Susan VanHecke

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' an ALA Notable

2012-01-27T14:38:00.004-05:00

Was thrilled to learn today that Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers was named an ALA Notable Children's Book for 2012! As the American Library Association explains on its website:

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

I am truly honored to join the other fine titles on the list.

M. E. Castle and POPULAR CLONE

2012-01-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

What if you were a geeky twelve-year-old relentlessly tormented by the Vikings, the bullying buffoons at your middle school? And what if your super-scientist mom happened to be working on a top-secret cloning potion that would enable you to send a duplicate You to school while you play video games and tinker with inventions in the comfort of your bedroom lab? Sounds like a plan, right?

That's what Fisher Bas thinks, until his clone winds up more popular than the original and is eventually kidnapped by the local mad scientist bent on world domination. Now, to save his genetic twin, Fisher must accept who he is, apply his intellectual abilities, and face his fears (with a little help from his pet flying pig).

Popular Clone (Egmont, 2012), author/actor M. E. Castle's debut novel for middle graders, is a quick-paced, action-packed read sure to satisfy the tween set. In my January children's market column for Authorlink.com Castle tells of the unusual evolution of the book, the first installment of a planned Clone series, and much more.

Kelly Milner Halls and IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH

2011-12-01T19:19:00.001-05:00

Kelly Milner Halls was always the weird kid, "the kid who asked too many questions, the kid who couldn't stop talking to her neighbors, the kid who couldn't find a book she wanted to read," she confesses on her website, www.wondersofweird.com.

But when Halls discovered in high school that she could actually write, she channeled her inner weirdness to launch a children's writing career that now includes more than 1,500 articles for publications from Highlights for Children and Teen People to Writers Digest and the Washington Post, as well as a slew of award-winning children's books. Her touchstone topics? Anything weird, of course, and the weirder, the better. Dinosaurs, cryptids, aliens, mummy children, wild dogs—they're all Halls' stock-in-trade and what make her offbeat books especially appealing to reluctant readers, her favorite audience.

Halls tells of writing her latest quest-for-weird volume, In Search of Sasquatch, plus much more in my December children's market column at Authorlink.com. Don't miss it!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' Nominated for 2012 Children's Choice Awards

2011-11-04T18:37:00.002-04:00

I was delighted to learn today that Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers is a nominee for the 2012 Children's Choice Awards of the Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Library Association. Finalists will be determined by the votes of teachers and librarians.

I'm honored to be included in such a distinguished list!

Laurel Snyder and BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX

2011-11-02T11:54:00.003-04:00

If it fits, it's yours—or is it? And where exactly do you fit when your world is quickly shifting around you?

Those questions are at the core of the poignant and semi-autobiographical Bigger than a Bread Box, author Laurel Snyder's latest middle grade novel. Twelve-year-old Rebecca's life is shaken when her parents separate and her mom hastily moves Rebecca and her baby brother from Baltimore to Georgia. There, at her grandmother's home, Rebecca discovers a magical bread box in the attic. Whatever Rebecca wishes for, she gets—as long as it fits in the box. But when she discovers that the wished-for things actually belong to others, Rebecca must decide what's the right thing to do. And besides, how do you fit your real home and family—whole, loving, and unbroken—inside of a bread box?

Snyder shares how it felt to dig around in her own past as she wrote this clear-eyed coming-of-age story in my November children's market column at Authorlink.com. To learn more about Snyder and her books, be sure to visit www.laurelsnyder.com.

Mike Mullin and ASHFALL

2011-10-04T19:31:00.002-04:00

It isn’t a question of if, but when. Geologists agree that eruption of the supervolcano simmering beneath Yellowstone National Park is inevitable. In his debut novel for young adults, Ashfall, author Mike Mullin paints a riveting portrayal of what such a post-catastrophe world might be like.

When the supervolcano lets loose, Mullin’s main character, Alex, is plunged into a real-life game of survival as he embarks on a cross-state trek to find his family. Fending off predators, improvising his way through darkness and ash, and partnering with fellow teen survivor Darla, Alex is forced to face the harsh reality of this bleak new world, yet ultimately finds hope.

Though published this month, Ashfall has already found a receptive audience, chalking up a slew of critical kudos, including this starred review in Kirkus: “In this chilling debut, Mullin seamlessly weaves meticulous details about science, geography, agriculture, and slaughter into his prose, creating a fully immersive and internally consistent world scarily close to reality.”

Mullin talks of his middle-of-the-night inspiration and amazing hands-on research for Ashfall in my October children's market column at Authorlink.com. You can learn even more about Mullin and his book at his website, www.MikeMullinAuthor.com.

Introducing Susan VanHecke Editorial Solutions

2011-09-20T13:41:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to officially hang out my editorial services shingle!

I've launched Susan VanHecke Editorial Solutions to provide a full range of editorial services to authors, editors, agents, and individuals seeking to create clear, powerful, and compelling communication.

I offer:

• Writing, cowriting, and ghostwriting

• Developmental/substantive/comprehensive editing

• Copyediting and proofreading

• Fact checking and research, including photo research and acquisition

• Manuscript evaluation

As a seasoned journalist and published author of nonfiction and fiction for adults and children, I bring decades of experience, scrupulous attention to detail, and a profound respect for the writer's voice to each and every project. I specialize in texts related to arts and entertainment, with an emphasis on music.

Whether you're an editor looking for a meticulous and reliable copyeditor, an author preparing a manuscript for submission, or an individual with a story to tell, I can help you at every step along the path to publication.

Check out testimonials from satisfied clients here, and let's get to work!

Dan Poblocki and THE MYSTERIOUS FOUR

2011-09-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

In author Dan Poblocki’s entertaining middle grade series The Mysterious Four (Scholastic), Viola, Rosie, Sylvester, and Woodrow are the Question Marks, four friends who love to solve crimes and puzzles, no matter how big or small. Whether cracking codes, tracking a river monster, deducing who trashed the dinner asparagus, or getting to the bottom of the spooky sounds in a basement, the kids figure out the truth in just six clues or less.

In each of the series’ three books—Hauntings and Heists, Clocks and Robbers, and Monsters and Mischief—Poblocki strategically weaves the group’s mini-mysteries into a larger framework mystery. He invites readers to solve the whodunits, too, with well-placed questions designed to get young minds whirring. And in a bit of clever marketing, each title comes with a secret code readers can use at the Scholastic website to download an e-book version that includes a bonus mystery.

Poblocki kindly shares tips for conceiving, writing, and selling mysteries for young readers (all while keeping a day job!) in my September children's market column at Authorlink.com. Be sure to check out his website, as well, at www.danpoblocki.com!

EMP, ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER, And Adult Kids Of Vietnam Vets

2011-08-12T11:54:00.000-04:00

Speaking of EMP, Dean Ellis Kohler, whose memoir I cowrote with Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, received this great letter the other day:

Dear Mr. Kohler,

I just finished reading your memoir and I loved it. Last month I was
visiting Seattle for a few days and my fiancé and I went to the Experience
Music Project to see the Nirvana exhibit. After we stopped in the gift shop
I immediately picked up your book. I just felt drawn to it. I've never
read a first hand account from an American soldier in the Vietnam War but I
knew I had to. The pages turned so quickly and your story was so honest. I
could hear your voice as I read and really felt like I was getting to know
your friends in the Banana along with what it was like there... It's funny
because my stepfather was a medic in the war but he rarely ever spoke about
it. It's good to hear your point of view and learn about the music as well.

I am very happy that I picked up your book and could learn about your
experience there. It moved me so much that by the end I was in tears.
Thank you for writing and sharing all of that. If it's alright with you I'd
like to include your memoir in my classroom library. I know many of my
students would enjoy reading this as well.

So touching!

Dean's gotten quite a few of these messages from adult children of Vietnam vets who never really knew what their dads went through there because their fathers never spoke about it. It's only by reading books like Dean's and others that they're just beginning to understand. How humbling to be a part of that process...

EMP Digs RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'

2011-08-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Experience Music Project Museum, Seattle

Received this lovely blurb of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' from Christina Orr-Cahall, CEO and director of Seattle's Experience Music Project:

Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' provides an excellent introduction not only to the history of American instrument making, but it also addresses, in a very readable fashion, the important contribution of diverse cultures to the story of American music.

Not familiar with EMP? From the EMP website: "EMP is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock 'n' roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock's influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories."

I'm honored by Orr-Cahall's kind words!

Dan Santat and SIDEKICKS

2011-08-01T16:15:00.000-04:00

If you have children or are even remotely clued in to the kidlitosphere, chances are you’ve run across Dan Santat’s work. As an illustrator, he’s provided the art for a slew of young readers’ faves, including Lisa Yee’s Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2009) and Mac Barnett’s Oh No! Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World (Hyperion, 2010). He’s the brain behind the animated Disney Channel series The Replacements. And he’s developed something of a cult following for his quirky homemade book trailers, vid-clips, and pix featuring his photoshopped “clone” appearing in the unlikeliest of places, from the artist’s sketchbook to the Crate and Barrel catalog (check out www.meandmyclone.tumblr.com for a laugh).

Now Santat dons his author/illustrator hat with publication of Sidekicks (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic), his delightfully hilarious graphic novel about a trio of superpowered house pets who must save their superhero human, Captain Amazing, from the evil Dr. Havoc. Santat spills all on creating a graphic novel, plus how he changed course from dental college to art school, microbiology to children's books, in my August column at Authorlink.com.

Be sure to check out Santat's website and blog, as well, at www.dantat.com!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' Makes Splash At The Reading Tub

2011-07-20T15:12:00.000-04:00

Fun review of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers from The Reading Tub—two thumbs-up from big kid and little kid!

Thanks, guys!

Help Save Fort Monroe, Historic Site of the Beginning of the End of American Slavery

2011-07-15T14:19:00.000-04:00

Having trouble reading this email? View it online.

Ask President Obama to take historic action for Fort Monroe

Dear Friend of the National Trust:

An aerial view of the 565 acre Ft. Monroe site.

We need you to take action to help designate Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, as a National Monument within the National Park System.
Fort Monroe is one of the least known but most important historic places in America. The Director of the National Park Service called Fort Monroe “a resource of exceptional historic interest that bookends the beginning and end of slavery in the United States.” National Monument designation is critical to the future of Fort Monroe.
President Obama can use his authority through the Antiquities Act to designate Fort Monroe as a National Monument, but he must hear from us.
The National Park Service will take public comment on establishing Fort Monroe as a National Monument at two public meetings at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Take action now by letting us know if you can attend one of these meetings.

Yes, I will attend the July 19th meeting!

If you are not able to attend on July 19th, you can still help in a very important way.Ask President Obama to take historic action by adding your name to the National Trust’s open letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior and, if you wish, add your own personal note.

Sign the National Trust’s open letter.

Thank you,
Your friends at The National Trust for Historic Preservation
P.S. For more information please check out the following:

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© 2011 National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
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Dawn Metcalf and LUMINOUS

2011-07-07T16:06:00.000-04:00

Consuela slipped a second finger alongside the first, parting the skin at the back of her skull easily… Her fingers broke through, melting a line of cool heat down her back. Her body opened like the seam of a sandwich bag.

She felt the cold kiss of air on her naked spine.

Almost without thinking, Consuela slipped her skin over her head like a sweater. She pulled her arms out of their long gloves and stepped gently out of the warm, wet suit left puddled at the bottom of the bathtub. Keeping her eyes on her feet, Consuela stared at the collection of thin, tiny bones suspended in a sort of liquid shadow holding them together, surreal against the peach bath mat. She looked up into the full-length mirror and saw herself.

Consuela was a skeleton.

And so begins the dark, often disturbing, and frequently glorious odyssey of Consuela Chavez, high school good girl who finds she has the power to shed her human skin and don others—skins crafted of water, air, feathers, even fire. It all happens after she enters the Flow, the reality-bending world stretched over our own where she and other bizarrely-talented young adults act as guardian angels. When those in the Flow turn up murdered one-by-one, it’s up to Consuela, aka Bones, to stop the killer and save this new world in which she’s discovered her true and elemental self.

It’s all courtesy of the untamed imagination of author Dawn Metcalf in her stunning debut novel for young adults, Luminous (Dutton, 2011). In my July children's market column for Authorlink.com, Metcalf shares how she crafted and sold her opus, a startlingly original tale that haunts long after the last page has been read. Be sure to check out her website, too, at www.DawnMetcalf.com.

Georgia Bragg and HOW THEY CROAKED

2011-06-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

For her first foray into nonfiction, children's author Georgia Bragg opted to go gross––really gross. How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous chronicles in dazzling detail the gruesome deaths of nineteen historical icons––from Tut to Einstein––offering all we'd ever care to know about bloodletting, blistering, mummification, exploding corpses, stolen brains, and much, much more. What pre-teen could resist?

