I think I might owe you an apology.
I may have accidentally abused my powers.
You see, on Monday, I posted the contest rules for the Pretty Much World Famous 4th Annual Holiday Contest. If you have read them, you will know that the subject matter is wild weather. I was merely thinking we could have tons of fun with that topic. . .
But here we are, within hours of that posting, and the temperature is 12 degrees in mid-November!
In New York! (not the Buffalo part! where there are already 3 feet of snow with 3 more predicted!) in the semi-civilized part not that far from NYC!
Wild!
Unheard of!
Coincidence?
I'm afraid not.
I'm going to do my best to turn things around by buying a new pair of expensive warm winter boots (Sorel. Model: Women's Caribou. Color: Cinnamon. Or maybe Slate. Size: 7.5 - or maybe 7 since the reviews say they run large.) That should pretty much guarantee that we won't get any snow. But of course that will be unusual too... so there we are, back at wild weather!
I'm afraid I've caused it coming and going.
You just have to be sooooo careful when you have magical powers! One little moment of inattention, and whoops! you've unleashed Winter 2014-2015!
So yeah, sorry about that.
Let me try to distract you with a look at the fabulous pitches from October which await your voting pleasure for the October Pitch Pick.
#1 Tonia - Eat At Antonio's - PB ages 8+
A strange looking restaurant pops up in a small ho hum farm town offering fine cuisine. A real stir is created as these plain Jane folks can't swallow much more than meat and potatoes and common sense. The Grand Opening announces a real eating adventure. Once inside, Master Chef Antonio will transform the taste buds that will take them to exotic places with just one bite.
#2 Gail - Me Hungry - PB ages 4-7
Ted discovers a teeny-tiny zombie, and quickly learns that the little monster packs a big appetite. The little boy sets out to feed his famished friend, leading the pair on a whacky adventure — meat kabooms, a plate is pinched, and a restaurant is invaded! Ted's quick thinking sees Zombie's tummy finally fill, and his own dream of becoming a chef come true.
"Me Hungry!" is a fast-paced, 500-word picture book. A little “Master Chef Junior” meets “Goosebumps,” the story features Ted, a boy who learns that facing his fears is the first step in making his dreams come true.
#3 Debbie - Exactly Ten Marshmallows - PB ages 4-8 (originally titled Your Friend, Conrad)Finally, an invitation! According to the instructions, Conrad must bring a sword, a bow and arrows, and … exactly ten marshmallows?! He eagerly sets out for his best friend Fiona’s new home. But his journey quickly becomes complicated by a leaky boat, prickly brambles, and a sweets-loving dragon lurking in the moat. Will Conrad have the wits (and enough marshmallows) to make it to Fiona’s front door?
#4 Michelle - The Zoo Rules - PB ages 4-8
Miss Knaffle and her second graders all just want to have fun at school. But when her students take theiridea of fun too far—conducting a farting symphony during reading time, smuggling coffee beans to the class hamster, and using their desks for a bubblegum sculpture contest—Miss Knaffle decides that only a field trip to the zoo will avert classroom disaster. Once there, the canny teacher enlists irritable zoo animals to her cause. When Fátima tangles with a snake and Mario ends up on the wrong side of a baboon, the students quickly come to appreciate the zoo rules—and their teacher—in a whole new way.
Please vote for the pitch you feel most deserves a read by editor Erin Molta in the poll below by Sunday November 23 at 5 PM EST.
Many thanks!
Now then, since the Mid-Hudson Valley is in the grip of the polar vortex (I know! My fault!) and I am therefore freezing ( I know! Still my fault!), we shall have something warming for our Something Chocolate today... Molten Chocolate Cake!!!
Don't you feel warmer already just looking at that molten flood of scrumptious chocolate? Plus, we really need the extra calories to keep warm, so it's actually GOOD for us to eat this :)
Now that we've averted the danger of freezing AND wasting away into skin and bones, let's jump into Would You Read It!
Today's pitch comes to us from Gail, whom you will remember from October with her pitch for Me Hungry. (Um, really you don't even need to remember since her pitch is above in the October Pitch Pick :)) She says, "Recently, I participated in the Making Picture Book Magic workshop and in the Telling Children Stories in Today’s Market intensive. I’m a member of SCWBI, and hold both a degree in Fine Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a diploma in Journalism from Cambrian College. You’re welcome to visit http://gailtalbot.com anytime to learn more."
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Knights Of The Kids' Table
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Most of the Knights of the Kids’ Table found Flooted funny. After all, when he got nervous, Flooted tooted. But cranky Hugh couldn’t stand the smell, so he hatched a plan to get rid of Flooted…for good. When Hugh’s scheme flopped, the little knights giggled, the big knights enjoyed silly sword fights, and the grumpy little knight got exactly what he wished for.
“The Knights of the Kids’ Table” is a 554-word, humorous myth set in a time when swords were silly, and playing cards were the hottest toy. Little readers will be sure to chuckle when they learn the unlikeliest and silliest way some of today’s gaseous gags were coined.
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 Gail 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. There are openings in January so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!
Gail is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to Spring :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!! :)
Gail is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to Spring :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!! :)
