Thursday, September 29, 2011

Introducing VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS - Skyping to promote READING


Coming soon . . .
from
Margot Finke 
At my writing desk, holding "Taconi and Claude,"
my latest mid-grade adventure or boys - and tomboys!

 
VIRTUAL  SCHOOL VISITS –
Skype Makes it Happen!
This is for the teachers - or those who know teachers:
I am looking for teachers, or schools, that would like a
VIRTUAL VISIT
from a children's author who loves to get
RELUCTANT READERS READING. 
 
With the economy in the dumps, and many schools feeling a definite pinch, Skype and a Webcam make sense.  And I promise your class AFFORDABLE and INFORMATIVE fun.

I am also more than happy to plan my presentation
so that it fits the needs of YOUR class's curriculum.

Let’s negotiate a
VIRTUAL  SCHOOL VISIT

 Go here for ALL the details


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Margot’s Magic Carpet
11x Books With a WOW Factor
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

SCHOOL VISITS via Skype and a Webcam - Are they a GO?

AINT NEW TECHNOLOGY AWESOME.

For schools a bit off the beaten track, or unable
to come up with big fees, 
have you though to
Try a SKYPE-WEBCAM visit
to introduce YOU and your BOOKS?



I write books for kids (11pub so far), and I'm looking for
teachers or schools that would like a Skype/Webcam
visit from an author like me . . .


Margot Finke

An author who loves to get r
eluctant readers
HOOKED on READING
.   

With the economy in the dumps, and many schools feeling a definite pinch, I think author visits via Skype and a Webcam will fill a very definite need in an economical, as well as fun and informational way.

HERE'S MY PLAN

Just like my in-person school visits, I would talk about writing books, illustrating them, read one of my latest, and maybe run a short lesson on writing or rhyme.  I am happy to provide whatever the class curriculum needs. I will encourage the use of active and powerful words - of kids exercising and playing with their imagination. The idea is to paint instant word pictures in your reader's head. This brings the plot and the characters alive. 

Reading is a Magic Carpet Ride
to fun, adventure, and a chance for great educational
opportunities – all from the safety of your comfy chair. 
 
My collection of Australian aboriginal artifacts  – boomerangs, message sticks and bark paintings etc,  show well, and would be a hit with any class. And answering children’s questions is always a highlight of any school visit of mine.

I would also love to give the class, or any child that wants one, a FREE copy of my short time-travel (PDF) adventure. Synopsis:  When a magical Boab tree sends Taconi spinning into the 21st century, Ruthie and Horatio (characters from 2 other books of mine) help Taconi and Claude find their way back to the 1950s where they belong. 

My two latest books are:

Taconi and Claude – Double Trouble.

This is a mid-grade adventure about a young aboriginal boy’s coming of age problems. It is set on a cattle station in outback Australia, circa 1950.  *My Teacher’s Guide page encourages the use of the KWL study guide. There is also a glossary of fun Aussie and aboriginal words included.
http://myplace.frontier.com/~mfinke/Teacher%27s%20Guide.htm#teach

Horatio Humble Beats the Big D.
 

This rhyming picture book supports dyslexic kids in their efforts to read.  It is a fun read for any child, yet it encourages parents to diagnose problems early.  A helpful parent/teacher guide is included.

Teachers who are interested, please e-mail me for more details:
 mfinke@frontier.com


( Home schooling parents too! )



Make the  Skype-Webcam technology work for
YOUR CLASS.

********************************

 
** Margot’s Magic Carpet
   See 11x Books with a WOW Factor
** Manuscript Critiques - Help for writers
    http://www.margotfinke.com


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The MUSE ONLINE WRITING Conference will help HOOK KIDS on YOUR WRITING


HOOK KIDS on YOUR WRITING  by signing up for the
 

FREE
Muse Online Writing Conference
October 3rd through 9th - now signing up attendees.

