Moving to a new blog

Hello all - since I'm updating my website, I've decided to move to a new blogger name.
Please visit me there and sign up to follow me.
Thanks!
Kris

New Picture Book to be Released

I've very excited to mention that in just a matter of days, this book will be shipped off to the printer. Chuck Gaidica, a TV and radio personality in metro-Detroit, came to the press I work for interested in several projects. The first that we are publishing is Tommy Starts Something Big: Giving Cuddles with Kindness. Chuck had an idea for the book, but no manuscript. I was able to help him create the text, as well as be his editor and project manager. We found a lovely illustrator, Mary Gregg Byrne, who was able to bring the characters to life in exactly the way Chuck wanted.

Here's the back cover blurb:

Have you ever been hurt or felt lonely and wanted a cuddle? That was Tommy, until he discovered what made him feel better. He also realizes that reaching out to others makes him feel special. Now Tommy wants to share that feeling with everyone. Will his cuddle alerts start something big?

The book will be available in December and can be purchased at www.cuddlealert.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and of course the press I freelance for, www.nelsonpublishingandmarketing.com.

Should a writer ever be "in-between" projects?

For those of us who have not been published in our genre, like myself, I always wonder as to whether one should keep working on a project that is out on submission (i.e. the next book in the series), or if one should start something new, OR (God forbid) take a break and not write at all.

Part of me wants to keep working on the current project. The characters are fresh in my mind, their problems seemingly to mount with each day that I'm not at the keyboard.

Another part of me would like to revisit a previous project and maybe improve it.

Still, maybe it's time to think of something new to write.

Or maybe it's time for a writing break?

The issue with the last one is that the break can last much longer that I ever intend. Days, weeks accumulate into months, and that becomes a whole new problem in and of itself.

What do you do when you've typed The End and shipped the manuscript off to your agent - do you keep writing the same series, start something new, or take a break?

New Editing Projects

I don't often brag about any of the editing projects that I work on for Nelson Publishing & Marketing. I'm not sure why because they really are wonderful titles. I think it's because I don't want to hurt an author's feelings by not blogging about their book. There are several new books, though, that I believe will truly make a difference in the world. 

They are:

The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy

Here's the back cover blurb:

Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete’s new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When the juice box mess becomes more than just a dirty shirt, Pete’s classmates teach him about “The Promise”. Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make “The Promise”?

Does This Make Me Beautiful? by Harriet Morse

Here's the back cover blurb:

Does a certain pair of jeans or type of shirt make a person beautiful? How about a shiny gold necklace? Harriet thinks that these are the things that can make her beautiful. And she’s sure that her red hair and freckles do not help. But will an old family mirror teach Harriet what true beauty really means?

Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life by Carol McCloud

Here's the back cover blurb:

Do you know you have an invisible bucket which is filled with all of your good thoughts and feelings?  If you're new to the concept of bucket filling and bucket dipping, then this book is for you. With easy to read chapters, colorful illustrations, and daily questions to help readers become better bucketfillers, Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life gives readers the tools to live a life filled with happiness.

All three of these books will help readers in many aspects of their lives, and I'm pretty proud to have been involved. All of these books will be available within the next month, either at amazon.com, bn.com, your local bookstore, or nelsonpublishingandmarketing.com.

They are all worth your time.

Kris