Tag: writing exercises

Would You Read It Wednesday #221 – Camp Crazy Meatballs (PB)

28 Comments

Good Wednesday to you, folks!

Do you know why today is especially important?

Well, I’ll tell you. 🙂

It’s Harrison Ford’s birthday!

This may not seem important to you, but there was a time when (unbeknownst to Harrison) he was going to marry either me or my best friend.

Back in the last millennium when I was a teenager, my best friend and I were huge fans of the original Star Wars movies, not because of Luke Skywalker (he was my sister’s crush 🙂 ) but because of the gorgeous scoundrel, Han Solo.  The Empire Strikes Back was our favorite movie of all time.  We saw it in theaters… well… A LOT of times! 🙂  Of course, back in those days, you had to enjoy it in theaters as much as you could because there was no such thing as “coming out on video.”  We did have the record (do I sound ancient enough yet? 🙂 ) less for the music than for the many full color photos of our beloved Harrison inside the jacket, but it wasn’t the same as the big screen.  Sigh.

Han Solo

We spent the better part of most of our algebra and Latin classes experimenting with every variation of Mrs. Harrison Ford we could come up with, embellished with an embarrassing array of hearts and curlicues in the margins of our notebooks.  And in spite of the fact that we went to an all girls school that prided itself on creating free and independent feminist thinkers, it never occurred to either of us that we might keep our maiden names, and we spent many a lunch period debating which sounded better: Susanna Ford or Caroline Ford.  I think the answer to that is obvious 🙂  Really, it’s probably a good thing we all eventually leave our early teenage years behind 🙂

So I think we should celebrate Harrison’s birthday (it’s his 73rd, BTW!) with a Something Chocolate cake – a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake!!!

chocolate-chip-cookie-dough--cupcake--the-best-cupcake-ever_9251

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake – Recipe HERE at The Dish by KitchMe.Com

I think we can all agree that that cupcake looks almost as delicious as Harrison!  🙂

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from PJ.  PJ McIlvaine is a screenwriter/kid lit author/journalist/writer. She’s also a co-founder and co-host of #PBPitch on Twitter. Her original Showtime movie MY HORRIBLE YEAR was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. She lives in Eastern Long Island with her family and Sasha the Psycho Cat.

Find her on the web at www.pjmcilvaine.com

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Camp Crazy Meatballs

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-6)

The Pitch: CAMP CRAZY MEATBALLS is a zany picture book about siblings Matt and Morgan. Mom insists they go to camp for a week to break their routine of TV and computer games. But this camp isn’t quite what the kids expected. First, the counselors are talking animals, and second, everything—and I mean EVERYTHING— is made out of meatballs. Even their beds! And meatballs is the only thing on the menu! At first, the kids are thrilled—what kid doesn’t like meatballs—but meatballs morning, noon and night soon drives everyone crazy. In the end, the kids dream up a clever way to solve the dilemma and develop a new appreciation for broccoli.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping PJ improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you have a little time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

PJ is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to finding out which movie YOU went to way too many times during your teenage years and who YOU doodled about in the margins of YOUR school notebooks! 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

 

Would You Read It Wednesday #220 – Thanksgiving Delivery (PB)

24 Comments

Greetings, Peeps!

I hope you all had festive 4th of July Weekends and that your summers are all off to a lovely start!

I always think I’m going to get tons of things done in the summer.  I’m not really sure why, because it’s never happened yet 🙂  But there’s something about that long stretch of summer days that makes me feel like there’s room to accomplish soooo much…!  And who knows?  I’ve certainly got a list as long as my arm of things I want to do.  This COULD be the summer I get a lot done….(with a little luck and a following wind…) …or not… 🙂

Let’s have a little Something Chocolate to start the day off right, shall we?  I discovered this thing of beauty and thought it would be just perfect!

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

So perfect and summer-y-strawberry-y and chocolate-y!  YUM!!!

