Natasha's News

New Look, New Ways to Connect

2011-09-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

I’m in the process of having my blog, website and social media updated and inter-connected by my tech-smart friend, Kristi Ross, so that you’ll have many ways of staying in contact with me and hearing my latest news in the publishing world. I’m very excited because that means I can have more immediate connections with my friends and fans. Plus I’m working on ways to make it easier for you to purchase my books through my sites.

So stayed tuned! I'll publish the new web address soon for my fabulous reinvented blog!

Conference Inspiration

2011-09-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I attended the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference (I know, it's a mouthful) in Lakewood, Colorado. I was there as a presenter, and talked about how my Night Before series started as one book and grew to 16 over the past 12 years. Twelve years! I've been writing that series for that long!

It turned out to be a fun assignment for me to study my own works. Typically I read other people's books to help improve my own. Well, I found out a few interesting things:
- My top three selling titles are: The Night Before Kindergarten, then Thanksgiving, then Easter.
- It was a wise idea to get an agent. I earned more in the advance and royalties ever since signing on with my agent.
- The stories all have families with a mother and father and either one child or two.
- It would have been better to have one artist for the whole series.
- The books illustrated with big-headed kids with skinny necks didn't sell as well as kids depicted more accurately.

It's always good to connect to your audience, too. Two women at the presentation were teachers and used my books in their classrooms. One woman who was pregnant read The Night Before the New Baby and started crying, it touched her so. Plus, people offered great ideas for new titles.

The thing attendees were most thankful for is that I talked about what I earned for this series: advances and royalties.

Besides presenting, I was also fortunate to attend a sessions that offered new information to an old hack who's been in the business for 20 years. Plus I made contacts with editors, and learned more about how to craft a better story.

So if you are considering attending an SCBWI conference, I say do it if you get a chance. This is a people business, and you have to make face-to-face connections. And getting a shot of inspiration doesn't hurt either.

Why Readers Choose Books

2011-08-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

This bit of information came to me via fellow writer and friend, Teresa Funke, who emails me newsletters about writing which I read top to bottom. I thought this would be interesting for writers, especially if you are designing, publishing or marketing your own book.

People Buy Books Based On:

Friend's Recommendation - 49%

Familiarity with Author - 45%

Description on Jacket - 32%

Reviews - 22%

Advertisement - 21%

Place on Best-seller List - 17%

Reading Group Pick - 16%

Cover Design - 12%

Source: Spier N.Y. (Based on responses from 813 readers, as noted in Publisher's Weekly and quoted in Joe Watt's column inThe Denver Post).

Guest Post

2011-08-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Read my guest post on Bubble Cow about back matter to see how you as a writer can enhance your manuscripts with information that furthers and deepens your story.

Note: Above back matter page from An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.

A Song About Kindergarten

2011-08-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

My book, The Night Before Kindergarten, was mentioned on The Barron Bunch blog. There's an adorable video of daughter, Ella, singing a going to kindergarten song. With their permission, I am posting it here to share.

Wouldn't you love to have had her girl's room when you were a little girl?

Get Ready for School

2011-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Watch my new You Tube video for my get-ready-for-school books.

Inspire Children to Write

2011-08-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to pass along information about a new book that aims at inspiring children to write. Here's what the website says: "An illuminating, first-of-its-kind resource to help parents foster a love of writing in their child’s life. New educational research reveals that writing is as fundamental to a child’s development as reading. But though there are books that promote literacy, no book guides parents in helping their child cultivate a love of writing. In this book, Pam Allyn, a nationally recognized educator and literacy expert, reminds us that writing is not only a key skill but also an essential part of self-discovery and critical to success later in life. Allyn offers the the five keys” to help kids WRITE-Word Power, Ritual, Independence, Time, and Environment-along with fun, imaginative prompts to inspire and empower children to put their thoughts on the page. A groundbreaking blueprint for developing every child’s abilities, Your Child’s Writing Life teaches parents how to give a gift that will last a lifetime."
Shop Indie Bookstores

Book Review

2011-07-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson, (Delcorte Press, 2011): My writer friend, Kirby Larson, was researching Hattie Big Sky (which went on to win a Newbery Honor) when she came upon an interesting piece of history.

In 1927, Japanese schoolchildren sent 58 friendship dolls to the United States as ambassadors of friendship. Kirby had seen a photo of a blond farm girl with an exquisite Japanese doll and the seed for this story was planted. The story is told partly through the doll eyes of Miss Kanagawa - a hoity doll at that - who meets children through the ages and imparts telepathic wisdom upon each child. With each child she feels a tug at her heart.

The touchdowns in each era are interesting to me since Kirby does an excellent job of bringing in historical details and jargon of the country's different regions and time periods. I especially enjoyed the description of the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago during the Depression (although I secretly hoped the girl would ride the Sky Ride.) There's a valuable message as well as clever methods of exposing the doll to the various children throughout the ages which makes for an interesting read.

Kirby has put out a challenge to find the 13 dolls that are missing. Check your attic!

First Review on Amazon

2011-07-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

One feature on Amazon I like to check is Customer Reviews even though I cringe when I click on the button. Because you never know if the review will be good or not. But today I was thrilled to find the first review for The Night Before Preschool.

Read the review.

If you know of any kids heading off to preschool this year, please gift them my book.

Summer Activities

2011-06-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Looking for things for the kids to do this summer? Look in the back of a book you may already own: An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.

In the back matter are art activities that are simple, plus your kids can create their own piece of art in one sitting. Inside the book are color illusions that are fun to trick your eye with. So pull that book from your shelf and let it entertain you and your kids!

Looking for Reviewers

2011-06-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

After being re-routed from California, I finally received my author copies of The Night Before Preschool which was released in May. If you are a blogger dedicated to children's books, motherhood, or early education - and have at least 200 fans - let me know if you are interested in reviewing my book and I will send you a copy.

A Need for Multicultural Picture Books

2011-06-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Jalapeno Bagels is about a Mexican-Jewish boy.

I thought this was an interesting article from an online newsletter I get called Shelf Awareness regarding multicultural picture books:

A solid majority of adults in the U.S. believe in the importance of multicultural picture books for children, but many find it difficult to obtain them. According to a recent telephone survey of a thousand adults conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, 78% said they believe that it is important for children to be exposed to picture books that feature main characters of various ethnicities or races, while 33% reported that it is difficult to find such books.

The survey also found that 73% of parents and 49% of adults have purchased a children's picture book with a protagonist of a different race or ethnicity from the child who will be reading the book, while only 10% consider it important to match the race or ethnicity of the main character of a picture book to the race or ethnicity of the child who will be receiving the book.

"It's reassuring that so many adults recognize the value in exposing children to books that portray people of all colors and ethnicities," said Deborah Pope, executive director of the foundation. "What's disheartening though is that, even today, these books are few and far between. Young children learn by what they see--they need to have quality books that show what joins us rather than what separates us."

When asked which factors they consider when selecting a children's picture book, survey respondents cited interesting stories (62%) and important lessons (61%), followed by eye-catching pictures (41%). "At the end of the day, people just want children to be exposed to good books," said Pope. "I encourage them to look for children's picture books that promote universal experiences and help expand the definition of what it means to be a child in a world with endless possibilities."

Author Note: Jalapeno Bagels has been in print for 15 years, a testament to the need for multicultural books, and the staying power of ones well written. For years I have been wanting to publish a follow-up story using this same family but to no avail. Perhaps there's still a chance my story will see the publishing light. Let's hope!

