Karen GoatKeeper's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-pumpkin-project"
Another New Venture
Several years ago I started a botany book on plants for middle grades. It morphed into "The Pumpkin Project."
Then my mother got sick. Then other projects hijacked my time. "The Pumpkin Project" languished.
Finally I am picking up the pieces to finish this science book. It isn't in need of much. But the hiatus hurts as the pictures I need are harder to get now.
It will be fall before everything is done on this manuscript. But I don't want to wait until fall.
So I will release the book in a series of PDF pieces by subscription so kids can enjoy doing the projects and investigations over the growing season this year. The completed book will be mailed out in the fall.
This plan may solve three problems at the same time. One: The book will get finished. Two: I will get feedback to make any necessary adjustments to the Investigations before finishing the book. Three: I get to enjoy growing lots of pumpkins this summer.
Will this plan work? Like the giveaway, I anticipate delays and disasters to descend. [The day after the giveaway began, I got snowed in with no Internet.] But it will be nice to have an old manuscript off my computer.
I hope many children get to grow pumpkins this summer and learn some botany from them plus learn to cook with the recipe section. At least "The Pumpkin Project" by subscription can give them the option this year instead of next.
Then my mother got sick. Then other projects hijacked my time. "The Pumpkin Project" languished.
Finally I am picking up the pieces to finish this science book. It isn't in need of much. But the hiatus hurts as the pictures I need are harder to get now.
It will be fall before everything is done on this manuscript. But I don't want to wait until fall.
So I will release the book in a series of PDF pieces by subscription so kids can enjoy doing the projects and investigations over the growing season this year. The completed book will be mailed out in the fall.
This plan may solve three problems at the same time. One: The book will get finished. Two: I will get feedback to make any necessary adjustments to the Investigations before finishing the book. Three: I get to enjoy growing lots of pumpkins this summer.
Will this plan work? Like the giveaway, I anticipate delays and disasters to descend. [The day after the giveaway began, I got snowed in with no Internet.] But it will be nice to have an old manuscript off my computer.
I hope many children get to grow pumpkins this summer and learn some botany from them plus learn to cook with the recipe section. At least "The Pumpkin Project" by subscription can give them the option this year instead of next.
Published on March 11, 2015 11:54
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Tags:
botany, pumpkins, recipes, science, the-pumpkin-project
Asking Permission
At present I am creating a few new pencil puzzles for "The Pumpkin Project." These are always a challenge to do but rather fun too.
The selection already includes plenty of word searches and kriss krosses. There are three or four logic problems. So the new ones are pumpkin sayings.
Making such a puzzle involves first finding a sentence about pumpkins. Then all the letters are used to create a list of words with definitions.
The puzzle has the definitions with blanks for the answers, each letter over a number. The letter is put in the correct space to spell out the sentence.
The hard part is finding sentences about pumpkins other than in gardening books. An easy choice is "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I picked out a nice sentence and created the puzzle.
But I can't use it without permission from the publisher.
The temptation is to put it in believing the publisher will never notice. Considering my normal book sales records this is reasonable.
But I'm trying to increase the circulation of my books. Is the chance worth it? Is the guilty feeling worth it?
I suppose not. So I will put together a request to the publisher.
And I will keep looking for more pumpkin sentences.
The selection already includes plenty of word searches and kriss krosses. There are three or four logic problems. So the new ones are pumpkin sayings.
Making such a puzzle involves first finding a sentence about pumpkins. Then all the letters are used to create a list of words with definitions.
The puzzle has the definitions with blanks for the answers, each letter over a number. The letter is put in the correct space to spell out the sentence.
The hard part is finding sentences about pumpkins other than in gardening books. An easy choice is "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I picked out a nice sentence and created the puzzle.
But I can't use it without permission from the publisher.
The temptation is to put it in believing the publisher will never notice. Considering my normal book sales records this is reasonable.
But I'm trying to increase the circulation of my books. Is the chance worth it? Is the guilty feeling worth it?
I suppose not. So I will put together a request to the publisher.
And I will keep looking for more pumpkin sentences.
Published on March 25, 2015 11:47
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Tags:
copywrite-permission, pencil-puzzles, pumpkins, the-pumpkin-project
Promoting Literacy
Literacy is basic for life and country. It lets you find out about things yourself instead of relying on what someone else tells you.
Being literate is no better than being illiterate if a person never reads.
"The Pumpkin Project" is about science. I think science is important. I also think literacy is important.