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Susan whom you’ll remember from her May and June pitches for Room For Olives and Bossy Bird.  Susan Schade is a writer from Gilbert, AZ where she lives with her husband, three young sons and their corgy/jack Russell rescue dog, Jedi.  Originally from Madison, WI, she cheers on the Packers and the Badgers, loves movie nights with her family, and enjoys reading as much as writing.

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Thanksgiving Delivery

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8)

The Pitch: As Thanksgiving approaches, Lennie is determined to save the turkeys from their dinner fate.  After the turkey slim down plan falls short, Lennie discovers that that perseverance and imagination will spark his greatest idea, dinner delivery.  Lennie will race against time to turn the others into great chefs before they become Thanksgiving dinner.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Susan improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you have a little time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Susan is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to tackling that to-do list… or possibly sitting on the back porch with a glass of iced tea and a good book… 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

 

Would You Read It Wednesday #219 – Dancing Through Space (PB) PLUS The May Pitch Winner PLUS Straight From The Editor for April!!!!

10 Comments

Greetings Fellow KidLit Peeps!

Golly!  We have so much to do today that I’m not even going to regale you with tales of the Chopped Dessert Special conducted in my parents’ kitchen last night, contestant chefs being our kids and niece and nephews, basket ingredients including fresh lemon, Life cereal, dried fruit (apricot and pear), and Incredible Perfectly Free Non Dairy Frozen Bites.  When I say the judges (me, my sister, and my daughter) were brave, I am not kidding 🙂  The dishes prepared for us ranged from a Deconstructed Torte made of a dried fruit pancake with a chocolate and peanut butter brittle topped with candied lemon, to a Juice-Soaked Bread “Cake”, to a Fruit Dessert Soup…which curdled…! garnished with a chocolate-dipped dried pear.  And you’re lucky you didn’t see the kitchen 🙂

But like I said, no regaling!  Down to business!

First, the Winner of May Pitch Pick was Melissa with her pitch for Walking With Memphis: Inspired By A Real Dog.  Congratulations on a fabulous pitch, Melissa!  It has already been sent to editor Erin Molta for her thoughts, and I’m sure you’ll hear from her shortly!

And congratulations to all our other pitchers who did a stupendous job as well!  Even if you didn’t win the pitch pick, you are winners for writing your amazing pitches, being brave enough to share them in public, accepting constructive criticism in the spirit in which it was offered, and revising your pitches to make them even better!  Let’s have Something Chocolate all around to celebrate! 🙂  (And no, I will not make you eat the chocolate peanut butter brittle or the chocolate-dipped dried pear garnish from last night 🙂 )

No.  We’re going off the deep end today 🙂  I saw this and knew it was imperative that I share it with you…

DOUGHNUT CAKE WITH MOCHA WHIPPED CREAM!!!

doughnut-cake-2

Doughnut Cake Recipe HERE at SugarHero.com

doughnut-cake-8

Doughnut Cake Recipe HERE at SugarHero.com

And I didn’t even make this up!  There is someone else out there in the world who thought this was a good idea!  Probably my twin separated at birth 🙂

Next, we have Straight From The Editor for April.  As you’ll recall, the April Pitch Pick was won by Sam with her pitch for The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit (PB ages 4-8):
When a marker is left uncapped, a pencil gets cracked, or a glue stick dries out, there is only one place they can turn; The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit.  After a sudden spike in cases at The SSIC-U, it’s up to Nurse Patchet to track down the culprit and reform the classroom’s worst offender.

Here are Erin Molta’s comments:

This is cute, but I am a little confused as to whether the school supplies are supposed to be “alive” or personified and the culprit is another school supply. Or if kids are bringing their broken school supplies to Nurse Patchet and there’s a rogue student wreaking havoc…

 If you can somehow clarify that, I think you will have better luck with this pitch to an editor. For instance, using “student” instead of “they” in “there is only one place they can turn” will make it more clear that it’s about kids in a classroom. If you’re thinking the school supplies are personified, then you need to somehow add in something about a Pencil seeing the writing on the wall, or the somesuch…

Thanks as always to Erin for her very helpful and insightful comments!  I hope you learn as much from them as I do!

