Michelle Worthington's Blog, page 21

Interview Opportunity: Kidlit Creators 2016

  As part of my resolution this year to help other children's book creators to realise their dreams, I would love to interview you on my blog.   This is an opportunity for picture book artists, children's authors and kidlit conference co-ordinators to promote a project or writing event by booking an interview on my blog to be shared via my social media platform to a broader audience. Even if you are not yet published but have a cause you would like to raise awareness for, I am happy to offer you an interview in 2016. If you are interested please contact me at mworthington.author@gmail.com and I will send you more details.

Looking forward to helping you promote upcoming and established talent in 2016.

Talk soon
Michelle
www.michelleworthington.comwww.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: How to make goals for your writing

"I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big success. I am for those tiny, invisible, loving human forces that work from individual, to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which, if given time, will rend the hardest monument of human pride." - William James

I have achieved a level of success with my picture books, but I still have goals I would like to achieve. Over time, these goals have changed. I would still like to achieve the goal of getting and agent and making a significant wage from my books, but I am more realistic about what I need to do to achieve those goals. The main thing I have learnt is that I need to keep moving forward.  When I think of the very best thing I have achieved, I am achieving my goal of leaving a legacy of work for my children and all the children around the world who love my stories. I have come to realise that I don't have to be rich or famous for one of my books to do what they were intended to do; make children happy. The seemingly insignificant act of someone reading my stories to an eager listener who has asked for it "again" is the ultimate success.


As an artist, you need to keep moving forward, even if it is in baby steps, each and every day. Make time for dreams by allowing yourself the tools that you need to achieve your goals. Standing still is not a viable option. You should be doing one thing every day that takes you in the direction of your dreams, no matter how big or small. You can never underestimate the repercussions of the small steps you are making. It only takes one story, one submission, or one person to notice your talent and you are on your way. Don't give up.

Keep moving,
Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com


www.michelleworthington.com

New Years Blog-olution 2016

 Each of us touch people with what we do every day, sharing our diverse voices and stories with the world. You can make a difference with your writing. One little shared piece of your soul can radiate out into the world and if it helps just one other person, it has made a positive difference in the world.

Why should writers help other writers? It's wonderful to be successful but in my definition of success, part of the plan is creating positive change in the lives of not only my readers, but my fellow authors. If you have a talent, it is your personal responsibility not only to exercise that talent for the greater good, but to use it to help others on a similar path. That is what makes the world a better place.

"Each time a man stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth ripples of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." - Robert F Kennedy

Positive change is made by individuals who think they can make a difference. Each persons thoughts and actions affect the lives of others in some way. One person can make a difference if they make a conscious choice to do so.

This year, I offer you encouragement, support and my shared knowledge in the field of children's books in the hope that you can create positive change in your writing career and achieve your own success. Please follow my blog and share this journey with me. If we form a community of like minded children's authors and illustrators, we can make a positive change in the content and quality of books that form the minds of the next generation, giving them a voice to match their own and holding a mirror to the diverse world in which they live.

Looking forward to sharing with you this year, and finding out what I can do to personally help you achieve your writing goals.


