My Writings. My Thoughts.
Danny in a Newfangled World to be Available in September
// July 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
Here it is! The cover for the new chapter book, Danny in a Newfangled World. Kids everywhere will soon be dropping their Wii remotes to read about the escapades of Danny Lenesky. Good news for parents – they won’t be able to put the book down until it’s done. But then it’s back to the video games.
Summer Time Dreams
// June 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
Quick question:
Who’s looking more forward to the start of summer? Mom and Dad? Or the kids?
I think I’m as excited as the kids about no more homework, no more agendas, no more lessons, no more rushed mornings, no more packed lunches, no more school buses, no more schedules, no more marks, no more report cards. Did I miss anything??
The Little Book That Could
// June 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
Big publishing corporations have little desire to support or encourage fledgling writers. They’d rather publish yet another children’s book by Madonna or Jamie Lee Curtis than take a chance on an unknown writer. Even if I were able to slip my manuscript under the locked door of the large presses, it’ll more likely remain as a door mat than be picked up and read.
They’re busy. I get it. They get thousands of manuscripts to review. I get it. So, may as well go it alone, I say. What does any entrepreneur do when she has a business idea? She starts a business! While it’s common practice for the publishing industry to ostracize and belittle a self-published author, the reality is that self-publishing is a business just like any other. When an accountant opens up his own shop, do the executives that head the accounting firms shake their heads and laugh at his self-absorbed attempts to “go it alone?” No. If an artisan makes and sells her own jewellery, does Tiffany’s laugh at the futility of her goal to try to sell something that is not as good as their own product? No.
So, why should an author feel any different about publishing her own book? It’s a business. Here are the rules:
Write an awesome book.
Create a product that the target market will love.
Market the heck out of it using social media, word-of-mouth, book launches.
Sell, sell, sell the book.
Danny in a Newfangled World is going to be the little indie book that could. Can’t wait to introduce this cutting edge book to all the video game loving kids out there! Coming this Fall 2010.
Illustrations Updated
// June 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
I just received some fantastic new illustrations from the book’s very talented artist. As much as I loved my own drawings for Danny, Desmond, and Jingo, they’ve all received makeovers. While there won’t be a great many illustrations in the book, readers will be able to enjoy graphic pictures every few pages to help break the monotony of typed page after typed page. I have also decided to include some fun footnotes on certain pages to add more interactivity.
More exciting news… I’ve seen a rough sketch of the book cover and it’s “awesome” according to my six year old son. I’m looking forward to sharing the final artwork in a few weeks!
Book Launch Coming
// May 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
The book is getting closer to production and will be officially available to purchase through Amazon and select stores in the Fall of 2010. Did you know that in the U.S. there are almost ten million gamers between the ages of 2 and 5 years old? Over 12 million are between nine and eleven years old!
No wonder so many kids don’t have time to read anymore… Why not give ‘em a book they’ll want to read? Danny in a Newfangled World is for kids who’d rather be playing video games (usually!) That’s not to say kids are completely disinterested in books and reading. They’re not so different from adults, though. We all like a little downtime, and for kids that can mean lots of things – it just turns out that gaming is one of their preferred activities. So, chances are they”ll want to read about a kid that’s not so different from them (except for the part that he actually gets sucked inside his computer.)
Stay tuned for new sketches of Danny and his friends by the book’s new illustrator. Coming soon.
Chapter 3 is Here!
// April 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
Listen to what happens next in Danny in a Newfangled World. His cyber-adventure is about to get a lot more interesting… Check out Sneak Peek to download or listen to Chapter 3, Danny Makes a Friend.
Free Ice Cream For a Year!
// April 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
What’s better than a triple scoop of vanilla fudge ice cream in a fudge coated waffle cone? (Mmmmmm… Close your eyes and picture it.) How about a triple scoop of vanilla fudge ice cream in a fudge coated waffle cone every day for a year?
Don’t just dream it… Make it happen. Outstanding ice cream creator, Ben & Jerry’s, is offering every Canadian the opportunity to come up with an awesomely wacky name (Canadian-style) for one of their newest flavours. Right now, it’s called the somewhat lame “We are Waffling.” Can you do better than that? Duh, yeah! So stop picking your nose and daydreaming about summer when you should be doing your math homework, and start daydreaming about ice cream!
Ben & Jerry’s is even giving you a little help. The ice cream is now available in grocery stores (under said lame name.) So, drag your parents to the frozen aisle and toss a couple of pints in the cart. They’ll be more than happy to oblige when they learn that you’re doing important research.
Head over the their facebook page to share your zaniest, most creative ideas. The finalists will be displayed on the Ben & Jerry’s fan page on July 2nd for Canadians to vote for their favourite. If you’re the winner, get ready for 365 days of sweet, ice cream bliss. And the odd brain freeze.
Chapter Three Coming Soon
// April 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
What will Danny find beyond the door? Things are only going to get more interesting, that’s a guarantee. Stay tuned. Next week, Chapter Three – Danny Makes a Friend, will be available on audio. So check back soon! And, while you’re here – become a facebook fan of Danny in a Newfangled World.
What a Hoobogey Looks Like!
// April 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Books
By my nine-year old
By my six-year old
Listen to Chapter Two
// March 26th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Books
Chapter two of Danny in a Newfangled World is now available! You can listen or read the chapter called A Little Button into a Big World.
