Children's Book Authors/Illustrators discussion
When you join please introduce yourself!
Hello. My name is Tammi. I am a teacher and author. I enjoy writing stories as much as reading them. I wrote a story for my third graders last year titled "The Time Travel Storm" that reflected their personalities and interests. I decided to keep the same theme and main characters for this year's class and submitted "The Time Travel Star" dedicated to them.www.tcbooth.com
Greetings. I'm the co-author of THE ORPHAN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM GREECE (Schwartz & Wade/Random House, 2011). I'm so pleased to announce that the book is a Bank Street College of Education best book of the year!It's good to be here, among active children's-book writers and illustrators.
Anthony
Mod
Hello, Mark and welcome! Congrats on writing your first book! Personally, I think both self-publishing and traditional publishing have positives. It can be harder to establish yourself at first within the traditional world, so perhaps I would suggest self-publishing, but also sending out your manuscript and illustrations to a traditional publisher also, as with self-publishing, you retain all of your rights and are free to still submit. If you are just beginning, there are a lot of great publishers online, but be wary. If you are asked to pay a reading fee or any fees it is not legit. Most legit publishers will review your work and send back a letter if they accept it or not. The hard part is getting past rejection. I sent my work out for years and received rejections, and even though it was hard at times to keep going, I am glad I persisted. Another key part of publishing is marketing yourself. This can be half the battle. It is very important to get your name/work out there asap. If you have a facebook page, you can create a fanpage...a great tool to connect with other authors/fans. The more people support your work, the better. And being in this group will help you too...make connections with as many as possible. We have many terrific authors and illustrators on here who will help you and give advice, reviews, etc. Good luck and keep us informed!
Mod
That sounds amazing, T.C! I actually got started writing in a similar fashion. I started writing stories for my eldest daughter's birthday parties and incorporating her friends as the characters...they loved that and still do. You definitely have a great imagination...please keep us updated on your story and I wish you the best!
Mod
Welcome to the group! We are happy to meet you, and congrats! It sounds like you are having amazing successes with your book!
Hello!After a 16 year career as a children's magazine editor, I'm turning my focus to writing and have already self-published a kids' guide to the London 2012 Olympics as an ebook for iPad only. I can't do a giveaway through GoodReads because (for now) they only do physical books. So I am running my own giveaway. I will send the first ten people who message me (or reply to this post) a code for a free download through iTunes.
London 2012 Olympics: The Kids' Only GuideYou can see screen shots of the book, or download a sample at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/londo...
I'm also planning on doing some children's fiction when I get time.
I have two kids and we all love reading, so I'm excited to find new books for us to read together.
Thanks!
Mod
After a 16 year career as a children's magazine editor, I'm turning my focus to writing and have already self-published a kids' guide to the London 2012 Olympics as an ebook for iPad only. ..."
Happy you are a part of the group, Shannon! That sounds very exciting!
Jodi :)
Anthony wrote: "Greetings. I'm the co-author of THE ORPHAN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM GREECE (Schwartz & Wade/Random House, 2011). I'm so pleased to announce that the book is a Bank Street College of Education best ..."Dear Anthony,
I may have missed it, but do you have a website? Congrats on your best book rating by Bank Street-what an honor!
Gail Hedrick
Hi All!I'm Tanya, and I've just given birth to ROOT BOUND, the first book in a girls' action adventure fantasy series called Emma & The Elementals. It is my labour of love, conceived from the unholy alliance of Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz and a youth misspent in the spooky shadows of New England.
You can find my bloggy stuff here: http://emmaseries.blogspot.com
And my Facebooky stuff here:
http://www.facebook.com/emmaseries
I always have free ebooks for book bloggers. Keep an eye out on my author page for some upcoming giveaways.
Book Page:
Root Bound
Mod
After many years as a published artist, I am turning my attention to illustrating as well as writing a children's book (inspired by the birth of my first grandchild!)"
Welcome, Judi! Congrats on the birth of your first grandchild! That can definitely bring inspiration!
