Organization

Okay. Working on Three Reads and a Contest was a great way for me to learn about different and efficient ways to blog (for me). Checked out different desktop softwares I could use, different ways to connect what I read to my blog posts etc. etc. HOWEVER. One thing has become painfully clear to me. I need to better organize what those reading links are, because I do go back and use them. Came back here about ten minutes ago to find a particular link. Can't remember what day it was on, where in the post--even just scrolling through the days was no help--in fact it got worse. I TOTALLY forgot which post I was looking for. Yeah. So. If anything I need to put BOOK, WRITING, AGENT, EDITOR or something in front of each so I can at least find them and need to add more tags.

And yes, this is how I learn. By doing--sometimes the wrong way so I can figure out the right way (for me:P)

Three Reads and a Contest Friday

Just a FANTASTIC round up of all Adventures in Children’s Publishing’s posts on writing in 2010. Have I mentioned lately how much I love that blog?

Best of the Best: Character, Plot, Dialogue and Structure


And the reading list grows :

Mock Newbery « ShelfTalker

And grows :

Mock Caldecotts « ShelfTalker


Contest/s (really giveaways)

Really like this one. A great give away for writers of kidlit :

Last giveaway of the year | The Spectacle

Enter to win a copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT right here!**

Three Reads and a Contest Thursday

**REMINDER** Hosting my own contest right here!**

And now on to my reads for today.


This looks like a good read for my book club kids :

Book Review- Quest For Merlin's Map (The Jumper Chronicles)


A twitter chat I want to check in on. It is taking the place of #scribechat.

The Writer's Road

Agent spotlight on Susan Cohen of Writers House. Another one to add to my research list!

Agent Spotlight: Susan Cohen

And...a contest!

Tis the Season for a Giveaway!

Three Reads and a Contest Wednesday

Some great advice to keep the writing going.

Tip Tuesday #69 | Literary Rambles

Another round up of great 2010 YA reads! Read most and well worth a re-read.

Top Ten Books Read in 2010 « Reclusive Bibliophile

I LOVE this...Adventures in Children’s Publishing always knocks it out of the park! (There’s also a contest for U.S. residents)

A Writer's Toolbox: Prepping for 2011


Contest!

Hosting my own right here!**

Three Reads and a Contest Tuesday/Win HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT

A round up of new releases I know a few teens and adults have been waiting for. YAY!

In Stores This Week (with Interviews & Giveaways)

Editor (St. Martins Press) Interview.

YA Highway: Publishing Interviews: Vicki Lame, Editor for St. Martin's Press

I have a Tale Dark and Grimm on my Kindle. Cannot wait to read it. And, it’s a book club pick for the SurLaLune Book Club!

Mundie Kids: Book Review - A Tale Dark and Grimm

Contest

I didn’t find out today--so, I will host one!

It will be for HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford. Open to Canadian and U.S. residents. Just leave a comment to let me know you would like to be entered and make sure you include an email for me to contact you if you win. I will find that random generator “thingy” I see others use and will use that to pick the winner. Contest will be open until January 15, 2011.

Three Reads and a Contest/s-Monday

Still evolving this idea, so in the meantime, here is the same old (but with some GREAT reading and a giveaway at the Story Siren)

One is a fantastic round up for reads for writers from Adventures in Children’s Publishing.

Best Articles This Week for Writers 12/24/2010

Two is an If You Like set of recommends from Melanie @ Reclusive Bibliophile. I know a question I ask either patrons or customers is, what have you read and enjoyed? Helps put something else they might like into their hands.

If You Like 24 « Reclusive Bibliophile

Three is a round up of Shannon Whitney Messenger’s 5 favorite middle grades of 2010 (and a contest)

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday--5 Favorites of the Year (plus a giveaway and a winner!)

Contest :

The Story Siren: Giveaway: Loser/Queen

Okay--one more contest (it ends Dec 31!)

Awakened Book & Swag Giveaway ~ ends December 31, 2010

Three Reads and a Contest-Friday

Looking for a reading challenge, want to stretch into a genre you don’t typically read or have always wanted to but never do? A NOVEL CHALLENGE rounds them all up for you! Love it.

A Novel Challenge

This one was fun to think about. What would you give a book character for Christmas...and to take it further, I thought what would you give your own character creations for Christmas?

YA Highway: Road Trip Wednesday #59: Give a Book Character a Christmas Present!

Working on hosting my own Canadian Reading Challenge (YA and MG) in 2011~! In the meantime, here’s one that covers all genres! Some good reading and I love his background!