Happy New Year,
Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com

www.michelleworthington.com

Discover your unique voice as an author

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.  ~Mary Dunbar A ray of light from the sun is the cleanest, most perfect thing we can see with the naked eye. It can pass through a murky medium, but it still comes out as pure as it went in. The circumstances of you inner and outer life will change depending on the source of your inner light. What is your source of light?  Use your uniqueness to create a picture book that reflects your talent.
Endless possibilities are yours if you will open your eyes and see them. It is time to awake to your priveledges and advantages. If you do not, and choose to stay asleep when you ought to be awake, to dream when you ought to be doing, you will miss opportunities and be caught in dangers that need a special wakefulness and watchfulness to guard against. When I started writing again after a long break, I had an unparalleled occasion to gain a vivid picture of what I had loved and what I had lost,  uproot buried pleasures, lay sensible plans, stir my conscience  and develop not only strength but skill as an author.
Every now and then in our lives, something  happens that reaches us, even if we are in a deep sleep of denial, a cry of warning from the world of realities and for a moment we are on the verge of waking. Then, when the emotions and turmoil has passed, we are tempted to go on living exactly as we have lived before. This was my chance to do more than just to turn, and mutter in my sleep.
If you unhook the pendulum of a clock the works will keep going fast for a while, but they will soon run down. Draw on the power of your imagination to create a new pendulum for your life. There is a world of art, poetry, science, religion and philosophy to inspire you.  If you are having trouble putting into words what you would like to create for yourself, consider your mind as a picture gallery where you keep images of what you want your life to look like.  Remember, this isn’t about an unrealistic interpretation, this is just deciding to create something different. .  
   If you longing to do something worthwhile, increase your knowledge and understanding of whatever it is you want to do, and make it a priority in your writing. There is a limitless amount of opportunity in the world for people who are willing to have a go. Read the biographies of people you admire. The pages of history are the voice of real living people reminding us that “what man has one, man may do.” Great people in history may be described as those who have been great successes in the world, and those who have been equally conspicuous at overcoming great failure. Take comfort and encouragement in the fact that they had difficulties and overcame them, temptations and resisted them, were often weary and yet they never gave up the struggle altogether and were at one time too weak, yet they conquered in the end.  Your life will begin to change when you stop limiting your thinking to what is possible. Nothing was ever done, and done earnestly and worthily, that was done with half a heart. On every side, the world bears the stamp of the thoughts and the genius of great men and woman  in all the wonderful inventions we use every day. No great works were ever undertaken and brought to fruition by people who were only half hearted.  Albert Einstein, the most prominent scientist of the last century was originally looking for a teaching position and he only took on a position at the patent office as an assistant examiner after two years of unemployment. He came to be regarded as the father of modern physics.  Nelson Mandel, anti-aparthied activist and winner of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize has been married three times and spent twenty-seven years in jail in his commitment to peace and reconciliation. While she was writing her multi-million dollar earning Harry Potter series,
J K Rowling was trying to raise a child on her own, living on welfare payments while attending school.  Not one of these people would ever have accomplished the great work of their life in the face of great difficulties and bitter opposition if they had gone into their work with only half a heart.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

Marketing Reading to Modern Kids

 A study undertaken by the Australian bureau of Statistics in 2000 reported that virtually all Australian children (97%) aged 5 to 14 watched television during their free time. New research reveals the average Australian household is using social media instead and has up to eight internet-connectable devices with 70% of Australians to have their own tablet by 2017, 7% will be children. Since their launch, tablets have become increasingly popular in preschool and early-years learning. And, in growing numbers, parents are buying them for home use.

Rosie Flewitt, of the Institute of Education at the University of London, has published research on how iPads can support literacy in nursery, early primary and special education. "Children have been born into a world where these things exist," she says, "like we were born into a world where there were televisions, cars on the streets and packaging on food." There is a strong body of evidence that tablet use can boost a child's rate of literacy learning.
 
It seems that opinion is divided on whether they are 'good' or 'bad', but one thing is for sure, they are here to stay. Social media needs to be a part of an author's marketing toolkit in order to reach parents and children and remind them about the unplugged free time tool; the book.


Books are also here to stay as sales in both Australia and the US show a decline in ebooks and a growing picture book market. Ipads are nothing to be scared of. They are an amazing way for authors to connect with an international customer base and grow a love of literacy in children all over the world.

Reading has to be marketed as an alternative to screen time by authors, parents and teachers in order for children to retain their innate curiosity, build their imagination and promote curiosity and questioning of the status quo. Through reading, children develop the skills they need to construct and deconstruct how social media positions them as an audience and become more discerning viewers. Diversity in books helps children differentiate between the constructed reality presented by social media and the socially accepted values in the real world. Books are still important.