Mad About Maya

2011-06-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

I'm reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I had seen her being interviewed, and just watching her face and listening to her voice and stories captivated me. I wondered why I hadn't ever read any of her books that people speak so highly of. So I ordered I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings through Bookins (a used book swap), and am mesmerized by her writing. The way she turns phrases, delivers fresh images, adds humor to her descriptions. I'm hypnotized. At first I wanted to share the book once I was finished, but now I decided to keep it and use it as a reference and inspiration when I write. If you've never read this book, I suggest you put it on your summer reading list and savor every sentence.

Johnny Depp Fetish

2011-05-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm like millions of girls/women who have this thing for Johnny Depp so OF COURSE I'm going to read this book coming out in June. I already took a sneak peek at the e-galley and yep, it sounds like a fun read. Plus it's set in France, so what's not to love? Well, you've gotta love aliens, too, which it typically not my genre, but writing with attitude is. So I will definitely give this book a summer read. And the artwork is cool, too.

Here's the publisher's book description:

David Gershwin's summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad's new patient Zelda tells him she's from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David's hooked, and soon he's leaping across rooftops, running from police, and stealing cars just to stay by her side. He might not be a typical hero, but David's going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth—or beyond.

Hand Crafted Book

2011-05-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, when I was a member of NorBAG (Northern Books Arts Guild) while living in California, a talented print artist, Brenda Tuxford, and I created a handmade book - the cover, the illustrations, the type, the bookmark!

Fiona's Tea Party is a story about a girl whose parents live at a Victorian bed & breakfast, who coerces the guests to have a tea party with her since her parents are so busy tending to their full house. Brenda's illustrations are what you might see in a dark, children's book of an earlier era of England. Since she loved cats, a cat creeps into every page of her drawings.

Brenda has since passed on, but this signed book - or shall I say piece of art - is still available. It is listed on Amazon for $300, or you can view it in person at Eureka Books in Eureka, California.

How to Help Dependent Children Transition to Kindergarten

2011-05-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips for nervous Nillys and Willys heading to Kindergarten this fall.
How to Help Dependent Children Transition to Kindergarten | eHow.com

Summer Reading K-5

2011-05-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

The Night Before Summer Camp

With summer right around the corner, here are some wonderful suggestions for books that appeal to kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Thanks to Penguin, you can download a Summer Reading Booklet with book lists and activities related to the books. Another great place to go for summer reading ideas is your local library. Many libraries have programs that reward kids for the number of books they read. Whatever it takes, please make the effort to include reading in your summer activities and keep those brains active!

Bargain of the Day

2011-05-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Inventory Clearance: Nearly 1/2 off!

One box of 40 children's books (Go to Bed, Monster!) for $320 which includes free shipping.

Albers in Auction

2011-04-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

Josef Albers (1888-1976)
Study for Homage to the Square: Cerulean
signed with artist's monogram and dated '61' (lower right); signed again, titled and dated again 'Study for Homage to the Square: "Cerulean" Albers 1961' (on the reverse)
oil on masonite
24 x 24 in. (60.9 x 60.9 cm.)
Painted in 1961.

This piece of art painted by the subject of my book, An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers, is up for auction at Christie's and starts at $200,000. Are there any patrons out there who would love to buy me a painting to hang in my office?

Mother's Day Book Review

2011-04-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

This review appeared on Amazon. There might be some good ideas for your kids on how they can help celebrate Mother's Day. (It's Sunday, May 8th.)

The Night Before Mother's Day is a great read-along that kids and parents will love. This story is not only adorable, but also teaches children that showing love and affection by pampering your mother is a fun and delightful thing to do. The great thing about this story is it not only shows how fun Mother's Day can be for everyone, but also gives some great ideas about what to do to show your love on this special day! Making "fancy cards, special coupons" and baking cakes and frosting are adorable gifts for a mom, and kids will have a great time doing them!

I highly recommend this book for all children. After reading this book, kids will look at Mother's Day as fun-filled and exciting! The illustrations are colorful and cute, filled with all of the vibrant shades of springtime. I wish I had gotten to read this as a kid! Filled with colors, craft ideas, and cakes, and home spas, this book captures the perfect Mother's Day!

Diana Goodwin

Nuts for Alamogordo!

2011-04-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Me holding up a pistachio nut at McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch.

Just got back from a trip to Alamogordo, New Mexico where I did school visits at four schools and then spoke at the awards ceremony at the Young Writers Conference. The kids were prepared and full of questions, the hosts were generous and a hoot, and I got to experience a new part of our country.

Organizer and teacher, Ryal McMurry, from the Otera IRA, me,

and his mom, Cheeta, a literacy coach and my gracious driver.

At the awards ceremony, the high school was decorated with artwork by the kids inspired by my book, An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.

Good, dino!

I even found a dinosaur behind the high school who wanted some tummy rubs.

Teachers Alicia and Jean from Yucca Elementary

at White Sands National Park.

The teachers hosted a picnic nears the dunes of White Sands. What a wonderful treat! Have you ever sled down a dune? I did! And when the sun is setting, the dunes turn a haunting pale turquoise. It was such a calming place to be, and a nice place to meet the teachers under casual circumstances.

Thanks for the wonderful visit! I hope I inspired your kids to write more. They inspired me!

Graduation Gift for Preschoolers

2011-04-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

As the school year nears an end, preschools across the country are gearing up for graduation.

I've had schools contact me for signed copies of The Night Before Kindergarten to give to each kid who graduates from their preschool to prepare them for Kindergarten. One district at Wheatland AFB started this tradition more than 5 years ago and has already ordered 185 copies! I'll be signing book plates for them with each child's name on it.

New this May is a companion book The Night Before Kindergarten - A Sticker Story book with 16 pages of scenes from the book and 75 stickers with which to decorate the pages.

Some schools will be handing out The Night Before Kindergarten to incoming students during their open houses, meet the teacher day, or the first day of school.

For those graduating Kindergarten I have The Night Before First Grade.

And if you're looking for a way to prepare your child for preschool, The Night Before Preschool comes out May 12th.

Whether it's preschool, Kindergarten or first grade, I've got you covered!

Contact me if you're purchasing any of these books for graduation gifts and you'd like signed copies or book plates.

Easter Book Winner

2011-04-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

I ran a contest to my blogger and Facebook friends to see who could guess my favorite Easter candy. There were a lot of good guesses, and a few near hits, but the winner is....Jane O'Connor Sobek of Litchfield, Connecticut! My brother was close in guessing a chocolate Easter bunny, but the missing word was "white" chocolate Easter bunny. The hint that sealed it for Jane was it was the kind of candy that a character in one of my books likes. Pearl, from Pearl vs. the Tooth Fairy, likes white chocolate. And so do I! Jane's son, Duncan, will be receiving a signed copy of The Night Before Easter.

Book Material

2011-04-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Fine artist and designer Ryan Novelline (great last name - it has the word "novel" in it) created this gown by stitching together pages from a collection of 300 Golden Books, which he assembled from Goodwill and used book shops. After removing the pages, Novelline sorted them by color and sewed them into strips, using a metallic golden thread. Wouldn't dresses made from books make for a fun runway show?

Oh! Oh! An Easter dress made out of The Night Before Easter!

Win My Easter Book

2011-04-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

I will send a signed copy of The Night Before Easter to the first person who guesses my favorite Easter candy before 5 p.m. Mountain time, April 10, 2011.

Send your guess to me by commenting below or emailing to wingcontest@gmail.com.

