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Oh, Boy! We’re back with Vivian Zabel!

I want to start out by letting you know that I had a choice between an article, Writing for Children, by Vivian, or this interview. Well, having an author/publisher on hand, I just couldn't pass up the interview.

So, today, we have 7 questions about life, writing and publishing that Vivian candidly and generously answers. For those readers out there who may be suffering with debilitating and chronic illnesses, and for women in general, Vivian is a source of inspiration. With determination and effort we can accomplish amazing things. Okay, you men, don’t feel left out, that goes for you too!

Now on to the Interview:

1. I was surprised to read in one of your interviews that you have a serious illness. I know the affects of dealing with an ongoing health problem; it slows you down to say the least. How do you manage running a publishing business, and what’s the most difficult thing?

Some days are more difficult than others, especially when I’m having trouble sleeping. Then I’m not only in pain but am extremely tired. However, I’m also extremely determined.

2. Were you ill when you started 4RV Publishing? If so, what made you decide to take on such an undertaking?

I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus since I was quite young. I decided that I would have as full a life as possible any way, for as long as possible.

3. What do you think about authors who self-publish?

Authors who are self-published are hurting themselves in a way, because self-publication has a bad reputation. Yes, some good, well-written books are self-published, but the problem is that too many poorly written, full of errors books are self-published all the time.

I don’t have an answer, either. However due to the fact that authors don’t have many options when the major publishers go mainly for already-famous people as authors, whether they can write or not, 4RV tries to fill the gap between self-publishing and vainly presses and the “big boys.”

I wish we had the funds to put out more of the good manuscripts submitted.

4. What advice would you give to a writer who is about to self-publish?

Oh, my, that’s a rough question. Any writer about to self-publish needs to be sure
1. the book is extremely well-written
2. the book has been professionally edited at least twice
3. a good marketing plan is in place


5. What’s the most important tip you could give a writer who is just starting out?

First, know how to write, including knowing correct grammar and mechanics, and be willing to continue to learn.

6. Do you think that some writers are just not cut out for writing for children, or do you think anyone can learn the craft?

I don’t think everyone can learn to be a good writer, but all can learn to be better writers. Writing for children does take a special talent and desire, though.

7. What are some of the writing tools (books, courses, etc.) that you’ve found helpful, or that you think would be helpful to others who are just starting out or want to hone their craft?

All through the nearly thirty years I taught writing, I attended workshops, clinics, and classes to improve my writing. I still attend writing conferences and classes. One is the Muse Online Writers Conference, an intense week of working on writing at my computer (http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com). Another is the yearly OWFI (Oklahoma Writers Federation – http://owfi.org) writing conference with sessions to help authors.

I read and learn from writing magazines, such as The Writer and Writers’ Digest.

Thank you, Vivian.

Wow, what wonderful insight from an accomplished author and publisher. I’m sure this advice will be a huge help to our readers, especially those starting out and those headed for the self-publishing road. Thank you so much, Vivian, for being our guest this tour.

Here are Vivian’s links for you to learn more:

To get a copy of Prairie Dog Cowboy:
http://tinyurl.com/5s4uqw
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

You can also find it at local book stores and Barnes & Noble.com

Website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com

Blogs:
http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com (Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap)
http://vzabel.multiply.com (Vivian’s Site)
http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com (Vivian’s Mysteries)

Thank you, Vivian, for being our guest this tour; it's been an honor to have you here!

Well, that's it for this month's VBT - Writers on the Move tour. If you're a writer/author and would like to learn more about our cross-promotional group, you can email me at: [email protected].

Also, you can still be the winner of our Mystery Site Giveaway. Stop by the members' sites and leave a comment. A list of our members is on the right sidebar here, or you can visit the VBT - Writers on the Move blogsite for the list.

Talk to you soon,
Karen

It's VBT - Writers on the Move's September tour and it gives me great pleasure to present Vivian Gilbert Zabel. Vivian will be my guest today, and again on Thursday, September 3rd. Just as a note, Vivian also goes by V. Gilbert Zabel. Today, we’ll learn a little about Vivian with a short bio and we’ll also take a peek at one of her juvenile books, Prairie Dog Cowboy.

As with most women raising a family and working, Vivian put her writing careen in slow gear until she retired. Then, after almost thirty years of teaching, she devoted her time to writing. It seems this is the trend of women in today’s society; one career ends and another is picked up. Ah, the power of us women! But, this is even more of an accomplishment for someone suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus. To steadily move forward while handling serious chronic illnesses is quite an achievement since at times just living with a chronic illness can be a full time job. Well, Vivian is not only a published author of short stories, poems, and novels, she also created and runs 4RV Publishing. Vivian is certainly a testament to determination, perseverance and strength.

