#KidlitPRChat - transcript

We had a great first twitter chat last night at #KidlitPRChat as we talked about "Author Platform" - Building an Author Platform. What it is, and how to do it and what should you avoid? Couldn't stop by? You can find the transcript at http://bit.ly/rbO2GR.

Come join my Twitter Chat on Self Promotion!

Announcement! Authors Katie Davis, Dianne de las Cassas, and Elizabeth O. Dulemba will be hosting a twitter chat every first Wednesday of the month from 6 pm to 7 pm EST to discuss ways to promote yourself and your books. The twitter tag will be #kidlitPRChat and the first one will be held Wednesday, September 7th.
     Did you enjoy my article "Marketing - the Snowball Effect", "Blog Book Tours", or "Build an Easy Website (Using a blog)"? Or maybe you've attended some of my conference talks on "Online Promotion for Authors and Illustrators"? If so, this is the tweet chat for you! Because I know NOTHING compared to Katie and Dianne and you are sure to learn tons.
     And while I've dropped in on twitter chats from time to time, this is the first time I'm helping to host one. So please visit - ask questions - maybe learn a thing or two. Hope to see you there!

Slaughter to the Rescue!

New York Times Best Selling author, Karin Slaughter, saw a need at our local library and decided to do something about it.     Turns out, there was NO MONEY in the budget to buy new books this year. So Karin put on a fundraiser (which I happily attended) for the DeKalb County Public Library. The event raised $50,000! But that was only the beginning...
     Karin has released a Kindle Single, Thorn In My Side, Amazon's Thomas & Mercer's first mystery/thriller imprint release. 100% of her proceeds will go to SAVE THE LIBRARIES and THE READING AGENCY. (This is an adult story - not for kids.) Click the cover to buy the story.
     As if that weren't enough, Karin addressed the Georgia House of Representatives during a special legislative session on SAVE THE LIBRARIES - pitching directly to those in charge of our library budget. House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) is "proud to recognize Karin in the Georgia House of Representatives for her accomplishments which she has achieved all over the world.”
     I'm happy to have Karin as a guest today at dulemba.com...

Q. Karin, what was the initial seed that set you on this journey to help our library?
A. I'm sure you're like me and most authors I know--you got your start at your local library. This was very much the case when I was a kid. Every Saturday, my dad would drop me off at the Jonesboro library on his way to work. I got to spend the whole day there surrounding by books. It was bliss!

Q. I was so proud to be a part of the fundraiser. Can you tell my readers a little more about it?
A. Dekalb County, like many counties across the nation, experienced drastic cutbacks in the last few years, none more so than this year, when their budget was cut by almost two-thirds. Hours were slashed. Staff were fired. This was a really bad situation. As a resident of Dekalb, I thought I could do something good, so I talked them into letting me throw a fundraiser, and of course local authors like you, Denene Millner, Kathryn Stockett and Mary Kay Andrews were kind enough to help support the cause. To date, we've raised over $75,000 for the Dekalb Library Foundation.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish through SAVE THE LIBRARIES, THE READING AGENCY, and by addressing the Georgia House of Representatives?
A. My main hope is to take the message to the folks who control the purse strings. Firstly, digital books are not the death knell for libraries. People still need books. And when they want digital books, many library systems (hopefully Dekalb will soon be one of them) offer digital books to check out. Secondly, more people are using the libraries than ever. The bad economy is just one factor. For many folks who don't have a computer or internet access, the library offers them the only venue through which they can submit online applications. ESL classes, AA meetings--you name it, you can meet about it at the library. Politicians need to know, also, that every dollar invested in a library system yields an average of five dollars in return. Kids who read do better in school. Smart kids go to college. College grads make more money and pay more taxes and employ other people like gardeners, nannies, etc. They go to restaurants more. They buy fancy cars. All of this generates healthy tax revenue for the state. It's a win/win proposition--and a better way to spend our cash as opposed to more police officers, more juvenile court cases, and more remedial school courses. It's really one of the last nonpartisan issues. People need libraries no matter their religious or political affiliation.

