Jean Reidy's Blog, page 41

A Very Purpley and Writerly Birthday Gift!

My daughter, Molly gave me the most lovely birthday gift - a journal. But it's not just any journal. Here's what she inscribed in it:

Mom,

I know it may seem like all the Reidy family gives each other anymore are journals. Also, it seems that you have been receiving a lot of strange, purple knick-knacks recently. Well, to celebrate your book, TOO PURPLEY! (and your birthday) I want to give you this journal. I want you to use it to record each step along your TOO PURPLEY journey.

Examples: ...

Agent Erin Murphy Chatting Today!!

Literary Agent, Erin Murphy, is making a guest appearance in my TOO PURPLEY! PARTY Chat Room today, Monday 1/25/10, at 2 P.M. Mountain Time.

The party is at www.jeanreidy.com.

The direct link to the chat room is http://www.jeanreidy.com/Jean-Reidy-s-Chat-Room.html

Stop by for a rare opportunity to meet this awesome children's lit agent.

TOO PURPLEY! On Sale Today!!

I can't believe it. TOO PURPLEY! is on bookstore shelves and shipping from online sellers. Yesterday, I stopped by my neighborhood Barnes & Noble and it was already out. SQUEEEEEE!

I'm so grateful for the wonderful reviews TOO PURPLEY! has collected. You can read them on my TOO PURPLEY! page and in my Media Kit.

Don't forget my online launch party 1/25-1/31 at
www.jeanreidy.com . Everyone is invited.

More exciting news!! I'm teaming up with The Children's Hospital in Denver. A portion of the auth...

Congrats to my agent-sharing buddies - ALA Award Winners!

I know this is fame by association but ...

sending out my most heartfelt congratulations to Liz Garton Scanlon for her Caldecott Honor book ALL THE WORLD and ...






Chris Barton for his Siebert Honor book THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS.



Liz and Chris and I share our wonderful agent, Erin Murphy!!

Hooray for Liz, Chris, and Erin!!!! I'm bubbling over for you.

I'm Having a TOO PURPLEY! Party!!

I'm having a party!!!
TOO PURPLEY! ONLINE OPEN HOUSE
When: 1/25-1/31, 2010
Where: www.jeanreidy.com
Who: Anyone who loves children's books
What: Party favors, Door prizes, games, videos and more!!

Teachers/Librarians - win a 30 minute Skype author visit or The Grand Prize TOO PURPLEY! Package.

Authors - win a Picture Book Peek Critique

Please help me spread the word. If you announce my party on Twitter, Facebook, your website or your blog, I'll repay the favor and link to your site from the party...

Pay it Forward Friday - Shannon Caster

When my boys were young, they were experts in the non-fiction section of the library.
"Tornadoes are over here!"
"Dinosaurs are over here!"
"I found MONSTERS OF THE DEEP!"

That's why my shout out this week goes to my good friend and critique buddy, Shannon Caster.

Shannon writes the articles and books that make curious kids race to the non-fiction and magazine shelves.

Her latest books from Body Works titled BRAIN, HEART, EYES, SKIN, KIDNEYS, and LUNGS provide an up close and personal intro to thos...

Happy Birthday, Molly!!

I can't believe my baby is 17 today. This one's for you Miss Molly.

Life With a Party Girl
By Jean Reidy
(originally published in FamilyFun August 2003)

"Mom, if I have the 'Winter Beach Bash' birthday party, can my friends still sleep over?" Molly, my nine-year-old, asks.
"Huh?" I'm studying the pantry shelves hoping for divine dinner inspiration.
"You know - more friends, no sleepover; fewer friends, sleepover." She reminds me of my birthday "sanity-saver" rule.
"Oh." I answer. She follows me to...

What They Want: Editors Chiming In

Hear it straight from the horse's mouth:

Top 10 questions Dutton Editors ask Themselves When Looking at a Manuscript

A Diamond in the Slush: What Picture Book Editors Are Really Looking For

How is a Picture Book Like a Golf Swing?

One of my favorite golf pros practiced simplicity in his instruction. Rather than giving me twenty-minutes of pointers to think about during my five-second swing, he'd address just a few.

One of his more memorable lessons was when he placed me in perfect body position at address, then backswing, then finish. He had me hold those positions for several seconds each, then repeat the drill over and over. His point was that if you're in perfect position at the beginning and end of your swing, your ...

Scones and Sensibility Release Day!!

YIPPEE! IT'S FINALLY HERE.

Join the adventures of middle-grade matchmaker Polly in this fun and funny new novel written by my darling critique buddy, Lindsay Eland. SCONES AND SENSIBILITY is available TODAY - just in time for that those lucky girls on your Christmas list.

Read about the sweet and talented author, Lindsay Jo Eland.
Then read what the reviewers are saying about SCONES.
But then go out now and buy SCONES AND SENSIBILITY - um, or you can stay in your pajamas and order it right from h...