Laura McNeill's Blog, page 25
August 10, 2012
LCB & CoffeeTimeRomance Giveaway
To celebrate YOU: My fabulous readers, reviewers, and fans of Dancing Naked in Dixie, I’m holding a giveaway on LCB from August 10-17th. To help spread the word, the sweet gals at CoffeeTimeRomance.com will also be sharing this contest in their latest e-newsletter.
The LCB prizes include a $ 25.00 gift card from Amazon or BN.com and a package of Dixie swag (bookmarks, magnets, postcards, etc). The two winners of the contest will be announced Monday, August 20th on LaurenClarkBooks.com!
Enter here:
Rafflecopter giveaway
Here are some photos from my signing at Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope, Alabama August 3rd. Thank you so much to P&P’s Doug and Stephanie for organizing the event and helping out that evening!
With cutie Danielle at Page & Palette
Dixie & Stay Tuned in the Page & Palette Bookstore Window!!
With friend Marilyn Van Beman at P & P
Do I look posed or what??
If you’d like to share this giveaway on your blog or website, just copy this code: LCB Rafflecopter Giveaway
xx, Lauren
.
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August 8, 2012
On LCB … Cat Lavoie’s Debut Novel
…the debut novel from Cat Lavoie (about redefining the rules of love and finding happiness)
When twenty-seven year old Roxy Rule’s best friend and roommate accepts a glamorous new job overseas, she expects their relationship to continue as it’s always been—carefree and easy—until they share a heart-stopping kiss.
While Ollie escapes to jolly ole England to live out his dream and save the planet with green architecture, Roxy is stuck in New York City working for a boss who makes her want to stab herself with a letter opener. She can’t bear to think about her own big-city dream of being a chef anymore. Over the years, her passion for food has only resulted in extra pounds and a staggering credit card balance for fancy kitchen equipment that she barely has time to use. Still, Roxy’s sure that nothing can come between two lifelong best friends—not even mild jealousy over a thriving career or a silly little kiss that meant nothing. In fact, it was such a meaningless and forgettable kiss that it’s not worth mentioning to her fiancé, not that he would even listen—all they do these days is argue about their upcoming wedding.
Roxy is faced with an unexpected family reunion when her younger sister Steffi arrives on her doorstep, six months into a pregnancy she refuses to discuss. When older sister Izzie—in the throes of a premature midlife crisis—joins them, she’s determined to crack the case of Steffi’s impending motherhood. With the Rule sisters living under the same roof again, Roxy’s quiet little apartment in the city is about to be anything but peaceful.
Roxy soon discovers that her seemingly idyllic relationship with Ollie started getting complicated way before he left for London. She must come to terms with her feelings for him, learn to stand up for herself and go after what she really wants.
Breaking the Rules is the story of what happens when you have to redefine the rules of love, friendship and family in order to find yourself.
About the Author
Cat Lavoie was born in the small town of Jonquière in Québec, Canada. At the age of nineteen, she packed up her things (mostly books) and moved to the big city of Montreal where she currently lives with her tempestuous cat Abbie—who is both adorable and quite possibly evil.
An incurable Anglophile since her university days where she studied English Literature, she can often be found daydreaming about her next trip to London. Since she’s an expert at the art of procrastination, Cat is easily distracted by cooking and home improvement shows—even though she’s not particularly good at either.
Cat grew up watching soap operas and legal dramas and—had she not decided to be a claims analyst by day and write chick lit by night—she would have probably become a designer suit-wearing lawyer. Or a character on All My Children (which is what she really wanted to be when she was twelve).
Cat is not sure whether she’s a geek or a nerd—and is afraid she might be both. Breaking the Rules is her first novel.
Cat blogs about the writing life and posts adorable pictures of Abbie over at the Catenabi Chronicles. Come say hello at: www.CatLavoie.com and follow @Catenabi on Twitter.
