Stop & Think

By Linda Bartosik

Nov

15

Last night, at our Cape Cod Writers Center Writers Night Out in Hyannis, my dear friend, Christine Merser, was our guest speaker. Christine, owner of Blue Shoe Strategies marketing and the blog at Freesia Lane.com, gave a wonderful presentation on how writers can effectively use social media to get their work in front of your eyes.

The first medium she spoke about was Facebook. One of her first slides cautioned us to stop and think. She went on to say that sometimes we need to “think out of the box” and gave us great examples of people who have done that and how it can relate to writers. I pushed the pause button back at “stop and think”. That small sentence stuck with me and pelted my brain as I drove home. It again entered my mind during yoga this morning. (In fact, I was so lost in thought about that little sentence, that I barely knew I took a yoga class today – I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but that’s another blog.)

Anyway, “stop and think” is the most disregarded and taken for granted tiny sentence. It’s an old cliche and I feel it’s been relegated to the back of the closet, until my friend brought it out last night and held it under the light to be examined. When she said, “When deciding how to market your work, the first thing you have to do is stop and think. Why did you write your book? Who is going to be interested in reading your book?”, lights in my brain began a slow blink.

That’s where I got stuck thinking about that little sentence. How much easier life would be if we applied that to everything we do in our lives. For example:

If you are signing up for yoga:
Why do I want to do yoga?
How it is going to benefit me?
Exactly what do I hope to gain from yoga?

How much better to approach a new activity if we have some goal in mind, some “reason for doing”, other than my friend said I should. Stopping and thinking before plunging into the next new thing provides a sort of clarity that may help us get through any difficulties that are inevitably going to arise in any new endeavor. When we hit a roadblock, or come to a fork in the road, having that goal preset will help us to decide what to do, instead of just sliding our back down the wall and slumping to the floor, thinking why did I ever think I could do this?

In my writing journey, which began three years ago, I flipped and floundered and questioned over and over why I ever thought I could do this. When the whole first year went by, without me ever writing a single word, I know now that if I had my reasons and goals preset, working my way out of that would have been a lot easier. Once I stopped to decide just what is it that I want to write and why do I want to write it, the last two years on this journey unfolded a lot easier. Despite the bumps, roadblocks, and forks in the road, at least I knew what I was trying to do and why I was trying to do it.

I found my voice in writing picture books that will help young children deal with family and social concepts they encounter in their young lives. Books that will inspire them to figure things out, deal with people, and believe they can achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. With that clear vision in mind, and the desire to continue helping children through education, I faced the odds of getting published without fear. Though the odds of me winning the lottery are better than me getting published (and if we remember my blog about what God shared about me ever winning the lottery, well..you get the picture), I face those odds and continue to do what it is I know I must do, as clearly delineated in my goals.

And now, for those of you who have walked this writing journey with me through this blog, I am proud to announce that very early this morning I hit the send button and sent my first query letter to a publisher. And that, just pushing that send button, was my goal. All the way through the writing of the book, researching the publishers, educating myself in the writing of the query, getting my work critiqued, the endless rewriting, – in front of me was the picture of my finger pushing that send button. The hours, the disappointments, the hitting of walls, the “I can’t do this” moments, were all conquered much easier with that goal clearly in front of me. I must admit, many times it was the real reason for not quitting.

Notice I didn’t set a goal of getting published. That is a thing I have no control over, even though I did my homework and followed every guideline to the letter. My clear goal was something I could absolutely, positively do, as long I did my due diligence.

If you take anything away from this blog today, take that. Whether it be health, fitness, nutrition, career, education, relationships – whatever it is you’re embarking upon – set a clear goal that you can absolutely reach, by just pausing before beginning your journey to “stop and think”.

And so, as another day goes by, I think a box of pumpkin K cups is a just reward for pushing that send button (did I mention I was obsessed with DD pumpkin coffee and I’m panicking that it will soon be gone?), today marks a milestone in my fledgling writing career, and…… I have written.

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Field Trip!

By Linda Bartosik

Jun

1

I’m beginning to feel, for the first time, that writing is my “job” now. I have set hours and lists of things to do. It’s a wonderful feeling to finally have this direction. Today I spent my first hour finishing researching all the publishing houses in the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market book. Then, since it was a gorgeous cape afternoon, I decided to take myself on a field trip (artist date) and walk down to Titcomb’s Bookshop on 6A.