Now, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Lydia.  Lydia Lukidis is a children’s author with thirty three books and eBooks published, as well as numerous short stories and poems. She writes both fiction and non-fiction, for ages 3-12, all designed to entertain and inspire. In addition to her creative work, she also composes educational activities and curriculum based texts for children.

Visit her on the web at:
www.lydialukidis.com
https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Dancing Through Space

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 5-7 )

The Pitch: 3-2-1- Blast off! Dr. Mae Jemison launches into space and accomplishes her childhood dream. Despite challenges along the way, she never gave up and went on to become the first African-American woman to orbit the earth.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Lydia improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you’ve got a little time to tweak your pitch to perfection and then get it up for some helpful feedback and a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Lyda is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to the fact that I will never have to eat Fruit Dessert Soup again and to harvesting more green beans from my Teensy Porch Garden which, against all odds, is still not dead! 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #218 Breakdance Bertie- PLUS The May Pitch Pick

27 Comments

Happy Wednesday, Folks!  And Happy Summer!  Because now it officially is 🙂

I tell you, it’s a miracle I even got this post written!  Yesterday was every kind of crazy!  First, the junk guy showed up so we could clear out our basement (you know, to make it easier to paddle the canoe when it rains and the basement floods 🙂 ).  This involved removing the protective tarp from the bulkhead doors (vain attempt NOT to have basement floods 🙂 ).  Luckily, there were no snakes in the bulkhead stairway… but you never know until you open it and look in!  So you get the thrill of that I-may-suffer-palpitations-at-any-moment feeling 🙂

However, fussing around with the bulkhead stairway brought us in close proximity to the newly installed propane regulator… which allowed us to smell gas… which we should NOT… so we had to call about having it checked.  They wanted us to call the Fire Department!  LOOOOOONG “discussion” about whether that was really necessary culminating in the gas company guy showing up unannounced at 9 PM… only to say that he’d be back tomorrow to check it out properly!  So we got the additional thrill of that the-house-may-explode-at-any-moment feeling!

But being outside at 9 PM I heard noise and saw lights at our neighbor’s house… which is for sale and supposed to be empty… and it sounded more like a party than a poltergeist… which had to be investigated…and though by the time I got there the party was over, circumstances were such that the sheriff still had to be called… resulting eventually in the thrill of realizing I have become Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched) and Mrs. Rachel Lynde (Anne of Green Gables) and every other nosy-busy-body-crotchety-old-neighborhood-spy-wannabe rolled into one!

So.  Like I said.  Miracle right here! 🙂

Let’s get to it, shall we?

First, the May Pitch Pick.  Please read through the superb revised pitches below and then vote for your favorite.

#1 Susan – Bossy Bird (Picture Book ages 3-8)
Bossy Bird is the largest, loudest and bossiest bird of the bunch.  When the fed up flock sends him away, they lose their lookout and leave themselves open to the hungry neighborhood cat.  With danger crouching around the corner, Bossy Bird will discover that being the boss is not as important as being a friend and the others will learn that getting along is part of being a team.

#2 Sherry – Squirrelly Curly (Picture Book ages 4-8)
Three squirrel brothers need a home for the winter, but while Mo and Larry build nests, Curly pelts them with acorns and snatches nesting materials for his snow sports. When varmints and weather destroy their nests, it’s up to Curly to lead them to the safety of a nest and the scrumptious acorn feast he’s squirreled away for hard times. In this Three Little Pigs re-telling, varmints and an ice storm replace the wolf.

#3 Melissa – Walking With Memphis: Inspired By A Real Dog (Nonfiction Picture Book ages 3-8)
When Memphis becomes paralyzed and loses his wag, he must learn to walk with a wheelchair. He worries his dog days will never be the same, but he digs up the courage to embark on an adventurous discovery of all that he is capable of and what it means to be a lucky dog.

#4 Shae – Avocado Desperado (Picture Book ages 4-8)
Roll with the other avocados? Avocado Desperado? Ha, never! Until he realizes not every problem can be solved alone, especially those that start with guaca and end with mole.

