Happy Monday Everyone!
I hope you all had lovely weekends and happy celebrations of Father's Day!
I am happy because I get to start off the week by giving out prizes to some of my favorite people :)
You will recall that on Friday, we celebrated the 100th posting of Perfect Picture Books, and by way of a little thank you, I had 9 highly acclaimed picture books to give away randomly to 9 lucky staunch supporters.
And here they are!!!
I will list their names, their fabulous blogs where they have faithfully posted tons of wonderful picture books, and the picture book they won:
Barbara Gruener at The Corner On Character wins: On A Beam Of Light: A Story Of Albert Einstein
Joanna Marple at Miss Marple's Musings wins: Warning: Do Not Open This Book
Julie Rowan-Zoch at Julie Rowan-Zoch - Writing Illustrating Reading Children's Books wins: Mitchell Goes Bowling
Stacy Jensen at Stacy S. Jensen - Writer & Designer wins: Gaston
Vivian Kirkfield at Picture Books Help Kids Soar wins: Mr. Wuffles
Joanne Roberts at Bookish Ambition wins: The Dark
Beth Stilborn at By Word Of Beth wins: Journey
Carrie Finison at Story Patch wins: This Is The Rope: A Story Of The Great Migration
Laura Miller at Laura Miller - Children's Book Writer/Illustrator wins: The Watermelon Seed
Winners, please email me with your snail mail addresses so I can get the books mailed out! And if any of you want to exchange what you won for any reason, let me know and we'll see if we can work it out :)
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to the winners and to everyone else who has faithfully posted Perfect Picture Books, visited the many wonderful blogs each week to read and comment, and generally supported the whole Perfect Picture Book project! You guys are what makes it all work! :) Like I said on Friday, I wish I could give everyone a prize!
Alrighty!
Now that we have completed the happy task of giving out prizes, let's talk summer plans a bit, shall we?
I've got a busy summer ahead.
Full classes in Making Picture Book Magic for June, July, and August (for which I am exceedingly grateful!)
A full queue of picture book critiques to do through mid-July (for which I am also exceedingly grateful!)
A house full of family - my kids for the whole summer, my sister and her family for about 4 weeks (again - so happy :))
Another summer of college visits (tons of fun, but on the road again... :) Ohio, Maine, etc... lots of driving and time away from home)
Life in general, and, oh yes, my own writing which I'm supposed to get around to from time to time :)
I am not one to take blog breaks lightly. I like consistency, and I so value all of you and appreciate that you make time in your day for me and my blog. I worry (a LOT) that if I drop off the grid for a while, you'll all find someone else's blog to go hang out at and I will miss you terribly!
But I think it's unrealistic of me to pretend that I'm going to manage blogging with any kind of regularity this summer.
So here's my plan (such as it is and subject to change because you know me and plans :)):
Would You Read It Wednesdays will continue uninterrupted through the end of July, because they are all already scheduled. I do so hope that you'll continue to stop by and help our brave pitchers!
Perfect Picture Book Fridays are on hiatus until September 5 or 12 (depends when all my kids go back to school :))
I may post on sporadic Mondays if and when I have something to share.
But I will be completely on a blog break for the whole month of August.
I know. Hard to imagine me shutting up for a whole month, but there you have it :)
I hope you guys won't mind. I figured you all might actually like a break too - we all have things to do in the summer that involve being away from our computers, and I know a lot of people do step away from blogging. I think a little break will help us all feel refreshed come September.
I had all kinds of plans... another season of Summer Short & Sweets (but Tracey Cox is running Summer Sparks which is kind of the same thing)... a writing contest in August... something new and different which I haven't thought up yet... but I think I've reached my limit for a bit and my family is going to disown me if I don't pay a little attention to them :)
So I hope you'll all continue to visit on Wednesdays through July, as well as on whatever other random days I happen to post, and I hope you'll forgive me for the sparse posting, and I hope you'll all have wonderful summers full of fun, family, time outdoors, productive writing, and enjoyable reading!
Please feel free to voice your thoughts on the matter below :)
Have a magnificent Monday, everyone! :)
Congrats to the winners! :) Great prizes! :)
ReplyDeleteI am like you that I am afraid no one will come back when I return from blog break in September! And I may be blogging about memoir instead of picture books at that. Sooo... I will have to wait and see. My step daughter broke her hip and killed off bone in her shoulder due to a fall and has to have both hip and shoulder replacements. So we will be doing that this summer and keeping our grand child busy.. so he won't worry about mom too much.
Know I'll be back in September for PPBF. I Love them..
Wow. Thank you! I hope you enjoy a bit of a blogging break. I don't think people could ever get you off their radar! Enjoy all the family and college visits!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve a break, no question. Do what works for your family and the followers will take care of themselves.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy devoting yourself to the other aspects of your writing career, and thanks for all you do.
And . . . hooray! . . .thanks for the latest giveaway!!!!!
