ANNOUNCEMENT!

I’m in interrupting my normal posts in a way… Well, this news does go beyond the book. Or actually before the book! 😁

Many times you’ll see a small article announcing a book deal in a magazine. But did you know there are hundreds of deals that do not get mentioned. Many small publishing houses do not get a listing. Those deals are big too. After all, every book that comes into this world is someone’s dream. When you hold a book, you are holding hundreds of hours of work, a dream, a piece of someone. I think all of those deserve to be celebrated, don’t you?

So without further ado….

~ANNOUNCEMENT TIME~

Picture book author,Tracey M. Cox has sold her rights to Guardian Angel Publishing for what will be her 11th picture book. The book will be illustrated by Jack Foster, who also has multi-books. This will be the second book Tacey and Jack have collaborated on.

THE GET AWAY DANCE is a picture book that addresses a very sensitive subject, but will empower children. What to do if a stranger tries to take you away? The story will reinforce Stranger Danger techniques. Then it describes what a child should do if the worse happens. What should you do if you do everything right, and yet someone tries to take you? You do THE GET AWAY DANCE!

Thank you everyone for coming over to hear my news! I’m super excited and cannot wait to see the amazing illustrations Jack does!

Until next time…

Happy reading!
~t

FIND ME: 
www.traceymcox.com
www.lefthookcrochet.com
www.youravon.com/traceymcox

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Color Page Thursday!

Coloring Pages Thursday

It’s Thursday… Almost the weekend… As IF we need a reason to color! But still, let’s celebrate.

Coloring is so relaxing to me. You can choose to stay in the lines… or go over them. Use the ‘right’ colors… or march to your own drum. You can even color with out lines or thought. It’s up to you to enjoy the experience and let your creativity expand.

I will be offering coloring pages that will be free downloadable pdf files. Print off one, two, or however many you need.

And have fun!

Until next time…

Happy creating!
~t

FIND ME: 
www.traceymcox.com
www.lefthookcrochet.com
www.youravon.com/traceymcox

Happy 2019!

It’s the new year! That means a new chapter, a blank canvas, a new project, and so many adventures await! I always look forward to this day. I’ve been planning on how to redirect my blog to be more beneficial to my targeted audiences.

What does that mean for you? Hopefully, it will help you become more aware of the products I offer, as well as give you some insight on how to become better at what you do and also become more interactive with what I do.

Here is a peek at what I will be offering this year:

• MONDAY: MARKETING — I will be offering marketing tips and tricks that expand across any field. If you work for yourself, you need to be marketing.
• TUESDAY: AVON — I am an independent AVON representative and will be showcasing different products, how-tos, reveals, and more. Let’s get to know AVON better!
• WEDNESDAY: BEYOND THE BOOK — I will take a more in-depth look at my books and how you can expand learning and having fun with them.
• THURSDAY: COLORING PAGES — Who doesn’t like to color? From inspiration from my own books and more, I will be offering free downloadable/printable coloring pages.
• FRIDAY: LEFT HOOK CROCHET — Did you know I’m a fiber artist? I began my crochet journey in 2017 and now offer my products for sale. BUT I have a hook on what I do… I’m a lefty! My Left Hook Crochet posts will be dedicated to leftys with patterns, videos, and more.

WOW!

So much to do for this year. I hope to be more interactive and can’t wait to see what you think of everything.

Until next time….

Happy writing/illustrating/crocheting!
~t

FIND ME:
www.traceymcox.com
www.lefthookcrochet.com
www.youravon.com/traceymcox

www. Wednesday – KidLit.TV

http://www.   Wednesday   – KidLit.TV

Hi everyone.

Most of you know one of my passions is writing.

*bet you couldn’t guess that. LAUGHING* 

I’m honored to be a part of the KidLit TV team.  For those of you who haven’t checked out their website, it is full of videos that are kid-friendly.

STORYMAKERS: Features authors (and kidlit champions) who share something about a book of theirs. It could be an interview, or a yummy recipe, or a craft, or sharing other titles, and on and on. It’s a great way for children to see the people who are behind-the-book.

READ OUT LOUD: Who doesn’t like story time????? So gather around and listen in as someone (author/illustrator/literacy champion) reads a story and shares the artwork inside the covers.

READ, SET, DRAW!: Time to drag out your pencils, pens, markers, or water colors! Budding artists can learn first-hand to draw from illustrators!!!! How cool is that?!?

Podcasts: Many of the episodes are available as podcasts! You can always listen to an episode!

There’s a tab for crafts and thinking outside-the-box! There’s also Phil’s Fast 5 episodes, Two-In-A-Teepee, and so much more.