Book Review

2011-03-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

I received a review copy of a writer friend's book from Sleeping Bear Press called Little California. As you can see by the cover above, it's an eye-catcher. This 5"x7" board book is like looking at over-sized postcards of California. The idea of the book is to introduce very young readers to features of California including the state flower and tree, with short riddles that require the reader to guess the answer. When the reader turns the page the answer is revealed in brightly rendered illustrations by Helle Urban. The riddles were written by Helen Foster James who lives in San Diego, California. I would have liked to have seen the parade riddle at the end of the book rather than in the middle of the riddles about nature subjects, and a riddle about Hollywood, but the book does a great job capturing California in 10 images. I'll be sending this one to a little California girl who it's just perfect for.

Read, Baby, Read!

2011-03-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's never too young to introduce kids to books by reading to them. So this Easter, why not include a book in your child's basket? Like, hmmm, let me think - The Night Before Easter!

Which is cuter?

2011-03-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Which is cuter? The bunny or the chick?

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Authors Who Skype for Free

2011-03-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Teachers, in case you're looking for ways to introduce your students to authors, but your school doesn't have the budget, why not Skpye one for free?

Here's a blog that list authors who will present for up to 20 minutes free to various age groups, in exchange for reading their books. (I'm the very last author listed, so keep on scrollin'.) For my Skype visits I can also offer signed books delivered to your school for free shipping. Such a deal!

So please pass this valuable list on to your fellow teachers, and then give an author a call.

"Eye" Nominated

2011-03-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

An Eye for Color was nominated for the 2012 Grand Canyon Reader Award. The award is decided upon by Arizona students. Votes are due April 1, so no foolin', wish me luck!

If there are any Arizona schools that would like a Skype visit, please contact me.

Return to Race Brook School

2011-03-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

The elementary school I attended from 4th to 6th grade.

Jane and Chris in the halls of Race Brook. The halls seem so tiny now!

Jane and me in the gym.

Second-grade teacher and high school friend, Chris.

On March 1st I had the pleasure of returning to my elementary school in Connecticut, Race Brook Elementary, for a school visit. During a high school reunion, I reconnected with Chris who now teaches second grade there. She said if I was ever in town, to come present at the school.

The presentation was especially fun for me since I could be more personal and talk to the kids about how my neighbors inspired Jalapeno Bagels and An Eye for Color, and show them photos of the house I grew up in on Birchwood Drive and what I looked like when I attended Race Brook.

It was weird - in a good way - to go back to the school where I attended 4th through 6th grade. I remembered the gym where I presented the most, and a few teachers' names, and the principal's name, but not the layout of the classrooms. My friend Jane, who was a year behind me, met me after the presentation and we walked the halls with Chris. Jane remembered everything! Where the library used to be. The hallway to the cafeteria, where Mrs. Water's classroom was (and the principal's too!). I wondered if my poor recollection was because I moved away from Connecticut when I was 20 and wasn't around the old gang anymore to keep the memories fresh.

Jane then drove me past the old junior high which is now called Amity Middle School and around my old neighborhood where artist Josef Albers used to live. We visited the tennis club our families belonged to and reminisced about the parties we had there as teens. I'm writing a new chapter book for girls set at the club so it was perfect timing to see the club again and stir up all those wonderful memories. It'll surely help me add more details to the story.

Thank you, Chris and Jane, for the trip down memory lane.

Book lovers make better lovers

2011-02-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

Love is a many splendored read. Less calories than chocolate. Lasts longer than roses. More bubbly than champagne. Says more than a card. Enough said.

Love is in the air!

2011-02-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

From the Mixed-up Files of Jennifer Bertman

2011-02-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

Great interview by Jennifer Bertman! She writes about creative spaces, and in the interview there's a photo of my office and some of my favorite things I surround myself with while I write, including my cat, Jemima.

Sneak Peak of New Book

2011-02-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Just went on Amazon and got to see the cover for my upcoming book, The Night Before Preschool. It was designed by Amy Wummer, who also did the art for The Night Before Mother's Day. Looks like it'll be another good one.

The book is slated for a May release, also when the sticker book for The Night Before Kindergarten will be coming out. Can't wait!

First Goal of 2011 Completed

2011-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

I can check off my first goal of 2011-finish reading Laura Resau's novel, The Ruby Notebook. It was a delightful story that continues the adventures of world travelers, Zeeta and her mom, Layla, who now live in Aix-en-Provence in France. Resau has a dreamy writing quality which does a fantastic job of capturing settings. And since I took some French in high school, I enjoyed trying to figure out what the French saying sprinkled in the story meant without checking the glossary at the end. Her story also carries a heart-warming message of seizing love when it's in front of you. I can see teen girls loving this story for both Zeeta's desires and the cool people she hangs out with. The book would also appeal to woman pining for a little far-away romance.

Art Inspired by An Eye for Color

2011-01-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

Mr. McMurry's Kindergarten class from Yucca Elementary School in Alamogordo, New Mexico was inspired by my book, An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers, and created these wonderful, vibrant, pieces of art. I just love their choice of colors, and placement of the squares. Their displays make me think of colorful quilts. Thank you for sharing your creations!

Teachers, I would love to share activities your students did that were inspired by any of my books.

Please email me, or post photos on Fans of Natasha Wing books on Facebook.

Filtering Out Filter Words

2011-01-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a writing tip that I hadn't heard of before: eliminate filter words, the words that distance your reader from experiencing what the character is going through. Write It Sideways has a great example of a paragraph with filter words, and how it would read after removing them.

Here are the words to watch out for in your writing.

to see
to hear
to think
to touch
to wonder
to realize
to watch
to look
to seem
to feel (or feel like)
can
to decide
to sound (or sound like)

New Year Goals

2010-12-28T10:26:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year. It's when I get super organized and put behind the bad stuff and get rid of junk and excess, and look forward to the good things ahead. I always feel hopeful and refreshed, and excited about new possibilities.

This new year I've decided on a few goals and here they are: 1) Finish reading The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau and read books by other local authors 2) Illustrate one of my own children's books 3) Write 50 pages of a chapter book. 4) Be more active outdoors. The most important thing about my goals are to look at them not as chores or must-dos. But as playful projects, challenges that will help me grow and improve both my mental and physical health.

I hope you're able to let go of something this week, be it an object you don't need, or a habit you want to break, and choose something fun to strive for in 2011.

Happy New Year.

Merry Night Before the Night Before Christmas!

2010-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the Night Before the Night Before Christmas, a special day for me. A day when you tell yourself, there's no chance I'll finish everything before Christmas! So it's a day of letting go and enjoying whatever Christmas goodness you've already created.

I want to wish you good cheer and a peaceful Christmas Eve. And may all your Christmases be bright!

Photo taken at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Albers in Munchen

2010-12-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Study for a Variant / Adobe (I), ca. 1947, Oil on blotting paper with pencil 24,1 × 30,6 cm, The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation © 2010 THE JOSEF AND ANNI ALBERS FOUNDATION / VG BILDKUNST, BONN / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY, NEW YORK. AUFNAHME: © 2010 WERNER HANNAPPEL / VG BILD-KUNST, BONN.

In case you happen to be in Munchen over winter break, stop by the Pinakothek der Moderne and check out rarely seen oils on paper by Josef Albers as a study for his "Variant" and "Adobe" paintings.

How Dinosaurs Get their Names

2010-12-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

Did you ever wonder how dinosaurs got their names? This is an explanation from www.brighthub.com:

"How different types of dinosaurs are called can be tongue-twisting with the fairly long words. This peculiarity occurs largely because of the many elements that can be contained in the dinosaurs meaning of names. The general term “dinosaur,” in itself, is a name derived from two Greek words: “deinos” which translates to fearfully great or terrible in English and “sauros” which means lizard. The word dinosaur, therefore, simply denotes a “terrible lizard.”