Q. Are you getting a positive response to your efforts so far?
A. It's hard to find a human being living in America who has never stepped foot in a library. What's surprised me is the different types of folks who want to support our efforts. Home schoolers, for instance, are very pro-library because many of the expensive texts they need are part of the collections. Our history is stored in libraries. Our national archives are there. Libraries touch so many people on a personal level. Authors, especially, are eager to do their share. I haven't had one author tell me no when I've asked for help.

Q. Tell us about THORN IN MY SIDE. How did that come together?
A. Well, it's kind of a crazy story. It's dark because that's my thing--lots of crime and a good murder. It's also about sibling rivalry, and how sometimes two brothers might think they are polar opposites, but find out the hard way that they're just two sides of the same coin. I hope people enjoy it, and if they don't, I hope they lie about it on Amazon anyway because I know if this story is successful, I'll be able to talk more authors into doing it and donating their part to Save the Libraries.

Q. Finally, what can my readers do to help?
A. This is the question everyone wants an answer to and I love it because the answer is so simple. Don't try to save all the libraries in the world. Pick the branch down the street from you. Adopt them. Donate money if you can, or if you aren't inclined to do that, then write to your local representative and let him or her know how much the library means to you. In many cases, more people have library cards than voted in the last election--a sobering statistic for any politician. Barring these choices, you can always look on your shelves and find some good books to donate. Don't be like the stingy family who only donates beets and old creamed corn to the food drive. Give them the books that you love--the New York Times bestsellers, the books that everyone is talking about. Lastly, the Dekalb system has a great online feature where you can "adopt" a book in your name--or give an adoption as a gift. Instead of giving a gift basket to your kid's favorite teacher, why not adopt a book in her name? All of my Christmas presents this year are going to be book donated to the library.

Thanks so much Karin!
And remember - y'all are free to use my SAVE THE LIBRARY coloring page in the effort as well!! (Click the image to go to it's original post for download.)

Skype Visit with Bonner Elementary

A few weeks back I enjoyed a Virtual Visit with Miss Emily's elementary class all the way up in Minnesota. Hi Guys!
     That's what's so awesome about Skype visits - they didn't have to fly me in and yet we were still able to share lots of fun information together. It also filled a technology requirement for the school. This was the view from my end:

     Did you know that many authors and illustrators offer 10 to 15 minute Skype visits for free (including me). You can find them at:

     Interested in asking me to speak to your students via Skype? While a short visit is free, I do ask for a few things up front:

1) Students I speak to have read at least three of my books. (You can see my titles at http://dulemba.com/index_books.html.)

2) Students have spent some time in my website learning about me and my books to provide informed questions. http://dulemba.com

3) The students and/or teachers have prepared questions prior to the chat, and somebody hangs around for tech backup (you may need your cell phone).

4) I can use a screen capture of the visit to promote my Skype visits on my blog.

If all that sounds okay to you, I'd be happy to virtually stop by! And remember, I also do one-hour Skype visits for $250 as well as in-person visits. More information is available at http://dulemba.com/index_visits.html.

SCBWI Southern Breeze Gallery Show - 2011

Friday evening marked the opening of the 2011 SCBWI Southern Breeze Gallery Show at Little Shop of Stories, during the Decatur (GA) Arts Festival's opening night ArtWalk celebration. Six of our published members showed work representing 13 currently available picture books. The represented artists were: Laura Freeman, Mark Braught, Laura Knorr, Michael Austin, Shadra Strickland, and Yours Truly. The number made for a lovely presentation in the store:

Click to see a larger image.
     Hanging out for much of opening night were:

Laura Freeman, Michael Austin, Mark Braught, Yours Truly, and former Southern Breeze Regional Advisor Donna Bowman.
     Rather than demonstration drawings, we ended up each adding a line to a drawing in progress, which ended up creating some crazy images and was lots of fun. Bada Bing once again came through on the catering. And, of course, our friends at Little Shop of Stories were incredibly accommodating and supportive - thanks guys!
     The show will be up through Memorial Day weekend and the week following, so stop by!

Children's Book Week 2011!

I'm especially excited about Children's Book Week this year, as I'll be a part of an official event, and for Cinco de Mayo, no less! I will be the Cinco de Mayo Storytime author at Little Shop of Stories on Thursday, May 5th at 7pm, and we are going to have a BLAST!!! I hope you'll come if you're in the neighborhood. And if not? There are tons of official events going on all over the country. Check it out and see if one is near you!