ENJOY that blog break - it really CAN be lovely and refreshing. I certainly won't be going anywhere (and I guarantee that month will go by so AMAZINGLY fast). You will NOT be forgotten. And congrats to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy summer, Susanna! :)
ReplyDeleteThree cheers to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteAnd taking a blogging hiatus is truly understandable, especially with the extremely busy summer you have lined up already. Don't worry. When you get ready, we'll be here to listen, laugh and enjoy checking out things are going :-)
Congratulations everyone! I don't know how you do it all, Susanna. You are a dynamo and an inspiration. Hope you find time for lots of summer FUN. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Susanna! I'm thrilled to win Mr. Wuffles! Congrats to all the other winners...but really to all who contribute to PPBF, whether regularly or whenever they can. You've created an incredible resource for parents and teachers. :)
ReplyDeleteChiming in on the blog break...GO FOR IT! Please don't worry...we will be here when you return. I honestly don't know how you manage all of the fabulous posts/contests/writing prompts...and still have time for your own life. Good luck with the college visits and HAVE FUN with your family...and with your own writing! Happy summer, Susanna....and everyone else.
I, too, have stepped back from blogging somewhat, in order to concentrate on writing/revising/submitting...and taking classes. Kristen Fulton's Non-Fiction Archaeology this month is awesome...June 21 starts her 7-day WOW NonFicPicWeek Challenge...and in August, I'm signed up for Renee's Lyrical Language Lab. I plan to try to keep up the Friday picture book review and craft, as well as the 3rd Saturday of the month for the Will Write for Cookies author/illustrator interview. We've got Anne Marie Pace, Jane Yolen, Julie Hedlund, Tara Lazar, Sandy Beckwith, Laura Purdie Salas and Katharine Holabird (creator of Angelina Ballerina) lined up for the coming months...whoo-hoo! I hope everyone will find the time to stop by. :)
Susanna, first off---you deserve a break today, somewhere in the vicinity of Hershey's Park, I would say ;)
ReplyDeleteNo, seriously--I know that to get blog hits and make your blog successful, posting frequently is what helps you with the search engines. It's why most people post every day. But it's quite demanding! I don't know how people get much else done, to be honest. I know that once I launch mine, I won't be doing it!
And don't you worry---anyone following your blog will NOT desert you! :) Just stay safe in your travels and enjoy the many blessings coming your way. We'll be around! lol
Of course I will miss all your posts - I miss not having yet met you in the flesh! BUT you deserve a break, even bigger than August! Start by putting your feet up while reading these comments! Thank you so much for the book (!!!), but don't worry about mailing it while your feet are up!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Everyone needs a break. Enjoy having a little more time for other things. I'll see you here on Wednesdays and whenever else you post.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to you, Susanna, for your blogging awesomeness. I can't think of anyone who deserves a summer vacay more than you. Enjoy it!
Oooh! Thank you for the prize, and congratulations to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely deserve a summer vacation -- and never worry that we'll run off to some other blog. We'll be back when you get back. Breaks are good! (I'm starting a blog break today, myself.)
Enjoy your summer!
Yay it's letting me comment today! Wish I hadn't hosted Poezry Friday on the 100th day because now I've got a pb waiting until September oh well. I think we should all have a break in August we all deserve it and we won't lose each other. I have visitors that month and I'm trying to get kids to come off their screens so I have to do my part. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, everyone! And to Susanna, too. . . for taking time off to relax and breathe. I'll still be your fan in September! ;-}
ReplyDeleteListing all the things you have to do already wiped me out, I don't know how you'll manage to do them all without intravenous chocolates! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the winners...woohoo!!!
I really think you deserve a whole summer off, Susanna; you know we won't abandon you! As soon as you put up a post, we'll come running like cats at the sound of a can opener! LOL!
Congrats to all of the lucky winners! :D Have fun over your summer break - you deserve it! :D
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful summer and thanks for all you do! Your blog will always be one of my favorite, whether you take a break or not. Also, congratulations to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll certainly come back, even though visiting your blog -- and reading about all your activities and accomplishments (see above for a sampling) -- makes me feel like a laggard. You are impressive, indeed, and you've earned some time away. Enjoy it!!!
ReplyDeleteIf anybody deserves a break, you do! Enjoy your summer and kids and students and critiques. We'll be here when you get back!
ReplyDeleteSounds like one busy, fun-filled summer ahead! Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for my lovely surprise book! And, while I also worry a little about blog breaks, my experience is I AND my returns always return refreshed! Great choice and enjoy all that you have planned, Susanna, and all the chocolatey things in between!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners! I actually celebrated 100th PPBF the prior week! It is an amazing milestone and one that is a true benefit not only to parents and teachers...but to all of us who are looking for wonderful books when we go to the library or bookstore. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am that I found your blog early in my writing journey. It has been a tremendous help in so many areas! Of course PPBF is my very fave due to the number of books I've read due to the blogger-friends who join in. But I have to thank you for these features too:
ReplyDeleteWould You Read It?