CHOOSE FROM  an awesome list of. . .

workshops, pitch sessions, agents, publishers and chat
sessions being offered throughout the week of October 3rd - 9th.

http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content

This is my fifth year of offering a fast assessment on hundreds of first pages.  I hardly have time to breath for the whole week.  However, meeting new writers and helping them on their way is always a thrill for me:

* Will it HOOK an editor's interest.
* Does it include a WOW factor
* Is it tight and terrific - no waffles ?

AND OTHERS ALSO OFFER:
workshops with  terrific writing, promotional and assorted other guidance, publishing advice + a chance to pitch your story to a publisher.  The FREE Muse Online Conference is a once a year chance to find new contacts, network with other writers, and pick the brains of the experts.
 
A slam dunk - right?


BUT DON'T DAWDLE!
Workshops and classes fill up FAST!

Sign up NOW, and get a handle on all those details you need to know
about writing, publishing and promoting your book.

SIGN UP link is in the left column


**************************


Margot’s Magic Carpet
 11x  Books With a WOW Factor
 http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

Books - Manuscript Critiques

http://www.margotfinke.com



Monday, September 5, 2011

RANDOM ACTS OF PUBLICITY - Help Friends Promote Their Books.

Let's all
CELEBRATE
The Annual Random Acts of Publicity Week
September 6-8th 2011 
 Give a Fellow Writer's
New Book
an
EXTRA PLUG!


Okay mates, hold onto your hats.  I have a long list of titles that will  
delight, intrigue, and HOOK your interest.


Please spread the word with links on
YOUR
BLOGS,
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and MORE.


Promote someone else's book and they will reciprocate.



In today's depression-like climate, authors need to network, and bring the superb children's books that fellow writers publish to the attention of those who BUY books for the kids in their lives - grandmothers,  parents, aunts, uncles, or libraries schools and churches. 

WHATEVER IT TAKES, MATES!



Feral -  YA 

Bev Cooke

Orca Book Publishers

Synopsis:
She lives in fear – of the two-legs, of the noisy, massive trains that scream in and out of the station, of cats and rats and dogs and the dark of the tunnels. She lives in the subway, where the hard shoes kick her ribs, where shrill voices beat her ears, where she subsists on the garbage of the humans as Candlewax, the lost one watches.

BUY:
ISBN:978-1-55143-747-7

Canada
US -  Go to our American site

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Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep
Picture book: ages 3-7

Kathe Stemke:

 
Illustrator:  Jack Foster
Guardian Angel Publishing

Synopsis:
When Zachary puts on his thick black glasses, he becomes a super hero. This enables him to protect his new baby sister from all kinds of problems. In the process he learns how much he loves her. This action-packed book with clever rhymes focuses on teaching consonant blends.
BUY:
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/shshsh.htm 
ISBN : PRINT: 978-1-61633-156-6; 6161331569
e-Book: 978-1-61633-157-3; 1616331577



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Hunted -  YA

Cheryl Rainfield:


West Side Books

Synopsis:
Caitlyn, a telepath in a world where that's illegal, must choose between
staying in hiding or saving the world.

BUY:
http://www.amazon.com/Hunted-Cheryl-Rainfield/dp/1934813621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315010450&sr=8-1

ISBN : ISBN-10: 1934813621
ISBN-13:
978-1934813621

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Come See the Earth Turn -
The Story of Leon Foucault
Picture Book, ages 4-8

 Lori Mortensen
 
Illustrator: Raul Allen


Random House 
 
Synopsis:
Did the Earth really turn on its axis? Scientists believed it did. But how could they prove it? Many had tried . . . and failed! Then, one historic day in Paris, Leon offered the proof everyone had been waiting for.

Winner of the 2011 NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12.

BUY:
ISBN : 978-1-58246-284-4
********************************
Isabel’s Secret  
Chapter Book  8-12 years

Jan May

Illustrator: Julianna Davis


 
Publisher: New Millennium Girl Books

Synopsis:  
Isabel is a spirited eleven year old girl who is in love with horses.  Her motto of faith: "Winners never quit and quitters never win, for I serve the mighty God that lives deep within” helps her to win horse races and small things like that. But it’s sorely put to the test when she discovers Grandmother Biltmore’s plan to take away the family horse ranch. Follow her and her best friend Holly on an adventure in faith as they try to save the ranch and uncover a family secret that rocks Isabel’s world.