Share a Story ~ Shape a Future: How I Fell In Love With Reading

I'm pleased to be a guest host for the 2011 Share a Story ~ Shape a Future literacy campaign! This year's theme is Unwrapping the Gift of Literacy! All week, bloggers have been talking about reading, hosting guest authors and giveaways, and generally promoting literacy. I highly suggest you go check it out!
     My job this year? To gather stories of how some top children's book authors and illustrators fell in love with reading. Some are straight quotes while others will lead you to more in depth thoughts on their own blogs, but all are an inspiration.
     And to celebrate this year's theme, I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY! In the comments, please share - how did YOU fall in love with reading? If I receive at least 50 comments, I'll do a drawing and the winner will receive one of my books - their choice!
     And don't forget - along with the images below, I have an entire section of reading-related coloring pages at Coloring Page Tuesdays: I Love to Read!
     Now on to the quotes...

     My love of reading began as I sat by my mother's side and she read me stories. She had a low, lyrical, expressive reading voice and I was mesmerized by the books she chose: FERDINAND, MILLIONS OF CATS, MADELINE. I learned to read that way. We had to haul back books in the bus from the Newport News Library. It was during the WWII war years and we were living with my grandparents in Virginia without access to a car, so mother not only carried the books, she carried my baby brother Stevie as well. But as she was a huge book lover, too, she never complained. Twice a week we would make the trip. It was heaven to me.
- Jane Yolen, author of over 300 books and often called the modern day Hans Christian Anderson

I was the only child of parents who both worked long hours. And I lived in a small town which didn't allocate much money for keeping kids entertained after school. Thank goodness for books! I discovered the library early on, its comforts and its joys. Books became not just friends but traveling companions–windows onto the big wide world I couldn't wait to get out into!
- Ellen Wittlinger, author of This Means War!, Parrotfish, and many other award-winning titles

     Your request reminds me of a bit that I wrote about discovering books for Seven Impossible Things a couple of years back:
     "Think back to that moment, that afternoon when you were 8 or 9 years-old in a library poking around, half-bored, looking for something that may interest you, and then diving 20,000 leagues under the sea, or flying off to fight pirates in Neverland, later that night – gripped by the author’s word combinations and the illustrator’s vivid pictures.
     But really, when you think about it, its all just marks on paper. Icons. Symbols. Representations of someone else’s idea of how they see the world. The storyteller can be alive and well, crafting new tales in the comfort of their home, or dust and memories from another time. If it speaks to you, it doesn’t matter.
     That’s when there is true magic.
     That’s when the outside world stops while you turn the pages.
     That’s the moment I aspire to be a part of."
- Tony DiTerlizzi, Spiderwick, etc.!
     Click here to read the rest of the interview at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

     I fell in love with reading thanks to an old edition my family had of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, the one with the N.C. Wyeth illustrations.
     I learned later that RLS began his story by drawing a treasure map for his nephew. I've always loved drawing maps, drawing pictures, and writing stories—and all of that led to a love of reading, and later the creation of Dinotopia.
- James Gurney, Click here to read more about the map of Dinotopia.

     I fell in love with reading when the letters in THE CAT IN THE HAT began to form words that I could sound out and understand. How exciting! It was like my beloved puzzles - there was a sense and an order to it, and - a STORY. I remember reading that book the first time, then going back to the beginning and starting over. By the time I'd finished it again, I knew I had got hold of something special - reading! Magic!
- Deborah Wiles, author of Countdown, Each Little Bird That Sings, and other award-winning titles

     Charles Gigna, a.k.a. "Father Goose" wrote a lovely poem about how he fell in love with reading, writing, and drawing. Here's the teaser:
Something Else

a picture book proposal
about a real boy who loves to read, write and draw,
but whose unconventional “books” and artwork
bring grave concern to his teacher.

In all her years in the classroom
Mrs. Barren had never seen anything like
Charlie's little out-of-this-world books.

Something must be done to stop him.
     Click here to go read his story, SOMETHING ELSE.

     "I did not fall in love with reading so much as I fell into reading with a kind of wide-eyed rapture. It was Delhi, India, 1961. I was five, and the book was The Three Little Kittens, an award I won for being the "most improved" in my kindergarten class. I read it fast and furiously and many times over, out loud as best as I could. I read it mostly to the neighbor's dog, the only audience willing to sit still for the duration."
- Uma Krishnaswami, author of Monsoon, The Happiest Tree, and The Grand Plan to Fix Everything.

