Monday, March 24, 2014

NITTY GRITTY GRAB BAG


Your PROMO QUEEN presents:

  a GRAB Bag
of news that could be of interest. . .

NEW BOOK - SKYPE - DYSLEXIA - PINTEREST

 


Temporary picture: As soon as I have the first completed illo I will put it here.

My main news is
"DREAMTIME  MAN"
.

What is that?

My latest book!

.A picture book for older grade-school children.

.

Imagine a wild place where sun burns the sand,
Where water and food must be scratched from the land.
This place is the wellspring of men black as coal,
And Dreamtime ruled all who endured as one soul.    

While shy Daintree tribes hunted deep in the shade,
Tough bush and outback men learned how to trade.                     
Whether hunting, or fighting, or struggling to live,
All respected the Dreamtime and what it could give.     

.

It is the rhyming tale of what happened to the Australian Aboriginal tribes after the white man arrived and proceeded to take over their land. I have had this story simmering on my back burner for a number of years.  In the meantime I wrote 13 other books - some of them about Aussie animals, and several that had Australian protagonists, with even an aboriginal main character or two.
.

Yet the Dreamtime Man kept whispering to me from the depths of my computer.  "Come on Margot, let's get this walkabout on the march. The American Indians got their story out. Stone the crows, mate, we've waited long enough! It's a bonzer tale.  Let's DO IT!"
.

 I guess nagging does work, because I dug him out, dusted him off and polished until he yelled, "Jumping grasshoppers mate, I"M READY already!"
.

Finding the perfect illustrator was no swim in the billabong. The Aussie Outback and bush colors are unique:  bright, clear and strong - their own spectrum of blues and reds. And the aboriginal has a special look - a black Indian like figure will not cut it.  I sent bunches of pictures of it all to prospective artists, but the Dreamtime Man was not impressed. "No fear! I won't fight for my freedom in colors this those!"
.

Then I found an artist on the Dreamtime wavelength.  Her first sample was not promising. But after I sent details and more pictures she came up with a sample that had the Dreamtime Man hopping with glee - like a kangaroo on steroids! The artist's name is Ioana Zdralea, and you can look at some of her diverse work here: http://ioanazdraleaillustration.wordpress.com/page/2/


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

 

SKYPE
.
Author Visit News

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-LLo_eWdxk


April 1st 2014 - 10.30 am

Taking my Magic Carpet of Books to a first grade class in the Eastern US.

Read a story, talk about writing and how books are written,
and answer lots of class questions.

 A FUN DAY FOR ALL!

************************ 


SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS
.
http://pinterest.com/margotfinke/
.

Dyslexia VIDEO

Flemming Ast is a crusader for those with Dyslexia and other reading
or learning problems. This is his latest VIDEO encouraging parents
to get their children reading well and early, and if they
need help doing this, find that help ASAP. 

He has kindly featured me and my Horatio Humble Beats the Big D -
a picture book that helps and encourages dyslexic kids and their parents.  



************************ 


My
PINTEREST

*There's mouthwatering YUMMY food
* Great BOOK REVIEWS

*Help for SPECIAL NEEDS

*Cool BLOGS THAT ROCK
*TEACHER- CLASSROOM

HOME SCHOOL


And LOTS more!






************************ 

Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
http://www.margotfinke.com

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

 


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Introducing THE PROMO QUEEN!


Today I am introducing my


NEW PERSONA!


In the past I have been a -


WIFE
MOTHER
WRITER
SALESWOMAN
AUTHOR VISITING LOCAL SCHOOLS
SKYPER TO SCHOOLS WORLD WIDE 
(time zones permitting)
BLOGGER
SOCIAL NETWORKING
(One woman book promotion)


and now 
 TRUMPET BLAST PLEASE. . .

My new persona is

the
"PROMO QUEEN"
Extraordinaire




You may NOW  drool over my flagship logo.




More to come!


I have been in training for this for years.


DESPERATION forced me to ACT NOW!

I want kids to READ my BOOKS

I WANT

Parents
Aunts
Grandmas
Uncles
Friends 

And the kids old enough to spend their pocket money to 
BUY - LOVE - RE READ 
and thoroughly enjoy the stories I have written.

AND I WANT TO SEE IT ALL HAPPEN BEFORE I KICK THE BUCKET
AND GO TO THAT GRAND WRITING ROOM IN THE SKY!


Make sense to YOU?



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

Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits

Hook Kids on Reading
 ***************************




Tuesday, March 11, 2014

SKYPE AUSSIE MADNESS!


It's Tuesday. . . 
So watch out for
         

 Aussie..Madness! 

 ................................. ............................................................
       
      
SKYPE MAKES it HAPPEN 
...........................................
            
    YEA!! 
Today I did a SKYPE School Visit from Oregon to the Garden State of New Jersey.

This first grade class offers three languages: 
English, Chinese and Spanish.

And these first grade kids were so SMART!

Right away I had an Aussie connection with two of them.  I shared my Australian aboriginal bark paintings, message stick and boomerang.  One boy had a didgeridoo his mom had brought back from a trip Down Under - and HE PLAYED IT FOR ME!   Fantastic.

Another child's Dad had been to Sydney, knew all about Urulu, and wanted to know what it was like there.  Fortunately I had visited the sacred monolith, so we had a great chat about it. Their teacher is also doing an Australian set of lessons.

