Congratulations to Avery and Carlos! They each are receiving a signed FROM THE GRAVE poster, featuring the amazing cover art.
Thanks to those who signed up for my blog. Stay tuned for more updates on my monsters.
Coming soon: Launch Party reveal!
Author: Cynthia Reeg
Cover Reveal
The totally monstrous FROM THE GRAVE cover!
Featured, front and center, Frankenstein Frightface Gordon—a.k.a. Frank. He’s a sixth grade misfit, with pathetic blue skin and neat-nik ways. But he’s quick to help his friends and usually careful to control his temper, which too often leads to big trouble. His motto: Stay Calm and Scary On!
Behind him is his best friend, Oliver, a mummy who detests being wrapped up and isn’t afraid to read banned books. Finally, standing by the Cemetery Park gates is Georgina, a brave dragon who has a major drool problem. In the background (top right), Fiendful Fiends Academy lurks. In this award-winning school for monsters, you’ll discover surprising secrets, evil creatures, and a belfry of bat poop.
Thanks so much to the amazing Jolly Fish Press design team who created this colorful cover!!! They’ve provided a glimpse into the monster kingdom with its bony skeleton trees and eternal gloom. They’ve brought to life three of the quirky characters. So many more were dying to be included. I can’t wait for you to meet all of them!
Pre-order your copy now before FROM THE GRAVE becomes a banned book too!!!
Want a signed poster of my cover? Subscribe to this blog before April 30 for a chance to win one!
Debut Middle Grade Fantasies
Two new out-of-this-world reads that released in January!
In the not-too-distance future, a group of specially gifted students visits Earth Force Academy for the first time. Here they begin to learn how to use their talents. They also learn of the grave dangers facing humanity. This is an action-packed story with an entertaining, diverse group of characters to root for in an out-of-this-world adventure. Intrigue, suspense, surprises, and appealing characters all add up to make this a winning middle grade read!
SECRETS OF THE DRAGON TOMB by Patrick Samphire.
In 19th century Mars, an unlikely young hero finds himself (and his family) caught up in the middle of a plot by a nefarious celebrity seeking to rout an ancient dragon tomb. The hero must stop the villain from uncovering the tomb’s secrets and free his family, all while facing dangerous Martian creatures and evil combatants. This is a truly humorous and inventive read.
GOING APE
GOING APE
An Original Valentine’s Day Story
by Cynthia Reeg
Theodore Kong III, a young gorilla of few words, lived in the deep, deep jungle. He loved swinging from tippy-top branches, stamp-stomping mini-earthquakes, and pat-a-tat-tatting his chest. He was an exemplary young gorilla.
Until one Valentine’s Day when he found SOMETHING quite astonishing and wore it to breakfast.
“T…T…Teddy?” stuttered his parents. “What is that?”
“Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy rumbled.
“A LONG pink scarf!” said his father with a pat-a-tat-tat.
“Black is the ONLY color gorillas need.”
Teddy’s mother touched the scarf’s heart-shaped spots.
“Why! They’re the shades of misty morning sunrises… BUT gorillas don’t need colorful hearts.”
“Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy grrrrrrrumbled louder.
“I don’t care how… ahhhhh…soft it is!” said Teddy’s father.
“Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy grrrrrrrrrrumbled even louder.
“Or how splendid the hearts are,” said Teddy’s mother. “Gorillas do NOT wear soft, pink, heart-dotted scarves. Ever!”
With that, Theodore Kong III, sss…pun the scarf from his neck.
Up to the tippy-top branches, he swww…ung with it!
Into the fallen leaves, he stamp-stomped on it!
Finally, with a grrrrr…roar louder than ever before, he zzzip-ripped the long, soft, pink, heart-dotted scarf into pieces!
Into THREE pieces.
“Mmmrrrgg!” Teddy roared sweetly. “One for each of us! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
His proud parents smiled back.
Then Teddy scrunch-crunched them both in a hairy hug—and that said it all.
Fenway and Hattie
Dog Adventures to the Max!
Author, Victoria J. Coe, has created a canine main character with wonderful charm. Fenway is a Jack Russell terrier who adores his short human, Hattie.
Things seem to be going well in this dog’s life, when suddenly he and his human family are uprooted from the familiar city to the suburbs. Fenway faces the supremely slick Wicked Floor (where his food bowl resides) and too many bad squirrel dreams, all while trying to keep Hattie happy. But Hattie is lured away from her best bud by a neighbor girl with a baseball mitt. Hattie’s snuggles are few and far between.
Can Fenway master his obedience class? Can you he overcome the Wicked Floor? Can he regain Hattie’s companionship? A laugh-out-loud “tail” with an adorable furry hero! Don’t miss out on these doggone great adventures.
PAPER WISHES
In this bittersweet story set in the United States during 1942 and World War II, 10-year-old Manami—a Japanese-American girl—endures evacuation and internment at the dessert camp of Manzanar. Forced to leave Bainbridge Island with her family, she must abandon her beloved dog and settle in a harsh new environment.
The author writes in poetic prose of the heat, drought, crowding, and awful food. Poor Manami becomes mute due to the hardships, but she sends colorful letters (paper wishes) on the wind in hopes of better times.