Please vote in the poll below for the pitch you think is best and most deserves a read an comments from editor Erin Molta!  Please cast your vote by Sunday June 26 at 5 PM EDT, and I’ll announce the winner next week!

Now then, for today’s Something Chocolate, how about Strawberry Shortcake?  I know… technically it’s not chocolate 🙂  But the strawberries are SO GOOD in June it seems a shame not to take advantage of them.  And strawberries make for a VERY healthy breakfast.  And you can always put some chocolate sauce on your strawberry shortcake! 🙂

Gluten-Free-No-Bake-Strawberry-Shortcake-Icebox-Cake-iowagirleats-01

Strawberry Shortcake recipe HERE at Iowa Girl Eats

Don’t you feel healthful and virtuous after that exceptionally nutritious breakfast-y type snack? 🙂

Alrighty then!  Onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Lindsay who says, “When I’m not cleaning up the unsavory messes of my two little boys, Cavalier King Charles pup and two cats, you can find me writing picture books. I’m a former newspaper and magazine editor, so it makes sense that I love to revise and critique. Here is for the manuscript I developed in Susanna’s excellent course, Making Picture Book Magic. This is my first submission for Would You Read It Wednesday!”

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Breakdance Bertie

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8 )

The Pitch: Bertie the emu can’t help but wiggle to the beat blaring through the barnyard. When her human friend Jeannie tells her about an online breakdancing competition, Bertie decides to go for the grand-prize pool. She tries to practice her hops and drops Monday through Friday, but Jeannie and the boom box aren’t always around, and the other animals lose patience when Bertie’s hops flop. Calamity sends Jeannie running just before deadline and leaves Bertie and the animals to build their own beat.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Lindsay improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you’ve got a little time to tweak your pitch to perfection and then get it up for some helpful feedback and a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Lindsay is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing who wins the Pitch Pick!  It’s going to be a tough choice! 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #217 – Crab And Gull

21 Comments

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

I know it’s technically not summer for another week, but it’s so close now you can taste it!  Strawberries.  Blueberries.  Raspberries.  Peaches.  Chocolate. 🙂  (Okay.  You got me.  Chocolate is a year ’round delight 🙂 )

You probably all remember my “what can you put in a brownie” phase before Christmas, when I made peanut butter brownies, peppermint brownies, toffee brownies etc.

Well.

You’ll be shocked to learn I’ve got a new baking vehicle and it’s not even chocolate!  I have discovered that you can put all kinds of things in banana bread and wow! is it yummy!  Chocolate chips (obviously).  Blueberries (totally amazing! – if you haven’t tried it whip out your loaf pans this instant!)  And I’m seriously considering a version with peanut butter chips, or possibly some type of peanut butter swirl, although I haven’t tried that yet.  I am also open to any other suggestions you folks have.  Because at my house, bananas have to be an exact certain ripeness in order to be considered consumable.  Too green, they have to wait.  Too ripe, no one will touch them.  There’s about a 5 minute window.  Hence, I keep ending up with MANY overripe bananas.  Luckily, I’m willing to do my part for the cause and bake banana bread 🙂

But it’s Wednesday, and we all know that Wednesday is for Something Chocolate!  So Something Chocolate you shall have!

I don’t think we can go wrong with 3 ingredient Easy Oreo Truffles, do you? 🙂

Nom nom nom! 🙂

I thought not 🙂

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Sam whom you may remember from her recent winning pitch for The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit.  Sam Altmann is a special education teacher who lives in Baltimore Maryland with her husband and two semi-cuddly chaos loving dogs. She is a sucker for soft serve ice cream, swimming in the ocean, and “quality” reality television.

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Crab And Gull

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8 )

The Pitch: Gull wants Crab’s sandwich. Crab wants Gull to leave him and his sandwich alone. But when Gull goes missing, Crab’s treat just doesn’t taste as sweet. He packs up his food in search of Gull, and finds that sometimes cooking up a friendship a more important than cooking up a seaweed sandwich.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Sam improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you’ve got a little time to tweak your pitch to perfection and then get it up for some helpful feedback and a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Sam is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to adding to my Week In Wildlife photo collection (it’s been quite a week! – if we all had more time I would have shared it and shown you, among other things, the giant black rat snake I nearly trod upon whilst out marching about in the wilderness!)