The same mechanics went into the naming of the various kinds of dinosaurs. Some were so named to describe specific parts of their body that makes an individual distinct from its prehistoric kin. Others are named to describe specific characteristics or behaviors that set part a dinosaur from others in its species.

Still, some names may be descriptive of the size of the dinosaur or the locality where that species was found, which is why there are dinosaurs called Denversaurus and Utahsaurus. There are also dinosaurs named after the scientists (commonly, paleontologists) who unearthed or discovered the fossil remains of these animals. The Chassternbergia, for example, was named after its discoverer, Charles Sternberg."

If you ever wondered how to raise a dinosaur, do I have a book for you!

Review from The Witchia Eagle

2010-12-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

Dinosaur neon in a window of Nature's Own,

a new venue carrying my book in Fort Collins.

The Wichita Eagle on Kansas.com published this review of my book today.

Some books are charming; others are flat-out fun. " How to Raise a Dinosaur," by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi (Running Press, ages 4-8, $16.95), is hilarious!

When looking for a pet, you can consider "mice and horses and cats and dogs," but the author encourages you to seriously consider getting a dinosaur. Of course, there are some important things to consider: like the size of your yard and whether you want a meat-eater or a plant-eater.

Wing writes a zany story. She suggests going to a dinosaur shop to find a good pet, but stresses the need for play toys and proper vet care. Bernasconi's illustrations brightly fill each page and feature flaps and cutouts of what's going on behind the scenes.

Her closing advice: "Above all, give your dinosaur lots of love . . . or it will . . . (STOP! He gave a way the ending, but I won't!)

Interactive Books

2010-12-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

My dinosaur book was highlighted in this article! Click on the book covers in the article to see the different ones.
share

Photo Contest Winner!

2010-12-01T10:31:00.001-08:00

Duncan of Litchfield, Connecticut is the winner of the How to Raise a Dinosaur pet dinosaur photo contest. The photo was taken at the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut. Not only is the composition great, but look at Duncan's expression! As a prize, Duncan has won 10 books written and signed by me. Hurray!

P.S. I would still love to see photos of you with your pet dinosaur. So send them in and I will post them here.

PSST. And if you know of anyone who loves dinosaurs, I know a good book (wink, wink).

Buy Local Authors

2010-11-30T08:11:00.000-08:00

It's one thing to shop local. You're supporting neighborhood businesses. When you buy local products, you're supporting both a business and an artisan - two entities within your community. That's why when you give a book as a gift this year, please choose to purchase one written by a Fort Collins author.

Here are some suggestions for kids and teens on your list. And if you don't have children, why not donate a book to your local public or school library, or give one to your Toys for Tots drive. They are always in need of gifts for teens.

By Colorado Book Award Winner, Laura Resau

15-year-old Zeeta and her flighty mother live in a different country every year. This year, in the Ecuadoran Andes, Zeeta helps an American boy search for his birth parents. With him, she encounters adventure, mystery, love, and ultimately, the truth about what she really wants.

In this companion to The Indigo Notebook, Zeeta continues her adventures in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence, where she encounters captivating street performers, age-old secrets, and mysteries of love.

By acclaimed novelist, Todd Mitchell

A teenage boy takes advantage of being the new student at school and reinvents himself. Things get out of control in a sharp, funny, poignant, and compulsively readable novel that gives a coming-of-age theme a surprising twist. Selected by the Texas Library Association for the 2011 Teen Reading List.

By WWII author, Teresa Funke

The Home-Front Heroes Series are books inspired by the stories of real people during WWII. Ideal for history buffs and teachers, too!

By praised teen author, Amy Kathleen Ryan

Zen is the "good" sister with a black belt in karate and a newfound penchant for kicking heads. Xander is a wild scientific genius with a self-destructive streak. They have three things in common: they're brown-eyed blondes, they've noticed the boy next door has turned into a hottie, and they miss their deceased mom. Xander spirals into a vortex of late-night parties, scary men, and drugs. She's about to ruin her chance at college. Should Zen keep trying to protect Xander, or finally let her go?

By national best-selling author, Natasha Wing

For dinosaur lovers: a tongue-in-cheek guide to caring for a pet dinosaur with wild illustrations and fun lift-the-flaps.

Find these books at: Old Firehouse Books, Bookends, Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys, Reader's Cove, and Barnes & Noble on So. College. Nature's Own also carries How to Raise a Dinosaur.

Recommended Books by My Writer Friends Across the Country

2010-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

Some of my writer friends had new books come out this year so I wanted to give a shout out to them in case you're stumped as to what to give your book-loving children or relatives this holiday.

An enchanting cat story by best-selling author, Mary Nethery

In Venice in the 1890s, a plain white cat, left to fend for scraps, makes his way into the heart of a cafe owner who has nothing to spare. In no time at all, though, Nini becomes a celebrity, hosting visits from the composer Giuseppe Verdi, the king and queen of Italy, and even Pope Leo XIII. Nini's fame helps save the struggling business. But is his stardom enough to produce a small miracle of a different sort?

A new historic novel by Newbery Honor Award winner, Kirby Larson

Piper Davis awaits news of her brother, a sailor on the battleship Arizona stationed in Pearl Harbor. Explosions rule the earth and sky, and Piper wonders what will become of her brother, and of her life in Seattle, as blackouts and rationing take hold. Soon, Piper is greeted by another grim situation—the incarceration of her Japanese neighbors.

A clever biography by Sibert Honor winner, Barbara Kerley

In pursuit of truth, Susy Clemens, age 13, vows to set the record straight about her beloved (and misunderstood) father and becomes his secret biographer. The child's journal entries, reproduced in flowing handwritten, smaller folio inserts, add a dynamic and lovely pacing to the narrative, which includes little-known facts about Twain's work.

A twisted bed-time story by master storyteller, Helen Ketteman

Little Monster needs to get ready for bed. That means howling at the moon, scrubbing his scales, getting into his creepy PJs, and enjoying a nice snack before bed: worm juice and baked beetle bread. And, of course, Little Monster's mother is nearby to tuck Little Monster into bed and turn on his night-light-because even little monsters can be afraid of the dark. Bonnie Leick's soft, child-friendly illustrations bring a new and quiet twist to the evening's bedtime ritual.

A book about words by poet and writing coach, Ann Whitford Paul

Where would a sentence be without words? And what’s a word without letters? Just like when constructing a building you have to build your words from the ground up. This book came out in 2009, but is timeless.

All of these books can be purchased at my online bookstore:
Cookie Monkey Books.

Today is Cyber Monday

2010-11-29T06:17:00.000-08:00

First there was Black Friday. Then there was Small Business Saturday. Now there's Cyber Monday, the online shopping day.

In the spirit of easing holiday stress, I hereby invite you to shop my online bookstore, Cookie Monkey Books.

Books and gifts are categorized by:
Art Books
Dinosaurs!
Holiday Books & Gifts
Books About Monkeys!
Cookie Cookbooks
Recommended Reading
My Book Club's Reads
Books by My Friends
Bananas for New York City
Flat Stanley

So come browse at your leisure. My store is always Open.

Happy Night Before Turkey Day!