The puzzles let me combine the two a little. I'm finding sentences in books mentioning pumpkins and turning them into puzzles for "The Pumpkin Project" with credit for the book in the hopes someone doing the Project will read those books.
My problem has been finding pumpkins mentioned in various books. It's not something I can Google as the books aren't about pumpkins per say.
Picture books abound. Older age group books are harder to find. But I am finding them, usually by accident such as in "O! Pioneers" and "Song of the Giraffe." Both are interesting books. Both are books I would recommend to other readers.
Now to create those puzzles and get permission from the publishers to use them.
Being literate is no better than being illiterate if a person never reads.
"The Pumpkin Project" is about science. I think science is important. I also think literacy is important.
The puzzles let me combine the two a little. I'm finding sentences in books mentioning pumpkins and turning them into puzzles for "The Pumpkin Project" with credit for the book in the hopes someone doing the Project will read those books.
My problem has been finding pumpkins mentioned in various books. It's not something I can Google as the books aren't about pumpkins per say.
Picture books abound. Older age group books are harder to find. But I am finding them, usually by accident such as in "O! Pioneers" and "Song of the Giraffe." Both are interesting books. Both are books I would recommend to other readers.
Now to create those puzzles and get permission from the publishers to use them.
Published on May 27, 2015 13:41
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Tags:
literacy, promoting-literacy, puzzles, the-pumpkin-project
Experiment Time
Rain has returned to the Ozarks and most of my pumpkin vines love it. Yes, I did write vines.
There are volunteer Connecticut Field vines, sugar pie vines, Jack Be Little vines in a big pot, a Red Warty Thing vine and a giant pumpkin vine. These last two are not happy at the moment.
I forgot the Baby Bear that just came up in the garden.
Yes, I do like pumpkins. However this many vines is a bit of overkill. But they are necessary this summer as I try to complete The Pumpkin Project.
for the last week I've been measuring how fast two of the vines are growing. The sugar pie vine in the garden won handily over the Connecticut Field on the compost pile.
Not to be outdone the Connecticut Field has a pumpkin growing. This is the next target for measuring. Three different ways of measuring the pumpkin added together give an estimate of weight.
Next I move back inside to complete several Investigations of roots, stems and leaves. Unfortunately this means digging up one of the vines. The smallest, puniest one.
Microscope pictures are on the agenda as well. Plus more pictures of roots and leaves. Maybe next week. It takes a week to sprout pumpkin seeds.
In the meantime my page by page list of contents is up to page 138 with at least 60 pages to go.
I wonder if I can take a vacation once this is done.
There are volunteer Connecticut Field vines, sugar pie vines, Jack Be Little vines in a big pot, a Red Warty Thing vine and a giant pumpkin vine. These last two are not happy at the moment.
I forgot the Baby Bear that just came up in the garden.
Yes, I do like pumpkins. However this many vines is a bit of overkill. But they are necessary this summer as I try to complete The Pumpkin Project.
for the last week I've been measuring how fast two of the vines are growing. The sugar pie vine in the garden won handily over the Connecticut Field on the compost pile.
Not to be outdone the Connecticut Field has a pumpkin growing. This is the next target for measuring. Three different ways of measuring the pumpkin added together give an estimate of weight.
Next I move back inside to complete several Investigations of roots, stems and leaves. Unfortunately this means digging up one of the vines. The smallest, puniest one.
Microscope pictures are on the agenda as well. Plus more pictures of roots and leaves. Maybe next week. It takes a week to sprout pumpkin seeds.
In the meantime my page by page list of contents is up to page 138 with at least 60 pages to go.
I wonder if I can take a vacation once this is done.
Published on July 01, 2015 14:21
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Tags:
pumpkins, science, science-experiments, the-pumpkin-project
Pumpkins and More Pumpkins
Warm and humid has moved to hot and humid in the Ozarks. The pumpkin vines love it. Ripe pumpkins are already appearing.
Now I have lots of new pictures for "The Pumpkin Project" to fill in those missing pieces. Even the pattypan squash finally produced a squash.
I'm getting tired of starting over, going page by page through the book adding and editing. Maybe soon the Investigations will be done with all of the necessary illustrations.
Then I get to go back to the puzzles. So far one permission request has been denied.
Now I have lots of new pictures for "The Pumpkin Project" to fill in those missing pieces. Even the pattypan squash finally produced a squash.
I'm getting tired of starting over, going page by page through the book adding and editing. Maybe soon the Investigations will be done with all of the necessary illustrations.