:) Jodi
Mod
I'm Tanya, and I've just given birth to ROOT BOUND, the first book in a girls' action adventure fantasy series called Emma & The Elementals. It is my labour of love, conceived from the unh..."
I'm visiting your facebook page now...the books sounds wonderful!
:) Jodi
Hi! My name is Lauren and I'm a B2B journalist in the trade industry. I'm an avid reader, and have been working with some ideas for children's books for a while now. I figured it was about time to take some action, and thought it would be wise to join a group of folks with similar interests.
Jodi wrote: "I'm visiting your facebook page now...the books sounds wonderful! :) Jodi "
Thanks, Jodi! I've also just started a giveaway, so check it out!
Welcome, Lauren! I'm a newbie, too. I don't know what took me so long to discover this place. It's fantastic.
Hello all! My name is Rebecca; my nom de plume is Dr. Bee. I am co-author and illustrator of the new book, Alphabet Living.Alphabet Living contains simple truths that have been around for 1000s of years . . . reimagined.
A is for Authentic, B is for Beauty, C is for Courage.
We have a Kickstarter campaign and we have made our goal; there are still 5 days to go.
Feel free to check it out at:
http://www.alphabetliving.com
https://www.facebook.com/AlphabetLiving
We are listed on Good Reads as well.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
Thank you for this group!
Mod
Hi, Lauren! Welcome to the group! We are a diverse group of authors- some published, and some aspiring so you are amongst a wonderful network of writers! Hope you continue to work on your books and find much success. Please share your experiences with us and I wish you the best!
Jodi
Mod
Alphabet Living contains simple truths that have been around for 1000s o..."
Dr. wrote: "Hello all! My name is Rebecca; my nom de plume is Dr. Bee. I am co-author and illustrator of the new book, Alphabet Living.
Alphabet Living contains simple truths that have been around for 1000s o..."
Your book sounds wonderful! Happy to meet you and that you joined our group! I will be sure to visit your facebook page :). Please continue to share your books and links with us!
Jodi
Tanya wrote: "Jodi wrote: "I'm visiting your facebook page now...the books sounds wonderful!
:) Jodi "
Thanks, Jodi! I've also just started a giveaway, so check it out!
Welcome, Lauren! I'm a newbie, too. ..."
Thank you so much!Here is the link; we have two Kickstarter days to go, so support is greatly appreciated at this point.More backing will allow us to print more books, thereby allowing us to donate books more Alphabet Living copies to underprivileged school districts and underfunded libraries.
Your support could help change the life of another.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1...
Hi, my name is Al Holtz. I am the author/illustrator of the children's book "Holiday Heroes League", a superhero story with familiar characters, available next week on Amazon. Glad to be in the group and on Goodreads.I'd enjoy hearing from other picture book and graphic novel authors. I am just starting my blog and will entertain guest blog posts about your latest projects.
Mod
Hi, Al! Welcome to the group! Your books sounds wonderful. Please share when it is available. Also, do you have a facebook fan page?
Jodi
Jodi wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Hello all! My name is Rebecca; my nom de plume is Dr. Bee. I am co-author and illustrator of the new book, Alphabet Living.Alphabet Living contains simple truths that have been around..."
Thank you! We had a successful Kickstarter campaign. Anyone interested in Alphabet Living can check it out at http://www.alphabetliving.com
Alphabet Living, hooray!
Hi I'm Michael,I'm the author of the children's e-book "The Rainbow Stick Boy" on amazon.com . You can find my author profile here. http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Santoli... Thanks!
Hello I'm Natalie Starfish. I published my first children's book, "Starfish Loves to Read", this April. And I published my second children's book, "The Alphabet According to Starfish", this July. I just joined this group and I look forward to having the WHOLE world reading above the third grade reading level. http://www.NatalieStarfish.com
Mod
Hi, Michael! I've read and reviewed your wonderful book! My review is on Amazon and here at Goodreads...I loved it...very sweet and charming story.
