We have a new home!

I have an all-new blog site at http://www.klamb.net

Please join me at my new location and change any RSS feeds to stay tuned in to my latest articles.

Thank you, and I hope to see you there!

K. Lamb

Creating a Cozy #Reading Nook for the #Classroom or #Home #Teachers #Educators #PromoteLiteracy #Parents

I am ashamed to say it has been quite some time since I've written a blog post. Not because the desire isn't there, but because there is just not enough time in the day for me to accomplish everything on my task list. I've been working hard on trying to re-release the second editions of my first three books on top of my normal day job. Suffice to say, I have my hands full! But, no complaints here. You know I love every minute of it. 

Now that I've gotten all of my excuses out of the way, on to today's blog topic: Creating a cozy reading nook for the classroom. When I was chatting with a dear friend of mine the other day, she was excitedly telling me about preparing her classroom for the upcoming school year and getting ready for their Open House. Of course, knowing how I feel about promoting children's literature, she sent me a picture of their new classroom library reading area. I loved it! Look how cozy and inviting it is for children. Wouldn't you want to pick out your favorite book and read? Imagine settling yourself down into one of the comfy blue chairs and reading Clifford the Big Red Dog (or your favorite almost eight-year-old detective) with the sun streaming in through the window, while the birds chirp away outside.

Now there are some important things to note. First, look at how she made it a quiet, relaxing space where they can actually focus on reading. Secondly, all the books are easily within reach and at a child's level. Displaying the books on top of the bookcase also creates interest. Be sure to cycle through the bookcase and change the display out on a regular basis to promote their curiosity in new books! As for the bear, well, he just makes for an awesome mascot! 

I love how this bookcase is neat and organized by topic with a large assortment of books. Providing a child with ample reading selections will help prevent boredom. Of course, we all had that favorite book we read over and over again, too! 

As I reflect on my friend's classroom library, I  see only one issue. How will she manage to keep the kids from quarreling over those two blue chairs? ;)  Oh, to have such problems! I see many days ahead with children's noses buried in books as they wile away the time and unearth new adventures.

As always, I'd like to remind you to change the life of a child today. Read to them. Invest in them and watch the world unfold around them. 

- K. Lamb

Parents, for more information on creating home reading nooks, visit us on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/danipmystery/childrens-books-nooks/

Making Eco-Friendly Choices: How to Edit with a Tablet #editing #proofing #authors

When our daughter moved home from college after graduating, my own education on making sustainable and eco-friendly choices began. Our daughter has always been conscious of the world around us and its limited resources, however that concept burgeoned while away at school. Upon her return, she started to show me all the different ways I could make small changes in my daily life that would be better for our environment and to preserve our natural resources. (To be honest, I sometimes miss my paper plates; a routine I had gotten into when making dinner late at night to save time washing up.) 

By this point, you may be wondering what any of this has to do with editing? The other day when I was printing another manuscript to edit, I thought there had to be a better way. I am the Queen of the printer. The money I spend on cartridges and paper is ridiculous, but that is another topic. The real reason I paused was that I thought about

the resources I was wasting. I knew there had to be a better way. Unfortunately, I love the feel of a pen in one hand and paper in the other while slashing at a manuscript.

You can't get that when working on a large computer screen using a mouse. Still, I wanted to make better choices so I started surfing the net. I knew the answer was out there, it was just one I hadn't explored. What can I say? It hadn't occurred to me before, and I daresay I'm not the only one still practicing this method, which is the purpose of this blog post.

After reading several articles and researching tablets, I decided to purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab A. I liked that it was similar to my Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone, wouldn't have a learning curve, and I didn't want to shell out the money for a more expensive Surface Pro 3. The only thing I planned on using the Tab A for was editing, so it is sufficient for my needs. Bonus: I was able to pick up a bundle pack, which came with a cover and 32 GB versus the standard 16 GB for a decent price at Costco. 

The next step is to download Adobe's free program Adobe Reader DC and download it onto your tablet. When you want to edit your document, save it to a .pdf format and transfer the file to your tablet. To do this, I use a microchip that I switch between my laptop and the device. Now all you have to do is switch over to the comment view and use your stylus to mark-up your manuscript. DC's features allow you to highlight, use a pen (I like a 3 pt. weight), strikethrough, underline, and input a comment box. Oh, and if that's not enough, for all of you out there that love those proofreading stamps—you can add those, too! I typically switch between the comment view and the regular view.

What I didn't expect, and found to be quite beneficial, is that this manner of editing mimics an e-reader. I found it much easier to pickup on little nuances because I was "reading" the manuscript. Yes, you can argue that we always read the manuscript while editing—obviously. But there is something different about laying out on the couch and being relaxed as if you were enjoying your favorite classic or whodunit. You are able to pick up on those little subtleties that sometimes our more analytical minds might skip over. It's about the enjoyment of the experience.

I hope you found this post beneficial, and if you are not already using technology to edit your manuscripts, that it convinced you to look at making a more eco-friendly choice in the future.

