Congratulations to Joyce Hostetter who won LONGBOW GIRL from last week's blog. I had promised you would hear the results of Sydney Kirsch's NaNoWriMo experience. But in typical "I-want-it-to-be-better" mode, Sydney wasn't quite satisfied with her guest post and is continuing to tweak it. Stay tuned, you'll read it soon! ***** As many of you know,… Continue reading The Lions of Little Rock: A Review
The Backstory What do you do if you write a book based on a story in "your own backyard" because of an editor's advice (BLUE, Boyds Mills Press, 2006. The polio epidemic in Hickory, NC) and then the main character keeps talking to you and you want to know what happens next? (COMFORT Calkins Creek, 2009. Anne Fay deals… Continue reading AIM: A Review, an ARC Giveaway, and The Hero's Journey
Congratulations to Michelle Leonard for winning Radioactive! on last week's blog. If you read my blog regularly, than you are no stranger to my friend Joyce Hostetter who I have featured on my blog many times. It is my privilege to host her today as she shares her reflections on some behind the scenes thoughts on writing… Continue reading Guest Post by Joyce Hostetter: On Writing a War Series
In my last post you read the backstory about Kathleen Burkinshaw's middle grade book, The Last Cherry Blossom. Now, here's the review...but be warned, I'm including a spoiler alert! Fears and Mysteries Twelve-year-old Yuriko has become accustomed to daily air raid drills and the sounds of American B-29's flying over Hiroshima. But even though the sounds are… Continue reading The Last Cherry Blossom: Review and ARC Giveaway
As many of you know, I love sharing my fellow writers' good news. Here is an interview with Kathleen Burkinshaw, author of the debut middle grade historical novel, The Last Cherry Blossom. Next week I will post my review. I hope this will get your interest aroused and you'll leave a comment to win my ARC! *********… Continue reading Meet Kathleen Burkinshaw–Debut Middle Grade Author
As promised in last week's blog, Kathy Wiechman agreed to answer a few questions about her inspiration for EMPTY PLACES. CAROL: I believe you used some family history to create this story. Can you tell us a little bit about that? KATHY: EMPTY PLACES is not a family history, but events in family history served as… Continue reading Kathy Wiechman: Behind the Scenes of EMPTY PLACES
Congratulations to Deb Allmand who won SCAR on last week's blog. Introduction I first introduced my husband's uncle, Robert Toupal, to middle grade historical fiction by giving him Joyce Hostetter's book, BLUE. Since then he's often my first reader when I receive an ARC. A man of definite opinions, I wondered what he would think… Continue reading EMPTY PLACES: A Review and ARC Giveaway
Congratulations to Linda Phillips who won THE HIRED GIRL audio CD. For those of you who know that Linda and I are best writing buddies, I can assure you that this was not rigged and the winner was chosen through random.org! ******** Sixteen-year-old Noah Daniels is a patriot with a problem. Lame since childhood, Noah… Continue reading SCAR: A Review and an ARC Giveaway
One of the highest compliments you can give an author is to finish their book and want to read it all over again. In the case of The Hired Girl, by award-winning author Laura Amy Schlitz, that's exactly what I did; happily spending hours on a recent car trip reliving the world of Janet Lovelace,… Continue reading The Hired Girl: A Review and an Audio Giveaway
I am pleased to announce a new series of posts following up on my You Heard it Here First series. In these Where Are They Now? posts I'll share follow-up publication news from authors and illustrators I have featured on my blog. My first success story comes from North Carolina author Joyce Hostetter, who happens to… Continue reading Where Are They Now? Joyce Hostetter's Cover Reveal + Giveaway