Archive for the ‘Children's Book Publishing’ Category

My Kind of Town

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Just got back to ATL after several storytime signings for It’s a Colorful World in Chicago. One of the highlights was an adorable girl named Erin at the Geneva Commons Barnes and Noble. She was so interested in everything and excited about reading with me. It was a small turnout but it makes it all worthwhile when you meet a child who you know is going to change the world. At the Oak Brook signings I was so impressed with the Notre Dame students. There were a couple of older kids and they pitched in to help read the stories and set such a good example for the toddlers and pre-K kids who jumped around to Let’s Dance and followed the frog in It’s a Colorful World.  It was a pleasure reading to them and playing with adorable Baby Emma and the sweet grandson of my sister’s friend Joyce. Thank you all for coming!

I have to say that the storytime the next morning was one of my favorites of all time. It’s so fun when the parents and grandparents are willing to get a little silly and get into the spirit of things. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Dill and the other parents who danced across the floor and were such good sports. One little first grader helped me read the verses and she read like she was already in middle school and TUTORING first graders. She borrowed my scarf and flung it around herself very fashionably. It’s one of the pleasures of the road to meet such wonderful children and families. Thank you also to friends and family who came and to Barb Kennedy, a teacher I met at the last bookfair for Oak Brook Christian - I loved meeting your daughter.  She’s precious!  One final shoutout to the hardworking Barnes and Noble Event Managers Kimberly and Cheryl Westberg and Kimberly Luthin.  Thanks for all you do to connect people with books and authors. 

It’s always energizing to come back to my hometown of Chicago and be with family and friends.  Only one thing left to say, Go BLACKHAWKS!

It’s Brooklyn, Baby

Monday, May 24th, 2010

It has to be said. I heart Brooklyn. From the chatty cab drivers to the great restaurants to the tall brownstones and the low 2-flats boasting carefully tended cement gardens of greenery, I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Brooklyn. Who knew? I’m a midwestern girl who has lived in the South for nearly 18 years so some of the Brooklynese sounded incredibly exotic.

Most of all, I really enjoyed meeting the parents and kids, and everyone who came out to support Tatiana Nicoli at the launch of her new bookstore, Boulevard Books and Cafe. Dyker Heights is LOVING having its own gorgeous new bookstore. And I truly loved introducing our books to this family centered neighborhood. Dear Baby, It’s a Colorful World was a perfect fit for the lively and diverse Brooklyn community. Tatiana, I wish you all the best and I thank you for the honor of being part of the launch of such an important community gathering place to share a love of books and ideas.

And to anyone who thinks Independent bookstores are dead and paper books are passe: just fuhgetaboutit!

New York! New York!

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

I am honored and excited to be the first author to visit the brand new Boulevard Books and Cafe in Brooklyn. This will mark the New York debut of our new book Dear Baby, It’s a Colorful World.  Sharing this playful and joyful book  at the launch of a beautiful new family oriented bookstore is fantastic!  

I will be in New York for Book Expo and for the IBPA Publishing University just prior to the Expo.  I am asked frequently to speak on writing and publishing books.  My advice for writers is always the same.  WRITE IT DOWN.  It won’t look as brilliant as the perfect story in your head.  That’s where the real writing and editing comes in.  But writing isn’t the only craft necessary to bring books to readers.  Writers in all size presses really need to educate themselves on the business side of writing and publishing.  I highly recommend the IBPA Publishing University in just a few weeks.  www.ibpa-online.org   I went last year and it was inspiring, educational, and full of vital information that helped us launch Dear Baby Books.  It will be the best investment you will make in bringing your books to market.

Meanwhile, Back at the Blog…..

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

How do bloggers do it? I can’t believe how much time has gone by since I’ve sat down for a chat with y’all. We are busy getting ready for It’s a Colorful World to be released next month. I LOVE this book. Jason has knocked it out of the park with his quirky illustrations. I have been previewing this book on our Read and Dance Tour at book signings and schools and the kids just love it. It’s a nice companion book to Let’s Dance. We get the kids up and moving and showing all their moves and then we play “what’s that color” and “find the frog” in Colorful World. I am kind of late getting advance P.R. on this title. One of the challenges of a small press is getting materials in 3 or 4 months ahead of time. We don’t have the muscle yet with our printers to get them to do early F&G’s (unbound advance copies) without additional expense. But not to worry, we are full steam ahead now sending out books and arranging signings.

