Weekend in Pittsburgh 

(Nov 12, 13, 14)

Gary, my husband, and I drove to Pittsburgh on 

Friday morning to enjoy a weekend in this three 

river city. The weather was an unexpected treat 

for this time of year.  Dry roads and clear, sunny 

skies.  

I attended the Western Pennsylvania SCBWI

conference on Saturday, Nov. 13.  Click the link 

to view the schedule, presenters and workshops. 

One of my manuscripts, Asha's Journey, was 

critiqued by Deborah Vetter.  She offered many

suggestions that guided me in a fresh edit which 

I did when I got home.  I did feel overwhelmed 

when I got home from all the input and, yes, 

discouraging news about the economy's affect on 

the publishing business, but energized none the less.  

As Pat Easton, regional advisor, stated in her opening 

address, she writes in the basement so that she doesn't 

jump out the window!  It was great meeting her and

connecting to all the organizers, new writers, illustrators, 

editors and agent, Quinlan Lee of Adams Literacy,

that I met.

I had the added pleasure of sitting next to Ms. Vetter 

at lunch.  I learned a lot about her life and her 

experiences as executive editor for Cicada.  We had 

a humorous conversation about "green burial."  How 

and why I brought up that topic is gratefully forgotten.  

But, actually, everyone at the table had fun with the 

topic.  No one had ever heard of green burial as an 

option to casket or cremation.  And Ms. Vetter was 

delighted that it existed!  Here is a link for those

interested in reading an interview with Deborah Vetter 

(Sept. 2006).

I have also been researching agents, and have submitted 

to one, but after going to Quinlan Lee's talk, I am very

interested in submitting to her.  I felt a connection and 

loved her energy.  She also made a clever analogy that 

an agent is sometimes a stager.  Before selling a house

one must present the house in the best light.  Maybe 

some repairs are needed.  Or updates.  Or coats of fresh 

paint.  Maybe a few new items.  Well, manuscripts need 

to be staged for the editors she feels are right for the 

manuscript and often manuscripts need a little work 

before she sells it.  I like that and I like that she is on top 

of all the editor moves in the industry, negotiates contracts 

and manages one's career.  All worth 15% in my opinion. 

Quinlan Lee stated that she is a middle grade junkie, so 

I'm eager to work on my MG novels. 

Saturday night, Gary and I went to Heinz Hall to hear

Rags to Ritzes:  The Music of Irving Berlin.  Conductor,

Jack Everly, led the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in a

rich selection of music with vocalists Ashley Brown, Ted

Keegan, Natasha Yvette Williams, Tony Desare and Eric

LaJuan Summers.  There truly is "No Business like Show 

Business."  What would this world be like without music!

That's what I dislike most about winter.  No birds signing 

in the dawn.  Well, where I live, anyway!

RCBF

RCBF 

(Rochester Children's Book Festival)

11/6/2010  Monroe Community College

I had a fantastic time!  There were many authors new 

to the event.  How lucky can I get being in one place 

with so many authors and illustrators.  The energy was 

electric.  I meet friends I haven't seen in awhile 

and former students.

Below are some of the authors and illustrators at the

festival and some friends and children I met.

My third year at the book festival.

A little 3 year asked me for my autograph, then I

asked her for hers.  Carly not only gave me her 

autograph, but her drawing of a flamingo!

Paul Zelinsky, illustrator

Author Linda Sue Park

Author/illustrator  Will Hubbell

aka Morgan Howell

Author, Vivian Vande Velde

Author Rafe Martin

Barb and her Daughter Val ( Barb and I worked together

at the Gananda School district.  I taught her daughter.

Now she's married!!!)

Katie Davis, author/illustrator

Marsha Hayles, author

Kathy and her Grandson Alex (taught Alex art).

Elizabeth Bluemle, author

Robin Pulver, author

Rose Kent, author

Suzanne Bloom, author/illustrator

Faith is one of my 5th grade students at PalMac 

where I sub.

Author Jane Yolen and author/illustrator Mark Teague

London Ladd, illustrator

Author, James Howe

Riley, 3rd grader, loves Marco!

