Oklahoma writer, Darleen Bailey Beard, author of many children's books-including (PBs)The Pumpkin Man from Piney Creek and Twister;
(CBs)The Flimflam man and Annie Glover is NOT a Tree Lover (fall, 2009) and novels, The Babbs Switch Story and Operation Clean Sweep is now offering a Critique Service for writers.

You can check out her website at http://darleenbaileybeard.com/ to find out just how involved she is in the children's book industry and with other writers.

Her Manuscript Critique Fees are:

$6.00* per page--includes line-by-line editing of your manuscript PLUS a typed critique that explains in detail the line-by-line editing, offering suggestions and helpful advice. *4 page minimum

$5.00 per page--for manuscripts over 20 pages

$4.00 per page--for manuscripts over 50 pages

All manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced for easy editing. SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) required.

If interested please contact Darleen at darleenbaileybeard@sbcglobal.net

So for my birthday my sister sent me a Barnes and Noble giftcard. Yay! But really what I got at the bookstore was the best present I could have ever asked for.
My son, C, who's seven went straight to the middle grade section and picked "The Monsters of Morley Manor" by Bruce Coville. This made me proud that he wanted to read up from the chapter books he has been reading. The week before he had read 100 pages from Charlie Bone in 1 day.

Then my daughter, S, decided she wanted a diary. I let them go off with Grammy while I perused the YA's. C came back with a cool journal and said he wanted that too. I didn't think much about this until later at home when he was excitedly writing in it. I told him boys called them journals, but he insisted his was a diary. Who cares as long as he's having fun writing in it. Woohoo.

I have always worried that he wouldn't like reading and now I'm relieved, for now, that he does.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Happy 40th Anniversary, Cat in the Hat!

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the children’s book, The Cat in the Hat written by Dr. Seuss and also his birthday on March 2nd. He was born as Theodor Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904 and died in California in 1991.
He wrote under a pen name, Dr. Seuss with Seuss being his middle name and adding the Dr. since his father had always wanted him to become a doctor. His first book, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street (1937) was rejected 27 times before being accepted by Vanguard Press.

Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated almost 50 whimsical picture books which include the very popular:

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, 1937

Bartholomew and the Oobleck, 1949

Cat in the Hat, 1957

Fox in Socks, 1965
Green Eggs and Ham, 1960

Horton Hears a Who, 1954

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1957
I Am not Going to Get up Today!, 1987

If I Ran the Zoo, 1950

Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now, 1972

Oh, the Places You'll Go!, 1990

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, 1960

Sneetches And Other Stories, 1969

There's a Wocket in My Pocket! 1974

Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories, 1958

Test your knowledge and take this quick quiz for Green Eggs and Ham.
1. What is the first line in the book?
a. Sam I am.
b. I do not like green eggs and ham.
c. I am Sam

2. Which line is the one that’s not correct?
a. Would you like them in a house?
b. Would you eat them with a fox?
c. Would you eat them under stairs?

3. How many places would he eat green eggs and ham at the end?
a. 12
b. 14
c. 16

4. Would you eat green eggs and ham?
a. Yes, yes, yes
b. Absolutely not
c. Maybe

answers at bottom

To celebrate this special day, try this yummy treat that looks like the hat worn by Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat character.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
· Vanilla Wafer
· Gummy Lifesaver Candies (preferably red)
· Vanilla Frosting

Preparation:
Start out by placing the wafer cookie on plate; place a thick glob of frosting in the center of it. Place a gummy Lifesaver (preferably red) on the frosting. place another glob of frosting on the gummy Lifesaver, place another Lifesaver on the frosting. Continue this until your treat looks like the red and white striped cat-In-The-Hat hat.

Here are some of my favorite quotes by the great Dr. Seuss.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”
“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!”
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.”

My brain cells definitely need waking up! Dr. Seuss, thanks for making children's books fun and letting kids think out of the box...um...er...hat, I mean.

For more Dr. Seuss fun, go check out author Susan Meyers blog!

answers for quiz: 1. c 2. c 3. b 4. That's up to you!

Questions for Agents

I posted on Kidlitcentral today about Questions for Agents. Check it out or see below.


Have you ever wondered what you would say if you got the call to be represented? Or maybe after your excitement died down if you, in fact, said the right thing? Do you have some questions written down for that big moment so you won’t be flustered?
Here are a few gems I’ve come across. Some you should know before you send in your manuscript.
Who are some of your authors?
How many clients do you represent?
Are you a member of the AAR?
What publishers have you worked with?
What is your vision for my book?
Will you work with me on revisions, if necessary?
Do you keep your clients informed about correspondence with editors? Rejections?
What is your commission rate for U.S. sales? Foreign sales? Film rights? Audio rights?
What expectations do you have for your clients?
Do you have an agent-author contract?

Of course you don’t want to inundate them with all these questions at once. Find out a little bit about their personality and if they would fit with you best. It’s like marriage. Hopefully you’ll be together for a long time.

How to Get a Literary Agent by Michael Larsen –this book is fantastic, check it out for more details.

ALA award winner calls

I loved hearing the winners reactions. It made me cry. Congratulations to all.

Okay, I have no idea how to make this look like a video? I tried to add it, but it won't let me.

http://alfocus.ala.org/videos/2009-youth-media-awards-winner-calls

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has never really been a big deal for me. The flowers are way too expensive, it's too crowded at the restaurants, and I definitely don't need all the chocolates. Usually my DH doesn't get me much because my birthday is in February and he goes all out for that which is great by me. But...this Valentine's he asked what I wanted and I told him I wanted him to make me a card. I really didn't think he would do it.

I got home from my critique group this morning and he had printed me out a card with a poem he had written in it. It was very sweet and touched me more than any other present could have. So I guess he's a keeper. :)

Hope you all got exactly what you wanted from your Valentine.

Darcy Pattison's PB retreat

Over the weekend, I went to Darcy Pattison's Picture Book Retreat. It was more than I ever anticipated. She gave superb suggestions on how to make your picture book stand out. From coming up with a focusing statement to new ideas and making dummies to marketing.

It was extremely challenging, but it made me aware that each little word counts.

Lots of great info. I came home with great feedback and lots of new friends. If you get a chance to take it, I highly recommend this workshop.