Launch Party

Stop By And Say “Hi”: My SCBWI Book Launch Party Page #SCBWIparty

BookPartySCBWI

Click On This Photo To Go To My SCBWI Book Launch Party Page!

Children’s book authors who have been published this year have the great honor of being among the first to promote their books by creating Book Launch Party pages on the SCBWI website. The Book Launch Party initiative is a brand new promotional tool offered by the SCBWI to its members. Click on the image above to go directly to my party page. Once there, please Like the page and sign the guest book. Also, check for contests and explore the other links. Come party with me! 🙂

P.S. There are lots of other neat Book Launch Party pages to visit on the SCBWI site too!

The Peddler’s Bed Book Launch Party = Big Success!

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This past Saturday, I celebrated the release of my debut picture book The Peddler’s Bed with a launch party, or what I like to call a “book birthday party”, at my local library. I am extremely pleased to announce that the party was a huge success!

Many more people than I expected came out to celebrate with me (it’s a good thing I had tons of food)! Lots of family, friends, library patrons, and kids attended the party. And the biggest surprise was that my mom, who lives over an hour away in a nursing home, was able to come too, thanks to my brother-in-law who picked her up that day! 

To top it off, we sold every copy of the book! I was able to hand over a good-sized check to Barnes & Noble, and the library got a nice donation, as 21% of each sale went straight to them (thank you, B & N!).

I think everyone had a good time, and I got lots of praise for throwing such a great party. But I could not have done it without help. I owe tremendous thanks to several people: My husband Chris, my sister Linda, my brother-in-law Tim, library volunteer Pat Kolceski and her husband Joe, my library coworkers Emily Wormuth and Pat Macie and Carol Youngs, an old high school friend Suzanne Knox, my father-in-law Al for bringing the flowers, and the library staff who were working that day.

Much thanks also to everyone who came to celebrate with me, everyone who purchased a copy of the book, and everyone who either promoted, spread the word or sent best wishes my way. I am humbled by and grateful for your support. 🙂 Enjoy this sampling of photos from the party. (Please do not copy or distribute any of the photos depicting people in this blog post, except pictures of me.)

Bed replica made by Joe Kolceski

Bed replica made by Joe Kolceski

Rice krispie beds with fruit roll up blankets, marshmallow pillows, graham cracker head and foot boards, pretzel stick bed posts, and gummy bear teddy bears-made by my siser and me!

Rice krispie beds with fruit roll up blankets, marshmallow pillows, graham cracker head and foot boards, pretzel stick bed posts, and gummy bear teddy bears-made by my sister and me!

Lots…

of..

of..

Food!

Food!

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Decorating pillow cases

Decorating pillow cases

Making a polka dot tree

Making a polka dot tree

Having fun!

Having fun!

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Time to read the book!

Time to read the book!

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Time to sign!

Time to sign!

My twin sis and me

My twin sis and me

Sassy Suckers!

Please do not copy or distribute any of the photos depicting people in this blog post, except pictures of me. Thank you!

It’s Official: The Peddler’s Bed Book Birthday + You’re Invited To The Party + The Giveaway Winner!

Final Final Cover

Today is the official release day of my debut children’s picture book The Peddler’s Bed, illustrated by Bong Redila and published by Ripple Grove Press!

I’m super excited to share this news with all of you! I have a lot to tell you about today, including the “when” and “where” of my book launch party and the announcement of the Giveaway winner, but before I get to that I want to thank everyone who has encouraged my writing endeavors, everyone who has followed Frog on a Blog, and everyone who has preordered a copy of my book. All of your support means so much to me. Thank you! 🙂

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You’re Invited To A Book Birthday Party!

What’s the best way to celebrate the launch of a book? You have a birthday party, of course, and everyone’s invited!

Book Birthday Party (2)

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I’ve Been Profiled!

My publisher, Ripple Grove Press, posted a short profile of me, in the form of an interview, on their website. Find out more about me as an author-who my idols are, where I get my inspiration, what my favorite picture books are, and more by clicking on the Key. 

Ripple Grove Press

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Author PictureMy Pledge

For every 100 copies of The Peddler’s Bed sold for a period of one year (between Sept. 1 2015 and Sept. 1 2016), I pledge to donate one copy to a U.S. school or public library or to another organization that works to put books into the hands of children.

If you are a U.S. school or public librarian or are affiliated with a children’s literacy organization, and would like to receive a copy of The Peddler’s Bed, please use the form on my Contact page to submit your organization for consideration.

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Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Suzanne Knox!

She is the winner of one signed copy of The Peddler’s Bed plus two blank books to share with an emerging author! Suzanne, use the form on my Contact page to send me your address and the name of who you’d like me to sign the book to–and I’ll get your winnings out to you asap. Thank you to everyone who left a comment on the Emerging Authors post and shared it!

{a rainbow of blank books}

{a rainbow of blank books waiting to be filled with the colors of imagination}

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A Request

Authors feel uncomfortable asking this, but it really does make a difference–those of you who have read or plan to read The Peddler’s Bed, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon, B&N.com, or Goodreads. I’d really appreciate it. 

A big thank you, once again, to all of my supporters, blog and social media followers, book readers, and fans! You’re the best! 🙂