The Adventures of Marco Flamingo 

in the Jungle

I just signed the contract for the third book in the 

Marco series.  The next step is working with my editor 

to finalize the text and start the cover art.  I have already

submitted the initial sketches for the interior illustrations.

There aren't too many hippos and warthogs in my back

yard even though it looks like a jungle from all the rain!

So, I will work from photos in my files, and photos I will 

take at the Seneca Park Zoo. When I am working on a 

book I am zoomed into anything I can use for reference.

And lo and behold my friend, Karen came to our pool 

get together in a safari hat.  I had her pose and got the hat 

from different angles.  It was a rare, sunny, warm day and

Jennifer and her three kids and Karen and her two girls

swam, read and played independently while Karen, 

Jennifer and I discussed our summer reading.  We did

carefully watch the kids in the water and  provided pretzels,

raspberries (from my patch), and cheese and crackers for 

refueling.

I also took breaks from my writing to enjoy the Canandaigua

festival.  My friend Cricket and I also spent that day browsing 

garage sales.  I picked up a lot of mid grade readers.  The 

Salvation Army had books for 39 cents.  Got some Newbery 

books there.  I also discovered "The Unique Toy Shop"

in Canandaigua, 120 South Main Street.  I showed the owner

my book---she loved it and will be ordering Marco books.

I have been pouring over books this summer. 

Some suggested reading:

The Horse Boy (adult book) a father's quest to heal his autistic 

son of some disturbing elements of his condition. They go on 

a trek through Mongolia.

Still Alice (adult book) A highly accomplished woman is

diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers.

I Love You, Miss Huddleston (adult book) Philip Gulley's

memoir of his coming-of-age in small town, Danville,Indiana

at a time when childhood was less monitored.

Losing Everything (adult book) autobiography of author's

reclaiming his hope, authenticity and spirit.

Savvy by Ingrid Law (mid grade) wonderful blend of

realism and the fantastic.

The Midwife's Apprentice (mid grade) a 1996 book I hadn't read.

Now, one of my favorites!

Wing Nut by MJ Auch (young adult) loved learning about

purple martins.

Tarra and Bella will be out soon.  Unlikely friendship between

an elephant and a dog.  Reviews out and a clip on you tube.

Elephants are my favorite animals and I am familiar with the 

elephant preserve in Tennessee.

Family Stuff

My son, Erik, Emily and granddaughters, Anna and Taylor

were here  from Atlanta for a week.  We were busy!

Spent some time at our cabin on Keuka.  The kids went to the 

Strong Museum, visited the retired race horses up for adoption,

swam, ate ice cream and played, played, played.  My daughter, 

Michele, stopped over almost every night to visit.  

Her golden retriever,TJ and their black lab, Beni became

fast friends.  My cat, Hunter, was not too pleased with the 

intrusion on his quiet life. 

 

My son, Erik, Emily, Anna and Taylor on Erik's lap

My son, Erik,  daughter, Michele, and dogs, TJ and Beni

Michele with Taylor and with both girls for their B'day cupcakes.

Taylor B'day in July and Anna's in August

Anna, at the cabin, with her play dough bakery!

One of the things I love to do with the kids is painting.  

They love working in my studio and think my writing room 

is a library.  I do have hundreds of picture books!

Taylor painting

Anna painting

Erik painting (Can you guess his profession?)

A painting Anna did in Kindergarten that I love!

Presentation at Nest Things

Webster, NY 

On Saturday evening, June 27, I gave a presentation on 

the process of creating children's picture books.

Nest Things is located at 11 East Main St. in Webster. 

The owner, Gail Maier, sells next to new children's clothes, 

maturity clothes, home decor, and children's books. 

 

The 1906 historic brick building was restored for the shop 

on the first floor. Gail's husband, Bob, then restored the 

second floor as an apartment.  Once a month, Gail hosts 

events in the living, dining area to promote women in 

business.  Call Gail (585-265-9240)  if you are interested

in presenting a topic of interest to women or to get on

her email list for updates on future events.                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Bob (light blue sweater) and Gail (white sweater) in background

Such a cozy space for a presentation

SCBWI Poughkeepsie, NY Conference

June 13, 2009

Cynthia, me, and Jennifer

This was my second time to a SCWBI conference in Poughkeepsie.  

I went with Cynthia Iannaccone and Jennifer Burrows.  Linda Sue Park 

was the keynote speaker.  Her presentation was personal, insightful 

and inspiring. 