Bragg tells of her deliciously disgusting research, plans for How They Croaked Too, plus much more in my June children's market column at Authorlink.com. Be sure to check out her website too, www.georgiabragg.com!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' "Informative and Fascinating" Says School Library Journal

2011-05-13T14:16:00.000-04:00

Another review of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers for which I'm totally grateful, this one from School Library Journal:

Music lovers and history buffs will find this wonderful compilation both informative and fascinating. Reading about the individuals behind the creation and development of instruments used and heard in performances today helps bring a new understanding to the significance and impact each one has made on the world of music. Beginning with the story behind the clashing cymbals of Turkish creator Avedis Zildjian, and continuing with the Steinway brothers’ prestigious pianos, C. G. Conn’s brass horns, Martin guitars, Ludwig drums, Hammond’s electric organs, Fender electric guitars, and Bob Moog’s synthesizers, the text chronicles major events in the lives of the creators and successfully conveys the determination, persistence, and perseverance that made their contributions great. Connections to many famous performers and artists of the past and present add to the book’s appeal. It is written in an easy-to-read style and filled with copious historical photos and drawings, including many of famous performers.

Many thanks, SLJ!

Chicago Tribune on RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN': "Remarkable and Exciting"

2011-05-09T17:04:00.000-04:00

Nice review of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers from the Chicago Tribune, summed up in the final line: "Eight chapters done with this depth and breadth make the volume quite remarkable and exciting."

I'm honored! Thanks so much, Chicago Tribune!

Bookslut Gushes Re: RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'

2011-05-02T20:01:00.000-04:00

So I'm swooning here! Possibly the best review of my career, from Bookslut:

Susan VanHecke takes on an interesting bit of America’s cultural past in Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers. Filled with photographs and illustrations, this survey of some iconic instruments (Steinway pianos, Martin and Fender guitars) is an absolute joy to read. This title sits firmly in the department of “I never knew that,” and is filled with detailed backstories on the people behind some of the most iconic music brands in the world. You find out how they fled famine and war to come to the U.S., how they built their companies from nothing, the interesting side industries they found themselves in (the Steinways built gliders for the military during World War II), and the manner in which their inventions rose to the top of the market. The invention and innovation aspect of Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’ might just be the most significant; VanHecke shows how all instruments are most certainly not equal, and the manner in which continuous sound experimentation causes subtle yet significant improvements on pianos, guitars, drum sets, brass instruments, and synthesizers over the years. She takes what looks like (to non-musicians, anyway) static objects, and through profiling the people behind them, reveals what are actually continuous works in progress. From the basics of 19th-century design to the top picks of Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton, Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’ is a celebration of what America is all about: dream big dreams, make wonderful things, and change the world through hard work. I didn’t expect to be so impressed and even moved by reading this book, and yet I was. It makes me happy to see what people have accomplished (and continue to improve). VanHecke has given me hope for what we can do when we try; for the brilliance we are all capable of. I’m a history geek and I know it, but sometimes you can’t deny how awesome nonfiction can be.

Thank you, thank you, thank you – love you, Bookslut!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' On Modern Drummer Blog

2011-05-02T12:13:00.000-04:00

Modern Drummer magazine kindly invited yours truly to guest blog about the new book, Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin,' and its charitable tie-in, music-in-schools advocacy group SupportMusic.com. Be sure to check it out!

Many thanks, Modern Drummer, for the opportunity!

Cheryl Rainfield and SCARS

2011-04-29T20:37:00.000-04:00

Fifteen-year old Kendra is a cutter. To deal with splintered memories of childhood sexual abuse, she takes blade to skin – again and again. But with the help of friends, her therapist, and a new girlfriend, Kendra discovers the truth of her abuse, battles the impulse to cut, and bravely faces life as a survivor.

Kendra's story, captured in Cheryl Rainfield's gritty young adult novelScars, out this month in paperback, reads like real life. It is, in fact, based on Rainfield's own experience of childhood abuse and the self-harm she used to cope with it.

In my May children's market column at Authorlink.com, Rainfield tells of the challenges of writing about a painful past, how she persevered through hundreds of rejection letters, and the hope and healing that Scars' success has offered her and its readers.

Be sure to check out Rainfield's website, as well, at www.cherylrainfield.com!

Booklist Likes RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'

2011-04-28T17:37:00.000-04:00

Great news! Booklist applauds Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' in its May 1 ish!

This large, well-designed volume tells the stories behind eight significant American makers of musical instruments: Zildjian (cymbals), Steinway & Sons (pianos), C.G. Conn (band instruments), Martin (guitars), Ludwig (drums), Hammond (electric organs), Fender (electric guitars), and Moog (synthesizers and theremins). VanHecke traces the history of these individuals and companies, telling how they succeeded through innovation and business acumen as well as linking themselves to tradition. Although a final spread introduces Ben Franklin's glass armonica, the main discussion focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With good use of color and many well-chosen illustrations, the broad, glossy pages are inviting. Readers drawn to chapters on specific instruments may soon find themselves exploring others as well. Sidebars introduce related information, historical sidelights, and significant musicians. Back matter includes a brief section of notes as well as a source list of books and websites. A handsome, clearly written book on a topic seldom presented to young people.

Many thanks, Booklist! And don't forget, sales of the book benefit music-in-schools advocacy group SupportMusic.com!

"Working the Angles: Putting PR Strategy to Work for Your Book" in SCBWI's Bulletin

2011-04-07T14:30:00.000-04:00

Speaking of An Apple Pie for Dinner, my article on how I applied the PR strategy of music industry publicity guru Howard Bloom (for whom I once worked eons ago) to promotion of that book appears in the March/April 2011 issue of the SCBWI Bulletin, the magazine of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Click on the image to check it out – authors, hope you find it helpful!

Rutgers' EconKids Likes AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER

2011-04-07T14:11:00.000-04:00

Fab new review for An Apple Pie for Dinner – my picture book retelling of an English folktale, illos by Carol Baicker-McKee – from Rutgers University's Project on Economics and Children!

From the EconKids website:

Granny Smith had a hankering to eat apple pie for dinner, and her well-stocked kitchen had all of the ingredients except for apples. Granny did have plums, however, so off she went in search of someone who might want to trade apples for plums. The first person Granny met took an interest in Granny's plums, but all she could exchange for them was a bag of fluffy feathers. Kind-hearted granny agreed to the trade, and so it went on with each person she met. Would Granny ever find someone with whom she could barter for apples?

While a number of children's books tell similar tales involving barter and exchange, none have such unique illustrations as An Apple Pie for Dinner. With their additional dimension, the mixed-media bas-reliefs help to further engage young readers as they follow along with Granny's escapades. Teachers and parents looking for new books with basic economic ideas will want to consider this refreshing addition to the literature.

Thanks again, Rutgers! And you go with your bartering self, Granny!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' to Benefit Music-in-Schools Advocacy Group SupportMusic.com

2011-04-04T12:27:00.000-04:00

I'm so pleased to announce that my new book about some of the biggest names in musical instruments will raise funds for music-in-schools advocacy group SupportMusic.com. Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers takes a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities, innovations, and perseverance behind Zildjian cymbals, Steinway pianos, Martin and Fender guitars, Conn horns, Ludwig drums, Hammond organs, and Moog synthesizers.

Written to get young people excited about making music, the 140-page, full-color hardcover book is published by Boyds Mills Press, an imprint of Highlights for Children magazine. Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' features more than 200 photos, many rare and vintage, plus loads of intriguing music history, from classical and jazz to country, rock, and hip-hop. All eight of the instrument makers profiled in the book kindly opened their archives to me and vetted their chapters for accuracy.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' will be donated to SupportMusic.com, a music education advocacy effort seeking to improve access and opportunity in music and arts learning. SupportMusic is a public service initiative of the NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the National Association of Music Merchants, and MENC, the National Association for Music Education.

As a proud former school band geek, the daughter of a music teacher, and now mother to a pair of budding vocalists myself, I'm well-aware of the enormous value of school music and arts programs. SupportMusic works to ensure that every child who wants to make music is given that important opportunity. I appreciate that and want to do what I can to help, especially during this time of drastic school budget cuts.

Of Raggin' Jazzin' Raggin,' Kirkus Reviews enthuses, “This absorbing history examines the lives and work of eight innovators in the design and manufacture of musical instruments. From Avedis Zildjian, who brought his family’s centuries-old cymbal-making business from Turkey to Boston, to Robert Moog, whose electronic synthesizer rocked the music world, VanHecke’s portraits celebrate… inquisitive scientific tinkering, dedication to craft and business moxie… Students and teachers of music are the natural audience for this unique treatment.”

To learn more, visit www.SupportMusic.com, www.MENC.org, www.NAMMFoundation.org, and www.RagginJazzinRockin.com.

Carole Estby Dagg and THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS

2011-04-03T13:13:00.000-04:00

It’s 1896 in Mica Creek, Washington and Clara’s family is facing foreclosure on their farm. Together, the shy, no-nonsense teen and her bold-dreaming, suffragist mother, Helga, hatch a plan to walk across the country. If they can do it in seven months – without driving each other crazy first – a publisher will guarantee them $10,000.

It’s an incredible story, all the more so because it’s true. And who better to write it than Clara’s grand niece and Helga’s great granddaughter, Carole Estby Dagg? In my April children's column at Authorlink.com, Dagg talks about her own twelve-year journey to publication of The Year We Were Famous, her satisfying historical fiction debut for young adults.

Be sure to stop by the author's website, as well, at www.caroleestbydagg.com!

Happy Birthday, RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'!

2011-04-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

No foolin' – it's April 1, official publication date of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers!

From the book's Amazon page:

Meet the inventors and innovators who defined American music history. A radio repairman named Leo Fender imagined a solid-body electric guitar. The inventor of 3-D glasses, Laurens Hammond, envisioned an electric organ in every home. And a German carpenter named Steinway immigrated to New York City with the dream of designing the greatest piano in the world. From Steinway's pianos, Bob Moog's synthesizers, and C.G. Conn's band instruments to Avedis Zildjian's cymbals, William Ludwig's drums, C.F. Martin's guitars, and more, noted music writer VanHecke offers a fascinating, insider view of the personalities and perseverance that led to some of music's most important innovations - from classical to jazz to rock. Includes more than 200 photos, many rare and vintage, plus source notes. Full color.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to SupportMusic, a music education advocacy effort seeking to improve access and opportunity in music and arts learning. Support Music is a public service initiative of the NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the National Association of Music Merchants. Its mission is to advance active participation in music-making.

Buy one! Buy plenty! Proceeds benefit SupportMusic, a great cause – go music education!!

Rutgers Says Yes To RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'

2011-03-28T10:46:00.000-04:00

A lovely review of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers from a most unexpected source, the Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children.

According to its website, EconKids "provides teachers, parents, and volunteers with ideas for using children's literature to introduce economics to children. We review new books from leading publishers and makes selections for 'Book of the Month' and 'Top Five' categories. Unlike many of the existing websites on economics education, EconKids focuses on younger students in elementary school. Its user-friendly design can help to generate quick teaching ideas that are based on current research in economics and education."

What a cool concept! Thanks, EconKids, for your valuable work – and the review!

Just as technological innovations have brought an enormous range of machines, devices, and gadgets into our lives, innovations in the design and production of musical instruments have enriched the types and quality of sounds we enjoy hearing. Inventions and improvements of musical instruments served as seeds for the business success of several American-based entrepreneurs.

These entrepreneurs include Heinrich Steinway and his sons, creators of a tremendously successful piano company; William Ludwig, a maker of drums so renowned for quality that Ringo Starr from the Beatles had the Ludwig name painted in large letters across his drumhead; and Leo Fender, developer of one of the most popular electric guitars in history. These and other inventors of influential musical instruments had a keen understanding of how to produce new sounds and also how to grow their companies in changing economic times.

This historical picture book provides an informative account of the development of eight U.S.-based companies that produce musical instruments, beginning with the early days of the founding fathers. Short vignettes of popular musicians who helped make these instruments a household name help to liven up the narrative. Although all eight company founders are white men, the author does make a consistent attempt to emphasize the role of women and African Americans in running these companies and playing the instruments as they advanced in their own careers. Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' Gets Some VOYA Lovin'!

2011-03-22T12:13:00.000-04:00

So editor and I have been holding our breath, waiting for early reviews to roll in for Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin'. We haven't known quite what to expect because, to our knowledge, there's never really been a "coffee table" book for youth about some of the greatest names in instrument making and their impact on the American musical landscape and pop culture. Too esoteric?

Apparently not, I'm happy to report! On the heels of the enthusiastic thumbs-up from Kirkus a couple of weeks back comes a pair of breath-releasing, smile-inducing reviews from the April ish of VOYA, another key youth literature/library industry magazine. Love that they give teens a critical voice, too! Check it out:

VanHecke, Susan. Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’ : A History of American Musical Instrument Makers Boyd’s Mills Press, 2011 140p. $17.95. 978-1-59078-574-4. Photos. Illus.

