How's my writing going?

I'm back to researching for assignment 6. 

I wrote a story about our adoption of Meiko. I'll work on that off and on the next couple of weeks, present it to the "Lamplighters" and then get it ready for publication.

I'm considering taking Mary up on her challenge:

"Our prompt for October is a story challenge. I want a 500 word story with the title Orion Sky and a glimpse of the constellation.  Your challenge is to make that glimpse a plausible part of the story and to give the setting the unmistakable sense of 'fall'.    Five hundred words, yes, it needs beginning, middle, and end.   In the body of your email, please, no attachments.  You have until Halloween!  If you want to give it a Halloween twist you can, and you'll get extra points for that, but it's not required."

 I haven't worked on a challenge from her in awhile and I'm intrigued with this one. Curious to see my take. Will think about it before going to bed and let my subconscious work in it, so I'll definitely have pen and paper next to my bed the next few nights.

Happy researching and writing.

Nancy Hall's update

I received this via email this morning and thought I'd share.

"Here's an update on my short story in the Luscious collection.

The collection was published mid-August. They informed me early-September they were closing shop. Anyway, I figured I had my 15 minutes. Today I received this email:

"Just thought you'd like to know FictionBrigade sent you $1.07 USD"

I guess, in the two to three weeks it was up, they sold some copies. Enough anyway for 20 authors to receive some compensation.

I'm smiling like the Cheshire Cat. I've received my first payment as an author. Can't get any better and with a clear sky today, I can't fly with the clouds, but I'm going to try!

It's still up at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y4MVXI and their site
http://www.fictionbrigade.com/shop/luscious-a-flash-fiction-collection-of-sex-and-relationships/
if you want to check it out.

It even has a review from Kirkus Reviews! "When you’d rather have a quick shot of fiction than linger over a long tale, knock back one of these 20 very short stories—plus one artwork—on love, sex, and relationships." Buy "Luscious" today!"

 So, keep submitting, marketing and writing. You and I'll get our first paychecks too.

Second Submission for "Ten Little Gator Eggs"

is to 'Boyds Mills Press' They are a trade division of 'Highlights'. One of my favorite children's magazines. Their goal is to "develop a love of reading" and that's one of my goals too. Fun education is another and this alligator book includes counting and the alligator cycle.
Their response time is about 3 months. Please continue sharing with your friends and family. Together, we'll let them know the world is ready for Ten Little Gator Eggs.

Happy researching and submitting.

What have I been doing?

I am going through the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market to find publishers and agents to consider for my picture books. Then I'm checking each one out to find those who match my style of books. Then I'm researching each one to determine their absolute compatibility. This is time consuming, but will save me from embarrassing submissions to publisher and/or agents that have nothing in common with my books. This thorough search also helps me help the publisher and agents so they don't have to unnecessarily read my stuff when they're all wrong for me in the first place.

As promised, I'll keep you updated when I submit. I've found many to consider and am slowly weeding out those that are not a good fit.

Happy researching.

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.