2010-11-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

Illustration by Tammy Lyon from The Night Before Thanksgiving

One Week Left in Contest

2010-11-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Only one more week left to enter my dinosaur photo contest. (See rules in the side panel under Pages.) Send your photos to dinosaurcontest@gmail.com

Quote of the Century

2010-11-22T19:48:00.000-08:00

While pondering the idea of series and multiple-book contracts, I always feel a sense of unease about the pressure created by having to deliver under deadline. And I think about how foolish it is to force a writer to produce, all in the name of "striking while the iron is hot," "feeding the next book to a hungry audience," or so "your name will not be forgotten before the next hot author comes along." Why would a publisher want to set up circumstances that will likely produce a lessor quality product than the book that created the fervor?

And then I came across this quote by Orson Scott Card and it nailed what I was trying to put into words in my head: "All the readers see - or need to see - is the finished product, and the gestation time and the writing time are as unimportant as knowing how many days the actors rehearsed before putting on a play. Either the play is good, or it's not. No excuses, no apologies, no explanations. Ditto with books."

The reader doesn't need to know how many revisions a writer made or how many compromises were reluctantly agreed upon with her editor. The reader doesn't need to know how many days a writer wrote while she were sick and wasn't feeling excited about the story, but wrote anyway. Or that she had surgery, or a family trauma, or her period. The reader only wants to read a good book because that's what marketing promised them, that's what they are anticipating after reading the writer's prior book and loving it, and that's what they expect when they pay $20-plus dollars for a book.

There's probably some marketing study that shows the diminishing rate of earnings the longer the time between books. But 10 years from now, no one will care how fast the second book came out. All they will care about is whether the book is good or not.

Fan E-mail

2010-11-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share this email I received because this is what's still wonderful about writing when you get a manuscript rejected at the acquisitions meeting, then find out another publishing house that's been wanting one of your stories gets closed down.

Hi Natasha!

Last night I purchased your book The Night Before The Night Before Christmas for my six year old son. As we settled down to read it for our bedtime story, we quickly found ourselves laughing out loud and loving this story. This book will definitely become a Christmas tradition in our family - in fact, I'm going to take to my brother's house at Christmas and share it with my nieces, too! My aunt works at a bookstore and I'll be heading out for a big stack of your books on her next shift!

Thanks so much and keep writing!

Thanks, MS! I will. In fact, a new story is brewing.

Welcome to Dinosaur World

2010-11-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Dinosaur World
I went on Little Mountain Princesses blog and found some cool photos of Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky. Check it out!

Free Skype with Me!

2010-11-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

I'm offering a free Skype with any classroom who wants to learn more about my new book, How to Raise a Dinosaur, and talk with me, the author! So if you're a teacher, please contact me at natashawing@gmail.com. Or pass this post onto a teacher who might be interested.

I love doing Skype visits - they're so easy, and free! And I'm excited about my new book, so I'd be happy to chat with students about where I got the idea for the book, and the writing of it. I'm open to answering their questions, too.

So pass it on!

Write a Thanksgiving Lesson Plan Rich in History and Language

2010-11-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Write a Thanksgiving Lesson Plan Rich in History and Language

Meeting Garth Stein

2010-11-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

Yeterday Jen, Kristi and I went to the CSU campus to see Garth Stein, Fort Collins Reads featured author for 2010. Stein wrote The Art of Racing in the Rain, a story narrated by a dog which is perfect for Fort Collins the Dog-Loving City. Both Dan and I had read this book back in California after a friend died of cancer, and after we had to put our dog to sleep, so you can imagine it was a tear-jerker for us. I have since passed the book on, but I do recommend it for both men and women. Stein knows how to push everyone's buttons. And if you're into race car driving, there are some great scenes and similes.

My favorite story Garth told at his presentation was about firing his agent two days before Thanksgiving, for not believing he could sell a story narrated by a dog. Well, he showed him!

Day of the Dead Remembrance

2010-11-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

My books are like my babies. And today, as relatives who have passed are remembered on the Day of the Dead, I would like to take a moment to honor my babies that are dead to the publishing world, or in other words, have gone out of print.
Hippity Hop, Frog on Top
Merry Thanksgiving
The Night Before the New Baby

Perhaps one day they will be brought back from the dead.

Two other books dieing a slow death:
Pearl vs. the Tooth Fairy
Go to Bed, Monster!

Please help stop their demise.

Halloween Poem III

2010-10-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

Trick-or-treat Bag

Drop some candy in my bag -
Fill it to the top!
Bubble gum and chocolate bars
Ooo, a lollipop!
Carmel centers, nugget centers
I’ll take whatever you’ve got.
Sour balls and malted balls
I like them both a lot.
Fill it up, Fill it up!
Can I have one more?
“Hey,” said my neighbor.
“Weren’t you here before?”

Halloween Poems II

2010-10-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Witch’s Spell
When the witch went off to school
She knew one subject well
She didn’t know her ABCs
But yikes that witch could spell!

Haunted House
The spooky house upon the hill belonged to Mr. Hyde.
They said it then, they say it still
“Been haunted since he died.”
Some swear they’ve seen his ghost appear
up on the upper floor.
Or felt a chill, and shook with fear
at the creeeaking door.
We took a chance and went inside
to see the ghost ourselves.
My best friend Bob ran out the door
when books flew off the shelves.
So Tom and I continued on
but then we heard the chain.
Tom raced back down the stairs and yelled,
“Get out you knuckle brain!”
The spooky house upon the hill
is haunted, so they say.
But creaking doors and rattling chains
don’t frighten me away.
I crept up to the upper floor
and saw what scared the town.
It was nothing but a mannequin
dressed up like a clown.

Ghost
A blurry shape of a haunted past
Comes into my view
But when I look it doesn’t last
I only hear a boo.

Collage by Spencer, 8, of Fort Collins, Colorado

Dinosaurs Invade Old Town!

2010-10-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

Today was the tot parade in Old Town so Dan and I went to get a cuteness fix. We sighted so many dinosaurs we thought they had come back from extinction and were invading the Earth once again!

Silver Award

2010-10-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

The California Reading Association is pleased to announce its first annual Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award!

Congratulations! An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers received a Silver Honor Book!

The Eureka Award Committee was thrilled with our first year's participation. We think we've identified something authors, illustrators, and publishers want—a way to honor and celebrate excellent nonfiction. We are proud to be able to showcase such a variety of wonderful nonfiction books.

The "California Reader," the journal of the California Reading Association, will be featuring the list in its winter issue and the California Reading Association will have the list posted on its new, updated website in November.

Halloween in Poetry

2010-10-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

This poetry moment brought to you by Natasha Wing.

Halloween Night

What will you be for Halloween?
A fairy princess? A wicked queen?
An ugly witch with skin of green?
What will you be for Halloween?

Maybe a monster filled with fright.
Or a vampire with overbite!
Perhaps a ghost so spooky and white?
What will you be on Halloween night?

Back in the Land of Fall

2010-10-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

It's been 30 or more years since I've lived in a place where there's beautiful fall colors. And it's been about 10 years since more than 2 trick-or-treaters have rung our doorbell.

Needless to say, I'm in heaven driving around Fort Collins. The yellows, the reds, the flaming oranges against the Rocky Mountain sunsets - what an onslaught of color! And now that we're in a real neighborhood where kids aren't afraid to go up "that dark street," we're looking forward to seeing the costumed kiddies.

Friday night we're going to a Halloween party (Dan a rodeo clown, me a Russian spy), Saturday night to a Halloween dinner, and then to Old Town Sunday night to see what ghosties and zombies come out of the dark corners of Fort Collins. I hope on Saturday night you will be reading your little goblins The Night Before Halloween.

Have a spooktacular Halloween!

New Email

2010-10-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

I was notified by a viewer that when she made comments, they were bounced back. I have changed my email, so now you are able to comment to me again. I was wondering why no one was responding to my posts!