BUY Breaking the Rules here: AMAZON
xx
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August 3, 2012
Eufaula Rolls Out Red Carpet for ‘Dixie’
Shorter Mansion was the perfect setting for Thursday’s book signing in Eufaula. Pam Snead of the Eufaula Heritage Association organized lovely refreshments and opened the doors to welcome in the community at 2 pm.
Shorter Mansion, Eufaula, AL
We had a wonderful crowd of community leaders, avid readers, and friends stop by to say hello, pick up a copy of Dixie, and chat about the characters in the novel. It was amazing to meet all of the people who’ve embraced and supported the novel from the very start! We even did a “Drive-By Signing” with Ted & Linda Hicks. Ted took time off from work to swing by and say hello !! I was so touched and thrilled to meet Ted and his wife in person, as we became ‘Facebook friends’ several months ago.
Ted Hicks, Linda Hicks & Me
Pam Snead introduced me to many of her close friends and we shared lots of laughs about “WHO” in Eufaula matched Aubie’s personality, or seemed most like Pearl & Shirl. It was great fun!
I am so pleased to report that we SOLD OUT** of all of the books I brought with me (almost 50), with an additional 17 signed novels being delivered Monday. Last night, I shipped another thirty books to Shorter Mansion, which will arrive Thursday, August 16th!
Of course, no visit to Eufaula is complete without a visit to The Donut King!!! I picked up two dozen treats for everyone at Shorter Mansion.
Thank you to everyone in Eufaula for the warm welcome and lovely comments about Dancing Naked in Dixie! I’ve been invited back for the Christmas Tour and 2013 Pilgrimage, so I look forward to returning soon. Hugs to all!!!
A shot of Lake Eufaula from the car …. Love it!
xx, Lauren
**Two dollars from every book sold supports Shorter Mansion and the Eufaula Heritage Association.
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August 1, 2012
LCB Author Spotlight: Tracie Banister
Tracie Banister
Please welcome my sweet friend and talented author Tracie Banister to LCB today! In honor of her new novel, In Need of Therapy, Tracie’s agreed to interview psychologist and Latina heroine Pilar Alvarez for all of the inside scoop on her dreams, hopes, favorite things.
Take it away, Tracie….
Tracie: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Pilar: One of the Spice Girls, and my terrible singing voice and chronic stage fright did not deter me from this career choice in the slightest. I figured my only duties as Latina Spice would be to: wear a cute, tight dress, execute a couple of sassy Cha Cha Cha moves, and insert a “muy caliente“ at the end of each song, and I could easily manage all of that!
TB: Jock or princess in high school? If you liked sports, which did you play?
PA: Neither. I was the overachieving, brainy type, involved in student government (Vice-President of my senior class), tons of clubs and committees (including Honor Society, Women of Tomorrow, and Spirit Squad), and the peer counseling program. No sports, I didn’t even like PE!
TB: Which is worse? A hangover or a really bad sunburn?
PA: Definitely a hangover. You’d think that I’d have rum flowing through my veins since I’m half-Cuban, but I’m a total lightweight when it comes to alcohol. Two mojitos and I’m green around the gills the next day.
TB: Favorite food?
PA: Do I have to pick just one? That’s tough! Okay, I’ll go with guacamole. I have avocado trees in my backyard, so I can pick the avocados off the tree when they’re perfectly ripe and make a delicious guac out of them. I’m always trying out different recipes for guacamole, adding strange, new ingredients, and doing comparison taste tests with my younger sister Izzy.
TB: Dream vacation?
PA: I like nothing better than a tropical setting and being pampered, so I’d love to take a spa vacation to this place in Maui I read about – the Grand Wailea Resort. They have volcanic ash facials, waterfall massages, and truffle body cocoons; it sounds like heaven!
