Fame and Fortune

I know this will come as a shock, but I am not famous.

Really, it's true!

Not only that, I have yet to amass my personal fortune (although I'm sure when Dreamworks comes to its senses and decides that Punxsutawney Phyllis has all the makings of the next blockbuster animated children's feature for Groundhog Day, all that will change :))

Much as I would like to be a household name like J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer, or even Jane O'Connor, (whose name you might not know but whose work you almost certainly do - Fancy Nancy!), I have not (yet!) achieved that level of recognition.  Truth be told, the vast majority of children's writers are just like me - hardworking mid-listers.  We show up at our computers every morning, drink more coffee than is technically good for us, and write the best stories we can write, hoping to sell some new ideas from time to time and reap modest book sales.

So imagine my delight to be listed as a Featured Author!  Doesn't that sound famous?  My faithful writing buddies (Scout and Jemma - see attractive photo in yesterday's post) and I are fairly tingling with excitement!  (Well, let's be honest - it's entirely possible that my writing buddies' excitement has more to do with the squirrels under the bird feeder who SHOULD BE CHASED than with my claim to fame, but who can say for sure?  My excitement is legitimate!)

The Reading Tub, a fantastic volunteer-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting reading and literacy, has listed me as a Featured Author and posted both an article and an interview on their website and blog.  Please follow this link to read it:

http://thereadingtub.com/children_author_showcase.asp

This is the first time I've had the honor of being interviewed online, so it is a red letter day here in the land of Hill.

While you are over at The Reading Tub, take a minute to see what they're all about.  They really have an important mission.  Subscribe to their blog so you can keep up with their great reviews of children's books (which include themes and suggestions for use in the classroom, as well as pros, cons, and both little and big kid reactions.)  Thanks so much to Terry Doherty, who wrote the article and conducted the interview, for giving me this opportunity!

Now, back to my 2nd 3rd current cup of coffee and some serious writing.  Who knows?  I might think up a great story today, the one that assures me that fame and fortune :)