BUY:
http://www.NewMillenniumGirlBooks.com

Amazon
ISBN:  978-0-9835281-0-4

*************************************


What’s Better Than That Seren Dippity?
Picture Book for 3-6 year olds    

Brenda K. Hendricks
http://www.myquotesofencouragement.com

Illustrator: Brenda K. Hendricks


Publisher:  Two Small Fish Publications

Synopsis:
Every plump-with-pollen daylily in the field belongs to Seren Dippity. What’s better than that? But she’s not sharing. Will she learn to stop stinging and scaring and start singing and sharing before she loses all her friends?  Hidden bees on every page and includes pages to print and finish.

BUY:
Hard copy:  http://www.twosmallfish.org/bumbly_bee.htm
ISBN #978-0-9826582-1-5

************************************

Elliot and the Pixie Plot  - MG fantasy

Jennifer A. Nielsen
Illustrator -  Gideon Kendall

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Synopsis: 
When Elliot is kidnapped to the Underworld by mischievous Pixies,
he must steal a sock from the evil Demon Kovol if he is ever to return home again.


ISBN #: 140224021

*********************************
Carla's Cloud Catastrophe -
ages 4-8, picture book

Beth Bence Reinke 

Illustrator: Ginger Nielson
www.gingernielson.com

 
4RV Publishing  
Synopsis:
When a weather disaster threatens to shut down the town and ruin
Carla's birthday, someone must save the day. 

BUY:
ISBN: 978-0982834602


*********************************



  The Chosen - YA


Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Synopsis:
Halli is a shy, young dwarf who has no idea of her true calling.  When the evil Prince Gastle sets out to detroy the world of Phantasma, Queen Laurali of the Elves comes to tell Halli she’s a Holy Paladin with the power to heal, and will join The Chosen, a group of brave warriors being sent to defeat the evil beast and save Phantasma.  Will Halli be accepted by her group, and be able to keep them alive through their adventures?  Will the evil Prince Gastle be defeated, freeing
Phantasma from his destruction?  Only time will tell.

BUY:
*********************************
Davey Crockett Gets Hitched:
Picture book - Kindergarten through Grade 4
 
Bobbi Miller:
 
Illustrator:  Megan Lloyd

 
Holiday House

Synopsis:
Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind can out dance any fool. So it comes as a complete surprise when Davy Crockett--with the help of a well-placed burr--manages to keep up with her. Two large-than-life characters do-si-do into each other's hearts in this hilarious tale, full of spit and vinegar.
 
 
ISBN : ISBN-10: 0823418375
ISBN-13: 978-0823418374
 
**************************************
 
The Wise Old Tortoise and the Monkey - Picture book


Dr Vukani G. Nyirrenda
http://www.kalimatundutales.com

Illustrator: Ivy Marie Apa


Xlibris

Synopsis:

The Wise Old Tortoise and the Monkey is based on a Zambian folktale about life in a diverse community. In the story, a diverse group of animals and a bird live in the same tree home but don't interact. The Monkey hosts a get-to-know-each-other party up the tree but the Tortoise can't climb. Disappointed, he hosts his own party later but requires neighbors to wash their hands before eating. Monkeys fail the test, leave the party, but the compassionate Tortoise invites them back.


SBIN:
(Softcove), 978-1-4586-9133-6
(Hardcover),  978-1-4628-8471-1



**************************************
 

This is
Random Acts of Publicity
week!

please . . .
GET THE WORD OUT!

***************************************


    Margot’s Magic Carpet
    Books With a WOW Factor
    http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

    Manuscript Critiques
Let me help you write,
"As Tight as Your Granny's New Girdle!"

    http://www.margotfinke.com


*************************************