Author, Bruce Coville

Event

Holiday Event 11/4/2010

at the Fairport Pharmacy

122 Fairport Village Landing

Fran Wells directs the art gallery at the store.

She has done a fantastic job of promoting area

artists and artisans.  Come and browse and perhaps

find that perfect gift!

My Marco book and prints are available all year long.

It was great to see Christine again.  We had taken

painting classes together in the past.  She does wonderful 

watercolors.  I bought one.  I love having art in my home 

created by friends.  Here is her website.

Gary and his exquisite shorebirds and other bird carvings.

Met Lorraine that evening.  She is a wild

and crazy woman.  Her art work is very expressive too!

Check out her website.

My Fourth Marco Book

I finished the cover illustration for the 4th Marco book,

The adventures of Marco Flamingo in a Cave. 

It has been approved with no changes. Yes!!

November Events

Fairport Pharmacy Holiday Sale, Nov. 4, 6-8PM  

Located above the Fairport Library, the Pharmacy features 

a gallery of original art by local artists.  I will be selling my 

first two Marco books and prints from the original illustrations.

Stop by and get some wonderful gifts for the Holidays.

Rochester Children's Book Festival,  Nov. 6, 10-4 PM

Come and meet area authors and illustrators.  Activities for 

the kids and author readings.  I will be selling and signing 

my books.  My prints available also.

Shopper's Showcase, Nov. 20, Canandaigua Academy Cafeteria

Venders will be there with their merchandise--jewelry, crafts, 

books, art and much more.  I will be selling and signing my books

and prints.   This is a big event with a unique variety of products.

Two New Critique Members 

Rosalie Gabbert and Deb Cote are the newest members 

of our writing critique group.  Now we are five.  I think 

it's a perfect number--great for getting various viewpoints 

and insights.  We meet once a month which gives us time 

to send new work electronically, review the work and

then discuss at the meeting.

Rosalie brings her years of educational experience and

and down to earth good sense and Deb brings her business 

experience and ability to craft the tightest of manuscripts.

Welcome aboard, Rosalie (left) and Deb (right)!

Author Sharon Creech

website

I am in the process of writing two YA novels.  It is a

daunting task to complete when my characters run in 

every direction and I lose the momentum of my story.

When that happens I turn to successful children's writer's 

who have somehow learned to reign in their characters 

and complete a novel with clarity, direction, lively pacing 

and a plot without 100 sub plots.

I chose to read Sharon Creech's novels.  After reading 

Walk Two Moons (1994), The Wanderer (2000)

and Granny Torrelli Makes Soup (2003) many years ago, 

I felt very connected to this writer's style, dialog and humor.

So, I just recently read: 

Bloomability (1998)

Chasing Redbird (1997)

Absolutely Normal Chaos (1990)

Love that Dog (2001)

Hate That Cat (2008)

Ruby Holler (2002)

Replay (2005)

The Castle Corona (2007)

The Unfinished Angel (2009)

Heartbeat (2004)

Pleasing the Ghost (1996)

I am amazed at her creativity!  If you want your kids or 

students to love poetry, introduce them to Love That Dog 

and Hate That Cat (sequel).  The little boy, Jack, starts out 

hating and feeling intimidated by the teacher exhibiting his 

poems.  He grows to become enamored by poetry and 

poets.  Eventually, his own poems give him an avenue to 

express his feeling, process his grief and gain confidence 

in his endeavors.

Reading Sharon Creech gave me the confidence and 

inspiration to forge ahead in my own writing.

I'm on to reading Karen Cushman's books.  I loved 

The Midwife's Apprentice. She is a master at character

development and historical setting.  She has six more novels

that I need to read.  Winter in New York State is a great time

to sit by a fire and read!  (I will throw in a few adult books 

as well).

Love Corning, NY

In September we took a day trip to Corning during their

Fall Festival.  Cousins Karen and John joined us.  We walked 

the retail area, had lunch at "Donna's and went to antique shops.

