dulemba

The WYNWOOD WALLS

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I think street art is such an under-recognized form and that there should be more organized efforts to make art available to everybody. Like this one...

HCTN TRAILER from Here Comes the Neighborhood on Vimeo.

Thanks to The Kid Should See This for the heads up.

Deadlines vs. Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I think this little video spells it out rather well...

Thanks to June Goulding for the heads up.

Katie Davis' HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK - Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

You know Katie Davis, fellow host of #KidLitPRChat, right? Well, genius that she is, she's collated all her marketing savvy into a new ebook for us to learn by. It's called HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK: TIPS, TRICKS, AND SECRETS TO CREATE A BESTSELLER.
     If anybody should know the secrets, it's Katie. She is the creator of the wildly popular podcast BRAIN BURPS ABOUT BOOKS. (CLICK HERE to listen to the special episode all about her new book. Hint: I'm in it.) And her most recent efforts led to her being awarded the 2011 Trailee Award for her book trailer for LITTLE CHICKEN'S BIG DAY. SO cute...

I asked her about her latest...

Q. - Hi Katie - congratulations on all the success with LITTLE CHICKEN'S BIG DAY and your other books. You are THE Queen promoter in the children's book biz. What made you decide to write a book about it?

A. - Picture book writer Carolyn Crimi gave me the idea years ago. But I wasn't really excited about sharing my knowledge in a book until I wrote a blog series leading up to my launch of LITTLE CHICKEN'S BIG DAY. So many people commented about how much it helped them that it made me want to reach an even broader audience. I figure why should I be the only one who learns from my mistakes?!

Q. - If there's one thing a soon-to-be-published author could do to improve their marketing, what would you recommend?

A. - Hmm. It would have to depend on what that soon-to-be-published author has done already.
   • No web site? Get one!
   • You have a web site but don't update it regularly? Start now!
   • You update regularly but don't interact with your commenters? Respond!
   • You tweet? Great!
   • You tweet but it's all about you? Look outward!
It's no singular thing, and all the things are interconnected. At center is it's really all about connecting, transparency, and reciprocity. That is what is the most effective for me.

Q. - All of your books are published traditionally, except for this one. Why did you decide to do HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK on your own?

A. - It never occurred to me that someone would want to publish it! But also, there are probably over 200 links in this eBook and since things change so rapidly I can create new editions fairly quickly and re-upload them to the online booksellers. I am trying to get a google books version done so indies can carry it, but wow, they make it very complicated!

Thanks for stopping by, Katie!!!

GIVEAWAY!! Katie has kindly offered to give away one free copy (a downloadable .pdf) of HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK to one of my lucky commentors. Just leave a message ON THIS BLOG POST and be sure to include your name and email addy (spelled out is fine - like this: your name at whatever dot com) so that I can contact you if you win. Once I reach 12 comments, I'll do a random drawing.

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK is also available for the Kindle, Nook, or iPad - CLICK HERE.

WAIT! There's more! Katie has visited lots of other blogs while promoting HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK, and there's different information at each of them (including more giveaways and an awesome tour of Katie's creative space). So be sure to visit:

Feb 1 - E is for Book
Feb 2 - Banana Peel Thursday
Feb 3 - Creative Spaces
Feb 6 - DearEditor.com
Feb 7 - Writing With a Broken Tusk
Feb 8 - Shutta Crum
Feb 9 - McBookWords
Feb 10 - Kerem Erkan
Feb 16 - Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Feb 17 - Fiction Notes
March 1 - 12x12 in 2012
March 2 - Christine Fonseca

P.S. - Don't forget there's another giveaway going on for a free children's book app - CLICK HERE!

I Write Picture Books

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:44:00 +0000

Have you seen these floating around facebook? This one hits especially close to home...

Click to see it larger.

Coloring Page Tuesday - Lovebirds

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

     Happy Valentines Day! It's LOVE day! Spread some everywhere you can.

     CLICK HERE for more Valentine's Day images and Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpages@dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog! Click here to find more coloring pages.

     Learn about my Cinderella story picture book, The Prince's Diary, click the cover.

Do you have a default song?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:02:00 +0000

I sing and hum. A lot. And oftentimes I catch myself humming one of about three or four songs. I call them my default songs and I've been singing/humming them my entire life. They are: Yellow Submarine; Peter and the Wolf; and God Save the Queen. (I think there's one more, but I can't think of it right now.) I have no idea why these are my defaults. I find the first song annoying, and I'm not even British. I really only like the second one. So truly, why these songs? I suppose it could be worse. I could be cursed with "Feelings." Gads.
Do you do this too? What are YOUR default songs?

OK GO - Needing/Getting - official video

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Just the pianos alone! How'd they get that many? Wait... the guitars! This official video by OK GO just gets more amazing the longer you watch.

Of course, these are they guys that did that amazing video for "This Too Shall Pass" which I shared in March 2010.
Thanks to Daily Dawdle for the heads up.

"The Snow Ball" app!! (and GIVEAWAY!)

