HOW the BIBLE BEGAT the INTERNET?

CONFESSION TIME!

The following piece was sent to me by my cousin in Australia.

It has NOTHING to do with writing for children or books for children

UNLESS . . .

the Bible, children, and the Internet are somehow linked.

I just think it's a cool, fun, and really clever way to
HOOK technology to a Bible story.

In the beginning. . .

In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself, a young wife by the name of Dot. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called Amazon Dot Com.

And she said unto Abraham, her husband, “why dost thou travel so far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade ...without ever leaving thy tent?”

And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, “How dear?” And Dot replied, “I will place drums in all towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling you who hath the best price. And the sale can be made on the drums and the delivery made using Uriah’s Pony Stable (UPS).”
 

Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. And the drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to move from his tent.

 
To prevent neighboring countries from overhearing what the drums were saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew. It was known as “Must Send Drum Over Sound” (MSDOS), and she also developed a language to transmit ideas and pictures – Hebrew to the People (HTTP).

And the young men did take to Dot Com’s trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung. They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican Sybarites, or NERDS.

 
And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to that enterprising drum dealer, Brother William of Gates, who bought off every drum-maker in the land. And indeed did insist on drums to be made that would only work with Brother Gates’ drumheads and drumsticks.

And Dot did say, “Oh Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others.” And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel, or eBay as it came to be known. He said, “We need a name that reflects what we are.” And Dot replied, “Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators.” “YAHOO”, said Abraham.

 
And because it was Dot’s idea, they named it YAHOO DOT COM. Abraham’s cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid (GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot’s drums to locate things around the countryside. It soon became known as God’s Own Official Guide to Locating Everything (GOOGLE). That’s how it all began. And that’s the truth.

 

Fini

==================== 

Thoughts and comments are welcome.

If I knew the author I would happily add attribution
+ a link to his/her website.

 

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The Nameless Prince - YA Urban Fantasy.

Today it is a my pleasure to introduce
Dominick R. Domingo

He is the author of the new and fascinating 
Young Adult Urban Fantasy

“The Nameless Prince.”

And there are 3x Options . . .

• The Novel
• Graphic Novel
• The Movie

This Urban Faerie Tale is a twist on the classic ‘Hero’s Journey,’ made relevant for contemporary readers due to its metaphysical slant. Seth Bauman, the protagonist, has had a tough childhood in L.A.’s Silver Lake neighborhood. The unanswered questions surrounding his mother’s departure soon after his birth have left him feeling abandoned. But the truth that will set him free, and the forgiveness he must find within himself, can only be unearthed in a whimsical realm known as ‘The Interior.’ It is the boatman at the bottom of the L.A. Wash, quite possibly a homeless man who has befriended Seth, who will lead him ‘through the rabbit hole.’

Though Seth’s reality is harsh, the world into which he escapes is at turns whimsical, absurd, poetic, and sublime. It is here that he will learn the skills he needs to cope, and return to Silver Lake with the means of his family’s escape toward a better life. The only question is- is the Interior an alternate realm worth saving, or just a fanciful construct of his own mind?

WOW!

There is SO much more to this novel and its intriguing off shoots. 
All I advise is, go where "The Nameless Prince" hangs out
and discover it all for yourself.

And now for a peek into the mind of the author:

*What tempted you to write YA, rather than go a few years older and write
for adults?

I’ve written in many genres. This is my debut novel, and it happens to be YA. The concept was inspired, and it just demanded certain things, including a protagonist in the cusp of adolescence. I wasn’t thinking necessarily about conforming to the traditions of any one genre, or of marketing limitations with regard to readership. I just wanted to write a good story. I will say, however, that I’d carried a long-standing desire to write a ‘through the rabbit hole’ fairy tale, based on the hero’s journey. I’d always loved stories in which the protagonist ( usually a loner ) encounters a mythological creature in an unexpected place, and follows it to an alternate realm through some kind of portal. I grew up on C.S. and J.R.R. Tolkein, among others, and found myself returning to those worlds over and over again, as an escape. I like the idea of offering this solace to young readers- a place to go that makes the tough journey of adolescence a bit easier. Finally, I remember stumbling into ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ as a child and for the first time, relating one hundred per cent to a main character. He was an unlikely protagonist- sensitive, intellectual, interested in the arts and culture- all the things boys were not supposed to be. I want to offer something relatable to readers that makes them feel validated. Especially the marginalized, disenfranchised, or unique! Finally, I’m interested in challenging young people, not condescending to them or ‘dumbing down.’ My interest in writing YA has to do with offering content with literary value and artistic integrity, not just fluff.