The Book Mine Set

CONTEST!

The Story Siren: Giveaway: The Ivy

Happy Christmas Eve!! 2011 is almost upon us.

Three Reads and a Contest

Taking a break over the holidays to carry on with figuring out the blogging. Three reads and a contest will morph into something related to my Canadian Reading Challenge (run by me I think, or maybe a group blog if I can round up a few other interested in doing/hosting this) and my Debut Reading Challenge (hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren).

Speaking of Three Reads and a Contest (and some reading Challenges!)

Looking for a reading challenge, want to stretch into a genre you don’t typically read or have always wanted to but never do? A NOVEL CHALLENGE rounds them all up for you! Love it.

A Novel Challenge

This one was fun to think about. What would you give a book character for Christmas...and to take it further, I thought what would you give you own character creations for Christmas?

YA Highway: Road Trip Wednesday #59: Give a Book Character a Christmas Present!

Here's a Canadian Reading Challenge that covers all genres. Some good reading and I love his background!

The Book Mine Set

CONTEST!

The Story Siren: Giveaway: The Ivy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and 2011!

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: SurLaLune Book Club: January and February

Yay! A book club. I am adding SISTERS RED by Jackson Pierce to my book buying today. SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: SurLaLune Book Club: January and February

Three Reads and a Contest-Thursday

Ooo yeah...love seeing all the new books coming out! Fuse # 8 gathers them up and tells us about them. And there’s more to come!

2011 librarian previews « A Fuse #8 Production

And another look forward with Kirkus Reviews :

Children's Books | Kirkus Book Reviews

From the Daily Beast--A look back at Young Adult in 2010

Best Young Adult Novels of 2010 - The Daily Beast

So _many_ books and lots of time. Kind of love my job, ya know?

CONTEST! Win a full manuscript critique! Just retweet her tweet Happy Holidays YA & MG writers. Tweet!

sachaw (sachaw) on Twitter

Three Reads and a Contest-Wednesday

A Mini Writing Conference :

WILD ABOUT WORDS: Mini Writing Conference -- 6-1/2 Lists of Advice from Editors, Agents, Authors and a Really Cool Kid

And more writing tips (and a contest!) from Adventures In Children’s Publishing. Great talk on adding more depth to your writing :

It's All in the Details: Writing with RENNS

Wednesday has become all about the writing. The final read is all about finding your voice. This one hit the mark for me.

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Author Voice--Shannon Style

CONTEST! (Make that CONTESTS!

First Page and GIVEAWAY: Bamboo People « First Page Panda

First Page and GIVEAWAY: Elliot and the Goblin War « First Page Panda

Three Reads and a Contest-Tuesday

Some more good, quick advice for your Writer Sock :

The Bookshelf Muse: Stocking Stuffers for Writers: Description

Must catch up on my reading of these. Plus a good point on the gender divide in fiction for kids :

Mouse-traps and the Moon: December 15th: Canadian History

This totally makes sense :

Book Publishers Expect E-Readers to Create a Christmas Spree - NYTimes.com

Plus, I think it will be interesting to see what happens with book sales on that day, I’m sure they will be “up there.” I wonder if there will be some good sales.

CONTEST!

Chatting with Cynthia Leitich Smith | The Spectacle

Three Reads and a Contest-Monday

It’s all about Monday today...literally!

Mundie Moms: Our Favorite 2010 Reads- Our Top 10 Reads From 2010

Mundie Kids

My library boss and I are going to attend North American Publishing Event - Conference - Authors - BEA - BookExpo America one day. Appreciated this post from Kristi at STORY SIREN. Just gives a great sense of what to expect.

The Story Siren: BEA: Q & A

This hit the mark for me, how writing and life interact :

Jennifer R. Hubbard: Writing and life

CONTEST!

The Butler Gets a Break (A Bellweather Tale): Giveaway and Interview! | From the Mixed-Up Files...





P.S

I think this needs to be on my Santa list. Hmmm, my husband? He is a master carpenter. Oh yeah baby.

WORD for Teens: Feature Friday: Bookcases (20)

Joining the 2011 Debut Author Challenge!

The Story Siren: 2011 Debut Author Challenge!

Still going to be some time for me to figure out how I will end up blogging, but part of it will definitely relate to reading. I do it for the library, my book club, the bookstore, for me. So on this challenge..I’m in!

