http://www.lookybook.com/index.php

It's the coolest thing!

Roaring Brook Press has signed a deal with author David Macaulay establishing a new imprint, David Macaulay Studio, which will launch in 2011. The news comes three months after the retirement of Walter Lorraine, Macaulay’s longtime editor at Houghton Mifflin. The imprint will publish future books by Macaulay, who will serve as creative director, as well as titles by other authors and illustrators.

Two books by Macaulay were signed up as part of the arrangement: Home Sweet Home, about the Earth’s climate and ecosystems, and a second book centering on American history. Decisions as to the specifics of Macaulay’s role as creative director or to the size of the imprint’s staff (Roaring Brook plans to use existing staff initially) have not yet been made.

"Roaring Brook has given me a chance to try something new and slightly daunting," Macaulay said. "Under my own imprint, with matching towels and pillow cases, I will not only be able to continue making my own books, but I’ll also have the opportunity to encourage and support creative people who share my commitment to meaningful content." Macaulay’s 35-year career as an author began in 1973 with the publication of Cathedral, and included such books as The Way Things Work, Pyramid, Mosque and Unbuilding. He won the 1990 Caldecott Medal for Black and White, and was a Macarthur Fellow in 2006. Macaulay’s long-awaited next book, The Way We Work, is due out from Houghton Mifflin this fall.   

Allyn Johnston is joining Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing as v-p and publisher of a yet-to-be named imprint, effective immediately. Her imprint, which will concentrate on picture books and middle-grade fiction, will be located in San Diego. She will report to Rubin Pfeffer, senior v-p and publisher of Children's Trade Publishing.

Johnston worked for Pfeffer for many years when Pfeffer was president of Harcourt Trade; Johnston left the company last week, after 22 years. Authors she has worked with include Lois Ehlert, Marla Frazee, Mem Fox, Jane Dyer, Debra Frasier, Avi, Cynthia Rylant and Ursula K. Le Guin.

I have learned so much about early colonial life through the research I have been involved in with my current project. It has given me a new appreciation for those brave souls that founded and built this country.

I have also been enjoying the miniseries, John Adams. It just started running on HBO. I've seen the first two parts and can't wait to see the rest.

This might be right up my alley one day...

Zondervan, the evangelical Christian unit of HarperCollins, has announced its entrée into the YA market. The house plans to publish 10 titles per year, with the first books coming this spring. Established authors Melody Carlson, Bryan Davis and Bill Myers will launch the line.
                                                                  read the rest

I've been dreadfully sick this week.  Fluish with a temp and all that. So this week I'm not only grateful for feeling better, but for the everyday time when I feel so well.


ON ANOTHER NOTE:
If you are of the praying mind, I would appreciate it if you would take a moment to send up a request for someone I know. She is the wife of my ex, and she's in endstage liver disease. Her only hope right now is a transplant, and only if that comes soon... very soon. I feel really bad for them and her family. Thanks for whatever you can do.

Are you familiar with the chocolate chip cookie commercial? You know the one -- where the cookie wakes up one morning to a beautiful sun-shiny day, jumps out of bed, and says, "This is the first day of the rest of my...."

Well that's how I feel every morning when I awake, see the sun shining through my window, and hear the birds chattering in the trees. I luvvvvv the sun and sun-shiny days -- and am truly thankful for the opportunity to enjoy them.

And I am, of course, thankful, that so far every morning I have been able to finish that sentence ;)

I'm a little late posting about this this week. My laptop cable is on the fritz. Part of the time. And then part of the time it works. If I wasn't so anal, I'd just go use the desktop :(

Anyway, this week I'm posting about my health. I may be teetering on the top of that mountain people so often speak of (and fixin' to slide down the other side), but for the most part, I have nothing specific to complain about. Well... I am overweight, but that's my fault. I credit my good health to the God I serve, a good sense of humor, and my pioneer spirit. I figure if pioneer women could handle all the lemons life through their way, and handle them so well, so can I.

All-in-all life is marvelous. I thank God for that.

My daughter's new husband has been going to church with us since they began dating. Tonight he came forward and was baptised. We couldn't be happier. I'm so glad to see as they make their long journey through life, they will be traveling on the road together.

Hallelujah! Amen!

As I continue my research for my current project, I'm discovering more and more wonderful books. I'm learning (and relearning in some cases) about our nation's history, battles, triumphs, and her joys.

The story of Peter Zenger is standing out firmly in my mind. His fight for the colonist's right to freedom of speech and Andrew Jackson's representation of his case is something I probably learned in school, but obviously forgot. Something I'm sure I didn't know was that the women of the Indian tribes (at least those in the New York area) were in charge of the everyday lives of the tribal members. THEY decided which males would be the tribal leaders, and they pretty much ran the whole sheebang. The men they chose as leaders were the ones who decided about war and such. I thought that was pretty neat.

Anyway, what I'm thankful for this week... all those talented writers who write these wonderful books.

Listening to the radio, today I heard a song I've heard many times; but this time, I picked up on something I hadn't before. 

"...Oz never did give nothin' to the Tin Man that he didn't already have."

I know the theme for the Wizard of Oz is something like 'there's no need to look farther than your own back yard' but this little ditty added a different light on the overall theme for me. I never realized there was an underlying thought of 'whatever strength each of needs or desires, can already be found right inside of us.'

Anyway, I'm having issues with my computer tonight, so I have to get off; but don't forget...

Oz never did give nothin' to the Tin Man that he didn't...didn't already have....

I'm ashamed that I did not have this response in the number one slot when I started this. Well here it is now and I've edited my sidebar accordingly :)

I am thankful that Jesus came to earth, and sacrificed his life for me, then rose on the third day that I might have eternal life through Him.

