Sherri Winston's Blog, page 8
January 7, 2018
A Bright And Shiny Day
Authoring can be tough. You are the creator, the whimsical-minded engine that brings imaginary worlds to life.
But you are also the businesswoman. The one-woman-shop, who must handle public relations, promote, plan speaking events and marketing strategies. When you are trying to be an up-and-comer in the publishing world and produce a beautiful piece of work, which I shamelessly proclaim The Sweetest Sound to be, you expect the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD will love it as much as you.
The reality, however, is that despite critical accolades, a dedicated marketing team at your publisher and determined efforts on your part, your little book hasn’t yet set the world afire as you’d hope.
Which is why Saturday was so awesome.
I awoke to an email from a dedicated school librarian in Upstate New York. Talk about chicken soup for the soul. Stacey Rattner contacted me to says how much she enjoyed The Sweetest Sound and how much her students loved it. She even sent along copies of letters the children had written to me about what they thought of the book.
[image error]
As I was already preparing to go out and visit bookstores to Twitter and Tweeter and all sorts of social media stuff for Sweetest paperback, feeling the love energized me. I wore makeup, put on a dress and even wore heels. Then I met the cutest, sweetest bookseller at Books-A-Million in the Loop Mall, Kissimmee. She was so excited to meet—Me?
At the Barnes & Noble near downtown Orlando, bookseller Cassie was an angel, helping take pictures as I grinned like a mad woman upon seeing my new paperbacks.
It was one of those days when us little-known yet determined authors can, for just a while, feel like a J.K. Rowling or James Patterson or Jacqueline Woodson. It was a very good day.
January 3, 2018
BIG BOOK NEWS: THE SWEETEST SOUND PAPERBACK
[image error]
It may be rainy today throughout Florida, but there is sunshine in my heart. My sweet, sweet little book about a 10-year-old girl who has the voice of an angel—Mariah Carey is her hero—but is afraid to be heard. I wrote the book so that each chapter would feel like a song. I love this book and now that she’s a brand new paperback, I hope you get to know Cadence Mariah Jolly and fall in love with her story, too. Kisses!
December 28, 2017
A Kirkus Best Book for 2017
Cadence Mariah Jolly made a promise to God. Now she doesn’t think she can keep her end of the deal. A lyrical telling of one girl’s journey to find her voice.
President of the Whole Fifth Grade
What happen when a scrappy 10-year-old cupcake entrepreneur discovers that the road to success goes through school politics? A hilarious, emotional political race that proves being successful doesn’t always mean getting the most votes.
November 21, 2017
How I do love books!
Grab your tickets to the Backyard Book Fair, held this December 2nd in the State Library of WA Theatre. It’s a morning of fast, funny and free fun with some of WA’s most exciting children’s book authors and illustrators. We only have 10 minutes each, so it’s like speed dating with your favourite book creators! […]
via Backyard Book Fair: fast, funny and free at the State Library — Cristy Burne
September 24, 2017
Reluctant Readers beware!
Kelly Barnhill’s wonderful tale of mystery, magic, greed, honor and self-preservation is told in shimmering prose. The award-winning book (Newberry Winner 2017) is a worthy addition to any collection.
I volunteer with a local community center. I lead their book club. This month’s book is Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon. When I arrived, the kids were rounded up from the playground. Let me tell you, you do not want to be the one who comes in and tears a bunch of kids from their playtime. I got groans, long faces and as much attitude as 9 and 10-year-olds could muster. I put up with about 10 minutes of restless foolishness. Then we got to business. Since no one wanted to read. I read first.
It only took a few sentences and the kids were hooked. As an author, I learned a valuable lesson. You have to pack that first graph or the first several sentences, with a punch. Barnhill went Pow-Pow. I hope the kids are as eager to learn what happens next as I am.
On Wednesday, we’ll see.
August 12, 2017
Patient Alice
Beautiful, sparse and inspirational.
Alice is very patient while I experiment with art materials from the gift bags that participants and instructors received at the USk symposium in Chicago. I never try these things out at the event — no time for experimentation on site. But when I get home, it’s so much fun to play.
Today, while Alice waited, I found a tiny sample pad of Hahnemühle Bamboo mixed media paper along with a big fat 9B water-soluble graphite stick from Lyra. A wonderful duo, as it turns out. The paper is creamy, slightly textured and perfect for quick drawings. It takes a light wash well too. And with the sharpened Lyra graphite stick you can make thin marks to obtain soft grey washes, or very thick lines that release into the deep black washes. Definitely a combo I will use again.
May 27, 2017
May 25, 2017
BECAUSE GIRLS JUST WANNA’ DANCE!
I used my Stop Motion Studio app and my LEGO FRIENDS to create this fun little number. This summer I’m hoping to create a whole music video with LEGO.
New LEGO build.
[image error]While daughter worked on bigger boat, I took these brightly colored parts and made a cool rescue boat.
