Patricia Bailey's Blog, page 9
January 14, 2018
Middle Grade Book Love: Midnight Without a Moon
I’ve been wanting to read Linda Williams Jackson’s historical middle grade novel, MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON since I first heard about it early in 2017. I had the good fortune of interviewing Linda for my Author Spotlight series in January of that year, and the story has stuck with me ever since.
Which may be why I saved it for so long. (Yep, I was the kid who could make a candy bar last for days if I needed to). I had a feeling it would be rich in character and history as well as beautifully w...
December 31, 2017
Happy New Year!
2017 was a bit of a roller coaster year for many of us. Great highs Terrifying dips. And far too many unexpected turns. Between the thrill of seeing my book published and out in the world and the fear of seeing my husband sick and struggling, I’m feeling a little worn out and tossed around by 2017 – and more than happy to usher in a bright and shiny new year.
My goals for 2018 are pretty simple:
Focus on the joy. Do more of what I love with the people that I love.
Finish Book 2 – the proje...
December 24, 2017
A Christmas Thank You
It’s been a big year here at my house. Lots of truly wonderful things happened – my first novel was published; I made a bunch of new friends; and I got to travel to some pretty cool places. And lots of not-so wonderful things happened, too – my husband got terribly sick in March and we spent a whole lot of time worrying and doctoring and trying to do life and work and art in the midst of chaos and doubt. People smarter than I say that the universe likes balance – and 2017 may have convinced...
December 17, 2017
Jolabokaflod: A Post About Book-Giving at the Mixed-Up Files Blog
Last week, I shared a post about gift-giving over at The Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors – the spot where I blog when I’m not blogging here. In it, I talk about the Icelandic tradition of giving books on Christmas Eve – and my own book-giving traditions.
I also asked some of my writing friends to share their book-giving lists – which they did, so there’s also a great book list of must-reads over there.
You can read the post here.
I’d love to hear about your book-giving traditions – or...
December 10, 2017
Class of 2k17 Books New Year, New Library Giveaway!
It’s time for another Class of 2k17 GIVEAWAY!
This time we’re giving away a huge prize package! Start your year with a library full of books. We’re giving away 28 Middle Grade and Young Adult books and swag signed by the authors.
Click here to enter to win this awesome prize package!
~Contest ends 12/18/17~
Class of 2k17 Books New Year New Library Giveaway!
It’s time for another Class of 2k17 GIVEAWAY!
This time we’re giving away a huge prize package! Start your year with a library full of books. We’re giving away 28 Middle Grade and Young Adult books and swag signed by the authors.
Click here to enter to win this awesome prize package!
~Contest ends 12/18/17~
December 3, 2017
So How Long Did It Take?
Last month I was asked to write an article that would fit in The Author’s Journey column of the Oregon SCBWI’s regional newsletter.
I was honored – and scared – which turns out to be a combination of emotions that actually gets work out of me.
I wrote the following piece in a whir – which may not seem like a big deal to most of you, but I’ve been pretty blocked writing-wise for quite some time. Getting words on a page – any words – felt like a freaking miracle to me.
The fact that the words m...
November 28, 2017
Surreal Moment No. 11
Surreal Moment – November 18 2017
St. Louis, MO. (NCTE) National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference
It’s been a week, and I still cannot believe that I was part of a conference session at NCTE. Talk about surreal. I never would have imagined I’d be speaking to English teachers on a national stage – ever – let alone after I stopped being one.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, I had the honor of presenting a session at NCTE on Refreshing and Renewing Reading in the Secondary Clas...
November 12, 2017
Book Review: This Book Isn’t Safe
Be honest – you’ve always had a secret desire to stomp around in concrete shoes and fling Frisbees with wild abandon. Well, I’ve always wanted to, and now I have This Book Isn’t Safe to show me how.
Colin Furze, five-time Guinness World Record Holder and YouTube’s undisputed king of crazy inventions, instructs fans and curious young inventors on how to build ten brand new wacky inventions at home with an affordable tool kit.
Colin Furze’s bonkers and brilliant inventions such as a homemade ho...
November 5, 2017
Author Spotlight: Supriya Kelkar Talks About Ahimsa
Today I’m
shining the Author Spotlight on Suppriya Kelkar and her debut novel AHIMSA.
Title: AHIMSA
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: Grades 3 to 7
Launch Date: October 2, 2017
Please tell us a little bit about your book.
AHIMSA takes place in 1942 in British-ruled India. After Mahatma Gandhi asks each family to give one member to the non-violent freedom movement, 10-year-old Anjali is devastated to think of her father risking his life to join. But it turns out he isn’t the one joi...