Pro-Inflammatory Foods

Stay away from pro-inflammatory foods, which accelerate the aging process. A simple rule of thumb is to consider the following: If it contains flour, and/or sugar or other sweetener, it will be pro-inflammatory. Sugary, starchy foods are poor choices and will not only pack on excess pounds, they will make you look older than your years.

the thrill of receiving my very first revision request, ever. It came during the manuscript call at Blooming Tree Press. And even though they didn't take the manuscript in the end, I'll always be grateful for the thrill I got when they said they'd like to read it again :)

Good television programs that offer a fair amount of recreation and relaxation.

No one can call me fast, that's for sure....

I went to the library yesterday and the bookstore today to do a bit of market research. I discovered the library seems to carry mostly literary and highly illustrated stuff; and most of the licensed, educational, and series type stuff was in the bookstore. Huh. 

I'm sure you all have noticed that already, but not me. Of course, we just got our books-a-million a couple of months ago, so most of my previous research was in the library. Which might explain why my current NF WIP fits under the literary-library-sort-of-stuff.

At least things are making sense to me now :)

Of course I'm a little behind at getting my theme for the year posted, but that is because I have been trying to choose from several ideas. I have finally decided on one; and it is, BEING THANKFUL. 

I'm thankful for all I have, of course, but I'd like to start really being aware of all God has given to me. I don't want to just group things in general, or throw them under one umbrella, I want to meditate on them, inhale them, really cherish them in all their joy and wonder. 

To help me keep focused this year, I'm going to name one thing each week that I am thankful for. And in order to keep track of this, I'm going to keep a running tally in my sidebar under the heading: 52 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR. Since I'm behind on this, this post will have 2 items, and they are: 

1) My two unique, very thoughtful, sometimes cranky, mostly silly, and always loving daughters; their equally great husbands; and of course, my four delightful grandchildren. 

2) My supportive and patient friends here in LJ land, who have read my blog for this long without deleting it. 



Toodles dear friends, one and all :)

  

UninVited by LJ aquaintence  Amanda Marrone.
I have only read the first 3 chapters, but so far I've found it an attention keeper. 
I thought it was cool that Amanda's acknowledgement page mentioned our LJ friend,
Kelsey Johnson Defatte. Spiffy! 

Good read so far. If you get a chance, check it out!

Happy reading and writing all,
lois

Uh,oh snow? Yep. According to CNN.com, we had snow flurries in Daytona Beach last night. Every once in a while parts of Florida will get them; and, thankfully, they don't last long. It's 40 here right now and I'm freeeeezing. I real feel for my northern LJ friends. Stay warm everybody!

"We keep moving forward - opening up new doors and 
doing new things - because we're curious. And curiosity
keeps leading us down new paths. We're always exploring 
and experimenting" ~ Walt Disney

http://loist.blogspot.com/

I've inserted this nifty search box to the sidebar of my blog. Look here -->
I've named it "Children's Writers Search Box". Type in a search and check it out. Too cool :>)

always brings me a new sense of hope and a renewed vigor for my writing; which starts to wane, as the pile of rejection slips grows (and grows!)  throughout the year.

I'm looking forward to finishing my revisions of MILLER'S FARM. It's taking an interesting turn; and is also facing the distinct possibility of a name change. Go figure. If these changes do make their way onto the pages, I'll be busy working on my illustration skills, because the book will then be a pre-k and I can see it with big, chunky, colorful illos.

And, if I do THAT, I want to work on some sample illos to sub around. Of course, that will mean putting together a website as well :)

But of course, I still have my research notes that need to be turned into something magical. Hmmm.
What to do... what to do.... I'm sure I'll figure it out by the time I finally get to it.

I have lots of other stories in the wings, too. We'll see how many of them make it onto the new year list.

IN CHRISTMAS NEWS:

My family gave me some wonderful gifts: 
~ Eeyore jammies with matching slipper socks
~ Eeyore and Pooh coffee mugs with hot chocolate to break them in (yum!) 
~ Candy... of course :)
~ Toiletries 
~ A new printer (no excuse not to sub now!)

Cheers to you, friends!

I have read eleven adult nonfiction books and five children's nonfiction books on my research quest for my current project. Whew! That's a lot for me. Especially in a two-month time frame. But I'm really glad I did it. Not only have I uncovered many useful facts and tidbits I would not have otherwise known, it's given me a much clearer sense of setting. An added bonus was finding the few little minute details that will make the place come to life for the reader. 

So here I sit with two theme books full of notes and a myriad of pertinent websites (I especially like the NYTimes Archives), waiting to be turned into some kind of magically wonderful manuscript. Wish me luck. I'll need it!
 

From Publishers Weekly:

'...For his part, Saylor calls Levine “one of the most intelligent editors I’ve worked with, perhaps because he’s so attuned to his own responses to a book and can articulate them beautifully. He cares deeply about how his books look; he wants the quality to shine through in every detail.”

Levine also praises the significant contributions senior editor Cheryl Klein, editor Rachel Griffiths and editorial assistant Emily Clement make to the imprint, which he hopes will continue to grow “along the same lines that it has.” Among the highlights of his spring 2008 list are British illustrator Ross Collins’s first chapter book, Medusa Jones, and The Light of the World, a picture book by Katherine Paterson about the life of Jesus. Looking ahead, Levine comments, “I have a real passion for maintaining my own standards and letting that guide my publishing. I feel as though my standards are set and my mind is open. That’s a nice balance, I hope.”'

 Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey
and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys
and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer
really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.