I spent my last two hours reading picture books and noting publishers. The exciting part was every book I found similar to mine, was published by one of three publishers, but the best thing was that due to my research, I actually remembered and recognized their names, where three days ago I wouldn’t have had a clue. I couldn’t wait to get back home and look them up and see if they were ones I had highlighted in the CWIM book.

On my walk back home I was reminded about something I read in that book:

“So you’ve written a book. And now you want an agent. If you’re new to publishing you probably assume that the next step is to send your finished, fabulous book out to agents, right? Wrong. Agents don’t want your finished, fabulous book. In fact, they probably don’t even want part of your finished, fabulous book – at least not yet. First they want your query.”
~Kara Gebhart Uhl

Today, after my field trip, I’m beginning to see why each author has to go through the process of researching the houses and figuring out how to write a good query letter. My own book is a product of my personality. My research and education on queries and publishing houses is going to reflect my book. My query letter, when I finally do write one, is going to be very personal to my work, as well as tailored to each publisher I choose to send it to. No one can do this for me. I have to go through the research process. No one can write my query letters. I am the one responsible for making a publisher feel I’m offering “a project that has a unique bent to it – be it subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique” as stated by Chronicle Books in the CWIM. No one can do that for me.

I feel safe and secure in this journey because I have a wonderful support team in my colleagues on this site. They are all seasoned, published wonderful writers. (Please click on “Our Website” on the right, then go up to Meet Us on the toolbar and check out their bios.)
Though I know I have to be the one to do the work and put in the time, I also know they are there to ask for help when I hit the bumps in the road that I know for certain are there.

I always knew writing was a very personal process, but I never dreamed the “getting published” part was just as personal.

And so, as another day goes by, field trips are a fun part of this job, I love and appreciate my fellow writers on this site for showing me a writer’s journey is not a lonely one, and…I have written.

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NYT 10 BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOKS

By Joan Walsh

Nov

6

The New York Times Book Review has announced its list of the 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2011. Artwork from this year’s winners will appear in the special Children’s Book section of the Book Review’s Nov. 13 issue.

The books listed in alphabetical order, are: “Along a Long Road,” written and illustrated by Frank Viva (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers); “A Ball for Daisy,” written and illustrated by Chris Raschka (Schwartz & Wade); “Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures,” written by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Pamela Dalton (Chronicle Books); “Grandpa Green,” written and illustrated by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press); “Ice,” written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert (Enchanted Lion Books); “I Want My Hat Back,” written and illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press); “Me … Jane,” written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers); “Migrant,” written by Maxine Trottier, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (Groundwood Books); “A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis,” written by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial); and “A New Year’s Reunion,” written by Yu Li-Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang (Candlewick Press).

 Joan

 

Even Dr Seuss Got Rejected!

By Mary Grabowski

Mar

5

Well, this week was the anniversary of Dr Seuss’ birthday.  He would have been 107 on March 2nd.  For my high school graduation I was given the popular Oh! The Places You Will Go!  I strangley took the words to heart and find my life in a constant exploration of the world around me and it meaning and how it all fits together.   The Dr. may say that the purpose of it is all nonsense and I guess that makes sense as well.

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…. “
Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

From his website, http://www.catinthehat.org/history.htm

“While Ted was continuing to contribute to Life, Vanity Fair, Judge and other magazines, Viking Press offered him a contract to illustrate a collection of children’s sayings called Boners. Although the book was not a commercial success, the illustrations received great reviews, providing Ted with his first “big break” into children’s literature. Getting the first book that he both wrote and illustrated, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, published, however, required a great degree of persistence – it was rejected 27 times before being published by Vanguard Press.

The Cat in the Hat, perhaps the defining book of Ted’s career, developed as part of a unique joint venture between Houghton Mifflin (Vanguard Press) and Random House. Houghton Mifflin asked Ted to write and illustrate a children’s primer using only 225 “new-reader” vocabulary words. Because he was under contract to Random House, Random House obtained the trade publication rights, and Houghton Mifflin kept the school rights. With the release of The Cat in the Hat, Ted became the definitive children’s book author and illustrator.”