Jodi
Mod
Welcome, Natalie! I love the name! Welcome to the group :)
Jodi
Jodi wrote: "Al wrote: "Hi, my name is Al Holtz. I am the author/illustrator of the children's book "Holiday Heroes League", a superhero story with familiar characters, available next week on Amazon. Glad to..."Thanks Jodi! My Facebook fan page is at http://www.facebook.com/holidayheroes...
Happy to return the favor on all "Likes"!
Mod
Fantastic, Al! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to visit your facebook page now :)
Jodi
Hi. I'm Janet McLaughlin, author of the 'Tween novel "Get Psyched," published by the newly formed Bookworm Publishing Company and available on Amazon. I'm here to say, never give up. It took five years to find a home for "Get Psyched." When the time is right, the door will open. My book is about a 15-year-old psychic cheerleader who saves the day at a national cheerleading competition. It's lots of fun and G-rated.Thanks, Jodi. My Facebook fan page is http://www.facebook.com/GetPsychedByJ...
Mod
Hi, Janet! I am happy you are a part of the group! My 12 year old is a cheerleader, I will get your book for her! I liked your facebook page, and hope you enjoy being a part of this tremendous group of writers :)
Jodi
Hi, and welcome!Your cover is wonderful and the book sounds like something kids will love.
Best wishes and much success-keep us posted on your promotion efforts-several of us also live in Florida, so maybe we can attend one of your signings or see each other at a conference!
Gail
Hi, and welcome!I love your cover art and the book sounds like something kids will love! Keep us posted of your promo efforts as several of us live in Florida and could possibly attend or even attend a writer's conf. Enjoy the published author journey!
Gail
Mod
Your cover is wonderful and the book sounds like something kids will love.
Best wishes and much success-keep us posted on your promotion efforts-several of us also live in Florida,..."
Gail, I agree with you 100%! I loved her cover immediately! Can't wait to read it too! She's on Facebook so visit her there too.
Jodi
Thank you both! We need to talk :) Like where in Florida do you live and are you members of the Fl SCBWI? This is so great!
Mod
Jodi
I live in Sarasota. SCBWI is the a fabulous organization and the FL division is one of the best. Linda Rodriguez is the facilitator and she holds two conferences a year--one in Miami in the winter and one in Disney in the summer. The agents and editors that come to the Florida conferences are top notch and saying your a member of the SCBWI helps you get your queries taken more seriously. I met my favorite and indispensable critique buddies through SCBWI. Worth every penny!:)
Mod
Wow we all live within such close distances from one another! My family and I go to the beach near Sarasota and Bradenton all the time! What a small world! I really think I might join that...thank you for the info! I'm starting my last semester at USF in a little over a week and will graduate in December, so I'm hoping after that my time will open a little to travel. My publisher is so amazing...they are all meeting up at Yall Fest in November but I can't make this one so I'm really hoping to get around with them more in the Spring and perhaps if i join the SCBWI I can make the event in the Summer...Disney is about forty five mins from where I live :). I received your book this morning, so I'm really excited to read and review it! I will have a little spare time as my three daughters start back to school next Tuesday so I'm hoping to get a few books/reviews in that week before I go back myself! Thanks again for sharing...I'm sure i'll love it, and it's so nice to have a new connection/friend!
Jodi :)
The next time you're in the area, we have to meet. Or maybe we can meet at the Brandon Mall for lunch. :) That's about halfway for each of us. Does Gail live near enough to join us? Good luck at school. I went back to school when my kids were teens. I LOVED it! :) And thanks again for reviewing GET PSYCHED.
BTW, I'm hoping to attend cheerleading conventions that are nearby. Sell and sign books there. My publishers also publish RecReational CheerLeading Magazine, so I'll be at their booth. If your daughter goes to any of them, be sure to tell her to come say hello! :)
Janet
Janet
Mod
Good luck at ..."
She lives near Bradenton...I'll have to ask her, but that would be wonderful! Thanks for the well wishes on school. It's my last semester...it's been such a long road and I'm really excited to be finishing after all this time. You're very welcome for reviewing your book. I'm really excited to read it. I will definitely keep in touch...my daughter will be in three competitions this year. One is at the Fl State Fair and one at the Strawberry Festival. I think sometimes the competing is her favorite part of it :)!