TB: For your wedding, share your ideal something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
PA: First of all, my dream wedding would be a casual affair that took place on the beach at sunset (a total fantasy because my mother would never allow me to get married outside of a Catholic church and she would insist on all the bells and whistles for the ceremony.) As for my “Something Old” item, that would have to be the family bible that my grandmother Rosalinda, my mother, and my older sister, Ana, all carried when they walked down the aisle. It would be nice if “Something New” was a gift from my husband-to-be. Perhaps, some diamond stud earrings? “Something Borrowed” – I’d reuse Ana’s lovely cake topper, which was made by my artistic Aunt Drina (the cake itself was made by my Aunt Solana, who owns a bakery.) And I’d have to go in a fun direction with “Something Blue” and paint my toenails with Essie’s Aruba Blue polish (that would be a nod to my love of the ocean and would be very eye-catching if I were barefoot on the beach!)
Tracie Banister
Author Bio: An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O’Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play that she penned (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she, also, starred in and tried to direct the production.) Her dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a “real” job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, Tracie decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Her debut novel, the Hollywood-themed Blame It on the Fame, was released in January, 2012. And she’s following that up with the fun summer read, In Need of Therapy.
Book blurb: Lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage words of advice is all part of the job for psychologist Pilar Alvarez, and she’s everything a good therapist should be: warm, compassionate, supportive. She listens, she cares, and she has all the answers, but how’s the woman everyone turns to in their hour of need supposed to cope when her own life starts to fall apart?
While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can’t stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger.
When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she’s left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.
Purchase In Need of Therapy at:
Tracie’s blog: http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/traciebanister
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister
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July 30, 2012
My Publishing Journey (The Short Version)
(The Short Version)
I was thrilled to be the guest speaker at the Gulf Coast Writers Association July 2012 meeting at the Orange Grove Library in Gulfport, Mississippi. What a fabulous group of diverse and talented writers! A big thank you to CGWA President, Dr. Philip Levin, for the invitation, and Charles McInnis of the Five Rivers Writers’ Group for suggesting the idea.
Dr. Levin at GCWA
I spoke mainly about my publishing journey, which began back in 2005, then answered any questions from the group about writing, publishing, and promotion. Here’s a summary of my talk:
After “retiring” from the television news business, I decided to try writing novels, which was a much bigger challenge than I EVER imagined! While attempting to finish two (terrible) manuscripts, I sought assistance from a talented and knowledgeable freelance editor from Texas to help me through the process. It was a good thing that I did, as learned a lot about the craft of novel writing and the art of revision!
Talking to the GCWA
In 2006, I wrote manuscript #3, the first version of Stay Tuned, which I sent out to more than forty agents. The response was positive, and I had several requests for the full manuscript. It was agonizing waiting for responses and disappointing when I received all of the rejection letters, but overall, it proved to be an invaluable learning experience about the publishing industry.
Exhausted from the process, I took a break from writing for about a year and a half. When I started back, in late 2008, I decided to try a different genre from women’s fiction–something darker–with drama and thriller elements. I wrote two manuscripts (#4 and #5), both of which I revised and finessed with the help of another freelance editor, Emily, in the spring of 2010. Her experience included working with a variety of publishing houses in New York.
Chatting with GCWA member Jeana Weiss
Emily challenged me to think critically about my writing, expand out of my comfort zones, and have fun with my novels. She introduced my work to several literary agents, one of whom liked my drama manuscript (#4) well enough to offer me a contract. After my agent shopped the story around to publishing houses in the fall of 2010, I was fortunate enough to be invited to chat with the VP of Hyperion, but no offers were made on the book.**
Meanwhile, the indie publishing movement was growing and gathering support, and I began thinking about Stay Tuned. While my agent wasn’t interested in shopping my women’s fiction or chick lit stories to editors at publishing houses, this allowed me the opportunity to release the novels myself. After much agonizing and debate, I hired a publicity company to help me indie publish Stay Tuned in November of 2011, which to-date, has sold 2,500 copies and won numerous awards.
Buoyed by the Stay Tuned‘s modest success, I wrote and released a second chick lit title, Dancing Naked in Dixie, May 21, 2012.