And I’m going to read from Kristi’s lists and going to create one for Canadian debuts in middle grade and young adult, too. As for other debut reading in YA and Middle Grade-I love re-inventions (dark, funny, both) of fairytales (those collected by the Grimms in particular) so going to try and focus on those, as well.

THIS LED TO....I am going to work on hosting my own Canadian YA and MG Reading Challenge, any release date. Old and new favourites. 

And, what better way to read and review books for my wee library, plus going to see how I can get my middle grade book club involved. Same with the teen book club once I get it going. Sleep? Hah! Who needs it.


And look...here’s a badge for my sidebar :


!

Thanks to Kristi @ the Story Siren for getting this rolling.

Three (Four) Reads and CONTESTS-Sunday

Another great list, read some, missed some!

Kidlit.com · Holiday Gift Guide 2010


Too fun (if there even is such a thing as too fun!)

A Holiday Mad Lib | Class of 2K11

Love Query Tracker’s Round Ups.

QueryTracker.net: Publishing Pulse: 12/17/2010

Just have to add in one more-this happened all last week, worth re-reading, checking out links to bloggers and writers who participated. What an amazing community of passionate, readers, writers, reviewers. Love. it.

The Story Siren Appreciation Week


CONTESTS!

This times it’s a link to another favourite blog to follow....Adventures in Children's Publishing They have a whole contest section and to that I say...woot!


Best Articles This Week for Writers 12/17/2010

Three Reads and a Contest-Saturday

Some great folktales remembered. All about gift giving.

Snipp Snapp Snute

This is a gooder. I have a few adult patrons who read YA-and it’s a good list for those who think they might not like it!

LJ Best YA Lit for Adults 2010, Pt. 1

Taking a field trip with YA Highway is fun! Grab the car munchies and off we go......

YA Highway: Field Trip Friday: December 17

CONTEST-the wrap up to the STORY SIREN APPRECIATION WEEK. It ROCKED let me tell you.

The Story Siren Appreciation Week: Firelight Giveaway + A Few Words to All the Authors!

Three Reads and a Contest-Friday

On some of my characters I could answer the question Elle poses about Felt Need, on others not so much (going to dig deep on those guys-well, except for the three pigs, I know what their felt need is ) :

Elle Strauss: Wednesday How To Write: Felt Need

Lots of good stuff here :

Archetype Writing Blog

And yes...my to read list grows. Here is Horn Books best of 2010 :

Notes from the Horn Book | December, 2010

CONTEST!

The Allure of Books: Holiday Giveaway!

Three Reads and a Contest-Thursday

1. 1. The Mock Newberry Awards :

A Good Kind of Mocking | From the Mixed-Up Files...

1. 2. As a writer I read this and kept going...wow. wow. yes. of course.

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Finding Your Character's Voice--Shannon Style

1. 3. One of the reasons I LOVE my Kindle is that when I read reviews like this :

Wondrous Reads: Review: The Invisible Order - Rise of the Darklings by Paul Crilley

I can but it right away. Of course, it’s now on my to request for our library list!

CONTEST !

Vote on a book cover of THE LIAR SOCIETY by

The Liar Society Available March 2011 from Sourcebooks Fire by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Three Reads and a Contest-Wednesday

1. Very helpful (and fun, check out MEEZ!) article. Well rounded and covering all areas of the writing life. And I like the photo... cappuccino, mmmmmm! And, I’ll add to the Getting Published and Protecting list... http://www.dropbox.com/. I just started using it and love it!

22 Websites Every Writer Must Use | The Creative Penn

1. 2. And been checking this out, this week :

The Story Siren Appreciation Week (includes some contests, btw)


3. Great for shopping for personal, gift and the library in 2011!

Cybils: Cybils Nominees and Last Minute Shopping

CONTEST :

YA Highway: YA Highway's Second Annual Winter Giveaway!

Thank You Helene!! (REAL MERMAIDS DON"T WEAR TOE RINGS!

The book :



Has arrived.

Signed :



And with some swag :





Can’t wait to read then share with my book clubbers!

REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS  by Helene Boudreau

Three Reads and a Contest-Tuesday

1. Great post on the three act structure, clear, concise and to the point...re, redundant much am I?

The Bookshelf Muse: Want High Stakes? Amp up the Stress!


2. Timely post for me. Working out how to manage my time and the question Elana has at the bottom is all important :

What do you sacrifice to be able to write? What won't you sacrifice?

