IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE: Louisville Youth Reviews CRASH Radio Kidlit Platform Interview: Megan Hoyt Zahra's Fun Fact My Personal Gossip |
|
|
On July 22, I was officially notified that I was named an LBF Author. (virtual cartwheels). In other words, I've been invited to participate in the 2022 Louisville Book Festival as the author of Society of the Sentinelia. The festival will be held in downtown Louisville, KY on October 28 and 29. More information to come. |
|
|
Another young reader recently sent feedback after reading Society of the Sentinelia. She provided a thoughtful, honest review, which I adored! For her age, it's a little young. But for younger readers, it hits the mark. Here's what she had to say. |
|
|
Rebecca B., an avid reader, is 12 and lives in California. Her brother, who is 9, borrowed the ARC after she was done reading it. He loved it so much he read it twice! I had a chance to talk with Cassie A., who's review was included in last month's newsletter, about the book. Here's our Youth Reviewer Chat: |
|
|
On July 25, I was featured reading chapter one of Society of the Sentinelia on episode 8 of Crash Radio, a local radio show produced by RhinoLeap Productions. The show is broadcast each Monday at 6:15 PM on WKXR 94.9FM and 1260AM. It is sponsored by Carolina Classic Cars. Listen here: |
|
|
Building Your Online Kidlit Platform is the name of the workshop I've been tapped to present at the 2022 SCBWI-Carolinas annual conference. I'll be sharing information on websites, blogs, social media platforms, how to engage and network online, and tools (some free) for making it all happen. Then we’ll address the elephant in the room: How do we carve out time to build an online presence? |
|
|
Last month, I interviewed author Megan Hoyt about her new release, The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern Unitied the World to Save Carnegie Hall. This non-fiction picture book was illustrated by Katie Hickey. See the interview here: |
|
|
Zahra lives in the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness area of the Uwharrie Mountains. According to her teacher, Miss Evelie Poeley, this central NC mountain range was formed 500 million years ago. It also used to be a coastal mountain range, but the seabed slowly rose, creating more land to the east. |
|
|
When I was a junior at NC State University, I began taking classes in the education field. I also attended Meredith College to take education coursework NC State University didn't offer at the time. That was also the year I drafted Thurston T. Turtle Moves to Hubbleville, my first children's book. In my heart, I intended to teach and write. That was decades ago. I did teach for a couple of years. Over the years, I wrote articles, columns, short stories, and three children's books. However, my journey took a few twists and turns, all of which I have come to appreciate. Every job I've had prepared me for aspects of the new chapter I will embark upon this month. That new chapter is the realization of what my heart always wanted. This month, I will begin my first year as a middle school (grade 6) teacher. Coupled with writing and publishing my middle grade (grades 3-7) novels, I can now say I teach and write. Despite words of warning from well-meaning folks who can't believe anyone would want to go into teaching right now, especially in a middle school, I'm over-the-moon excited. As with any transition, there is anxiety. But I know it's the right move, because I'm finally doing what Zahra works diligently to master—I'm taking deep breaths and listening to my heart. My heart is overjoyed! |
|
|
|
|
