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Some of my FAVORITE LINKS |
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Drongo gets a “face lift” My little dancing swamp dragon has twirled into the spotlight again, and demanded a makeover. He was a little embarrassed to be seen looking so shabby. So we spent the weekend polishing scales and trimming toenails. Here’s his latest portraits ready to go out to the world once again and wriggle, stomp… chomp!!
What a great group! Found a lively writer’s critique group here in Gainesville with some of the most interesting stories to tell. We’ve got everything from picture books to young adults and all the flavors: funny, spooky, sad, sweet, mysterious, science fiction, history, nonfiction… yep it’s an imagination banquet every Wednesday night, As we all grow rich and famous together (wink) I’ll be sharing their success stories here as well.
Why do pirates roam the world?…. Well, they might be after treasure… and they might be after a good sword fight. But this pirate has one personal task he means to finish
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July 4, 2013
What fun! I’ve been tagged in "The Next Big Thing"
The Next Big Thing is a global blog tour, started in Australia, to showcase authors and illustrators and their current work. I was invited along by the author of G is for Grits: A Southern Alphabet, Nikole B. Bethea
I was lucky enough to meet Nikki at the Harn Museum last fall and found her as charming in person as her book. Thank you Nikki for this opportunity to crow about my Next Big Thing,
What is the working title of your next book?
My next book Magic for Sale will release from Holiday House in Fall 2014
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I was listening to a recording of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera The Sorcerer, and one of the songs, about a purveyor of magical spells caught my ear. I couldn’t stop singing along. A few weeks later, when the song was still an “ear worm” I thought, hey, that’s an idea. Let’s write a story set in a magic shop surrounded by all sorts of fun magical goodies – and boom, Magic for Sale was born
In what genre does your book fall?
Picture Book - Fiction
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I would love to see what Helena Bonham Carter could do with Miss Night. CJ Adams would be adorable as young Georgie, or Thomas Horn, but they’re growing up so quickly, it’s hard to pick.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
On a dare, a young boy goes explores in a very spooky magic shop, only to stumble on a quite unexpected new friend.
Who is publishing your book?
I am delighted to be publishing Magic for Sale with the wonderful editors at Holiday House
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Magic for Sale poured out of my head over off and on over a four day weekend – I was still singing those Gilbert and Sullivan songs. Then I let it simmer for a week or two and then pulled it out for a thorough revision. So I had a workable first draft in about 5 days or so.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Think Pooh’s Halloween adventure or the Haunted Mansion at Disney.
it has the fun and delicious spookiness of “I’m searching for a Monster” or “Where’s My Mummy?” or Jan Pienkowski’s “Little Monsters” crossed with the wacky charm of the Winnie the Witch books.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always had a love for that changeable, magical season of autumn, and all the spooky fireside tales it inspires. Growing up I devoured all the books I could find with magical objects or spells or places. I wanted to jump into those books and live the adventures. So Georgie and his spooky, funny story are a natural extension of that childhood dream.
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
Holiday House has chosen the amazing John Shelley to illustrate Magic for Sale. His work is truly delightful, bursting with brilliant details and rich, creative illustrations. The book is going to be a visually gorgeous romp. The story has several surprises that I can’t give away, but if you or your young readers like ghosts, or magical spells, or mummies, or adventures in spooky houses with a funny twist – this is the book for you. Phew, that’s a lot of thinking on a sunny Fourth of July. So thanks for stopping by to hear about my “Next Big Thing.” The next post on the blog tour will be on July 18th. I’m passing the torch along to two fantastic authors who I can also count as critique buddies. Look for exciting news from Brenda Reeves-Sturgis and another blogger to be announced shortly!