Win My Book! Woo!

November 28th is just around the corner! That means I gotta get out there and plug my book!

This is it!
This is it!

SARAH GIVES THANKS is a picture book biography about Sarah Josepha Hale, the celebrated magazine editress who, in the mid-19th century, led a grassroots movement to turn Thanksgiving into a national holiday. You can learn a bit more about my book and read the reviews here.

Wanna win a free copy? You DO? Awesome!

But you’re in the wrong place.

Head on over to Vanessa Chapman’s blog. She interviewed me last week (and, as you’ll see, took a few liberties with Photoshop). Leave a comment on or before November 6, and you will be entered in a random drawing to win your very own copy of SARAH!

Can I hear a WOO?

By the way, while there, you might want to follow Vanessa’s blog. Vanessa is one of the best bloggers I know.

GOOD LUCK!

She's the boss.

Oh, and if you’re one of those people who never wins any contests, you can always just buy a copy of SARAH GIVES THANKS. By doing so, you can put some loose change into a writer’s pocket. Wouldn’t that be a nice thing to do?

Answer: Yes, yes it would.

Spooky Piggy

Scary Piggy
I have, once again, decided to take part in one of Susanna Leonard Hill’s story contests. In other words, I am a glutton for punishment.

I kid, I kid. I always appreciate a challenge. 

Here are the rules: The story cannot be more than 100 words. It has to be Halloween themed. And it must contain the words “black cat,” “spooky” and “cackle.”

Below is my (very) humble submission. Enjoy!

***

SPOOKY PIGGY

“Boo!” Cuddles shouted. “Boooo! Did I scare you? Am I scary?”

“No,” Claude said, his eyes shut tight.

“Spooky, then? Wooooo! Boooo! Boo woo!”

“Guinea pigs are not scary.”

“Yes we are! Maybe not black cat scary like you, but we are.”

“I am not scary, just sleepy. And you are just noisy. Go.”

With a sad sigh, Cuddles went. Claude closed his eyes.

But then he heard something.

A terrible something.

BATHWATER!

Claude scurried under the daybed.

“Now, that’s scary,” Cuddles said, leaning against the faucet.

She then let out a squeaky little cackle.

My beloved pig was never spooky. She was, however, crafty, ornery, mischievous and a cute fuzzy little bugger.
My pig, Pig. Not spooky, just adorable.

Query Response #4: Query Cleanup

Once upon a time I asked, “What do you want me to post about?”

Remember when I asked that? It was a rather long time ago, I admit. 

You responded — and your wish is my command. It might take me a while, but I will get to each and every one of your requests (even Sarah W’s).

***

Since this Ask-Me-a-Question-and-I’ll-Answer-It thing is going a lot slower than I had ever imagined, I thought I’d use today’s post to wrap up a few of the pithier questions:

Hm. Let me stew that one over...
Hm. Let me stew that one over…

Vanessa writes: “I would like a post about what you’re looking at on the ceiling please. That, or something about your favourite snacks.”

Oh, you lovely Brits. I love how you always throw in a superfluous “U” in words like “favorite.” Anyhoo, my favorite snack is ice cream. In the photo I am looking at the ceiling trying to figure out how ice cream got up there. Smart money says my son is somehow responsible.

***

Limebird Beth writes: “I would like a post on what really is the cat’s whiskers.”

I’m assuming Beth wants to know what I think is the cat’s pajamas. If so, I have pretty much answered that question in this post. I would, however, like to add goats to that list. Hmm. Come to think of it, I did a post about goats, too.

I guess what I’m trying to tell you, Beth, is pay attention!

***

Professor VJ Duke and Domingosaurus both asked me to write about banjos.

Thanks Professor Domingo! All I can say is that the banjo is the most joyful instrument on earth. Even Charlie Brown agrees with me:

See? If Charlie had a banjo, his life would've turned a corner!

Oh, and one more thing: I play my banjo terribly.

***

Catherine Johnson asked me to post a video of me playing my banjo.

Thanks for writing, Catherine! And no.

***

So there you have it this time! Be sure to check in again. Query Response #5 is (maybe) coming soon!