June 4, 2015
Author Feature - Sheila Kelly Welch
Author - Sheila Kelly Welch - www..flavors.me/sheilawelch
Book - WAITING TO FORGET
Genre - Upper MG/YA
Publisher - namelos
Road to Publishing - When I was in junior high, I thought that someday I'd write and illustrate for kids. But it wasn't until after I'd had open heart surgery and could hear my artificial valve ticking that I decided someday had arrived. My first short story was published two years later. Since then, I've had a lot of stories and books published but I always wanted to work with Stephen Roxburgh because I'd heard him speak at a conference and liked his independent ideas. In 2009, I completed a novel that I thought he'd appreciate and when I sent it to namelos, he wrote back within a few weeks with an offer to publish it. His acceptance was the quickest of any I've ever had. I sent the sample chapters on January 12, 2010 and signed a contract on January 29, 2010. The book was released on October 1, 2011. My advice would be to read a lot, write a lot, and aim high. But give yourself time to relax and enjoy life., too.
Book Synopsis - WAITING TO FORGET takes place in a hospital where twelve-year-old T.J. is waiting to see if his little sister will regain consciousness after a bad fall. While he waits, T.J. recalls the traumatic life he and Angela led with their neglectful birth mother and how they were eventually adopted by a childless couple. But T.J. isn't sure he wants to be part of this family with Marlene, who insists on calling him Timothy and Dan, who seems to want a more responsible son. Their birth mother often lied because it was easier than telling -- or facing -- the truth. Back and forth between then and now, T.J.'s story unfolds until the past catches up to the present. And T.J. is faced with his own truth.
WAITING TO FORGET has been chosen for the following lists:
Best Books of the Year, 2012 edition: Bank Street College
Best YA Books of 2011: Pennsylvania School Library Association
South Carolina's Junior Book Award Master List 2013/ 2014
#1 of 50 books: Realistic Middle School Fiction: Goodreads List
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
June 3, 2015
Author Feature - Sheila Duncan
Author - Sheila Duncan - www.troublethedog.net
Book - Here's Trouble!
Genre - Picture Book
Road to Publishing - I self published because I was working at the time with an outstanding illustrator, Annette Nicolas and a fabulous printer, Jerry DiFazio of Daily Printing. Initially, I thought of going the traditional route; but after a meeting with a Random House executive, I realized my message of hope might be better received by the masses than the publishing houses. She absolutely loved the concept but felt at the time it might be a little out of the box for old school children’s publishers. So I forged ahead and got it done on my own.
Book Synopsis - When Sheila Duncan’s niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity. The family experienced three cancer losses in a very short time. This devoted aunt then suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring dog named - Trouble. As the book begins, Trouble finds himself abandoned on the streets of New York City with his siblings in a box. The story is about hope and resilience and how you can never give up. Trouble is eventually adopted by a kindly grandmother and he then makes sure two other pups in need are adopted as well. The ending is a happy one with this very unusual family curled up, warm and safe, with the words “hope … believe and dream” written in stars in the night sky.
There are slogans that accompany Trouble The Dog which are so important for children in today’s world. They are “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope”; “When Trouble Comes, You’re Never Alone”; "Trouble Can Help With What's Troubling You".
More About Trouble - Trouble The Dog has gone from the drawing of a child trying to help other kids going through tough times to a global symbol of hope. The book was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, along with Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and quite possibly, an animated children's television series. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with things that are troubling them.
Author Sheila Duncan spends countless hours reading the Trouble story and donating Trouble plush dogs and books. She has been warmly received when presenting Trouble The Dog to families affected by overwhelming circumstances – including victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the Haiti earthquake.
She has generously given Trouble toys and books to families at children's hospitals, residents of nursing homes, VA Hospitals and over a hundred plush Trouble dogs and books were given to the Shriner's Hospital For Children and the Children's Miracle Network. Sheila is constantly on the go - performing readings, guest speaker engagements, author signings and visiting children at hospitals across the country.
Sheila and the character she created, Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN’s American Journey, The USA Love List, Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; North Shore Magazine’s Top Women Entrepreneurs, a Finalist in Martha Stewart's “Made in America”, and Success Magazine’s “Seniorprenerus” series.
It is Sheila’s mission to brand Trouble The Dog as a global children’s character, giving hope to kids around the world.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
Book - Here's Trouble!