*Did you need to do a lot of research for the Nameless Prince ?

Oddly, no. I researched on an as-needed basis, but largely the preparation was a lifetime of exposure to fantasy. In Interia, Seth encounters many traditional archetypes- a minotaur at the center of a labyrinth, a faun who is the gatekeeper to the alternate realm, a troll, a witch, etc. There are conscious homages to character types that have recurred throughout history- in verbal tradition, mythology, religion, all the way through this sophisticated medium known as film. So largely the research was simply being a lover of art and literature! Additionally, I chose my own neighborhood for the real-world setting. I have lived in Silver Lake for fifteen years. The concept of a boatman ( or possibly just a homeless man ) living at the bottom of the L.A. wash was inspired  by my own discovery of a fantastic ‘Tom Sawyer-like’ homeless camp on an island in the L.A. flood channel. So all I needed to do when it was time to ‘research’  authentic details, was take a walk five minutes form home!

* I see you have 3 strings to your bow: the Novel - The Movie - the Graphic
Novel.  Why this threesome?

As you can see in my author BIO, my background is in animation ( Lion King, Pocahontas, Hunchback, Tarzan, One By One, Little Match Girl ) and writing/directing my own live-action films. So the Graphic Novel and film version were both no-brainers. I am working with three former students on the graphic novel. All of them have become prolific American illustrators, and it is the most exciting thing ever to see the world I created come to life in their very capable hands! And of course I am illustrating one installment myself. The concept is to premier a new illustrator with each episode. Each episode correlates with several chapters of the novel.

*Do you ever plan to write for an adult audience?

Of course. Whatever a concept demands. I have completed a collection of narrative nonfiction essays titled ‘Jesus Shoes.’ Two of the selections were recently included in anthologies, and one of them L’Epiphanie,’ about my time in Paris, won the Solas Award for Best Travel Writing in the humor category. But the collection has yet to be published in its entirety. I am constantly adding to it!

* Tell us, is your graphic novel version for younger readers or still for YA
consumption?

Both the novel and the graphic novel are ‘Fantasy for All Ages.’ I truly believe that the content speaks to adults just as much as adolescents, only with a different sort of resonance. The few people who have read the manuscript more than once and been generous enough to give me feedback have commented that they got something different from it each time. And that is my hope. That the writing speaks to each individual in a unique way, and takes on new meaning depending on their station in life. Rereading The Lord of the Rings or the Narnia Chronicles as an adult for me has been a very different experience than the first time around. I will qualify this by saying that the readership of ‘The Nameless Prince’ is meant to be YA and up. The language may be too sophisticated for Middle Grade, and some themes/plot details are a bit dark.

*The movie scenario:  wishful thinking, or does it have legs?

The concept art visible on the website ( www.namelessprince.com ) is very early ‘Blue Sky’ development. When the time comes, I would love to be involved in some capacity, given my film background. But for the moment, I am focused on promoting the novel and sharing it with as wide a readership as possible. When it becomes the next ‘Harry Potter,’ we’ll worry about the rest…

*Are you in a critique group, and if so, did their feedback prove helpful?

I am not. I have a few individuals whose opinion I highly value, and depend upon them, as they do me. For reasons I won’t go into here, I don’t find writing groups productive. However, in all forms of art and literature, I believe objective feedback is everything. Gauging how material is landing with people, whether it’s with the mainstream, or a select elite few, is key.

*Are you planning to write more books with this hero and turn it into a
series?

Absolutely! The sequel to ‘The Nameless Prince’ is about halfway finished. I didn’t conceive it as or set out to write an episodic tale, but the novel certainly turned out to be set up for it. I was working in New York with a LONG train commute, and just started writing on the train to be productive. That’s when I complete the first half. In the sequel, ten year-old Seth and Elena are now entering high school. My hope is that readers will fall in love with them ( as well as the world of Interia ) and wish follow them on their journey through adolescence toward adulthood.

*What do you think a book's plot and characters must have to GRAB the red
hot interest of this teckie minded younger generation.