Big Bummer

2010-10-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

I'm very bummed today. A manuscript I've been working on for 8 months, which was revised over and over again for a specific publisher, went to their acquisitions meeting yesterday and was turned down. I am totally devastated. I have so much compassion for the person I wrote a biography about. I am certain that there is an audience for this book. And now I'm not sure if all my efforts will even see the light of day.

I realize the market has changed, that picture books sales are down, that manuscripts need to be perfect and not many chances are being taken on books that might not be commercial successes or potential award winners. Maybe that's why I haven't sold a manuscript this entire year. But still, I hurt.

Book Signing a Roaring Good Time

2010-10-20T08:30:00.001-07:00

Saturday's signing at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins was attended by some very enthusiastic dinosaur lovers! They followed along and lifted the flaps, then ended the reading with a rousing dinosaur romp! Thanks to everyone who came and made it fun for me, too.

There are a few signed How to Raise a Dinosaur books left, and some more The Night Before Halloweens being ordered. Thanks, Old Firehouse Books for your hospitality!

Little Page Turners Gives Thumbs Up!

2010-10-11T13:45:00.001-07:00

Another review came in for How to Raise a Dinosaur, and mommy blogger, Christianne Page, and her kids loved it. Go to Little Page Turners: Children's Books & Activities and check out the cool 3-D dinosaur cut-outs. The post has a link to the downloadable site where she found the coloring pages.

Tattered Cover

2010-10-11T07:57:00.001-07:00

I did a book signing at Tattered Cover Book Store in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Saturday. If you ever get a chance to sign there, (meaning your publisher will need to support you with advertising dollars) do it! The store has a big reading and signing area, a great kids area, a very helpful and welcoming staff (thank, Jinx!) and they buy a lot of your books! The good thing, too, is that they are happy to have you sign leftover stock and will do their best to sell your books at their other branches. And did you know that their green carpet color is patented? Cool. And after the signing, they give you this wonderful metal book mark with your name and date you signed engraved in it. I was touched, and felt so honored to be among the fabulous authors who signed at Tattered Cover. (I couldn't help thinking that Mo Willems just accepted his book mark 4 days earlier.) Feels wonderful to be treasured for writing books. Thanks, TC!

Send Photos of Your Pet Dinosaur

2010-10-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the release of my new book, How to Raise a Dinosaur, I'm having a contest. I'm looking for the best photo of a fan or fans with their pet dinosaur. And by dinosaur I mean any roadside attraction, mural, fossil, stuffed animal, model - any form of dinosaur.

I'll post the photos on my Fans of Natasha Wing books Facebook page.

Be sure to read the rules and the release form under Pages in the sidebar. Photos and model release forms should be sent to dinosaurcontest@gmail.com.
Deadline to submit is November 30, 2010.

THE PRIZE: 10 books signed by me!

Photo: Duncan from Connecticut with Torosaurus at Yale Peabody Museum

Dinosaurs Roar Over New Book

2010-10-05T12:40:00.001-07:00

This just in...Dinosaurs love my new book!

First Review!

2010-10-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Check out this first blog review of How to Raise a Dinosaur.

Win A Free Manuscript Edit by a Pro

2010-09-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the six-month anniversary of Dear-Editor.com, the Editor is giving away a FREE EDIT of one picture book manuscript. Deadline: October 10, 2010. Here are the rules.

My New Desk is Here!

2010-09-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

My new desk is here! My new desk is here! I'm so happy to have a surface to spread out on! I feel like the captain of the ship again.

My pretty desk practically takes up half the room, but now I can plop down in front of my computer and have everything I need in reach. Ooo, and I have a secret drawer with a key. Don't know what I have that's so important it needs to be under lock and key. Maybe I'll keep secrets there.

Share a photo of your work space, if you'd like. I'm always curious about the environments in which people create.

Unleash the Dino!

2010-09-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Only 13 days until How to Raise a Dinosaur is released! The books are in the warehouse. Author copies are heading my way. Review copies are being mailed out. The YouTube video has been uploaded. Book signings are in place. Now all that is left is for millions of people to buy my book!

Hey, a girl can dream big. It's a DINOSAUR book.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

2010-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today, all over the book blog world, blog readers can indulge in reading about the people who write the blogs they love, and discover new ones that they might want to add to their list.

I was paired up with Lyndsey who writes amused, bemused and confused. Her website is: www.teadevotee.com.

Here's what Lyndsey wrote about herself: "28, living in London writing by day, reading by night. When they make a film of my life, Tina Fey will play me. We have the same taste in glasses.When I grow up, I want to be a biographer. Until then, I mostly write about books and reading; but also sometimes films, the general madness of London life and…well…writing."

I encourage you to pay her a virtual visit. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and a picky snobbery for tea!

And if you're curious what questions she asked me in exchange, please go to her site today.

1. What was the moment when you decided, "I must write a blog!"

I had a few of these! I'm a speechwriter so I spend my days thinking and writing like other people; but I constantly itch to write my own things too and decided a blog would be a good outlet. I had a practice run by writing a blog about my progress while training for a race. Then I started up teadevotee.com, which was more or less an online journal splurghing out my random thoughts for about a year before I decided to concentrate on books.

2. How did you define what your blog's focus would be?

Oddly enough, it was some feedback from the very nice people at wordpress that I got a lot of traffic when I wrote about books. So it was a case of giving the punters what they want!

3. Did you design your own blog look, or have someone do it for you?

It's just a basic wordpress theme. This is actually something I want to work on over the next few months. Apple was handing out free training like sweeties for people buying new computers, so I'm going to be taking them up on that and doing some crazy design work. Alternatively, if anyone wants to do it for me, I'd love to hear from you. I'll write you some speeches in return...or maybe make you a cake?

4. What are you hoping to achieve with your blog?

Actually, my blog is one part of my life where I feel like I don't have to "achieve" anything. I just like to write and please myself, and hopefully please some other people too! It's more a chance to stretch my writing muscles, ramble on a bit and meet some nice like-minded people.

5. Are you out to make tea drinkers out of readers?

Sure. In fact, I'd like to start my own cult of tea-devotees.

6. What do you think of coffee drinkers?

They don't know what they're missing. I only like coffee in cake.

7. What's your favorite thing to be doing while sipping tea?

Reading in bed.

8. Like pairing wine with cheese, what book would you pair with tea and which flavor?

Any book tastes better with tea. Though there is only one flavour. I can't be doing with these fancy-schmancy herbal teas. They aren't tea, they are just hot, coloured water.

9. Who likes cookbooks more, you or your husband?

I would say about even. Favourites include Nigella Lawson's Express, the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, Rachel Allen's Home Cooking. And we've just bought Plenty, by Ottolenghi - yum vegetarian food.

10. What genre is your favorite?

I really only read classics, literary fiction and biography. I can't choose between them.

11. Have any children's books you would recommend?

My nieces (3 and 5) adore the Charlie and Lola books - fantastic illustrations and great stories. They also love Oliver Jeffers: The Way Back Home. I'm a huge Roald Dahl and Laura Ingalls Wilder fan - can't wait for them to be old enough to share them.

12. What do you think of jacket covers -waste of paper or protective cover?

Total waste of paper. Save the trees.

13. If you were to invite a character to tea, who would it be?

Can it be the other way round? I'd love to GO to tea at Alconleign in the Pursuit of Love and sit in the airing cupboard with Linda and Fanny. (I may borrow this idea for a future post actually!)

