I am surprised. I’ve been teaching workshops for library staff for almost ten years and I didn’t see this coming. An organization that I often work for asked me if I’d like to have them get a copy of my book into every library in my state. I said Yes! So part of my donations will go to libraries, as I’m also comitted to giving the book to hospitals–especially those with a NICU–and literary organizations that serve families who want books but can’t afford them. All I have to do is to deliver about 150-180 books (once they arrive) and they’ll ship them out. Now that is a gift and a wonderful example of how one thing (I said I’d give away half my print run) leads to another (their generosity.) Thanks to all who have already pledged to my campaign. It means so much!
Jean
“WHAT DO TOES DO?” How I turned rejection into an exciting project.
I didn’t plan on publishing a book–or in this case a series of six books–on my own. But having tried for many months to get a traditional publisher to take “What Do Toes Do?”, I got discouraged and asked my husband what I should do. He said, “Why don’t you publish it yourself?” I instantly thought of a whole list of reasons why I didn’t want to do this, but over time I decided it was worth a try.
I founded Salt Cove Publications, found an illustrator from Indonesia, discovered that one of my local librarians is a good editor, and “What Do Toes Do?” was born. The first in a series of six board books, “What Do Toes Do?” captures babies’ delight in discovering their own toes. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign, I plan to give away at least half of the print run–that’s 270 books! I’ve already lined up a delivery of my books to a NICU unit at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, and am meeting with a local nonprofit organization, “Read to Grow”, whose mission is “To promote language skills and literacy for children, beginning at birth, and to support families as their babies’ first teachers.”
I’ve also started booking Story Time at libraries so I can read my new book to babies and toddlers. And yes, my book will be for sale in bookstores and online, too, and I’m available for speaking events including bookclubs, writers workshops, and publishing forums.
I’ve had three books published by major publishing companies and that was exciting. But I have to say, this is really special because it’s been a collaborative process with so much help along the way. I can’t wait to get to work on the next one which might be “What Does Your Nose Do?” Stay tuned!
Please check out my Kickstarter pre-launch page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1737438770/what-do-toes-do. My campaign to raise $3,200 in 30 days starts on September 25th.
TEN THINGS TO CONSIDER AS THE DAYS GET SHORTER
I always find it a bit startling when Daylight Savings ends and it starts to get dark around 4:30 in the afternoon. So to help myself, and hopefully a few others, here are ten things to consider.
- Dark can be peaceful, even restful. Don’t fight it.
- The mornings are bright and welcoming.
- It could be time to get out those cozy blankets and throws.
- Notice one thing that you like about dusk.
- If you’re feeling sad about less outdoors time, start an indoor project.
- Make soup–this almost always works for me–and share some with a neighbor.
- Learn from animals–this photo of my dog, Rudy, says it all.
- I know this sounds like a cliche, but light a candle and put on music you like.
- Read a good book. If this hasn’t been something you’re already doing, visit your local library.
- Hibernate–yes, I know we can’t really do that, but let your body adjust to a different time.
FALL HARVEST
Maybe “harvest” is too grand a word for my little garden, but here we are in mid-September and my very long string beans and my cherry tomatoes have given me another wonderful bounty. I’ve come to think of the way I garden as “benign neglect”, meaning that I plant things, care for them, but then step aside and let them do what they want to do. It’s a little like raising children. Or writing a book. Effort and then no effort. Waiting. Thinking of other things. And the best part is that it’s always surprising. For example, a few weeks ago I realized that nasty vines were invading my roses. I put on my gardening gloves, yanked out as many as I could reach, got stuck by the thorns in the process, but now have two rose bushes that are so full of blooms I can’t keep up with them.
Patience is not one of my best qualities, but my fall harvest tells me wait, keep an open mind, and maybe, just maybe if I’m lucky, something unexpected will show up.
The Power of Thanks
I’m reminded today of the power of gratitude as I came across an email, written to me by a job search client, 13 years ago. I was a bit bored and had decided to clean out a closet where I keep a lot of papers and there it was. This client had landed a good job and in thanking me, she wrote: “I carry your book, Eliminated! Now What? around like a Bible. It gives me great comfort and reassurance when I falter or self-doubt begins to creep in.”
That was and is a gift. An important reminder of why I do what I do. A connection. If you’d like to take my gratitude challenge, think of a person, past or present, who has helped you, and drop them a note. You’ll rarely know its impact, but do it anyway. It could just make someone’s day!
“LOST” and “DELICIOUS”
I recently entered a contest for very short writing and came up with two, fun pieces. Enjoy!
LOST
She sat at the diner, coffee cold, muffin half eaten
And wondered where to go next.
He hadn’t even sent a note or called
But she knew it was over the way you know
When a storm is coming and is about to break
Over your head.
DELICIOUS
He leaned in and she felt the heat of his face
The stubble of whiskers
His eyes on hers and she couldn’t help
But lift her face, her heart
Because just at that moment in the dark alley
They shared their first kiss.
A short story about an impossible job
Check out my short story, “Restrained”, published in the online journal, “Literary Heist.” https://www.literaryheist.com/. Scroll down to short stories and you’ll find it.
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SLEEP AND WAITING
My desk is next to this bed where my two dogs love to take a morning nap in the winter sunlight. I glance over at them and can feel how warm their fur is, can feel relaxation. They’re quiet. Right up against each other.
My favoirte Christmas Carol is “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” and I sing it as I walk the dogs in the cold air. But there is nothing bleak about these two creatures even as the days shorten. I sing in a church choir and this season is advent–a time of waiting. Waiting for the darkness not to win. Waiting for light to return. Waiting for miracles.
I never thought of sleep as the best way to wait, but Rudy and Dixie, my two dogs, know best. They say: find a sunny spot, close your eyes, let go of whatever you think you have to do and just be here. See what happens.
WHAT DOES JOY LOOK LIKE?
Celebrated my birthday yesterday and went to a good friend’s house for tea and cake. It was great, and then sitting on the couch with her bulldog, Lucy, I got the best present ever. IMG_3085. Watch it and I dare you not to laugh!
Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks!
My therapy dog, Rudy, and I will be at the Lyme Public Library, for a free talk on what makes therapy dogs special and how they’re trained. Rudy loves to meet new friends and does some fun tricks. P.S.That’s not us in the second photo. 
