Happy Birthday, GLORY BE!

Was it really January 1, 2012? Wow.

I remember the first time I saw my first book in a hardcover, book-jacketed, fabulously cover-arted edition. It was real! It was a book!

As a librarian, it was a thrill.
As a writer who'd worked ten years, off and on, through a number (ahem!) of rejections, it was sheer joy.

Still is.

Thank you to everybody who brought this book into the world. Thank you to the teachers and librarians who've put it on their states' children choice award lists. 
Thank you for the great reviews, over all these years. 

 The sheet cake my daughter ordered to celebrate GLORY BE's beginning!

I'm proud of GLORY BE which chosen by Mississippi to represent our state at the National Book Festival, awarded the 2013 Crystal Kite Award, and given lots of other really amazing accolades.

Resources and links may be found on my blog, HERE.

Oh, and PS- There's a certain online site that has the HARDCOVER on sale for $8.
(I didn't think you could even buy a hardcover edition most places.)

 Fun Author Visit memory. My first visit "home" to a Mississippi school.

I'm a big fan of Skype visits, too! 

 Cookies! I need one of these! Right now!

(from a very special NYC Book Club night. )

Celebrating, Southern Style

I love my amazing friends in the Tampa Bay writing community. Thanks to the Florida SCBWI for all these connections.

My critique group(s) -- I've slipped into more than one since moving to St. Petersburg-- have been with me every step of the way. 
(Thanks, Sue Laneve. Thanks, Sylvia Salsbury for your original hostings!)

Last night my current group and the writers who've supported the journey, organized by our fearless leader Rob Sanders, gathered for a southern supper. Where else but Cracker Barrel!

Here we are, rocking the evening!

 (Missing, Sue Laneve and Greg Neri who were off doing exciting things. But definitely part of this book's journey.)

Writers are so creative.
Check out a few of their fun mementos of the book. They are very careful readers of GLORY BE.

Evening in Paris perfume. (I will have to visit THIS shop! http://yesterdazevintage.com)

Candy, lots of vintage candy.
A note, folded into a tight triangle.
A quarter, from 1963, which would surely have been in Glory's Junk Poker box.

The perfect candle: CLOUD 9
A shell, beautifully decorated
A poem, a picture frame
Southern-themed napkins
A tiny worry doll
Very special Elvis memorabilia. Wow.

AND
Floating body parts... eyeball. Teeth. (enough said)

(Not pictured: the cupcake, which I ate. Yum. 
Thank you, Nancy Cavanaugh! But that's the box, decorated with kites and a Way to Go sticker, pictured.)

It was a very special evening, filled with fried okra, turnip greens and lots of laughs. The Southern Theme was carried out in full. You writers totally rock. Not just the chairs.

                                                             (Rob's napkins. Sigh.)


I'm eternally grateful to these creative people. 
Thanks for celebrating GLORY BE's Crystal Kite. 

Wow. Cloud 9, indeed.

Still Floating on Air!

In case you've missed me and wondered if I'd disappeared. Yes, I have.

I've been FLOATING.

On air, that is.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators-- my fellow writers-- just named
GLORY BE as my Southeast region's CRYSTAL KITE winner. I'm beyond excited.

Before the ink had dried on the page, the amazing Vicki Palmquest at Winding Oak and the Children's Literature Network had updated their website, HERE.

And mine, HERE.

Thanks so much to everybody who voted and congratulations to the other winners.
I am over the moon!