Clever, Friendships, Cold Water

Clever, friendships and what happens in Cold Water the Young Adult Mystery Suspense novel by Billie A Williams

What is a friend? How do you build friendships?
Zip is Clever, but is he so clever that he doesn't need a friend?

These are all questions that the free Readers Guide will ask about Cold Water. Here is a snippet of the chapter where Zip is befriended by a suddenly homeless woman. Why?

Zip shot his skateboard into the alley. He stopped short. His heart beat so hard he thought it would burst through his ribs. He gulped for air. His lungs hurt from the chase. He had forgotten the new addition to the factory had closed his favorite escape route. Now what? He was doomed. As he was about to try to climb over the fence separating the buildings, he heard the dogs. Were they in the connecting yard or down the street? Panic tied his insides into tighter and tighter knots. Despite the cold, he broke out in a sweat. If not over the fence, where? He couldn’t’ reach the top of the fence anyway, but maybe if he…

“Over here,” a woman’s voice called to him.

He jerked to attention. He scanned the dark alley for the source of the voice. He didn’t see anyone.

“In here, quickly.”

The lid on the paper recycling bin raised high enough that he could see a splash of white skin and the top of a woman’s head. Zip froze in place.

“Hurry,” the woman’s voice sounded insistent, urgent. He bolted to the bin. She reached for his skateboard and he handed it to her. Beautifully manicured white female hands grabbed the board. Zip leapt up, bracing both hands on the edge of the bin to lift him up and over the edge. He somersaulted in and the lid came down quietly behind him. The box grew dark and silent. The delicate smell of vanilla perfume slid by his nostrils. What street person wore perfume?

“Sh,” the lady’s voice said.

Zip held his breath as he heard Snake and Tony’s sneakers slap, slapping up the street and squeak to a stop at the end of the alley. Silence. He needed to swallow, but he was afraid it would make noise. His heart was loud enough. How do you quiet your heart, how do you keep it from beating so loudly, he thought.

Snake sped off down the alley and Tony bounced up to the top of the paper recycle bin and jumped off into the yard on the other side of the fence. The dogs snarled and barked. Tony obviously got past them or they were in the next yard. Then it grew silent again—dead silence slipped through his mind, like he might have been if it hadn’t been for the vanilla lady. 

Cold Water will be released July 1, 2012. Get your Readers Guide, questions, information and resources on bullying by emailing me here Billie A Williams put "Bullying" in the subject line.  And I will send it to you.

P. S. Sign up for my Newsletter, The Mystery Reader Connection and stay abreast of all the events, news and free stuff available for you. Once a month in your inbox you'll receive the Newsletter, if there are important up dates I'll occasionally send you an email about them. There is a safe unsubscribe at the bottom of every email...so you never have to stay if you don't want to. Hurry, sign up today and receive your copy of Black Roses, a mystery, just for signing up. You won't want to miss a single issue.

On The Go With Children's Author Nancy Sanders

 Perma Link

http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/book-launch-party-frederick-douglass-for-kids-11/

Featured Book:

Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities

By Nancy I. Sanders

Author’s site: www.nancyisanders.com

Book’s site: www.FrederickDouglass.wordpress.com

Purchase the book on Amazon at: http://tinyurl.com/7opjcn4

Book Synopsis

Few Americans have had as much impact on this nation as Frederick Douglass. Born on a plantation, he later escaped slavery and helped others to freedom via the Underground Railroad. In time he became a bestselling author, an outspoken newspaper editor, a brilliant orator, a tireless abolitionist, and a brave civil rights leader. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic in the years leading up to the Civil War, and when war broke out, Abraham Lincoln invited him to the White House for counsel and advice.

        

Frederick Douglass for Kids follows the footsteps of this American hero, from his birth into slavery to his becoming a friend and confidant of presidents and the leading African American of his day. And to better appreciate Frederick Douglass and his times, readers will form a debating club, cook a meal similar to the one Douglass shared with John Brown, make a civil war haversack, participate in a microlending program, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.

Author’s Bio

Nancy I. Sanders is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 80 books including the picture book D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. She teaches other writers how to launch their career to the next level based on material found in her groundbreaking book for writers, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, live in southern California. They have two adult sons, Dan and Ben.

Interview with the Author

On the Go with Children’s Author Nancy I. Sanders

What are some of the ways you plan to market your new book, Frederick Douglass for Kids?

I’m supplying teaching resources for teachers to download and use with this book on my book’s site as well as sites such as Teachers Pay Teachers. I’m also going to events such as a local school’s career day to talk with kids about writing and distribute promotional materials about my book. Plus, I’ll be attending ALA later this month where the publisher has set up a booksigning to help get the word out about my book to librarians. Then there are also events I’m hosting on my blog such as the Book Launch Party that is going on right now.

Are you available to speak at writing conferences?

Yes! I love sharing practical tips on how writers can jumpstart their writing career to the next level of success. In May, I just finished teaching at a large conference, the Orange County Christian Writers Conference. I’ve taught at various writing conferences over the years. Many times people ask me to teach on writing for children since that is my area of expertise, but I also teach workshops on time management and setting successful career goals for writers of all genres. These classes are based on the information I present in my award-winning book, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career.

Do you ever do online workshops or classes?

In this day and age, virtual workshops over Skype or AnyMeeting are so do-able! I can do small virtual workshops with just two or three writing buddies…or workshops with large groups where they put my image on a big screen for a hundred or more writers to gather and enjoy. I can teach a workshop to one group gathered in one place…or a group of writers spread out all over the country all at the same time! My fees are very reasonable, often just $20 per person depending on which options you choose. Plus, I have taught so many workshops and writing classes over the years that I can dovetail yours to meet the needs of your particular group. Since I’ve written over 80 books with publishers big and small, I’ve got a lot of experience in different genre and with different publishers. To find out more about setting up a virtual workshop, e-mail me at jeffandnancys@gmail.com and visit my site:

www.YesYouCanLearnVirtualVisit.wordpress.com

What are you doing to celebrate the release of your book, Frederick Douglass for Kids?