Happy editing,

K.Lamb

Dani P. Mystery Quarterly Newsletter

Hello Readers,

Oh, wow. Have we been busy here at Dani P. Mystery! There is so much to tell you and we can't wait. So kick back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy reading about our latest adventures!

The Official Dani P. Mystery T-Shirt

First off, since we are on a countdown, let me tell you about our t-shirt campaign. Now through April 5th you can order your official Dani P. Mystery t-shirt at Teespring.com  T-shirts are available in children's, women's, and two unisex styles. Prices vary on the t-shirt ordered, but are at actual cost. If you previously ordered a t-shirt, we apologize, but that campaign has been replaced by this one and a new order will need to be placed. 

 You may be wondering what has been keeping us so busy? 

We are fervently working behind the scenes on the second editions of Dani and the Haunted House and Dani and the Mall Caper. Below are copies of the new covers. Each book features all-new illustrations by our amazing artist, Katrina Glidewell, and I have updated some content.  Dani and the Mall Caper should be available in the coming weeks and Dani and the Haunted House will follow soon after. 

In addition, we have been working on a Companion Activity Book!  The activity book will cover the first three books in the series and will include trivia questions to test your child's comprehension, puzzles, coloring pages, and more--- all of which fit into a compact size to match the book series! 

As always, Amazon.com is the exclusive Seller of the Dani P. Mystery series. 

         
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Upcoming books.....

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Even though we've taken a step back to work on the second editions, we're still thinking of the future! I am currently writing Dani and the Hidden Treasure and I can't wait to get Dani and the Magician off the storyboard and onto paper. Especially since we will be having a special "guest star" magician. You may wonder how that works since this is a fictional book. Well, we have been granted permission to use the likeness and name of a real professional children's magician! We're so excited! I know, I know....you want to know who? Well, I'm afraid you'll just have to wait on that mystery......

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Classroom Visits!

Since we have been operating on a soft release of the series, which means we really haven't started our marketing campaign, we have not opened up our schedule to classroom visits---UNTIL NOW! Since the first three books in the series are almost complete, we are going to start focusing on our marketing and reaching out to our readers. 

We have two types of visits available. For local schools we are offering classroom visits based on availability. We are also offering Skype visits to non-local classrooms. Want to know what to expect during a classroom visit? Check out our YouTube video below.

  

Around the World with Dani P.

As I mentioned before, we have been operating under a soft release. Based on that premise, you might think that Dani P. Mystery has been limited to our local area since we've been relying on word-of-mouth. Well, you are in for quite a surprise! Check out the map to the right. The areas highlighted in yellow are all the states Dani has already visited, plus we've made it to Australia and the United Kingdom! And this is only based on the people reporting their location. Who knows where else she has visited! To see some of the pictures submitted by our readers, please visit our Around the World with Dani P. Mystery slideshow.

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Whew. Did I fib? You can see for yourself how busy we've been. If you want to keep up with our latest happenings, you don't have to wait for our quarterly newsletter! Visit us on Facebook or on our website. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and helping to make Dani P. Mystery the success it has become. We are growing slowly, but solidly. As I have always said, "I would rather be the tortoise than the hare." Thank you my friends and readers for taking this journey with me!

All the best,

K. Lamb

Organizing and Editing Author Skype Visits #editing #skype #videos

Editing your Skype Author Visits

I was recently asked what software I used to edit the above video. I thought the question would make an excellent blog topic and might prove useful to other authors. I was also asked by Cat Michaels to be a guest on her Author 101 Blog to discuss Skype in the classroom. Please stay tuned for more information on that upcoming event!

Before we begin, you might find it helpful to watch the short 3 minute and 40 second video. 

Important Note: Do not ever post pictures or videos without express permission! In this case, the teacher authorized the use of pictures and video and cleared it through the school's principal. Every school will be different as far as their rules and regulations. This school's only stipulation was that I did not specify the name or location of the school. Please remember, a child's safety is more important than our marketing!  

Before you start your Skype call: 

1.  Do you have a good webcam? I don't use the standard webcam that came with my laptop. Instead I use this one by Logitech. You want to get as clear a picture as possible, which can be tough!

2.  Check your Skype connection speed! Can you achieve a "fast" connection, which is needed for the best call quality. If not, consider upgrading your service. Remember, your connection will also only be as good as the other person's call quality as well! You can have a super-fast connection speed, but if their connection is slow, your call quality will be degraded. 

3.  Turn off any unused computers, gaming equipment, etc. that may cause a draw on your connection speed. You don't want them bogging down your connection speed during a call!

4.  Pick yourself up a good mic. I use the Yeti and I love it! I also use it to record story segments.

Recording your Skype call: 

I'm not going to go into the specifics of how to record your calls because that will really depend on your computer operating system, whether you are using Mac vs. PC, etc. There are a lot of software options to choose from and Skype gives you a list of applications here.  

Editing your video:

Once upon a time--a long, long, time ago--my husband had a hobby video business. We had all the latest equipment and programs, and back in the day, I could easily put 40 hours into editing a phenomenal wedding video for someone. Boy, am I glad those days are gone! Programs are so intuitive and advanced nowadays. You can create videos in a fraction of the time and I'm always looking for an easier, more cutting edge way to do so. Why? Because I don't want to spend hours making videos when I can spend that precious time writing. After all, that is my true objective. 