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #216 – The Bath Of Least Resistance

25 Comments

Happy Wednesday, Folks!

Up on Blueberry Hill where we are exceptionally close to Nature, things are hopping!  Literally!  Look at this cute little guy:

IMG_1732

There I was, wandering around my house as one does at midnight on Fridays, when what to my wondering eye should appear than this tiny housebreaker!  SPROING! SPROING! SPROING!  He hopped down  my hallway, leaping easily 10 times his height into the air.  He was the size of my thumbnail (i.e. pretty small! I thought he was some kind of bug at first!) and clearly bewildered by the strange surroundings in which he found himself.  I’m pretty sure he stopped in because my Perfect Picture Book for Friday was Frog Song 🙂  but once inside he wasn’t quite sure what to do.  Luckily, being a Resourceful Type, I knew what to do.  I took his picture for you guys (so forethoughtful of me!), then I caught him under a plastic cup, slipped a postcard underneath his tiny toes so he’d have something to stand on, and transported him outside into the spring night where he hopped gratefully away into the cool damp grass.

I think there’s a picture book idea in a Thumbelina-sized frog accidentally hopping inside a house of giants! 🙂

Of course, all this talk of hopping is making me hungry, so how about Something Chocolate? 🙂  For today’s Something Chocolate I chose something specially for our pitcher and his almost-4 year-old: Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Cups!  They’re easy to make and you can put any flavor of ice cream and any kind of topping you like on them!  A supremely kid-friendly perfect summer treat 🙂  I hope you all enjoy them!!!

Ice-Cream-Sundae-Cookie-Cups-4

Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Cups Recipe HERE at Lovely Little Kitchen

If you wanted to make an extra cookie cup, that tiny frog would fit in beautifully, and then he could eat his way out…  Seriously, someone should write this picture book 🙂

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Greg who says, “I was a film major in college who somehow ended up with a career in the IT industry. For exercise I play hockey and chase my soon to be four year old son around. He is also the inspiration for most of my stories. I love to cook and have made several of Susanna’s recipes. (Including the churro pancakes from May 4 which were pronounced awesome and resulted in my son requesting pancakes every weekend since then 🙂 ) I can be followed on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gregoryebray/  or my blog: http://gregoryebrayauthor.blogspot.com/”

Here is his pitch:

Working Title: The Bath Of Least Resistance

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8 )

The Pitch:  Paint is thicker than water, but the bond between a puppy and his human brother is even thicker.
When Bogie discovers the wonderful scent and texture of paint, he inadvertently tracks it all over the house. Chaos and calamity ensue with each attempt to get him into the tub. What will it take to give Bogie a bath, or is he destined to remain a colorful pooch forever.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Greg improve his pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in June (YES JUNE – you heard that correctly!!!), so you could get your pitch up for some helpful feedback practically next week, and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Greg is looking forward to your thoughts on his pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing what happens to my mini porch garden.  Right now, it’s zucchini vs. tomato as to who will take over the world and it’s a shockingly close race – very high suspense!  Feel free to place your bets 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #215 – Bossy Bird (PB)

18 Comments

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!  And Happy June!

I have to confess, it’s turning out to be one of those weeks… so no dilly-dallying today!  Let’s get right to the good stuff, shall we?

First (of course first!) Something Chocolate!

I don’t know about you, but here in my neck of the woods, even though it is not yet June 21, it is technically summer since Memorial Day has come and gone.  Summer means S’mores… and one of our kids was out making them last night, so obviously I have S’mores on the brain 🙂  Therefore, you can guess what’s coming… 🙂

S’mores Fudge Bars!!!

