Danny in a Newfangled World

A Book Signing at Scarborough Chapters Includes Scavenger Hunt

// September 13th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Books

Where to Buy the Book

// November 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

More and more people are asking me where they can pick up a copy of Danny in a Newfangled World.  It is still not widely available at bookstores… But I’m working on that.

For now, the book can be purchased at Lollipop Art Lounge in downtown Oakville and a Different Drummer Bookstore in Burlington.  As well, it is available through Amazon.com and will soon be on the shelves at Chapters Oakville.

I am hitting the Christmas fairs in and around Oakville and Mississauga starting with the Hopedale Presbyterian Christmas Fair this Saturday.  Next week, I will be attending Chapters Oakville to do a reading from my book on Tuesday November 23 at 7pm.  On December 4, I’m selling at St. Christopher’s Elementary School Christmas Bazaar in Mississauga.  On December 9, I will be at the Sip & Shop event at the e-Spot in Oakville above Artisano Restaurant from 4 to 8pm. 

Better news is that I’m meeting with a distributor next week and hopefully will soon see my books in more local stores.  The biggest challenge to a self-published author is definitely distribution!  It doesn’t help that most bookstores across Canada are owned by one corporation.  Although Chapters is a fantastic bookstore that I love to shop at, they do not sell books by authors who do not have a distributor, except by consignment.  And, selling by consignment is proving quite difficult to do at this time of year since their shelves are full for the holiday season.  I’m thrilled, however,  that our own Oakville store is welcoming my book during the Christmas season.  Hopefully more Chapters and Coles will follow in the new year.

My Most Important Critics are Kids.

// November 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

The one goal I set out to achieve when I began writing Danny in a Newfangled World was to write a book for kids.  That is, I tried to ignore my internal warnings to write a book that would appeal to publishers and literary agents.  I saw in my own three boys a preference for digital technology over good ol’ fashioned books and decided to make that the basis for the story – a book for kids who’d rather be playing video games.  After all, I had three boys of my own who, if given the choice, would stare at screen animations for hours over reading words for even fifteen minutes.  And I figured, I couldn’t be the only mom out there with similarly minded children.

At the same time, I knew the story had to be bursting with adventure, humour, suspense, and yes, video game images (using words and some illustration) to engage a kid used to the thrills and easy stimulation of animation.  While many parents may cringe at the tagline “For kids who’d rather be playing video games,” the book itself is, hopefully, a testament to the power of the word to entertain modern day kids … even in our digital age. 

Today, I am so pleased to see a wonderful blog post by Posy, an articulate and well-read nine year old.  Her mother, Mabel’s Labels co-founder & Vice-President Julie Cole, interviewed Posy to learn her thoughts about Danny in a Newfangled World.  And the result is as good a review as any adult could possibly write.  A personal thank you to you, Posy.  Read it here at PTPA’s Blogoholics site

With a Little Leg Work, My Book is Shelved (in local stores)

// November 3rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

I’ve always sworn up and down that I’m not, nor will I ever be, a salesperson.  But a funny thing happened over the last few months.  For one, I signed up to become a Silpada Jewellery sales rep in April of this year.  By that time, I’d made up my mind to self-publish Danny in a Newfangled World and I did not wish to delve into the family’s personal savings to accomplish it.  That experience, driven by my desire to see my book to fruition, forced me to weather the process of rejection and negotiation that accompanies selling.  While I’d suffered many written rejections from my writing pieces, it didn’t quite prepare me for the verbal “no” – be it on the phone or in person.

As my book progressed from manuscript to paperback novel, my sales acumen also moved forward from timid product offerings to confident pitches.  In essence, my jewellery sales experience prepared me for what I now have to do as a self-published author – knock on doors and ask stores to sell my book. 

Today, I visited three stores and two of the three are now selling Danny in a Newfangled World.  The third store, Busy Bees Books & Toys in Waterdown, is reviewing the book and will get back to me.  At no other time have I better understood the need for independent stores that serve their communities.  While big box stores are great for many things, supporting local artisans and authors is not one of their goals.  So, today, I am grateful for the small independent retailers that hang a shingle outside their doors and welcome the passionate entrepreneur’s product. 

I am pleased to announce that copies of Danny in a Newfangled World are now for sale at Lollipop Art Lounge on Rebecca Street in downtown Oakville, and A Different Drummer on Locust Street in downtown Burlington.  Two wonderfully unique shops that are worth patronizing.

Nominated for the Cybils 2010 Book Awards

// October 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Danny in a Newfangled World has been officially nominated for the 2010 Cybils Book Awards.  What I love about these awards is that they are judged by bloggers (like me!)  As any blogger knows, these are passionate people who write about what really matters to them.  So, kidlit bloggers are among the truest fans of children’s literature and I look forward to keeping track of their progress and reviews. 

Shortlisted nominees will be announced in January.

Opportunities to Get a Signed Book

// October 25th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Books

While the book will not be hitting book stores until another month, parents and kids can still get their hands on a signed copy at holiday events.  Here are two upcoming book signings:

Tuesday, November 2 – Holiday Open House at the author’s house.   All are welcome to come, 1-3 pm and 7-9pm, at my home where I will be selling signed copies of my book alongside talented Mom entrepreneurs selling Silpada Designs, Magz-Bagz, Kathy & Kim Originals, and ParyLite.  There will be nibbles and refreshments.  Great chance to get some holiday shopping in!  For more details email dani.leonard5@gmail.com

Saturday, November 6 Iroquois Ridge Holiday Marketplace at Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville.  Open 10am to 4pm.  1123 Glenashton Drive.

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New Maze Activity for Kids

// August 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Hey kids, print off this fun maze to help Danny Lenesky find his cyber buddy, Jingo! 

Illustrious Illustrator

// July 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

A huge thank you goes out to my talented illustrator, Celia Krampien.  She is working hard on all the illustrations for Danny in a Newfangled World and they look fantastic. 

She studies art at an Ontario college and, I believe, has a great career ahead of her.  Come back for a sneak peek at her illustrations soon!  Some of her works from school are posted at http://celiakrampien.carbonmade.com

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!

Gearing up for chapter two

// March 19th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Books

I’m polishing up my characters’ voices for the next chapter of Danny in a Newfangled World.  And my voice partner is drinking lots of water this week to ensure his narration skills are smooth as chocolate syrup.  

 Next chapter, Danny starts his crazy cyber-adventure.  What kid hasn’t wondered what it would be like to be inside a video game.  Watching it on screen has its perks, sure, but living it?  Way cooler.  Imagine flying through space in a rocket, or jumping effortlessly from one enormous cliff to another to capture bouncing lollipops.  Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?  But not in a video game.

Then again, could be quite terrifying too.  Would you have what it takes to live some of these games that you play?  Well, Danny Lenesky is about to find out what he’s really made of.  You can listen to the podcast next Friday!