Genre - Picture Book
Road to Publishing - I self published because I was working at the time with an outstanding illustrator, Annette Nicolas and a fabulous printer, Jerry DiFazio of Daily Printing. Initially, I thought of going the traditional route; but after a meeting with a Random House executive, I realized my message of hope might be better received by the masses than the publishing houses. She absolutely loved the concept but felt at the time it might be a little out of the box for old school children’s publishers. So I forged ahead and got it done on my own.
Book Synopsis - When Sheila Duncan’s niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity. The family experienced three cancer losses in a very short time. This devoted aunt then suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring dog named - Trouble. As the book begins, Trouble finds himself abandoned on the streets of New York City with his siblings in a box. The story is about hope and resilience and how you can never give up. Trouble is eventually adopted by a kindly grandmother and he then makes sure two other pups in need are adopted as well. The ending is a happy one with this very unusual family curled up, warm and safe, with the words “hope … believe and dream” written in stars in the night sky.
There are slogans that accompany Trouble The Dog which are so important for children in today’s world. They are “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope”; “When Trouble Comes, You’re Never Alone”; "Trouble Can Help With What's Troubling You".
More About Trouble - Trouble The Dog has gone from the drawing of a child trying to help other kids going through tough times to a global symbol of hope. The book was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, along with Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and quite possibly, an animated children's television series. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with things that are troubling them.
Author Sheila Duncan spends countless hours reading the Trouble story and donating Trouble plush dogs and books. She has been warmly received when presenting Trouble The Dog to families affected by overwhelming circumstances – including victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the Haiti earthquake.
She has generously given Trouble toys and books to families at children's hospitals, residents of nursing homes, VA Hospitals and over a hundred plush Trouble dogs and books were given to the Shriner's Hospital For Children and the Children's Miracle Network. Sheila is constantly on the go - performing readings, guest speaker engagements, author signings and visiting children at hospitals across the country.
Sheila and the character she created, Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN’s American Journey, The USA Love List, Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; North Shore Magazine’s Top Women Entrepreneurs, a Finalist in Martha Stewart's “Made in America”, and Success Magazine’s “Seniorprenerus” series.
It is Sheila’s mission to brand Trouble The Dog as a global children’s character, giving hope to kids around the world.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
June 2, 2015
Author Feature - Damir Fonovich
Author - Damir Fonovich - http://www.lucalashes.com
Book - Luca Lashes
Road to Publishing - We decided to publish as eBooks and to develop book Apps for our children's series, as we thought it would not only leave us in more control over the process, but we could also earn more of a payout (70% vs. 6%) when we sold the eBooks and Apps. Our solution to put our ideas into the universe also is green, as there are no paper products in an eBook/App. In terms of the editing process and finding the right developer to create the Apps and finalize the eBooks, we have been able to publish 8 ebooks and book apps within 2 years, whereas a traditional publisher would take a lot longer to publish just one book, not to mention that traditional publishers take a very long time to approve publication, typically only work with agents, and keep more of the book profits to cover their costs.
Book Synopsis - Our series is dedicated to helping parents and their children confront fearful firsts with confidence and with a smile! Luca Lashes is a little boy with magic eyelashes, when he blinks them twice he can confront any situation. Our series has Luca learning to brush his teeth, go to the dentist, go to the doctor, learn how to swim, get a haircut, etc. Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital.
Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital, something that can be quite scary for little ones. Our next book will be Luca's first airplane ride!
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
Book - Luca Lashes
Road to Publishing - We decided to publish as eBooks and to develop book Apps for our children's series, as we thought it would not only leave us in more control over the process, but we could also earn more of a payout (70% vs. 6%) when we sold the eBooks and Apps. Our solution to put our ideas into the universe also is green, as there are no paper products in an eBook/App. In terms of the editing process and finding the right developer to create the Apps and finalize the eBooks, we have been able to publish 8 ebooks and book apps within 2 years, whereas a traditional publisher would take a lot longer to publish just one book, not to mention that traditional publishers take a very long time to approve publication, typically only work with agents, and keep more of the book profits to cover their costs.
Book Synopsis - Our series is dedicated to helping parents and their children confront fearful firsts with confidence and with a smile! Luca Lashes is a little boy with magic eyelashes, when he blinks them twice he can confront any situation. Our series has Luca learning to brush his teeth, go to the dentist, go to the doctor, learn how to swim, get a haircut, etc. Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital.
Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital, something that can be quite scary for little ones. Our next book will be Luca's first airplane ride!
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
June 1, 2015
Author Feature - Clark Rich Burbidge
Author - Clark Rich Burbidge - www.giantsinthelandbook.com
Book - Giants in the Land: Book Two - The Prodigals
Genre - Middle Reader YA Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher - WinePress Publishing
Road to Publishing - I consider WinePress a mix of both worlds and I have certainly been treated as I had come to expect from a Traditional publisher (my first book was traditionally published and this is my 4th book). I began seriously writing in 2010 while I was in between jobs. I have been a story teller my entire life and found the publishing process to require patience and humility to the max. I looked at books in the genre of my writing and called many authors. I found them wonderful to speak with and helpful. I then submitted my work to several publishers. I got declined by some but one in particular didn't appear to even have read the manuscript. So my wife and I talked about it and decided, what can they do decline me again, so I wrote them a very nice letter but one that clearly asked them to at least read my manuscript before declining so I could at least learn from the process. Amazingly enough about 2 weeks later I got a letter back from the publisher telling me they loved the book, suggesting some revisions and giving me 10 days to get the revised manuscript to them. Don't give up and don't be afraid to tactfully and respectfully speak out is what I tell young writers.
My 2nd through 4th books were done with WinePress who I found through a national clearinghouse. They loved my Christmas book right away and also my Giants series so that went much more smoothly.
If you write you should go for it and not be shy. Take the advice and learn from it even if it is tough, and it will be. Just make sure your voice is respected. Publishing is not the same as writing. It is a business and will require you to learn all the things necessary to start a new business. The skills are the same. But if you hang in there and see the process as taking you somewhere worth being then you will find joy in the process. I love meeting fans and doing something to help uplift them is some small way. My outreach to schools to inspire youth to stay in school and that it is worth the effort to find your greatness and become a giant has brought me the real joy in being an author.
Synopsis -Giants Two: The prodigals begins a few years after book one ends. Thomas the primary character of book one is older and is now a forest ward watching over the land. He is central to the book but we also meet several teenage prodigals. Young people who have lost their way, given up on hope in life or simply discouraged and distracted because they don't like their life, don't fit in or feel they can't live up to their parents expectations. These prodigals are caught up in a sudden change as a great evil threatens the land. They must discover their own true potential, overcome their fears and misgivings and save the land. They, along with an aging hero are the only ones that stand between the evil threat and the destruction of the land, their way of life and all the giants have worked to create for a thousand years. You might say they are way outside their comfort zone.
The Giants Trilogy is a thrilling adventure for the middle and YA reader. Parents frequently respond saying they have loved the books as well. There is a huge market out there of people who are tired of dark conflicted characters and not being able to tell good from evil. They seek characters with values that can be inspiring to youth and emulated. I will also say that my books do not give the characters any easy way out of their problems. They cannot just wave a wand, call upon a super power or beam up. My characters draw the young people to them because they, like real people, can only solve problems by reaching deep within and finding their own greatness, rising up and bravely doing all they can. It is my hope that through my books young people can realize more readily that they do have value, they can make a difference and that while they may not be able to clearly see how they fit in, they will see it as they press forward. There is a place for them and it is worth all the effort getting there. My books focus on hope that leads to faith that inspires action that can make a difference.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
Book - Giants in the Land: Book Two - The Prodigals
Genre - Middle Reader YA Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher - WinePress Publishing
Road to Publishing - I consider WinePress a mix of both worlds and I have certainly been treated as I had come to expect from a Traditional publisher (my first book was traditionally published and this is my 4th book). I began seriously writing in 2010 while I was in between jobs. I have been a story teller my entire life and found the publishing process to require patience and humility to the max. I looked at books in the genre of my writing and called many authors. I found them wonderful to speak with and helpful. I then submitted my work to several publishers. I got declined by some but one in particular didn't appear to even have read the manuscript. So my wife and I talked about it and decided, what can they do decline me again, so I wrote them a very nice letter but one that clearly asked them to at least read my manuscript before declining so I could at least learn from the process. Amazingly enough about 2 weeks later I got a letter back from the publisher telling me they loved the book, suggesting some revisions and giving me 10 days to get the revised manuscript to them. Don't give up and don't be afraid to tactfully and respectfully speak out is what I tell young writers.