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Today I have the distinct pleasure of honoring a dear friend and amazingly talented illustrator, Liz Conrad, who we lost to cancer in 2009. Liz worked on a series of board books written by David Steinberg (Price Stern Sloan): The Turkey Ball; The Witches' Ball; The Bunny Ball; The Beach Ball; and The Snow Ball. With Liz's enhanced cut paper style, these books came to life as an adorable and successful series.
     And then came apps and ebooks. David had the wonderful idea that Liz's art would adapt well, and he was so right. With the family's permission and support, THE SNOW BALL app is born!
     And oh, does Liz's artwork shine! Turns out her style fits apps so incredibly well. And with the deft programming of PadWorx, movement and a game, PENGUIN ATTACK, bring THE SNOW BALL to life. Liz would have been thrilled. Without bias, I can say this is one of the best looking, most adorable children's apps I've ever seen.
     I asked David about how the app came to be...

Q. What a wonderful tribute to Liz and her artwork. What encouraged you to create "The Snow Ball" app?

A. The business of making children's books is really some kind of magic alchemy. You have so many ingredients that, when they come together just right, can really spring off the shelf. This is the way I felt about the five "holiday ball books" that I worked on with Liz. There is something about the playfulness of her designs and the colors and textures she chooses, that just always make my words complete. I love those books.
     Over the last year or so, I've been watching this evolving world of children's book apps for the exploding tablet market, and Liz's books jumped out at me as really lending themselves to this kind of treatment. When you look at her illustrations, there are so many fun details and you can't help wanting to see those adorable characters come to life. They're just begging for interactivity! So when my wife and I decided that we wanted to explore this new interactive book form, the first books I naturally wanted to try out were the ones Liz and I did together. I have always had a soft spot for The Snow Ball, and then when we mapped a production schedule out with PadWorx, the company we worked with in Toronto on this app, winter was the logical first season to go with. I contacted Liz's family to make sure they liked the idea, and they did--so we dove in and worked hard to make the app as magical as we imagined it could be. I am happy with the way it turned out and really the best praise I have received was from Liz's family, saying that they were sure Liz would have been happy with the results, as well. Of course, the app is dedicated to Liz's memory and we've committed to donating a portion of proceeds to the Cancer Society.

Thanks so much for creating THE SNOW BALL, David! CLICK HERE to learn more about David as well as the app at his website.

THE SNOW BALL is now available for $1.99 at:
The iTunes store for iPads & iPhones
and Android
AND you can download the game, PENGUIN ATTACK for free (without the book) at:
The iTunes store for iPads & iPhones
and Android.

GIVEAWAY!!
David is kindly offering one free app to the winner of my drawing. Just leave a comment ON THIS BLOG POST and once we reach at least 12 comments, I'll do a drawing. You must leave your email address (your name at something dot come is fine) so I can get in touch with you, and live in the US or Canada to win.

OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Oops - this is going up on February 9th...

Coloring Page Tuesday - Atlas and the Snowball

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

     Don't you feel like this sometimes too? And yet, if he can get that snowball up there, it will be the beginning of the most awesome snowman ever!

     Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpages@dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog! Click here to find more coloring pages.

     Learn about my Cinderella story picture book, The Prince's Diary, click the cover.

manuscript in progress..

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Along the lines of celebrating hurdles when you reach them... Friday I printed out my latest novel for my first readers to edit and give feedback. This is the novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo and at 65,000 words, it is a half ream of paper - the perfect length. It feels so good to see it in physical form. (I keep petting it - nice manuscript.) But the most interesting thing about this story so far (there will be another round of revisions) is it's taken me all of three months - November 1 - February 3. My last novel took 2 1/2 years (currently out on submission). The one before that took 4 years. I have to wonder if I'm getting the hang of this writing thing.

Getting to Know Ed Emberley

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I learned how to draw using my thumbprint - did you? Mr. Emberley has created so many wonderful books for children to learn how to draw. And that's after an amazing career of drawing himself. The video is about 20 minutes and totally worth watching:

Getting to know Ed

Ed Emberley, Children's Book Illustrator | by Ed Emberley

View this entire course and more in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.

Thanks to Prescott Hill for turning me onto this!

Pink Fluffy Unicorns Dancing on Rainbows

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:02:00 +0000

I'm speechless... but smiling!

Thanks to Justine Musk for the heads up.

If you liked this song, also check out "Gravy and Toast." (He says he has 500 of these on the interwebs, so we can all become obsessed Andrew fans at SongsToWearPantsTo.com.)

Happy Groundhog Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:17:00 +0000

From a close cousin, The Caddyshack Gopher:

Don't forget to color!

The Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Every child believes themselves to be an artist - until they compare their work to others' or are told differently.
I love the joy the first artist gets from his creation... until he compares it to somebody else's work. There's a strong message there. Create for the way it makes you feel - not for how it fares in the world.

The Artists from Giant Creative on Vimeo.

