Book club for Kids

I'm a member of a book club and we read a variety of books and genres suggested by the members. It's fun and exposes me to books I never would have picked up otherwise. Now, I must admit, I don't finish all of them. Time is a valuable commodity and why read something that is REALLY not your thing for a week. But, I finish probably 75% of the books. 

Recently, I got to thinking about a children's book club. Wouldn't it be fun to read picture books and discuss them once a month? Then it hit me, I do that all the time with online critique partners, forums, editor/agent blogs, etc. I read some books I am surprised by and others that leave me giggling. 

As a picture book writer, I go to the library every Saturday and check out 7-12 picture books from the new book shelf or on display in other areas. I pour over the formats and make note of what fits with my style. Definitely learning made fun. I read and finish 100% of the books I check out. 

What ways do you further your skills as a children's writer? -Q

New Web Presence Finally

Wahoo! I finally got the websites figured out for my children's fiction and non-fiction work.

It was a lot of work, but thanks to the tech folks at the Author's Guild, I finally got everything up and running. 

So you can find my children's fiction at quinncole.com
and my non-fiction at ldwilliams.com. I'm hoping to simplify things and still maintain my sanity. Well, mostly. 

In other news, I have posted picture books I love (some old favorites and some newly published) on my pinterest boards on children's fiction, non-fiction, illustrations, first lines and westerns. They are all so creative and fun to read. Definitely worth a look. -Q

New Year's Resolutions for Blogging

Okay. I know good intentions and a nickel will get you... well, a nickel, but I am trying to update my fiction and non-fiction websites to simplify my online life. I will just have to give myself a pass and let you know that I am thinking about writing, actually writing, and occasionally updating all the social media sites for both writing personas. Whew! Just writing that makes me tired.

Anyway, I regularly blog about science, here. I "pin" about fiction and non-fiction topics here and here daily. (Don't judge.) Oh! and I've also resurrected my love of photography. You can check out some of my latest images on Dreamstime, here.

If I learn something amazing and/or simply have to share someone's great book news, I will be sure to do it. In the meantime, I am paddling like crazy to get organized with all the writing social media outlets. Thanks for hanging in there. Hopefully everything will get pared down in the next couple of months. -Q

Getting Your Picture Book to the Right Re-Seller

Okay, I've ceased feeling guilty for the infrequent posts here (day job is crazy busy) since the alternative is to delete and focus on my non-fiction science blog. But's what's the fun in that?

Anyway, I recently got to see how knowing your audience (and in this case, your re-seller) really makes a difference between a ho-hum response to a book and over-the-top excitement (at least by the sales staff).

Last Friday while in Houston, TX. visiting family, I stopped by the Museum of Health and Medical Sciences gift shop. I thought a personal visit would allow me to provide background on why I wrote Alphabet Puke: Monsters' Medicine A-Z (take the scary out of sickness and health stuff) and rave about the great illustrations by Charles Eubanks. I'm much more animated in person than in correspondence. I was even able to mention the YouTube AP  book trailer.

The response was fantastic! A museum gift shop PLUS a children's picture book on medical terms and health. Who knew?! Anyway, the person who actually orders was out, but based on the initial response, I'm optimistic.

Fingers crossed! And let me know how your targeted conversations go with potential resellers. -Q