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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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

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#PubDay for Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish

It’s here! It’s here!

                  
Bring in the balloons! Throw the confetti!
                  

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish is now available on my publisher’s website!

BLURB:

A dish of bubble gum and learning to count has never been so much fun! Match colors and watch the bubble get bigger and bigger as you count higher and higher. Chomp, chomp, chew, chew. Look at the bubble you blew! Suggested age range for readers: 1-6

I’m just a little excited. *you couldn’t tell could you?* I am hitting TWO milestones with this book:
1) This is my debut as an illustrator. Some of you didn’t even know that I drew. But I do.  😀  Over the last few years, I’ve been honing my craft and studying others work. I’ve been learning my own voice for my illustrations too. I post tidbits and sneak peaks over on instagram.
2) This is my 10th picture book! *wow-oh-wow* I’m humbled. Truly, I am. I’ve been published by two small houses. (I will be adding a third soon!) They are so supportive and believe in my work and in me. Small publishing houses have some mighty big ❤ s!

I tried something new with this book. I put a call out for people who were interested in being on my LAUNCH TEAM. I had an amazing response… about 20 people.  *wow, again!* I sent them an ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy) pdf and my cover art. What they will do in return is give an honest review *I don’t expect 5 stars and bon-bons 😉 *, and a shout out on social media. Will this help? I dunno! So we shall see together, okay? I plan on writing a follow-up blog post on the results I see.

Thank you everyone for following me on my journey here. Here’s to more posts and books!

CHEERS!

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
What do you think about my book?
What about a launch team? Do you think they are a good idea?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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#CoverReveal: Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish by: Tracey M. Cox

Cover Reveal:
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish

Hello everyone.

I’m sorry for my absence lately. I have started a “normal” job.  😀  Time seems to slip quickly these days. I will try to update more. I’m thinking of reblogging interesting articles that I come across to help those of you who might now have seen it.

BUT…. back to today.

Today I’m super-dee-duper excited to be sharing this with you all. I have a new picture book coming out. *YAY!  :D* This one is different though. This one I’m not only the author, but the illustrator too!!!

So without further ado, I present to you…

If you would like to find out more about Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish, visit my website. There you’ll find the cover art, a blurb about the book, my book trailer, and a FREE activity page download. Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish will be available from Guardian Angel Publishing on June 30, 2016. Look for the post Friday!!! I will post reviews as they come in.

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
What do you think about my cover reveal?
Are YOU planning to use the activity page?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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www (dot) Wednesday – KidLit.TV

This website is one I refer not only to writers and illustrators, but to anyone who has children in their life… parents, grandparents, educators, media specialist, daycare facilities, and on and on I could go.

KidLit TV offers so much to everyone. #StoryMakers, hosted by Rocco Staino highlights authors and illustrators with an interview. #InsideScoop gives us a sneak peek at new books. #FieldTrip will take you on the scene to kidlit events. #ReadOutLoud has authors and illustrators reading their books. There is also the KidLitRADIO podcast that you can listen too. Not to mention arts, crafts, recipes… Need I say more?

Then add to that, their Facebook group page where you can interact with all involved. *bonus*

WHAT is KidLit TV?

We are a diverse group of parents, educators, librarians, kid lit creators, and award winning filmmakers all working together to bring great books to kids! Our mission is to create fun new ways to reinforce an appreciation of reading that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The diverse KidLit TV team supports the ‘We Need Diverse Books’ and ‘Multicultural Children’s Book Day’ initiatives by encouraging the children’s literature community to create more books that reflect the diversity of our society.

Award winning website!

   

 

#KidLitTV Supports Literacy!

 

<— CLICK ON THIS PICTURE and watch the video.

#KidLitOnEllenShow is a great campaign that KidLit TV is behind. Why? Because kidlit matters!!! The ALAYMA (American Library Association Youth Media Awards) is our Oscars and used to be featured on national television, but no longer does. We know that The Ellen Show not only knows how to have a good time, but they also feature things that matter and are great about putting important topics out into the world.

Did you watch the video yet? Not only are the KidLit TV Team Members on board with this campaign, but many other people involved in the kidlit community are as well. Did you see some of your favorites in the video? I know I did.

Would you like to help spread the word? Maybe get Ellen Degeneres’ attention?!!!!!!!!? See THIS BLOG POST and you’ll find a link to make a suggestion to The Ellen Show. AND if you are on Twitter, you can RETWEET THIS POST!

KidLit TV also supports…

#WNDB
&
Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

Click on the picture to find out about this event that KidLit TV is a silver sponsor on.

Check  Out KidLit TV:

Visit their WEBSITE and see what all KidLit TV has to offer!

You can also find KidLit TV on:   YouTube   /   Facebook   /   Twitter   /   Pinterest   /   Instagram   /   kidlit.tv/newsletter

 

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Have you looked at the KidLit TV website?
Are you a member of their Facebook group?
What other websites would you like to see featured here?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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