This interesting music business read moves at a quick pace, although at times, dry details about the music industry slow down the text. Each chapter covers one instrument maker’s history and their relationship with famous musicians. Author VanHecke includes various musical sections, with chapters on the cornet, strings, drums and keyboards, while gushing over business pioneers, ranging from C.G. Conn to Steinway & Sons. Most music students, as well as history buffs and music lovers, will enjoy this book. Photographs and other illustrations pepper the book, including wonderful shots of famous musicians.From the country music of Bill Monroe and the classics of John Phillip Sousa to the jazz of drummer Buddy Rich and rock-and-roll legends John Bonham and guitarist Eric Clapton—readers will enjoy this back stage pass to the history of American musical instrument makers.— Madelene Rathbun Barnard.

Musicians and music lovers look no further. Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’ is a book for everyone. From ordinary instruments like guitars and piano to fun little devices like the vibraphone and the cassette tape recorder, this is an interesting book. For example, included in this informative text are factual accounts of famous musicians. On another note, a portion of the book proceeds is donated to support music charities. —Angi Barnard, Teen Reviewer

We're ever so grateful for these thoughtful critiques!

It's Finally Here! RAGGIN' JAZZIN ROCKIN': A HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS

2011-03-14T15:45:00.001-04:00

Look at what mail carrier kindly left at the front door today!!

Yes, it's true – three and a half years after signing the contract (not that anyone's counting), Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' is finally a bona fide, really-real, real-deal book, hardcovers and dustjacket and all! It's big. It's beautiful. Did I mention it's finally real, real, real? Official publication date is April 1.

Man, were there times I thought this moment would never come! This was the first book in which almost everything was up to me – research; writing; photo research, acquisitions, and permissions; captions. Oh, and don't forget the website, too, www.RagginJazzinRockin.com.

And I really wanted to tie the book in with a music-in-schools advocacy group; music education for children is a cause close to my heart (sayeth the former school band geek and daughter of a music teacher). So I'll be donating a hefty portion of my royalties to SupportMusic, a music ed. advocacy initiative of the NAMM Foundation and the National Association for Music Education.

It's been a long road, but sooo worth it now that I can hold this gorgeous thing in my hands and flip through its lovely full-color, landscape-orientation pages. Zildjian, Steinway, Martin, Conn, Ludwig, Hammond, Fender, Moog – they're all in there, with loads of rare and vintage photos. Our target market is music students and educators, but I think it's cool and interesting enough to engage just about anybody with an interest in music or American history or pop culture.

I must thank my wonderful editor, Larry Rosler, at Boyds Mills Press, an imprint of Highlights for Children magazine, for his faith in and vision for the project and his invaluable help and guidance along the way.

So, come on everybody who loves music, let's do Larry and SupportMusic proud – let's sell a boatload of these books!! Rock on!!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' Gets Thumbs-Up From Kirkus!

2011-03-03T13:19:00.000-05:00

Found this in today's email, new book's first review. And it's... good!!!

So here's me, shouting it from the rooftops...

From the March 15 issue of Kirkus Reviews:

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN'
A History of American Musical Instrument Makers
Author: VanHecke, Susan

Review Date: March 15, 2011
Publisher:Boyds Mills
Pages: 136
Price ( Hardcover ): $17.95
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-59078-574-4
Category: Nonfiction

This absorbing history examines the lives and work of eight innovators in the design and manufacture of musical instruments. From Avedis Zildjian, who brought his family’s centuries-old cymbal-making business from Turkey to Boston, to Robert Moog, whose electronic synthesizer rocked the music world, VanHecke’s portraits celebrate the inquisitive scientific tinkering, dedication to craft and business moxie that rendered Steinway pianos, Hammond organs and Fender guitars both household names and performers’ favorites. The writing’s freshest when VanHecke changes it up with bits of cultural trivia, like Beatles lore. (It’s dullest when awash in the minutiae of cousins, marriages and succession.) Examining the effect of the Great Depression, the World Wars and immigration on these family businesses vibrantly contextualizes those issues for kids. Numerous well-captioned photos and period illustrations, sidebars and clearly labeled diagrams of the musical instruments expertly extend the text. Students and teachers of music are the natural audience for this unique treatment. (introduction, endnote, quotation sources, bibliographies, websites, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin' has been the most challenging book of my career to research, write, and assemble – about a zillion moving parts – so a wonderful review like this one really means the world!

Thanks so much, Kirkus!

Laurie Calkhoven and BOYS OF WARTIME

2011-03-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

Children's author Laurie Calkhoven knows a thing or two about series writing. Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (Dutton, 2011), the latest in her historical fiction Boys of Wartime series, is drawing rave reviews – "will appeal to history buffs and reluctant readers alike," enthuses School Library Journal, while Kirkus calls it "a fine introduction to a battle that turned the tide of the war." And A Winning Goal (Pleasant Co. Pubs.), her latest installment to American Girl's Innerstar University series, where the reader chooses the ending, hits bookstore shelves this month.

She's also the pen behind a raft of media tie-ins, from Hannah Montana and Drake and Josh novelizations to nonfiction based on History Channel series. And then there are her Sterling biographies, George Washington: An American Life (2007) and Harriet Tubman: Leading the Way to Freedom (2008).

It's an impressively diverse list of publishing credits, earned through loads of hard work, a little luck, and some good old-fashioned networking, tells the former publishing professional in my March children's market column at Authorlink.com. Be sure to check it out!

Don't forget to stop by Calkhoven's website, www.LaurieCalkhoven.com, to learn more about the author and her books!

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER A South Carolina Book Award Nominee

2011-02-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

Just learned that Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, the Vietnam War memoir I co-wrote with veteran Dean Ellis Kohler, has been nominated for a South Carolina Book Award in the Young Adult category. According to the South Carolina Center for the Book's website, "The purposes of the South Carolina book awards are to encourage our students to read good quality contemporary literature and to honor the authors of the books annually chosen the favorites by student vote."

The nominees are determined by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians and the South Carolina Book Award Program. The South Carolina Center for the Book is the South Carolina Affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book and is a cooperative project of the South Carolina State Library, the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science, and the Humanities Council SC.

Dean and I are honored!

Roxie Munro and HATCH!

2011-02-01T19:08:00.000-05:00

When New Yorker magazine cover artist Roxie Munro interviewed with a children's book editor interested in her work, Munro warned, "I don't do cute, I don't do bunnies and bears."

Dozens of children's titles later, what Munro does is incredibly meticulous, detail-rich picture books that have kids poring over their award-winning pages. Whether it's her acclaimed Inside-Outside series exploring architecture of the world's great cities, her whimsical mazes-from-life projects, or her fun seek-and-find, lift-the-flap books, Munro's exacting artwork and clean, concise text easily capture youngsters' attention.

Munro discusses her latest inside-outside title, Hatch!, the fine art of balancing fine art with book work, and her "a-maze-ing" new app that you'll need to see to believe in my February children's market column at Authorlink.com.

And be sure to stop by www.roxiemunro.com to learn more!

Kristin O'Donnell Tubb and SELLING HOPE

2011-01-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

It's 1910, and the approach of Halley's Comet has struck fear in the hearts of many. Thirteen-year old Hope, weary of life on the vaudeville circuit with her magician father, devises a way to cash in on the mass hysteria and save for a Chicago home of their own – selling anti-comet pills (barely disguised breath mints). Assisted by a young Buster Keaton, Hope begins to wonder if her scheme's a con or maybe more of a comfort to those who gladly offer her their quarters. And what's the real meaning of home?

In Selling Hope (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2010), Kristin O'Donnell Tubb's second historical novel for young readers, the author artfully combines authentic period detail – down to vintage vaudevillian one-liners that pepper Hope's narration – with a cast of quirky characters and a clever countdown-style story arc to create a fast, fun read.

Tubb shares tips for writing powerful historical fiction in my January children's market column at Authorlink.com.

Check it out – and be sure to visit www.kristintubb.com to learn more!

RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN' Gets A Jacket

2010-12-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

... and I give you... (drum roll please)... the official book jacket of Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers, out this April (but already available for pre-order at Amazon)!

A rockin' way to end 2010, don't you think?

Eric Kimmel and THE SPIDER'S GIFT: A UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS STORY

2010-12-05T13:24:00.001-05:00

In Eric Kimmel's lovely seasonal picture book, The Spider's Gift (Holiday House, 2010), Katrusya's family is so poor, they can't afford Christmas this year. But they must have at least a tree, the Ukrainian girl pleads. Deep in the forest, she chooses the perfect evergreen, which the family carries home and humbly adorns with old buttons and a paper star. But they soon realize the tree is crawling with baby spiders!

Katrusya knows the tiny creatures will die outside in the snow and begs her mother to keep the tree. When the family returns from church on Christmas Eve, the buttons have turned to gold coins and the spiders' webs to sparkling silver! Katrusya's clan shares their miraculous bounty – the spiders' repayment for the family's kindness – with the entire village.

The Spider's Gift is the latest of Kimmel's myriad folktale retellings, which have earned him such coveted awards as the Caldecott Honor Medal and the Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award. In my December children's market column at Authorlink.com, Kimmel shares how he creates his popular retellings, his thoughts on the changing economics of the kidlit publishing world, and much more.

Be sure to check out Kimmel's website, as well, at www.ericakimmel.com.

Fran Manushkin and KATIE WOO

2010-11-02T10:36:00.000-04:00

Though children's author Fran Manushkin loved to read as a child, she never dreamed of growing up to be a writer. But a friendship with Ezra Jack Keats, author/illustrator of the 1962 classic The Snowy Day, changed the course of her life.

"When I met him in 1966, I was a secretary in the college textbook department at Holt, Rinehart, and Winston," Manushkin remembers. "Ezra was working on Jennie's Hat at Harper & Row, and his editor mentioned that she needed a secretary. Ezra recommended me, I was interviewed, and I got the job. I was earning $95 a week at Holt and took a five dollar pay cut to move to Harper & Row. It was the best decision I ever made! I began working as [venerable editor] Charlotte Zolotow's secretary."

Manushkin tells how lessons learned behind the editorial desk led to a prolific career – still! – as a children's author, which includes her recent Katie Woo books, the first early reader series to feature an Asian main character, in my November children's market column at Authorlink.com.

To learn more about Manushkin and her many wonderful books, visit www.franmanushkin.com.

Jimmy Gownley and AMELIA RULES! TRUE THINGS (ADULTS DON'T WANT KIDS TO KNOW)

2010-10-07T09:52:00.000-04:00

Jimmy Gownley's a DIY kind of guy. Though this month finds Atheneum/Simon and Schuster publishing True Things (Adults Don't Want Kids to Know), the sixth installment in his award-winning Amelia Rules! graphic novel series for tweens, Gownley's work has humble roots in his high school locker.

"I had been self-publishing since I was just a teenager," he explains "I made my first book, Shades of Gray, when I was 15. I sold it out of my locker at school, made enough money to make a second one, and it continued from there, until it ultimately became a nationally distributed comic book. Shades of Gray went on until 1998 and had a nice following."

Gownley talks about how Amelia came to be; how a graphic novel is made, start to finish; how Amelia is now also a musical (!!); plus much more in my October children's market column at Authorlink.com.

And be sure to check out the Amelia Rules! website – lots of fun stuff!

AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER Rated Oustanding By BYU's Children's Book and Play Review

2010-10-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

Don't know how I missed it, but this one slipped under the radar...

In the April, 2010 issue of The Children's Book and Play Review, produced by Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library, Department of Teacher Education and Department of Theatre and Media Arts, An Apple Pie For Dinner was given an "outstanding" rating.

Here's the full review:

Granny wakes one morning and wants to make an apple pie, but has a major problem. She has only plums, not apples! She confidently sets off down the lane with a basket of plums hoping to find some apples. Everyone Granny meets has a need, and she kindly gives away what she has to help them out. They in turn share what they have with her. She gives her plums so a woman can make plum jam, and she is given a bag of feathers. She gives the feathers to some children to stuff their pillow. She receives flowers, which she willingly gives to a prince who needs a gift for his "ladylove." The gold coin the prince gives her she happily gives to a mother who buys food for her hungry children. The mother gives Granny a cute puppy. The puppy is exactly what a lonely old man needs to keep him company. The grateful old man has an orchard full of apples, which he gladly shares with Granny. Granny invites her new friends to come home to prepare the apples for baking, and they celebrate together. "If you try and try...you can always have an apple pie for dinner!"

When my daughter recently came to visit with her two children, we discovered that we had both read An Apple Pie for Dinner. My grandson was happy to see that his Utah grandma had this cute story that he had been reading on the road trip to Grandma’s. Lyn and I had both been attracted by the cover illustration, which showed the illustrator's skill at using varied textures and mediums. [Carol] Baicker-McKee's colorful illustrations use clay, fabric, buttons, hooks, embroidery, trims, etc. Children will enjoy looking for a tiny ladybug on each page! This "Law of the Harvest" story emphasizes confidently sticking to a task and unselfishly sacrificing to meet others' needs. The apple pie recipe and directions are a bonus. Enjoy!

