Wow! There is so much fun stuff going on it's hard to keep track!
First off, thank you all for your enthusiastic response to Oh Susanna! I've already got a couple questions, so I'll probably post the first episode of that feature on Monday. Lest the first also be the last, though, please send more questions :)
Second, guess what I get to do today? Interview the talented author/illustrator Michael Garland - in person! - so that I can share the interview with you on Sunday!!! I know. I said the author interviews this year were going to be the 3rd Sunday of the month. But January started on a Sunday so that one doesn't count! I hope you'll all tune in this Sunday January 22. I'm sure Michael will have lots of wonderful things to share, and I will do a book giveaway in conjunction with the interview. I think something along the lines of comment on which Michael Garland book you love most or would most like to own and why... But maybe I'll think up something to make it more challenging... :) I am open to suggestions... what do you think would be fun?
Third, (see, I TOLD you there was all kinds of fun stuff going on!) I am going to be hosting an event for the Ossining Open Door facility of Reach Out And Read on February 22. Look at this totally cool poster:
And for our Spanish-speaking audience (which alas is not me!)...
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sorry the bottoms got cut off - I had a terrible time uploading these! |
How cool is that?!
Reach Out And Read seeks to get books into the hands of children ages 2-5 who otherwise wouldn't have any. In conjunction with this event, we are trying to get as many donations of my books as possible to give away for free to the kids that attend. If you'd be interested in donating a copy of Can't Sleep Without Sheep, Punxsutawney Phyllis, April Fool, Phyllis, Not Yet, Rose, Airplane Flight or Freight Train Trip, you can order from Merritt Bookstore at (845) 677-5857. Tell them the book is for Susanna Hill's Reach Out And Read event and you will get a 20% discount and no tax on your purchase of the books for Reach Out And Read. Open Door will collect the books on February 1st for inventory and transport, so if you're interested, please call before February 1.
And now, finally, grab your chocolate and get ready for Would You Read It!
This week's pitch comes to us from Margaret. (Her blog is just getting started, so hop on over and make her feel welcome to our writing community!) Margaret is from the Silicon Valley and is a full-time SAHM of 2 young children (SAHM is mom blogger speak for Stay-At-Home-Mom.) She is also a budding entrepreneur and picture book writer. Like all of us, she is looking for a formula to stretch time so if you find one... :)
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Home Is Where The Bird Is
Age/Genre: Picture Book
The Pitch: Bird thought he found his perfect birdhouse – until he encountered the mouse living inside. After a feather-raising experience house hunting on his own, Bird asks Mouse for help. Mouse leads Bird on a hilarious tour of unconventional housing options. As winter looms, will Bird accept anything but his perfect birdhouse?
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Margaret improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above. Pitches are currently queued through March 7, but there are lots of openings after that, so send your pitch for a chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!
Margaret is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!
Please join us Friday for Perfect Picture Books! I have such a wonderful book to share that I can barely wait to tell you what it is... but I will :) See you Friday!