This time, armed with much more knowledge and familiarity with the indie publishing process, I hired a new designer
for my novel’s cover, a different formatter, DuoLit, and a new publicity company, 30DayBooks. I was also fortunate enough to work with some fantastic blog tour companies to promote Dixie in May and June. So far, most readers have really embraced the storyline and characters in Dixie. To date, the novel’s sold 1500 copies in three months!
I’m indebted to my author friends, review sites, bloggers, and fabulous readers for helping to spread the word about Stay Tuned and Dixie. I couldn’t have done it without all of you…and I treasure every email, note, comment on my website, and review that I receive!
Display of my promotional materials, awards, and newspaper clippings
**If you’re wondering what happened with my agent (and manuscripts #4 and #5)…Novel #5 is being edited as I write this post. My agent plans to shop the revised version to publishing houses this fall. We’ll see what happens!!! I’ll keep you posted right here.
xx, Lauren
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July 25, 2012
Writer, Blogger, Dog Lover
Happy Wednesday everyone!! Please welcome writer, widow, and dog lover Barbara Barth to Lauren Clark Books! Barbara and I became acquainted through my friend (and fellow author) Tracie Banister’s Chick Lit Blog Hop and we’ve all been email pals every since. Today, I asked Barbara to share about her memoir, The Unfaithful Widow.
Without further ado, here’s Barbara….
The Unfaithful Widow is a collection of candid essays on finding joy again after the loss of a mate. With warmth and laughter, no subject is taboo. From dealing with the funeral home (“Can I show you our upgraded cremation package?” I looked at Miss Death. Was I booking a vacation?) to dating again (He ran in the door, looked at me and said “I’ve left something in my car.” He never returned.) Sprinkle in a bevy of rescue dogs (Finally a good night’s sleep with someone new in my bed.) and those questions you hate to ask (Condoms anyone?). A story for anyone who has suffered loss and is determined to become their own super hero.
Excerpt from The Unfaithful Widow:
Two hours later I left the attorney’s office too depressed to go home. So I headed to the antique shop where I have my booth. It seemed the closest and friendliest place I could think of.
“We’ve never seen you in a skirt,” the gal behind the counter remarked and actually clasped her hands in glee. Now there was someone who could perk you up.
“Just back from dealing with the will,” I replied and made a sad face. Then I did a full curtsey, dipping and holding out my long skirt. “My widow’s outfit.”
I started to relax with the familiarity of the shop and smiled at her.
“Black since I’m a widow and turquoise jewelry ’cause I’m hip.” I liked the sound of that.
She was looking strangely at me.
“I am hip, aren’t I?” I looked straight at her. She’d better answer that one right.
“The hippest.” She grinned at me with that remark. She was forty-five, skinny and lived on the edge. I was the sixty-year-old widow.
Good answer.
About The Author:
Barbara Barth is an author, antique dealer, and dog whisperer. She lives with six rescue dogs from her local animal shelters.
Her business card reads “Writer With Dogs”. It is a title she wears proudly. Barbara credits dogs as part of her healing process after her husband died four years ago. Her memoir “The Unfaithful Widow” follows her first year as a widow in a series of essays that include a vintage Corvette, bad dates leading to good things, the best group of girlfriends, and a bevy of dogs. Her memoir placed as a finalist in the 2011 USA Best Book Awards.
Barth recently closed her small antique shop but still sells collectibles from an antique mall in a small southern town close to her home. She promotes other writers with a writing guild, critique group, and an online Book Talk site.
A member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and an online blogger for Lifetime Television’s The Balancing Act, you will find Barbara writing most days at her computer surrounded by a group of lazy pups napping nearby.
Links:
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July 23, 2012
Live From Miami …
Today author and television journalist Cindy Roesel makes a quick stop in Mobile, Alabama to chat with everyone at LCB! I’m thrilled to have Cindy, here, to give us a quick look at Viewer Discretion Advised.
Like Cindy, I’m a (former) former television news journalist, so I couldn’t wait to read her book, and ordered the first copy that I could find and dove in as soon as I opened the package. I found the novel fun, steamy, and enjoyable.
