Blowing Out Some Discs and Melissa Gijsbers

I have been absent from the blogging scene because I blew out five discs in an accident here on our farm. YOUCHIE!!!!! Oh, THE pain! I'm doing this without pain meds too. YOUCHIE!!!!!!! 

But here's the real reason we're here today. 

Everyone please welcome Melissa Gijsbers. Melissa has a crowdfunding campaign going on right now for her book SWALLOW ME, NOW! Her target is  $3,500. Her deadline is September 20^th. This book deals with the subject of bullying. A very important subject for all of us. Especially our kids.

This is the story of the project. Taken from Melissa’s crowdfunding project page at Pozible. 

‘Swallow Me, NOW!’ is the story of Samantha Phillips, a ten year old kid in grade 5 who relocates back to Australia after spending three years in Nepal. On her first day she meets Felicity, the most popular girl at Green Oaks Primary School, who bullies her, first with exclusion, and then escalating to teasing. The story tells the tale of how Sam overcomes the bullies and builds her confidence to find some new friends.

I first Melissa over at the chapter book challenge facebook group. This girl is full of energy and a love of writing. I knew I had to do something when I saw she was trying to crowdfund.

Melissa, what is the biggest challenge with crowdfunding?

There are two big challenges for me. One is self-promotion, not something I’ve been particularly good at, hand in hand with self-confidence. Something that many writers struggle with. The second is not bugging people all the time with posting links to the campaign!

How do you decide how much money you will need?

I looked at how much each element of the book cost – editing, layout, illustrations, printing, etc. – and then added extra to that amount for the different rewards. I also took into account how much it would be for envelopes and postage as well as the Pozible fees. I then added in a little extra for any unforeseen costs and came up with the figure.

How many rewards does an author need to have? I noticed you have seven. I’ve seen other projects that have two, and some have ten. 

I’ve seen campaigns with more rewards than what I have, and some that has less. I was going to have less. However, I know I have a lot of contacts who are outside Australia, so I wanted to make sure they didn’t miss out on getting a copy of their book too. :-)

How did you find your publisher?

I met Julieann Wallace from Lilly Pilly Press through a writer’s group on Facebook a while ago. I started looking for an editor about 7 months ago, and Julieann put her hand up. One of the biggest selling points for me was she’s a former teacher of the age group I’m aiming the book at, so she was able to edit the book from the point of view of a teacher as well as an editor. She believed in the book so much that she’s helped me every step of the way with publishing.

How many books will be printed?

That will depend a lot on how many books are pre-ordered! There will also be a box or two ready for the book launch in October.

Tell us about Swallow Me Now!

Swallow Me, NOW! was written during the 2013 Chapter Book Challenge and grew as a result of my son being bullied and hitting out. It’s based on my experiences in the late 1980s of being a missionary kid adjusting to life back in Australia and my kids experiences of bullies. One of my aims with the book is to encourage kids who are being bullied to speak up and get help.

Who did the illustrations?

Cecilia Clark (http://ceciliaaclark.blogspot.com.au/) drew Sam; you can see her on the cover. I think she’s done an amazing job as Sam looks just like I imagined her.

 My 12-year-old son is also doing a couple of the internal illustrations. He’s really excited to be involved and is trying to find a way he can pledge to the campaign….!

What can readers do to help you?

First, they can stop by and pledge. There are levels from $5 to $100, and most include a copy of the book. There are also levels where you can get a book for you and one for a friend. If you don’t have a friend you can think of, we would be happy to donate the second copy to a school or library.

Second, they can share the word and encourage their friends to get involved.

I’m looking forward to sending out copies of “Swallow Me, NOW!” to all the supporters of this campaign.

I truly hope you have your money by September 20th, Melissa. It's been wonderful having you here. 

If you want to support Melissa in crowdfunding her chapter book hop over to her home away from home and show her the love. Any amount will be appreciated. Here's the link: Swallow, Me Now! 

Melissa's HOUSE! YEAH! The House!

Melissa's hideaway (her blog) :-) Aussie hideaway

Here's Melissa's FB page: MelissaGijsbers. 

Question. Would YOU ever consider crowdfunding a writing project?

Book 2 Cover Reveal For Crystal Collier. Soulless People!! *fist pump*

Is that cover fantastic or what? You'll see how to preorder at the bottom of this post. 

