A New Year of Writing and Teaching
My new year of writing and teaching is off to a great start. On January 6th, I signed an agreement with the Arizona State Library Association to become the 2017 Summer Writer in Residence at Scottsdale Public Library. I will be providing a series of six creative...
Picture Book (Part 3): Conference Critiques and the Cinderella Dream
So, back to writing picture books, Conference Critiques (and the Cinderella Dream).
I submitted my PB ms for a critique at the 2015 SCBWI Summer Conference, knowing full well that the true purpose of submitting for critique critiques is to get professional level feedback on the work. However, like many authors and illustrators, deep in my heart, I hoped for the Cinderella dream. You know, the one where the glass slipper fits so perfectly, the assigned agent/editor makes an immediate offer of representation/publication. Yeah. That’s the one.
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
Picture Book (Part 2): Submitting the MS or I think it’s done, I think it’s done!
Submitting the manuscript is always a big step in the publication journey. It's as true for submitting picture book manuscripts as anything else. After two years of writing, revising, re-visioning, asking for feedback from other picture book authors, and more rewriting, I finally had a PB ms (Picture Book...
Payson Book Festival 2016
We spent last Saturday at the Payson Book Festival. It was a very well-run event. The organizers and volunteers were awesome and we had a good time meeting new readers and getting to know some new Arizona authors, as well.
All set up and ready for the day to begin.
As usual with an author, a Story Monster lurked nearby. 😉
Story Monster lurks over my shoulder.
I also got a chance to say hello to this guy:
How Much Glitter Does One Woman Need?
Assorted examples of glitter & sparkly stuff passed along.
I like glitter as much as the next person. I also like sparkly, colorful objects. I especially like making stuff, including stuff made out of glittery, sparkling materials. However, at some point there needs to be some limit to the amount of crafting and sewing supplies one attempts to keep at hand. Especially, as one’s crafting/sewing foci evolve.
US Naval Station Great Lakes: Petty Officer Tennis Shoe
In 1977, despite the best efforts of some, the US Navy was not an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sexism was a huge issue. Mid-level Petty Officers expected lower ranking females to sit in their laps and stand under the mistletoe at the holiday party. Some even obliged. It was a difficult environment to navigate through.
Add to that a misuse of authority that cropped up in many places and you have the perfect recipe for a hostile work environment.
Here and There, This and That
I have been here and there, doing this and that. So here’s a quick update on what’s been going on in my world.
Me in my glorious RenFaire duds.
A huge shout out and thank you to Book Shoppe proprietor extraordinaire, Lady Ann Chamberlain. (She’s also an international bestselling author. Check out her website here🙂 This year’s Arizona Renaissance Faire appearance was another resounding success. Not only did I meet and speak with a huge number of new readers, as well as some fine aspiring authors, but I also received the Prince’s favor (and some lovely flattery). Huzzah! And I would be remiss if I did not thank my incredible assistant, Jen LaBuzz. Jen, I’m so glad your arms did not fall off!