Knowing I would be needing a simple software program to accomplish this task, I started doing some research and came across Wondershare Video Editor. 

Here is a capture of the main screen---it really is this simple! 

So which mode do I use? 
Full Feature. And here is the reason why....I'm used to editing and like a bit more flexibility to tweak and to split up my call into video segments. For example, the original video length of this call was 33 minutes and I knew I only wanted to create a short snippet. From that video I had to decide what I wanted to portray in the video above.  Let's break it down:

1.  Opening Titles -  Include any clips and pictures from the event to capture the attention of the watcher. I loved that the teacher in this video immediately posted pictures to the internet and shared their experience! Take the opportunity to grab those pictures! 

2.  The greeting - This is when we first came on and said hello. This is your moment to connect with the students. Get them talking! Let them know you are approachable. If you think you might be a little nervous, just think how they feel!  

3.  Introduce your book or series - Give the kids a little history about your books or yourself. Don't make it too long, make it interactive, and don't bore them! 

4.  Read the first chapter of your book -  Since this class had already started in on my third book (gosh, I love those dedicated Dani readers!) we read Chapter 13 together. 

I like reading off a split screen. In my humble opinion, when you read from the book during a Skype call you detach yourself from the kids. If you read from the screen they still feel that connection to you as you are facing them. Also make your reading as lively as possible. I also took this moment to give one of my many little messages--it's the mom in me--that you can't always "judge a book by its cover" and it's important to give someone the benefit of the doubt.

5.  Q & A - I love this part! Kids come up with the best questions! They can also keep you on your toes! Use this valuable time to not only answer their questions, but encourage them! Let them know how important reading and writing is. 

6. Closing - Be sure to say goodbye and let the children know how much you enjoyed visiting with them. Encourage them to visit your website and/or Facebook page with parental permission. Finally, take this opportunity once more to encourage them to read! I like closing with one of my quotes, "Books are like ice cream, there is a flavor for everyone!" Yes, yes I know. I misquoted myself at the end of the video! Silly me! 

Cutting your segments

You might wonder why I don't show the entire video call and only include snippets. I want teachers to schedule their own Skype visit! I don't want kids to watch some recycled video of me on YouTube. I want them to feel the same excitement as these children did at the thought of meeting an author.  

I can give you a real life scenario based on an email I received from a teacher. Not long ago I dropped off some posters to a local school where I will be appearing in April. After recess the teacher took the package I had left at the main office to class. She told her students as soon as she opened the package they would know who stopped by their school.  Slowly she pulled out one of the posters, which was abruptly accompanied by a shriek, "K. Lamb? K. Lamb was here?" Apparently there was also some cheering and "wows" involved, too! :)  

That is the kind of reaction you are trying to create. You want this to be a magical experience for a child. You and I know we are both just regular people struggling as we write our books as get lost in our own imaginations---but to a child, we are the creators of some of their favorite stories! Keep that magic alive for them!

Easy Mode

Now if your Skype call isn't very long and you're not worried about control over the video, this is the mode for you. I hope you're ready for the next few steps because they are a doozy! Go ahead, take a deep breath, and grab that can of Dr. Pepper while you still can because we are moving on to Wondershare in "Easy" Mode. 

Here's how to make a video: 

1. Import your file, which will probably be an .avi format 

2. Pick a pre-made template 

3. Select from a list of music 

4. Preview video

5. Save

Did I fool you into thinking it might be difficult? Nope? Hmm, I guess the name gave me away. It's really that easy! No treading dangerous waters. No hidden doozies. If there was a Video Editing for Dummies software, this would be it! And trust me, there will be times I will be using this feature. Why? Because sometimes I just don't have the time to invest in editing as much as I might enjoy the excuse when I have writer's block. 

This concludes today's workshop in the Author's Corner, but if you have any specific questions you'd like me to answer please do not hesitate to leave a comment below! I'm always happy to help my fellow authors as we make our way through the world of Indie publishing!

Have a wonderful day--and may you all be inspired to write your next adventure!

K. Lamb

Around the World with Dani P. Mystery #kidlit #childrensbook #adventure #reading

Our daughter recently had the opportunity to study abroad on a scholarship. Because of the time difference, each morning I couldn't wait to jump up out of bed and discover where she had visited while I was asleep. I was living vicariously through her, and dreaming of the places she was able to experience first-hand. The pictures she shared left me in awe and I knew that she was taking in memories that would last her a lifetime. It gave me a wonderful idea.

It has been a little over a year since I published the first Dani P. Mystery book. Unbelievably, I am working on my fourth book! Why unbelievably? Because I am not a full-time writer, and as an indie author, it is very difficult to publish a paperback book and ebook on one's own. It is a very time consuming, yet rewarding experience. I feel blessed that we (with the full support of my family) have accomplished so much in so little time!