This powerful story is a testament to bravery and fortitude. It is a touching and finely-executed glimpse into a difficult period in American history. Told in a simplistic style, this book would be a wonderful read for even younger middle graders.
Lizzie and the Lost Baby
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
10-year-old Lizzie and her 7-year-old brother Peter are forced to evacuate wartime London, due to the threat of bombs. They and a multitude of other children ride a train out to the distant country, where waiting families take the children into their homes. Some of the families are more welcoming than others.
Lizzie and Peter find themselves boarding with Elsie, a depressed woman who has lost her infant and husband. They are supervised by unfriendly Madge (Elsie’s sister who lives next door) and Madge’s friendlier husband, policeman Fred. Although they miss their mother, their Nana, and their absent father—who is away at war–Lizzie and Peter begin to settle into the routine.
The plot thickens when Lizzie finds a baby abandoned in a field. In her quest to find the baby’s origin, she learns of a band of gypsies, camping nearby. Young Elijah, one of the gypsies and the baby’s brother, is intent on finding his lost sister whom he left under protest. Lizzie, torn between helping her hosts who’ve taken her in and returning the baby to its rightful family, must face numerous obstacles in an attempt to do what is right.
The author, Cheryl Blackford, does a splendid job creating a rich period setting. Young readers will be intrigued by the children’s wartime story, told in such lovely lyrical style. They will cheer on the two main characters and be pleased with the satisfying ending.
MONSTER WRITING PROMPTS: Part 4
Creating Characters: FRIENDS
Although Frank, in my story FROM THE GRAVE, is a misfit, he has a number of friends. Unfortunately, they are all considered misfits also.
Frank’s best friend Oliver is a half-wrapped mummy who is more interested in reading than staying bundled up. Georgina is a dragon who is quite good at flying, but she can’t shoot fire at all. In fact, all she can do is snort out a blast of water when she sneezes. Stan & Dan are the two heads of one goofy gargoyle. They love to tell jokes—only monsters should NOT be funny.
Frank has an enemy too—Malcolm McNastee. He’s a sinister troll who hates misfits and does everything he can to destroy Frank. How will Frank ever stand up to him???
Does your monster character have friends? Enemies? What are they like? How do they help or hinder your main character (protagonist)?
You can use the Character Chart from Part 3 to explore these supporting characters in your story. Make a separate chart for each one. The more you know about your supporting characters, the more you’ll know how they will interact with your protagonist.
*TIP: Often for me, it is through the writing process itself that I come to know my characters better. Do some planning and research, but don’t wait too long to jump into your writing! Exciting, amazing things will happen when you let your characters out on the page. 🙂
Below is a circle graphic of Frank’s friends. Who are the characters surrounding your protagonist?
THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB & J SOCIETY
A Middle Grade Treasure Hunt
THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB & J SOCIETY by Janet Sumner Johnson
Capstone Press, Debuting April 1, 2016
Fourth graders Jason and Annie, friends and neighbors since forever, receive a surprise pirate treasure map from Mrs. Schuster, the old lady next door—a grump who’s trying to reform. With Jason’s out-of-work father creating an economic disaster for his family, the two friends start scrambling for plans on how to save Jason’s family from moving. Annie believes in finding the treasure. Jason is more intent on finding his dad a job. Either way it’s a job for the PB & J Society for sure. Things continue to become complicated when treasure hunting goes wrong and even the back-up plans need re-planning. Add to all that, a mix-up on Annie’s home front when her mom returns to work and her dad stays at home. At least Mrs. Schuster’s reform stays on track with her befriending Jason and Annie, but the pirate stories she tells become stranger and stranger with no treasure in sight. This is a delightful and entertaining middle grade read with adorable main characters to root for and a sweet message of finding hidden treasure in those around us.
Monster Writing Prompts: Part 3
Creating CHARACTERS: Family
In FROM THE GRAVE, monster families care for each other. How does a writer create characters readers care about?
In FROM THE GRAVE, the main character, Frankenstein Frightface Gordon, has a rather typical family, very comparable to a human family. A mom, a dad, and an older brother who likes to torment him. His dad and brother, unlike Frank, are green and gruesome—just as Frankensteins should be. His dad works at the Haunted House Factory. His brother Ghoulbert, is rather slow at school but excels at mischief. Frank’s mom is a classic monster as well—a shrieking siren, floating here and there and everywhere. Poor Frank, with his pale blue skin and neatnik ways is the only oddbat in the family.
Does your main character (protagonist) have a family? What are they like? How does your protagonist fit in—or not? Supporting characters (the semi-important characters like family & friends) can have a big impact on the protagonist. They can be fun and interesting foils –characters that contrast another character, highlighting the differences. Make sure you know your characters well. Then when you write your story, you’ll make them come alive (or as alive as a zombie can be) for your reader too!
A good way to find out everything you need to know about your character is to create a Character Chart. Here’s an example below.
- NAME
- AGE
- PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
- FAMILY
- FRIENDS
- LIKES
- DISLIKES
- FEARS
- GOALS
- HOMETOWN
Does your monster have a mummy–or daddy??? 