Smores-Fudge-Bars

S’mores Fudge Bars: Recipe HERE at Handle The Heat

I ask you, does it get any better? YUM! 🙂

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Susan whom you may remember from last month with her pitch for Room For Olives.  Susan Schade is a writer from Gilbert, AZ where she lives with her husband, three young sons and their corgy/jack Russell rescue dog, Jedi.  Originally from Madison, WI, she cheers on the Packers and the Badgers, loves movie nights with her family, and enjoys reading as much as writing.

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Bossy Bird

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8 )

The Pitch: Bossy Bird is the largest, loudest and bossiest bird of the bunch.  When the fed up flock sends him away, they lose their lookout and leave themselves open to the hungry neighborhood cat.  With danger crouching around the corner, Bossy Bird will discover that being the boss is not as important as being a friend and the others will learn that getting along is part of being a team.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Susan improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in June (YES JUNE – you heard that correctly!!!), so you could get your pitch up for some helpful feedback practically next week, and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Susan is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to Saturday when I will get to go to a writing conference where, in addition to all the amazing and wonderful things about writing conferences, Gail Carson Levine ( you know, Ella Enchanted?!!) will be speaking!  How awesome is that?

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #214 – Avocado Desperado (PB) PLUS The April Pitch Winner!

23 Comments

Greetings, Friends!

Golly it’s been a busy week so far!

First off, the hotly contested April Pitch Pick was won by Sam with her pitch for The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit!

Congratulations, Sam!  Your pitch has been sent to editor Erin Molta for her comments and I’m sure you’ll hear from her shortly!

And congratulations to all our other brave and talented pitchers.  You all did an awesome job, and I hope that even though you didn’t win the pitch pick you feel that your pitches have benefited from the experience!

Next, there was the gosling parade.

Yes, there was!  Look!

IMG_1703

I’ve been watching these little guys, driving by them on my way to and from the barn every morning since they hatched.  There are five of them.  They used to hang out at the edge of the pond, sunning themselves and keeping to a small safe area.  Now that they’re gawky adolescents, their parents have decided to take them a little further afield – away from the very edge of the pond and up the stream bed to a place where (apparently) there are good things for geese to eat.  I’m not sure I approve of their choice of route (even so carefully shepherded by mom and dad) – I worry about geese vs. motor vehicles – but their family outing sure makes a fine sight! 🙂

As if the pitch pick and gosling parade weren’t excitement enough, we have discovered the location of the Largest Desserts On Earth.  I know!  I couldn’t believe it either!  To think it was so close all this time!  I have pictures to prove the sheer enormity, and they will be your  Something Chocolate for today.  Check them out!

Exhibit A: Brownie Sandwich Sundae

IMG_1697

This is the Brownie Sandwich Sundae – 2 large (warm!) brownies, 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream – and if you can’t tell from this photo, it’s bigger than your head! 🙂

 

Exhibit B: Oreo Cake

 

IMG_1698

This one is Oreo Cake – it’s about 10 inches high – I kid you not!  We realized belatedly we should have put something in the photo for scale!

We were caught unawares by the size of these desserts and found ourselves unable to finish (I know – we are STILL hanging our heads in shame).  But now we have learned.  Next time we go out to this establishment, we won’t order dinner… we’ll skip straight to the good part 🙂

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Shaelyn.  By day, Shaelyn Berg writes and edits educational content for a nonprofit organization. By night, she writes picture books while simultaneously snuggling her dog, Dixie (who basically rules her life). Shae enjoys running half marathons, eating Chunky Monkey ice cream, and reading any kidlit she gets her hands on. You can follow her picture book blog at www.shaelynberg.wordpress.com.

 

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Avocado Desperado

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8 )

The Pitch: Avocado Desperado rolls solo, even when a woman scoops him and his hermanos into the kitchen. It’s guacamole time and he flees, desperado style. But when he pushes a sister toward the blade of the sharp cuchillo for nearly spoiling his escape plan, his pit feels heavy. Can Avocado Desperado save her from becoming a fiesta snack?

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Shaelyn improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in June, so you could get your pitch up for some helpful feedback pretty soon, and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Shaelyn is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to going hiking with a friend today… although it’s supposed to be 86 degrees… out of nowhere…so we may end up as puddles and have to be resurrected with vast quantities of iced tea 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #213 – Walking With Memphis (PB) PLUS The April Pitch Pick!

