Justin Matott's Blog, page 11
March 20, 2011
FACEBOOKERS CHECK IT OUT!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1016679907#!/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290
They are giving away signed copies of my books at my "fan" page on facebook. I think someone took the power of the movie SOCIAL NETWORK a bit too seriously.
But the fact is it is pretty easy to win a free book AND you get to choose which of my books you can get.
I will do whatever it takes to encourage readers and if that includes giving books to get them hooked on my stuff, so be it... my only hope is it works like a gateway pill and gets them to come back again and again...
March 18, 2011
If a tree falls in the forest...
I stopped blogging a month ago today and it's like the riddle says: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
It is a philosophical riddle that raises questions regarding observation and knowledge of reality. BUT, in the case of my blog, I just wonder if I am blogging to hear myself type.
I do have teachers, students and friends comment about something they read on this blog from time to time, but after several years of doing this with only 34 blog followers , I think it might be time to hang up the blogging fingers. (OF COURSE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE 34 OF YOU!)
I started blogging because of the format, short story, short ideas and sharing what I thought might be interesting tidbits, because of my job, what I usually write requires many many hours of writing an rewriting and a blog is just a spur of the moment MOMENT!
IF my blog is interesting to you and you would like to see more, please email me at justin@justinmatott.com or comment here.
February 15, 2011
Illustrator Laurie McAdam demonstrates our iPad App
http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=58504531&item_index=9&all=1&sort=NULL
This video is from the Modesto Bee. Laurie McAdam, UBERtalented illustrator demonstrates our new iPad App.
Cheers to you Laurie!
This video is from the Modesto Bee. Laurie McAdam, UBERtalented illustrator demonstrates our new iPad App.
Cheers to you Laurie!
February 8, 2011
Spanish Speakers, HELP!
I got this note from one of my readers and alas, I don't know what she said.
Please help if you can translate this for me. I would like to write back to her.
Either post as a comment here or email me at justin@justinmatott.com
Thank you!
February 7, 2011
A Picture is worth a THOUSAND WORDS!
Recently I have been speaking to A LOT of teachers about basic gender differences and how boy learn differently from girls.This may seem easy to understand, but figuring out how to get those reluctant boys to read and write is a passion of mine.
These picture demonstrate just how different males and female are...
February 3, 2011
February 2, 2011
If only for one child...
Hello my friends,
We've all heard about the butterfly who flaps her wings, which over space and time creates the tsunami and how the ocean is simply an accumulation of single droplets of water and without each individual there wouldn't the lapping waves...
As a writer this is so empowering.
One person influenced by a book of hope can go on to end Apartheid.
One girl influenced by a book called A Tree Grows In Brooklyn can grow up to be a television host who motivates millions to pick up a book and read.
One author who reads Where The Red Fern Grows as a child remembers how that book created complete escape, wonderment and adventure and the burning desire to do so for someone else enables him to carve out characters, places and wonder to transport readers in the same manner.
I originally set out to provide what I'd hoped would be hours and hours of laughter and the simple entertaining mysteries of childhood on the printed page, illustrated just enough that the reader would get a sense of place. I think I have accomplished that according to the feedback I get, particularly from teachers and youngsters.
BUT, when you visit as many schools as I do to entertain, you become increasingly aware of the fact that childhood is not all fun and games and some serious matters NEED to be addressed by safe adults. I have been privy to some heart-renching stories about the kids who put a brave face on the pain. Kids need a vent. Kids need to know they are not alone. Literature is one of the best devices to deliver the message. I feel compelled to do be a part of that!
I wanted to share some new developments in the GP (Gabriel Peters) world. Go Ask Mom - Stories From the Upper Bunk was originally published in 2006 and is presently SOLD OUT and temporarily out of print with the exception of online sites such as amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/GO-ASK-MOM-Stories-upper/dp/1889191175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296657180&sr=8-1, because it is the plan to have my agent sell my entire series (as well as the upcoming comic book spin-off to a larger publisher) which is very gratifying to me because I always envisioned my career going toward the middle grade chapter book.