14. What else would you like other bloggers to know about you?

If you ever need a biography recommendation, I'm your woman. And I'm about to start an MA in creative writing so will hopefully end up writing my own.

Tour de Flat

2010-09-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

Flat Stanley came to visit me from Mercury Mine Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. He hadn't been to Fort Collins, and so I took him on a tour. First, Flat Stanley saw my office and how many emails I have piled up - over 200!

Then we went to my neighborhood pool which overlooks the Rocky Mountains.

Then it was off to Old Town Fort Collins for a cool down by the fountains on Oak St.

And for a grand finale, Flat Stanley saw the Tour de Fat, a bike ride put on by New Belgium Brewery. Lots of riders recognized Flat Stanley and shouted out his name as they rode by. Here he is with one of his fans.

In honor of Flat Stanley's visit, we renamed the bike ride, Tour de Flat.

Now Flat Stanley is tucked in an envelope heading back to Phoenix. Hope he doesn't get caught in a shredder!

If you want to learn more about how Flat Stanley became flat, buy the book from Cookie Monkey Books.

Too Many Cooks

2010-09-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

I teamed up with two writer friends to write an adventure novel for 8-12 year olds with cat characters set in Egypt. It'll be fun, we told each other. A novel idea, a great writing exercise. We'll channel our cats and write through them!

Years later we are still trying to sell our manuscript. With three writers and three agents, the story is having a hard time getting out of the gate. I read about other books with collaborators and wondered how they did it when ours seems to continuously stall. So I wrote an expert for advise. Here's what Dear Editor had to say.

With so many cooks in the kitchen, it'll take more work for this story to see publication. But the interesting thing is, it is forcing us to think creatively on how to package our team. Maybe I should ask my cat for advice.

To Co-write or Not to Co-write

2010-08-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

If you've ever considered pairing up with a friend to co-write a book, here's an example of a team that works. Check out this article about Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson's experience writing picture books together.

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Desk Gone?

2010-08-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

I'm in a pickle with no real writing desk. When I moved, my wonderful built-in desk stayed in California. Now that I'm in my new Colorado home, I was using our old kitchen table as a desk. I sold it in a yard sale Saturday and now I'm writing on a narrow side table. Help! My desk space is shrinking!

I went looking for desks at a furniture store yesterday, and didn't find one that I liked. Did I want a corner desk? Mega files? A cherrywood one? Definitely not a glass one. I think I have a glass table phobia from my childhood from eating Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents' house in Massachusetts off a glass tabletop and being told to keep our elbows off. I wondered if the pressure of my elbows, along with the amount of food stacked on the glass top, would break it. Plus I don't like fingerprints. So glass is out.

I don't know why I'm so weird about having a suitable desk when so many people have the image of writers scribbling on scraps of paper in a dark, smoky bar. Or tapping away joyously on their laptops on the beach with one hand while while reaching for a mai-tai with the other.

So, until I get a desk, I wanted to share a cool place where writer Laura Resau works - a trailer.

If you're a writer who has a cool writing space and would like to share it, please send a photo and I'll post it here. In the meantime, the search continues for a desk.

Breakfast with Marti

2010-08-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

I read an article about a romance novelist who served as the maid of honor at a fan's wedding. So when a fan emailed me that she was going to be passing through Fort Collins, and could we meet for breakfast, I said yes! Marti Hinckley had contacted me years ago when she was in a teaching program. She had picked me for her author presentation. She sent photos of the chimney she made for The Night Before the Night Before Christmas book, and it was really neat. (Marti got an A+!)

Now Marti is a teacher for a grade 1/2 combo class in Idaho, and uses my books to help teach writing to her students. So it was a pleasure to meet her and her four children at Denny's, and hear how someone on the "front line" actually uses my books. She's a wonderful person, and a brave one too, for taking a chance and asking a stranger to breakfast. (I guess I was brave, too.)

Thanks, Marti, and good luck with your new students!

Easing Back-to-School Jitters

2010-08-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Easing Back-to-School JittersIf you have kids heading off to school, here's an excellent blog post with tips by Parenting Expert, Dr. Michele Borba. (Plus she recommended two of my Night Before books!)

First Book Signing in CO!

2010-08-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday is my first book signing in Fort Collins! Charles Kaine, the owner of Readers Cove Bookstore, graciously offered to host a back-to-school event where I'll be reading The Night Before Kindergarten and The Night Before First Grade to help prepare the kids (and parents) for school. There are 25 books waiting to be personalized! Please pass the word along to your friends who have kids entering these grades -or stop by and pick up a book for your favorite teacher - and let's make it a fun sell-out night!

Particulars:
Readers Cove Bookstore
1001 E. Harmony Rd.
Fort Collins
starts at 5:30 p.m.

On the Move

2010-08-06T08:40:00.001-07:00

Just after I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, I found out that two of my editors are moving to different houses as well.

Reka Simonsen, who was my editor for An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers, has left Henry Holt & Co. and has joined Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Books as an executive editor.

Kelli Chipponeri, my editor for my soon-to-be-released How to Raise a Dinosaur, is leaving Running Press Kids today to become executive editor at Chronicle Books.

I can look at this two ways: Bummer! I've been orphaned. Or, yay! I have doubled my publishing opportunities. I hope to work with both editors again, and their old houses as well.

In the meantime, Dan and I have moved from our rental and are trying to get our new house in order. I have no desk and am writing off our old kitchen table. I have no files so I'm working out of boxes. But I love the new view from my second-story office window which overlooks an open field of tall, straw-colored grass. And no matter upon what surface my computer sits, I still need to fire up the ol' creative juices.

Another publishing house is interested in my latest picture book biography, so cross your fingers that my revision passes acquisitions so I can buy a new desk.

Illustration from How to Raise a Dinosaur by Pablo Bernasconi.

Contact Me for Blog Tours

2010-07-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

I've been searching through kidlit and mommy blogs for bloggers who might want to review my new book, How to Raise a Dinosaur. I've found a few, but I noticed that others I wanted to send to do not have a way to contact the blogger, or maybe that's the idea.

So I'm putting out a call to bloggers who review or giveaway children's books, please email me at natashawing@gmail.com if you want a copy of my book, and/or a blog interview. I'd be happy to oblige. Please share this post with any blogger friends you might know.

I'm so excited about my new book - it's my first lift-the-flap! And the illustrations are wickedly wonderful.

The Secret to Lying

2010-07-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading Todd Mitchell's The Secret to Lying last night. It's a YA novel about a boy who goes to a boarding school and takes this opportunity to reinvent himself as a "cooler" kid. As he tries to figure himself out, he battles inner demons through his dreams (there is some very inventive imagery) and he opens up to an IM-er who calls him on his lies. Even though I knew who the mysterious ghost44 was, it was still interesting to see if James would figure it out, and for me, to see how that character would act around him in person. Todd has a great way of keeping the chapters short, tight and moving along, and ending with page turners, so it is definitely a recommended read. Even though the character is 15, I bet guys heading off to college who might be thinking that college will give them a new chance to leave their high school rep behind and start anew, would also get something out of this story.

Colorado Children's Book Award

2010-06-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm a Colorado author, I've been surfing the web (is that term still used? Sounds old.). Anyway, I've been looking at ways to network and for Colorado literary organizations and came across a few book awards, hoping, dreaming, that one day one of my books will be considered. A girl can dream, can't she?

