Saturday, May 12, 2012



Day Seven-Celebrating Children’s Book Week Final Day 

Nurture a Child with a Book




As mother’s we have a huge responsibility to nourish our children with food, and make sure, they are brought up in a safe environment. Our responsibilities as mothers should extend beyond providing nutritional nourishment; it should also include providing our children with all types of books that can enable the child to develop a thirst for knowledge. 

We are the richest country in the world; however, there are millions of children who are never given a chance to acquire a thirst for knowledge. These children fall way behind in school. Research has shown if a child can’t read at-grade level by 3rd grade, that child will most likely drop out before completing high school.

I believe it is cheaper to make interventions early on in contrast to waiting until it is too late. Every year I get a few high-school students who are several years below a grade level in reading. I am always baffled, and I ask myself how in the world did a student make it all the way to the 9th grade reading at a 3rd grade level? I do not have an answer to that question, but what I do have are plausible ways to help a child develop a genuine desire for reading.

          Here are a few suggestions:
  • Allow kids to read books that are of interest to them
  • Take kids to the library to attend reading programs
  • Take kids to local book fairs so they can purchase books that are of interest to them
  • Create a special space where you and your kids can spend time reading together (when my three children were younger we sat in a special area in the family room to read

Kids emulate their parents, if they see their parents reading; they too will want to do the same.
Perhaps school districts should make classes available to teach parents the best way to promote kids and reading is to provide them with books that they enjoy and want to read-or have read to them-over and over again.
So glad I had a chance to participate and celebrate children's book week.  As we celebrate Mother's Day, let's remember the best gift we can give to any child is the gift of knowledge through reading.
In celebration of the final day of children’s book week, I encourage all to Nurture a child with a book and perhaps that child will develop an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

 This is the number one reason I have taken the time to become a writer.  I hope all of my books will help enrich the lives of all children who read them.




I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:
Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog
Don’t forget to enter our contest:



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day Six: Children's Book Week Celebration


Welcome to day Six of Children’s Book Week Celebration

Library Visits

Doing library visits is one way an author can get more exposure for his/her book. I did a series of library visits to promote my first book.   I was amazed at how many French-speaking children that came to my book reading.   It is a great way to make contact with potential buyers for future books.  I have several readings set up for the month of June and July to promote my newest book: My Sister Is My Best Friend.  I am looking forward to the readings because some of the same families that attended my other readings will be there.

Many good things can come out of these visits.  Parents who attend the readings usually go home and tell their friends and family about it.  That free promotion can open many doors. People in general love meeting a local author.
 
Last month, I attended an author event sponsored by my local library.   I did not sell many books, but I met many great authors, and together we plan to do cross promotion.   Below is a brief interview on the event.   Deb Parker is the Executive Assistant/Events and Program Director at my local library.



1) How do you find authors to participate in the event? Do you advertise in the local newspapers?

To find our authors I sent out emails to all formerly attending authors and invite them. I also ask them to share the invitation with all of their author friends, writers groups, publishers, etc.
As far as advertising, we have each author advertise on their blogs, websites, Facebook, etc., And I advertise in the Englewood Herald, YourHub, my Facebook, City website, I have some contacts at other libraries that hang up information for us, local business gets the word out for us, I have some contacts with authors and radio hosts who will put in plugs for us leading up to the event.

Unfortunately, this year was warm and beautiful, and I think people were enjoying the Colorado Spring too much and forgot to come see us. For example, one of our regulars (all previous 12 years) missed this year because he started trimming his bushes and was having so much fun in his yard that he didn’t even think of us until 6:30 pm. It happens.

2) What must an author do in order to do a book reading in your library?

Authors contact me, and I see what we can do to have a reading for them in our library.

3) On the average how many books can an author sell at MEET THE FACES BEHIND THE BOOKS yearly event.

Our average so far has been 6 until the last three or four years. With the drop in the economy, and the emergence of E-book technologies, we have seen a decline in book sales. At this year’s event, the average sales were 4. We did have quite a few of our patrons comment on how much fun they had buying the books for their Kindle or Nook while talking to the authors.
I would add that with Social Media and all the writers groups that are out there, it is refreshing to see new people contacting us all the time. We have found authors through all sorts of different avenues than in years past. I love that authors, though competitive to sell their own works, are also willing to encourage other authors to join them whenever possible. It makes for fun and diverse groups of authors. It seems that the mix of authors gets better every year.
 
In celebration of Children’s Book week, let’s make every effort to get our books in the hands of kids.

I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog
Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com
Don’t forget to enter our contest:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, May 11, 2012

Welcome to day five of Children’s Book week Celebration

 Free Book Promotion

 Your book is published, what do you do next? You have many options. One option is to promote your book with an online book tour company or you can start building an online presence by writing articles. Even though I have done an online book tour, but for me writing articles has proven to be the most lucrative way to promote my books. My goal is to set myself as an expert in the field of foreign languages. Writing articles relating to foreign language acquisition afforded me the opportunity to brand myself as an expert.

 Read  two articles I wrote Here and Here
 Potential customers will most likely buy my books because they trust me.

Since making a concerted effort with article writing, my book sales for my first book Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle has gone up. On average, I sell 10 books a month. Book sales are great, but what is more important is to have my target audience read and appreciate the message in my book. I get great satisfaction knowing that children that read my books have an opportunity to be exposed to French and Spanish.

Perhaps, reading my trilingual books will spark interest in helping the child decide to take foreign language study more seriously. Every book is unique and I believe a child can learn many valuable lessons from reading a variety of books. In celebration of children’s book week, I encourage you to take a few moments to ponder upon what you can do to get your book into the hands of many children as possible. You never know how your book may change a child’s life forever.