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to learn exactly where Dani P. has traveled to since she first began her adventures! I have been lucky enough to hear from several parents and their children who have submitted beautiful pictures or letters so I have learned a tad bit about where she has landed, i.e. Texas, New York, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Massachusetts, California, the United Kingdom, etc. But then I got the idea of doing an actual campaign to track Dani's travels and call it Around the World with Dani P. Mystery. All of the photos collected will be put in a special gallery on our Facebook page and website.

I hope you will join me on her journey and consider submitting a picture of you with your favorite Dani P. Mystery adventure. Most importantly, don't forget to let us know the state/country where you reside. If you care to share a little bit about your city, state, or country---we'd love for you to share that as well! Help us all learn a little more about the world, and how truly connected we are with one another.

I can't wait to meet you and to see all of Dani's exciting travels!

Wishing you a little adventure!

K. Lamb

Submit your photo to one of the following:

info@danipmystery.com
facebook.com/danipmystery
twitter.com/danipmystery or @danipmystery

The smell of Christmas #familytraditions #ThankfulThisHoliday

We all have our special family traditions. Something that sparks deep within us and makes us smile at the memory. For me, it is Christmas morning. The tradition stretches back to the time of being a little girl. The excitement of the morning, and the smell of Christmas.

The smell of Christmas. That is an odd phrase, but if you think upon it for a moment, I am sure you will agree. Christmas does have a smell. It may be different for you than for me, but it is there. 

I loved Christmas as a child. I still do. The excitement of the evening and waiting for jolly old St. Nick; the anticipation was palpable. My Christmas morning started the same every year. I would wake up in the middle of the night, sneak out to see what Santa left, and play with my toys until my parents awoke...or the phone would ring. If my parents overslept, I could always count on my dear grandmother to call at 6:00 a.m. I would race to the phone and happily answer it to hear my grandmother's cheery voice greeting me with Merry Christmas and assuring me breakfast was ready. 

Once that call was received, I knew it was safe to pounce on my parents. Sometimes they would stretch it out another half hour while I would anxiously bob up and down waiting. I was ready to start the day! Finally, they'd head toward the door and I was gone. I would race down our walkway, out the front gate, up the sidewalk---all the way next door---and arrive at my grandparents' doorstep. I wouldn't bother with the doorbell, knowing my grandfather would have already unlocked it. As I burst into their home, the smell of Christmas would hit me. Hot fresh blueberry muffins and bacon. It was the same every year, and it was my favorite. This was Christmas to me. This was love. It was the prequel to my grandparents' waiting arms. 

The good thing about family traditions is that they stick with us, even into adulthood. Gone are the days of Christmas morning at my grandparents' home as they passed long ago. But the tradition remains. Not one Christmas has passed that the aroma of blueberry muffins and bacon hasn't filled my home. And there is always one extra plate dished with a warm muffin. It stands alone, uneaten. It serves only as a memory and tribute to two very special people that meant the world to me. To a woman whose voice is embedded in my mind and my heart and still whispers Merry Christmas to me with each passing year.

God bless everyone. May your Christmas be rich with tradition.

K. Lamb

In Between by Jenny B. Jones #YA #bookreview #kidlit

I must say that I truly enjoyed this book. I instantly felt connected to the storyline.

In Between by Jenny B, Jones is the story of one girl's journey in learning to trust in adults when all she has known in the past is disappointment. With a mom in prison, Katie Parker is shipped off from her group home to her new foster parents. Not only is she thrust into a new household, but when she finds out that her "foster father" is a preacher, she all but goes off the rails. She pushes the boundaries continually in an effort to test their limits and expects to be shipped back to Sunny Haven Home for Girls at any moment.

Katie's wit and reactions are full of realism. More than a time or two did I find myself outright laughing, chuckling, or smiling. I truly found myself connecting with the character as I watched her progress through the book and the life changes that helped her accept her position, and importance, in her new home.

Although religion and God were brought up many times throughout the book, I never felt it became heavy handed or presented in such a way as to turn off young adult readers. In truth, I found just the opposite to be true. I think it will open up, or strengthen, young minds to the concept of God. Religion can be such a touchy subject, and I love when an author can present it in a responsible manner.

Ultimately, I think I felt such a connection to this book because over the years I have volunteered hundreds of hours working with children in my community. Not all of them have been fortunate in their circumstances in life and this book reminded me of those special moments working with some of the children that had a natural distrust of adults. These children were always the ones to capture my heart, and make me work even harder to insure they had a fantastic summer. The only thing a child truly needs in life is to know someone cares about their well-being. In my opinion, In Between reinforces this statement.

I would definitely give this book 5 stars. I look forward to reading more in the Katie Parker Production series, and to many more laughs ahead. Very well done, Jenny B. Jones!

Wishing you all an amazing adventure, and reminding you to never pass up the opportunity to help a child,

K. Lamb

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Writing Software - Is it for you? #authors #writers #software

Today in the Author's Corner, I thought we would talk about writing software. I use several different programs, all of which we will discuss. 

I want to send out a strong caution of what writing software will not do:

• Replace an editor or proofreader
• Will not read human emotion
• Will not catch dropped words, wrong word use, etc.
• Will not guarantee you success as a writer

What can writing software do?