Oh Susanna!
Short and Sweets
and of course the contests!
You so deserve a break and I'm glad you're taking one. Not that I won't miss you but don't forget-Absence makes the heart grow fonder. So I think that means that you will go from a gal we are fond of to a gal we grow fonder of by the day and by the end of August we will be anxious to hear from the gal we are fondest of!
Oh, gosh, Penny! You are so sweet :) Thank you for all your kind words and for being so appreciative. It means so much to me. And I hope you're right about absence making the heart grow fonder :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Joanna! Thank YOU for all the wonderful picture books you have posted over the last 100 weeks of PPBF. I'm so glad you were one of the winners because you have been in on PPBF from the beginning! And I hope you're right about the blog break - it's a risk, but I'm afraid I have to take it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rhythm! I'm looking forward to all the fun busy-ness :)
ReplyDeleteThank you SO MUCH, Genevieve! I'm so glad to know that :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! You're far too kind. And you are certainly not a laggard - just look at all the books you're publishing while I'm writing my blog :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much, Doris! That is so nice to hear, and you're so kind! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erik! Except for August, I'll be around, and I'll probably see you over at MPBM :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny, Teresa! and so sweet! Thank you so much for your support. And why on earth have I never thought of intravenous chocolate? That is genius, I say! Pure genius!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jarm! I'm thrilled to hear that and I so appreciate it! :) Have a lovely summer :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad you can comment today and sorry my blog is so temperamental other days! I think it's a great idea for everyone to take August off! Maybe we should start a tradition :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Beth, and I'm thrilled you were one of the winners because you've been in on PPBF from the beginning and you're such a staunch supporter! Thanks for the blog break encouragement, and enjoy yours!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mike! I really appreciate it! And I look forward to still coming to visit your blog - you always make me laugh :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rosi! I so appreciate your support, and I will be glad to see you on Wednesdays and perhaps random other days :)
ReplyDeleteI really don't know how we have not met in person yet, Julie. One of these days we MUST! But it's going to require a lot of travel on one of our parts :) I'm not quite putting my feet up - I'm responding to these comments from my hotel room in Vermont where I'm visiting colleges with my daughter - but it's so pretty here it kind of feels like a little vacation :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support and encouragement and kind words, Donna! I so appreciate them, and I'm glad you plan to still be around when I get back, and hope you'll continue to stop by when you can on Wednesdays through July! :)
ReplyDeleteHoly smoke, Vivian! You're making me tired with all that you've got going on and making me feel like a complete slacker! But thanks for your blog break encouragement, and I'm glad you plan to come back when I return :) Meanwhile, I hope you'll still stop by on Wednesdays, and I'll probably see you over at MPBM :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy! You're very sweet and I really appreciate it! :) Looking forward to hopefully seeing you at NJSCBWI :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet, Angela! Thank you so much! I hope you and your Chipmunk will have a lovely summer too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Coleen! You too! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Joanne - thank you so much! I so appreciate your assurances :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! I'm glad you won one :) And thanks for your kind words and support for my little blog break :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very sweet, Stacy - I wish I had your confidence that I wouldn't fall off the radar, but here's hoping :) And thanks so much - I'm looking forward to the family and college visits :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy! You too! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Tina! That means so much to me! :)
ReplyDeleteI know I've been a sporadic commenter on your blog lately, Clar, but I'm still out here reading, and I certainly won't forget you! Sorry to hear about your step-daughter's injuries! but I guess the silver lining is getting extra time with your grandson. Have a great summer!
ReplyDeleteOf course that's genius; they don't pay me the big bucks for nothing....oh, wait. They *don't* pay me the big bucks. :P
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Vt!
ReplyDeleteoooooooOOOO!! Thank you for the book!! Last week was an upside down schedule so I'm just now checking in....and ...sniff-sniff---we'll miss you this summer - but I can't rightly think of anyone who deserves a bigger break!! Will miss the sunny, cheery, posts, and of course the chocolate! But - have a wonderful, restorative break! I know you will come back revived, refreshed and FULL of new, brilliant and crazy ideas! Love you lots!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susanna! What a delight to come home to a copy of On A Beam Of Light. I can't wait to dig in. Meanwhile, I'm hoping that you're savoring summertime!
ReplyDeleteWith gratitude,
Barbara
I hope you enjoy it, Barbara! I haven't yet read it myself, but I've heard all good things about it :) Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Laura! And I won't be gone completely :) I hope we'll still see each other here and there over the summer :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a perfectly lovely summer ahead of you! I'll be here when you're rested, sunned, and ready to start up the blog again. I may not comment much, but I'm always reading. Have a wonderful time with your family!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know you're out there reading, Heather! I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages! And I just realized - duh! - that you live in Maine and I was IN Maine on Monday/Tuesday! What if I was right near by and didn't visit?!
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful week to be in Maine! Perfect summer weather happening here. :) We'll just have to catch up the next time you head north!
ReplyDelete