Have you met the Soulless and Passionate? In the world of 1770 where supernatural beings mix with humanity, Alexia is playing a deadly game.

SOULLESS, Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

What people are saying about this series: 

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." --SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." --Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." --Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

COMING October 13, 2014

PREORDER your print copy

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How I Found the Write Path Blogfest

This is a letter to myself that I wish I'd had at the beginning of my writing journey. I'm part of the How I Found the Write Path blogfest. Want to read the other letters? Visit So You're a Writer and you can. 

Dearest Robyn of eight years ago, *groan*

I recognize the sparkle in your eyes, and that boundless energy coupled with your zest for writing. I notice you have some manilla envelopes on the desk addressed to agents and publishers, too. *shakes a weary head* It might be awhile before you need to worry about mailing those manuscripts off. I wouldn't put a stamp on them just yet. 

I can see the excitement on your face when you write and read your stories. You think NO ONE has ever written such beautiful wordage. You believe that the first agent or editor to lay eyes on your stories will JUMP at the chance to sign you to a thirty-year contract. Oh my. Bless your heart, girlfriend. You have a FEW things to learn.

First up, buy a pencil sharpener and a lot of erasers. Purchase plenty of composition notebooks, copy paper (not the thick kind for agent and editors, the Dollar Store brand for printing, reading, and shredding). 

Invest in some critique partners and beta readers who for the most part. are as inexperienced as you. Have a couple GO TO peeps who have realized their dreams already. They KNOW way more than you do right now and will happily help you along your merry way. But don't forget to give way more than you get. That's the writerly code. Always pay it forward. It’ll make you feel good even on those days when seven rejections pop into your inbox. Oh, and don't look at me that way. The rejections will come. Please buy writing how-to books, lots of them. If money is tight then just wait and buy SAVE THE CAT. Read every picture book and MG novel you can. Learn the writing terms and abbreviations (you'll thank me for this one), what genre is, and study word count expectations for what you're writing at the moment.

You'll throw stuff (your hubby learns how to duck), you'll cry long, slow tears, that never seem to stop washing down your face. You'll scream, "I QUIT!",  more times than I can tell you. I dare say you will even throw notebooks in the trash, delete stories, and start to pitch your writing books in the garbage. But then something will call to you. Or should I say someone. Your characters who live inside your head will beckon you to let them whisper in your ear. Then you'll be off on another adventure. Scribbling and scrabbling, typing and deleting. Yes, Robyn, you'll be dreaming with that faraway look on your face and your head in the clouds. AGAIN!

Then the cycle will begin anew. Many, many, many times. Your heart will break with each and every rejection. You'll notice friends snagging agents and book deals. A lot of them will stop emailing and conversing with you. But that's okay. They have their journey, and you have yours. You'll meet new friends, and that's where you'll learn THE code. These new writing pals will be everlasting friends who ALWAYS know the right words to say to bring you back up. They also always give the best critiques because they want your success as much as you do. Pretty cool, huh? I know you can't wait to get where I'm at right now. But remember this. You HAVE to go through the storm to find the rainbow.

Your sunshine, your kaleidoscope will come what may. Through all the hard times, those easy days (when those words won't stop pouring out of you), and the moments when you think you'll never laugh like that again. You will find peace with yourself about this weary/lively road you've taken. There will be rocky times ahead even now. But you want this so bad that you can taste it. It burns inside you. This flame will never be extinguished. So write on. You'll learn so much it will feel like your brain might burst. Never fear. It won't. Keep on keepin' on, you keeper of the writing flame. You WILL have your day in the sun, and it WILL be worth all the toil and trouble, tears, and gut-wrenching pain you'll endure. That's when you will thank me for mailing this letter to you. Now where did I put that stamp? 

Love,
Robyn

Robyn Campbell
Picture book and MG author
Robyn Campbell http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/
I give my permission for this to be used in the "How I Found the Write Path" e-book

Thanks for reading. What would YOU tell your writing self at the beginning of YOUR journey?

Have You Won the Mental Game of Writing? I Do Have Permission to Post This. ;-)

Winning the Mental Game of Writing (via http://writeforkids.org)

Being a writer is not a task for the faint of heart.   Dealing with rejection, criticism and self-doubt has been part of the literary landscape since the invention of the alphabet.   If you’re struggling with the mental side of being a writer,…

---

I Firmoo, Do You?