• Help you to better prepare your manuscript for an editor and proofreader
• Teach you how to strengthen your writing
• Make you more confident in your writing

The three writing programs, which I will again further discuss in detail, are:

• Office 365
• StyleWriter 4
• ProWriting Aid

Microsoft Office 365:

We are all familiar with Microsoft Word. If we don't use, we've at least heard of it. The reason I upgraded to the subscription service is two-fold:

• You get all the newest Office upgrades
• The subscription service includes the text-to-speech feature, which previous versions have done away with

The most important feature in this version of Word is the text-to-speech. What your eyes see on paper can sometimes deceive you. Hearing your manuscript read back to you by the program, tedious as it may be, will allow you to catch those little nuances that your eyes bypass. This is a key factor! Your manuscript must "read aloud" well, especially if you are writing for children.

Stylewriter 4:

I have heard pros and cons about this software. I will tell you that I love it and use it constantly! It does get a little buggy at times with Windows 8, but if you check your document chapter-by-chapter, it usually runs fine. I have found it gives me trouble when I have it review the whole manuscript.

I like this program because I find it to be more intensive than Microsoft Word's grammar check. Now this is strictly my opinion. Since this is a UK company, you will find there are a few differences between American English and British English. Despite that, I find it useful. It will grade your writing style as dreadful, fair, poor, good, and excellent. I always strive for an excellent rating, and will keep re-structuring my paragraphs until I achieve that goal. It also gives you different format styles from which to choose based on what you are writing, i.e. fiction, business letters, etc.

The more you use the program, the stronger your writing becomes. Think of it the same as exercising your muscles. The more you work out the easier your routines gets. This is the same principle.

The software is expensive, but they do offer a free trial download. I suggest you see how it works for you. If you don't like it, nothing lost. The software ranges from $90-$190.00 depending on the version you purchase. I have the pro edition and use it almost daily.

ProWritingAid:

This is a web-based grammar program. It also comes with a plug-in, if you prefer, but I found the web works best for me. I don't use this software program until the end of the writing phase when I am editing. This program is great for picking up redundancies, which is my most used report.

This is a subscription program, which is $35.00 a year—definitely worth the price! If you purchase more than one year at a time they offer a discounted rate.

There is another program similar to this one that I have tried, but will not mention by name. I preferred the other program a little bit better, but not enough to warrant the steep price difference—$35.00 vs. $144.00.

Why use software?

As I mentioned before, I believe it helps you stay in tune with your writing and improves it over time by letting you see your weak spots.

Another important aspect that I feel strongly about is the cleaner you make your manuscript before handing it off to an editor to do their job, the more they will be able to help you. Make your manuscript the best so your editor can give you their best.

Cautionary Word:

Software will never be able to read emotion and feel your words. It gives you recommendations based on programming, but it is up to you, the writer, to be sure the sentence ultimately moves your reader. Do not let any program strip your voice. For example, I write for children. In my dialog, I am constantly using the word/fragment, really? The program is not happy with me when I do. However, this is a child's voice, this is how they speak, which is why I need to follow my instincts and be able to put aside what the program is telling me.

Finally, do not make the mistake of thinking any of these programs replace a good editor. An editor offers what no program can:  the human eye, feeling, and experience.

I hope you found this article helpful and it has given you a couple more tools in your arsenal. It is our job as authors to put forth our best efforts. Remember, the world needs quality literature.

Wishing you success,

K. Lamb

Twitter Talk

If you're an author, chances are you belong to the Twitter world. Now if you've come here for some sage advice on mastering the world of tweets, I will warn you, you are going to be sadly disappointed. I don't have the answers. This is a world that has a life of its own, and the recommendations on how to have a successful Twitter feed are as varied as the people who use it.

I've read a lot of different articles, downloaded books, and I still haven't a clue. I've tried different formulas. To me, IMHO, it all comes down to being true to yourself and the amount of time you have to devote to this mysterious world.

A while back when I found myself getting lost for hours on end as I happily tweeted along, I found I was enjoying the human interaction, but losing valuable writing time. I knew I couldn't sustain that if I ever wanted to get my next book out. So I decided to implement a plan. I would devote one whole day to interacting with my friends and followers each week. I called it Thankful Thursdays. The idea was to give shout-outs to my followers and enjoy a good old-fashioned gab fest. Only I discovered it was a major fail for two reasons:

• First, one day wasn't enough. I missed the daily interaction, and whereas my followers didn't decrease, they stopped increasing at the same rate as before. This proved one thing to me: my followers needed the interaction just as much as I did. I am now back to tweeting daily, although I try to limit myself.
• Secondly, my all-day shout-out list proved to be annoying to some followers. They appreciated the mention, but the continual list was a bit too much. Being grateful and saying thank you to my followers is important to me, however. Therefore, I now send out a small daily batch of "Grateful 4:" to express my appreciation and litter my posts throughout the week.