     I wasn't a big reader... until my mom started bringing me a diet of Alistair MacLean, Robert Ludlum, and Agatha Christie. They weren't books written for kids my age, but that didn't matter. Reading what I loved made reading fun. And who doesn't like to have fun?
- Gregory K. Pincus, children's poet and novelist

     Reading and writing goes hand in hand, and to be a good writer you really do need to be a good reader. Not only do those stories show us how to tell a great tale, they inspire us to want to tell a great tale that takes our readers to the same places our favorite books take us.
- Janice Hardy, author of The Healing Wars fantasy series.
Read about how Janice not only fell in love with reading, but with writing as well at The Other Side of the Story.

     Hearing the nursery tale "The Sky is Falling" nestled beside my plumpish, perfumed grandma who read to me in her Russian accent, lending the characters, e.g. "Dawky Lawky," an exotic air.
- Sarah Lamstein, author of Big Night for Salamanders

     I have loved books ever since I can remember, but I remember falling in love with stories in third grade as a means of self-preservation. I had a sour third grade teacher named Sister Mary Analise. She should not have been asked to or told to teach third grade. She was ancient and tiny and wielded a slashing pointer like a lion tamer with a whip. She glared at us every morning as we shuffled in as if she were sniffing something unpleasant. (to be continued...)
- Kerry Madden, author of the beloved Smoky Mountain Trilogy and others. Read the rest of the story about Sister Mary Analise at Mountainmist.

     I had checked out a book from my elementary school library. A fat book. The fattest book I'd ever borrowed. It was due the next day and I had barely started it. I wasn't convinced that I would–or even could–finish it, but I lay crossways on my bed and started reading.
     And reading.
     And reading.
     The characters were so real; the situation a devastating one. I read and cried and read and cried until I did finish. I knew then that I wanted to read more books just like it. Books that drew me in and painted worlds so real that they could move me to laughter and tears.
That's how I fell in love with reading. The book? THE YEARLING by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
- Marcia Jones, author of Ratfink, Champ, This Side of Magic, and more.

     The nature of falling in love is that it’s often unpredictable and unexpected. Falling in love with reading is like having a passionate affair that never gets old or boring. Until the day we die, we can lose ourselves in stories that fascinate, shock, entrance, or inspire us to do good in the world.
- Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra Rules and the forthcoming Cleopatra's Moon, recalls how she first fell in love with the subject that has consumed her reading choices at "History With a Twist."

     No doubt about it, my mom started me off. She loved to read and read to me a lot. I became a good and fast reader early on. My relatives were in the book business so I’d get boxes of books as gifts. And with libraries nearby, I never seemed to run out of books. My earliest literary passion was the Oz series, no matter who was filling in for Baum. I shared the books with two other Oz-loving children in the house we lived in, high up on Mt. Washington in LA. This was before TV. Imagine that! Since then, for me, even TV can’t compete with a good book ( though I do love TV too).
- Phillis Gershator, author of Who's in the Forest, Sky Sweeper, and more.

     ..."because Andy read a book in the 4th grade that captured his imagination, not only did he get to go to Mars, so did I! You never know which book a child will fall in love with so it only makes sense to keep offering kids as many diverse options as there are stars in the sky."
- Loreen Leedy, author/illustrator
Read Loreen's entire story of how she fell in love with reading at "How I Went to Mars."

     I fell in love with reading when my mother read "The Two Jungle Books" aloud to my twin and me. I became Mowgli, living in the jungle with a pack of wolves! What kid could have asked for more?
     Now Chil the Kite brings home the night,
     That Mang the bat sets free –
     The herds are shut in byre and hut
     For loosed till dawn are we.
     This is the hour of pride and power,
     Talon and tush and claw.
     Oh hear the call! - Good hunting all
     That keep the Jungle Law!
     - Rudyard Kipling
- Sally Keehn, author of Gnat Stokes and the Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen, and many, many more.