Wow! What a fabulous review – and love the personal story about both mom and grandmom sharing the book with the kiddos. Very cool, and I'm so grateful!

It's National Apple Month!

2010-10-01T14:06:00.000-04:00

October is official National Apple Month, so bake a pie, simmer some sauce, grab an apple, and get crunching!

For kids in K-3, there's yummy story time fun with kind old Granny Smith in An Apple Pie For Dinner, recommended by School Library Journal: "Told with folkloric flair, this scrumptious tale is perfect for reading aloud."

Learn more about the "real" Granny Smith here...

STRIKE UP THE BAND Now RAGGIN' JAZZIN' ROCKIN', Or The Fine Art Of Book-Titling

2010-09-22T13:45:00.000-04:00

So there's been a bit – well, more like a bunch – of back and forth on the title of my forthcoming nonfiction for middle-graders, most recently known as Strike Up The Band!

The book's a history of eight well-known American musical instrument makers: Zildjian (cymbals), Steinway (pianos), Martin (acoustic guitars), Conn (brass/band instruments), Hammond (organs), Fender (electric guitars), and Moog (synthesizers). It's loaded with hundreds of cool photos, many of them rare and vintage. Plus, dozens of sidebars explore related topics, including the evolution of American musical styles, from ragtime to rock.

Boyds Mills Press, an imprint of Highlights for Children magazine, is publishing the book in the spring. Though it's a trade title – meaning available to the general book-buying public via the usual sales outlets – the publisher's primary market is schools and libraries. Thus the dilemma of distilling the breadth, scope, and fun of the book in just a few words.

When Boyds Mills acquired the project three years ago from my proposal, I'd titled it I'm With The Band: Backstage With American Musical Instrument Makers, going for more of a behind-the-scenes-with-the-rock-band type of feel. While the book was a work-in-progress, Boyds Mills rechristened it Strike Up The Band! Amazing American Instrument Makers From Ragtime To Rock.

As the book went into production and the Boyds Mills art department came up with a stunning design, Strike Up The Band! suddenly seemed almost fuddy-duddy-ish, conjuring Lawrence Welk with his baton or the like. So the fine folks at Boyds Mills put their heads together and came up with this new title: Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers.

I like it. The first part is fun and active and curiosity-provoking for the kids; the subtitle will appeal to parents, teachers, and librarians.

Actually, the title evolution doesn't really come as a surprise. Two of my other books underwent drastic title transformations on their way to the bookstore shelves. Rock photographer Tom Wright's memoir of life on the road with the Who, Stones, and others that I co-wrote was originally titled simply Roadwork. The staff at publisher Hal Leonard came up with its eventual subtitle, Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out, which I thought was pretty darn brilliant. It so summed up what Tom's photos are all about – not the glam onstage shots of an outsider looking in, but the brutally candid offstage, hotel room moments of a true rock 'n' roll insider. UK publisher Omnibus took a totally different tack, though, releasing the book with the sensational title Raising Hell on the Rock 'n' Roll Highway. Um, whatever sells, right?

And then there was Vietnam vet Dean Kohler's memoir, which I co-authored, originally titled Flak Jacket Rock. I loved that title, it totally captured Dean's teen-guitar-prodigy-turned-Army-grunt experience. But HarperCollins' research showed that our target market, young adults 13 and up, had no idea what a flak jacket was. So Rock 'N' Roll Soldier: A Memoir was born.

A writer friend is going through the same title-altering experience with her forthcoming fiction debut. We thought her three-word working title for her dark paranormal novel was perfect, but the powers-that-be at her publishing company had very different ideas. They asked her to come up with a list of alternates, all one- or two-word titles, and they did the same. The book's official new title is one word, an adjective, which could easily double as the name of a facial moisturizer.

I suppose the moral of the story is that, whether authors like it or not, book titles – and covers, for that matter, but that's another blog post – are largely market-driven. So, writers, don't get too married to that perfect title, because, dollars to donuts, it will likely change.

But, hopefully, a book by any other name will still smell as sweet. And sell just as well.

Kelly Bennett And YOUR DADDY WAS JUST LIKE YOU

2010-09-02T11:17:00.000-04:00

Any children's author would be pleased to have a single title published in a year, delighted to have two. But Kelly Bennett has the unique pleasure of celebrating three books landing on bookstore shelves within the last ten months – last fall's Dance, Y'All Dance (Bright Sky), plus spring's Your Daddy Was Just Like You (Putnam) and Dad And Pop: An Ode To Fathers & Stepfathers (Candlewick).

All three are picture books, Bennett's current passion after decades as a professional writer with work appearing in national magazines and newspapers. Bennett discusses her passion for picture books, the differences in writing for big publishing houses and indies, how she wound up in Jakarta, and more in my September children's market column at Authorlink.com.

To learn even more about Kelly Bennett and her books, be sure to visit www.kellybennett.com.

Goose Lake Rockfest's 40th Anniversary

2010-08-14T10:26:00.000-04:00

Was happy to hear this a.m. from pal Tom Wright, the amazing rock photog whose photo memoir Roadwork: Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out (in the UK, Raising Hell On The Rock 'N' Roll Highway) I co-authored. Seems it's the 40th anniversary of Detroit's infamous Goose Lake International Festival, a Woodstock-like event that drew 200,000+ fans to see remarkably diverse acts like the Faces, Stooges, MC5, Chicago and more.

Tom passed along a great article for which he was recently interviewed. Back in the day, in addition to his photo work and stints managing the Who, James Gang, and Detroit's legendary Grande Ballroom, Tom helped organize Goose Lake and designed and managed its ingenious spinning stage. No easy task with that many band changes – and egos!

Sure would've loved to have seen the Iggy Pop stage-dive when Tom put the "thanks much, don't let the door hit you on the way out" crank on him...

And check out those crowd-built beer can "hedges" – eeeeyah!!

Gayle Brandeis and MY LIFE WITH THE LINCOLNS

2010-08-06T18:11:00.000-04:00

Things on hypochondriacal Mina Edelman's to-do list: Get through age 12 without dropping dead. Stop Mom from going crazy. Stop Dad from getting shot in the skull.

Your list would look the same if you believed your family was the Lincolns reincarnated, as Mina does. Her tasks become even more challenging when her father – Albert Baruch Edelman; ABE – starts taking Mina with him to Chicago to hear speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr. And when Mr. Edelman brings the civil rights movement to Mina's small town, things will never be the same.

It's the totally unique premise of My Life With The Lincolns (Holt, 2010), the debut novel for middle-grade readers from Gayle Brandeis. Brandeis is no stranger to fiction; she's written several novels for adults, including The Book Of Dead Birds (HarperCollins, 2003), which won Barbara Kingsolver's Bellwether Prize for Fiction.

Brandeis shares about her own fascination with the Lincolns, how her kidlit debut started life as a work for adults, the best ways to turn raw research into compelling prose, and much more in my August children's market column at Authorlink.com.

Check it out – and be sure to stop by the author's website, www.gaylebrandeis.com, to learn more about her and her books!

Post-ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Dean Kohler Music Videos

2010-07-24T09:01:00.000-04:00

Dean Kohler – the teen guitar prodigy turned Army soldier whose memoir, Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, I co-wrote – recently ran across some groovy old footage of his musical adventures upon returning from Vietnam. He's synched it up with the old audio masters and created some very cool videos, which he's posted on YouTube. Here's one filmed just three months after GI Dean came back home...

Seeing this footage reminds me again of just how young these guys were – still boys, really – when they were shipped off to Asia to see and do truly horrible things...

You can check out Dean's footage from Vietnam at www.RockNRollSoldierAMemoir.com.

An Apple A Day... Granny Smith's Great Granddaughter Hits 100

2010-07-12T11:55:00.000-04:00

Descendants of the real Granny Smith – An Apple Pie For Dinner's main character, though I didn't know it until after I wrote it – sent me this lovely clipping from Australia's Daily Telegraph. Seems Granny's great granddaughter and matriarch of the family, Edna Spurway, just celebrated her 100th birthday, bless her heart!

Her secret? Granny Smith apples, of course!

Click twice on the image for details...

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Reunion

2010-07-08T07:55:00.000-04:00

Real-life characters from Rock 'N' Roll Soldier reminisced last month at the 127th Army MP Company reunion. Wish I could've been there to meet these guys – I feel like I know them after spending three years writing about them!

Pix and details here...

J.T. Dutton and STRANDED

2010-07-07T16:02:00.000-04:00

A neat-freak grandmother, Jesus-obsessed cousin, misanthropic boy next door, and Baby Grace, the infant abandoned in the cornfields that has everyone in an uproar.

This is Heaven, Iowa for its newest resident, 15-year old Kelly Louise, the snarky but likeably vulnerable narrator of Stranded, J.T. Dutton's latest novel for young adults. Before Heaven becomes her own personal hell, Kelly Louise must come to grips with religious hypocrisy, teenage sexuality, and family loyalty in this small town full of small minds.

Stranded follows Dutton's YA debut, last year's Freaked, which Booklist praised for its "fast, wry first-person commentary" and VOYA dubbed "a hoot." In my July children's market column at Authorlink, Dutton tells of writing Stranded, describes her creative process (which she calls "melodrama with results"), and shares tough lessons learned in the crafting and marketing of both of her novels.

Be sure to visit Dutton's website, www.jtdutton.com, to learn more about the author and her books.

THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN: THE EDDIE COCHRAN STORY Gets Its Own Website

2010-06-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

Finally got around to creating a website for Three Steps To Heaven, the bio of rock and roll legend Eddie "Summertime Blues" Cochran that I co-wrote with his nephew, guitarist/producer Bobby Cochran. The book pubbed in '03, is still in print (!), and is my first – and only, so far – title to be reviewed by Rolling Stone magazine (thought for sure they'd do something with Roadwork... oh well, I'll keep trying).

Check it out here, www.ThreeStepsToHeaven.net. Let me know what you think!

Award-Winning Sound Engineer Don Grossinger Interviews Venerable Rock Photog Tom Wright Re: ROADWORK On WBAI-FM, NYC

2010-06-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

Just got word from Grammy-winning sound engineer Don Grossinger (right) – who's mastered projects for everyone from the Rolling Stones and CSN&Y to Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson – will be interviewing rock photographer Tom Wright on New York City's WBAI, 99.5 FM, Saturday from 9:30 pm-midnight (EST). The show will stream live at WBAI.org.

Grossinger was introduced to Wright (below) by Peter Blachley, co-founder of the Morrison Hotel Gallery, which specializes in fine art music photography and represents Tom. Don and Tom's conversation will be based on Tom's photo memoir Roadwork: Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out (published in the UK as Raising Hell On The Rock 'N' Roll Highway), which I co-wrote.

As Blachley writes on the Morrison Hotel website, "Tom's journey through rock 'n' roll is the stuff of legend. He lived and survived on the road with the Who, Stones, Faces and more. He is also the guy responsible for Pete Townshend's introduction to early blues music which had a huge effect on the music he would create. Tom will discuss his entire life and career(s) and will feature rare music to illustrate groups he’s been associated with including The Who, The Faces, The Rolling Stones, and others as well as the story behind his photographs. Don't miss this one."

Agreed!

PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest Names Judging Panel of Accclaimed Authors and Illustrators

2010-06-09T17:04:00.000-04:00

Did your kiddo write a story for the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest?

My nine year old was interested at first, but then bailed at the last minute. Sigh. Was pleased, though, to see that of the 12 finalists in our seven-city region, four were from nine year old's public school, and one of those was a classmate from the Montessori school from which nine year old graduated last year.

Nine year old will be in fourth grade next year, so ineligible to participate; contest's for K-3 only. Hope my seven year old will give it a whirl, though – especially after receiving this cool info, below. Imagine the eyes of all these awesome authors on your kid's work! What an honor!

Best of luck to all of the finalists!

A panel of America’s foremost children’s authors, illustrators and content experts will serve as final judges in the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a national-local contest designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest, sponsored by PBS KIDS GO! and WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto, encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their original work.

