Roswell New Mexico Has My Latest Book

The Roswell Public Library has 'Can Hens Give Milk?' When I found this out my immediate reaction was, 'Are aliens reading my book?' How wonderful. Well, I welcome all children, alien or otherwise, to read my books. I also urge you to visit your local library and enjoy the treasures therein. And that means you!

Kate Atkinson - and Me!

Have you ever stepped into the pages of a book and didn't want to climb back out again? I've probably mentioned this before, but sometimes you just feel as if you are a character in the novel you are reading, and that happened with 'Case Histories' by Kate Atkinson. I just finished reading the book yesterday. I couldn't put it down! I read it all the way to Bowen Island and back, only looking up now and then to admire the beautiful view of mountains and mist in the trees, and the wake of the ferry as we headed back to Vancouver. Atkinson seems to know people very well, and how we think and feel, which is often different from how we say we think and feel. And she captures the simple straightforwardness of children as few other writers can. 'Case Histories' is not a kid's book, but many book-loving teenagers would enjoy it.
And now for ME!
The book launch for 'Can Hens Give Milk?' went very well. There were seven writers - not just the six as previously advertised - launching eight books. I want to thank everyone who showed up to listen to our short speeches, nibble the food and buy copies of the books. I bought three books! Vancouver Kidsbooks' Phyllis Simon is a wonderful host and supporter of children's literature - in fact of all literature. I often buy my grown up books there (including Kate Atkinson novels).
READ. WRITE. HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

Massachusetts Children's Book Award Nominee, And No One Told Me.

Because I'm a bit self centred I often Google my name. That's how I discovered that 'Honey Cake' had been nominated for yet another award - which it didn't win, but that's not the point. The award originated with Salem State University and it's a readers' choice award. The winners were announced around April 27th, 2011, but I didn't even have a chance to say, 'Oh, I'm just happy to be nominated,' or 'It's wonderful to be included on such an illustrious list of authors.' Which it is, by the way.
I feel as if I'd arrived at a party after all the guests had left. Never mind. It is an honour to have been nominated for another award.
The winner is: '11 Birthdays' by Wendy Mass
Honor books are: 'No Talking!' by Andrew Clements
'Savvy' by Ingrid Law
'The Magic Half' by Annie Barrows
'The Other Side of the Island' by Allegra Goodman
Congratulations to one and all.

Joy of Re-Writing

Yes, it can be joy - sometimes. I find it joyful if it comes from me rather than a publisher or editor. I suddenly thought of changes (for the better) that I could make to a story I first wrote many years ago, back in the 1980s. It's been through quite a few changes since then but this week I put it through a total transformation and then some re-writes. It actually gave me a little thrill to read it over. I'll leave it to ripen a bit more before I re-read and then send it somewhere.
I've also taken a deep breath, decided not to panic, and just work on different stories as the inspiration hits me. For, lo and behold, I read a few scenes from two of the stories I have not looked at for quite some time, and I thought, 'How brilliant? Who could possibly have written such gripping prose? ... Why, bless my soul, 'tis I!'