“At the time of his death on September 24, 1991, Ted had written and illustrated 44 children’s books, including such all-time favorites as Green Eggs and Ham, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Fox in Socks, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. His books had been translated into more than 15 languages. Over 200 million copies had found their way into homes and hearts around the world.”

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”
Dr. Seuss

HOW TO RESEARCH AN EDITOR: Molly O’Neill

By Karen Centofanti

Sep

17

One of the many benefits of attending the New England SCBWI conference is that attendees are allowed to submit their revised manuscripts to the editors and agents who were at the conference.

Before submitting a manuscript, however, spend time researching the agents and editors. Google their names, go to their websites, read their blogs, or any interview in which they participated. Find out what they’re looking for and what books they’ve edited or agented.

One of the editors I researched was Molly O’Neill, Assistant Editor at Katherine Tegen Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books. She will accept unsolicited picture book manuscripts from conference attendees between June 15 and December 1, 2010. I intend to send Molly TIME OUT FOR GABE, my revised picture book story.

Molly has travelled extensively in the U.S. and Canada. She has been involved in youth ministry and looks for inspiring books about forming and building relationships, and seeing the deeper meaning in things.

She has worked on THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary Schmidt, THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice, and she has worked with authors Anne Hoppe and Patricia MacLachlan.

Molly O’Neill is also looking for middle grade (MG) with vivid voice and inventive storytelling; young adult (YA)—a good romance; and stories with a ballet/theater/or other artsy backstage setting; and anything with orphans.

Some of her favorite books are BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL by Robert McCloskey; THAT RABBIT BELONGS TO EMILY BROWN by Cressida Cowell and illustrated by Neal Layton; DIARY OF A WOMBAT by Jackie French; LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY by Gary Schmidt;  A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly; and I HAD SEEN CASTLES by Cynthia Rylant. The last three books listed Molly says she re-reads every year.

At our last critique group meeting, I read aloud THAT RABBIT BELONGS TO EMILY BROWN and everyone loved it. DIARY OF A WOMBAT received less enthusiastic reviews, and I discovered it makes a much funnier read-to-yourself book than a read aloud. Its humor seems geared more to adults or older children. My four-year-old grandson did not laugh when I read it to him. He loved THAT RABBIT BELONGS TO EMILY BROWN, however.

I have just finished listening to A NORTHERN LIGHT, based on the true story of 19-year-old Grace Brown, who was pregnant and drowned by her lover in Big Moose Lake in 1906. It’s a beautifully written historical account of life in the Adirondacks a hundred years ago, as the main characters deal with loss, poverty, racism and pregnancy.

Last year, one of my favorite books to listen to was THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary Schmidt. Now I’m listening to Gary’s LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY, which I’m also enjoying.

By reading some of Molly O’Neill’s favorite books, I feel as if I know her better. I get her sense of humor, and love the books she loves.

Maybe she’ll like a manuscript I submit to her now or in the future. I know I’d really enjoy working with her.

Keep writing, reading, researching and

Believe!

Karen Centofanti

Meet Jim Hill

By Mary Grabowski

Jun

19

I thought it may be fun to interview some people trying to make it in the publishing world.  Hopefully I’ll get some people who are successful and will share with us their wonderous  secrets. 
 
So, up first is Jim Hill.  He has a heavy traffic blog at www.Heyjimhill.com.  Jim is an amazing artist and writer.  He creates characters with a presuming innocence while their lives are in an uproar. 
 
Have you been published?
No. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I haven’t even submitted anything. Yet. Check back soon.
 
What are you working on now?
I have two picture books in the works and a middle-grade novel. I usually try to write funny stories, but one of the picture books is about mourning the loss of a loved one. It just popped out of me and has become the story that most-wants-to-be-written. By that I mean it’s the one that nags at me the most and demands my attention.

Plenty of hijinks in the other two though. I won’t become a maudlin fellow.

 
Who is your favorite children’s book character and why?
Max from “Where the Wild Things Are”.  My sister gave me that book when I was five or six. It was the first book that was mine alone, not a hand-me-down or library book. I also relate to Max’s need to get wild, but ultimately come home and be safe. 
Close runner-ups are Bilbo Baggins and Peter Parker (although technically he’s not a children’s book character).
 