Given the potential for isolation and lack of community in this technological climate, I believe the same old ingredients still work- humanity, affinity, a strong character arc, and illustrating something relatable about the human condition. In fact the younger generation may be starved for poetic simplicity. I myself went from seeing one of the latest Matrix movies (very effects-driven and sophisticated ) to a performance the very next day of Vietnamese Shadow Puppets at Bodhi Tree Bookstore. I was more captivated by the latter! I have no interest in giving up on young people and catering to cultural A.D.D. I will continue to challenge them to take in character-driven, rather than effects-driven or technology-driven fare.

*Tell my readers something about yourself that you have never shared before.
Funny or shocking, they lap it all up, mate.

I wish I could say I have six fingers or a webbed toe. But I’m pretty boring that way- the standard number of digits, none of them webbed. Let’s see…here’s something I guess I’ve never bothered to share. The voice in my head, my reverie, is often in French. Horrible French. And once I get on this tangent, it’s hard to make it stop. Like a bad disco song heard on the radio when you couldn’t change the station quickly enough…how’s that?

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A PICTURE BOOK that is "GREEN" and FUN!

Today I am pleased to bring you a wonderful
new picture book by a talented
multi-published writer, and friend -
Mayra Calvani

WATERCYCLE: WATER PLAY SERIES
Book #1

by Mayra Calvani

Illustrations: Alex Morris 

Guardian Angel Publishing - Academic Wings
Follow the water droplets in their journey from the clouds to the earth and back to the clouds again. Written in a lyrical style, the book takes a new angle on the water cycle by showing the feelings it evokes in people.

About the author:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults.  and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Visit her Website and get the first two lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow Picture Book Workshop FREE! 

This author knows a thing or two about writing books that are fun, educational, and also HOOK a child's interest.  The illustrations by Alex Morris marry perfectly with Mayra's words.  Read this to your child - you will both learn that water is not all wet.  

So, now for the inquisition . . . my questions and Mayra's answers:

When did you first begin to write for children?

To be honest, I never thought I’d become a children’s book author. I started writing fiction when I was about 12, but back then I wrote supernatural stories. My taste for the paranormal continued throughout my teens, twenties and early thirties. It wasn’t until I had my second child that, somehow, I got bitten by the children’s writing bug.

Reading all those picture books to my kids at night was the biggest influence. So, one day, I decided to sit down and write a children’s story. That first story eventually became my first published children’s book, Crash!

Since then, I’ve never looked back. I’ve always compared writing for children with walking on a rainbow (in fact, this is the name of my picture book writing workshop). The world of writing for children is a world full of color, imagination and possibilities. I still write fiction and nonfiction for adults, but I have to admit that children’s literature, including teen fiction, is my new passion.

Did you need to do a lot of research for the WATERCYCLE: WATER PLAY SERIES  book?

Actually, I did. I went to the library several times and read all the picture books I could find about the water cycle. I took plenty of notes. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t repeating what was already out there. I wanted to take a different angle.

I see this is Book #1. Have you decided on book #2, and what it will be about?

Book 2, Rain, Hail, Sleet, Snow!  is already written and under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing. All together there will be four books.

Do you find living in Europe (with the language differences) hurts sales of your books?

Yes, I do. I think promotion is very limited for me here because there are few English bookstores, libraries and schools that offer opportunities for writers. I do most of my marketing and promotion online.

How do you manage long distance promotion from Europe?

All I can say is, thank God for the internet! If it weren’t for the internet, I wouldn’t be able to market my books to the world. I can do all sorts of promotion online while sitting at home in my pajamas: interviews, reviews, guest posts, giveaways, virtual book tours. You name it. I haven’t yet done school visits via Skype. I admit I’m more traditional when it comes to school visits.

Are you in a critique group, and if so, did their feedback prove helpful.

I belong to a wonderful critique group here in Brussels. We meet every other Friday. It is a small group, with me and two other American writers. Critique groups aren’t for everybody, but I’ve been lucky with this one. It’s been running for several years now.

Are you planning to write more books with teaching and educational elements in mind, and if so, what do you think the plot and characters must have to GRAB a young child’s interest.

I enjoy writing picture books that are educational but I also like writing books that aren’t what you’d call educational but are just pure fun and humor. Anything to get kids to read and keep reading!

I am planning to write two more educational picture books this summer: one about Antonio Stradivari and another one about cats in Ancient Egypt.