Eighty-seven (87) public television stations participated in this year’s contest, which generated over 25,000 submissions. The national Contest winners are expected to be named in July 2010. The winning stories will be posted on the Contest Web site at ReadyToLearnReading.org alongside a message from singer-songwriter and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks about the influence of writing in her life. Other new site features allow kids to create “Story Mashups,” put together “Story Stuff Pages,” vote for their favorite stories, and use a customized search tool to explore over 1,100 kid-created stories. The final judges include:

Marc Brown – Creator of Arthur, the star of many picture books and a six-time Emmy Award–winning PBS television show. He is also the illustrator of Buying, Training & Caring for Your Dinosaur, by Laura Joy Rennert, and the New York Times bestsellers Wild About Books and Born to Read, both by Judy Sierra.
Jorge Cauz - President of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (parent company of Merriam-Webster, Inc.), a leading provider of learning and knowledge products and one of the world's most trusted sources of information on nearly every topic imaginable.
Tony DiTerlizzi - New York Times best-selling co-creator and illustrator of middle-grade series The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a feature film, and has been translated in over thirty countries. He has also created fanciful picture books such as Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, the Adventure of Meno series (with his wife, Angela) and Caldecott Honor book, The Spider & The Fly. The highly anticipated middle grade novel The Search for WondLa will be released September 2010.
Lisa Henson - Chief Executive Officer of The Jim Henson Company, Henson serves as an executive producer of Sid the Science Kid and Dinosaur Train, both currently airing daily on PBS KIDS®, and Pajanimals, a short-form musical puppet series airing daily on Sprout.
Tad Hills - The author and illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture books Duck & Goose and Duck, Duck, Goose, as well as four board books featuring the same characters, including What’s Up Duck? an ALA Notable book. He is also the illustrator of Waking Up Wendell, by April Stevens, My Fuzzy Friends, and the forthcoming How Rocket Learned to Read.
Emily Jenkins - Author of numerous highly acclaimed books for children, including That New Animal, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor recipient; Daffodil; My Favorite Thing (According to Alberta); Five Creatures, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor recipient, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, and an ALA Notable; as well as Toys Go Out, Toy Dance Party, and Sugar Would Not Eat It.
Ann M. Martin – Author of the mega-hit series The Baby-sitters Club and its newly released prequel, The Summer Before, Martin has also written a number of other award-winning books for children and young adults, including Belle Teal, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and A Corner of the Universe, which won a Newbery Honor in 2003.
Susan Meddaugh – Author and illustrator of Martha Speaks, the best-selling book series, as well as a creative producer of the award-winning PBS KIDS series of the same name. The television series has recently inspired a collection of new books including Martha Says It With Flowers, A Pup’s Tale and Shelter Dog Blues.
Scott Nash – Author and illustrator of TUFF FLUFF: The Case of Duckie’s Missing Brain, Nash is the illustrator of more than 30 children’s books, including the Flat Stanley series by Jeff Brown, Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp and The Bugliest Bug by Carol Diggory Shields.
Chris Raschka – Has written and/or illustrated over 30 books for children, including the 2006 Caldecott Medal winning title The Hello, Goodbye Window, the Caldecott Honor Book Yo! Yes? and Mysterious Thelonius.
Judy Sierra –The author of Wild About Books, which won the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award, Sierra is also the author of Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, Thelonius Monster’s Sky-High Fly Pie, and Beastly Rhymes to Read After Dark. R.L. Stine – Best known as the creator of the best-selling, children’s classic series, Goosebumps, Stine is the prolific author of many popular children’s series, including Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street.
Dan Yaccarino - An internationally acclaimed author-illustrator with more than 30 books to his credit, Yaccarino is also the creator of the animated TV series Oswald. Paul O. Zelinsky – A highly acclaimed illustrator, Zelinsky has received a Caldecott Medal for his telling of Rapunzel, and three Caldecott Honors for Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, and Swamp Angel, which the New York Times Book Review called “in all ways superb.” He is also the creator of the bestselling mechanical book, The Wheels on the Bus.

Throughout early 2010, PBS stations across the country have been active partners in the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, working with schools, public libraries and other literacy organizations to implement the Contest in their communities.

“As a leader in educational children’s media, PBS KIDS has assembled an accomplished group of children’s authors and illustrators to judge the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “The judges share our mission to open the world of letters and words to all young children, getting kids excited about developing their own stories and having fun as they build skills for school readiness and achievement.”

“We are proud that through our partnership with PBS KIDS GO! and PBS stations around the country, we are able to illustrate the importance of literacy and creativity,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. “The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest extends the powerful mission of our children’s media directly into the homes and classrooms of the community.”

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a part of PBS KIDS Raising Readers, a national initiative which uses the power of public media to build the reading skills of children ages two to eight, with an emphasis on children from low-income families. The effort is funded by a Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a cooperative agreement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), PBS and The Ready To Learn Partnership.

About PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, offer all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. With positive role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being, family and educator resources - including PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! television series, PBSKIDS.org, PBSKIDSGO.org, PBS Parents (PBSPARENTS.org ), PBS Teachers (PBSTEACHERS.org). PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation’s nearly 360 public television stations, serving more than 124 million people on-air and online each month. For more information on specific shows supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom.

About WNED The Western New York Public Broadcasting Association (WNED) long ago established itself as an originator of television content for PBS. WNED is the founder and national co-producer of the Reading Rainbow series which garnered a total of 26 Emmy Awards, ten of which were for “Outstanding Children’s Series.” WNED was the producer of the popular Mark Russell Comedy Specials for PBS and is a producer of major documentaries for PBS national distribution. A series of WNED documentaries (Your Life Your Money, Window to the Sea, Niagara Falls, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo, The Marines, The Adirondacks, Fort Niagara: The Struggle for a Continent, Elbert Hubbard: An American Original) have been broadcast nationally on PBS since 2005. WNED is currently producing several documentaries slated for national PBS broadcast in the coming years including the War of 1812 and a special on the Chautauqua Institution.

About CPB CPB, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1000 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television, and related on-line services.

Consider Yourself @Home, From The National Trust For Historic Preservation

2010-06-09T16:50:00.000-04:00

Own a vintage home? Passionate about preservation? Join like-minded peeps from across the country to swap tips, stories, and pix at @Home, the new online community from the National Trust For Historic Preservation (one of my very fave orgs)...

Arnold Adoff And VIRGINIA HAMILTON: SPEECHES, ESSAYS & CONVERSATIONS

2010-06-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

Virginia Hamilton broke brave new ground in children's literature, from her first novel Zeely, published in 1967, to her last, 2002's semi-autobiographical Time Pieces, issued after her death that year. Her inventive novels, biographies, slave narratives, folktale collections, and picture books earned a dazzling array of top honors, including the Newbery Medal, National Book Award, and Coretta Scott King Award. The Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth at Kent State is currently in its 26th year.

Now, 33 of her acceptance speeches, lectures, and articles have been gathered in Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays, & Conversations. In it, Hamilton artfully dissects her unique creative process, providing an intriguing glimpse into her undeniable genius.

The illuminating collection was co-assembled by Hamilton's husband, poet and anthologist Arnold Adoff, who kindly offers his insights into his wife's vast and varied body of work in my June children's market column at Authorlink.com.

To learn more about Hamilton and her incredible work, visit www.virginiahamilton.com.

Riverview Neighborhood History Lecture, Norfolk, Virginia, Friday, June 4

2010-06-03T19:30:00.000-04:00

Artemis Stoll and I, authors of Colonial Place and Riverview: 100 Years of History, will speak on the history of Norfolk, Virginia's Riverview neighborhood Friday evening, June 4th, at the city's Park Place United Methodist Church. Arrive early for light hors d'oeuvres and coffee between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. The presentation begins at 6:00.

Also speaking that evening:

Bill Inge from the Norfolk Public Library
Topic: How to trace the history of your house

Michelle Johnson, Public Services Coordinator at the Neighborhood Design and Resource Center
Topic: Design services and programs; financial incentives available to Norfolk property owners

Susannah Winstead, Norfolk Preservation Officer
Topic: Historic preservation with an emphasis on historic tax credits and local historic districts

Park Place UMC is located at the corner of 35th Street and Colonial Ave. There's ample parking in the 34th Street church parking lot. Entrance door will be clearly marked.

We'll have books for sale and to sign. Hope to see you there!

COLONIAL PLACE & RIVERVIEW: 100 YEARS OF HISTORY Celebrates With Norfolk's Real Estate Ambassadors

2010-06-03T18:55:00.000-04:00

Honored to be invited, along with co-author Artemis Stoll, to present our lecture version of Colonial Place & Riverview: 100 Years Of History to the city of Norfolk, Virginia's "Real Estate Ambassadors" at the historic Attucks Theatre on June 17.

The Ambassadors Program, launched in 2004, educates area real estate professionals about Norfolk's history, neighborhoods, programs, and services so that they might better serve clients interested in purchasing in our lovely historic city on the Chesapeake Bay.

Colonial Place and Riverview are two adjoining neighborhoods north of downtown that have, over the last century, blazed new trails in the areas of integration, historic preservation, and civic involvement and proactivity.

Other topics on the Ambassadors' schedule June 17 include updates on the area's light rail project and online parcel-based information system, plus info on co-housing.

The event runs from 9 am to 1 pm, with a complimentary continental breakfast served. The gorgeous Attucks Theater is located at 1010 Church Street. For more info, click on the image (click again to magnify).

Knitting Mill Creek Community Garden Wins City of Norfolk's COOL Award

2010-06-01T16:46:00.000-04:00

Was happy to learn this week that Knitting Mill Creek Community Garden, which I co-chair, was voted one of the top five citizen-directed neighborhood improvement projects in Norfolk, Virginia, earning the city's COOL Award.

COOL, which stands for Civic Opportunity and Outstanding Leadership, is a recognition program established by Norfolk's Bureau of Community Outreach that honors grassroots projects led by residents to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

Selected with input from community and agency stakeholders, the Knitting Mill Creek Community Garden earned the award because of its conversion and ongoing maintenance of a once-vacant, trash-filled lot in Norfolk's historic Colonial Place neighborhood into public green space and communal and personal garden plots. The KMC Community Garden celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with new leadership (my husband and I, and longtime KMC gardener Jim Holden), an influx of enthusiastic new membership, and an exciting rainwater abatement project being installed in conjunction with the Norfolk Master Gardeners.

“Sharing grassroots efforts with other neighbors as a way to ignite a spark for projects in other neighborhoods is the basis for the COOL award,” said Marty Raiss, program administrator with Community Outreach for the City of Norfolk.

The COOL award is presented based on the following criteria: residents working together as volunteers to improve the community; encouraging individual and community responsibility for the neighborhood; an increased awareness of the importance of enhancing the quality of life in Norfolk through neighborhood programs, events or projects; and the promotion of neighborhood unity and significant impact on neighborhood communication, interaction and cooperation.

Other very cool citizen-led projects to receive COOL honors include Fairmount Park Civic League's beautification committee and neighborhood watch program; the Ballentine Bark Park, a dog park initiated by residents of the Ballentine Park neighborhood; the Lafayette Wetlands Partnership, a citizen-based group with the mission of preserving an urban wetland along the Lafayette River; and Art/Everywhere, in which empty storefront windows along Granby Street were filled with various art media including sculpture, paintings and photography.

As a result of the COOL award, I've been invited to participate in a panel discussion at the fall session of Norfolk's "Neighborhood University," a series of community outreach workshops. I understand there will be media coverage of and advertising for all of the COOL award-winning projects, as well.

I'm just pleased that the efforts of so many to improve the community are being recognized, and I'm honored to be in such impressive company.

To learn more about Knitting Mill Creek Community Garden, you can visit www.kmccommunitygarden.com.

Vintage Guitar Digs ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER

2010-05-14T19:04:00.000-04:00

Couldn't be more thrilled with the review that Vintage Guitar magazine gives Rock 'N' Roll Soldier in its current issue! Reviewer Eric Shoaf believes the book "may be the most entertaining take on the war since Michael Herr's Dispatches."

Wow! I'm totally honored to have our rock-n-roll-n-rifles memoir even mentioned in the same breath as Herr's classic!

Click on the image below (then click again to magnify) to read the full review...

Historical Lecture Series Features COLONIAL PLACE & RIVERVIEW: 100 YEARS OF HISTORY

2010-05-05T15:39:00.001-04:00

I was honored and delighted to be asked, along with my co-author Artemis Stoll, to present a pair of lectures on the historic Norfolk, Virginia neighborhoods profiled in our book Colonial Place & Riverview: 100 Years Of History.

Hosted by Park Place United Methodist Church at 500 W. 34th St., the first, on Colonial Place, takes place Friday evening, May 7. Also featured are Michelle Johnson of Norfolk's Neighborhood Design and Resource Center and Bill Inge from Norfolk Public Libraries. Michelle will speak on design services, programs, and financial incentives available to Norfolk property owners. Bill will discuss how owners of vintage homes can trace their house's history.

Light hors d'oeuvres will be served at 5:30; speakers begin at 6.

Artemis, Michelle, Bill and I will be doing it all again on Friday, June 4, this time exploring the history of Riverview. We'll also be joined by Susannah Winstead, Norfolk Preservation Officer, who'll speak about historic preservation, historic tax credits, and local historic districts. Again, refreshments at 5:30; speakers at 6.

Great info and fascinating history. If you're in Norfolk on either of these dates, please do attend!