     I fell in love with reading upon returning to the U.S. from Germany, where my father was stationed. We had lived in an apartment house outside the base, and everyone in our little town spoke German only, except my parents. Somehow moving back to the land of the English-speakers coincided with learning to read. Imagine my joy – and my mother's – as she took us to the library almost immediately upon returning home. It was the New Rochelle Public Library in New Rochelle, New York. My mother asked the librarian for something appropriate for her little daughter who was trying to read, and she handed me the best book in the world: Little Bear. I clearly remember watching closely as my mother read Little Bear to me – how edgy I felt when he "lands on the moon" and knocks on the door of a house that looks just like his Earth house – and I remember realizing that I could read the words myself. I still know every word – and I named a daughter for Little Bear's friend Emily.
- Karen Romano Young, author of "Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles."

     How did it start? It may have been when, on the day I came home from the hospital, my father sat down and read a book with me. Or possibly when my mom entertained my infant self by reading aloud, sometimes even the junk mail. I’m not sure exactly when my baby eyes managed to focus enough to understand what was going on, but by the age of 4 I had already been exposed to enough great books to want to tell my own stories. So I’d dictate them to my mom, who would type them into her typewriter. By kindergarten I was a four-books-under-the-pillow-at-naptime champ, and reading together before bedtime was a family Have To.
- Terra Elan McVoy, author of Pure and After the Kiss. Read more of Terra's journey at The Importance of Sharing a Story. (It's a great read!)

     For myself? As an illustrator, the images pulled me into books first. I used to stare at my favorite, The Golden Book of Elves and Fairies illustrated by my hero - Garth Williams, for hours wishing I could visit the worlds on its pages. What about the words? Well, my parents had a great idea to promote reading in our home. For every 'regular' book my sister and I read, we earned $1. However, for every classic we read, we had to write a one page report on what made it profound, and we made $10. Needless to say, I read a lot of classics! The Arabian Nights especially stood out as one of my favorites. What adventure - what a thrill!
- Elizabeth O. Dulemba, children's book author/illustrator. This is my blog, thanks so much for stopping by!

Want to support literacy? For over 50 years, Reading is Fundamental has been responsible for getting millions of books into the hands of children who otherwise might not even own a book. Sadly, they just lost their funding and could use our help:



P.S. - Click here for more 'I love to read' themed coloring pages like the ones you see above.
P.S.S. - And yes, that's one of my coloring pages used as the logo for Share a Story ~ Shape a Future: Storytime Bears.

Share a Story ~ Shape a Future

Monday kicks off the annual blog literacy campaign Share a Story ~ Shape a Future. I'm proud to be participating again this year on Friday, but there will be lots of cool things going on all week long.
     The theme this year is Unwrapping the Gift of Literacy and there will be giveaways, interviews, a podcast, and contests - you name it! It's going to be a great week. So visit the Share a Story ~ Shape a Future website to get the lowdown for each day, then come back here on Friday. I'll have quotes and links from top children's book authors and illustrators talking about how they fell in love with reading. And be thinking about that yourself, as I'll host a giveaway that day too!
     Recognize the logo? Yup, it's from one of my coloring pages - Storytime Bears!

Springmingle 2011 - wrap-up!

This past weekend was our 2011 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern Breeze regional conference (covering Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi). As usual, it was an awesome affair - but this year stood out as being particularly inspiring.
     E.B. Lewis was our keynote, and not only is he an amazingly talented, multiple award-winning artist, he had lots of words of wisdom to share. It was impossible to listen and not want to go paint!
     We had two editors speak this year: Katie Carella, Assistant Editor at Grosset & Dunlap and Price, Stern, Sloan (Penguin Young Readers Group), as well as Erin Clarke, Executive Editor at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (a.k.a. BFYR). Both gave great information and advice, and I was especially impressed by Erin to whom I've been sending postcards for years.
     Our guest agent was the illustrious Sarah Davies of the Greenhouse Literary Agency. I heard her speak in Los Angeles and was equally as wowed by her in Georgia. Not to mention, with her lovely accent I wouldn't mind hearing her read the phone book.
     Our guest author was Lindsey Leavitt of Princess for Hire which I especially can't wait to read after experiencing her warm sense of humor in person.
     Susan R. Spain and I were given a few minutes to talk about our 2010 title, The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia and receive our official "Kudos Kite" along with our other fellow 2010 publishees:

     We also signed books. Here we are with Donna Bowman in the middle. She made the gorgeous amber necklace I wore all weekend. Click here to check out more of her beautiful creations!