What do you think is the most important thing to know in the writing/publishing industry?
Other writers. Working alone only gets you so far. You need other writers to read your work and give you honest criticism so you can make your work the best it can be.
 
Where is your favorite patch of sand and what do you love about it? 
My favorite is Long Beach in Centerville. It’s a “residents only” beach with two tiny parking lots, no lifeguards, no beach house, no amenities. Pack smartly! It’s a bit tougher with a toddler but it can be done. Backpack with snacks, icepacks, water and books. Towels over the shoulder, beach blanket under the arm, diaper bag. Isaac carries his bucket and toys. If you can’t carry it, you can’t have it. It builds character. For all of us.
As a bonus, Four Seas Ice Cream is on the way home. Nothing clears the salty beach taste out better than your favorite ice cream.

NESCBWI Conference, May 2010, Part 3

By Karen Centofanti

Jun

11

Allyn Johnston is Vice President and Publisher of Beach Lane Books, a small imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. She and her assistant, Andrea Welch, work out of a small, artsy studio one block from the beach in La Jolla, California.

Allyn would be the dream editor and publisher to work with. Her vision for how a picture book should be laid out for page turns, great beginnings and satisfying endings is a gift. By changing a few words at the end of a picture book, she can make a good book great.

Here are some of Allyn’s tips for writing great picture books:
• There needs to be an emotional connection.
• The final line should be unexpected.
• The final line should evoke an image that gives the reader chills.
• The ending is often where a book falls flat. Example: In Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, the ending line was “Just like you!” By changing it to “Just as they are,” it allowed the artist (Marla Frazee), to draw a funny, unexpected picture for a great, satisfying ending.
• Other books Allyn mentioned with completely satisfying endings: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert; and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox.
• Endings should disarm us: funny to sad, serious to funny.
• It’s all about pacing at the end.
• Brilliant line in Kevin Henkes’ Kitten’s First Full Moon: “And she wanted it.”
• Unexpectedness in writing is needed throughout, but especially at the end.
• The best picture books are very brief to allow room for the illustrator.
• Dialog can’t be illustrated. It must advance the plot or cut it.

My next and last blog about the NESCBWI conference will cover the advice from picture book author Sudipta Bardham-Quallen.

In addition, I still owe a blog about my adorable granddaughter, Alessia, the inspiration for my story in rhyme, Dance, Sophie, Dance!

Please bear with me, as I may occasionally need to write about other topics to lessen the burden on my heart. My mother is facing a very difficult revision surgery on one of her 24-year-old artificial hips. The right hip has fallen apart, and the left one is right behind it. Surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, June 17, 2010, providing Mom doesn’t have any infection in that hip or cardiac issues. Say a prayer for Dorothy, if you are so inclined.

Thanks.

Karen Centofanti

NESCBI Conference, May 2010, Part 2

By Karen Centofanti

May

27

NESCBWI Conference, May 2010, Part 2

My first introduction to author-illustrator Marla Frazee was in August 2008. I took a weeklong course, “Fiction for Children,” taught by Sara Pennypacker at the Cape Cod Writers’ Conference. Sara is the author of the NY Times bestselling Clementine series, illustrated by Marla.

Sara told us she was thrilled to learn that Marla had agreed to illustrate Clementine, and was in awe of the finished product. What a winning combination: Sara’s hilarious, engaging prose and Marla’s perfect interpretive illustrations!

Marla Frazee lives in California. To hear her Keynote address and take a workshop with her was an amazing opportunity. She had a PowerPoint presentation that included many of her illustrations.

For Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine book, Marla read the text through to get the overall flavor of the story and didn’t take any notes. The second time through, she took copious notes, looking for the moments when visual pause was needed to reinforce emotional moments. This is her process for the books she illustrates. Marla spends about one year on each book.

In addition to the Clementine books, Marla Frazee has illustrated:
• The Seven Silly Eaters, by Mary Anne Hoberman
• Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox
• Mrs. Biddlebox, by Linda Smith
• All the World, by Liz Scanlon
• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers

Books Marla has written and illustrated include:
• A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever!
• Walk On
• Roller Coaster

Marla told her rapt audience that 39-year-old Linda Smith, mother of eight, wrote Mrs. Biddlebox while she was having chemotherapy for breast cancer and feeling horrible. Unfortunately, Linda died before seeing her debut book, When Moon Fell Down, or Mrs. Biddlebox published.

