This Is Not A Sleepy Bear Book by Brian Gehrlein Looking for a humorous picture book for the kiddos? Brian Gehrlein's done it again. Coming Nov. 11, 2025, This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book will keep kids entertained, day and night. I love the humorous interactions between the main characters, Owl and Bear. Jennifer Harney's illustrations paint a playful contract between a chaotic and quiet environment. This humorous picture book is pure fun. Kids will beg you to read it night after night. The classic "bear hibernation" story is turned on its head in this hilarious read-aloud full of surprises, perfect for a cozy winter read and story time year-round! This was supposed to be a sleepy … [Read more...]
Write KidLit? You Need #PBCritiqueFest!
October 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Hey Kitlit Authors and Illustrators! Are you a Kidlit Author or Illustrator? Have you heard of #PBCritiqueFest? Check it out! Amazing prizes! This massive one-time critique giveaway will give 32 kidlit creators an opportunity to have their work critiqued by published authors, illustrators, and literary agents. Go to https://www.pbspotlight.com HURRY AND JOIN NOW! The good news is, if you're familiar with #PBCritiqueFest, this year will mostly feel very similar to the previous three years. If you're new to the festival, winners are selected randomly, raffle-style, but you can increase your odds by earning additional entries when you help promote the festival and participants' books. … [Read more...]
Tracy Beckerman Interview – Barking at the Moon
January 18, 2022 By 6 Comments
I’m so excited to share my author interview with Tracy Beckerman on her latest humorous book, Barking at the Moon. Prepare to fall in love with Riley, her incredibly loveable pup and her very relatable family. Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you get the first time a new puppy moves in? A tail-wagging-face-licking-bundle-of-joy makes us happy. Did you know that 93% of folks believe our canine friends make us better people? Who else makes you feel loved from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep? During the pandemic, our sweet Stanley, a 20-lb white furball, kept me company. A friend to snuggle with and help with the loneliness during quarantine. He followed me everywhere, … [Read more...]
6 Simple Lessons Learned From 2021
January 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Are there simple lessons learned from 2021? You betcha! I believe that before you can look forward, you need to examine the past. And strange as it may sound, the pandemic has delivered certain blessings as well. Practice Patience As COVID-19 continues to spread, and more people remain at home, frustration mounts as we navigate our new normal. Focus on the things you can control. #1 Lesson Learned from 2021...practice patience. Visit family via Zoom and FaceTime. Yoga and meditation can reduce stress. Accept and endure the circumstances. I believe that a trusting attitude and a patient attitude go hand in hand. You see, when you let go and learn to trust God, it releases joy … [Read more...]
Storytelling Show Celebrates One Year
March 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Shelter in place leads to stories on stage. Storytelling show co-produced by Pleasanton mom celebrates one year. Join us Monday, March 29th at 6:00pm as Six Feet Apart Productions celebrates their first anniversary with a free show, live streamed on YouTube. The show will have interviews with some of the year’s storytellers, highlights from shows and, of course, stories. Access this free show by going to www.sfapshows.com and clicking on the cake. The show is free but attendees are asked to register in order to be sent the YouTube link. Storytelling Co-Producers Pleasanton’s own Regina Stoops, along with Claire Hennessy of Novato, started Six Feet Apart Productions (SFAP), an online … [Read more...]
Covid Vaccine Game Hunters – Who Will Win?
March 10, 2021 By 2 Comments
Good news. There are three vaccines available, Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine or the two-dose series made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Bad news. Who do you have to know to get the shot? At 56, I was prepared to wait…and wait…and wait. With a population of 39.5M, California is the most populated state in the nation. Heck, if it was a country it’d be the 11th largest. I get it, distribution was going to a nightmare. But what about my 76-year-old, high risk mother in Missouri? Why can’t I get her signed up?!! I’ve subscribed her to over seven websites. Made twenty phone calls. Sent text message galore. I’ve become obsessed trying to get her the vaccine from long … [Read more...]
Somebody Feed Joan – One Mom’s Food Talk
February 12, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Before the pandemic, my mother and I talked about the latest literary books, my daughter’s upcoming nuptials and the health of various relatives. But lately, our conversations are mainly Food Talk. We speak on the phone or FaceTime daily. Conversations run from five minutes to an hour. But through it all, the core of our conversation is food talk. Lunch Food Talk I think I’m going to go mad. If I call in the afternoon, I imagine her sitting on the living room recliner, frantically searching for the portable phone. It’s time to talk about lunch. Here’s a little sample. “Hi mom. How are you doing?” “I’m fine,” she says. “Did you eat yet?” “Yep.” “What’d you … [Read more...]
A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – Procrastination? Perfectionism? What?
January 25, 2021 By 1 Comment
Every so often, you stumble across a story, saying, or joke that perfectly sums up your feelings at that moment. For me, I was fortunate to open an email from Howard VanEs, President of Let’s Write Books, Inc. I felt like he read my mind. Like Howard, I’ve experienced setbacks due to procrastination, perfectionism, and lack of confidence sharing my work. He granted me permission to reprint his email. I bet you’ll uncover some of your writing obstacles as well. A True Publishing Story (Names have been omitted to protect the innocent!) by Howard VanEs, President of Let's Write Books, Inc. It took me ten years, two months and seventy-two days to write and publish my first book, but with … [Read more...]
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