Latest Submission

I submitted "The Power and The Glory" to World Hum: The Best Travel Stories on the Internet. I can't find a time frame, so I'm hoping they'll at least notify me of their decision.

Here's the first paragraph:

Why is the ocean so alluring? Is it admiration of size? Waters that sail far beyond the horizon, or the waves, like fire that reach for the sky and sparkle like the stars against a pitch black canvas? Perhaps it’s the wind, smells and sounds associated with the infinite freedom felt the moment briny wind invades your nostrils and possesses your thoughts. Memories of this and more had me out the door before my husband finished his invite to Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine on a beautiful August afternoon.  Three-and-a-half hours later we arrived at a wonder of nature, to this day, twenty years later, I’ve not forgotten.  

And the last:

I closed my eyes and committed to memory the rounded, smooth rocks contrasted by the ragged edges of broken granite. I inhaled the briny air and smiled. I couldn’t wait to return, to taste the salt, to hear the laughter of the gulls and the roar of the dance. In the meantime, its power would hold me, its memory sustain me.

Happy submitting and sitting on pins and needles. 

Please follow, share and like "Ten Little Gator Eggs"

Don't forget to follow, share and like "Ten Little Gator Eggs" facebook page. I read this to a summer camp a few years ago and they really got into the beat. I'd like for this to get around and let others know this book will soon be available for their bookshelves.

Follow Momma Alligator as she builds her nest
"Scrritch-scrratch, Scrritch-scrratch---dig!"
Lays her eggs
"One little, two little, three little gator eggs,"
Protects her nest
"Swoosh-whoosh, Swoosh-whoosh---guard!"
Carries her hatchlings to the water
"Ten little, nine little, eight little gators jump,"
and helps them find their first meal
"Crick-crack, Crick-crack---crunch!"

Have fun blogging, facebooking, web siting, twittering, and ect. (The marketing side of being an author)

Dusting

I'm dusting off three more picture books. As you may have read here, in my author page-Facebook- or at the “Ten Little Gator Eggs” page, I'm submitting my work. Follow me here or on Facebook. I'll keep you informed about the progress of each story. You'll be the first, well second, Thom will be the first, to know what's going on with “Ten Little Gator Eggs” and then subsequently my other picture books. Look for their pages as they are created and follow them as well.

Here's some information about the other three picture books:

“Nature's Zoo” is about a young boy whose trip to the zoo is prevented due to a broken down car. Depressed with nothing to do, his mother suggests he find nature's zoo in the back yard. With the help of a bluebird and his band, the young boy discovers how much fun his back yard provides and dances until the sun sets.

“Grandpa's Cute and Fuzzy Farm” is about a young boy, Timothy, who visits his Grandfather on a nice spring day. Timothy plays outside on the farm and finds cute, fuzzy goslings, ducklings and chicks. As he attempts to touch each, their mother's attack him on his hand. Finally, he asks Grandpa if he has a cute and fuzzy animal that doesn't have a mother with a hard beak. Grandpa takes him to the barn and opens a stall with cute and fuzzy, beakless animals. Join Timothy as his days ends with fun and laughter.

“A Pet, A Pet”

What child doesn't ask for a pet? They'll ask and ask showing you different types of pets trying to find the one you'll accept in your home; something they can call their own. This is a story of a young child going through the list of wanted pets and proving responsibility by completing chores and improving school grades. Follow along and see if a pet enters this home.

Happy dusting and submitting.

Tiny bit of time on my hands

Okay, bookstore is fully closed down as of August 31st. I'm seeing a little relief in book needs. Still having to go to the library for internet since our home internet is slow in coming. I'm finally thinking about my writing and submissions.
Yesterday I polished my query letter and even though I went through it a couple of days, after submission, I found a mistake. Uggh!
I submitted "Ten Little Gator Eggs" to the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. The agent that always sticks out from this agency is Laura Rennert. I'm not sure why, but when I think of this agency, her name comes to mind. As she's Senior Agent I searched for another agent I felt could meet my needs. I found a suitable one and discovered she's on maternity leave. So I decided to listen the the voice and submit to my first choice, Laura Rennert. Now for the waiting game.
I did decide to simultaneous submit. I'm not sure I'm good enough for the cream of the crop agency. After all, Ruben Pfeffer thought this story was really good. Just not good enough for him to take a chance on me as an author. I met him at a SCBWI conference and he analyzed the story and made some recommendations, which he subsequently loved.
Anyway, keep tabs as I inform you of other submissions and responses if any. (This agency says they no longer respond and if I don't here from them within 6-8 weeks, they're not interested)

Happy writing, revising and submitting