Kai Strand's Blog, page 63

My Daily Grateful - Education

I'm taking advantage of the Gratitude Giveaways Hop to share with you the things that I am thankful for. Today's gratitude is education.
Our public education system may not be fool proof, but it is a nationwide system that allows each child access to an education. It is chockfull of caring educators and administrators, often underpaid and under supported, who have the student's education as their primary goal.
I am grateful that there was never a question whether or not I would learn to read...

Gratitude Giveaways Hop November 17 - 27

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaways hosted by I'm a Reader Not a Writer and All Consuming Books. I'm so excited to be kicking off my portion of the Grateful Giveaway Hop! This is my opportunity to say THANK YOU for supporting my blog. 

There will be two winners in my Grateful Giveaway. Each winner will win one signed copy of The Weaver, personalized to whomever you deem worthy. If you have a shipping address in the U.S., then all you need to do to qualify is make sure you are following this...

Three Times A Charm with Sharon Pavon

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
This week author Sharon Pavon joins us to talk about her writing career. 
Welcome, Sharon. Tell us a little about yourself.
Once upon a time I taught pre-school. I owned a child development center for many years, worked as a real estate agent, bookseller, and sold cemetery lots (lasted a week at that position). Currently, I own a small business...

Advantage - Kai Strand

First, my short story, Bungling Lulu, is available online for your reading pleasure. Who ever heard of a clumsy pixie? Poor Lulu struggles to remember all the rules of flying. I'd appreciate if you'd leave a comment and share the story link to make me look popular.
Second, my short story, Dragon Drool, is in the current issue of Beyond Centauri (Oct 2011). A dragon with a head cold has to rely on a girl to help him get back to flying condition. Order the issue or subscribe for a year.
Happy...

Jewel Kats presents Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair

The World of Ink tour stops here today and brings us Jewel Kats talking about her one of her titles, Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair. Jewel has a compelling story of her own. Let's learn more about her.
Jewel Kats is an award-winning writer. She's also one tough cookie. At the age of nine, Jewel endured a car accident. Her physical abilities altered forever. She spent weeks in the Hospital for Sick Children recovering, has survived eight leg surgeries, and currently walks with a cane. (Note...

Three Times A Charm with Shel Delisle

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
This week we are joined by author Shel Delisle. Shel, tell us about yourself.
I've wanted to be an author since first grade when I would make illustrated picture books for my classmates and my teacher Mrs. Parker would display them on a table at the back of the room with all the real books. I stayed focused on writing while I was growing up...

Natasha Yim presents Cixi, The Dragon Empress

Today we welcome Natasha Yim, author of Cixi, The Dragon Empress.
Natasha Yim is a children's book author and freelance writer. Her first book, Otto's Rainy Day was published by Charlesbridge Publishing in 2000. It was selected as a Kids' Pick of the Lists. She has written for Highlights for Children, Appleseeds and Faces magazines, and her new picture book biography, Cixi, The Dragon Empress was released by Goosebottom Books in October 2011.
About the book: The last empress of China, Cixi...

Gretchen Maurer presents Mary Tudor "Bloody Mary"

Today we welcome Gretchen Maurer, author of Mary Tudor "Bloody Mary".  About the book: The first reigning Queen of England, Mary Tudor believed fervently that Catholicism should be the religion of the land, leading her to burn at the stake hundreds of Protestants. Was she just a ruler of her times, or did she deserve the name, Bloody Mary?
Gorgeous illustrations and an intelligent, evocative story bring to life a real dastardly dame who, fueled by her faith, created a religious firestorm.
I...

Three Times A Charm with M Arthur

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. (I apologize for the strange formatting. Sometimes when I get stuff from others, it doesn't transfer into blogger like I want. If it is difficult on your eyes, you can read this interview here instead) 
This week author, M Arthur, joins us to give us his top advice and to talk about his book, The Storyteller. First, let's learn a little about Mr...

Susan Kaye Quinn, Author of Open Minds, Presents:

Finding Time to Write the Sequel
by Susan Kaye Quinn, author of Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)
Even before I decided to self-publish my new paranormal/SF novel Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy), I knew it would be a trilogy. But once I had made the decision to publish, the need to get busy on the sequel(s) kicked into high gear.
Except that I was also publishing a book.
Most writers find it difficult to balance writing with all the other demands in life. Even people...