To grab a young child’s interest I think writers should have a child-like sensibility. The language must be appropriate for the age level. It doesn’t matter how original or well written a story is—if it isn’t age-appropriate you’ll lose your readers. I also think that the plot and characters should be ones kids can identify with.  We hear all the time how stories must be original and have a different angle, but kids don’t care about these things. Only agents and editors do. So yes, you need to be original to land a contract with an agent or publisher, but not necessarily to make kids fall in love with your story. Kids don’t know that stories about your first haircut, your first puppy or your first trip to the dentist (just to name a few) have been done a hundred times before, yet they always seem to enjoy these tales. That’s partly why children’s writing is so competitive. We have to please various audiences—the agents, editors and publishers, the parents, and the kids.

Tell my readers something about yourself that you have never shared before. Funny or shocking, they lap it all up, mate.

Hmm. Gosh, Margot. I’m afraid I’m an incredibly boring person. I can’t think of anything shocking or funny. I once fake fainted at a spiritual retreat in order to not answer a question. I was in my teens. Does that count? LOL

Thank you, Margot, for having me here today! I enjoyed your questions.

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

Genre: Children 4-8
Print ISBN: 9781616332372; 1616332379
eBook ISBN: 9781616332389; 1616332387 
Published: March 15, 2012
Pages: 20
Price: $10.95 print; $5.00 e-Book

Available from:
Publisher: GuardianAngel Publishing, Inc.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616332379/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER


================================ 

   


BOOKS for KIDS  -  Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com 

 

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

                                                           

Children's Book Week - Blogging Extravaganza!

.

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - Day7

With Margot Finke




7x  Passionate Authors
from
Guardian Angel Publishing
( affectionately known as GAP )
 
 
 Blogging. . .
Their FINAL day!

offer
2x FREE GIFTS

WIN

A cool tote bag of books by GAP authors

.

or

a FREE Picture Book Critique - by me!

Don't forget to sign up to WIN!
( entry form at the end of this post ) 

***************
.

 My Topic for Today,
 Sunday, May 13th

  

ALL about. . .
ME – ME – ME!

Oh come on now, mates, give me a break:
I have been very GOOD all week.

* I have given out lots of help about writing for kids
* Mentoring those who write for kids stc.
* Promoting books for kids – 

ADMIT IT,
I have stayed ON TOPIC all dang week. 
So, now I deserve some ME time – right?

This is the final day of
Children’s Book Week

So today I want to introduce you to my children’s books -
All 11 of them!

Here we 
GO-
            O-
                       O-
                                  O-
                                                   O . . .

Three rhyming picture books
by 

ME - who else?

        Autographed copies – Guardian Angel Publishing
– Amazon – Powell’s Books -  etc

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

Mid-grade Adventure: 
HOOK Boys on reading!

       Autographed copies – Guardian Angel Publishing     
 Amazon (+ Kindle) – Powell’s Books - etc

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

 

Download  through:
 My Website – Powell’s Books – WritersExchange-ePublishing –
and many more.

 
*************************


NOW .

Surf on over to some of the other
Guardian Angel Bloggers
and enjoy their FINAL Children's Book Week posts.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com



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

And do please add YOUR  comments below
+
Enter our FREE giveaway

Please go to the box at the beginning of this post to sign in for the give away.

The stupid form will not move down here for me - Grrrrr!!

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The Magic Boab Tree that began it all. . .

Taconi and Claude's 21st Century Adventure
a fun, kid's (pdf) book
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 ===============================

*Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
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CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - Day6

With Margot Finke




7x  Passionate Authors
from
Guardian Angel Publishing
( affectionately known as GAP )
 
 
 STILL Blogging. . .
Their fingers are now STUMPS !

 
for
Children's Book Week
May 7th - 13th, 2012

(See list of other GAP bloggers below)
.

.

GAP Authors also

offer
2x FREE GIFTS

WIN

A cool tote bag of books by GAP authors

.

or

a FREE Picture Book Critique - by me!

Don't forget to sign up to WIN!
( entry form at the end of this post ) 

ME - resting between critiques!

.

***************
.

So. . .  let's get to it, mates.

 My Topic for Today,
 Saturday, May 12th

BLATENT PROMOTION

SELL those  !@#$%  books or
DIE in the ATTEMPT!

Okay, you have written and rewritten.  Your pages have been critiqued, edited, and finally published.  YEA!  Now you can relax, right?