Talk soon
Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com

www.michelleworthington.com

Giving Children a Voice

 Picture books can change the world because they are about children's minds, feelings and souls. Their voices are echoed in the pages of a picture book and it is how children learn to make and communicate meaning in their world. It is also how parents, caregivers and teachers can influence a child's development and encourage life long learning.  However, the value of picture books is often misunderstood or even undervalued.

Picture books involve expressive and symbolic modes of thinking, understanding and knowing and communicate ideas in a unique, age appropriate manner. Picture books can be described as a 'language' that children understand. In a world where children are bombarded with commodities than cross TV, toys, fast food packaging, video games, clothes, internet and social media, picture books are a safe space where they can pick and choose what they want to be exposed to. In picture books, they are looking for their own voice.

Diverse picture books teach children to be a thinker, a theorist, question ideas and foster curiosity. The modern child already knows a lot of things by the time they come to formal education and are competent individuals. Picture books share new ideas in a meaningful and effective way where they learn through active engagement.

Teachers can use picture books in the classroom as a way of better understanding the processes and procedures chose for learning, allowing them to build on the curriculum by allowing the children themselves to show what they know and what interests them through their individual choice of picture books.

Publishers are embracing the need for picture books in the classroom, and with the growing swell of diversity in emerging writers, children are being exposed to some amazing new voices, some that for the first time will make children feel heard. It's a very exciting time to be a picture book author.

Talk soon,
Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com
www.michelleworthington.com

Top tips for Marketing your book at Christmas

  
 Christmas can be a great time to promote and market your book. A little known side effect of getting your book publishing is having to learn how to market yourself as an author, as well as selling your book and at Christmas especially, most of us have limited time and budget. A successful author is also a sales person, an accountant, an administration officer, a graphic designer and a self-promotion guru.



At this time of year, millions of other authors are trying to do the same thing, and marketing via social media may not be the best way to go. It is very easy to get lost in the white noise of book promotion. I have found through my experience that marketing your book locally brings the best results.  It is definitely a case of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  Use the contacts you already have, such as your children, grandchildren or friends who work at schools or kindys to get your first storytelling visits. Always ask for the opportunity to sell you books by pre-order or post-order form and on the day.
Local women’s groups, seniors groups and interest groups that your book relates to are often happy to have you set up a trade table at their Christmas meeting or party in exchange for the cost of admission and a lucky door prize. Have a short speech prepared in case you are asked to say something about yourself and your journey to getting your book published. Your local council website will list Christmas events in your area that you may be able to participate in.
  

Approach your local book store and library as they will already have time set aside for Christmas story telling and are always in need of new people and new books. Libraries also have rooms that are available to hire for a special Christmas themed event.  Your aim is to draw a crowd, and book stores love a captive audience. Have a photographer friend take photos and offer them to the book store to put on their website, as well as your own. 
Make sure you are booked up with events that fit your individual schedule for 4 weeks in advance of Christmas, to give you enough time to get new engagements if some cancel. Don’t take on more than you can handle and always be professional, when it comes to your marketing material, your phone manner and what you wear on the day. If your book has a theme, kids love dress ups and interactive play, so let your imagination run wild! Get involved in the sparkle and spectacle of Christmas
Network with other authors, illustrators and publishers via Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter or a website blog. Remember that if you can help others, they may be in a position to help you in return. Don't expect to get sales this way, but spreading Christmas cheer can be a great way to increase your followers.
 Santa needs his little helpers, so get marketing in your local area and have a very Merry Christmas!  x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com    www.michelleworthington.com

Marketing your book at Christmas

  
 Christmas can be a great time to promote and market your book. A little known side effect of getting your book publishing is having to learn how to market yourself as an author, as well as selling your book and at Christmas especially, most of us have limited time and budget. A successful author is also a sales person, an accountant, an administration officer, a graphic designer and a self-promotion guru.



