My Very Good Tremendous Wonderful Month!

If you read my last post you would know I've been waiting...

Well, I can cross one thing off the list of things I'm waiting for and I can now share my wonderful news.... (drum roll)

I signed a contract for one of my picture book manuscripts with Guardian Angel Publishing! Not only am I now going to have my very own stand alone book I'm going to be an author in the company of some of my favorite writing friends: Tracey M. Cox, Connie Arnold and Donna McDine.

I can't wait to see what comes after the contract is signed... I will keep you posted.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Happy Double Book Birthday, Connie Arnold!

I'd like to welcome Connie Arnold to my blog today. Many of you will know Connie, just like me she's been a long time blogger. I'm excited to have her with us today.

Connie, I know you have been writing for quite some time, could you tell us when you started and a bit about your publishing journey?

My start to writing actually began as lyrics to music that I composed. I continued on with writing poetry after moving from Nebraska to North Carolina without our children and I knew no one. It was a blessing that saved me from heartache and loneliness, as well as coping with difficulties of living with lupus and fibromyalgia. When I had a large enough collection my first book was published in 2007. My next poetry book was accepted in 2008, and I began trying to write some children's poetry and stories after reading to my little grandchildren. Two children's books were accepted by a publisher that unfortunately went under, but I got my rights back, and one of them became Count 1,2,3 With Me, which has just been published by 4RV Publishing  It is my second children's book, and two more have been accepted byGuardian Angel Publishing  so watch out for more fun! After four poetry collections, my newest inspirational book is a 52-week devotional, Peaceful Moments of Love and Light, which contains short readings that are good for those with busy schedules to have a few inspirational moments each day. It is published by RPJ and Company who also beautifully designed and published my two previous poetry books.

Drum roll....Book Birthday number one: (Isn't that sweet?)

Drum roll....Book Birthday number two: (Sooooo pretty!)

  Do you have any writing rituals? (I have to have coffee and jolly ranchers to write.)

 

For me, it's banana and juice. Shortly after I get up, I go to my spot at the dining room table, pull out my writing paper and pencil, and wait for banana and juice power to flow into my brain and the inspiration to kick in!

 

I am an organizational nut...

Do you have any special methods for organizing your ideas before you write or are you more of a by the seat of your pants kind of writer?

 

I'm more of a write it down quick before you forget it type of person! Once all my thoughts are jotted down, I go back and build on them. Once I have what I want, I type it into the computer and save it. Later, I look at it again with fresher eyes and see improvements that can be made.

 

 Do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to share?

 

Have confidence in yourself. I didn't for so long, and it took many people telling me how much they enjoyed what I had written to finally start believing it a little. Confidence, but not over-confident. A little doubt and nerves are good, but don't let that stop you from doing your best. When you discover a talent God has given you, use it well and remember to give thanks.

 

Sharon, I appreciate so much you being a part of my blog tour. Your readers may comment here to be entered for prize giveaways at the end of the tour. Blog schedule and prize details are on my blog  Books can be purchased on Amazon  or signed copies from my website,

Thanks so much for being here, Connie. You have such a great heart and I'm glad I could show you some support this week.  :)

The Winner is...

The winner of Connie's signed poetry book is...Carolyn V.

Congratulations, Carolyn!  Thanks to everyone for stopping in and meeting Connie.  Don't forget to stop by Connie's poetry blog tomorrow to see if you were a winner on her blog tour give away.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

A Symphony of Seasons...book release and giveaway

Winter

Spring

Summer

And 

Autumn

These are a Symphony of Seasons...

Every season has it's own moment to shine.  Bloggy friend, Connie Arnold, just released her newest poetry book.   Everyone who buys A Symphony of Seasons directly from Connie gets one of these lovely framed photos (below) free with purchase.

Connie gave me permission to share one of her summer poems (because summer is my favorite season).

Shelter of the Trees

A warm summer wind

blows through the trees,

A soft and gentle caressing breeze,

Causing the branches to

wave and sway,

Enhancing the beauty of the day.