Cousin Karen and I outside "Donna's" Restaurant.  Below:

Karen and John, Gary and I, and Donna, the owner (purple blouse).

Newbery author Linda Sue Park

The year I joined RACWI (Rochester Area Children's 

Writer's and Illustrators)  Linda Sue, a member of the 

group, won the Newbery (2002) for A Single Shard.  

Since then Linda Sue has inspired me (and I'll bet,  

everyone in the group, published and unpublished) 

with her talent, warmth, intelligence, and unbounded 

energy.  She continuously helps others hone their

writing skills and shares what she has learned.  I found

this section of her website about writing helpful.

There was a article in the Democrat and Chronicle 

recently about Linda Sue that illustrates her world now 

after winning the Newbery.  Whew!  She sure is busy! 

NEWSFLASH

My friend and member of our critique group,

Jennifer Burrows, just signed a contract for her first 

chapter book, Most Beautiful, with Royal Fireworks 

Press in Unionville, NY.  Congratulations, Jennifer, 

on this outstanding accomplishment.  You have worked

hard and you deserve it.  No details yet on the release date.

It will be exciting for me to follow the process of this book.

Family Time

Gary and I enjoy having friends and relatives visit at our cabin.

Last week cousin Alice from Cleveland, came for a few days. 

She loves fishing.  Even though the catch was released (too small)

just being on the serene lake was a much needed vacation for her

before starting back teaching in a few weeks.

Michele, our daughter, enjoyed time with Alice and spending a 

relaxing day.  She is a very creative artist and designs flower 

arrangements and wreaths for Preferred Plants in Rochester.

Palmyra Pirate Days

Again this year, I signed books, along with other authors, at 

this yearly event in Palmyra. 

 

Some little pirates.

Me and some of the other authors signing books at the event.

New Contract

I just signed the contract with Raven Tree Press for a 

fourth Marco adventure.  This time Marco and his friends 

will have a cave adventure.  Marco has become so "real" 

to me that I breezed through the manuscript and sketches 

in one weekend. This is not the norm.  But, I was at our 

cabin on the lake where I have few distractions and the 

soothing sound of the water kept me in a rhythm. 

Marco's adventures in the Jungle will be out in March 2011 

and Marco's adventures in a Cave is planned for Fall 2011.

Life is good!

After getting back from Hilton Head, Savannah, Atlanta and 

a cousins reunion in Cleveland, I spent the last two days

sending out manuscripts to various publishing houses.  I get

intensely committed to staying "on track" with my writing 

after a respite.  But, enjoying life and family and friends

gives me a rest from thinking about stories and actually

living a story. 

Hilton Head:  Me and my granddaughter, Anna

Hilton Head: Ty is only 10 weeks old and already enjoys 

looking at books.  I read this book to him three times before 

he lost interest!

Hilton Head: Granddaughter, Taylor

 

Savannah

Savannah Riverfront

Savannah

Cousins reunion in Cleveland:  Alice, Me and Karen

New experiences also feed my soul. And taking time to really 

look helps me appreciate the beauty and design in nature. 

I have never seen lichen in bloom.  This design reminds me of

a Christmas wreath.

I really want to paint more this month. Thank goodness I have 

a husband who loves to weed or I would be living in a jungle!

We have both been eating out of jar of mixed nuts for dinner

rather than take time to cook anything.

Gary finished another carving.  He's amazing!

 

USA Book News Best Book Award

Jeannie Patchin, Vice President of Delta Publishing / Raven 

Tree Press, submitted my book, Marco Flamingo Under the Sea 

for this award.  Meanwhile, my book is now one of the books 

featured at their website.  As Jeanne states:  

"This listing will be live for 5 months.  The National “Best Books 

2010” Awards are specifically designed to garner media coverage 

and book sales for the winners & finalists throughout the 2010

holiday retail season and 2011! Winners & finalists will be 

announced October 2010 and I will let you know the outcome.  

USABookNews.com is currently listed on thousands of book related

-websites and welcomes thousands of visitors per month!  

Great publicity!"

Thank you, Jeanne, for submitting my book!