Then of course there is the whole topic of WHAT to tweet about. Do we keep it strictly personal or is it okay to promote our books? Again, the advice offered is extremely varied. As writers, we all want to introduce ourselves to new individuals and expand our reader base. Although I do believe it is important to do so in a genuine manner so as not to be obnoxious about it, and sometimes, it can be difficult to know when we are being obnoxious as it is difficult to "read" our friends and followers in the cyber world. What is too much? I really enjoyed the explanation put forth on this topic by Benjamin Wallace, the author of Giving the Bird: The Indie Author's Guide to Twitter, as he describes a scenario of a man at a party.  (You'll have to buy the book to find out what he says...)

What is my "tweet formula?" Honestly, I don't have one. It is ever-changing as I find what works for me and what doesn't. Not to confuse you any more than what you might already be on the subject, here is what I currently tweet in the twitter world:

• I post socially just because I enjoy it. I love interacting with my friends and those I've met online. We can act like big kids. Is it always professional? No, but it's fun and it is genuine. Being true to yourself and who you are has to be at the forefront of everything you do. The key is honesty. Let others see the real you. You can be both the consummate writer and the goofball joking with your friends. 
• Quotes are one of my favorites. The wisdom that can be found within a few short words can touch the soul. 
• Projects my friends are working on. I am one of those individuals that believe in promoting the success of others. We all win when one of us succeeds. You cannot be afraid to support others in their goals. 
• Words. I love posting a "word of the day" when a good one comes along. 
• My blog postings. Where my tweets can sometimes show the silly side of me, my blog shows my heart. I talk about all kinds of things from children's literacy to cherished memories, and even my experiences as a writer. 
• Book reviews I've posted. I'm always looking for quality children's literature to recommend to my readers and nieces and nephew. 
• Interesting articles. Although one of the books I read said this was a definite no-no as you shouldn't direct traffic away from your site. However, the "helpful" side of me wants to share interesting articles when I find them so I doubt that is going to change. 
• Snippets from my books and links. Yes, I do send out the dreaded promotional tweets. It is always in the hope my followers will forgive this transgression and even take a peek! 

As I said in the beginning, what people tweet about is as varied as they are themselves. I don't know if there will ever be any "set formula" as things are forever changing, expanding, and going in new directions. All any of us can do is hope to wade through all the advice and find a solution that works best for us as individuals.  

Wishing you all success,

K. Lamb

Eligibility in the Local Context #college #education #students

If you are the parent of a high school student in California you may or may not be aware of Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). I will admit, I was not. It wasn't until I attended an informational college night at our daughter's high school that I first found out about this program. 

Being the parent of a very goal-oriented child/young adult can be a challenge. You have to try and help balance the time they spend on school work, and their over-achieving nature, with being sure they experience life. At the same time, you truly have to appreciate that determination. Well, in California, that determination pays off in a big way and it is something every parent should know!

California has a program called Eligibility in the Local Context. Basically, if your child meets all the course requirements to enter college, and is within the top percentage of their high school, they are guaranteed admission into the UC school system. (I believe the only two schools exempt from automatic acceptance are UC Berkeley and UCLA, however ELC status will improve your child's chances.) From their website:

"To be designated as ELC, a student must have attended an eligible, participating California high school, satisfactorily completed a specific pattern of 11 UC-approved courses prior to the start of senior year, and have a UC-calculated GPA that meets or exceeds the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school. To maintain the ELC status, the student must satisfy the general admissions requirements including the successful completion of the 15 required “a-g” courses, maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit an official copy of ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test scores."

Before you get too excited, be sure to read the fine print. It says, "the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school." Unless the overall GPA is extremely low for your child's high school, a 3.0 is not going to give them automatic entrance. That is the reality of the situation. Gaining entrance into college is extremely competitive. I know for a fact that GPAs ranged well over 4.0 in my daughter's school. 

How can you help your child? If they are up to the challenge, you can encourage them to:

• Take honors courses in their Freshman year to acquaint them with a more demanding course load
• Take AP courses in their sophomore, junior, and senior years (which will also give them college credit and get some of those general education courses out of the way)
• DO NOT push your child beyond their capabilities; it will only damage their self-esteem and lower their GPA if they cannot keep up
• Provide the necessary tools and a good working environment for them to study
• Be supportive, check in daily, and make sure they are balancing life

Find out if your child is on track for the ELC program in their junior year. Taking away the added pressure of worrying about whether or not they will be accepted into a 4-year college will allow them to focus on their studies and enjoy their final year, which should be full of memories and camaraderie with friends.

For more information, please go to: Eligibility in the Local Context

Now, if you really want to help get your child on track---start with them when they are young. Early readers become better students. Give them a head start in life. Read to your child today!

Wishing your child every success,

K. Lamb

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A Ghost went Trick or Treating #kidlit #bookreview #free

I picked up A Ghost Went Trick or Treating by A.J. Cosmo (written under the penname Gene Wilikers) on Amazon.com. As of the date of this blog, it is available for a free download. My best recommendation is to grab a copy while it is still available―otherwise, it will run you $1.99, which is still a bargain!

At only 22 pages and 12 illustrations, it is a short read, but one your child will delight in. It is the perfect tale to get young ones excited about the upcoming holiday, read after a long night of trick-or-treating or as a classroom read aloud on Halloween day. 