Children are playing in the shade

That these magnificent trees have made,

Running around and having fun,

Protected from the hot summer sun.

Green leaves shine in the bright sunlight

While children are laughing with delight

On this perfect day that’s sure to please

Beneath the shelter of the trees.

To read an excerpt (in a variety of formats) follow this link. 

You can purchase Connie newest book and other books and a calendar at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. 


You can even purchase it directly from her publisher RPJ.

Connie has two blog... Connie Arnold Children's Writer and Inspirational Poetry.  

Connie is giving away a couple lovely prizes during her blog tour, so if you leave comment here or on one of the other sites you will be entered in that contest.  

Because I adore Connie, I'm going to giveaway a signed copy of her book and all you have to do is be a follower and answer my question in the comments... (I'll announce the winner of Connie's signed book on May 11th)

What is your favorite season?

CUTE! CUTE! CUTE! Connie Arnold Stops In To Chat About Her Picture Book ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP

I don't do many book reviews, but when Connie Arnold asked me if I would review her picture book ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP I jumped at the chance.  ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP is one cute book!  Imagine if one day you woke up and all the animals in the world made different sounds...Wouldn't that be funny!!!  ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP is a fun rhyming book that lets the imagination go wild.......

My favorite line from the book is:

"What if when you went to the zoo, all the monkeys were to moo? " (Now how cute is that!)

ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP was published by Guardian Angel Publishing and is available in print, on an ebook cd and an ebook pdf.  You can buy it directly from GAP (Guardian Angel Publishing) , from Amazon or from Barnes and Noble.  

Guardian Angel Publishing is based in Saint Louis, Missouri (many of you know I lived in STL for 9 years, which is longer than I lived anywhere else in my entire life).  I took this opportunity  to learn a little about Guardian Angel Publishing from Connie.  (I have to be honest here...I wanted to learn about them for my benefit too.  I'm always looking for a good reason to go to Saint Louis and having a publisher there would be a great reason to make the five and half hour drive.)   GAP will start accepting submissions again on April 1 via email. So I asked Connie a few questions...

Me: Aspiring writers are always curious about what makes a writer submit to a particular publishing house. What made you submit with GAP?

Connie: A friend who had books published by Guardian Angel Publishing recommended that I submit my manuscript. I visited the website - http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/ - and really liked what I saw. Now it's my turn to recommend GAP to others!

Me: I noticed several GAP authors did a book signing in Saint Louis in September, what was the best part of the event?
Connie: We did two events in St. Louis, one at the Children's Illustrated Art Museum, and a book signing at Borders. The event at the museum was such fun with many home school families attending and participating in the many activities we had for them. My favorite part was reading Animal Sound Mix-up to them and the fun they had with it and getting to share their own animal sounds afterward.It was great getting to meet GAP publisher, Lynda Burch, and some of the other authors and illustrators.

Me: Do you have any other events planned?
Connie: Since we went from St. Louis on to visit children, grandchildren and other family for two weeks and recently returned home, I'm just now able to get some events lined up. I plan to do events at the library and some preschool classes and will be contacting others soon, as well as looking into doing book signings. I've talked with some others about doing a signing together sometime, which I know from the St. Louis experience is fun!

Me: Animal Sound Mix-up is such a cute book! What "sparked" the idea for it?
Connie: Having young grandchildren! They are learning so much, including the sounds animal makes, and I started thinking about the variety of sounds animals make and how different they all are. Then, I guess craziness set in (I might have caught that from my grandsons)!

Me: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?
Connie: Keep writing, find what you do best and share it with others, get feedback so you can improve your writing, and if you want to be published, be persistent and not discouraged in the face of rejections but have faith in yourself and the talent God has given you!

*****

If you have a little one or a grandbaby they'll love ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP over and over and over again...
 
If you haven't met Connie, please hop over to her blog and meet her. 
 
Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful week...Do you have any special writing plans for the week???