Some of you have asked for Ava stories so here is my latest. The day before Easter we continued a family tradition started with my kids. They get an empty Easter basket and go on a little scavenger hunt to fill it. Obviously since she’s only three, we made it simple. We told her to look for chewed carrots since Mr. Bunny tends to drop them where he has planted eggs. On Easter we went to brunch at the Park Tavern which is right on Piedmont Park. Then we played wiffle ball and walked around and fed the ducks. A wonderful beautiful day. My favorite moment was when Ava snuggled into me and said, “Grandma, you make my heart super happy.”

Back at you honey, a million times over.

Ready to Dance!

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  We are just weeks away from the debut of Dear Baby, Let’s Dance! and I can’t wait to share this book with everyone. It is a great read-aloud and kids love to get in on the action showing all their dance moves. For some reason they think the Grandma and Grandpa spread is really funny. Go figure. I read the book to Ms. Mandy Newport’s first grade class at River Eve’s Elementary School in Roswell GA and the kids were so fun. They were up on their feet and dancing. When I finished one little boy asked, “What else you got?!!”

I loved how Ms. Newport disciplined the kids. She took care to find a child who was following directions and would say, “I like how John is sitting quietly with his back pack ready to go.” “I see Julie is sitting in her seat and raising her hand to ask a question.”

It was such a smart tactic and effective. It had the kids vying for her attention with positive behavior. I am currently scheduling author visits in Atlanta, Birmingham AL, Chattanooga, TN and Chicago so if you are interested in booking a visit, email me at carolcasey@dearbabybooks.com. I don’t want to be immodest but my author visits now come with a magic wand that makes that tinkly happy sound.   : )  I got it for Christmas from my daughter.

Dear Santa,

Friday, December 18th, 2009

I’ve had a couple moments in the last few weeks that let me know we are on the right path. We were put on a recommended books list on buybooksfortheholidays.com.  Books a million ordered a couple hundred copies of our first book Dear Baby, What I love about you! and our 2nd book Dear Baby, Let’s Dance! that is being released February 1st. Thank you to the BAM folks and to National Book Network ace rep Janet Fairchild. We’ve also been getting some wonderful mail and mommy blogger reviews. Updates on all of this can be found on the home page.  And for my big news….. Dear Baby, What I love about you! has been quoted in an important letter to Santa.

Our daughter-in-law Leah called to let me know that she and Ava were “writing” a letter to Santa. Ava would tell her what to put in the letter and on her wish list and as they were finishing up, Ava had one last thing to add. “Tell Santa he’s my one of a kind wonderful adorable YOU!” I can’t imagine having one of my books quoted will ever make me feel quite this good again.

Grandma and Grandpa’s Excellent Adventure with Ava — Day’s 2 and 3

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Oh dear. I’ve been demoted. After spending Saturday night with Aunt Erin and Uncle Nathan. Nathan is now Ava’s new best friend. Also, Mama’s friend Dawn is her best friend. I must have looked at her like, “WHAT???!!” because she looked at me kindly and said, “No. GRANDMA is Ava’s best friend.” Oh the fickle hearts of two year-olds.

We’ve had our first fight. It involved not shoving open and closed the drawer on Grandma’s end table. She used her best fake cry and ran into Grandpa’s arms.

Speaking of Grandpa. God bless him. I was up at 6:30 Saturday morning with Ava and at 8:30 he took her for a long walk and I got to get a few more hours of sleep.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for brushing or combing snarled hair? Just the mention of a brush sends Ava into hysterics. It’s traumatizing for both of us.

Well, my pink dressed partner in crime and I are off for a walk to Starbucks. Oh!! I buried the lead. The first box of advance copies of Dear Baby, Let’s Dance! arrived about an hour ago. How great that Ava was here for the arrival. We read it together. She already has most of the book memorized from looking at the early versions. THIS IS AVA’s FAVORITE BOOK, she says. For now….. : )