Here’s the link :

YA Author Elana Johnson: Sacrifice


3. And yes, yes and yes to this article. Based on how picture books circulate from our library and how they are selling this Christmas at the bookstore, I say again yes to this article. I worked this weekend (bookstore) and I LOVED how I was able to hand sell picture books and board books and how I had to keep making sure how display tables were kept looking good and filled and that I had to keep fixing the picture book shelves, facing more and more books out...AND...okay, done with the “ands” Here’s the article :

Don't Write the Obit For Picture Books Yet


And a CONTEST!

The Story Siren: Giveaway: The Lost Saint + Nail Polish

Three Reads and A Contest-Monday

As I work my way back into life in cyberspace and catch up with old blogs and visit new, I came across a WONDERFUL idea from Shannon Whitney Messenger! Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. There’s talk about middle grade and great give aways!

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Combine this with From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors and I am in middle grade heaven. Great for keeping up with what’s out there and being reminded of the classics.

From the mixed-up files of middle-grade authors

Little behind on my PW reading, glad I didn’t miss this one though! Kids books in the digital age! Would like to find the webinar...they usually upload them.

Children’s Books in an iPad Age: A ‘PW’ Webinar


And the CONTEST! Actually make that contests!

I have won two books:

Hélène Boudreau » Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings Thanks, Helene!

PUGS ARE THE BEST by Elaine Landau. Adding it to my book club pile-and what a cutie to bring into a meeting! Thanks to Wild About Nature and Elaine Landau !

Three Reads and a Contest-Sunday

There’s an especially good round up of blogs for writers listed here:

Elle Strauss: Friday Free For All: A List


A great video about the birth of Scott Westerifield’s LEVITHAN that includes a question and answer with him. He also talks about Steampunk fiction. Will be sharing this video with my book club kids, they will LOVE it.

Notes from the Slushpile: Scott Westerfeld on what Steampunk is and why it would be cool to have illustrated novels


Someday my library manager and I are going to this. And we are going to have fun. Lots and lots of FUN!

The Story Siren: Intro to BEA


Beth Revis is right. Her publishing company rocks. This really is an epic giveaway. 100 prizes, swag, great stuff for readers!

writing it out: Epic Contest of Epic

Three Reads and a Contest-Saturday

READ :

If love keeping up with fairytale twists and retellings, this is one blog to follow:

Fairy Layers

READ :

Keepin’ up with what’s happening in the world of books with Query Tracker

QueryTracker.net: Publishing Pulse, 12/10/10

READ :

Some great round up links!

http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/2010/12/cool-links-friday_10.html

CONTEST :

I am LOVIN’ this one...a gift certificate from Amazon! And, check out their plans for contests on 2011, great great things to do with a classroom or book club, or just on your own.

December Giveaway | Class of 2K11

Three Reads and a Contest-Friday

A Read :

On writing a great query:

Karsten Knight: The Query for WILDEFIRE

A Read :


And, talk about writing inspiration!:

Elle Strauss: Need Some Writing Inspiration? Check Out the Now Free Paris Review Interviews--guest blog by Vanessa Jones

A Read :

A picture book twist on the Frog Prince that I’ve added to my to read list:

Children’s Books in an iPad Age: A ‘PW’ WebinarKiss Me! (I’m a Prince) by Heather Mcleod « First Star on the Left



A CONTEST:

A contest from one of my absolute FAVOURITE review blogs (and I’m entered for my future teen book club!):

The Story Siren: Giveaway: The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Three Reads and a Contest-Thursday

Just testing out MacJournal to see if I can drag links into it. And...

Books That Help Kids Take the Leap Into Middle-Grade Novels | From the Mixed-Up Files...

of course you can, that is possible with most any document. But. I had to give it a go!

Great list of 2011 books to watch for. And, of course, to add to my library collection wish list! So excited for January when we have a budget again!

Heather's Odyssey: 2011 Debut Authors

A reminder to my writer self to just read the articles @ Bookshelf Muse. Even if I think it’s not a symbol of setting I need, I find it inspires me. Speaking of using it though. For one of my current WIPS, I dragged the settings, symbols etc that I knew I would need into my research folder (using Scrivener) and could have them up when working on certain scenes! Found it really kept me writing-and made for a much more interesting scene to revise!

The Bookshelf Muse: Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Freedom


And finally (before I head off and get ready for work!) WIN a book! DEAD BIRD THROUGH THE CAT DOOR. Great middle grade mystery for boys and girls, funny, smart, fast paced. Check. It. Out.

Three dead moths in my mailbox ...: Dead Bird through the Cat Door takes flight on Amazon!