What I enjoyed about this story is that I thought I had it all figured out, until nearly the end, when the author threw in a twist that made me smile. How many times can you say that as an adult, a child's book throws you a curve? It goes to prove that a well-written children's book can surprise us all.

The best part is that I love stories that have a message or lesson within them. This one is presented so perfectly, your child will not recognize it for what it is, but will find themselves engaged and immersed in the unfolding events. 

This book teaches children about:

• friendship
• bullying
• not to judge a "book" by its cover
• helping others

This is a book that I look forward to sharing with my young nieces. I have no doubt it will win their seal of approval as well.

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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Just in time for Halloween! #free #kindle #kidlit

How about sharing with your little ghost or goblin a different type of Halloween treat this year? Perhaps you're trying to find a way to quiet your little princess or pirate down after arriving home from a long night of trick or treating. Is your buzzing bee or fireman coming down off their sugar-high? You can settle them in by cozying up together and reading, Dani and the Haunted House! 

Since kids shouldn't be the only one getting a treat this Halloween, I'm offering a free Kindle download on Thursday, October 16th!

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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The Giver by Lois Lowry #kidlit #book #review

I first had the opportunity to read, The Giver, when my daughter was in grammar school. I always made it a practice to read the same books as my daughter so that we could discuss them in detail. I loved getting her perspective on the material she read and the keen insight she always seemed to gain from the pages of a book.

This story by Lois Lowry has always been one of my favorites. It very much reminds me of the old cliche of looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. 

The setting is a "perfect" community. All the citizens have jobs that are chosen for them by the Elders of the community that are best suited to their abilities. Just as their positions are chosen so are their families. Husband and wives are matched up--think back to the days of arranged marriages--and children are assigned. Birth mothers are not allowed to raise their children, but are merely the equivalent of brood mares.

To the citizens, all seems idyllic. This is their way of life, which seems normal and comforting. It isn't until a young boy, Jonas, comes of age and prepares to take on his role in the community does the rose-colored facade strip away and he sees the community for what it truly is: lost within their own complacency. He knows there has to be something better out there and with the help of The Giver, who is his mentor, and whom he is meant to replace, does he  start to challenge the ideas of the Elders. 

His delegated position as the new Giver demands that he take on both the pleasure and pain of the communities' memories. For the first time in his life he understands the beauty of color and the pain of war, the searing heat of the sun's rays to the delicacy of a fragile snowflake. It is the task of a mere child to bear the weight of both so that the citizens of this "utopia" can live in their dream-like world, carefree in their naivete. 

I highly recommend this book for young readers. There are true lessons to be found within its pages about taking life as it is meant to be and how one must learn to accept both the highs and lows if they are to live a true full life, and in the grand scheme of things, what is more beautiful than that?

Share this book with a child you know today. It is worth the read for both the young and old.

Wishing you all a little adventure,

K. Lamb

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A.J. Cosmo: Where Monsters Lurk #interview #author #kidlit

I want you to stop for a moment. Really stop. Now think back to when you were a child; a curious, wide-eyed little adventurer. Did you ever wonder.....

• where socks disappeared to?
• if ghosts went trick or treating?
• what that slobbering noise in the dark was?
• if there was an A-Z encyclopedia on monsters?  

You have? Well, then you are going to love my guest today because he had the same questions! Please help me welcome the creative genius behind the wildly popular monster series, A.J. Cosmo. I couldn't wait to ask him some questions and grill him about his experiences as an author and illustrator. My own seven-year old self can't wait to hear his answers, so let's get started!

With an impressive 13 books listed on your website, can you please tell my readers how long you've been publishing and what inspired you to become an author? 

Firstly, thank you for checking out my website, I'm always honored whenever anyone has a look! To answer your question, I've been self-publishing exclusively on the Amazon Kindle platform for three years now. In that time, I've created a little over forty books, however not all of them are currently available. 

About three years ago I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. I was thirty at the time and was having a sort of pre-mid-mid-life crisis (astrology folks call it the Saturn return.) I looked at who I was and what I had dreamed of being as a child and realized that they weren't lining up. I also happened to be unemployed at the time (something a lot of my generation has in common with me) and was incredibly frustrated that I didn’t have a job that used my hodgepodge of skills. So I went back to my dream. The dream that has always kept me going: writing, or, more correctly, creating. I moved to Los Angeles to become a screenwriter and, after failing at that hard, started exploring other writing forms. I stumbled upon Kindle and became interested in children's books after downloading a few of the early eBook offerings. I've always been a boy stuck in the body of a man, so it wasn't hard to get into it. All I did was ask, "What would the eight year old me want to read?"

That's where "The Monster That Ate My Socks" came from. I wrote and illustrated that in two weeks without really knowing what I was doing and it became a huge success. God blessed me with that title, and since then I have been striving to honor that creativity.

Children's books turned out to be at the intersection of everything I loved and could do. They allowed me to write, to tell a story, to create a world, and to illustrate that world. It was an unexpected joy and something I never thought in a million years I would wind up doing. Yet it makes perfect sense!

I love your illustrations and their vivid colors. These expressive drawings are sure to be well received by children. Do you illustrate your own books or do you have an illustrator that handles this aspect for you? 