Synopsis:
LIVE FROM MIAMI! The sensationalism shown on television can only be topped by the drama that happens behind the camera! After being fired from her job in Los Angeles, Charlene “Charley” Thomas moves to sizzling Miami and begins working as news director at a local television station. While getting used to her new gig, Charley wakes up to the fact that her station manager, Jonathan Lefton, is the boss from hell who will do anything for a story no matter who gets hurt in the process. When nude pictures of noon anchor, Miranda Andrews, are discovered in the men’s room of a Key West bar, all hell breaks loose. They end up on Lefton’s desk and he promotes her over the main anchor, sparking off a firestorm. Miranda’s quickly thrown into the mix and assigned special reports. Charley finds herself overseeing an investigation that could shine light on the guilt of a dirty cop. Real life begins to mimic the drama of broadcast news when station personalities face life and death all for rating and Emmys! VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern day “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”
Written by Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Cindy Roesel, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED,
takes you inside the guts of the television news business. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”http://www.amazon.com/dp/09851281000
cindyroesel.com
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July 20, 2012
Author Feature: Glynis Smy
Glynis Smy
Please welcome author and blogger Glynis Smy to LCB! Her debut novel, Ripper, My Love was launched in May and has received positive reviews from around the world. It is available in Kindle ebook format and
paperback.
Moving from the UK to the village of Polemi in the Paphos district of Cyprus, gave Glynis Smy the freedom to follow her dream. Leaving behind the long shifts of nursing, she picked up her pen and wrote a novel. Her days are now spent writing historical romance fiction with a twist.
Glynis also runs a blog to support other authors. New Book Blogger isn’t just for new books, she will consider any requests for a free showcase. Glynis doesn’t review the books, she merely advertises them for free. Requests are now being considered for the month: NOVEMBER. The site is gathering quite a following, bringing readers and authors together.
Here’s a peek at Ripper, My Love , and please read on for where to find Glynis’ books, how to connect with Glynis, praise for her writing, and information on her upcoming novels.
SYNOPSIS:Growing up in late nineteenth century East London, Kitty Harper’s life is filled with danger and death – from her mother, her beloved neighbour and the working women of the streets. With her ever-watchful father and living
surrogate family though, Kitty feels protected from harm. In fact, she feels so safe that while Whitechapel cowers under the cloud of a fearsome murderer, she
strikes out on her own, moving into new premises to accommodate her sewing business. But danger is closer than she thinks. In truth, it has burrowed
itself right into her heart in the form of a handsome yet troubled bachelor, threatening everything she holds dear. Will Kitty fall prey to lust – and death – herself, or can she find the strength inside to fight for her business, sanity and her future? And who is the man terrifying the streets of East London?
ISBN-10: 147508661X
ISBN-13: 978-1475086614
Amazon.com (ebook and paperback)
Amazon.co.uk (ebook and paperback)
TheBook Depository UK: Paperback (free delivery worldwide)
TheBook Depository US: Paperback (free delivery worldwide)
Barnes& Noble (Paperback)
Find Glynis …
www.glynissmy.com
Facebook page
Glynis Smy: Books & Published Bits
Praise for Ripper, My Love
What an awesome read! I felt like I was transported back to Old England to the impoverished
section of Whitechapel. The imagery is so strong that you will feel as if you
are walking through the dirty streets of London. I could sense the danger
lurking in every corner. Kitty, the main character is well developed and you
really come to know her as she brings you into her world. She is a strong young
woman and the reader feels as if she is with Kitty as Kitty branches out taking
steps necessary to survive and improve her life. There are some serious
surprises that will shock you. I am trying to be careful not to give any
spoilers away. But I will tell you that this is a great read. It kept my
interest and caused me to stay up far too late one night because I couldn’t put
it down.
***
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was written in a
way that made me feel like I was there at each scene, knowing the characters
personally. I’m really looking forward to this author’s next book.
***
I began reading this book unaware that it had anything to do
with Jack the Ripper and by the time I got to the chapter where he is mentioned
I got quite a surprise! (Don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler
). I don’t knowmuch about Jack the Ripper so I had to look him up.