#kidlitPRChat is tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:04:00 +0000

At 6:00pm EST (Wednesday, February 1st) with Dianne de las Casas, Katie Davis and Yours Truly. Tonight's topic will be "How Is Your Net Working?" We'll discuss:

• How do you network?
• Where do you network?
• What are the big no-nos of networking?
• What are the 3 most effective ways to network?
• Top 3 ways to follow up after you've met someone?
• How to turn an acquaintance into a friend...

TweetChat is my favorite way to join in on the conversation. Just plug in the hashtag: #kidlitPRChat at 6:00 and voila!
Hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE to read the transcript.

Maru gets a new hidey hole

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

You've seen Maru before, right? The cat who became famous for jumping in and out of boxes? Well, his sweet parents got him a new house of sorts. If only they hadn't put it on a rolling chair...
Put your coffee down, you don't want to spit on your screen.

Gads, that's a happy cat.

Coloring Page Tuesdays - Reading Snowmen

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

     Snow Day! Some of you have the white stuff. Do you like making snowmen? When we do get snow here in Georgia, they tend to be pretty short - but we love to make them too!
     Don't forget - CLICK HERE for a groundhog to color this coming Thursday for Groundhog Day!

     Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpages@dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog! Click here to find more coloring pages.

     Learn about my Cinderella story picture book, The Prince's Diary, click the cover.

SCBWI Spring Conference Registration

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Twice a year my Southern Breeze (Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi) region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators holds a weekend conference all about breaking into children's books. This year's speakers are:
   Greg Ferguson, Editor/Art Director at Egmont USA
   Kristin Daly Rens, Sr. Editor at Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins
   Mary Kole, Associate Agent with Andrea Brown Literary
   Andy Runton, OWLY creator who will be leading a session and portfolio critiques for illustrators
   and Newbery Honor winner, Kirby Larson, keynote
Our Springmingle conference will be in Atlanta (February 24-26). If you'd like to join us - go to Southern-Breeze.net to learn more.

World Book Night 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

World Book Night is looking for volunteers to "fan out across America on April 23, 2012! Just take 20 free copies of a book to a location in your community, and you just might change someone's life." More from their website:

World Book Night is a charity dedicated to the promotion of literacy and the celebration, sharing and enjoyment of reading amongst teenagers and adults. The first World Book Night was held in the UK in 2011. In 2012 World Book Night will be celebrated in the USA as well as the UK and Ireland on April 23 and will see tens of thousands of givers share the joy and love of reading with millions of non or light readers.

The sign up deadline is February 1st - so you'll need to get on this quickly. Go to the World Book Night website to learn more.
I've not heard a lot of press about this - but this its an awesome idea!

Maurice Sendak on Steven Colbert

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:23:00 +0000

OMG. Steven Colbert recently did a two-part interview with Maurice Sendak - the creator of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, many other classic picture books, and his latest BUMBLE-ARDY. Maurice has a reputation for being rather crotchety and he's had a rough time as he's gotten older, recently losing his life partner. So, to see him in this lighter moment is SO wonderful. But be warned - this is not for kids! Bravo to Steven!

To see the interviews in their original format at Colbert Nation go to Part 1 and Part 2, respectively.

Awesome Street Art

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I love when people get creative with the world around them. Here's a great collection of street art at Tout-Bon.com - "Best of Street Art 2011." (Here's an example...click the image to see more.)

Coloring Page Tuesdays - Winter Fairy

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

     I'm wishing for snow. Winter in Georgia is grey. We get lots of rain and overcast skies. I wonder if there are little winter fairies somewhere working on a nice dusting of snow for us? They'd be so cute, wouldn't they?
     Click here to view the entire Coloring Page Tuesday collection.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpages@dulemba.com and I'll post it to my blog! Click here to find more coloring pages.

Learn about proper parenting language and the power of choice in, Ready for Bed! , Ready for the Day!, and Ready to Play! - click the covers!

How the Newbery can change your life

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Thousands of children's book creators and fans from around the world tuned in to the ALA (American Library Association) this morning to hear the announcements for the top awards in the children's book industry. The biggies this year were:
Jack Gantos, Newbery winner for DEAD END IN NORVELT
Chris Raschka, Caldecott award for A BALL FOR DAISY
John Corey Whaley won the Michael L. Printz Award for WHERE THINGS COME BACK
Kadir Nelson wond a Coretta Scott King Author and Honor Illustrator for HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS & UNDERGROUND: FINDING THE LIGHT TO FREEDOM (respectively)
Ashley Bryan is the winner of the Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime achievement (so well deserved).
And it do go on!! Click here - at the American Libraries, ALA news to see the entire list including honor winners.

And here's a cool thing I was recently turned onto... Open Road Media is doing interviews with past Newbery winners about how the award impacted their lives, in conjunction with re-releases of the books. I wish they'd do this for everybody, but here's a start: Virginia Hamilton and Jean Craighead George...

The story of glitter

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth O. Dulemba) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:24:00 +0000

Cavemen wore glitter? I love that idea!

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

Thanks to The Kid Should See This for the heads up.