Vivian has three juvenile books and one mystery/suspense (with a touch of thriller) novel under her belt and today we’ll take a look at one of the juvenile books: Prairie Dog Cowboy. Just the name alone sounds great; it makes you want to shout: Giddy Up! Here’s an impressive review:

Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel

Time passes so quickly and history is getting rewritten all the time. So much of our heritage is lost with those changes. It is refreshing to see a slice of reality portraying the daily life of 1899 Oklahoma in V. Gilbert Zabel's latest literary work, "Prairie Dog Cowboy".

Buddy Roberts is but a small boy at the start of the story. It isn’t clear right away why his mother is set against the child. Although he has an older brother, he's tending to the cattle at the age of five, all alone with only his dog to keep him company. Buddy is a mindful child, doing what needs to be done, even at such a young age, hoping some day to grow up to be a cowboy. Instead of him and Patch doing the work on foot, he dreams of herding cattle on horseback someday.

Neighbor rancher Caleb Hyman is impressed with Buddy. He wonders, too, why the child works hard while his older brother, Jake, is doted on and spoiled. But, Caleb can see the man that Buddy will become, encourages him, and teaches him to rope. Once Buddy can rope a prairie dog, Caleb promises he'll give the boy a job on his ranch. Not an easy thing to do, but Buddy works hard to reach his appointed goal.

Through the years, Buddy becomes a part of Caleb's family, a friend of Caleb's twin sons, and the unknowing object of affection for their younger sister, Katie. Life begins to take a turn for the better as he approaches manhood.

"Prairie Dog Cowboy" is a testament of a time when life was hard, but people weren't afraid of hard work. The day-to-day occurrences represented are an accurate telling of the time, history that should not be lost. Teens and young adults can learn much from this story and I, for one, am thankful that Ms. Zabel has documented this slice of American history.

Reviewed by Jena' Galifany
Author, Editor, Reviewer
http://jenagalifany.bravehost.com

I love juvenile books that weave accurate history into their stories; it’s such a great way for children to learn without realizing they’re actually learning. And, as the reviewer, Jena Galifany, mentions, it’s a wonderful means of preserving our history.

Be sure to check the links below to get your own copy of Prairie Dog Cowboy today:
http://tinyurl.com/5s4uqw
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

You can also find it at local book stores and Barnes & Noble.com

To learn more about Vivian Zabel and her books you can visit:

Website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com

Blogs:
http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com (Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap)
http://vzabel.multiply.com (Vivian’s Site)
http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com (Vivian’s Mysteries)

Please be sure to stop by on Thursday, September 3rd, we'll have an interesting interview with Vivian Zabel.

Oh, and don't forget, VBT - Writers on the Move has a monthly Mystery Site. By leaving a comment on the members' sites during the tours, you may be the winner of a wonderful book or a guest spot on the VBT - Writers on the Move blogsite.

Talk to you soon,
Karen

We're back with Elysabeth Eldering. Today we have a few questions for Elysabeth:

1. What is your favorite book and why?

I don't really have a favorite book because I read so many different types of things. Used to be my favorite author was VS Andrews but when I found out she had passed away and everything was being ghost written, I lost interest.

2. Were you always interested in Geography?
Not really. My father moved us around a good bit due to being in the military but geography really didn't hit me until I did my first story and made the destination the mystery. I decided to do that with each state, make that the unknown and find info I could use as clues to the state.

3. If you could live anywhere in the U.S.A, what state would you choose? That's pretty easy, Hawaii. Funny thing is my father was always stationed around the east coast and some overseas, but after he retired, my parents dis a bit of traveling; they went to Nevada and Hawaii and Missouri, none of which I have visited yet.

4. If it were anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?

I used to say Australia but now I'm not really sure. I'd like to travel and see some places I've only heard of before making my decision.

5. What's the most interesting item you've received from a state while gathering research for the books?

The only items I've received so far have been a few state pins, pencils, and some stickers and bookmarks. I have attempted to get items to use as giveaways for book signings and school visits and stuff like that but only eight states responded the first go round. I figure by time I get more books out, I'll have to hit them up again for items. Nothing really interesting yet other than the "embroidered" chick or hen applique sticker from Delaware.

6. What's the most interesting characteristic of a particular state you learned about while researching the books?

So far I've only really read my research information on about 3-4 states. I think what does interest me is how the states are small in the east and then so vast in the west - and yet if you think about the geography of all the states, there are many things that are similar. The western states you think would be flat, actually have mountains and snow and experience cold or sometimes colder weather than states you would expect to experience these things. It seems that most states have lots of lakes, lots of nature trails, waterfalls, canyons, and other similarities; yet they are still so different in that the mountain ranges in the smaller states obviously cover small amounts of space and the ones in the states out west can cover many acres or miles.

Please be sure to stop by Elysabeth's site and get your copy of State of Wilderness.

Product Details:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 100 pages
Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC
(July 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979751357
ISBN-13: 978-0979751356
Product Dimensions:
8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces

To learn more about the Junior Geography Detective Squad, visit http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com. Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can be informed of the series and events going on around the different states

You can also contact the author at [email protected]
Related website: http://4rvpublishingllc.com

Elysabeth, it's been fun hosting you this week. I look forward to seeing all 50 of the Junion Geography Detective Squad books in print. I'm sure they'll be a great learning tool for middle graders.

