REBLOG: Past Tense Or Present Tense? Which One Tells A Better Story? via Writers Write

Past Tense Or Present Tense? Which One Tells A Better Story?via Writers Write

"Different tenses suit different stories, certain genres, and various authors’ styles. The tense you choose should also suit the personality of your main viewpoint character.   The Past And The Present   The past tells us what happened: I ached. She loved. You needed.   The present shows..."

To read more, click HERE.

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REBLOG: Building Buzz Before Your Book Comes Out: 10 Strategies That Work By: Chuck Sambuchino

Building Buzz Before Your Book Comes Out: 

10 Strategies That Work

By: Chuck Sambuchino

"If you’ve got a book scheduled for release, whether it’s traditionally published or indie-published, the onus is on you to promote it. Here are some helpful strategies for making a big splash by using social media to build buzz before your book comes out.   1. Start early   It’s never too early..."

To read more, click HERE.

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Book Journey: Bubble Gum & Tracey M. Cox

BOOK JOURNEY:
Tracey M. Cox
Childhood Memories

I get asked by a lot of people, "Where do you get your ideas?"  I tell them, "EVERYWHERE!"

Sometimes I will be inspired by a picture I see or a phrase I overhear. Sometimes I will notice something as I pass by. Sometimes, my childhood experiences come into play.

For Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish, I recalled a game my friends and I use to play to figure out who would be it for our next game. We would all stick our feet into a circle, one person would point at each foot as they said:

Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish. How many pieces do you wish?

This phrase stuck in my head one day. I thought it would make a cute sing-songy picture book about colors and counting. So I began laying out the familiar phrase I grew up with and added an extra line to make it a little more interactive. As the number of bubble gum increases, so does the size of the bubble each child blows.

I encourage each of you to think back to your own childhood. What did you do? What games did you play? You never know when inspiration may strike by using your own memories.

ABOUT TRACEY M. COX:

Tracey M. Cox lives in South Georgia where she writes and illustrates for children. Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish is her 10th picture book as an author, but it is her debut as an illustrator.

FIND TRACEY:

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REBLOG: 7 Tips for Writing About Other Cultures By: Chuck Sambuchino

7 Tips for Writing About Other Cultures

By: Chuck Sambuchino 

"I don’t make any claim to be an expert in diversity. I am a white American woman, and despite the fact that I’ve lived in Japan for the past six years, I’m still often blinded by my own privilege. But it doesn’t take an expert to notice that protagonists on the pale end of the spectrum are vastly overrepresented in English-language fiction. There is a continuous need, especially in literature aimed at kids and teens, for more diversity in fiction."

To read more, click HERE.

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Book Journey: A Long Journey with Phyllis Limbacher Tildes

Author and Illustrator Phyllis Limbacher Tildes’ New Board Book

It took me over twenty years to get that first contract in 1993 for Counting on Calico (released close to my 50^th birthday in 1995). And now I am excited to announce my twentieth book for Charlesbridge to be released in May, Baby Animals Day and Night. It features, two diurnal animals (chipmunk and otter) and two nocturnal animals (bobcat and skunk).  It is the third in my series of black and white baby board books. The popular for newborns, Baby Animals Black and White,came out in 1998 and is in its 21^st printing and has won awards. Baby Animals Spots and Stripes was released in 2015. I am thrilled that these books are often the very first book an infant will see.  Parents and grandparents have sent me many photos with babies as young as two weeks old, fascinated by my bold black and white images that actually help to create neural connections in newborn brains. Readers are always surprised to see that the last spread in each of these titles shows human babies with toys of the animals presented in full color.

This series came about after the success of one of my earliest books for Charlesbridge, Animals Black and White (1996),which is still in print. It is a nonfiction book for children ages 4-7. They have to guess what animal is mentioned in the text by looking at the bold pattern, then turning the page to see the animal in its habitat. My editor at the time suggested doing a similar book for infants. Having been a graphic designer for many years, I loved creating these strongly patterned books. And I always enjoy researching and writing about wildlife. I have just finished the artwork for two more board books which will be released next January and am beginning the art for another. This time they are in full color.

If you have done the math, you know I am well past middle age. The enthusiasm for this making of books has not waned. I tell anyone wishing to enter this business, it takes talent, persistence, and luck in equal measure. And luckily I have a wonderful critique group here in Savannah that helps me to continue creating books to instill a sense of wonder.

To learn more about my books : www.charlesbridge.com

SCBWI Southern Breeze's 2016 Illustrator Exhibit

SCBWI Southern Breeze's2016 Illustrator Exhibit

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern Breeze Gallery kicked-off with a bang for 2016. The show was so graciously hosted by The Georgia Center for the Book at The Decatur Library. Each year our published illustrators come together for the opening day of the Decatur Arts Festival and Art Walk. This year we had some new Illustrators, as well as, some returning Illustrators showcasing their work to the thousands upon thousands of attendees, who toured the library during the exhibit. Many of the Illustrators were in attendance including myself (A.H. Taylor), TeMika Grooms, Sarah Lynn Cramb, Prescott Hill (along with his wife Lisa), and Michele Kumari Phillips. Those who were unable to attend were Laura Freeman and R. Gregory Christie. 

        

The event was completely successful...the children loved the books and enjoyed meeting the Illustrators. Everyone enjoyed sharing their books and doting over the artwork, that accompanied each book. 

Each year we showcase a variety of illustrative pieces. This event helps illustrators branch out and reach a wider audience. With the thousands of people viewing the books and the art that goes along with each book, it gives us illustrators more exposure, in an environment where we can get to know other illustrators. 

          

     

   

There was great food provided for all of the guest and we were even treated to some organic cupcakes, courtesy of my wife, Lesley...owner of Cuddle Muffin Cupcakes. Those went fast and people were certainly coming back for seconds while reading each one of our books and enjoying the illustrations. 

                                                      

 

       

A big thank you to The Georgia Center For The Book and The Decatur Library for hosting this wonderful event each year. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.H. Taylor is a fresh-edged author and illustrator making his mark on the industry as the “Fresh Face” of cultural diversity in an area where there is none. Since a youth, A.H. Taylor has been refining his thoughts to reflect that of the modern man – who shows others through thought-provoking illustrations, how to stop and reflect or take action and make a difference in this world.

A.H. Taylor has a talent when it comes to promoting literacy and melding traditional with contemporary. His aim in writing and illustrating stories is to teach the youth to appreciate the legacies that have been gifted to them, while respecting the elders who have paved the way, so that they might one day pass on a legacy of their own.

With this, he has undertaken the task of bringing Proverbs back to our children and awakening the slumbering moral character, which resides within.

A.H. Taylor’s debut offering into children’s picture books…The Color Machine. 'The Color Machine' a rollicking rhyming book that speaks to the very heart of who we are as humans. It teaches us to love the common bonds that thread us together in a new and inventive way. 

FIND A.H. TAYLOR:

website

REBLOG: How I Got My Literary Agent: Jennifer Swanson By: Chuck Sambuchino

How I Got My Literary Agent: Jennifer Swanson

By: Chuck Sambuchino

"“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Jennifer Swanson, author of BRAIN GAMES. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics."

To read more, click HERE.

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REBLOG: 3 Reasons Every Writer Should Go To a Writers Conference By: Chuck Sambuchino

3 Reasons Every Writer Should Go To a Writers Conference
By: Chuck Sambuchino

"Recently I’ve thought about New Year’s resolutions writers can implement to make 2016 their best writing year yet. One of those resolutions was to get connected, and one way to do that is by going to a writers conference."

To read more, click HERE.


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