We talked about the books they loved, the books I write, and how to write stories that HOOK readers.  I showed them all my picture books, especially "Kangaroo Clues,"  because it is about Aussie critters, and I read from "Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind."  

.

I am always so psyched after Skyping with a class like this one.  They were eager to ask questions, very intelligent ones, too. A way smart bunch of kids.  

My Magic Carpet of Books got a super work out this morning - over an hour.  Yet it went so fast because we were all having a good time.  I learned from them, and I hope they learned from me. 

You know. . .

 Today I glimpsed the future generation. . . 
and they looked  pretty awesome to me!

 

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

Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

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


Friday, March 7, 2014

PINTEREST Board WARS!


Yummy versus Teacher/Classroom

 


What is it with you people?

With all the choices my Pinterest board offers,
the ones I get most hits on are
YUMMY (food)
and TEACHER/CLASSROOM -

With SPECIAL NEEDS,  HOME SCHOOL,
HOOK Kids on Reading,
and MOTHER'S DAY fighting for a win.

 

However, AWESOME PINS on boards like:

* BOOK PROMO SECRETS
*WORLD of INDIE WRITERS
*WRITING HELP
*BOOK REVIEWS (kids & adults)
 *PARENTING,  and more


JUST LANGUISH. . . . 


 What is it about FOOD that grabs you?

My famous Aussie lamingtons.Vanilla cake, smothered in chocolate and coconut,
and filled with cream.  A world class YUMMY experience!


So, what's the deal?

*Are you just off a diet and can't resist?
*Is it the pictures?
*Are you masochists ON a diet?

OR
*Do you all REALLY TRULY plan to cook this stuff?

 

GET THIS!

I have just returned and ADDED to this post:

The
Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza Puffs -
Appetizer
 on my YUMMY board, has broken
ALL HIT records for my boards!  

What magic potion does this small yummy have?


I get it with
TEACHER / CLASSROOM 

You're fabulous teachers who want the
best for your classroom - CHECK!


And this T/C board offers YOU
awesome help, guidance and advice.

 

 But You-hoo. . . 

*Are you a Writer desperate for HELP?
*Want to be a Certified Book Promo HO?
*Learn the Nitty-gritty about Self Publishing?
*Looking for a Handle on Mental Health?
*Want to Crack the Pinterest CODE?
*OR  do you just Enjoy a Cool Interview?

 

If you answer YES to any of these questions
my Pinterest boards are
C-A-L-L-I-N-G  YOU!


I would love comments from those who found
Teacher/Classroom, Special Needs, Home School
or Parenting, helpful.

 

  Pinterest is a "one stop" way of making it
EASY to find the good stuff that will
help and encourage you.

 

 


  ========================

Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits 

http://www.margotfinke.com

==========================

dreamhost promo code


 

Sunday, March 2, 2014

BOOKS + SKYPE - a MAGIC CARPET RIDE to ANYWHERE.


Put your kids (or class) on a
Skype Magic Carpet Ride!

*It's FREE Educational Fun!
*My visits help HOOK Kids on reading and writing.
*Meeting a real author puts a whole new slant on books.
*Kids love to get answers to ALL their questions.



WHAT DOES YOUR CLASS LIKE TO READ ?
Adventures, Humor, Fantasy or Animal tales?

If I SKYPED  with your class, what would YOU like me to bring?


 
I would love to read your comments.

I have always thought of reading as a Magic Carpet Ride to fun and adventure. This dates back to the time I was a little girl in Queensland, Australia. I was always dodging chores so I could hide up the huge mango tree in our back yard and read my latest book.  Oh . . . the trouble that got me into!

Smart authors weave in the things kids need to learn to become kind, caring and helpful adults. Characters young people identify with can get points across that no adult could manage.



                                                                    LATEST SKYPE NEWS

                                                                    Teacher Alert!

January and early February 2014 were  busy SKYPE visit months. 
Then the Arctic Blast swooped down. . .

It was a bummer when the arctic blast on the east coast forced several schools to cancel Skype Visits due to cold and excess snow.  But hey, we will reschedule when the weather improves.

Already one Skype Visit is rescheduled for March, for a grade one class in Connecticut.  This is a repeat visit!! And a new visit for a second grade class in New Hampshire. 

Most of these teacher connections come from either Linkedin or from Education Skype, where I am registered.



BOOK
Your
Magic Carpet Ride Now



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



                                                                                       PINTEREST
The Parent-Teacher Helper


TEACHERS:

Let me suggest PINTEREST as a great place to look for teaching and classroom suggestions, advice and help. Look on my TEACHER/CLASSROOM board for links and suggestions that will make classes more enthusiastic, and your teaching day easier. The BOOK REVIEWS there are also a great source of fine educational reading for your class.

And if you are dealing with Dyslexia, reluctant readers,
                   or other Special Needs Kids, check out my  SPECIAL NEEDS etc 
                                                                                 


         PARENTS:
                                                                             A great resource for advice on

                    PARENTING - BOOK REVIEWS - SPECIAL NEEDS (ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, etc)

                                                                      or MENTAL HEALTH.


                       ** I do not review the books: the reviews come from a variety of online sources.

                                                                           
                                                              

  ========================


Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
                                                                                      http://www.margotfinke.com

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