Karen

Here's the February 01 schedule.

Several 4RV Pubishing authors are involved: Elysabeth Eldering, Lea Schizas, Crystalee Calderwood, Ransom Noble, and Vivian Zabel.

Just click on the Hosts' name and it will bring you directly to the site.

Deborah Ramos is hosting Sally Murphy

Dianne Sagan is hosting Margaret Fieland

Harry Gilleland is hosting Pam Devor

Karen Cioffi is hosting Elysabeth Eldering

Kathy Stemke is hosting Joyce Anthony

Lea Schizas is hosting Crystalee Calderwood

Nancy Famalari is hosting Deborah Ramos

Suzanne Lieurance is hosting Dianne Sagan

Vivian Zabel is hosting Harry Gilleland

Dehanna Bailee is hosting Karen Cioffi

Margaret Fieland is hosting Kathy Stemke

Ransom Noble is hosting Lea Schizas

Crystalee Calderwood is hosting Nancy Famalari

Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Suzanne Lieurance

Joyce Anthony is hosting Vivian Zabel

Sally Murphy is hosting Ransom Noble

Pam Devor is hosting Dehanna Bailee

Be sure to drop by and visit with these talented authors.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Hi, Crystalee. Thanks for stopping by again. Last post we learned a little about you and your wonderful children's book Angeline Jellybean. Now how about answering a few questions for us.

1. What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing my thesis for my MFA in Creative Writing. It is a full-length YA novel written entirely in poetry. I also have a couple of picture book ideas that I have been working on for some time now.

2. What is a typical writing day like?

I don't have a "typical" writing day. I'm not one of those people who get up at 5AM every morning to write. I do write a lot, but I tend to get it in during quiet moments during the day, before or after work and class. Some days I write next to nothing, some days I may write a whole picture book. It just depends on what is going on in my life at the time.

3. What made you choose to write children's books?

I was a young poet starting my MFA at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. when I took my first class on writing for children. I had never had any experience writing for children before, but I fell in love with the genre. A year later, I took my second class, a class on writing picture books. After that, I never looked back. I picked up Children's Writing as a dual emphasis in addition to the poetry track.

4. What advise would you give to a children's writer just starting out?

Read, read, read! How are you going to know what's out there for children unless you read the books? Figure out what you like and dislike, which styles, genres and age levels you like to read. You will probably want to experiment writing in these areas as well. Also, I can't stress enough the importance of interacting with children. I have found that reading with children is the best way to get into their worlds, learn their likes and dislikes, and therefore write books that they are going to
enjoy.

And for everyone interested, you can pick up your copy of Angeline Jellybean at: http://www.amazon.com/ and www.4rvpublishingllc.com

You can also visit Crystalee at:
http://www.crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com/, http://www.crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com/

If you'd like to email Crystalee her address is: [email protected]

Thanks so much Cyrstalee for sharing with us. And, have fun finishing your thesis.

Stay tuned for Virtual Book Tours next tour scheduled for December 15th. They'll be much more with a number of very talented authors/writers.

See you in blogland,

Karen Cioffi

As part of Virtual Book Tours second tour it is my pleasure to host children’s author, Crystalee Calderwood.

Ms. Calderwood is the author of Angeline Jellybean. This born poet turned children’s writer is a small town girl who moved to the big city. Crystalee moved from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Pittsburgh when she was twenty-two years old to attend the MFA in Creative Writing program at Chatham University. There she took her first class in writing for children and adolescents, and she's never looked back. As a member of Literacy AmeriCorps Pittsburgh, Crystalee has had the pleasure of interacting with children in the community through the non-profit organization, Beginning with Books. She introduces children to great books in hopes that they fall in love with them the way she has. Crystalee currently teaches computer skills to adults.

ANGELINE JELLYBEAN by Crystalee Calderwood

What child hasn’t gone through a period when he or she latches onto a particular food and that’s all he/she wants to eat. Well, Angeline Jellybean by Crystalee Calderwood is a wonderful and fun book that deals with just a situation.

Angeline wants to eat nothing but jellybeans. Year round, from Easter to Christmas, she asks for her favorite treat. But a strange event teaches Angeline that there's such a thing as too much of a good thing! With colorful, delightful illustrations by Stephen Macquignon, Angeline is sure to win over hearts of young picky eaters everywhere.

Pick up your copy of Angeline Jellybean at: http://www.amazon.com/ and www.4rvpublishingllc.com

You can also visit Crystalee at:
http://www.crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com/ http://www.crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com/

You can email Crystalee at: [email protected]

Please don’t forget to come back December 4th for more with Crystalee Calderwood.

If you’d like to join our touring group, please go to Yahoo Groups: Virtual Book Tours.