My series is popular primarily with 3-8 graders, which in this category is a wide range. Presently The World According to Gabe - Stories From the Upper Bunk is doing very well (especially in the middle school category) and particularly with boys who "don't like reading" as is The Gabriel Book of World Records - Stories From The Tree house. I'd be happy to personalize a book to your reader http://justinmatott.com/books.htm
Gabe begins his adventures in my series as a kid who is bullied by brother and some boys at school. He is able to overcome his adversities using his brain when in the shadow of brawn. (The chapter included here is the newly designed and illustrated book, which hasn't been see out there yet.
)
Once Gabe finds his confidence, the series then follows the adventures of a clan of boys (soon girls) who experience many things, both good and bad, just like all of us. Interestingly enough the chapter I am including herein (newly illustrated by the AMAZINGLY talented David Schiedt) deals with some very heavy things in the midst of an otherwise adventurous, fun book which I get constant teacher feedback about. I have had many teachers who have read aloud Go Ask Mom in the classroom tell me that this particular chapter has opened up understanding and dialogue which is helpful and one teacher told me there was a young girl in her class who after hearing this chapter read aloud in her classroom came to her and the school counselor and admitted to abuse in her own house and was helped as a result to get out of a bad situation. Imagine the gratification I felt, that the days and nights I wrestled with whether or not to include such a "heavy" topic in my otherwise "fun" book were ALL worth it, if only for one girl.
I need YOUR help. If you feel compelled at all to help spread my words in a way that will influence more than the current little corner of the world my work has addressed, please add your reviews to public sites, such as amazon.com, twitter my website, twitter my facebook fan page and this blog. Word of mouth is STILL the very best way to spread the news about books, music and other forms of entertainment that touch us personally. In return, if you have a message, a book, a story you are trying to get out there into the world to create your own tsunami, I will do the same for you.
I will be deeply thankful for your help and so will that one child who needs to hear a story of hope and laughter that perhaps my particular voice and style will deliver.
I
f you click on the page images they will open up large enough to read.
Happy reading!
We've all heard about the butterfly who flaps her wings, which over space and time creates the tsunami and how the ocean is simply an accumulation of single droplets of water and without each individual there wouldn't the lapping waves...
As a writer this is so empowering.
One person influenced by a book of hope can go on to end Apartheid.
One girl influenced by a book called A Tree Grows In Brooklyn can grow up to be a television host who motivates millions to pick up a book and read.
One author who reads Where The Red Fern Grows as a child remembers how that book created complete escape, wonderment and adventure and the burning desire to do so for someone else enables him to carve out characters, places and wonder to transport readers in the same manner.
I originally set out to provide what I'd hoped would be hours and hours of laughter and the simple entertaining mysteries of childhood on the printed page, illustrated just enough that the reader would get a sense of place. I think I have accomplished that according to the feedback I get, particularly from teachers and youngsters.
BUT, when you visit as many schools as I do to entertain, you become increasingly aware of the fact that childhood is not all fun and games and some serious matters NEED to be addressed by safe adults. I have been privy to some heart-renching stories about the kids who put a brave face on the pain. Kids need a vent. Kids need to know they are not alone. Literature is one of the best devices to deliver the message. I feel compelled to do be a part of that!
I wanted to share some new developments in the GP (Gabriel Peters) world. Go Ask Mom - Stories From the Upper Bunk was originally published in 2006 and is presently SOLD OUT and temporarily out of print with the exception of online sites such as amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/GO-ASK-MOM-Stories-upper/dp/1889191175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296657180&sr=8-1, because it is the plan to have my agent sell my entire series (as well as the upcoming comic book spin-off to a larger publisher) which is very gratifying to me because I always envisioned my career going toward the middle grade chapter book.
My series is popular primarily with 3-8 graders, which in this category is a wide range. Presently The World According to Gabe - Stories From the Upper Bunk is doing very well (especially in the middle school category) and particularly with boys who "don't like reading" as is The Gabriel Book of World Records - Stories From The Tree house. I'd be happy to personalize a book to your reader http://justinmatott.com/books.htm
Gabe begins his adventures in my series as a kid who is bullied by brother and some boys at school. He is able to overcome his adversities using his brain when in the shadow of brawn. (The chapter included here is the newly designed and illustrated book, which hasn't been see out there yet.
