I just heard from my publisher that my medical picture book, Alphabet Puke - Monster's Medicine A-Z was named as a finalist in the Picture book - Early Reader section of the ForeWord Reviews 16th Annual Book of the Year Awards today!
As you can imagine, I'm thrilled. If you haven't seen it, you have to check out the wonderful illustrations by Charles Eubanks. They lend just the right amount of silliness to take the edge off any illness and lend plenty of medicinal giggles.
Wahoo!! Tell your friends! Tell your pets! Tell the person sitting next to you on the bus/subway/airplane! Oh wait, that's my job.
I'm only a little excited...-Q
My new picture book, Alphabet Puke - Monsters' Medicine A-Z is coming out in March and I need to jump on the internet marketing highway in a major way. Yikes!
Do I know all the things you need to do to get a book noticed among the thousands of children's books published each year? Nope, not even close. Am I going to throw up my hands in defeat? (maybe) I mean, NO!
I am going to assimilate all the marketing wisdom shared by children's authors and other online experts to guide my forays into advertising and "horn tooting" territory. I may even buy a bigger horn! (Probably not, but I may get one with more bling or maybe a steampunk horn. I'll let you know.)
Got any marketing pearls to share? Pass them forward and I'll do the same.
-Q
I recently sent off a couple of picture book stories to an agent who requested them (i.e., excitement/terror personified) and was thinking I didn't have anything new to work on, but then came PiBoIdMo and the ideas started flooding in.
It is only Day 2 and I already have 4 new picture book ideas outlined. AMAZING!!! Letting the muse come out and play was all it took!
Still looking for a holiday motivator? There is still time to sign up for PiBoIdMo 2012.
-Q
Picture book idea month starts today. It's my first time to participate and I'm ready! I have motivation. I have chai tea and snacks. I have a new spreadsheet to catch ideas as they spring from the ether.
Check back on November 30. With any luck, I will have captured at least 30 story ideas to polish in 2013. Good luck to all those participating! If you haven't joined yet, there is still time (through Nov. 4). Children's author, Tara Lazar is the contact.
Have you ever watched any of the Survivor series TV programs where contestants must perform endurance and physical challenges to get points for themselves and their teams while eating bugs and being bitten by millions of gnats? It's pretty intense entertainment to enjoy while sitting with the feet up and contemplating dessert options. Anyway, Picture Book Month 2012 is a bit like that without the gnats. Each day in November you must come up with a picture book idea. This is my first year to participate. Honestly I'd rather eat bugs, but I know it will be a great exercise. I work best under deadlines! Plus, I hear there are lots of ideas exchanged, author commiseration and no one gets voted off the writing island!
-Q
