HIGHLIGHTS Magazine has some fun October online activities.
Try your skills at Build a Scarecrow. Create the scarecrow of your dreams, then print your creation.
Or there is JACK-O-LANTERN MAKER. You can even make it glow.
While you’re there, read a spooky story. MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE by Ellen Javernick is sure to scare you silly.
And if you want a snack to go with your story, mix a batch of SPIDER SNACKS. They’re frightfully delicious.
It’s been a rainy day here today–lots of clouds, lightning, thunder and RAIN! But it finally seems to be stopping and a bit of sun is peeking through. Hopefully, it will dry out for the weekend.
The new children’s ezine, LAUNCH PAD, has just announced another issue’s release. The OCEANS issue (the ezine’s third issue) is now up on their website. They’ve collected a series of fun stories and poems–all illustrated and written by children.
But they are still in need of more contributors for upcoming issues such as Summer Fun (hiking, camping, summer sports, vacations, etc.), Mystery, and Variety (any topic). And they especially need illustrators for the ezine.
Send any suggestions or submissions to: Paul Kelsey, Editor and Publisher
Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off!
editor@launchpadmag.com
I received a letter from HIGHLIGHTS for CHILDREN magazine today announcing the publication of my poem, “Reaching for the Stars,” in the November 2008 issue of their magazine.
How exciting!
I started writing this poem while at the Highlight’s Foundation Chautaugua Workshop in July 2005. My writer mentor for the week was David L. Harrison, a poet laureate from Missouri. It was during one of his presentations that the poem took shape.
So I offer a salute today to Mr. Harrison. I’m including some links below to a few online sites with information about him. Of course, he has a large number of books available either through bookstores or libraries. He writes not only poetry and stories for children but also nonfiction books as well.
A MATTER OF METER
By David L. Harrison
http://www.teachingk-8.com/archives/articles/a_matter_of_meter_by_david_l_harrison.html
The article explains some of the rhythmic patterns used in poetry with examples by children. The author also offers suggestions for presenting the topic to students.
RANDOM HOUSE MEET THE AUTHOR
http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=12056
Brief highlights of Mr. Harrison’s writing career and education
THE READER: THE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS READING ASSOCIATION
“Fluency Fun: Kids Love the Sound of Words”
http://www.arareading.org/The%20Reader%20-%20fluency.pdf
An interview with Mr. Harrison and examples of his poems
Today I’m offering a couple writer helps:
The first is a new book from children’s author and WEE ONES magazine editor, Jennifer Reed–BECOMING A CHILDREN’S AUTHOR, illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier.
http://www.lulu.com/content/2040679
This book provides 200 + pages of information on what it takes to write and sell stories and nonfiction for the children’s book and magazine market.
But that’s not all. It also has online resources for reference: websites on grammar, creating a bibliography, writer support groups, writing websites, and more!
This children’s author and magazine editor has 15 years experience in the industry and has published over 20 children’s books
The next offering is an article written by Jan Fields of THE INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. In this article she offers advice for dealing with publishers.
Balancing Business and Emotion by Jan Fields http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/business.shtml
Online links are also provided, such as this very helpful site:
Preditors and Editors http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
So if you want to improve your odds for being a successful children’s author, these two sources would be a good starting point.
Winter is a struggle because I get inspired when I am out in nature, and as much as I love snow, I don’t like the cold. In warm weather I love to walk or just sit outside. I live in the woods of Southern Oregon with lots of wildlife, trees and fresh air. Occasionally I sit outside and journal. I enjoy doing that but I’m not very good about keeping it up on a regular basis. I have a new laptop, and I am anxious for the weather to warm up so that I can sit out under a tree and write.
Describe your working environment.
I have an office in my home. Unfortunately it is small and I share it with a treadmill. I also share with a cat, Amber. It is pretty cluttered in here and in need of paint, but the walls are covered with my published works to remind me I am a “real” writer. The room is full of files, books, my computer desk, a phone, a small television for when I actually use the treadmill. I am blessed with both a desktop computer and a laptop.
What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
Never, ever give up! Read everything you can find about writing for children. Read every book in your genre that you can beg, borrow or buy. Network with other writers online or in person. If you can afford it, take a writing class. I learned a lot in the beginning in the ICL chatroom, and I was not an ICL student. Write! Write! Write!
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?
Don’t allow the negative opinions of others to hold you back. Don’t be a snob. There are a lot of small publishers that would like to look at your work. Not everyone is published by Random House. Writing for magazines is still writing. Books are not the only writing format. Write what you love. Write what inspires you. Don’t let family and friends tear you down. Don’t quit because of rejections. If you can’t take rejection, you have chosen the wrong field. Share what you have learned with others.
Do you have a website or blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?
Yes, you can learn more about me and my work at http://www.sharilyle-soffe.com/ . Click on the links in my site directory.
So if you haven’t visited STORIES FOR CHILDREN yet, be sure and give yourself a treat and stop by soon. And remember to check back at SFC for my April story–which is only about a month away. Don’t worry…I’ll be sure and remind you again when it’s published.