Stephen Messer And WINDBLOWNE

2010-04-30T17:08:00.000-04:00

In Windblowne, author Stephen Messer's tween novel debut, aspiring kite-maker Oliver travels between wind-tossed worlds as he searches for his great uncle Gilbert, kite-building legend of the treetop town of Windblowne. Led by Gilbert's prized possession, an empathetic crimson kite, Oliver faces malevolent "clones," evil attack kites, and a major rethink of himself, friends, and family.

Messer tells of the British landmark that inspired the tale, his unique longhand-to-reading-circle writing process, and the book that set him on the fiction track in my May children's market column at Authorlink.com.

Check it out, and be sure to stop by Messer's website to learn more about him and his books!

Australia Post Considers Honoring Granny Smith With Stamp

2010-04-28T12:47:00.001-04:00

A few months back, I sent a package of info re: Maria Ann Smith, developer of the beloved Granny Smith apple, to the Australia Post. Smith, actually known as "Granny," cultivated her special seedling near Sydney circa 1868; it has since become arguably Australia's best-known export. Granny Smith is the name of the main character in my children's picture book, An Apple Pie For Dinner, which has been given the thumbs-up by Granny's descendants.

Well, yesterday I received a reply. Seems the Aussie postal system issues a mere 23 stamps a year, with very few stamps recognizing individuals. But while a stamp honoring Maria Ann Smith is out of the question, one celebrating the Granny Smith apple appears to be a definite possibility.

Writes a researcher with the Australia Post Philatelic Group:

"I believe it would be more appropriate to recognise the Granny Smith apple (as opposed Maria Ann specifically) through a commemorative stamp issue; Maria Ann would still be recognised as the woman responsible for developing the apple variety. Our stamp issue policy allows for commemorative stamps to mark 50th anniversaries or multiples thereof... This would put its 150th anniversary at 2018. I realize this is some years off, but I have put your letter on file and noted your recommendation in our register of suggestions for future stamps issues."

So sounds like the Post is open to the idea. Maybe a few more letters suggesting the same would help seal the deal? If you're a Granny Smith fan and feel so inclined, you can write the Australia Post Philatelic Group at GPO Box 1777, MELBOURNE VIC 3001 AUSTRALIA.

Let's get a shiny green Granny Smith onto a postage stamp!

An APPLE PIE For Orlando, Or How I Spent My Spring Break

2010-04-16T13:11:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, I was selected to be a judge at the American Pie Council/Crisco National Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida next weekend. Tough duty, I know, but somebody's gotta do it...

Well, my judgeship recently turned into an invitation to read my children's book An Apple Pie For Dinner, as well, onstage at the larger host event, the Great American Pie Festival. Of course, I was so flattered and terrifically delighted to be asked, but decided instead of doing a straight reading, I'd love to involve the children in the audience somehow. The book certainly lends itself to a participatory-type dealie – Granny Smith, in need of apples for a pie, embarks on a series of trades, bringing joy to all the new friends she meets along the way. Then, Granny invites all her new pals back to her kitchen where, together, they bake and eat a scrumptious apple pie.

So I spent all of last week – which happened to be spring break for my own kiddos – designing, sewing, gluing, sourcing, and otherwise crafting a mountain of props for the big show. The kids, especially my 7-year old daughter, were a huge help!

Here's what we came up with:

• one bough of purple plums; fruit, leaves, and branch all in felt; which Granny (me) trades for
• one drawstring bag of fluffy feathers; which Granny trades for
• one bouquet of beautiful flowers; which Granny trades for
• one gold coin; styrofoam disc covered in gold foil, stenciled with "In Pie We Trust"; which Granny trades for
• one small brown dog; can you believe I found this book-illustration lookalike on eBay for $5?; which Granny trades for
• one bough of delicious apples; fruit, leaves, and branch all in felt

All of these props will be hidden inside

• five drawstring bags, which the children will hold for me onstage. As Granny (me) makes her way through the tale, she will stop at each child and trade what she has in her basket for the mystery item the child will pull from the bag.

After all the trades are made, Granny (me) will invite all of the kids to her kitchen where they will all air-prepare a pie (slicing apples, rolling dough). Granny will then pull from her oven

• one scrumptious apple pie; eight slices, all in felt, including crimped pie crust and cinnamon apple filling

Then everyone will take a bow, and Granny (me) will invite the crowd to visit her offstage for a free

• Apple Pie For Dinner bookmark, which I will gladly sign; author-designed full-color, double-sided, glossy finish featuring illos from the book and info on fun activities, music, video and more to be found at www.AnApplePieForDinner.com; plus a free

• green apple lollipop in the shape of an apple slice

I'll be carrying the bookmarks and lollipops in my

• An Apple Pie For Dinner totebag, and I'll be wearing my
• big "Ask Me About An Apple Pie For Dinner" button

Throw in a few sight gags and visual puns onstage, and that's my schtick. I think it's going to be a lot of fun – for everybody. I've never done anything like this before, so wish me luck!!

Now, how am I going to get all of this down to Orlando...?

Join Me At The Great American Pie Festival!

2010-04-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

If you'll be in the Orlando/Celebration, Florida area the weekend of April 24, be sure to swing by the Great American Pie Festival at Lakeside Park. I'll be there, reading my children's book An Apple Pie For Dinner (with a little help from my kiddo-friends in the audience), at 5 pm on Saturday. Sunday, I'll be judging the junior chefs division of the National Pie Championships at the Omni Championsgate – fun, fun, yummy fun!

Here's the official media release from An Apple Pie For Dinner's publisher, Marshall Cavendish, with all the juicy details:

Author Susan VanHecke to Judge at the American Pie Council / Crisco National Pie Championships

Writer of children's book An Apple Pie For Dinner will help select best junior chef pie on April 25, 2010 and read book at Great American Pie Festival on April 24, 2010

Author Susan VanHecke has a passion for pie. Especially apple pie. She adores apple pie so much she wrote a children's book about it, An Apple Pie For Dinner (Marshall Cavendish). And now she'll help the American Pie Council and Crisco determine whose pie is the best in the U.S. and Canada as she serves as a judge at the National Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, April 25, 2010. VanHecke will be judging the junior chef division.

The National Pie Championships are part of the Great American Pie Festival, April 23-25, a celebration of all things pie that draws tens of thousands of visitors annually. VanHecke will read An Apple Pie For Dinner at the Great American Pie Festival on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 5 pm.

Based on an English folktale, An Apple Pie For Dinner follows kind old Granny Smith, in need of apples for a pie, as she makes a series of trades and brings joy to all she meets. Together, Granny and her new friends bake the yummiest apple pie ever. The book features mixed-media bas relief illustrations by fabric artist Carole Baicker-McKee and includes Granny's kid-friendly recipe for apple pie. Fun children's activities, video (including a pie-making how-to), music, and more can be found at the book's website, www.AnApplePieForDinner.com.

Through celebrity chef Graham Kerr, the "Galloping Gourmet," VanHecke became connected with descendants of the real Granny Smith, Maria Ann Smith, developer of the Granny Smith apple. In 1868, Smith discovered a new type of apple seedling growing in her compost heap near Sydney, Australia. It's believed Smith inadvertently crossed a crabapple with a domestic orchard apple. The Granny Smith apple is now known around the world, valued for its virtues as a pie and cooking apple.

Descendants of Maria Ann Smith have given An Apple Pie For Dinner their endorsement. VanHecke is spearheading an effort to have Smith honored with a postage stamp from the Australia Post.

Amateur pie makers, professional bakers and chefs, and commercial pie companies from around the country and Canada have been competing at the National Pie Championships since 1995. The Great American Pie Festival, a pie-lover's delight, includes the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, pie-making and decorating activities for children, baking demonstrations, and a pie-eating contest. To learn more about the National Pie Championships and the Great American Pie Festival, visit www.piecouncil.com.

To learn more about Susan VanHecke, visit www.SusanVanHecke.com.
An Apple Pie For Dinner reading – 5 pm, Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Great American Pie Festival, Lakeside Park, 631 Sycamore Street, Celebration, FL (near Disney World).

National Pie Championships, junior chef division – 10 am, Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate, 1500 Masters Boulevard, Championsgate, FL.

Hope to see you there!

Tom Angleberger and THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

2010-04-01T18:23:00.000-04:00

In Tommy's sixth-grade class, there's this kid, Dwight. He's the misfit, the weirdo. But when Dwight folds an origami Yoda and sticks it on his finger one day, things start to happen. Yoda makes predictions and gives advice. And it all comes true – or does it? Intrigued, Tommy launches an investigation to see if Dwight's paper Yoda is actually tapping into the Force. With the help of his classmates, Tommy assembles the Origami Yoda case files, and learns a load about himself and others along the way.

Tom Angleberger, author of the just-published, wildly hilarious yet mysteriously sage The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, tells how he came up with the tween book's offbeat concept, his personal connection to the tale, and how he was able to wangle the blessing of the notoriously Star Wars-protective Lucasfilm in my April children's market column at Authorlink.com.

And be sure to check out the Origami Yoda website to learn how to fold your own!

David Almond and Jutta Bauer 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award Winners

2010-03-27T07:42:00.000-04:00

The Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), has announced that David Almond, from the United Kingdom is the winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Author Award and that Jutta Bauer, from Germany is the winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator Award. The announcement was made at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair, and the Andersen medals and diplomas will be presented to the winners on Saturday, 11 September 2010 at the international IBBY congress in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children's books. In awarding the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for writing to David Almond, the jury has recognized the unique voice of a creator of magic realism for children. Almond captures his young readers' imagination and motivates them to read, think and be critical. His use of language is sophisticated and reaches across the ages.

The 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration recognizes Jutta Bauer as a powerful narrator who blends real life with legend through her pictures. The jury admired her philosophical approach, originality, creativity as well as her ability to communicate with young readers.

David Almond was selected from 28 authors for the award. The four finalists were: Ahmad Reza Ahmadi from Iran, Bartolomeu Campos de Queiros from Brazil, Lennart Hellsing from Sweden and Louis Jensen from Denmark.

Jutta Bauer was selected from 27 illustrators nominated. The four finalists were Carll Cneut from Belgium, Etienne Delessert from Switzerland, Svjetlan Junakovic from Croatia and Roger Mello from Brazil. The full list of candidates can be read at www.ibby.org.

The ten members of the 2010 Jury, led by Jury President Zohreh Ghaeni from Iran, met in Basel, Switzerland on 13 and 14 March 2010. The Jury of children's literature experts comprised Ernest Bond (USA), Karen Coeman (Mexico), Nadia El Kholy (Egypt), Maria Jesus Gil (Spain), Jan Hansson (Sweden), Annemie Leysen (Belgium), Darja Mazi-Leskovar (Slovenia), Alicia Salvi (Argentina), Helene Schar (Switzerland) and Regina Zilberman (Brazil). Elda Nogueira from Brazil representing IBBY and Liz Page as Jury Secretary attended the meeting ex officio.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is considered the most prestigious in international children's literature, is given biennially by IBBY to a living author and illustrator whose complete works are judged to have made lasting contributions to children's literature. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the Patron of the Andersen Awards. The Author's Award has been given since 1956 and the Illustrator's Award since 1966. Nami Island Inc. is the sponsor of the Hans Christian Andersen Awards. Information, including a history of the awards is available at www.ibby.org.

IBBY Announces Hans Christian Andersen Award's 2010 Shortlist

2010-03-16T16:38:00.000-04:00

Five authors and five illustrators have been selected from 55 candidates submitted by 32 national sections of IBBY for the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award. The award, considered the most prestigious in international children’s literature, is given biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made lasting contributions to children's literature. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 23rd at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

The five short-listed authors are:

- Ahmad Reza Ahmadi from Iran
- David Almond from the United Kingdom
- Bartolomeu Campos de Queiros from Brazil
- Lennart Hellsing from Sweden
- Louis Jensen from Denmark

Ahmad Reza Ahmadi's fascinating short stories speak poetically about humanity, love, nature and peace for children and young adults. David Almond's works are deeply philosophical novels that appeal to children and adults alike, and encourage readers by his use of magic realism. Bartolomeu Campos de Queiros as an author of poetic prose and playful poetry is highly admired for his commitment to beauty and art. Lennart Hellsing is an outstanding poet, who shares the pleasure of language through his mastery of rhythm, word games and invented words. Louis Jensen is a powerful storyteller and entertainer who combines magic and reality.

The five short-listed illustrators are:

- Jutta Bauer from Germany
- Carll Cneut from Belgium
- Etienne Delessert from Switzerland
- Svjetlan Junakovic from Croatia
- Roger Mello from Brazil

Jutta Bauer creates a harmony between the verbal and visual language, using a philosophical approach in her originality and creativity. Carll Cneut's amazing works powerfully narrate stories in his highly recognizable visual language. As a pioneer of modern picture books, Etienne Delessert's impact on many great illustrators around the world can be recognized. His blending of magic and realism, grotesque and close-ups, has created a distinctive style. Svjetlan Junakovic presents beautiful compositions that are expressive and emotional, while at the same time playful, imaginative and evocative. Roger Mello's world is a rich spectrum of techniques, imagination, colour and inspiration that is considered innovative, fascinating and intriguing.