     I also got to hang out with the fabulous Janice Hardy (author of Shifter and The Healing Wars series) and Peachtree Publisher editor and author, Jessica Alexander (her title, This is the Dream is on the 25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read list).

     And I had to add this great shot of E.B. with Kristen Applebee.

     Of course, as with any conference, it's fantastic to hang out with friends, old and new. These conferences have really become more like fun get-togethers for me (despite the lovely fashion accessory I had to sport this year). Susan called me 'Hopalong Cassidy' all weekend, and I surely was.

     And yes, I'm still accepting submissions on what I did to get in this lovely bootie - the truth is way too boring...
     The best submission is still from Hester Bass - that I was tripped by Robert Redford at the Sundance Film Festival and he kissed me to make up for it. That'll be pretty tough competition to top, but have a go at it! :)

Photos are by Sarah C. Campbell and Sandy Fry - used with permission.

Springmingle 2011!

This weekend is our 2011 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern Breeze regional conference (covering Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi). I'll have a full wrap-up of the weekend's events next week!

Kidlit Drink Night, Georgia-style...

Childrens Book authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, etc. get together every few months in New York for what they call Kidlit Drink Night. They've been doing it for years.
     Well, we're finally kicking off our own Southern version on January 8th at The Square Pub in Decatur, Georgia. Visit Laurel Snyder's Blog for more details. Here's hoping this is the first of many! Cheers!

Teaching ends...

My last exam was Wednesday and once I post grades, my stint as Adjunct Professor will come to a, hopefully temporary, end. *sigh*
     Recap: I've been teaching Drawing and Advanced Illustration at the University of Georgia (my alma mater) this semester, filling in for a Professor on medical leave (he's fine now). I was hired by my old Graphics Professor who is now the head of the department. Can you say "HONORED"? Woosie!
     Of course, that meant every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I awoke at 5:00 am and drove to Athens (a 1 1/2 hour commute) for my 8:00 am class (second was at 10:00). And no, that part was not fun (especially on top of the wild book signing tour for The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia). But hey, I somehow remained standing (and healthy) through it all, and there were the sunrises - the gorgeous, stunning sunrises. Ahhhh.
     And man, I LOVED the teaching.
     Teaching is like a constantly changing puzzle. With every student, every brain, every project, I had to figure out how best to relay the information needed by that particular person in a way they could best understand and absorb it. It lights up the synapses to be challenged like that for four hours a day, I tell ya!
     But as much as I taught, I learned as well. First, college students are not quite adults yet, even though they look the part. That presented some unexpected challenges, but it also made my Mama Bear traits pop up. These became MY kids (as much as the thought might horrify them to be called that.)
     I was rooting for every one of them, even as I struggled and argued with them. I was so proud when they shone and I was frustrated right alongside them when they had trouble.
     And they were inspiring. When I pulled out old art supplies and let them play it was so exciting to watch them experience the media in new ways, and sometimes for the first time. I just backed away smiling and watched their wheels turning. But it also made me want to experiment more - I had forgotten how cool some of those old methods could be!
     They also brought their own inspirations into play. I learned about illustrators I'd never heard of and design trends that weren't on my radar but are way fresh and exciting.
     In the end, my students did some AMAZING pieces and I was so proud and honored to work with them. After all, these students were hand picked out of some serious competition to be part of the Graphic Design program. (In my day, about a dozen would be chosen out of 70 applicants and I think the numbers are still about the same.) So, expectations were high - but boy, did they live up to them...

     So today, I'm unpacking my messenger bag, filing away the paperwork, downloading the images and getting everything straight. I can see the floor of my office once more (it was hiding for a while). And it turns out, yes, indeed there was a desk under all those papers. With every thing I put away I get a satisfying sense of closure... and I feel a pang. I really do love to teach and I will miss it.
     So many people played the role of stepping stones along the path which has become my journey, and it's strangely satisfying to know that I can play that role for somebody else. I expect great things out of the students I taught - I just hope the world is ready for them, and kind to them...
     Because the world doesn't need to be making this Mama Bear upset - she's feeling a bit protective!