***
I found this book AN EXCELLENT READ, I did not want to put it
down. It had a lot of unexpected twists and turns, If this was the Authors
first book then I cannot wait for her next one
.***
I was totally drawn into the world of this book. Love the
heroine, Kitty and especially liked the accounts of her branching out on her
own and setting up shop as a seamstress. Lots of what I like in historical
fiction-great detail and atmosphere, very credible characters. And, just as you
would hope for in a tale of Jack the Ripper, plenty of dank alleys and
‘mustard’ coloured fog.
***
Ahh to fall in love with a story – this is exactly what
happened as I met Kitty, Sarah, Arthur, James and Patrick. Kitty is the woman
you just love to love and Sarah is too! I even fell in love with Sally…and
then heartbroken at her situation. Arthur, James and Patrick are all vying for
the affections of Kitty leading to a story that grabs your attention, holds it
and delivers the warm fuzzy feeling as you read the last words….Now, I can’t
say too much more because then I would ruin it but I do have to say this: It is
a wonderful story written by a talented writer – Good Job Glynis Smy on your
debut novel! And I am looking forward to reading “Maggie’s Child”
later this year after it is released!
***
From the moment I heard the premise of the book, I knew it would be an interesting
read.
******
Future novels:
(Maggie’s Child – historical romance- due for release December 2012)
(The Man in Room Eighteen and Ripped Genes-a novel based around Ripper, My Love, 2013)
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July 18, 2012
Tea Cakes and Whiskey on LCB
A Guest Post from Friend & Fellow Writer Kat Kennedy
South Meets South at Cafe Wha? in NYC
What has brought me here is the belief that there are stories out there that need to be told. Rich stories, of the South especially, that beg to be shared and recorded so we may not forget that we have a legacy rich in language and peculiarities – a dialect that is unique. Stories that are sometimes funny, sometimes disturbing, and sometimes soothing as a summer rain, but always comforting and familiar to those of us who grew up here.
I was reminded of this a few weeks ago while on a trip to New York City. On my last night there, I was at the Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village, the one place I had been looking forward to going above all others. It was the first place Bob Dylan performed on the cold January night he first set foot in New York in 1961. I knew the Cafe Wha? Band would be superb. I had already listened to them on-line and made reservations for the first show. They delivered. Each member had a particular style and they covered everything from Blues to Reggae — Soul to Rock.
During the first break, the wild-eyed, charismatic leader of the band happened to be sitting alone at a back table when I walked by, and I couldn’t help but voice my enthusiasm.
He immediately asked, “Where’s that accent from?”
“Mobile, Alabama!” I replied.
“I’m a Georgia boy!” he laughed. “Man, I love to hear somebody from home!”
And there it is. I hope my readers from the South will love to hear home in my work. I hope my readers that aren’t from the South will appreciate a taste of what it is like to have grown up here. After all, don’t we all read as part of the human desire to understand each other?
The first time I read Jack Kerouac’s, On the Road, I had never even left the state of Alabama except to go to the Gulf Coast of Florida, but his work made me want to travel across the country. So at seventeen, I did. Who knows, maybe without his influence, I would have never seen the western states or had the experiences I have.
Maybe had I never read Allen Ginsberg or fell in love with Bob Dylan’s music and poetry when I was fourteen, I would have never yearned to travel to New York one day and listened to the house band at the Cafe Wha? where a great musician and good ole Georgia boy got to hear a voice from home.
That is my goal — to be a voice from home. It may be a quirky voice as some have said, but I hope you will listen and have a few laughs (or shed a few tears) along the way.
If there is one thing we Southerners have learned to do, it is to laugh and cry at the same time. Is there any other way to make it through?
Kat Kennedy
Kat Kennedy is a Mobile, AL based poet/writer who is planning on self-publishing her novella, Flamingo Funeral, along with several short stories in late 2012. She has had both poetry and short stories and essays published in small press publications such as Cooper’s Blade and on-line sites such as gcwriters.org. She has won awards for her poetry through the Alabama State Poetry Society Association and Gulf Coast Writers Organization.
