breakdown of the costs, assuming you'll be your own formatter, editor, and designer:
Filing for Copyright = $35.00 ($80 if you file using a mail-in form),
Obtaining an ISBN = Free - $125 per format (That means one ISBN for ebook, hardcover, paperback, etc.),
and Marketing/Promotion = N/A (This depends on how much money you are willing to spend).
Did you hire an editor before publishing? No! And I've paid for it, sadly. If you can afford an editor, hire an editor, especially if you plan on writing something with a lot of opportunities for spelling mistakes, like a novel. Otherwise, ask a studious friend or family member to help you. Another option I've found is https://www.grammarly.com/, but in order for it to be useful, you have to pay for premium service monthly.
What did you learn about self-publishing from your first experience of releasing a book? Self-publishing isn't magic! It takes a lot of time, effort, and money, perhaps more than if you were with a traditional publishing house. I'll admit I was a little distraught when I had first released Ollie the Opossum. With Tip & Lulu, I tried a little more by becoming a Goodreads Author and writing book reviews, paying for advertisement spots on Amazon and Goodreads, and participating in a book review swap, which is when indie authors trade their books (usually as files) and review them for each other in order to help the other gain publicity. There's is still so much I have to do OFFLINE (like book signings, attending conventions, school visits, and library readings), but for now, the Internet has been my primary hub and fits into my current lifestyle.
Do you advertise to find more readers? Yes, though I've just gotten started. Most of my advertising is online, through goodreads and amazon.com. The best way to advertise yourself is to be present online. Start a book review blog. Interview other authors. Ask to guest post on indie blogs. Pay for reviews. Check your sales reports from time to time to see how you're doing. And of course, wait. Don't expect anything to happen overnight.
Are your books sold in stores or online or both? For the time being, my books are only available online. I plan to start donating copies to local libraries, as well as working out consignment deals with local bookstores in the future.
If you have any other advice you'd like to add, please voice your opinions in the comments! If you have questions you'd like to ask regarding self-publishing, please fill out the contact form on my portfolio website (http://laurenpierrearts.wixsite.com/s...) or ask me right here on Goodreads.
March 27, 2017
Book Review: "The Penderwicks on Gardam Street" by Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne BirdsallMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What can I say? THE PENDERWICKS have found a permanent place in my heart! Rosalind, Batty, Skye and Jane are probably the most out-of-place cast of characters in a in an era where stories about "dorks" and gaining popularity run rampant in children's fiction, but their presence is all the more refreshing on any modern bookshelf.
The second installment of the series follows the adventures that take place at the girls' home on Gardam Street, as the cover description says. A letter from their deceased mother encouraging their father to start dating hits the girls hard, Rosalind especially, and the girls (under Rosalind's instruction) come up with a plan to save their daddy from the "terrifying" prospect of having a new wife, thus naming it the "Save-Daddy-Plan."
I find Rosalind an interesting character; since her mother's death, she has diligently taken the role of mother-figure to her baby sister, Batty, and well, you can see how if affects her in both books (I mean really; what 12-year-old addresses their sister as "honey"?). Her behavior to me is sort of saddening, how she was forced to grow up, but I am empathetic towards her. Batty is adorable, not annoying, like a lot of fictional baby sisters, so I can appreciate that. The middle sisters, Skye and Jane, are still odd in my opinion; Jane's writing style seems to me to be several grades above her level and Skye's unaddressed anger (she can threaten to kill someone without ever getting reprimanded for being so harsh) bothers me.
Besides that, like the critics have been saying, THE PENDERWICKS will remind you of the famed March sisters in both writing style and characteristics, and will more likely than not find a place on your shelf. I'm about to start THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE and honestly, I can't wait to get started!
View all my reviews
March 20, 2017
Update/Announcement: Children's Ebook FREE Promotion 3/25/2017-3/26/2017 (US Residents Only)
Helloo, Readers! (Sorry for the lack of updates)
As I officially reach the halfway production mark with my newest book, The Sower: A Parable in Pictures, I thought I'd do one more ebook sale for my picture book, Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends to wrap up my promotion days on KDP!
If you live in the United States*, head on over to Amazon.com and download a free copy this weekend (25th and 26th). As always, if you like what you read, say so! An honest rating and/or review on Amazon and/or Goodreads is always helpful for me and my books.
(*Don't take this the wrong way. It's not that I'm trying to exclude anyone from this promotion, but, as I learned from my previous sale, kindle promotions only work on a regional-basis, so if you're not in the States, it wont work for you. Sorry! ^^)
Thank you and happy reading!
Lauren :)
As I officially reach the halfway production mark with my newest book, The Sower: A Parable in Pictures, I thought I'd do one more ebook sale for my picture book, Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends to wrap up my promotion days on KDP!
If you live in the United States*, head on over to Amazon.com and download a free copy this weekend (25th and 26th). As always, if you like what you read, say so! An honest rating and/or review on Amazon and/or Goodreads is always helpful for me and my books.
(*Don't take this the wrong way. It's not that I'm trying to exclude anyone from this promotion, but, as I learned from my previous sale, kindle promotions only work on a regional-basis, so if you're not in the States, it wont work for you. Sorry! ^^)
Thank you and happy reading!
Lauren :)
March 9, 2017
Book Review: “The Listening Story” by (Not So Serious) Jack Thompsen
The Listening Story by Jack ThompsenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Emma is a little girl with a lot of big ideas! Trouble is, most people older than Emma (family included) never seem to pay attention to the things she has to say, leaving her in doubt of if her thoughts even mattering that much. This story teaches a great message for children of the need to speak up and will inspire them to fight the discouragement of being unheard by persistently sharing their ideas. I especially enjoyed Emma’s personality: Innovative, thoughtful, and a little indignant.
One technical issue I had with it was the use of rhyme in the story. To me, a good chunk of the verses seemed forced, and the pacing felt unbalanced. For a story of this length, however, I can understand its use as opposed to prose, which may not keep children’s attention when being read to them.
The cartoony illustrations are nice and bright, which is always a satisfying quality for a picture book to have, and complement the story well. I’m curious to see what’s yet to be published by Not So Serious Jack!
View all my reviews
