Emerging Author: Bits About Me (Plus a Giveaway!)

Today is exactly one month until the official release of my debut picture book The Peddler’s Bed on September 1! I’ve been counting down the months with special posts.

On June 1, I shared an interview with the super-talented illustrator of The Peddler’s Bed, Bong Redila. Kirkus Review said his “palette has the color and clarity of stained glass…”. I agree! His art is fantastic! And did you know that Bong is color blind! To read his interview, click here. (To read Kirkus Review’s positive review of The Peddler’s Bed, click here!)

On July 1, I posted an interview with Jami Gigot, the author and illustrator of Mae and the Moon, which releases on September 8. I was very pleased to interview Jami as both of our books are being published by Ripple Grove Press. Mae and the Moon has received several great reviews and I can’t wait to read it. To read Jami’s interview, click here.

This month, I thought it would be fun to share a few bits about my childhood with you, in pictures. (Maybe it’s more fun for me than for you, but I hope you enjoy it.) 

I was born in 1971. Here’s me (on the right) with my dad, mom, and twin sister.

Here's me at age 2 1/2.

Here’s me at age 2 1/2. Am I too young to be thinking about writing yet? Probably. But the seed is in there somewhere, waiting to be cultivated. My grandmother was a writer and a self-taught poet, so I’m convinced I inherited the “writer’s” gene from her.

Here's me at 4 years old.

Here’s me at 4 years old. Am I thinking about writing now? I’m not sure, but I do know that we always had books in the house, so I’m definitely developing my book love.

I'm nearly 9 in this photo. I still look cute; what the heck happened to me?! Well, I'll spare you my awkward teen years. Trust me, you do not want to see those photos! :) (I really should burn them one of these days.)

Now I’m thinking about writing for sure. I’m nearly 9 in this photo and I love to write stories! (I’ll spare you my awkward teen years. Trust me, you do NOT want to see those photos!)

As I was going through a folder filled with old school papers and drawings I did as a kid (Thanks, Mom, for saving all of them!), I came across several books I had made. I loved making books! Sadly, my artistic skills are lacking, but A for effort, right?

The Purple Cow

The Purple Cow (Yes, that’s a cow and a jug of milk.)

The Pumpkin Patch Caper (Those look like squashed pumpkins, right?)

The Life of My Sam (It’s a cat on a chair, really it is.)

It makes sense that emerging authors would fall in love with writing at this age. We’ve already developed the ability to physically write. We’ve been exposed to books, hopefully at home as well as at school. And we’re participating in creative writing in class on a regular basis. At age 11, I was given an autobiography assignment in school. How much could an eleven-year-old have to write about her life? Surprisingly, quite a bit (all in cursive, I might add). And because I loved to write, I loved the assignment.

I still have that autobiography (thanks, Mom) and as I was rereading it, I discovered, in a section entitled “What I’ll Be Doing in 1998”, that I planned to be an author and that I wanted to write children’s books about animals. I hadn’t remembered writing that. When high school and adult life took over, I forgot my childhood aspirations and my life went in a different direction. But eventually, I circled back around to writing. I certainly wasn’t an author by 1998-it took more than a decade longer than that-but now I’m finally back where I belong, making books.

Do you know an emerging author?

If you’ve read this far, thank you for sticking with it and taking a quick walk down memory lane with me. 

Now for the giveaway:

In celebration of the release of my debut picture book The Peddler’s Bed on September 1, I am giving away a signed copy! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!  On September 1, I will choose a winner at random and announce it here on Frog on a Blog. Along with the book, I’ll be sending the winner 2 blank books to share with an emerging author or two, to help them get started writing and illustrating stories of their own. If you share this post on social media, and let me know in your comment that you did, I’ll give you an extra chance to win!

You may want to subscribe to my blog so that I can contact you via e-mail if you win. Subscribing brings every new blog post directly to you. You’ll receive book reviews, author and illustrator interviews, and lots more picture book fun right in your inbox. It’s easy to subscribe, just put your e-mail in the Subscribe box located in the sidebar to the right.

(Giveaway open to U.S. residents only)

{a rainbow of blank books}

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

Final Final Cover

I am also running a Giveaway on Goodreads from August 1 until September 1. Check it out for another chance to win a copy of The Peddler’s Bed!

For more information about my book, click the My Books tab at the top of the page.

40 thoughts on “Emerging Author: Bits About Me (Plus a Giveaway!)”

  3. Suzanne Knox says:

    I’m so happy you’ve rediscovered this dream. I can’t wait to share your book with my granddaughter. I’m also happy and proud to have shared those awkward teenage years with you. 😃 I’m definitely sharing this on FB; my sister is attempting to write her first book now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Suzanne, you couldn’t be a grandmother already are you?! Thanks so much for sharing my post and for your kind words about our teenage years. And thanks for being such a good friend back then. We had some great times together. Good luck to your sister and if she ever has any questions about writing children’s books, I’m happy to help. 🙂

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  4. Emily Wormuth says:

    Can’t wait for The Peddler’s Bed to be released on September 1st. You were a pretty cute kid! Upon the release of your second book, I think we all want to see the awkward teen photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Lauri, What a fun post! I’m impressed that your parents knew which baby was which. (In some of my childhood photos, it’s still up for debate who’s who.) By the way, last night my son and I so enjoyed reading your book. It’s wonderful!!! We were sitting on pins and needles trying to figure out how the bed would ultimately squeak. Congratulations! p.s. I love how you set up the story and the twist at the end. Super clever!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Robin! So glad you and your son enjoyed the book! That’s so awesome to hear! And it means a lot coming from you. 🙂 As far as the twin thing, my sister and I are fraternal, so very easy to tell us apart. Being identical must be a lot of fun, even if you’re not always sure who’s who in a photo. Hmm…I see a story idea in there somewhere that you might find worth pursuing…

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    • Thanks Michelle! I have my mom to thank for saving all my books from childhood. I have others too, but wanted to post just the most colorful ones. One of my first books was all about Kix cereal. Guess I must have really loved it back then. 🙂

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  10. Pingback: Giveaway: Just 3 Weeks Left To Enter! | Frog On A Blog
  17. William Coppola Jr says:

    It is great to have such a talented sister, your book is wonderful. I love that you wrote books when you were younger. Wish I had your talent. Love you sis and I wish you much success.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks for commenting, Michael! 🙂 Perhaps we are all born with that little seed and sometimes it gets cultivated and sometimes it doesn’t. My hope is that parents will support and encourage their kids if they show an interest in writing.

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  21. Pingback: It’s Official: The Peddler’s Bed Book Birthday + You’re Invited To The Party + The Giveaway Winner! | Frog On A Blog

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