Kai Strand's Blog, page 14

June #InkRipples – Movies

Why is the book often better than the movie? I’m pretty sure I’ve figured this out. Well, most people have figured out why a book is better than a movie, but I’ve figured out how not to be mega disappointed in the movie.
Expectation.
People often walk into the movie thinking the book will magically be shown in its entirety and they’re gobsmacked when one of their favorite supporting characters is cut completely out of the story line and the subplot about the characters’ tchotchke collection obs...

Three Times A Charm with Chantal Gadoury & Allerleirauh

Hey y’all! Welcome to 3x’s A Charm. I love, love, love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome young adult author, Chantal Gadoury. Chantal, wow us a little about you, please.
My name is Chantal Gadoury and I’m from a small town in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania, named Muncy. I enjoy to paint in my spare time, drink a good cup of coffee when I can and appreciate watching my favorite Disney classics with loved ones. When I’m not busy craftin...

Commencement Speech - The Human Experience

Let’s face it, it’s unlikely I will ever be asked to give a commencement speech, but this time of year all the You Tube links to inspirational speeches show up in my news feed and my very own son graduates high school in a few days, so I was inspired to give a commencement speech regardless of the lack of venue. Pretend we are in an auditorium packed with family, friends, and-most importantly-graduates. The Principal/Dean steps to the lectern…
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Today we present our graduates with a woman wh...

Three Times A Charm with Katy Newton Naas

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome middle grade author, Katy Newton Naas. Katy, can tell us a little about yourself?
I’ve been creating characters and telling stories since the day I learned to talk. As a child, they sometimes got me into trouble. I knew I wanted to write books when I won a Young Author's competition as a second-grader for my short story titled, "The Grape Pie." (Don't let its tasty titl...

A Rare Review - A Family for Leona by Beverly Stowe McClure

When I helped with the cover reveal, I promised a review of A Family for Leona . And here it is!

Ten-year-old Leona Chapter doesn't understand why her papa left his six children at the Brooklyn Home for Homeless Children after their mother's death in 1921. Each day she prays he'll return and take his children home. God, however, isn't listening. Her brothers and sisters are either adopted or run away, leaving only Leona and Baby Mildred in the orphanage. Leona promises she and Mildred will be t...

Book Blast - Aqua by Katherine Armstrong Walters

  Aqua by Katherine Armstrong Walters Eighteen-year-old Marin has few clues about where she came from, outside of a recurring nightmare of a horrific boating accident. Determined to prove to the world and to herself that she can overcome her water phobia and lead a normal life, she enrolls in a summer internship at a marine research facility in California. When a cataclysmic accident suddenly brings her drowning nightmares into reality, she learns a secret about herself that begins to un...

Three Times A Charm with Jessica Calla and She Laughs In Pink

Hey y’all! Welcome to 3x’s A Charm. I love, love, love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome new adult author, Jessica Calla. Jessica, wow us with a little about you, please.
I'm Jess! I write contemporary adult and new adult romance. My first book, The Love Square was published earlier this year by Limitless Publishing and continues to receive positive reviews. I am a provisional PAN member of Romance Writers of America, includin...

New Release - A Family for Leona by Beverly Stowe McClure

You know those people in your life who, with a mere mention of their name make your heart goes all squishy? My critique partner, Beverly McClure, does that for me. She's the real deal. True, honest, goodhearted. And you know what? That shows up all over the place in her books. It is my pleasure to share her newest release with you.

Ten-year-old Leona Chapter doesn't understand why her papa left his six children at the Brooklyn Home for Homeless Children after their mother's death in 1921. Each...

Three Times A Charm with Common Deer Press

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome publisher, Ellie Sipila from Common Deer Press. Thanks for joining us, Ellie. Tell us a little about you, please.
Hi there. I’m Ellie Sipila, and I’m the acquisitions editor/publisher of Common Deer Press.
On top of being a published writer myself, I hold a Publishing certificate from Ryerson University. Being the professional kind of nerd, after a short (and somewhat u...

May #InkRipples – Memories

I have to admit that I have a really cruddy memory. I’m that person that smiles and nods as you ask, “Remember when…?” Because chances are I’m barely remembering what happened. But I can usually remember how I felt while we did whatever it was we did together.
I’m the same way with books. When I sit down to write a review immediately after finishing a book – I have to look up the main character’s name. Sheesh! Before Goodreads, I re-read books all the time. And I wouldn’t figure it out until I...