Kat has worked as an English teacher and instructor in middle and high school as well as on the college level. She served as Co-director for the South Georgia Writing Project for two years while working on her Masters of Arts in English at Valdosta State University before returning to Alabama.
She currently is serving as the editor/moderator of the newly established Five Rivers Writers’ Critique Group, an on-line critique group dedicated to seeking out and encouraging local writers.
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July 16, 2012
Jen Tucker Hijacks LCB
(and chats about writing children’s books)
I love hijacking (I mean) visiting blogs of author friends, and Lauren’s is no exception. Thank you so much for letting me stop by, Lauren! Isn’t she amazing?
Lauren and I tossed around several ideas on what I should share with you all. There was the time I ran away from home in hopes of joining Cirque du Soleil. I was cut in the first round of auditions for my lack of ability to bend in half while juggling flames with my tongue. I wanted to tell you about the time I won 3rd place in the fabulous city of Toledo, Ohio in the Annual Girl Scout Cake Bake. Lauren feared that might cause you instant hunger pains, so it was a no go as well. After quickly crossing off all my other suggestions in Sharpie marker, Lauren asked me to share the story of my career in regard to writing children’s books. It’s quite a story, so let’s sit a spell and spend some time together.
It all started for me at a little place called The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in 1994. What began as an internship at the world’s largest children’s museum the week after I graduated from Purdue University became a permanent position. Lucky me, right? I was knighted the Early Childhood Programmer for Special Exhibitions. That’s just fancy talk for creating programs and gallery activities for young learners.
Here’s my fabulous, former employer. Stop by and visit next time you are in Indianapolis!
One of my tasks, was to create preschool hours in our gallery. Sharks! An Exhibit with Bite, was my first exhibit. The theme of sharks and ocean life provided the backdrop for choosing just the right book to read and follow up with an art activity. Although I found a treasure-trove of titles I loved, and utilized, it also brought to light the fact that there were not always stories in print to match my needs. Ever the Girl Scout, I crafted stories with props for my little guests, and loved their reactions and smiles. My bosses loved the reaction from the public as well, and gave me more responsibility to write thematic units for teachers in preparation for field trips to our “five floors of fun” museum. I also began running preschool hours in other permanent galleries.
Bruce was not on display with our shark exhibit. He is stopping by because I feel he is misunderstood, and wanted to give him a moment here with us.
I was sitting in our little office prepping one day, when one of my bosses, Cathy, hovered over me and said, “You know, you are really good at making up stories and I think you should just go do it for a living.”
My knees shook under my desk, tears welled up, and with a whimper I asked, “Are you firing me?”
After laughing hysterically at me, not necessarily with me, and sharing this funny moment with the every staff member in the education wing of the building, Cathy assured me my job was intact. She gave me a gift that day. Cathy breathed an idea into my life that never occurred to me before. I could be an author? Really? Wow! That conversation was in 1997. Five years later; after hours of hard work, many stumbles along the way, and encouragement by my husband, Mike, the dream breathed into me by Cathy became reality.
Both books are currently out of print, yet I think that might change soon
My first children’s book, Little Pumpkin was published in 2001, and my second, Two by Two, was released the following year. With publication came the incredible opportunity for me to speak to children in schools across the states. I loved being with students, laughing with teachers, and reading my stories aloud in the voices I imagined while writing. Book signings, media events, speaking at universities and writer’s groups; it was pure joy. Sounds like every aspiring author’s dream, right? Sometimes, as we well know, even good things come to an end. I walked away from it all in the winter of 2002 with no regrets.
