Another successful book reading and signing, this time at the colorful, busy Barnes and Nobles in Redding, California. The day started early as we had to leave our home at 6 A.M. to make the reading on time. Getting a pre-teen and teenager out of bed at 5:45 in the morning at the start of their summer season was not the joy you might imagine it to be. But, they were not overly cranky and collapsed into the backseat to return to their slumber before we hit the freeway. They even put up with the dog between them! Good kids.
We slid in to the bookstore parking lot ten minutes before I was to read. There were about a dozen three to four year olds politely waiting to be read to--I chose to start with my favorite picture book, 'Where the Wild Things Are'. Gnashing my teeth and helping Max be the King will never stop being fun. After reading two books, one of the youngsters told me it was time to read 'his book', so I started in on Hey Little Baby. Kids are naturally drawn to the lively, playful illustrations by Genevieve Cote. Captivating children through picture books will always make me happy.
After the reading and signing, my family and I went camping at Whiskeytown Lake. Since living in the cool fogs of the Redwood Forests of Humboldt County, I was smacked with the reminder of what it is like to function in supreme heat. But the lake was so refreshing, it counteracted the severity of the weather. And waking up to the sound of birds and chipmunks, with a view of pine trees and forests, well, that is just wonderful.
The ride home was peaceful and smooth. Of course, camping laundry and grocery shopping await me. Everyone had a great time, except for the cats stuck in the house for two days. They did quite a lot of yelling at me when we arrived.
In three weeks will be the next craft time, signing, and reading at The Stork's Nest in McKinleyville, California. I'm looking forward to working together with the owner, Crystal.
In the meantime, I'll be working on the sequel to Hey Little Baby and the Young Adult Novel I have finished the rough draft to, about a teenaged girl with telepathic powers living in an overly controlled world. I love to write stories!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tree House Children's Bookstore in Ashland, Oregon
What a literary treasure this bookstore is!!! A warm and welcoming staff, loads of books for children, and located right on the plaza in the beautiful town of Ashland. I was delighted to be a part of this store's experience for an afternoon of signing and meeting both tourists and locals.
Lady Jane, the owner, is kind and fun with a magical charismatic air. To be around her gives the feeling of being cared about, and that there just might be some magic afoot in the neighborhood! She is the quintessential owner of a children's story place in a town that highlights Shakespeare.
Christina, worker extraordinaire, knows which book will please and interest customers of all ages. We got to chatting for a bit and discovered we had lived near each other in southern California, attended the same school, and even went to the same spiritual center at different times. It was like we were living parallel lives in a different time dimension--straight out of the Twilight Zone!
It was a wonderful visit as I was also able to spend time with long time friend, Kaiyo Racine, owner of Sacred World in Ashland. Driving up the northern coast of California and then across the southern edge of Oregon is breathtaking in the beauty presented at every curve.
Great trip, great signing, great friends--new and old!
Lady Jane, the owner, is kind and fun with a magical charismatic air. To be around her gives the feeling of being cared about, and that there just might be some magic afoot in the neighborhood! She is the quintessential owner of a children's story place in a town that highlights Shakespeare.
Christina, worker extraordinaire, knows which book will please and interest customers of all ages. We got to chatting for a bit and discovered we had lived near each other in southern California, attended the same school, and even went to the same spiritual center at different times. It was like we were living parallel lives in a different time dimension--straight out of the Twilight Zone!
It was a wonderful visit as I was also able to spend time with long time friend, Kaiyo Racine, owner of Sacred World in Ashland. Driving up the northern coast of California and then across the southern edge of Oregon is breathtaking in the beauty presented at every curve.
Great trip, great signing, great friends--new and old!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Eureka Library Reading and Signing
The signing and reading was a success! The children were first read to by the fantastic storyteller and librarian, JoAnne Bauer. She used a variety of imagery from secret animals in paper bags to a puppet show to bring alive the joy of reading. The audience was delighted and captivated.
Reading my book for the kids was such a treat. We discussed the places they go with their feet, how great bubble baths smell, and that some flowers make them sneeze. A suggestion for the next book was to include a discovery of legs and arms--children's ideas are always welcome and creative!
JoAnne ended the event with Mother's Day crafts of construction paper flowers or a picture frame for Mom. The kids dug right in and came up with some treasurable gifts.
Next week, I'm looking forward to visiting, and signing my book at the Tree House Children's Bookstore in Ashland, Oregon. Not having been to that magical town since a High School field trip, I can't wait to see it again. The Shakespearean Festival will be in full swing so this is a perfect time to go. It's going to be an awesome event!
