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November 5, 2012November 5, 2012

Sandy’s Smackdown

Hi there! I missed you!

Hurricane Sandy knocked out my heat and power until Saturday afternoon, so I was forced to be MIA from the blogging world. I am not ashamed to say I went through a little withdrawal. I am still without cable, phones, and internet, but the family is fine, the house survived, the lights are on, my feet are warm, and I have a refrigerator, so I will not complain.

I will probably never complain again for the rest of my life.

I am behind on everything, as you can imagine, but I did want to send out this quick post to say that, unlike many other folks in New Jersey, I am getting everything back on track. Do keep those who are still homeless or without power in your thoughts and prayers.

I will post something later this week and will try to catch up on my blog reading.

Next week I will post the BCCBA Acronym Contest winner. Wanna still enter? Go ahead! The contest deadline is now Friday, November 9. Click here for the rules. Let your creativity run wild.

One last thing: I want to send out a very special note of gratitude to those of you who checked up on me in the days following the storm. I was (and am) very touched. I am also proud to be a part of such a kind and considerate blogging community. You guys are wonderful.

October 26, 2012

Craftastic!

Gobble! — Meet Corky. Suitable for framing.

My first Sarah Gives Thanks public appearance is on October 28 at 2 pm at Well Read, a charming, independent bookstore in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

I figured it wouldn’t be much work; I’d talk a little about Sarah Hale and Thanksgiving and then I’d read the book and sign copies.

But, Bill, the owner of the place, wanted more.

“You have a craft?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, a what?”

“It’s easier to get kids in the store when you also offer a craft.” Then he added – I assume to be helpful – “You know, something crafty.”

Ah.

Now, I am not a crafter. My skills don’t go very far beyond writing and doodling. But, lately, I also find myself becoming more and more skilled in the art of lying. So I assured Bill that I did have a craft. “A good one,” I said with a confident nod.

And then I floundered around for the next couple of weeks trying to think of something.

What I came up with was this guy at the top of my post. Meet Corky the Turkey. He needs your crayon skills. Coloring is the first part of the craft.

You may have noticed that Corky does not have any tail feathers. Well, fear not. I cut a bunch of tail feathers out of orange and yellow construction paper. Each child takes a handful of these feathers and writes something that he or she is thankful for on each one. Then the feathers are glued onto Corky’s butt. And that’s the second part of the craft.

For Hortense's tushie. — Now Corky can shake a tail feather.

Ta Daaa! Just call me crafty.

I know, I know. It is a far, far cry from what can be found at the incredible pillows a-la-mode and mywithershins. But it certainly beats tracing your hand and sticking a beak on the thumb.

So, onward!

***

On another note, The BCCBA Acronym Contest is almost over! Don’t forget to submit your entry by October 31 for a chance to win a free, signed copy of Sarah Gives Thanks!

October 20, 2012

Boycott BCCBA’s Acronym! Win My Book!

yecch — And Madonna’s ego lived happily ever after.

Two weeks ago I began what I was confident would become a nationwide movement: The Boycott Celebrity Children’s Book Association (BCCBA).

While I am delighted to report that many of the regular commenters on this blog are now active members of this fine organization, the “nationwide movement” thing still eludes me.

Fortunately, the always charming Vanessa “Candy” Chapman came up with a possible reason for this: the Association’s acronym sounds more like an answer key to a multiple-choice quiz than the name of a powerful social movement.

Vanessa’s idea was wise.

Then Vanessa suggested the acronym, CRAP – and, well, that didn’t quite do it for me. Even when the equally charming Anne Woodman seconded the CRAP idea by suggesting it could stand for “Celebrity Resistance and Avoidance Project,” I was unmoved.

You see, the problem I have with CRAP, or any negative-sounding acronym, is that it sends a mixed message:

Support CRAP!

See what I mean? The reason why I started BCCBA was so people would STOP supporting crap.

But, hey, acronyms are tricky.

They are so tricky, in fact, that a really good one might be worth…wait for it… a free copy of my book, Sarah Gives Thanks!

“Wait,” you might be saying, “is that the book that’s so popular it’s going into its second printing?”

YES, THAT’S THE ONE!

Don’t delay! Suggest a new, snappy acronym in the comments section. The best one (as determined by a panel of judges) will receive a signed, first edition of Sarah Gives Thanks!

But wait there’s more! The winner will also be offered the co-presidency of the soon-to-be-renamed BCCBA! (That executive title, by the way, is suitable for any resume.)

The contest will be closed on October 31. So put your thinking caps on! Enter early and often! Spread the word!

Good luck!