12 Days Book Tour Wrap Up

The book tour for THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA has come to an end. (We all need time to wrap presents, bake cookies, and send out Christmas cards!) It was a fabulous tour, and it ended on a "High" note (sorry) at the Atlanta High Museum of Art. Woosie.
     But first - on Thursday evening we signed at Little Shop of Stories, our neighborhood children's bookstore. (You can click the image to see a larger view in a new window.)

     We had an awesome time and were able to do our 'whole hog' presentation. I created a drawing for each of the 12 Days while Susan walked the crowd through the adventures. All the images were hung on a clothesline and we SANG! Even my cousins were there - we had tons of fun!
     Saturday we had two events. The first was at the Peachtree Farmer's Market hosted by the Cathedral Bookstore - thanks to Sue Tierney for being our kind hostess. Although we didn't get any good photos, man was it crowded! Of course, the bookstore is Adorable and the Farmer's Market was amazing. Forget signing (not really), I could have shopped all day! Susan and I did get to partake of some incredible home-made crepes. And I bought a bundle of the most beautiful rainbow carrots I've ever seen. Yum!
     We grabbed a quick bite at Leon's Full Service then headed for the Decatur Library. Once again, our host, Joe Davich of the Georgia Center for the Book, proved his weight in gold. He'd arranged to have our presentation recorded by Georgia Public Broadcasting for their lecture series. Supposedly we will receive copies/links soon, which I will share with you...
     (Full disclosure - I am a board member of the Georgia Center for the Book so was mighty proud to be included.)

     Sunday we wrapped up our tour in style. First Susan and I enjoyed lunch with my friends from Spanish class, Raquel and Melissa (of Melissa Libby PR) at Table 1280. (Yes, we're celebrating - it's a lovely restaurant right across from the museum.) Susan is behind the camera in this one.

     Then we headed across the plaza to the Atlanta High Museum of Art Museum Shop for our book signing. We sold most of the books you see in this picture. One man even bought 14 copies! This became a recurring theme - people rarely purchased just one copy when they found out THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA actually ties in with Georgia school curriculum and it makes a Fabulous teacher gift.

     Shawn, Pat, and Kim (behind the camera) set us up RIGHT - thanks guys! They even had lovely signs made which they let Susan and I keep - awesome souvenirs of our "High" falutin' book signing! Truly, we signed a ton of books and it felt awesome sharing my artwork in THE place for sharing artwork - alongside Salvador Dali no less!

     Afterwards, Susan and I dropped by the Symphony Store at the Woodruff Arts Center to sign stock and were given a personal tour by Manager, Stephen Jones. He is so excited about our book, especially the spread about the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. (No surprise there!) He had some great ideas for getting the news out about THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA next year...
     Which at this point is hard for Susan and I to even think about! We clinked glasses, patted our backs, sang Teresa's praises for arranging such an incredible tour for us, and basically agreed to personally melt deep into the new year.
     Thanks to everybody for showing us such kindness; to the fans of the THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA; and thanks to Sterling Children's Books for letting us be a part of such a great series (there will eventually be a 12 Days for each state in the US). We were so proud to represent Georgia, and I fell in love with my state all over again.
     Merry Christmas!

Note: Click here to go back and read about our Book Tour from the start. It's in three stages/blog posts. Cheers!

The Book Tour for 12 Days continues!

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA is obviously a... Christmas book, so we are on one heck of a book tour up until the big day. I can proudly say, we're still standing! (Although just barely.) And we're still visiting some of the best independent bookstores in the state (within driving distance).
     I forgot to show you this great photo in my original Book Tour post... here I am with Teresa Rolfe Kravtin of Southern Territory Associates (our book sales rep) in a sled in Newnan. Teresa is the one responsible for most of this awesome book tour, so she gets lots of fuzzy love from me!

     Friday, T.K. Read hosted Susan and me during the Olde Town Conyers Christmas Party. If you didn't know, Conyers is charming!! We sang, I drew, we signed books. And then T.K., her daughter Rachel, Susan and I walked across the brick-paved street to the Irish pub where I had some of the best Shepherd's Pie evah!


