Christmas in July at Putting Words Down on Paper!

Susanne Drazic at Putting Words Down on Paper is running a Christmas in July special feature at her blog. I, along with several other writers, will be participating in this event. Look for interesting articles and great giveaways all month long!

1ST
HOST – Susanne Drazic
2ND
GUEST – Karina Fabian
3RD
GUEST – Barbara Ehrentreu
4TH
GUEST – Susan Hornbach
5TH
GUEST – Beverly Stowe McClure
GIVEAWAYS – (1) copy of Just Breeze and (1) copy of Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines (2 WINNERS)
6TH
GUEST – Kathy Stemke
GIVEAWAY – (1) copy of Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep
7TH
GUEST – Shannon Mawhiney
8TH
GUEST – J Q Rose
GIVEAWAY – (1) eBook copy of Sunshine Boulevard
9TH
GUEST – Rochelle Weber
GIVEAWAY – (1) selenite stone and (1) coupon for Rock Bound (whatever format winner chooses)
10TH
GUEST – Kim Baccellia
GIVEAWAY – (1) signed book
11TH
GUEST – Paige M. Cummings
GIVEAWAY – (1) copy of Under The Liberty Oak
12TH
GUEST – Dac Crossley
13TH
GUEST – Stephen Tremp
14TH
GUEST – Chelle Cordero
GIVEAWAY – (1) .pdf copy of Hyphema
15TH
GUEST – Roseanne Dowell
GIVEAWAY – (1) copy of May I Have This Dance
16TH
GUEST – Ann Best
GIVEAWAY – (1) copy of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
17TH
GUEST – Sally Royer-Derr
18TH
GUEST – Devon Ellington
GIVEAWAY – 10 page fiction critique
19TH
GUEST – Grace DeLuca
20TH
GUEST – Dianne Sagan
GIVEAWAY – (1) copy of one of her books
21ST
GUEST – Karen Cioffi
22ND
GUEST – Kim Baccellia
GIVEAWAY – Bookmarkers & cross tats
23RD
GUEST – Susan Hornbach
24TH
GUEST – Kristin Johnson
GIVEAWAY -
25TH
GUEST – Gail Branan
GIVEAWAY -
26TH
GUEST – Viviane Brentanos
GIVEAWAY -
27TH
GUEST – Karen Cioffi
GIVEAWAY -
28TH
GUEST – Cheryl Malandrinos
GIVEAWAY – (1) print copy of Little Shepherd and (1) ebook copy of Little Shepherd (2 WINNERS)
29TH
GUEST – Charlotte Volnek
30TH
GUEST – Billi Wagner
GIVEAWAY – some type of butterfly jewelry
31ST
GUEST – Jennifer Gladen
GIVEAWAY – (1) autographed copy of A Star in the Night

Reviews of Children's Books by Clavis Publishing at TC&TBC

As many of you know, I also run The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I received a box of books from Clavis Publishing that I reviewed on June 27th at that blog. What I loved about these books is the way that they truly celebrated families and youngsters.

You can find my reviews at http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/. The titles are:


Bathing
Going to the Beach with Lily and Milo
Going to the Zoo with Lily and Milo
My Daddy
Playing
Ricky is Brave
Thankyouplease
The Big Baby Book

I'll definitely be on the lookout for more titles from this publisher.

New Look for My Website!

I'm so excited that I just have to let everyone know. Staci from Blogging Bella Designs created a new look for my website. I had hoped this new look would be ready last year, but I had problems finding someone to tackle the job.

Staci did a wonderful job and I love the new look. Please visit http://ccmalandrinos.com/ and check it out. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

Cheryl



Guest Blogging at The Professional Writer's Connection

A while back I started a new blog, The Professional Writer's Connection, to work alongside a FREE writer's forum I created with the same name. This month's special feature has been on first book stories. Authors across a variety of genres have shared the stories of their first books. It's been a fun month.

I decided to share the story of Little Shepherd today. You can find it at http://profwritersconnect.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-book-stories-little-shepherd-by.html

Interviewed at It Only Takes a Mustard Seed to Make a Dream Grow

Stop on over at Joanne Troppello's blog, It Only Takes a Mustard Seed to Make a Dream Grow, and read our interview about Little Shepherd and my writing. I would love to hear from you.

You can find the interview at http://joannetroppello.weebly.com/1/post/2011/05/interview-with-author-cheryl-malandrinos.html

Little Shepherd is available at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing

Indiebound.org

You can also email me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com if you would like an autographed copy of the book. The cost of an autographed copy would be $10, plus a flat $3 shipping and handling fee for anywhere in the United States. Additional shipping charges would apply outside of the United States.