Jodi
As it should be. :) One of my granddaughter's started cheering when she was 7. She's 19 now and on Indiana University's All-Girl Cheer Team. They won the National Championship last year and hope to repeat next year. :) She wants to coach a team when she graduates. And did you know that a lot of Women CEOs were once cheerleaders? The sport (and it is a SPORT!) teaches leadership as well as co-operation with team members. I just love it!
Mod
That's wonderful! I totally agree with you about the sport. I was a cheerleader too, and was so excited when my daughter expressed an interest in it! :)
My name is Kat Heckenbach, and I'm the author of Finding Angel, a YA fantasy that released September 2011. 
Finding Angel
Finding Angel was finalist in three contests: 2012 Compton Crook, 2011 Grace Awards (YA category), and 2012 Indie Next Generation Book Awards (YA category).
The sequel, Seeking Unseen, is due out in just a couple of weeks!
About me...I'm a homeschooling mom, an artist as well as writer, and of course an avid reader. I read mostly YA, especially fantasy, but I also love dystopian and anything dark and weird. I live in Florida, not too far from Orlando and my family is pretty theme-park obsessed. Lots of time at Disney and Universal Studios, especially the Wizarding World of Harry Potter :).
Other tidbits--dog lover, Doctor Who fan, and science geek.
Mod
Finding Angel
Finding Angel was finalist in three contests: 20..."
Hi, Kat! Welcome :). Don't forget to go to the link where you input any fan pages/websites,etc for us to all share!
Jodi
Judith wrote: I'm a dog lover, Dr. Who fan and science geek also.Glad to know I'm not the only one :).
Kat
Jodi wrote: Hi, Kat! Welcome :). Don't forget to go to the link where you input any fan pages/websites,etc for us to all share! Thanks, Jodi--will do!
Kat
My name is John David. Hello to all!Writing for kids was a personal challenge--something I was asked to do by my own daughter. Most of my work is non-fiction, and somewhat darker.
Anyhow . . .
I have a series of short bedtime stories for kids called The Purrennium Trilogy.
http://www.goodreads.com/series/76572...
They are illustrated ebooks, and tell the story of a very special kitty named Fluffington.
I also offer free author's reads of the story on my website:
http://www.johndavidauthor.com/The_Pu...
Book One is The Cat That Didn't Know How To Purr.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0077W2EE4
John wrote: "My name is John David. Hello to all!Writing for kids was a personal challenge--something I was asked to do by my own daughter. Most of my work is non-fiction, and somewhat darker.
Anyhow . . .
..."
John wrote: "My name is John David. Hello to all!
Writing for kids was a personal challenge--something I was asked to do by my own daughter. Most of my work is non-fiction, and somewhat darker.
Anyhow . . .
..."
Hi,
I just listened to Vol I-sooo cute-best wishes on a wonderful series.
Gail
Hi, My name is Author Kathy and I share this Profiel with my sister Author Karen. We are a published author of a children's book titled Feelings, Feelings, Feelings! We hope to have another children's book published soon! Also we love to cook and create recipes, we are working on a cookbook together as well!
Mod
Welcome to both of you! :) That sounds amazing!
My first children's book has just been released! Find "Holiday Heroes League", an illustrated superhero adventure featuring familiar characters, at holidayheroesleague.com or on Amazon.com.If you get the chance, please "like" on Amazon at:
http://amzn.com/0615602800
Thanks!
@GailVery glad you liked!
Doing the reads was a lot of fun.
It's something I think a lot more writers SHOULD do.
This is Book Three.
The Cat That Finally Learned How To Purr?
Author's read is here:
http://www.johndavidauthor.com/The_Pu...
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The book page on my blog (with social media buttons): http://urvikhanna.com/the-fountain/
I've already got a couple of reviews but looking for some more. If anybody would like to review my iPad book, please let me know -- I can send you a promo code. Thanks.