In the meantime, I found some writers I know on the book award lists! Fort Collins author, Laura Resau, won the Colorado Book Award for her YA novel, The Indigo Notebook. The 19th annual Book Awards were held in Aspen last Friday. The Colorado Book Awards is one of the oldest state book award programs in the country and recognizes outstanding contributions by Colorado authors, editors, illustrators and photographers in multiple categories: anthology/collection, biography, children's literature, creative non-fiction, history, fiction, genre fiction, general non-fiction, juvenile literature, pictorial, poetry and young adult literature. Way to go, Laura!

And my friends, Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson, were the runner-up team for the 2010 Colorado Children's Book Award in the Picture Book category. Hurray for Two Bobbies! More good news: their book, Nubs: A Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle, is nominated for the 2011 award. So if you're a Colorado library or school who wants to be involved in the voting process, check out the link above and it'll send you to the nomination form. The books that win are chosen by the kids of Colorado, so it's quite a special award.

I'm so proud of all three of you!

What would you give your dinosaur?

2010-06-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've got a new lift-the-flap book coming out September 28th called How to Raise a Dinosaur and I've been thinking up ways to promote it. I came across a funny chew toy shaped like a dinosaur and wondered if dogs chew dog bones, would dinosaurs chew dinosaur bones?

If you had a pet dinosaur, what would you give it for a chew toy?

Booksigning in Denver

2010-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting YA author, Laura Resau, at her home in Fort Collins. She's kind and sweet, and has a good sense of humor. I would love for you to meet her, too.

If you live in the Denver area, she's having a book signing Saturday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Tattered Cover Books, 9315 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch Town Center, Colorado. She'll be reading from her new book, Star in the Forest.

Here's a synopsis: When eleven-year-old Zitlally's father is deported to Mexico, she takes emotional refuge in her trailer park's "forest" of rusted car parts. With the help of spunky neighbor Crystal, she tries to save her father by aiding a stray dog who she believes is her father's spirit animal. (Ages 7 & up)

To discover more about Laura and her books, check out www.lauraresau.com.

Checklist for Writing Children's Books

2010-06-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Many times I get requests on how to write picture books. Well, here's a good checklist that will help in the editing process, for both beginners and seasoned writers. The CBI Clubhouse: The Online Home for Children's Book Insider Readers has given me permission to reprint their checklist, although I thought it was easier to just direct you to the site. That way, if you have more questions, you'll have access to further information there.

Miss USA Reads Nubs

2010-06-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Miss USA, Remah Fakih, read Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson's book, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle, at the Bronx Zoo!

Free Book with Cat Adoption

2010-06-06T19:02:00.001-07:00

Mary Nethery signed her new book, The Famous Nini: A Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star, at Eureka Books last Saturday, and a kitty from the Humane Society was on hand to greet the attendees. In support of the Humane Society and in celebration of Adopt a Cat Month, Eureka Books is giving a free copy of Mary's new book to those who adopt a cat from this shelter. Your new cat will love to hear the story of Nini over and over again.

National Donut Day

2010-06-04T08:25:00.001-07:00

Today is National Doughnut Day! So Dan and I stood in line at LaMar's Donuts in Fort Collins and got our free glazed doughnuts. "They're the perfect doughnut," declared Dan, and I agree. Just enough glaze, soft, but not squishy, and light. Yum! I also ordered my favorite, Bavarian Cream LaMar Bar which has a maple glaze drizzled with chocolate, and generously stuffed with Bavarian cream (or is it creme? For that matter, is it doughnut or donut?). It's so big I saved half for a treat later today.
And what better book to read while you're indulging on doughy delights than Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller? You can purchase the book through my Amazon link, or your local bookstore.

Where Writers Write to Get it Right

2010-06-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here's an extremely helpful site my writer friend, Mary Nethery, passed on that I felt compelled to share with other writers. It's a place to go to get clarification on those nagging writer questions such as, Is my novel a chapter book or YA?

Check out Dear Editor.

Library Patron

2010-06-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today I got a library card for the Poudre River Public Library in Fort Collins, Colorado. I checked out my first books using their electronic scanner system (after I watched a kid to learn how to do it.) I was thrilled to find out that the library is open 7 days a week and that there's a book club! There's a house for sale right across the street, and if it wasn't so small (my husband wants his man cave), I'd move in in a heart beat! What a writer's dream to live walking distance to the library!

Abstract Aquarian

2010-06-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Dana Quillman, who also does astrological readings for me, has ventured into a new area of creative expression - abstract astrological portraits. She takes the symbols for your planetary placements at the time of your birth - or any mark of time in your life such as a wedding date, the first day of a job, etc. - and translates them into an abstract drawing. As each person is unique, so is each abstract. I thought her idea was fresh and a cool way to combine astrology with art, two things I love. The one shown is my astrological chart which she made into a set of note cards.

If you're interested, you can contact Dana at danaquillman@gmail.com.

School's Out, Summer Reading's In

2010-05-27T11:39:00.001-07:00

School ends today for elementary kids in Fort Collins! (Did I tell you I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado?) And the weather this Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be sunny and in the 70s to 80s. Summertime is here! Which means families will be taking vacations and kids will be enrolling in summer camps. Summer is also a great time to read books for pleasure - and prizes! Check out your local library to see what's in store for their summer reading programs.

And if you're looking for a special read, my friend, Mary Nethery, is signing her new book about a charming cat who lives in Venice at Eureka Books during Arts Alive on Saturday, June 5th. The illustrations by John Manders are beautiful, too. I can already picture it as a Disney movie! Be sure to pick up a copy of The Famous Nini: The Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star, and give it to your favorite cat-loving person.

I have a new book coming out at the end of the summer called How to Raise a Dinosaur. It's my first novelty book! I'll keep you posted when the release date nears. In the meantime, you can order my other books through the widget in the column to the right.

Happy reading!

P.S. If you're a writer in Fort Collins, let's get in touch.

I'm a poet, and I know it!

2010-05-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

My newest Night Before book is #1 on Poetry Foundation's best seller list for children's poetry! Here's the list.

Children's Book Week Ends May 16th

2010-05-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Wedding Dress

2010-04-19T20:36:00.001-07:00

One of the things I didn't want to move to our new house is my wedding dress. I actually tried it on for our 20th anniversary, and even though I didn't gain weight since we were married, I did gain some width. And since I only have one niece whose style is so not this dress, I decided to donate it to the Clarke Museum in Eureka. Here it is on display with other wedding dresses throughout the ages.

I Was Rejected by M.T. Anderson

2010-04-15T11:41:00.001-07:00

I'm getting ready to move in three weeks, and part of the task of packing is cleaning out my office. After 18 years of writing, I have drawers full of stories in folders, which I am going through and scaling down. One writer friend asked why I'd throw anything out, that I should save the multiple version of the stories and the rejection letters to donate to a university or someplace that documents writers' works. She has a point. I mean, what if I do become famous one day and students want to study how my brain works? (Good luck with that! My husband still doesn't know!). So with that in mind, I am only recycling some stuff, like stories that never really worked, or that I know I'll never revisit. I also am tossing out the form rejection letters, but keeping the personal ones, and ones from publisher that don't exist anymore. So I was going through my folders and in the The Night the Sheep Wouldn't Jump folder there's a rejection letter from my writer friend's agent, Andrea Cascardi, who in a past life was the Editorial Director of Hyperion Books in 1994. But here's the cool thing - there's a rejection from M.T. Anderson! He's the author of one of my favorite books, Feed. One of his comments was "While the subject has its charm (and I am an insomniac!), we felt that some of the particulars of the telling could have been fresher." Good advice indeed. So I looked up M.T.'s website and sent him an email thanking him for his rejection letter. (He's got a really cool website, by the way.) So, I can say I've been rejected by one of the best in my business! And I have proof... and his signature!