Then I get to go back to the puzzles. So far one permission request has been denied.
Published on July 29, 2015 14:23
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Tags:
editing, pumpkins, the-pumpkin-project
Giveaway or Not?
I was very happy with the results from the giveaway for "Dora's Story" and am thinking of doing one for "The Pumpkin Project" too. I don't know if I can.
"Dora's Story" was published through CreateSpace. It was easy to list on Amazon and Smashwords and Kindle. It was easy to send off cpies through CreateSpace.
"The Pumpkin Project" will be printed at home. I will have an ISBN number to list it on Amazon. It will be available as a PDF on my website but not at Smashwords.
Why the difference?
"The Pumpkin Project" is a full 8 1/2 by 11 complicated book with its many puzzles, investigations and pictures. The page format is crucial to the book and will not work well on a small screen or turned into a print-picture-print format.
My home color laser printer will produce a nice book which can be bound with a plastic binding that opens flat for easy use and solving. I can mail copies from the local post office.
The book is almost done. One more coloring page to go and then the myriad details are left to do. It should be out by the book signing in Owensville, MO, on Oct. 17.
I would want to run a giveaway the beginning of October. The clock is ticking. Decisions, decisions.
I also wonder if anyone on GR would care about a science/activity book for 10 to 14 year-olds although much of it can be done by younger children with supervision.
Decisions. Decisions. I suppose I have until Wednesday to make up my mind.
"Dora's Story" was published through CreateSpace. It was easy to list on Amazon and Smashwords and Kindle. It was easy to send off cpies through CreateSpace.
"The Pumpkin Project" will be printed at home. I will have an ISBN number to list it on Amazon. It will be available as a PDF on my website but not at Smashwords.
Why the difference?
"The Pumpkin Project" is a full 8 1/2 by 11 complicated book with its many puzzles, investigations and pictures. The page format is crucial to the book and will not work well on a small screen or turned into a print-picture-print format.
My home color laser printer will produce a nice book which can be bound with a plastic binding that opens flat for easy use and solving. I can mail copies from the local post office.
The book is almost done. One more coloring page to go and then the myriad details are left to do. It should be out by the book signing in Owensville, MO, on Oct. 17.
I would want to run a giveaway the beginning of October. The clock is ticking. Decisions, decisions.
I also wonder if anyone on GR would care about a science/activity book for 10 to 14 year-olds although much of it can be done by younger children with supervision.
Decisions. Decisions. I suppose I have until Wednesday to make up my mind.
Published on September 26, 2015 13:18
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Tags:
giveaways, publishing, the-pumpkin-project
The Strange Feeling of Being Done
The Pumpkin Project is done.
This sounds so simple. After months of work devising puzzles, editing, rewriting and more, it's over. Just. Like. That.
Surely there must be more to do. It can't be done yet.
There is this strange feeling of loss. A feeling of 'what do I do now?'
I suppose I should savor this tiny gap, this bit of vacation. It just feels so strange, as though a good friend has moved away.
Now comes time to form a new relationship. What project is next on the list?
Three come to mind.
Capri Capers awaits a major rewrite. Maybe the rewrite doesn't need to be that drastic. Perhaps I should read through the draft and find out.
November and NaNo is a few short weeks away. I have a novel idea bouncing around in my head trying to coalesce. The outline is short. Can I turn it into 50,000 words? I will try.
Science is a love of mine. How can I not do another little science book? The Water Project is in planning stages.
So much for savoring the completion of The Pumpkin Project.
This sounds so simple. After months of work devising puzzles, editing, rewriting and more, it's over. Just. Like. That.
Surely there must be more to do. It can't be done yet.
There is this strange feeling of loss. A feeling of 'what do I do now?'
I suppose I should savor this tiny gap, this bit of vacation. It just feels so strange, as though a good friend has moved away.
Now comes time to form a new relationship. What project is next on the list?
Three come to mind.
Capri Capers awaits a major rewrite. Maybe the rewrite doesn't need to be that drastic. Perhaps I should read through the draft and find out.
November and NaNo is a few short weeks away. I have a novel idea bouncing around in my head trying to coalesce. The outline is short. Can I turn it into 50,000 words? I will try.
Science is a love of mine. How can I not do another little science book? The Water Project is in planning stages.
So much for savoring the completion of The Pumpkin Project.
Published on October 07, 2015 14:17
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Tags:
beginning-a-new-book, finishing-a-book, the-pumpkin-project