Check out: KidLit.TV, but be prepared to stay for a while!

Until next time…
Happy writing!
~t

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www. Wednesday – SCBWI

http://www.  Wednesday – SCBWI

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you know I write KidLit. (aka children’s books) This is my heart, my passion. I can honestly say, I would not be where I am professionally without SCBWI.

Society of
Children’s
Book
Writers
&
Illustrators

SCBWI is a world-wide organization which is broken into various regions. They hold national conferences and regional conferences. There is a bulletin that goes out, which shares valuable information. On the website you can find “THE BOOK” that has contact information for you to submit to various houses and agencies. There are grants you can apply for. And I haven’t even mentioned the people you will meet!!! They are your tribe. The people who really, truly get you!

There is a due to pay every year, but I have found it to be well worth the fee!

Check them out:  www.scbwi.org!

Until next time…
Happy writing!

~t

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#MarketingMonday – Reciprocity

Marketing can be daunting to say the least. I mean who wants to sit there and feel like they are bashing others over the head saying things like: “Buy my (insert product)!” “Watch this video!” “Have you seen this?” and yadda yadda on and on. No one, that’s who! It’s the down side of putting your products and yourself out there.

People ain’t got time for all that stuff!

So what can you do? One thing I have found more beneficial than anything else is RECIPROCITY! Or promoting others.

Reciprocity:   a social norm of responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind action

Yes, talk about other people in your field. Let them know what they say matters. Let them know that you find their post intriguing. Let them know that you think they are important in your field.

HOW can you do this?

• LIKE what they say.
• COMMENT on their posts. Ya know, be interactive on social media. ***cough, cough. SOCIAL-IZE! cough, cough***
• REBLOG, RETWEET, SHARE what they have to say. Spread the word! Give them some link-y love!!!

As you do this you will accomplish several things:

• Getting great content out into the world.
• Getting your name noticed by the poster. They notice who does this… trust me!
• Having your followers trust you for great content.
• Building your brand.

And guess what happens when you do this regularly??? People will start LIKING your posts. They will start COMMENTING on your posts. They will start SHARING, REBLOGGING, and RETWEETING what you have to say. You will see it come full-circle. Ya know, the whole “what goes around, comes around” kind of thing.  😉   Will it happen over night? No. Building trust and loyalty takes time. You will have to work at it. But it will happen!

There are several ways to find great content too…

1. READ. Do a search and see what you can find.
2. FOLLOW others on the interweebs. See what they have to say!
3. SIGN UP for blog post notifications. This way you will be able to read posts and easily share what you will.
4. LOOK at what is trending. See what is popular in your area.

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to begin to market yourself (and others).

Until next time…
Have fun writing!
~t

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  Easy, peasy buttons found below.
• Don’t miss one post! Email sign ups are over here —>
•  Sign up for my N E W S L E T T E R ! I will be sharing writing challenges and other tidbits related to the kidlit industry. Click ~HERE~ to be directed to my Newsletter sign up page.

           

Wednesday www – SCBWI

Wednesdays I like to share websites that I have found beneficial. If you have been following me for a while, these will probably sound familiar. But I must say the ones I repeat, I repeat for a reason.

My first website to share for the year is SCBWI.org.

SCBWI stands for The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and is a world-wide organization and is broken down into different regions. I happen to be in the Southern Breeze Region, which is Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

SCBWI holds two major conferences a year, and then most regions will host a conference separately. These are amazing opportunities for writers and illustrators. You get to take various workshops or attend different speeches. These can be from other writers/illustrators or agents, editors, and art directors. You get to meet people who will actually GET you! You have the opportunity to present yourself in front of the very people you submit too. You know, to make that personal connection.

You also have an opportunity to volunteer for your region. I volunteer with mine.  😀   Not only is it a great way to pay-it-forward, but the main speakers will see your name and know that you take your job, be it writing or illustrating or both, seriously and are not afraid to go the extra step.

There are dues every year, but I have found that it is well worth it. There is a bi-monthly newsletter, a monthly Insight newsletter, access to The Book, the opportunity to submit to many awards and grants, and much more.

For more information click over to SCBWI.org and check it out. If you are serious about writing or illustrating for children, you won’t regret it!

Until next time…
Happy Writing!
~t

• Did you enjoy this post? Feel free to LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on this post.
  Easy, peasy buttons found below.
• Don’t miss one post! Email sign ups are over here —>
•  Sign up for my N E W S L E T T E R ! I will be sharing writing challenges and other tidbits related to the kidlit industry. Click ~HERE~ to be directed to my Newsletter sign up page.