Welcome! Thanks for joining me here. I love to sit on the porch with icy lemonade or sweet tea and visit with friends. I’ll share tidbits from my writing world, creative endeavors and my life in general. I hope you’ll leave me a comment about what’s happening in your world, too. Check out the hyperlinks for helpful and interesting additional content.
Debut Updates
In debut world, it’s been an exciting couple of weeks! I got to see the PDF of the entire book and while I’m biased, I think it is absolutely stunning and I cannot wait for all of you to see it. My dear friend, Vivian Kirkfield, who is absolutely a phenomenal powerhouse, encourager, cheerleader, and an amazing author herself in the kidlit world, has agreed to do my cover reveal, so watch my socials and/or her website on Monday to get a peek at the cover, learn more about how this book came to be, and get the links to pre-order your very own copy!!!! (Squee!!!!)
Stay tuned next month in this space for how you can help me out on this journey if you’re interested! In the meantime, check out Vivian’s post on Monday. I’ll share it out on my socials as well!
Coming to PBJamz in October . . .
You may or may not realize I skipped September. In a word, SCHOOL! It’s been a transition, and I’ve been super-busy, and just honestly could not squeeze it in. But I had two amazing episodes in September: Rekha Rajan’s THAT SWINGIN’ SOUND: The Musical Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It’s such a beautiful fabulous book, and while the giveaway has ended, the episode with all the teaching tips, writing prompts and more is still available for you. I also hosted Philip Hoelzel with his book SAMBA: THE HEARTBEAT OF A COMMUNITY. It’s another PB biography — of Ailton Nunes and his samba music. Another delightful episode full of great music and a great book, lots of teaching tips, writing tips and writing prompts, along with (as always) a Pinterest board and a YouTube playlist with additional resources. If you missed those, check them out. And even though the giveaways have ended, feel free to shout out your favorite part or something you learned.
The first half of October, I’m featuring a delightful collaboration called SHOWDOWN SYMPHONY. Inspired by Peter and the Wolf, an author, musician, and illustrator worked together to create a fun storybook with integral music that not only helps tell the story, but also illustrates for children various tempos that match the action of the story, the lyrics, and the music. What an undertaking! Join our sweet Mama Mouse as she journeys through the forest amid dangers and foes to find food for her family. Don’t miss that episode!
The second half of October, I’m featuring an “old friend”. Alice Faye Duncan has been on a couple of times before and she is always a delight! So full of joy and passion! Her books often feature music and faith, and this one is no exception! I GOTTA SING is based on an old spiritual, but totally updated for a new generation. It features an adorable main character with a whole cast of joyful farm animals! Conversations with Alice are always full and rich, so make sure you catch that episode as well!
Looking back at September. . .
September was busy! Not only did school start (in late August), but I hosted an author visit at my school (in the second full week! :-O) with my friend, Carolyn B. Fraiser and her new book M IS FOR MASON JAR, presented at the NC CAE Conference, attended the SCBWI-Carolinas retreat, attended the bookstore re-opening for GG’s Library in Proseperity, SC. . . .Oh, and also got two local reading councils started for a new year. It was a great month of readerly, writerly, teacherly things with lots of time with loved ones thrown in as well! I’d love to hear about the interesting things that filled your September! Drop me a comment or an email, or catch me on socials and let me know!
Looking ahead at October
Another busy month coming up! I’m presenting at my school ( a repeat with a tweak from my combined arts presentation), I’m doing two presentations at the NCSLMA Conference: a joint session with my friend, Allan Wolf, and moderating a panel of middle grade authors. Shane and I will also be presenting at our local NCRA council about our Young Author project. My best friend and my husband have birthdays this month. I have a meeting with my Reycraft publicist about my book. I want to write a proposal for a presentation at the NCRA conference in March. I’m also really looking forward to a Halloween party at my sister’s house and our “Wicked” family celebration at my house on Halloween. All of that plus school, spiritual life, writers’ club, family dinners, PBJamz, moving forward with book marketing, critique groups, and all the “lifey” things. It’s busy, but oh! so blessed! I am happy and honored to have so many people and so many projects and so many positive things to fill my heart and my time. What are you looking forward to in October?
A Quote
I find this true about so much in the writing world. I have learned so much, and with every step there is more to learn! I’m definitely learning as I go!
A Recommendation for teachers (and everyone else)!!!
Alicia has created an amazing resource for teachers that is bound to make your job easier and your teaching life less stressful and more fun. Alicia has taught
across grade levels, and is a neurodivergent learner herself, so she is the perfect person to have written this book! Each letter of the alphabet is full of strategies, work samples, and 5 picture books that go along with that topic! What a beautiful wealth of knowledge she has collected through her own experience and is now sharing with all of us! You can find it here. Check out the video wherein we sat down and chatted it up A-Z. You can really hear her heart shine through. Take a listen — or a watch, and then get your copy! :-)
Y’all Come Back Now, Y’hear?
Thanks for joining me for August in my writing world. Stay tuned! In September, a brand new episode will wing its way to you.
Thank you for such a wonderful conversation, Tonnye! I always love chatting books, life, and education with you! You have such a packed month of amazing opportunities and I cannot WAIT for Monday's cover reveal!! :)