A full list of candidates can be found at the IBBY website.

The ten members of the 2010 Jury were led by Jury President Zohreh Ghaeni from Iran. They are: Ernest Bond (USA), Karen Coeman (Mexico), Nadia El Kholy (Egypt), Maria Jesus Gil (Spain), Jan Hansson (Sweden), Annemie Leysen (Belgium), Darja Mezi-Leskovar (Slovenia), Alicia Salvi (Argentina), Helene Schar (Switzerland) and Regina Zilberman (Brazil). Elda Nogueira from Brazil represented IBBY and Liz Page acted as Jury Secretary.

RnR SOLDIER On Boomerocity

2010-03-15T16:56:00.001-04:00

Terrific review of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier on Boomerocity.com, a website devoted to all things Baby Boomer! Nice way to start the week...

Win A Copy Of ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER From Deborah Lytton, Author Of JANE IN BLOOM

2010-03-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

I'm honored to be interviewed by the lovely Deborah Lytton on her blog, Jane In Bloom. Debby's the author of the beautifully written book of the same name, her 2009 debut novel for middle grade readers. It's one of those stories that you just can't put down, and had me literally bawling in some parts, big crybaby that I am. Definitely a must-read.

Anyway, Debby asked all sorts of insightful questions about writing Rock 'N' Roll Soldier with Vietnam vet Dean Kohler, as well as my first picture book, An Apple Pie For Dinner.

Plus, she's kindly giving away a copy of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier – just leave a comment on her blog and you're entered to win!

Iconic Tom Wright Photo Featured In New Graham Nash-Curated EMP Exhibit

2010-03-04T06:54:00.000-05:00

My pal Tom Wright's stunning image of Rod Stewart in midair was handpicked by Graham Nash to be part of a new exhibit at Seattle's EMP, Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs. Nash, an accomplished shutterbug himself, curated the collection of nearly 100 images by 40 celebrated photographers. The art spans 50 years of rock and roll, from the Elvis-era to hip-hop and more.

Tom's iconic Stewart photo can also be found in his memoir Roadwork: Rock & Roll From The Inside Out, which I co-wrote, and in the British version of the book – same text, same pix, but in a totally different graphic design – Raising Hell On The Rock 'N' Roll Highway. The photo also appears in the EMP exhibit's accompanying book, Taking Aim.

You can read more about the exhibit and how Nash selected the photos here. Graham Nash kindly penned the foreword to Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, the Vietnam War memoir I co-wrote with veteran Dean Ellis Kohler.

Sure wish a trip to Seattle was in my plans. I'd love to see this one...

Tracy Trivas And THE WISH STEALERS

2010-03-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

When Griffin Penshine discovers that pennies given to her by a mysterious old woman were actually stolen from a wishing fountain decades ago, she embarks on a desperate quest. Griffin must find a way to redeem those lost wishes or the opposite of her own wishes – which involve loved ones and her new brother- or sister-to-be – will come true.

That's the intriguing premise of Tracy Trivas's charming debut novel for tweens, The Wish Stealers. Trivas tells me how the concept of a "Wish Stealer" grew from her real-life experience as a new transplant in L.A., how she transformed that idea into a full-fledged manuscript, why it's the details that count in character-creation, plus much more in my March children's market column at Authorlink.com.

Be sure to visit Trivas's website, and the non-profit environmental education advocacy group Pennies for the Planet, which Trivas cleverly tied in to her book.

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Makes CCBC's Choices 2010!

2010-02-22T12:16:00.001-05:00

Just got word that Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, the Vietnam War memoir for young adults that I co-wrote with veteran Dean Ellis Kohler, will appear as a Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices 2010 selection!

The CCBC is one of the most respected organizations for reviewing and recommending children’s books. Dean and I are truly honored!

And The Winner Is...

2010-02-15T18:24:00.001-05:00

Thanks to everybody who stopped by during One World One Heart – it was so much fun hearing from so many, and from every corner of the globe! And thanks for all the kind words about An Apple Pie For Dinner. I wish I had a copy for everyone!

And so, without further ado, I am delighted to announce that Lucy L. of Ontario, Canada is the lucky winner! Congratulations, Lucy!

Win A Signed Copy Of AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER During ONE WORLD ONE HEART 2010!

2010-02-06T10:39:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to hop aboard the magic carpet and participate in this year's One World One Heart blog unity celebration!

One World One Heart was created in 2007 by Lisa Swifka, aka A Whimsical Bohemian, to bring bloggers together from around the world. Each blogger will be giving away a special something to lucky visitors.

As Lisa explains, the event "transcends geographical location, socio-economics, political affiliation, religious beliefs... it's a coming together like the giant community we are on this planet... We are not solving the world's problems nor are we curing anything nor are we changing the world. We are merely generating a closer community between humans through blogging... Think of this as taking a giant tour of homes; you get to stop in, look around, meet the people who live there, admire and be inspired, and before you go on to the next one you leave your name in hopes to win a door prize at each 'home.'"

So in the spirit of sharing, I'll be giving away a signed copy of An Apple Pie For Dinner, my colorful children's book in which kind old Granny Smith trades her way to apples for her pie, bringing joy to all the new friends she meets on her journey! The book also includes a kid-friendly recipe for the yummiest apple pie ever, making it super-easy to bake a scrumptious dessert with your favorite munchkin! Be sure to check out the fun children's activities, music, and video at www.AnApplePieForDinner.com.

Here's how it works:

• Leave a comment on this blog entry. Maybe name your favorite pie, or share your favorite pie-related memory.
• Inappropriate or auto-generated comments will be deleted. Be sure your comment leads me back to you, either through a link to your blog or an email address where you can be reached.
• Contest entries must be posted here by 12 noon EST on Valentine’s Day (February 14th).
• I will use a random number generator to select the winner.
• The winner will be announced here on February 15th and will be notified by email. If the prizewinner does not respond within 7 days, I will select another name.
• The prize will be sent via USPS.

Enjoy the One World One Heart magic carpet ride, friends, and bonne chance!

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER At Cynsations!

2010-02-01T18:35:00.000-05:00

So honored to be profiled at Cynsations, the blog of Cynthia Leitich Smith, children's author extraordinaire and faculty member at the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Hers is one of the top kidlitosphere sites for news, inspiration, and writerly resources. In fact, School Library Journal says of Cynsations: “If you're going to read only one blog, this is it!”

Many thanks, Cynthia!

Marianne Malone and THE SIXTY-EIGHT ROOMS

2010-02-01T10:15:00.000-05:00

If you're from the Chicago area, you're no doubt familiar with the Thorne Rooms, 68 miniature rooms – spanning historic periods and geographic locations –all rendered in extraordinary detail at the Art Institute of Chicago. It was Marianne Malone's fascination with these diminutive dioramas that inspired her debut novel for middle-grade readers, The Sixty-Eight Rooms (Random House, February 2010).

In it, main characters Ruthie and Jack find a magic key at the Art Institute that enables them to shrink to Thorne Room size. Exploring the rooms – and the people, places, and eras just beyond their walls, from the French Revolution to the Salem witch trials – the two find adventure and intrigue, and learn something about the true meaning of home.

Marianne tells how her background as an artist and art educator were vital to the writing of her book, how she wove concepts of "place" into her tale, the Art Institute's reaction to her book, plus much more in my February children's market column at Authorlink.com.

You can learn more about Marianne Malone and her books at www.mariannemalone.com. And be sure to check out the amazing Thorne Rooms at www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne!

Love Memoir? Check Out MemoirReviews.com

2010-01-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

Are you an avid reader or writer of memoir? Don't miss Howard Blue's Memoir Reviews, a listing of memoirs in a wide variety of subjects, plus loads of reviews and info on memoir writing, writers conferences, and more.

Blue, a former high school social studies teacher and well-traveled author of Words At War: World War II Era Radio Drama and the Post-War Broadcasting Blacklist, has led a pretty memoir-worthy life himself. Be sure to read his bio.

It's National Pie Day!

2010-01-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

Time to celebrate – it's National Pie Day!

Created by the American Pie Council, National Pie Day "is a perfect opportunity to pass on the love and enjoyment of pie eating and pie making to future generations," according to the APC. Count me in – yum!!

Pies of every stripe and flavor are being honored across the country, not only on this day, but throughout the next week. You can check out special pie deals and doings at the APC's National Pie Day events page.

Of course, as author of a children's book about pie bringing new friends together, I highly recommend sharing An Apple Pie For Dinner with your favorite munchkins! After you read the story, bake your own apple pie for dinner using the yummy recipe in the back of the book. You'll also find the recipe at AnApplePieForDinner.com, along with fun downloadable pie activities, music, video, and more!

Hip-hip hurray for pie, wonderful pie!!!

RnR SOLDIER Makes VIETNAM Magazine

2010-01-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

So excited to see a terrific review of Rock 'N' Soldier, the war memoir I co-wrote with veteran Dean Ellis Kohler, in the latest issue of Vietnam, a slick, four-color glossy magazine aimed at history buffs and war vets. Our first review in a fancy mag for grown-ups!

I especially like reviewer Jon Guttman's concluding thoughts: "...The troupe here did not come courtesy of Bob Hope and the USO. These troubadours in green emerged from the ranks, giving a different slant to the term 'band of brothers.'" Nice!

Click on the image below to read the full review!

Indie + Relief January 20: Great Apps, Haiti Relief

2010-01-19T17:50:00.000-05:00

I love Sandvox, the super-easy web design software for Macs from Karelia Software. I've created four of my five websites with it.

On Wednesday, January 20, the fine folks at Karelia will be joining with more than 100 other software developers to aid Haiti earthquake relief. From Karelia:

You’ve no doubt heard about the devastation from last week’s earthquake in Haiti. Well, our fellow “indie” developer, Justin Williams of Second Gear Software, decided to do something to help. He has rounded up over 125 developers, with over 200 Mac and iPhone applications, who will be donating all of their proceeds from sales made tomorrow, January 20 to organizations working to help those in need.

The participating companies and their applications are listed on the Indie+Relief website.

Naturally, Karelia Software is one of them. We will be donating all our proceeds from sales made on Wednesday, January 20, to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières).

We hope you will visit Indie+Relief and pick up some spectacular software for yourself (or as a gift to your fellow Mac users) while doing good.

What a great and generous idea. Now come on, everybody, let's go buy some apps!

What's In A Name? Find Out At TeachingBooks.Net

2010-01-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

There's a story behind every name. You can listen to your favorite children's authors tell the tale of their name at TeachingBooks.net, a terrific portal to thousands of kid-lit resources online.

Here's mine!

Eva Mozes Kor And SURVIVING THE ANGEL OF DEATH

2010-01-05T15:08:00.000-05:00

When Eva Mozes Kor was 10 years old, she and her parents and sisters, along with dozens of other Jewish families, were herded onto a railroad cattle car and whisked away from their home in Romania. Days later, terrified, starving and thirsty, they were deposited on a platform surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by armed guards with snarling dogs.

Auschwitz.

There, Eva and her twin sister Miriam were seized from their parents – whom they would never see again – and placed in the custody of the "Angel of Death," Dr. Josef Mengele. Only about 200 of Mengele's twins survived their horrific ordeal, which included cruel medical experimentation.

Eva was one of those lucky few. In her powerful new memoir for young adults, Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz (Tanglewood, 2009, written with Lisa Rojany Buccieri), Eva tells how, through sheer determination and by her own wits, she and Miriam were able to walk out of Auschwitz's iron gates alive.

Eva Mozes Kor discusses writing of her horrific experience for children, young readers' reactions to her story, her controversial decision to publicly forgive the Nazis, and more in my January children's market column at Authorlink.com.

Mrs. Kor went on to found CANDLES, an organization for the surviving Mengele twins, as well as the CANDLES Holocaust Museum. She's an internationally renowned speaker on topics pertaining to the Holocaust, peace and forgiveness, and medical ethics. She is the subject of the documentary film Forgiving Dr. Mengele, and in 2007 worked with lawmakers in Indiana to pass legislation requiring Holocaust education in secondary schools.

White Christmas With Santa, His Reindeer, And The Drifters

2009-12-23T19:29:00.000-05:00

A Christmas classic at our house – enjoy!