Before I get to my review, I wanted to mention that my amigo, Karen Lange has invited me over to her blog, Write Now. Why did she do this, you ask? I mean, she's taking a huge gamble on loosing her readership, you say? I know, I reply back to you. But she invited me. Since it IS her 5th Blogoversary, I wanna celebrate with her. After all, she wanted me to come over. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why. She's one of my oldest blogging pals. Oops, that DID NOT come out right. She's not the oldest (in years). We've just been amigos for these five years. Psst, don't mention my slip of the tongue, just then. Thanks. Anyway, could you stop by? If you don't, I won't have any visitors. If you do, would you bring your party hat? Thanks!

So. I was contacted by a representative of Firmoo in late December 2013. If you haven't heard, Firmoo.com is an online optical store. Tina (who is so very nice and has a sparkling personality), said that if I would agree to do a review, I could get free glasses (with the frames). So I took a look. I decided to give it a whirl. I typed my prescription (from my eye doctor) into the form. And SURPRISE! In less than two weeks, the glasses came to my front door. 

This is unbelievable, I thought. The glasses are very stylish. They have oodles and oodles of styles and colors to choose from. The best thing is, you know the little nose pads attached to the glasses? They are the most comfortable I've ever had. (Comfort is important.) I wholeheartedly recommend these glasses. One word of caution. When you get your prescription, don't forget to get your pupils measured. There's a place on the form to add this and they have to have the measurement. It amazed me at how good they fit. Need I throw in the word PERFECT? 

Guess what? Firmoo wants you! Go to this link and scroll down until you see 

Three cooperation ways we could work with you. Then YOU will be able to share in 

my exhilaration. My euphoria. My merriment. 

You won't be disappointed. 

And according to Random.org the winner  is

CHERYL SECOMB!! Congrads Cheryl. She chose the Positive traits thesaurus. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Write on, y'all! Write on!

The Emotion Thesaurus, Positive Trait and Negative Trait Thesaurus You Need These Books!

Would YOU vote for these two for President and Vice President? Read on to find out just what I'm talking about.   Wanna buy these books? Go here, or here, or here.

Angela and Becca have REALLY made YOUR writing easier. Mine too. As if their excellent blog Writers Helping Writers (formally The Bookshelf Muse) wasn't enough. They have brought emotions to life with the Emotion Thesaurus. 

AND LOOK. THEY'RE COLOR CODED. They look like yummy jelly beans. Except they're not.
 
When I sit down to write, I make sure I have notebook, pen and pencil, computer, and my copy of Emotion Thesaurus. It's easy to follow and everything is broken down into an easy to understand thesaurus. From adoration to worry and all emotions in between, they have you covered. I love how they add interesting stuff on each page about internal sensations, mental responses, and much, much more. This will bring your characters to life. And this will be your GO TO writing book. On top of this, they recently came out with the The Positive Trait Thesaurus and the Negative Trait Thesaurus. 

Okay! They have my vote for President and Vice President with these two new additions.  (Although, Ange will have to move to the states to take on this new job.) :-) You guys in??? Wait a sec. You guys are just too danged honest. :-)

The Positive Traits Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Attributes just adds to the Emotion Thesaurus in a big way. I could not believe my eyes when I opened my copy. It is way more than an itemized list, it's a GOLDMINE for writers. Are you struggling with trying to create very real characters in your writing? Need personality help for your characters? You've come to the right place. It's sister, The Negative Traits Thesaurus: A Writers Guide to Character Flaws screams YOU NEED ME! on your writing bookshelf. Want well-rounded, whole characters who jump off the page? Want to understand how to melt those character flaws into your characters making them seem as real as real can be? Want to make your antag a nasty sort with believable good qualities too? Then you MUST. I repeat. You MUST buy these books. They are companions to each other. You must have them all. They are really the only writing books you need from now on. TRUST ME. Angela and Becca! Do you accept my nomination? *wink* *wink* I guess they're doing what they were meant to do. Helping writers write interesting stories that are unputdownable! Yeah! 

I'm giving away a Kindle edition of your pick of any one of these three books. Already have them all? I'll buy your crit partner one then. Just leave a comment telling which one you'd like and on Friday, March 7th, I'll use Random.org to pick a winner. Good luck y'all! Thanks for reading!