At this time of year, millions of other authors are trying to do the same thing, and marketing via social media may not be the best way to go. It is very easy to get lost in the white noise of book promotion. I have found through my experience that marketing your book locally brings the best results.  It is definitely a case of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  Use the contacts you already have, such as your children, grandchildren or friends who work at schools or kindys to get your first storytelling visits. Always ask for the opportunity to sell you books by pre-order or post-order form and on the day.
Local women’s groups, seniors groups and interest groups that your book relates to are often happy to have you set up a trade table at their Christmas meeting or party in exchange for the cost of admission and a lucky door prize. Have a short speech prepared in case you are asked to say something about yourself and your journey to getting your book published. Your local council website will list Christmas events in your area that you may be able to participate in.
  

Approach your local book store and library as they will already have time set aside for Christmas story telling and are always in need of new people and new books. Libraries also have rooms that are available to hire for a special Christmas themed event.  Your aim is to draw a crowd, and book stores love a captive audience. Have a photographer friend take photos and offer them to the book store to put on their website, as well as your own. 
Make sure you are booked up with events that fit your individual schedule for 4 weeks in advance of Christmas, to give you enough time to get new engagements if some cancel. Don’t take on more than you can handle and always be professional, when it comes to your marketing material, your phone manner and what you wear on the day. If your book has a theme, kids love dress ups and interactive play, so let your imagination run wild! Get involved in the sparkle and spectacle of Christmas
Network with other authors, illustrators and publishers via Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter or a website blog. Remember that if you can help others, they may be in a position to help you in return. Don't expect to get sales this way, but spreading Christmas cheer can be a great way to increase your followers.
 Santa needs his little helpers, so get marketing in your local area and have a very Merry Christmas!  x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com    www.michelleworthington.com

Kids who don't like Christmas

 


Christmas can bring out the best and the worst in people.  Working in a shopping centre, you tend to see the myriad of emotions that the “holidays” brings.
 In my head and on the magical world of Facebook, I see other Mums spending ‘quality time’ with their kids on the holidays; going to the shops to see Santa, baking yummy treats, smiles and laughs, hugs and kisses, a perfect picture of family bliss and domestic harmony. It does my head in to the point I want to quit Facebook when that good ol’ mother guilt comes creeping in, not to mention the green eyed monster. It kinda breaks my heart. Having two kids with Sensory Processing Disorder, Christmas can be a tough time for us. I am the mum with the screaming, tantrum throwing toddler negotiating car park scuffles cause we can't park too far away and battling trolley wars because only a certain kind will do. I am the frazzled mother with a crazed look in their eyes trying to keep the kids calm in the crowd and cursing Christmas.
Most of us live in the delicate balance of these two extremes;
perfect mother and certifiable crazy person.
Christmas is such a precious time of year, no matter what age your children are or their special needs,  but sometimes I can tend to forget that as the fighting and whinging fills my ears and makes my head and heart ache. Christmas reminds us, more than any other time of year, of family, love and gratitude. I have always loved the sparkle and spectacle.  For a child with SPD and/or autism, it's too bright, too loud and too busy. I avoid shopping with my kids at all possible times but when it is absolutely necessary, it can be quite traumatic for all of us. I feel their pain. So if you see a child having a melt down, don't assume they are on the naughty list.  
Never underestimate the power of a smile.
This Christmas, I will be staying at home, shopping online and spending time with my kids that I so deeply adore and  finding a way to support my family by writing the next best selling picture book.
I wonder if Santa has that in his stocking?
A bottle of wine will do.


Happy Holidays xx
www.michelleworthington.com

www.michelleworthington.com

A Christmas Wish for You

   What is it about this time of year that makes everyone go a bit loopy?Common sense is as hard to find as a car park at the shopping centre.My prayer for my lovely readers is a safe and peaceful Christmas.
Stop.Breathe.Stress less.Remember.Dream more.Hug your kids.Think of others.Slow right down.Smile at strangers.Talk to your parents.Give something away.Tell someone you're sorry.Make yourself clearly understood.Help someone if it is safe to do so.If you don't have the money, don't buy it.Spend every spare second with your family.Listen to the words of the Christmas Carols.Have faith.Have hope.Stay safe.



www.michelleworthington.comwww.michelleworthington.com