This is the last day of my two-week virtual Book Launch Party! And today’s the last day to enter to win a prize! Stop by my site today to join in the party as it’s winding down. You can join the fun on my blog today at:

http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/book-launch-party-frederick-douglass-for-kids-11/

Thank you so much, Billie, for being the final stop on my Book Launch Party! It’s been a joy!

And thank you for visiting Nancy it has been such a pleasure. I'm sure my readers will love it.

Billie

Monday's Child Contest Winner

Congratulations to Jenny P for her win in the Monday's Child contest. Thank you to all of you who played. The answer of 7 faces was correct and many of you had that right as well. The software program of random numbers actually drew the winning name from all the correct responses. Jenny has been notified via email.
Be on the lookout for Tuesday's Child Contest coming soon.

Also watch here for Friday's blog tour with Suzanne Lieurance and the Lucky Baseball.
See you Friday.

P.S. sign up for The Mystery Reader Connection to stay abreast of all that new in mystery - new columnists are added monthly - and they always have something mysterious to add to my pages.

On the Go with Children’s Author Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani

Mayra it is so good of you to stop by my blog today. I'm excited about your new book and I'll bet the schools just love having you come to visit.

 

I love doing school visits. Last month I had the honor of being re-invited to BEPS International School in Brussels to read two of my books and do a story workshop with the 3rd-year classes. We had a blast!

I brought with me my picture books, Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster (http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/humberto.htm) and The Doll Violinist (http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/doll-violinist.htm).

First, they gathered cross-legged on the carpet and I read them Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster. Afterwards—and this is the part they truly loved—they acted out the story! I had them play out the story twice so everybody could have a go at being an actor/actress. When they got stuck, the class or I helped them along. I was like the director. They didn’t read the lines from the book but improvised them in their own way as they remembered them. There were plenty of laughs and giggles.

After acting out the story, they sat down on the carpet again and I proceeded to do a story workshop. In this verbal workshop, they got to create and improvise a story as a group. For example, one kid thought of a character, another of a setting, another of a problem, etc., etc., until we had all the basic elements of a story. Finally we all tried to come up with the perfect title. The result was amazing! Kids are so original, inventive and imaginative; it just takes my breath away.

To finish off and calm them down, I read them The Doll Violinist before leaving. Altogether, it took about an hour. The teacher was always present to make sure the children behaved. I would never try this on my own! LOL. 

This must have been a wonderful and engaging experience they will remember for a good long time. I applaud your creative genius.  Tell us about this new book The Water Cycle -  certainly an adventure worth learning about.

About the book:

The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1, for ages 4-8, follows the water droplets in their journey from the clouds to the earth and back to the clouds again. Written in a lyrical style, the book takes a new angle on the water cycle by showing the feelings it evokes in people. It also has fun learning activities at the end.

What reviewers are saying…

 “Written in Calvani’s delightful prose, “Huddle inside the CLOUD high up in the sky, the water droplets are excited,” While also complemented by the imaginative artwork of Alexander Morris’ fun illustrations, makes this book both easy to read and informative. The author also includes for her young readers a word search and glossary learning activity—a great addition to every teacher and homeschool parents’ teaching library.” –Carol Fraser Hagen, reading specialist and special education teacher.

You can read the complete review at http://www.carolfraserhagen.com/2012/04/30/reading-about-science-book-recommendation

Purchase The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1 from Guardian Angel Publishing: http://guardianangelpublishing.com/water-cycle.htm

Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616332379/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

About the author: Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults.  and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Visit her website at www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com and get the first two lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow Picture Book Workshop free! 

Book information:

Title: The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1
Author: Mayra Calvani
Illustrations: Alexander Morris
Genre: Children 4-8
Print ISBN: 9781616332372; 1616332379
eBook ISBN: 9781616332389; 1616332387 
Published: March 15, 2012
Pages: 20
Price: $10.95 print; $5.00 e-Book
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/water-cycle.htm

Thanks Mayra, this was a most interesting and enjoyable experience. I wish you much success with your books and certainly you will be a must have speaker for many classrooms from here on out.
  

Monday's Child Is...

Monday's Child is Fair of Face…

The poem, is "Monday's Child" and the first line of the poem is your chance to win a copy of Antique Armor just for playing. Read on to find out how.

No one takes Antiques at "face value" at least, not anyone with any experience in the antique business. June Fabrizio, owner of The Antique Rose Antique Shop is no exception. When a suit of antique armor winds up on her door step, troubles seem to have come calling with it. 

Days later, a note discovered in the suit of armor says "She killed me." Who, where and why? And all those same questions surface about the suit of armor as well.

Monday's child may be fair of face, but June knows things are not always as they seem. Sisters' share parents, genes and even faces, but personalities? Not always. Is June's sister Belinda part of the problem? She has always been in June's face over anything to do with the family. Why is it she seems so obsessed with the antique suit of armor? 

If you write, give your story wide berth and see what faces develop in their wake. You may be surprised.

===============

How many times does the word face appear in this post? (Even if face is the complete word—as long as it is part of a word it counts) Put your answers in the comment section to receive your change to win a copy of Antique Armor, a mystery suspense or if you are a writer and would prefer a print copy of Writing Wide, Exercises in Creative Writing.

P.S. Sign up for The Mystery Reader Connection and to stay up to date on all that news, events, contests and more for the mystery reader and/or writer. Hurry, you won't want to miss a single issue. Each issue packed with news from mystery writers as well as writers of other genres and their take on mystery writing.