It's almost here - the Children's blogfest

Wow - I hadn't really thought about what to do for the children's blog fest over on Lea's blog, but I think I have finally come up with something. I will do some geography quick info bits (not being used in the stories) and will probably a run a small contest - guess the state and receive a small state-related goody bag. I guess I should tell Lea of my goody bags to be given away so she can put them up on the list of giveaways. Hope to see you all over on Lea's blog next week. - E :)

Would you look at that - end of March already

Did March really fly by? Is that a sign of getting older and not realizing how the days are blending into the next? You get up, drink your coffee/water/tea/orange juice/whatever gets you moving drink, head to work, come home fix dinner, do the family things or chores or whatever is awaiting you at home, play around on the computer and before you khow it, it's 1 a.m. and you have to get some sleep to start all over again.

We all don't get much sleep as it is, or most of us don't and 60 minutes had a great episode last week or the week before about how sleep depravation ages our minds and how a 20-year-old deprived of the normal 8-9 hour sleep night by having an interrupted normal pattern has qualities that are seen in 70-year-old people. It was rather interesting to see that the studies show not only does interrupted and/or poor sleep habits cause your mind to age but it also affects your health, increases your risk to develop diabetes, heart disease and other things in our health.

I know I don't get enough sleep and therefore must be showing my mind's age because I can't believe the end of March is here. We are 1/4 of the way through 2008 and I've made some slow progress to the publishing road, but it is happening.

The wait time from the publisher is the worst. I haven't heard anything and I guess that puts me a bit on edge, although I'm just trying to not think about it so I can move on to the next story. There is a next story coming. There has to be as I'm contracted for it. But alas, I digress - and really need a bit of sleep - see you all in the postings - E :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and a quick update

Being part Irish, guess me blog wouldn't look right without some well wishes and a good luck clover and maybe a pot of gold.

An update on my geography series - I turned in my last draft to my agent today an so hopefully tomorrow it will be in the hands of the publisher and then on it's way towards being published. Be on the lookout for updates on my JGDS series blog and while you are there, sign up for my newsletter to get even more updates. (you will see the signup place on the page - so come on over and check it out.)

And so I am wishing you all the good luck and fortune I've found and that you all be truly blessed this St. Patrick's day of 2008.

Bidding you all a

Going into the Jungle

I've been asked to join the community of children's authors on Lea Schizas's Writing Jungle blog (click on linked title) during the week of March 31. I am promoting my Junior Geography Detective Squad series during that week.

This sounds like a great opportunity to really get myself out there. Check out some of the other authors who will be there as well - Stacy Dawn, creater of Harriet the Half-pint Holstein series, Diana Symons, creator of the Tales from the Throne series, and many others. Check out Lea's blog for a complete listing of those authors who will be contributing during the week and stop by and leave messages and have fun. You never know who is giving away door prizes and what you might win - see you all in the postings - E :)

Winner - again!!!!!!!!

Steve Prosapio over at No Bull is hosting a blog tour fest this month. Every Wednesday, he has an author interview posted and if you stop by and leave a message your name will go in the drawing for the guest author's book or whatever the author is giving away. This past Wednesday, he hosted Geoffrey Edwards, author of Fire Bell in the Night, a historical novel. It was a very fun interview in that Steve gave it an actual feel of being there with the person. Stop on over and check it out and for a copy of the book, you can check it out at amazon.com.

Next week, Steve is hosting Dana Fredsti, author of Murder For Hire: The Peruvian Pigeon. I have a copy of her book and it is an excellent fun read. So stop Steve's blog on Wednesday and leave a comment to go in the drawing for a copy of the book. I'll probably read the interview and may leave a comment but will ask that I don't go in the drawing for the prize since I've got a copy already (and Dana owes me a signed book plate to go in the front of mine). Anyway - see you all in the postings - E :)

It's never too early to give

It seems that it is never too early to give a gift. How about giving the gift of literacy from a well-know organization. Toys for Tots is starting a new literacy initiative in conjunction with UPS stories and Mail Boxex, Etc. It seems from reading the article that Scholastic has joined by offering books at the $1 cost. UPS and Mailboxes Etc. will cover the overhead.

As an author I'm all for promoting any form of literacy. So stop by your local UPS or Mailboxes Etc store and make a donation. Help promote literacy. Keep on giving and you will be rewarded in the long run.

Good News - I won (another book - yay!!!!)

A few weeks ago, I stopped by Helen Ginger's blog to leave a comment on Sylvia Dickey Smith's interview and had forgotten about it and this morning when I opened my email, there was a notice saying I had won Deadly Sins Deadly Secrets. I had totally forgotten about that drawing.

I had entered in another drawing but didn't win that one but hey, I love getting surprise emails saying I had won something. You can find Sylvia's books on amazon.com and here if interested in purchasing a copy. I love mysteries andthis sounds like so much fun. Check them out and see what piques your interest - see you all in the postings - E :)