VOYA Gives Nod To RNRS

2009-12-13T18:23:00.000-05:00

Just discovered a lovely surprise at Rock 'N' Roll Soldier's Barnes & Noble webpage – a thumbs-up from VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), the magazine for librarians and educators who work with teens. Here's how the review reads:

This memoir from songwriter/performer Dean Kohler describes his experiences as a nineteen-year-old military policeman in 1967 Vietnam. Kohler's band had just landed a record deal with a company in New York City when he was drafted into the Army. Thinking his musical career is on hold and possibly over, Kohler nevertheless comes to the attention of his commanding officer when he performs at the company's going-away party the night before leaving for Vietnam. At the request of his captain, Kohler and several other soldiers form a rock band dubbed the Electrical Banana to entertain the men stationed at their Army base. Kohler's younger self is appealing, and his reconstructed dialogue sounds genuine. The author does not hold back in his description of the casual violence he frequently witnessed in Vietnam, and his nights of being shot at while on perimeter duty and of encountering wounded and dying GIs in Army hospitals reinforce the grim nature of war. These poignant scenes are balanced by the giddiness and optimism of Kohler and his friends in scrounging up makeshift band instruments, rehearsing in the supply tent, and finally performing music for their fellow soldiers. Occasional four-letter words, references to sex, and descriptions of maimed and dead bodies make this quick read best suited for older high school students.

The dialogue sounds genuine, Dean's character is appealing, it's a poignant and balanced story – this reviewer's made my weekend!! Many thanks, VOYA.

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER In Children's Lit College Class

2009-12-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

So Dean Kohler, the teen guitarist turned Vietnam soldier whose story I co-wrote in Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, has been getting all sorts of interesting e-mails from readers of the book. Frankly, I'm surprised at how many are coming from females. Guitars, rock bands, rifles, war – I thought for sure RnRS was a "manly man" type of story. My bad, it seems.

One of the most unexpected was from a woman who told Dean that she and her classmates read the book as part of a children's literature course at the University of New Hampshire. "We're studying different genres with the intent of teaching in the future," she wrote. How cool – and exciting and humbling – is that?!

These teachers-in-the-making wanted to know if Dean ever got married after returning from Vietnam. "I guess after learning so much about that year of your life, we (as a group of women!) are curious..." the U of NH-er wrote, and added, "Thanks again for telling your story. When my own kids are a little older, I'll have them read your memoir, not only to understand the war in Vietnam but especially to realize the power of music and its ability to create hope and inspire others."

So nice, right? Definitely made my day. If you have any questions for Dean Kohler, you can use the comments forum or the contact form at www.RockNRollSoldierAMemoir.com.

I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY Pubs Today!

2009-12-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

Giant congrats go to Barrie Summy, whose I So Don't Do Spooky pubs today! It's the sequel to her hilarious I So Don't Do Mysteries, and the second of at least four (you go, Barrie!) I So Don't Do... titles for tweens/teens.

In the latest, I So Don't Do Spooky, Sherry and her ghost mother team up again. This time they have to catch whoever's after Sherry's stepmother... before it's too late! It's spooky. It's scary. It's fun!

Other great Summy news: I So Don't Do Mysteries is now out in paperback. Sherry wants more mall time, less homework and a certain boy. Instead she's recruited by her mother's ghost to prevent a rhino heist at San Diego's Wild Animal Park.

Holiday gifts, people, holiday gifts!

Bob Krech and REBOUND

2009-12-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

Ray Wisniewski loves basketball. But at his high school, the white kids wrestle. It's the black kids who play b-ball. When Ray finally lands a hard-won place on the varsity basketball team, he's forced to examine the many and multi-faceted attitudes toward race that surround him – his white friends', his black teammates', his family's, his coaches', and, especially, his own.

Author Bob Krech takes an unflinching look at high school race relations in Rebound (Marshall Cavendish, 2006), now out in paperback, with the b-ball court as his backdrop.

In my December children's market column at Authorlink.com, Krech tells me about penning this novel and the pair forthcoming from Dutton, the esteem-building effect of winning some very cool literary awards, how he's conquered show-don't-tell and dialogue, plus much, much more. Be sure to check it out, and drop by his great website, as well!

Those Handy, Dandy Bookplates

2009-12-04T10:27:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you live on the East Coast and someone who lives on the West Coast has purchased your book and wants you to sign it?

Do you ask them to shell out the bucks to have the book mailed or delivered to you, and risk the book's being damaged or lost in transit? Do you offer to pay the postage yourself? What if it's a gift and the purchaser can't wait the two weeks for the media mail round trip?

Allow me to introduce the handy, dandy bookplate. It's a large sticker that you can sign, stick in an envelope, and for 49 cents (that's the going rate for a stamp these days, right?) mail to your book's purchaser. They can then affix it inside the front cover of the book.

I've been using these for my last few books, and they're just wonderful. Avery, the office products people, makes it so easy to design your own with their free DesignPro software. Just choose the size sticker you'd like, import or create your graphics, and, voila, customized bookplates ready to print and adhere.

I've used images from my book's covers, manipulating them with my own photo software to fit Avery's 3 1/3" x 4" stickers. For An Apple Pie For Dinner, I edited out all of the type from the entire front cover, leaving a lovely Granny Smith-green field on which I can scribble. For Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, I used a close-up of the Fender Stratocaster guitar from the jacket; its white pickguard is a great background for my scrawl. And Roadwork's cover is light enough that I can sign right over it, minding those Faces cutie-pies, of course (did you hear about Ronnie Wood the other day? Uh-oh.)...

Readers can request bookplates on each book's website, right here on my blog, or shoot me an e-mail at susan at susanvanhecke.com.

Bookplates – I love 'em!

Kelly Couric Interview – It's A Wild One

2009-12-01T11:40:00.000-05:00

Ever heard of Kelly Couric, Katie's slightly chubby, super sassy and trailer-trashy twin sister? She's got me cornered and confessin' over at author Barrie Summy's blog (of I So Don't Do... series fame!)...

Thanks, Barrie!

Goodnight Keith Moon

2009-12-01T10:21:00.000-05:00

As a kidlit writer with a Who book under her belt, you know I'm lovin' this one, an hilariously debauched take on the children's bedtime classic by Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon. Definitely one for mom and dad, pas des enfants...

Thanks, Seth Gordon, for cluing me in!

A Little Pie, Anyone?

2009-11-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

Wanna see how artist extraordinaire Carol Baicker-McKee created those amazing 3D, multimedia illos in An Apple Pie For Dinner? Check out this cool mini-pie tutorial on her blog, Doodles and Noodles.

I have new appreciation for the mindboggling amount of meticulous handcrafting that went into each and every page! Carol, you rock!

APPLE PIE On Ann Leal's Backstory

2009-11-15T15:11:00.000-05:00

Ann Haywood Leal, author of the must-read middle-grade novel Also Known As Harper, interviewed me for her terrific blog, The Backstory. You'll recall that not long ago she posted one of the best – certainly among the most personal – reviews I've seen of Dean Kohler's and my Vietnam YA Rock 'N' Roll Soldier. Now she's helping spread the word about illustrator Carol Baicker-McKee's and my easy-reading picture book, An Apple Pie For Dinner.

Thanks so much, Ann, for your support! It's truly appreciated!

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Makes TV News

2009-11-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

Great TV news piece on Dean Kohler, co-author of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, and his Vietnam war zone band. Aired yesterday to promote our book signing last night at Barnes & Noble in Virginia Beach. Thanks to all who braved the gusts, gales, and downpours to join us – great turnout despite the worst storm since Hurricane Isabel rolling in! Hope everyone's staying safe and dry!

Veterans Day With ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER

2009-11-11T07:12:00.000-05:00

A propos Veterans Day, there's a great piece on Dean Kohler's Vietnam warzone band and Rock 'N' Roll Soldier in the Virginian-Pilot, daily newspaper of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

Dean and I will be at Barnes & Noble Town Center in Virginia Beach tonight from 7-9 pm, signing books and doing a Q&A session. Nor'easter, shmor'easter – grab your umbrella and stop by!

Finally, profound thanks to all those who've served, and their families. This military wife is well aware of the daily sacrifice as we support our fine men and women in uniform. Veterans, you have our deepest gratitude.

Dean Kohler With Macrini Tuesday Morning

2009-11-09T15:55:00.000-05:00

If you're in southeastern Virginia/northeastern North Carolina on Tuesday around 7:30 a.m., tune into Tony Macrini's morning drive-time show on Newsradio WNIS, 790 AM. Macrini will interview Dean Kohler, my co-author of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, about Dean's experiences putting together a touring rock band in the middle of the Vietnam warzone – improvising instruments and equipment, teaching fellow MPs how to play, entertaining hundreds of battle-weary, homesick soldiers – all without missing a single patrol.

And a propos of Veteran's Day, Dean will be signing books Wednesday at the Barnes & Noble in Virginia Beach at Town Centre, 7-9 p.m. Knowing Dean, he'll have some rockin' show-and-tell, too.

I'll be there – hope to see you there, as well!

An APPLE PIE FOR DINNER Review That Will Make You Giggle

2009-11-06T14:24:00.000-05:00

Need a chuckle?

Check out this great review of An Apple Pie For Dinner, penned by a publishing industry vet-turned-mom of two daughters under the age of six.

Out of the mouths o' babes, right?

Win Joy Preble's DREAMING ANASTASIA!

2009-11-01T20:13:00.000-05:00

Contemporary teen rescues lost Russian princess, told from multiple points-of-view – it's the intriguing premise of Dreaming Anastasia, author Joy Preble's debut novel for young adults.

But instead of the historical fiction you'd might expect, Preble grounds the action in present-day Chicago. Lucid dreams, a secret society, a mysterious stalker, and a bit of witchcraft all add up to a suspenseful read more akin to an international spy thriller than a back-in-time epic.

Preble discusses her vision of the urban fantasy and personal connections to Russian folklore, the challenges of writing from several POVs, her love-hate relationship with revision, and more in my November children's market column at Authorlink.com.

After you check out our chat, come back here and leave a comment. You'll be automatically entered to win a copy of Dreaming Anastasia! The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, November 8.

Good luck!

Children's Lit Loves APPLE PIE!

2009-11-01T08:07:00.000-05:00

Another great review for An Apple Pie For Dinner – many thanks, Children's Literature!

Granny Smith wants to bake an apple pie for dinner. She has everything she needs—except apples! So she picks some plums and heads out the door thinking she might find someone in need of plums with apples to trade. Instead, she finds a woman in need of plums with feathers to trade. Being good-hearted, Granny makes the trade. Further down the road, she finds a pair of children in need of feathers; in return, they give her a splendid bouquet of flowers. Then she finds a prince in need of a gift for his ladylove; he gives her a gold coin for her generosity. A hungry family receives the coin from Granny and gifts her with a puppy. Will Granny ever get the apples she seeks? Based on an English folktale called The Apple Dumpling, Susan VanHecke's retelling is a beautiful celebration of kindness, giving, caring, friendship, and community-building. There could be no finer ending than this, which finds Granny bringing all of the many people back to her house to make and share a sumptuous apple pie. Carol Baicker-McKee's three-dimensional, mixed-media bas-reliefs are the perfect visual companion to this story. Each of the clever, three-dimensional illustrations hints at what is coming next in the story, and every one includes a tiny ladybug. Children will enjoy the images for their own merit, and they will have fun hunting through them for clues and bugs. This book is a delight; my four-year-old has declared it to be her "favorite!" Includes a recipe for apple pie.
Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Book Signing Event With Dean Ellis Kohler, November 11

2009-10-29T12:57:00.000-04:00

Will you be in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area on Vets Day, Nov. 11? Be sure to stop by the Barnes & Noble at Pembroke from 7-9 pm, where Dean Kohler will be signing copies of the Cybil award-nominated Rock 'N' Roll Soldier.

Knowing Dean, he'll have some very cool, very rockin' show-and-tell, too!

Barnes & Noble, 4485 Virginia Beach Blvd.,Virginia Beach.

Congrats To ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Winner!

2009-10-20T11:11:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Melodye of Orange County, California, who won a signed copy of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier, Dean Ellis Kohler's Vietnam War memoir with a musical twist!

Thanks to all who stopped by AuthorsNow! to enter!

Last Day To Win Signed Copy of ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER!

2009-10-14T13:47:00.000-04:00

You have until 11:59 PM CST to enter to win a copy of Rock 'N' Roll Soldier (newly Cybil-nominated!), signed by Dean Ellis Kohler and myself. Head to AuthorsNow!, leave a comment, and you're all set. Good luck!

ROCK 'N' ROLL SOLDIER Nominated For A Cybil Award!

2009-10-13T14:18:00.001-04:00

Exciting news! Rock 'N' Roll Soldier has been nominated for a Cybil, the annual Children's and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards!

From the Cybils website:

Our purpose is two-fold:

--Reward the children’s and young adult authors (and illustrators, let’s not forget them) whose books combine the highest literary merit and "kid appeal." What’s that mean? If some la-di-dah awards can be compared to brussel sprouts, and other, more populist ones to gummy bears, we’re thinking more like organic chicken nuggets. We’re yummy and nutritious.

--Foster a sense of community among bloggers who write about children’s and YA literature, highlight our best reviewers (and shamelessly promote their blogs) and provide a forum for the similarly obsessed.

Finalists will be announced January 1, winners on Valentine's Day.

I'm thrilled and so honored!