Also, spending time with my good friend, Kaiyo, owner of Sacred World in Ashland, will be a highlight of the trip. Now that I've moved closer to his 'neck of the woods', we'll be able to visit more than twice a decade!
The summer book reading tour I've been mapping out is going to be fun. I look forward to meeting with children and parents and sharing the joy of reading, parenting and writing!
Heather Leigh
Reading my book for the kids was such a treat. We discussed the places they go with their feet, how great bubble baths smell, and that some flowers make them sneeze. A suggestion for the next book was to include a discovery of legs and arms--children's ideas are always welcome and creative!
JoAnne ended the event with Mother's Day crafts of construction paper flowers or a picture frame for Mom. The kids dug right in and came up with some treasurable gifts.
Next week, I'm looking forward to visiting, and signing my book at the Tree House Children's Bookstore in Ashland, Oregon. Not having been to that magical town since a High School field trip, I can't wait to see it again. The Shakespearean Festival will be in full swing so this is a perfect time to go. It's going to be an awesome event!
Also, spending time with my good friend, Kaiyo, owner of Sacred World in Ashland, will be a highlight of the trip. Now that I've moved closer to his 'neck of the woods', we'll be able to visit more than twice a decade!
The summer book reading tour I've been mapping out is going to be fun. I look forward to meeting with children and parents and sharing the joy of reading, parenting and writing!
Heather Leigh
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Hey Little Baby, Published At Last
It's done, it's published, it's out in stores! Having been written when my teenaged son was 5 months old, the story is now on bookshelves at stores around the world. What a wonderful experience it has been--from writing the book to signing it for parents and friends of babies.
The earth really started shaking for me when Kelly Sonnack, agent extraordinaire, allowed me to interrupt her dinner at the San Diego State University Writer's Conference over four years ago. She told me what would be needed to have her possibly accept the book. That night, I revised and revised again until 2 in the morning to have it ready for her the last day of the conference. When she looked at it and started talking illustrators and possible publishers, I thought stars were falling from the sky.
After even more revisions (don't ever think what you read is a first draft--it's probably more like the hundredth), she took me on as a client. Wow. A real agent in the real world, not just a day dream. I liken getting an agent to winning the lottery, but just a bit harder.
Then Kelly took over and somehow impressed Andrea Welch of Beach Lane Books, imprint of Simon and Schuster, to buy the book. When Andrea called to ask if I would make some changes for her to accept the manuscript, life became surreal. Was this really an editor from S&S asking if I would cut out some lines in order to get it published? Was she kidding? Short of selling my children, I was ready to do what it takes to get my words out 'there'.
And then came the whimsical yet mature flair of illustrator Genevieve Cote. When first I saw her books (we ordered them all at the library!) I was blown away by the simple beauty and power with which she captures the personalities of each book's characters. She really is fantastic. And she was to be the illustrator of the book I wrote. Does the daydream ever stop?
Now the book written and inspired over a decade ago is hard bound and available at any bookstore or on-line. Crazy fun world.
The earth really started shaking for me when Kelly Sonnack, agent extraordinaire, allowed me to interrupt her dinner at the San Diego State University Writer's Conference over four years ago. She told me what would be needed to have her possibly accept the book. That night, I revised and revised again until 2 in the morning to have it ready for her the last day of the conference. When she looked at it and started talking illustrators and possible publishers, I thought stars were falling from the sky.
After even more revisions (don't ever think what you read is a first draft--it's probably more like the hundredth), she took me on as a client. Wow. A real agent in the real world, not just a day dream. I liken getting an agent to winning the lottery, but just a bit harder.
Then Kelly took over and somehow impressed Andrea Welch of Beach Lane Books, imprint of Simon and Schuster, to buy the book. When Andrea called to ask if I would make some changes for her to accept the manuscript, life became surreal. Was this really an editor from S&S asking if I would cut out some lines in order to get it published? Was she kidding? Short of selling my children, I was ready to do what it takes to get my words out 'there'.
And then came the whimsical yet mature flair of illustrator Genevieve Cote. When first I saw her books (we ordered them all at the library!) I was blown away by the simple beauty and power with which she captures the personalities of each book's characters. She really is fantastic. And she was to be the illustrator of the book I wrote. Does the daydream ever stop?
Now the book written and inspired over a decade ago is hard bound and available at any bookstore or on-line. Crazy fun world.
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