     Monday, we attended the Atlanta Press Club's annual Author Holiday Party. I was honored to be invited back for a 3rd year (that usually doesn't happen) alongside Susan. Lauri Strauss (Executive Director) and Elaine Hudson (Assistant Director) wowed our socks off once again as this year's party was held in the old Macy's department store - chandeliers and all. Woosie.
     Best of all was signing alongside friends Vicky Alvear Shecter, Laurel Snyder, and Nate Evans. Here's what the line up looked like on our side of the room...

And here's Susan, me and Vicky Alvear Shecter with her latest book CLEOPATRA RULES.

     Tuesday I drove straight from Athens (where I'm teaching illustration this semester at the University of Georgia) to Gainesville and Hall Book Exchange. This is the most unassuming looking store from the outside... then you enter. Myra Meade has created a cozy space full of stories, and her patrons are no different.
     Everybody who came by for a book shared hilarious tales that had us rolling in laughter the entire time we were there. Meanwhile, Myra fed us cookies and apple cider. I tell you, it was a nice place to hang out.
     Even better, Myra says 12 Days is selling like hot cakes there - she's already on her third case! Gotta luv it!
Here I am with Myra and Susan...

Fellow author, Robyn Hood Black, also dropped by, which was a wonderful surprise.
     I can't stop staring at the yellow in Susan's hair contrasted with Robyn's purple and that awesome magenta shadow on the pink wall behind them... Yeah, so I'm an artist. What can I say? It's cool!

     If you can believe it, we're still not finished with the book tour! Here are the last stops...
Thursday, December 9: Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, 7:00 pm
Saturday, Decmber 10: Cathedral Bookstore, downtown Atlanta, 9:00 am; Decatur Library, 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 11: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, 1:00 pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE! I sure would love to see you if you can drop by!

It Keeps Going! Click here to read about the third and final stage of our Book Tour!

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day

December 4th is the First Annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day. What a great idea! For any stores who need help celebrating - please feel free to use my Coloring Pages! And y'all get thee to a bookstore!

On Tour with THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA!

Our awesome Sterling sales rep, Teresa Rolfe Kravtin of Southern Territory Associates, has lined up an unbelievable schedule of visits for Susan Spain (author) and me (illustrator) to celebrate THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA all over our grand state of Georgia! And while these are photos of the two of us at our various signings, what I'd really like for you to focus on are the stores in the backgrounds - the wonderful independent bookstores who have been our kind and generous hosts. These guys are my heroes!
     So! Here I was at Cowan's Book Nook at their Blue Ridge location (they're also in Ellijay) the day after Thanksgiving. (We had a great stream of people while I was there!) Thanks to Melinda and Ansley for setting me up right!

     The next day I met up with Susan at FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock. This is the awesome store where I first learned about my sale of SOAP, SOAP, SOAP ~ JABON, JABON, JABON, so I will always have a soft spot for owners Ellen, Karen, and Jackie. And if you live nearby, you have to check out Karen's incredible decorating job - the store is chock full of Christmas fairies - so cute!

     Saturday Susan and I had a personal escort through the Atlanta Airport (thanks Terri!) for two book signings. The first was at Areas in Concourse D:

And the second was at Diverse in Concourse C (thanks Marcus!):

     The second store turned out to be the better location as people meandered by rather than rushed to their next destination. But overall it was a very successful day - we sold and signed lots of copies!
     In both locations I created a peach... When I do one of these, I give the first to the bookstore I'm visiting, but I believe I'll end up with extras which I am happy to sell to you - email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com for details.
     Thursday we headed down to Scott's Bookstore in Newnan, Georgia. Here is Teresa, Susan, Me and Earlene, the fabulous owner who regaled us with stories of Alan Jackson (in the book) and Lewis Grizzard!

And Susan and me signing away...


And check back in, because the tour continues! Here's the schedule:
Friday, December 3: Downtown Conyers Christmas Party, 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Monday, December 6: Atlanta Press Club Authors Party, 6:30 pm
Tuesday, December 7: Hall Book Exchange (Gainseville), 4:00 pm
Thursday, December 9: Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, 7:00 pm
Saturday, Decmber 10: Cathedral Bookstore, downtown Atlanta, 9:00 am; Decatur Library, 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 11: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, 1:00 pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE! I sure would love to see you if you can drop by!

UPDATE!!! - CLICK HERE to read more about our tour as it keeps going!