I was crazy. Insane to give up what I had worked so hard for. People would kill to be published like me. Those phrases rang in my ears more times than you could imagine from colleagues, friends and even family. Remember where we were in the world of technology in 2002. Internet book tours did not exist. You couldn’t Skype and join in the fun at a book club. Kindles and Nooks? What are those? You’re a flogger, blotter; a what? A blogger? What the heck is that? It was a different time in publishing ten years ago; much different! As an author, you would hit the road several days a week, several months out of a year, to get your name and books in the public eye. Only authors like John Grisham and James Patterson would garner attention, and large bank accounts, without leaving their time zones. Newbie authors always went where the action was, even to sell only a handful of books.
My sons, Wil and Ryan, were so little at the time; five and three years old, respectively. My travel schedule was hectic and although as a family we made it work, there came a time it no longer worked for me. I missed my family. I ended my relationship with my publisher. I packed away the thank you notes from schools, and posters of my store appearances that once roosted in my office. I didn’t write again for years. I didn’t have any desire to. My desire was to be at home, with my boys.
We make decisions every day; some are tough and some not. Gee, do I want to grab cocktails with girlfriends, or get an unnecessary root canal? If those are the choices before you, it’s pretty much a no brainer ruling on the decision, right? For me, taking a sabbatical from writing was a no brainer. It was a release; cinder blocks fell off my shoulders. Hakuna Matata! Do not misunderstand. I remain grateful for the experiences I had in my early days as a published author. I learned a lot. Let me tell you, there is nothing like the first time you walk up to a bookstore and catch a glimpse the window display. Your book is there; front and center. You heart skips a beat. You rub your eyes, and look away a few times only to realize this is real. There are no words for that moment; only waves of gratitude and humility.
Oh my goodness, how the world of writing has changed in then ten short years I’ve been away! It is an exciting time to be a part of publishing, don’t you think? Want to read Lauren Clark’s new book and it’s midnight, in January, during a blizzard? Well, guess what! You can download it in a few moments on your iPad! Want to communicate with your favorite author or book blogger? They are just a Tweet away! Did you ever think while on the Spaceship Earth ride as a child at Walt Disney’s Epcot, with all the glimpses it gave us into the future of communication and technology, that this would be our reality today?
The Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot
It’s not all about wires and Wi-Fi though. I love holding a book; smelling the ink, feeling the pages slip through my fingers as I read while drinking tea. I hope you do as well. I never, ever see the day that books; the beautiful rectangles with their stretched spines and worn edges, will cease to exist. What I see is an opportunity like never before for you to enjoy a brand new author’s book priced reasonably on your e-reader, while you also run to the bookstore to purchase the latest book in the trilogy you love so much.
I want to leave you with what I simply adore about our state of communications globally. All of these points have allowed me to step back into a career I thought I said a final goodbye to so long ago. An author can visit with your book club via the internet or phone, just after tucking his little one into bed. Hashtag chats on Twitter have birthed some beautiful relationships between lovers of books and their writers. Am I right? Authors can gather like never before to support and encourage one another; really lifting each other up to see each other succeed. Communities gather daily regardless of race, political views, gender and time zones to discuss the genres they love most on many a website. What a wonderful place we are in as lovers of the written word, this place we call the internet highway, to connect like never before.
How blessed I feel to begin writing again. It is difficult for me to articulate (imagine that) what the rebirth of my writing career means to me personally. I do understand, that it means I can stop training for the next casting auditions for Hell’s Kitchen, and that is a gift that keeps on giving to us all.
Bless and be blessed, Jen
Jen Tucker has never met a gluten free cupcake that she didn’t like. A former teacher and educator, she worked with children in school, hospital, and enrichment settings for many years. In her years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, it was Jen’s job to bring the “hands on fun” into the visiting exhibitions in the galleries. Jen broke away from writing children’s books and thematic units in 2011 with her memoir, “The Day I Wore my Panties Inside Out” which was a semifinalist in the humor category in the 2011 Goodreads Book Awards.
Jen’s newest tale, “The Day I Lost my Shaker of Salt” will be released in 2012. She is a monthly guest blogger at the website, Survival for Blondes . Jen lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Mike, and their three children.
You can find Jen on Facebook and on her author page , Twitter , Pinterest and her website Princess with a Pen .
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