Aww, thank you so much! I do all of the illustrations on all of my books. I use several different techniques and styles to create the work, changing ngredients to fit the story. I like colors to pop, so I take a lot of time selecting color palettes and arranging color space. From what I've heard, the children love the colors too! I approach the illustrations from a film perspective (going so far as to refer to the pictures as "shots") as such I sometimes find myself at odds with traditional illustration techniques. I really want these characters to come to life, to communicate, and I want the children who are reading them to understand the story from the pictures, even if they can't understand the words. Childhood reading is practically a theatrical experience and I want to give everyone the tools to enjoy it as much as possible.

What do you find to be the most challenging part of being an author? Time restraints? Writer's block? Marketing? 

Here's a short list: marketing, promotion, exposure, and advertising, in that order. Seriously, writing is an incredibly difficult skill that takes years to master and an immense amount of failure to become proficient at. Yet, also a skill that is universally de-valued by the public. We used to be at the mercy of the publishers, now we're at the mercy of search engines and they have a rather unique set of demands. Pricing is difficult: too cheap and no one will buy it because it's "desperate," too expensive and no one will buy it because "eBooks should be cheap, there's no printing involved!" 

As such each book requires it's own promotion, pricing, and marketing strategy. I have done everything that the marketing books recommend. However, as most self-publishers know, none of it works. Well, not exactly. The truth is that some things work and other things don’t and you won’t really know until you try it. I've spent a little over a year learning book marketing, have learned a lot, failed a lot, and have come away with the realization that very few people, including the big boys at marketing agencies, actually know what they’re doing. The rest is money thrown at vacuums.

In that spirit, I have begun helping other authors market and advertise their work. I support indies because I know how hard it is to make a living off of our work. And I believe we have a right to make a living. We have a right as artists to make money and continue to create, even if sometimes it seems like everyone else makes money off of us. I got lucky with an early hit, but most people don’t 

have that fortune, and it pains me to see indie predators hawking the promise of success to the naïve.

What do you find to be the most rewarding part of interacting with your readers? 

I have a policy of never responding to reviews, but I always respond to emails. My readers, unknowingly, have directly guided my work. Early on I constantly offered various stories and characters but the audience spoke and I started to specialize in monsters. I don't mind being typecast. In fact it's an honor. It's a wonder of the digital age that we get constant feedback about what readers 

respond to.

Reviews are such a funny thing and can be extremely damaging if you’re not prepared for them. I have five stars that talk about how the book helped a child through a difficult situation. How "I Love You" helped a parent to express themselves to their child and for their child to understand that love. I have reviews that have called me a hack, have said that I support puppy mills or some other nonsense. Reviews that deride me and then advertise their own book! And reviews that say I am combative or inflammatory which, again, I have never responded to anyone for their review. But my absolute favorites are the ones left by children. They are so honest and brief and sometimes don't understand the rating system. Here's my favorite:

"Awesome! I loved it! I want the next one to have monsters fighting, so cool!" * One Star

Is there one particular letter or photo you've received that has touched you in

such a profound way as to affirm why you became an author in the first place?  

A few months ago I randomly stumbled upon one of my biggest fans on twitter. Her resulting enthusiasm blew me away. Beverly told me that not only was I her son's favorite author, but that he anxiously awaited each new book. I was stunned. She said that he had learned about honesty through "The Truth Fairy" (her favorite book) and that I had helped him to fall in love with reading. If I died that day, I would have died satisfied.

I have since kept in contact with her, and a handful of other fans, and have tried to actively involve them in guiding my work and life. I want to help people. I want to make the world a better place and I want my work to reflect that. "The Monster That Ate My Socks" has been downloaded over 300,000 times. That means on any given night there are at least a hundred children reading something I created just before they turn off the lights. How amazing is that?

Despite everything that has challenged me in life, the set backs, the nay-sayers, the horrible reviewers, that one fact keeps me going, keeps me creating. It's an honor, a God bestowed honor, to have created one little book that has touched so many lives. That's why we create. That's why we go through what we go through to bring a thought into flesh. We yearn to be heard. We yearn to affect 

the world. 

To anyone out there reading this that has thought about being a writer, or has dreamed of creating something, anything, I implore you to pick up that pen or that brush and continue. Finish it. Whatever it is, get it out there. You want to make it for a reason and we have no right to deny the world our creations any longer. You never know what God has planned for what you made. Don't mess up that 

plan. Create. Live.

Today, in this moment, if you could give your 10-year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. Everything will be all right.

Thank you, A.J. for joining me today. It was truly a pleasure having the opportunity to interview you and learn from such a down-to-earth, creative mind. I look forward to following your progress, hopefully learning from the sage insights you gave us here today, and watching your continued success.

Well, dear readers, I hoped you enjoyed looking back at your own childhood thoughts and dreams. Never forget that just because you have grown up, doesn't mean you have to lose contact with your inner child. Embrace that part of yourself. Let yourself feel the wonderment that only youth can comprehend.

To learn more about A.J. Cosmo, please visit him at his website, ajcosmo.com

Wishing you all a day filled with mystery and adventure,

K. Lamb

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