 

Linda Sue, center

As always going to conferences hits me with a sense of reality, magic, 

and a touch of craziness!  (Me? Real? Never!)

Cynthia and I 

After conferences I am eager to get back home and get right to work

improving my submissions. 

I had a critique on my story, "Eli's Wings," with author, 

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.   I valued her insights and perhaps might revise 

this story as a middle reader. 

At the Mercury Grand Hotel where I stayed (conference also held there),

Jennifer and I went to Bananas Comedy Club at the Hotel.  We saw 

Dave Coulier's performance.  It was quite "impressive."  Dave is most 

familiaras Joey in the TV sitcom Full House.  

Me, Dave Coulier, Jennifer

My Critique Group

The three of us formed a critique group in March '09 

and the dynamics is amazing!  Karen (center) is a 

published illustrator and Jennifer is a published writer.  

Her three non-fiction books will be out next year. 

Our motto is "JUST DO IT!"  Don't procrastinate,

don't doubt, don't fret---just do it--by just practicing 

every day the writing gets better, the painting gets better.

We are all challenging ourselves and reading, reading, 

reading (mostly picture books and middle grade novels).  

I just finished M.J Auch's Trilogy (Journey to Nowhere,

Frozen Summer, and The Road to Home) and 

Linda Sue Park's The Kite Fighters. Both M.J. and 

Linda Sue are with RACWI as are Karen and I--

Jennifer will be joining in September.  RACWI

(Rochester area Children's Writer's and Illustrator's) 

has given me connection to the writing/illustrating 

community and has helped me attain my goals.

Our critique group tries to meet once a week, but 

because the summer is hectic for all of us we decided 

to set summer goals and meet together in September.  

I am working on a mid grade novel, a picture book 

and finishing the text/dummy for the third Marco

Flamingo PB.  Jennifer is also writing a mid grade

novel and keeping a journal on kid's dialog (she has 

three kids, so I think this is a brilliant idea).  Karen is

revising and illustrating previous work.  Karen and I 

are going to meet occasionally this summer to explore 

technique and paint.

A few quotes to keep the summer creative for all of 

you who read this blog:

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT:

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; 

it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of 

creative effort.

ALAN ALDA:

The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. 

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the 

wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be 

wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.

RITA MAE BROWN:

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. 

And never hope more than you work.

Sheila Jarkins, Karen Malzeke-McDonald and Jennifer Burrows

enjoying lunch at Karen's home.

BEA (Book Expo America)

This was my first time at the BEA and I thought it 

would be overwhelming, but it actually was so

organized that it was easy to maneuver.  It was held 

at the Javitts Center in NYC which is conference 

friendly. 

I signed books for an hour for Raven Tree Press 

and met many librarians, teachers and other 

authors/illustrators. 

There is so much posted about this event that I'll

link a few.  One is on Flickr, another on BEA

site.

I flew with two friends, Cricket and Mary Kay,

and we had an amazing time! Stood in line at 

Times Square for half price tickets, took bike ride

through Central Park and wined and dined.

On the flight home we were delayed on the runway 

for over an hour because Obama was "in the sky."

All air traffic ceased in the area until he landed.

We made the best of it and got to know the flight

attendant who supplied us with free wine and snacks.

Love Jet Blue!

Here are a few pics from my camera.  Mary Kay took

many, so when I get those I'll add more.

Can't wait to go back to NYC...love that "town"!

This is the Raven Tree booth.  J.D. Smith, author of The Best Mariachi

In The World followed me for his one hour book signing.  The next pic

is some other publishers booths.

Eli, a music student, chauffeured us around Central Park.  Here we are below

enjoying the beautiful afternoon at the Park's many attractions.

Seneca Falls Library 

Children's Book Fest

On Saturday, May 9th, I gave a presentation to

the children that earned M.I.R.A awards ( nominated by

their schools in Seneca Falls area as most improved reader).

The mayor of Seneca Falls, Diana Smith, passed out the 

awards. I shared the process of creating my picture books

and showed examples of my illustrations. After the award 

ceremony, I engaged the kids in flamingo crafts.

  

Every student who earned awards received a copy of my 

book, Marco Flamingo, and a copy of Marley and Me 

(the theme of this years festival). There were other events 

as well.  Jill Fogel engaged the kids in musical fun, there 

was a book basket drawing (look at these magnificent 

baskets below), and donated books were available for 

10 cents!

Thank you, Jackie Grey (director), for inviting me.    

I was very impressed with the programs and events 

hosted by this library---very creative and dedicated staff.

Gretchen Koch, board member of the library, assisting with the book sale.