54 Comments

Darlings, I need your help.

If you’ve spent any time at all around this blog, you are familiar with Princess Blue Kitty (and if you’re new here, Princess Blue is my 2012 Subaru Outback – the trusty companion with whom I have traveled thither and yon on many a long journey through rain, sleet, snow and dark of night 🙂 )

Well, Princess Blue is currently doing a stint as my daughter’s trusty companion.

Lest you worry that I am trapped on Blueberry Hill, let me assure you I’m not… quite…  Whilst Princess Blue is off in search of the elusive endangered bog turtle (and some plant that those wildlife biologist types are also investigating… I forgot the name), I have the horror honor of driving my dad’s spare car.

Let me tell you about this car.

First, since it rarely gets driven, its battery has a disconcerting habit of dying on a whim.  Keeps life interesting 🙂  Second, although it has relatively low mileage for its age, it looks like it spent quality time as a jungle gym in a preschool – I’m a little afraid to actually sit in it because dirt, damage, and suspicious sticky patches cover the interior.  It also has a huge round air freshener (as old as the car so “fresh” is a misnomer) stuck smack dab in the middle of the dashboard where it does nothing positive for the air quality in the car but does reflect off the windshield in a dangerous and distracting way.  Third, just a few weeks ago it got left running all night and ran out of gas so that it now sports an orange “requires maintenance” light which really fills me with confidence 🙂

Poor old thing.

So here’s the situation.  It needs a name.  Princess Blue is making fun of him (yes, it’s definitely a “him” not a “her” – you can just tell) for not being loved enough to have a name.  All that comes to my mind is Sir Shakes-a-lot (well, he does) or Too Many Beans (because he makes a disturbing grumbly sound that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know the cause of 🙂 ) and neither of those is terribly complimentary.  Princess Blue is likely to tease him even more.

This is where you come in.  A name.  Something good!  In our writing, naming is critically important.  We spend hours trying on names, searching for just the right one, because it has to fit perfectly!  So who better to turn to for a name than a bunch of writers? 🙂

To help you out, I’ll tell you he’s a Toyota Highlander of some ancient vintage – big and square with a powerful engine and four wheel drive – and if he were clean he’d be silver-ish.  So fire away.  He needs all the help he can get 🙂

Now then, shall we Pitch Pick?

Here are the entrants in the April Pitch Pick:

#1 Sam – The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit (PB ages 5-8)
When a marker is left uncapped, a pencil gets cracked, or a glue stick dries out, there is only one place they can turn; The School Supplies Intensive Care Unit.  After a sudden spike in cases at The SSIC-U, it’s up to Nurse Patchet to track down the culprit and reform the classroom’s worst offender.

#2 Ingrid – The Grumps (PB ages 3-6)
When one friend wakes up in a spectacularly cranky mood, the other knows there’s only one thing to do- join in! Armed with a plan to hog the swings and block the slide The Grumps head to the playground to spread their gloomy mood to every kid in sight. Come along with The Grumps to find out what could possibly go wrong when the plan IS for everything to go wrong and how such a bad day can turn out to be so good.

#3 Karah – Tails Of Witches And Wolves (MG)
Young wolf Nata bargains with Baba Yaga for a spell that opens the door to her dream: a human life away from the dirty and dangerous forest. But when a wolf attack leads to the hunting of wolves across the tsardom, Nata must choose between living as a human and saving the wolf family she left behind.

#4 Tracy – My Name Is Sonny And I Am Special (PB ages 4-8)
Surprise, it’s a…girl, yes, another baby girl.   Sonny is the 5th baby girl born into her family. Dad affectionately calls all his girls, Lovees! But Lovee #5 is different from all the other Lovees.  She walks differently, she talks differently, and she even thinks her thoughts differently.  Everyone always calls her special, and she doesn’t like that. One day, Lovees # 1, 2, 3 and 4 hatch a sticky plan that transforms Sonny’s white bedroom walls into a rainbow of specialness. The room wasn’t the only thing transformed that day.  Sonny now knows just how special she is and exactly what special means. “My name is Sonny and I am SPECIAL,” she proudly announces to everyone she meets.

