Guest Blogger, Donna M. McDine

Please join me in welcoming award-winning children’s author Donna M. McDine as the special guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress.

Donna’s latest release is THE GOLDEN PATHWAY. She’s stop by today to talk about something I think all the authors and aspiring authors will appreciate, “where does one begin in creating a media kit.”

Media Kit? Why would I need a media kit, I’m not even published yet? To be quite honest with you it’s never too soon to start. To begin now will make it much simpler to add to as you move forward in your writing career. The essential components in creating your media kit are:

Interviews (online and in-person): Even before I became published - myself and fellow aspiring writers interviewed each other for our blogs to get our names out there. It’s fun and simple. Contact a fellow writer and exchange questions and there you have your first finished interview.
 

Appearances: Appearances may include volunteer reader at your local library and/or school and later on as you become published you will be known as the local children’s author which then will open up doors to school visits.

Awards and Publishing Credits: Even if this is blank for now, create the page with this heading and you can fill in your information as you go along.

Media Releases: Even without publishing credits you can create a media release about upcoming interviews and book reviews on your blog and of course tying in with interviews make sure you write up a media release about your personal interviews. It’s important you send out your media release to your network and post on free media release sites such as www.prlog.com. For a more detailed list of the services I utilize visit: http://donnamcdine.com/dynamicmediareleases.html

About the Author or Writer: Even without publishing credits you can list your current bio, education, and current work-in-progress.

Book Reviews: Yes, even if you don’t have a book published yet do not forget this important part for when you do so you can place excerpts of book reviews for easy reference.

Yes, some of your pages will be blank for now, but you will be surprised how quickly they will fill up. All of my pages started out blank and are now filling up. My book review page is still blank and I’m eagerly awaiting reviews to fill in below the title. The saying from the movie The Field of Dreams… “Build it and they will come” is true for your media kit too. The intention and creation of blank titled pages will bring it to fruition. Oh and yes, working at your writing craft is essential too.

If you have any questions I’d be happy to help. Feel free to leave your questions or comments here today or email me privately at dmcdine@optonline.net. You may also view my media kit at http://donnamcdine.com/mediakit.html.

It’s been a pleasure being here today, thank you.

Donna, thanks so much for sharing this with us today. These are very helpful tips for those working on their novels, as well as those who have finished works.

For a little background on Donna. She received Honorable Mention in the 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications, and her first book, THE GOLDEN PATHWAY, will be published through Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a member of the SCBWI, Musing Our Children, and The National Writing for Children Center. Learn more about Donna at http://www.donnamcdine.com If you sign the guestbook, you’ll receive a FREE e-Book WRITE WHAT INSPIRES YOU: AUTHOR INTERVIEWS. More on Donna can be found at her blog: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com and http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com.

Here's a book trailer for THE GOLDEN PATHWAY, enjoy:

Sunday Salon: Three Children’s Books

When I think of children’s books, I tend to group everything into one category and that is completely wrong.

Children’s books, like adult books, are available in various genres. Not having children (and it having been some time since I was a kid), I never gave it much thought. This week I received three children’s books to review and realized this point. While the majority of children’s books are written to teach youngsters, they can still be put in different genres or maybe it’s just different styles of writing.

Here are my three reviews. Each one has a lesson to teach children. Are they in different genres or is it just different writing styles?

THE GOLDEN PATHWAY by Donna M. McDine

David is a young boy living during the time of slavery. Jenkins is a teenage boy and a slave owned by David’s Pa, who is a brutal man that beats him.

Even though David is small and considered a sissy by his father, he is determined to help Jenkins to freedom. Despite the consequences of his actions, David enlists the help of a Quaker (whites that didn’t believe in slavery) to obtain Jenkins’ freedom.

This delightful and inspiring book tells the story of the Underground Railroad that helped many slaves to freedom. The beautiful illustrations by K.C. Snider enhance THE GOLDEN PATHWAY. This book is geared toward youngsters ages 8 to 12 years old.

Donna M. McDine’s website is http://www.donnamcdine.com and her blog is www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com

The Golden Pathway by Donna M. McDine, Illustrations by K.C. Snider, Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. @2010, ISBN: 978-1-61633-088-0, Paperback, 24 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

-----
NURSE VACCINE by Justin Noble

The cooler temperatures will bring relief from the heat and humidity, but will also lead to the dreaded flu season.

Parents with small children may want to pick up a copy of NURSE VACCINE before telling their youngsters they have to have a flu shot. The book helps explain why children need a flu shot rather than ‘just because.’

In this enjoyable book, Raymond Brain informs his fellow Body Village residents that they are getting a flu shot. He receives groans and complaints from them. However when he reminds the residents what they all suffered last flu season, they begin to think differently.

The attractive illustrations by Ann Cannom introduce youngsters to Larry Lung and his twin sister, Rosey; Steve Stomach; Betty Bladder; Lyle Liver; Kelly Kidney; Beri Bicep; and Harry Hamstring.

This is the second installment in the Body Village series. The first book is ARTIE’S PARTY featuring the Vita-men. I would say this book is geared toward youngsters under age 10.

Justin Noble’s website is http://www.mybodyvillage.com

Nurse Vaccine by Justin Noble, Illustrated by Ann Cannom, The Body Village series, Lulu.com, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-557-28875-5, Paperback, 32 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

------
SAVIOR OF THE RAIN FOREST by Bruno Gonzalez

This is a wonderful story of courage, understanding, gratitude, and acceptance when the animals of the rain forest come face to face with man for the first time.

Zalvator is a black panther and the most respected animal in the region. He keeps watch over the rain forest and its animals from his lookout post atop a pyramid.

One day a red parrot flews to Zalvator’s post exhausted and unable to speak. When he regains his strength, the parrot tells of men coming into the jungle where he lived and of a great fire that followed destroying his home.

Zalvator puts the animals on alert for any unusual activity. Days later a boat arrives. While observing the boat, Zalvator sees a small boy fall overboard. Without thinking of his own safety, Zalvator springs into action to save the child. The results lead to a better understanding between the people and the animals of the rain forest.

The rich and lovely illustrations by Helen Luzgin transport the reader to the rain forest. This book is geared toward youngsters ages 9 to 12 years old.

Bruno Gonzalez’s website is http://www.savioroftherainforest.com

Savior of the Rain Forest: An Adventure of Zalvator the Black Panther by Bruno Gonzalez, Illustrated by Helen Luzgin, Trafford Publishing, @2010, ISBN: 978-1-4269-3185-7, Paperback, 40 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

All three of these books would be an entertaining and informative addition to any youngster’s library collection.