Marla and Allyn Johnston, VP and Publisher of Beach Lane Books, did a presentation together detailing their close working relationship. When Allyn read Liz Scanlon’s All the World manuscript, she faxed it to Marla within ten minutes. As soon as Marla read it, she called Allyn and said, “I’m in.”

As Marla was working out the illustrations, she and Allyn discussed the need for two double page spreads they referred to as “Dum Dum”(drum roll) moments. Allyn called Liz to ask her to cut four stanzas so this could happen. Liz agreed. All the World won a Caldecott Honor medal in 2009.

Marla did the lettering as part of the art in All the World and in A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, based on the Nature Camp that Allyn and Marla’s sons attended one summer.

Marla does not want any illustrator notes in a manuscript. If an illustration is absolutely essential to the understanding of the text, maybe it could be mentioned in the cover letter. Authors need to allow illustrators to add their creative insight to the text.

In my next blog, I’ll share some tips about writing picture books Allyn Johnston shared with us.

Believe!

Karen Centofanti

Dreams and nightmares

By Mary Grabowski

May

16

For those of you who don’t know what NESCBWI is, well, its New England Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.  This is an amazing group of authors and illustrators in different stages of their careers.  Some talented (and lucky) ones sprinkle their wisdom on us while encouraging us to not give up and move forward with our craft.   While others begin to ponder the idea of writing and what their lives would look like if they did. 

This weekend has been full of ups and downs for me. 

The other day I was listening to something, but I don’t remember what, and somebody said, “Dreams and nightmares, you need to feed them for them to stay alive.”  Wow, well, a couple of days later I’m here at the conference trying to feed my dream and trying to believe it’s not a nightmare.  I love writing.  I love the feelings I get from putting my words down exactly, or almost, the way I really want.  I love imagining how childhood would have been and how childhood could be for somebody else.  I think about getting books signed for the library and the child that opens it believing that the author or illustrator did it just for them.

I am bummed that I feel more lost this time.  I have tried to submit some work and got the rejections  (or should I say, we like it but encourage you to submitt elsewhere letters :)  ). I’m not as focused and sure this time around. 

Maybe this is how dreams are supposed to be.  In literature, the heroine has to have a moment of doubt before the vision and the successful path of the mission becomes clear.   That’s me, a stupid princess waiting in a tower with one window and a way to have her dreams fulfilled, but waiting for somebody to save her. 

Well, I’m done.  I’m gonna save myself.

Mary

Submit to their will

By admin

May

10

T minus 4 days….

In 4 days I will attend my first children’s writer’s conference. I signed up for  workshops, did the home work, read bios online, printed business cards for networking, got paper and pen for note taking, and my ears tuned for learning as I listen to the pros speak. But all of this is just bonus. The reason de tetra is a critic session with a pro.

But is my work ready? Am I ready?

Will the skies open and the light shine down as I get an indication whether all this hard work is for something, or if this just a pipe dream? Will I hear the jeweled drops fall off the publishing god’s mouth as they speak the words, “Yes you may submit to us.”  

I have always had a very hard time knowing when my work is ready, completed, and good enough. No matter if it’s writing, illustrations, or art; the battle always reoccurs. Sometimes I loose, sometimes I win, but I always have to fight another day. I find it impossible to be objective over something that is so innately subjective and so sensitive to ones soul.

This could be due to the training one receives in college or due to a Calvinistic culture where Pride comes before a Fall. If one knew when your own work was completed, was perfect, one would feel pride after all. What comes next, the fall? In college, they break your ego just enough to make you more malleable and self aware, creating stronger consciousness of your own creative process. This usually leads to better art and design. But it can also leave the artist with a lack of fortitude to push his own work in a market driven world.   Enter Achilles and his famous tendon.

So now what?

If you are lucky you have a group such as this one that helps you get ready to submit to the publishing gods. They help you grow and groom your offering, pat you on the back and tell you all the words you both hope to hear; and when your courage and bladder fails, push you up towards the altar. Then you are on your own. You stumble, you sweat, you stammer. Your child, creation, story, soul lies bleating on the altar; the editorial butcher’s knife hanging over its neck. 