)Once Gabe finds his confidence, the series then follows the adventures of a clan of boys (soon girls) who experience many things, both good and bad, just like all of us. Interestingly enough the chapter I am including herein (newly illustrated by the AMAZINGLY talented David Schiedt) deals with some very heavy things in the midst of an otherwise adventurous, fun book which I get constant teacher feedback about. I have had many teachers who have read aloud Go Ask Mom in the classroom tell me that this particular chapter has opened up understanding and dialogue which is helpful and one teacher told me there was a young girl in her class who after hearing this chapter read aloud in her classroom came to her and the school counselor and admitted to abuse in her own house and was helped as a result to get out of a bad situation. Imagine the gratification I felt, that the days and nights I wrestled with whether or not to include such a "heavy" topic in my otherwise "fun" book were ALL worth it, if only for one girl.
I need YOUR help. If you feel compelled at all to help spread my words in a way that will influence more than the current little corner of the world my work has addressed, please add your reviews to public sites, such as amazon.com, twitter my website, twitter my facebook fan page and this blog. Word of mouth is STILL the very best way to spread the news about books, music and other forms of entertainment that touch us personally. In return, if you have a message, a book, a story you are trying to get out there into the world to create your own tsunami, I will do the same for you. I will be deeply thankful for your help and so will that one child who needs to hear a story of hope and laughter that perhaps my particular voice and style will deliver.
I
f you click on the page images they will open up large enough to read.Happy reading!
January 27, 2011
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY NEW IPAD APP!
I am deeply involved in some very cool technology with a great group of creators. We will be releasing more of the mix and match Apps as well as a book/App which is going to turn the APP world upside down!
When our original book comes out (involving Pixar, Industrial Lights and Magic and some other talent) we will wow the techie world as well as delight a ton of kids (of all ages). Think Up meets The Incredibles as a BOOK!
For now, you can mix and match 1728 different aliens in our brand new, released TODAY Aliens All Mixed Up!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aliens-all-mixed-up/id415741588?mt=8
January 26, 2011
He Blinded me with Science
Steve Spangler is having a contest of sorts on his facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1016679907#!/stevespangler
Here is my entry for Science Fair Disaster:
When I was in fourth grade I designed a science fair project to show photosynthesis with bean sprouts, dixie cups and good soil. Some ten bean sprouts were distributed around the house in varying humidity and li...ght situations. I was very excited, using my Childcraft and Brittanicas for research as well as the public library books and worked really, really hard on it. Three of the sprouts were devoured by my guinea pigs and almost all of the others were tampered with by my older brother (he dug the bean seeds out and replaced them with marbles). The ones that were present on window sills etc were left alone and seemed to be doing very well, so I assumed my project was on track. Ten days went by before I knew what was going on it was time to gather my research and show the world at school. Much to my dismay eight of the ten had NO growth, except for the nubs left by the guinea pigs. I was so panicked. I wrote a note explaining to the viewers at the science fair that somehow seven out of ten of the beans had become marbles and explained what the guinea pigs did.
For extra credit I debunked the myth of the Sea Monkey by showing a report on brine shrimp. YEARS later, I included the story in my chapter book series and soon will have a comic book series published that was inspired by these events. The title: The Sea Monkey That Ate My Big Brother!
P.S. as a father, I shared this story with my son who did the same bean seed in a cup science experiment. This time, no guinea pigs, no big brothers tampering!
January 23, 2011
UNBELIEVABLE PHOTOGRAPHY!
Sometimes you find something, suggested by a friend, that you simply cannot keep to yourself. I have always enjoyed taking pictures and just when I think I have something really good, like my owl pictures and others I have posted here, I find someone who actually REALLY knows how to do it.
I hope you admire the amazing ability of this man and will pass his site on to others!
http://www.naturephotographyblog.com/
I hope you admire the amazing ability of this man and will pass his site on to others!
http://www.naturephotographyblog.com/