.

NOT SO FAST!
Now the real work begins. . .
PROMOTION!

Sorry to burst your “happy” balloon, but you have
people to see, places to go, and books to sell.
 
Below, find your PROMO itinerary:  

• Join groups of writers that have experienced and published members. Pick their brains. Network among Linkedin group members, and scour The Purple Crayon and Verla Kay’s list for promotional help and advice.  The words, “I will help you if you help me,” are a good beginning ploy. Children’s writers are notoriously kind hearted.
• Perfect your Press Release (tailored to fit each new group) – newspapers, bookstores, schools,  etc.
•  Research the best place to have business cards and bookmarks made. 
• Make sure your Blog or Website is in tip-top shape - sharp, cool, and no typos. 

•        If you don’t have one, scurry and set one up.  Blogger.com is easy to navigate.

• Either make, or pay to have made, a really cute and appealing Book Trailer.  If you can, do a Video with you chatting about your book, why you wrote it, and where it can be purchased.

• Create a signature that has your book title and your web or blog address.  USE IT AT THE END OF  EVERYTHING YOU WRITE.
• Research the best Book Reviewers and Bloggers willing to interview you.
• Google, e-mail friends, or beg for lists of schools, libraries, book stores, church groups etc, that you can offer to visit with your book and your one man/woman show.
• Once badgered into letting you come, NEVER leave any of the details to the place you are visiting.  Keep in constant touch about the date, the projector you need, the table for your books, etc.  Give them cute leaflets to distribute ahead of time – book cover, your name, e-mail and web address + a very short Bio, the date you will be coming, and the price of your book.
• Contact publisher so adequate book supplies are on hand.
• Keep notes of things to do, people to phone, and last minute reminders.
• Design a plan that is suitable for schools, yet adaptable.  Set your fee for visits, and let librarians and teachers know you are willing to fit in with their class needs whenever possible.  You are the Queen of negotiations!
• Oh. . . and remember your kids and husband at least once a week.  They must eat, and the laundry is piling up.  Really smelly, mate!! 
•  

SOCIAL NETWORKING 101

Now that the easy part is out of the way,
you can begin working the
Social Networks.

• Twitter, Facebook, GoogleX, Good Reads, Author’s Den and Jacket Flap etc, are all places where published writers hang out, promote their books, and network like their life depended upon it.
• Learn about all the cool things you can do with social networking apps and your blog.
•  Just being there is not good enough.  You have to be SEEN and HEARD regularly. Not just raving on about your new book, the great reviews, and the book signing you plan –  but commenting, encouraging, and giving others a plug.
•  Add to your Blog at least twice a week.  Do promos for other authors in exchange for them doing one for you.  Make it FUN to read. PING your Blog after each new post.
• Once your book is on Amazon, go there, sneak around, and learn all you can do to promote your books via Amazon’s array of likes, pages and apps.  Make sure your book page is linked to your Amazon page.
• And there are many sites where you can list your book and your Bio, and hope someone other than fellow writers notice.
• Blog Talk Radio is a another world of wild promotional places you can be interviewed about your book.  Check that out too.
• And if you ever want to write again, you had better be ORGANIZED.  Promotion eats huge chunks  of your time like a starving alligator eats the unwary.

·     

           IMPORTANT:  Don’t just promote on the sites of other writers. Look for places both  ONLINE and OFF LINE, where you can SELL to the parents, grandparents + aunts and uncles that buy books for the kids in their lives.  

Of course it gets easier with each new book you publish.  You already know what to do, you have the contacts nicely listed, the Blog in high gear, and most of the other “stuff” under some sort of control – maybe not the laundry. . . or the dust bunnies.  But what the hell!  You have sold a pile of books, and the royalties are rolling in.  Take ‘em all out to dinner.  You don’t have to cook!

Oh well. . . we can all dream.  Right?

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

 

NOW .

Surf on over to some of the other
Guardian Angel Bloggers
and enjoy their Children's Book Week posts.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com



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

And do please add YOUR  comments below
+
Enter our FREE giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

CLICK HERE
to read more.

 

 CLICK  HERE
to Download

The Magic Boab Tree that began it all. . .

Taconi and Claude's 21st Century Adventure
a fun, kid's (pdf) book
FREE

 ===============================

*Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfnke.com
*Virtual School Visits – SKYPE makes it happen
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/