My 2nd through 4th books were done with WinePress who I found through a national clearinghouse. They loved my Christmas book right away and also my Giants series so that went much more smoothly.
If you write you should go for it and not be shy. Take the advice and learn from it even if it is tough, and it will be. Just make sure your voice is respected. Publishing is not the same as writing. It is a business and will require you to learn all the things necessary to start a new business. The skills are the same. But if you hang in there and see the process as taking you somewhere worth being then you will find joy in the process. I love meeting fans and doing something to help uplift them is some small way. My outreach to schools to inspire youth to stay in school and that it is worth the effort to find your greatness and become a giant has brought me the real joy in being an author.
Synopsis -Giants Two: The prodigals begins a few years after book one ends. Thomas the primary character of book one is older and is now a forest ward watching over the land. He is central to the book but we also meet several teenage prodigals. Young people who have lost their way, given up on hope in life or simply discouraged and distracted because they don't like their life, don't fit in or feel they can't live up to their parents expectations. These prodigals are caught up in a sudden change as a great evil threatens the land. They must discover their own true potential, overcome their fears and misgivings and save the land. They, along with an aging hero are the only ones that stand between the evil threat and the destruction of the land, their way of life and all the giants have worked to create for a thousand years. You might say they are way outside their comfort zone.
The Giants Trilogy is a thrilling adventure for the middle and YA reader. Parents frequently respond saying they have loved the books as well. There is a huge market out there of people who are tired of dark conflicted characters and not being able to tell good from evil. They seek characters with values that can be inspiring to youth and emulated. I will also say that my books do not give the characters any easy way out of their problems. They cannot just wave a wand, call upon a super power or beam up. My characters draw the young people to them because they, like real people, can only solve problems by reaching deep within and finding their own greatness, rising up and bravely doing all they can. It is my hope that through my books young people can realize more readily that they do have value, they can make a difference and that while they may not be able to clearly see how they fit in, they will see it as they press forward. There is a place for them and it is worth all the effort getting there. My books focus on hope that leads to faith that inspires action that can make a difference.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
May 31, 2015
Author Feature - Luis Rodriguez
Author - Luis Rodriguez - www.klampie.com
Book - The Klampie Mystery
Publisher - Mascot Books offers some traditional publishing tools, but the financial backbone is provided by the author.
Road to Publishing - While more demanding financially this route is definitely more certain.
One extremely critical issue is this:
Start promoting the book at least 6 months prior to publication. REPEAT: Start promoting the book at least 6 months prior to publication.
To that end, have ready 'Bound Galleys" or "Advance Reader's Copies".
Most book critics at Big publications will not consider a book for review close to the scheduled publication date.
Book Synopsis - The adventure begins in San Diego, when Samantha gets a life-sized stuffed koala, before she and her parents go on a trip to visit an aunt and an uncle in Australia around Christmas time. The koala looked very real. Samantha just loved him and named him Klampie, since his arms clamp onto anything, just like a real koala.
Samantha clamped Klampie onto her backpack where he stayed during the flight, and then in the ride to her aunt and uncle's home after landing in Sydney.
The mystery begins when they stop to get gas. Something happens at the gas station that goes undetected by Samantha, her parents and her aunt and uncle. Something that is going to have everybody wondering later on...
In any event, the adventure continues during their exciting stay in Australia, that beautiful country down under. Samantha was amazed by the differences in weather, time and customs between the United States and Australia, and enjoyed all the additional love and affection she received from her aunt and uncle.
They all visited different interesting places, did a lot of shopping and even enjoyed a "barbie" (cookout) by the beach.
Most of the times Samantha left Klampie, so he wouldn't get lost. They had a great time in Australia!
Finally, it is time for Samantha and her family to return home to San Diego, and that is when the mystery unfolds...On the overnight plane ride home, little Samantha wakes everybody up screaming: "Klampie! Klampie! Klampie's alive!"
What a confusion! Is Klampie alive? What has happened? It is a true mystery for Samantha and everybody else, but not for the readers!
Children will love being on the truth while Samantha remains in the dark!
The Klampie Mystery is a sweet, heart warming story for all ages.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
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