I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog
Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com
Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com
Don’t forget to enter our contest:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Welcome to day four of Children’s Book Week Celebration
Finding Your Niche Market



The children’s book market is by far the most competitive market. How do you find your niche market? This is a million-dollar question. Let’s first define what a niche market is: A niche market is composed of individuals and businesses that have similar interests and needs. Once you identify the market, you can concentrate and zero in on the specific target audience.

For example, my two children’s picture books: Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle and My Sister is My Best Friend are both trilingual books written in English, French and Spanish. I have many target businesses that I can contact that might be interested in buying my books.

Here’s a list: 

  •  Spanish Immersion Schools 
  •  Before and after school  day-care centers
  •  Spanish Immersion  Summer  Day camps
  •  All elementary schools that offer Spanish or French.
  • Adult centers that offer English as a second language 
I am scheduling author presentations with the above businesses.    Being published is the first step; no one will buy your book if you do not market it.


In celebration of children’s book week, I encourage you to think about who is your target audience.   I am certain there are many children who need  to read your book;  you just need to go out and find the right place to market and sell your book.  Think of your book as the most important book that all children must read.   This is a great affirmation that will help you remain resolute in your quest to market your book.











a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 8, 2012


Making Time to Write
Welcome to day three of Children’s Book Week!



 To help escape from the depression of my two oldest attending college out of state; I would spend every spare moment writing.  Household chores piled up.  I drove my poor husband crazy until I came to realize I could no longer neglect my other responsibilities.  I later made the decision to schedule my writing during vacation from my teaching position.

During the first week of Christmas vacation 2009, I sat down to write and for some strange reason I drew a total blank.  I soon realized it is better to do a little writing every day.   Developing a daily habit of writing made it easier for my muse to flow.   There’s nothing more frustrating than staring at a blank computer screen.  I see writing daily as an integral way to stay connected to my creativity. 
  
Having a classroom full of students has been a tremendous way to get ideas for my writing. Therefore, before going to bed, I write for one hour.  

If you find that your day is too full to set time for writing, here’s what you can do.

1)      Start out with just half an hour a day- Everyone can find 30 minutes.  I gave up watching the evening news.

2)      Be creative- I purchased a netbook that I carry with me everywhere.  The netbook is lightweight and instead of taking a full 45 minutes for lunch, I spend the last 15 minutes writing.

3)      Going on vacation?  I take my netbook and get up early before heading out to tour or hang out on the beach or pool.  Doing this gives me a great feeling of accomplishment, and I am able to go have a grand time the rest of the day.

In celebration of children’s book week, I encourage those with a desire to write for children to make time to write.   Do not let a busy schedule keep you from developing yourself as a writer.  You never know how   the book you write may change the life of a child.  All it takes is one book that may be instrumental in helping a child develop a lifelong relationship with reading and learning.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Be sure to visit the other blogs participating in the blog hop to increase your chances to win!


Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog
Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Celebrating Children's Book-Week:Why I write in English/French and Spanish

Welcome to day two of children's book week.  I hope while you are here you will take a moment to like my Facebook page and  follow me via GFC.  Thank you so much for the support.




Why I write in English/French and Spanish


I came to the United States when I was ten years old. I learned English in six months. All of my teachers were amazed. In high school, I studied Spanish and by the time second semester rolled around; I could communicate fairly well and carry on a conversation in Spanish. The positive experiences of learning a third and fourth language infused me with a fervent desire to help others learn a foreign language. I hold a professional teaching license for French and Spanish in grades K-12.


 I love writing all of my children’s picture books in English, French, and Spanish because a child’s mind is wired to acquire a language when they are young. Children have very little inhibitions; consequently, they can easily learn a new language. I have been teaching high school French and Spanish for 26 years now.


 As our world becomes more global, I see a huge need to help prepare all students for the ever-growing international market. In my opinion, a foreign language should be taught in kindergarten when a child’s mind is best wired for language acquisition and continue until grade 12.


 We can afford to pay athletes and Hollywood stars millions of dollars; however, we can’t figure out a way to offer a foreign language to all students starting with kindergarten. I want to help make it easier for children to be exposed to different cultures and languages, and this is the number-one reason I write all of my children’s picture books in English, French, and Spanish.


 I love this quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi


 In celebration of children’s book-week, I encourage you to pick up a copy of my trilingual books and perhaps you can impart a little foreign in your child’s language.


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE MY SISTER IS MY BEST FRIEND


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE MARIE AND HER FRIEND THE SEA TURTLE






a Rafflecopter giveaway


Be sure to visit the other blogs participating in the blog hop to increase your chances to win!


Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog
Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com














Sunday, May 6, 2012

Celebrating Children's Book-Week

Welcome all to children's book week!


 The Therapeutic Benefits of Writing

People develop a love for writing for different reasons.  I began writing in 2008 after my second born went away to college.   Most evenings I cried myself to sleep.  I started by writing poetry and later I ventured out by writing a children’s picture book.

Before too long writing became the activity that afforded me an opportunity to escape from missing my son and daughter.   I derived great pleasure from seeing the printed words.  I later wrote a second manuscript and submitted it to a publisher.  Much to my delight, my second children’s trilingual book was published November 2011.

I am now hooked on writing for children.  The single best strategy for helping all children succeed is to encourage them to read.  Reading is a skill that’s essential in all areas of achievement.

I believe reading well is a critical component in the development of young minds.  Reading frequently will help a child foster his or her creative thinking, enhance word recognition, improve cognitive skills, and help achieve a greater understanding of people and the world around him/her.

In celebration of children’s book week, I encourage you to take time  to read a book  to your child or grandchild.

a Rafflecopter giveaway