Please choose the pitch you think is best and most deserves a read and comments from editor Erin Molta and select it in the poll below by Sunday May 22 at 5 PM.  Good lord willing and the creek don’t rise I’ll announce the winner next Wednesday on Would You Read It 🙂

And now, after all that talk about cars and pitches, I think we’re more than ready for Something Chocolate, don’t you?  Hmmm…. how about

Cheesecake-Filled Chocolate Bundt Cake from Handle The Heat!

Cheesecake-Filled-Chocolate-Bundt-Cake-square-550x550

Cheesecake-Filled Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe HERE at Handle The Heat

Not sure who thought this up – Handle The Heat or someone they learned it from –  but it’s genius, I tell you, sheer GENIUS!

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Melissa who says, “From former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, to former assistant to a comedic author, to New York City designer, I now currently reside in New Jersey and spend much of my time traveling, creative writing, and advocating for animals.  As a rescue volunteer and certified animal trainer graduate, I aspire to tell one real dog’s heartwarming and inspirational story of rediscovering the good life. Readers of all ages can learn more about this lucky dog, Memphis, through his Instagram and web address (below).”

Find her on the web at:

http://memphisthedog.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the_great_memphino/

and on twitter @MelRutigliano

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Walking With Memphis: Inspired By A Real Dog

Age/Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book (ages 3-8 with crossover appeal to animal lovers of all ages, as well as anyone living with a disability)

The Pitch: When Memphis becomes paralyzed and loses his wag, he must learn to walk with a wheelchair.  Rather than waiting for someone to throw him a bone, he dares to dig up his bark for life in an adventurous discovery of what it means to be a lucky dog.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Melissa improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

 

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in June, so you could get your pitch up for some helpful feedback pretty soon, and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Melissa is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward (with fervent hope!) to any names you might think up for poor old High-Ho Silver 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂

Would You Read It Wednesday #212 -Squirrelly Curly

25 Comments

Howdy Folks!

You’ll never guess what happened!

The sky turned blue. . .

. . . and a yellow ball of light appeared in it!

I know!  Shocking, right?

Raise your hand if you thought the sky was always gray and pouring down water!

Local authorities of all kinds including meteorologists claim this turn of events is a perfectly normal occurrence.  They assure us there’s nothing to worry about.  A giant ball of burning gas in the sky is No Problem!  But it’s been so long since anyone saw such a thing that there’s a great deal of distrust and speculation…  And seriously, can you ever really believe a meteorologist? 🙂

Nevertheless, I think we should celebrate the sunshine with Something Chocolate!  (Because let’s be honest – any excuse for chocolate will do 🙂 )  How about Chocolate Brownie and Mousse Trifle? 🙂

Who could say no to that?!

And it’s practically in a cereal bowl, which makes it breakfast by my definition 🙂

Go get a napkin.  You’re drooling on your keyboard.

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Sherry.  Sherry Howard lives with her children and two crazy dogs in Middletown, Kentucky, a stone’s throw from the beautiful horse farms Kentucky is always bragging about. During her career in education, she served as principal in one of the largest middle schools in the US; she and cat-herders share many common skills. Sherry loves to read, write, cook, and sit in the sand watching the waves when she can! That, of course, requires a trip out of state.

Find her on the web at Facebook, Sherry Hyberger Howard, and Twitter, @SherLHoward

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Squirrelly Curly

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: Squirrelly Curly and his brothers need a winter home, but Curly prefers snowboarding to home building. Brothers Larry and Mo work frantically to build more nests while Curly pelts them with acorns and acts squirrelly. Nest after nest is destroyed until it’s up to Curly to provide shelter before they all become Squirrelsicles.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Sherry improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in June, so you could get your pitch up for some helpful feedback pretty soon, and have a chance to have it read by editor Erin Molta!

Sherry is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to spending some quality time outside with that giant ball of burning gas 🙂

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 🙂