“Kerthunk!”

To be continued in T minus 7 days      

Jeanne Stewart

Sticking to the Cape

By admin

May

8

Cape Codders are creative in finding reasons not to go over the bridge.  Honestly, the past couple years have been particularly a pain with all the bridge construction.   It’s a great excuse for avoiding multiple social situations.  It’ll get you off the hook for being late to doctor appointments, Fourth of July cook out (why would anybody want to celebrate somewhere else?), Multiple holiday celebrations and dinner with stale clients.

Cape Cod is becoming a microcosm of the publishing world.  This is going to make it harder and harder to go off cape with our publishing needs being met here.  Below is a cut and paste of a few publishing houses on Cape Cod along with few of their titles.

Orleans; www.paracletepress.com/

Paraclete Press is a publisher of essential Christian wisdom. “It is our mission to publish books, music and videos which remind us, “Never lose hope in the mercy of God.” (The Rule of St. Benedict)”

They also publish children’s books

   The Paraclete Treasury of Angel Storiesby: Mary JoslinBeautifully re-told Bible stories that will delight young children
  Praying in Color: Kid’s Editionby: Sybil MacBethA joyful, natural, creative way for kids to connect with God
  Prayers For Each and Every Dayby: Sophie PiperA colorful, classic collection of prayers for each morning and evening, plus festivals and seasons
   
   

Wellfleet; www.leapfrogpress.com/

“Leapfrog Press was created to search out, publish, and aggressively market books that tell a strong story. We are now located in Falmouth, a town with a rich creative history and an equally rich present in the arts and science. Our list is eclectic and includes quality fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; books that are described by the large commercial publishers as midlist, and which we regard as the heart and soul of literature.

We’re always on the lookout for new talent. Some of our best writers have trouble placing their books with the conglomerate-owned publishing houses because their books are not perceived as best-seller material. We see ourselves as a home to new works by accomplished writers and works by those just starting out. We’re keenly aware that good writing is only the beginning. A successful book must be guided through its journey to reach the right audience

Our publishing program includes hardcover and paperback originals as well as revised and repackaged trade paperbacks. What we promise is writing that expands our webs of connection with other humans and the natural world; books that illuminate our complexities; tough, unsentimental books about our difficult and sometimes insanely funny choices in life and how we make them.”

Squiggle
A Novel by B.B. Wurge“Lively and entertaining…. An unpredictable story with a wacky sense of humor.” –Martha Zschock, author of Journey Around Cape Cod
Billy and the Birdfrogs
A Novel by B.B. Wurge”…a book that survives by the sheer weight of its own insane internal logic…There’s definately an element of Dahl’s fondness for weirdness in this pup. For those funny-book junkies out there, Billy fulfills a need. Downright weird, and that’s a-okay with me. It’s worth a gander.”–School Library Journal
Saving Santa’s Seals
by T.M. MurphyWhen 8-year-old Ryder asks Santa to help his Uncle Ted overcome writer’s block and create another amazing story, he cannot know that they’ll both be getting the best present ever–a wild adventure. But is it real, or just a wonderful Christmas dream?

 

Barnstable; www.commonwealtheditions.com

“Commonwealth Editions publishes gift-quality nonfiction books about the history, traditions, and beauty of places in New England. The New England Booksellers Association has recognized our editorial excellence by naming us “Publisher of the Year.” We also distribute the books of other fine New England publishers whose books complement our own, such as the Boston Globe, Back Bay Press, and On Cape Publications. As both publisher and distributor, we work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, physical design, and customer service”

The Cods of Cape Cod
Written by Ed Shankman, illustrated by Dave O’Neill
The creators of I Met a Moose in Maine have created a funny family of codfish and their fishy friends
 
 
 
On the Loose in Boston
Written and illustrated by Sage Stossel
The animals of the Franklin Zoo are hiding in favorite Boston locations. Can you find them?

Prides Crossing
The Unbridled Life and Impatient Times of Eleonora Sears
by Peggy Miller Franck
A warts-and-all-biography of the controversial Boston socialite who was the foremost female athlete of her generation

 

Check out our local offerings and better yet, submit.  The creative voice of Cape Cod exists in these houses who want to share it.

Enjoy the sunshine,

Mary

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