Walking on a Rainbow – a Children’s Fiction Picture Book Workshop

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a children’s picture book author? Perhaps you have lots of ideas sure to delight young readers, yet aren’t quite sure how to get started? Or maybe you’ve already tried your hand at it, but don’t feel confident enough to submit yet? If you’ve answered ‘Yes’ to these questions, then this is the workshop for you!

During this intense 2-week crash course, you’ll have the chance to write the complete first draft of a fiction picture book manuscript under 700 words. Why under 700 words? Because you want your story to be as marketable as possible, and that is the word count agents and publishers are after the most. You’ll be able to draft your story while learning the key elements that make a fiction picture book a success. Feedback will be provided by the instructor during each step of the workshop.

Topics to be covered include:

* What you need to know before you start writing
* Amateurish mistakes beginners must avoid like the plague
* How to grab the reader on the first page (setting, character and conflict)
* Point of view
* How to plot and develop an effective story arc (conflict, rising action and resolution)
* Understanding the “Rule of Three”
* How to add sensory detail
* How to develop a character arc
* How to think in pictures
* How to replace adverbs and adjectives with strong, precise verbs
* The surprising ending or twist
* Associations, clubs and newsletters beginners should know about
* Where to submit your picture book manuscript
* And much more

Note: This workshop will focus on stories written in prose, NOT in rhyme.

Requirements: Participants must either purchase or borrow from the library a copy of A Visitor for Bear, by Bonny Becker. The book will be used for the duration of the course.

This is an intense workshop. Lessons and assignments will be posted every day Monday through Friday (for a total of 10 lessons). There will be no lessons on Saturday and Sunday.

WHEN: May 30, 2011 - Jun 10, 2011

COST: $20 for Premium Members
$30 for Basic Members
Cancellation policy: Registrations are non-refundable except when the workshop is cancelled by Savvy Authors.


REGISTRATION: Click Here to Register (Members will not receive member rate unless logged in.)
INSTRUCTOR: Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her children’s picture books include Crash, The Magic Violin, Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster, Frederico, the Mouse Violinist, and The Doll Violinist. She’s had over 300 reviews, articles, stories and interviews published online and in print. She’s represented by Mansion Street Literary Management. Visit her website at www.mayrassecretbookcase.com.

PROMO DAY - Saturday, May 14th!

THE PROMOTIONAL EVENT FOR THE WRITING INDUSTRY IS BACK!

PROMO DAY makes its return in 2011 and promises to be the best yet. Mark your calendars for Saturday 14th May 2011!

An all day, online, international event for people in the writing industry packed full of tips and advice along with a variety of opportunities for writers, publishers, editors etc to promote their work and services. Readers are also welcome to drop in and get to know the authors better in the forums, view the video trailers or read the sample chapters onsite.

Founder and Organiser of the event, Jo Linsdell, had this to say "PROMO DAY came about because I was looking for opportunities to promote my books using the internet at little or no cost. After attending the Muse Online Writers Conference back in 2006, I searched the internet for similar events aimed at what to do after you’ve written the book and found none. I decided to fill the void and so PROMO DAY was born. PROMO DAY is a great opportunity to network with other members of the industry, take part in online workshops and promote and best of all it’s FREE”.

The forums feature added last year will become even more interesting during this year's event with all day workshops and pitch sessions with publishers. There will also be special sections for Companies offering services (virtual assistants, website designers, illustrators, ghost writers etc…) let attendees know more about what they offer as well as plenty of opportunities to network and promote.
Visit the website http://www.jolinsdell.com/promoday for more details of how you can be involved.

ALL DAY PRESENTER WORKSHOPS

Joyce Anthony -  Blogging 

Sandy Lender -  365 days of non-stop marketing

Jo Linsdell - Twitter

Joyce Lavene -  Writing series


TIMED PRESENTER WORKSHOPS

LIVE Workshops will take place in the chatroom on site between 15:00 and 21:00 (Central European Time).

15:00 TBC - TBC


16:00 Sandy Lender - There's Nothing Virtual About the Work in an Online Book Tour

17:00 Suzanne Lieurance - Show Me the Money: How to Make a Comfortable Living as a Children’s Writer

18:00 Robin Richmond - Selling through Independent Bookshops

19:00 TBC - TBC

20:00 Tannia Ortiz-Lopes - Writing Book Reviews: Lessons Learned


BE PART OF THE ACTION, BE PART OF PROMO DAY!