Archive for May, 2010

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.