tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30824388098805347852023-11-16T08:14:13.091-05:00The Write JoyceAuthor writing about writing for children and young adults, while trying to juggle being a mom, a wife, keeper of the family calendar, dog walker, chef, and housekeeper. Did I mention I'm a writer?Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-25719861636349791762015-09-17T09:23:00.001-04:002015-09-17T09:23:40.167-04:00Consolidating Blogs and Websites.I love being the Write Joyce. But it is time to consolidate all my
website and blog efforts into one location. Starting October 1, 2015 you
can find me at www.joycejohnsonbooks.com.
Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-62599685190141552942014-12-16T10:14:00.002-05:002014-12-16T10:15:10.596-05:00New Critique Group In Portsmouth, NH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't wait for tonight. It will be the second time my new <a href="http://newengland.scbwi.org/" target="_blank">NESCBWI</a> critique group meets. So far, there are just three of us, but as the word gets out, I'm sure we will grow. If you are interested, drop me a line. We plan on keeping it to six members. <br />
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Have you been looking for a critique group? Are you close to Portsmouth, NH? we have several openings. But if you are far and want to get one going, you can contact <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/610454949049077/" target="_blank">Stacy Barnett Mozer</a>, NESCBWI Critique group coordinator to find a group or let her know you are starting one!<br />
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Write On! <br />
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-27197691606651790612014-10-25T09:31:00.002-04:002014-10-25T09:31:11.402-04:00PiBoIdMo 2014 <span style="font-size: small;">I've been working on a YA for a long time now and need a break. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">PiBoIdMo 2014is it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-60345710499851623972014-04-10T14:25:00.000-04:002018-12-07T13:09:38.119-05:00Where is E?<span style="font-size: small;">My son, a junior in high school, is in Spain this spring. He's been my muse for my latest WIP and I am struggling to write while he is gone. Now and then I get an email from him and I rely on these to get my writing on. But is has been a number of days since hour last exchange:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Son to me: <span style="color: #666666;">"Mom, if all of you were to move here, it would be amazing. Not going to happen, but amazing none the less. I could easily live here for the rest of my life." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Uh, no! </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Me: </span><span style="color: #45818e;">I'm assuming that you ARE NOT homesick. </span><br />
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Son: <span style="color: #666666;">Not really, but I do miss you guys a lot. School is good. I'm behind on one thing, but other than that, it's going good. At the Museo Reina Sofia, the national modern art museum, I bought a mug with the stats, title, and name of the artist, Salvador Dalí's, The Great Masturbator painting. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: small;">Me: <span style="color: #45818e;">. . .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: small;">Son: </span><span style="color: #666666;">Mom?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">Me: </span> </span><span style="color: #45818e;">Dad bought your sister a MT bike. It's a TREK and its bright blue!</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> Son: <span style="color: #666666;">Cool! We got some bikes to ride, so I am good there. Mario, the guy who owns our gym, set up a workout session designed just for cycling, and I have run a few times.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: small;">Me: <span style="color: #45818e;"></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;">SUPER! I saw pics of you guys riding. When are you supposed to write your blog post? How are you getting on? Are you having fun?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Son: <span style="color: #666666;">Whoa, the questions! JK. I dunno when I'm supposed to write it, but I dread the day. (I really don't wanna do it. I dunno why.)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Me:</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Sweet! Then you are doing fine! Love you much! lots of hugs from all of us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Son: </span></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Right back atcha </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">I hope I hear from soon. Because I'm not sure I can actually pretend to be able to write like a 17 year old boy without him. </span> </span>Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-51722445762087408462014-04-07T11:54:00.004-04:002014-04-07T11:54:53.075-04:00COVER REVEAL - Prom Impossible by Laura Pauling <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLlCg0ArCc9Rjqf2mXPgnV1e-urFMdFgaZm7sxA09aJMxM4GFWPpvyT0CvlKcu_hPW3-LqLXq8N3BOPsSw8uTZaK5IGaElmeaEpMXmYu6w92g4fvIVZo0D3yn0obQsz8W42RO6BC8oaBO/s1600/Prom+Impossible_MED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLlCg0ArCc9Rjqf2mXPgnV1e-urFMdFgaZm7sxA09aJMxM4GFWPpvyT0CvlKcu_hPW3-LqLXq8N3BOPsSw8uTZaK5IGaElmeaEpMXmYu6w92g4fvIVZo0D3yn0obQsz8W42RO6BC8oaBO/s1600/Prom+Impossible_MED.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a> <br />
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Prom Impossible by Laura Pauling<br />Publication date: May 2014</div>
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<br />PROM IMPOSSIBLE is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.<br />
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1 girl. 1 prom. 3 guys.<br />
Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about
Michael Greenwood, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He
hasn’t figured that out yet.<br />
But certain events like exploding smoke bombs—that weren’t completely
her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting
deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school,
lands her in a complicated web of half-truths that spirals out of
control.<br />
At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night
but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t find a way to fix her
mistakes.</div>
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<b>Goodreads: </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20981049-prom-impossible?ac=1" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/book/show/<wbr></wbr>20981049-prom-impossible?ac=1</a></div>
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AUTHOR BIO</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD8ODtxDBYAq00fkkv8fhrEhEfs4aMG06c0iwXRhc43-ta5wPobpRAwSF22yyUi0xrpWombNrpxP3LjgGKuCU8rscXf7UchcJhHC6RlgOuRImkWO2QJwImf25etK2HdUVPaax_eaOmMyj/s1600/Laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD8ODtxDBYAq00fkkv8fhrEhEfs4aMG06c0iwXRhc43-ta5wPobpRAwSF22yyUi0xrpWombNrpxP3LjgGKuCU8rscXf7UchcJhHC6RlgOuRImkWO2QJwImf25etK2HdUVPaax_eaOmMyj/s1600/Laura.jpg" /></a></div>
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Laura
writes young adult romantic suspense and romantic comedy. She’s the
author of the exciting Circle of Spies Series, and the time travel
mystery, HEIST. She’s a former elementary teacher and currently lives in
New England. After spending time reading books to her kids and loving a
good plot turn, she put her fingers to the keyboard. Don’t ask her
about the unfinished quilts and scrapbooks. Stories are way more
exciting.<br /><br />She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to be able to work in her jammies and slippers.<br /><br />PROM IMPOSSIBLE, a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy will be released in May 2014.</div>
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Author links:</div>
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<a href="http://laurapauling.com/" target="_blank">http://laurapauling.com/</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Pauling/308338192559237" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>pages/Laura-Pauling/<wbr></wbr>308338192559237</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5416317.Laura_Pauling" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/<wbr></wbr>author/show/5416317.Laura_<wbr></wbr>Pauling</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/laurapauling" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr>laurapauling</a></div>
Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-78379726351206880912014-03-23T09:41:00.004-04:002014-03-23T09:53:42.638-04:00DIVERGENT - The Movie<a href="http://iaretheshawna.blogspot.com/p/movie-news.html" target="_blank">http://iaretheshawna.blogspot.com/p/movie-news.html</a>I went to see Divergent last night with my my husband and two teens, ages 16 and 14, along with a friend of theirs, age 16. Only my son and I had read the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6hBMTuJTbUR0kMPp7BBsw4UTuknRYDmnT17kjBUV5NqQUzyMmF-Dg6X-gStbU22zmYn2iZLfyQPGhx994b011zi6foHjOpzbK3QM1M5qw-8I-0BZSnWj9z8bT29J_NLY1Nycx7JpCYv9/s1600/tbn_d2f927af2d0a3f97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6hBMTuJTbUR0kMPp7BBsw4UTuknRYDmnT17kjBUV5NqQUzyMmF-Dg6X-gStbU22zmYn2iZLfyQPGhx994b011zi6foHjOpzbK3QM1M5qw-8I-0BZSnWj9z8bT29J_NLY1Nycx7JpCYv9/s1600/tbn_d2f927af2d0a3f97.jpg" /></a>We arrived at the 9:30 showing excited to see how they adapted the book to the big screen. The talk in the car was about how would they shoot the entrance scenes into Dauntless, would the zip line scene be totally awesome, and how would they get into Tris into Fours head and share his fear landscape. <br />
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The cinema's lobby was strangely quiet for a Saturday night and the theater was almost empty when we entered, which meant awesome seat choice. We sat in the row behind five teens, one of which was so excited she chattered endlessly to the boy next to her. First about the movie and then how much she loved, JUST LOVED, John green and couldn't wait for THE FAULT IN OUR STARS movie. She talked so exuberantly about his books, she was his biggest fan... Only she appreciated each word he wrote...<br />
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I wanted to be John Green at that moment!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/realjohngreen" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb6s1R3nnY-e3Arhx7Od8KPP8lBr2xlmqGCv53eObsmHLMXYjnnaXxbI11d3hCpfsY5pNJGRFC-N8AutsVsg-LjjnpV2CK1mK0y0uQpKsEL1CJqZXeYggNApbR5uF1iCIzGxnWP273gaM/s1600/photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/realjohngreen" target="_blank">John Green</a></td></tr>
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Overall, the movie was...okay. They did a wonderful job of setting the place and time. The panoramic views of the desolation from the war, the farm fields of Amity, and <a href="http://kwinslet.org/" target="_blank">Kate Winslet</a> whose performance I liked best. But something was missing... the movie was dull. 140 minutes of plugging away with sporadic bursts of action.<br />
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My teens sat two rows behind my husband and I, and every time the movie diverged away from the book, I could hear my son comment about it. Just like the girl in front of me did to the boy next to her. She was very disappointed and let everyone know. I wanted her to talk about John Green some more. Her thoughts and comments were more entertaining, just as my son's comment were, from two rows behind me.<br />
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If I <i>have</i> to rate this movie, I'd give this movie a 4!<br />
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<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-73732276565641098062014-02-09T11:59:00.000-05:002014-02-09T11:59:23.913-05:00St. Lawrence RipplesMy dad, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Murray/Shor" target="_blank">Murray Shor,</a> is so awesome! He's 82 and has been an editor, columnist and writer most of his adult life. A few weeks ago he calls me up and ask me if I might consider helping him to self publish a book. <br />
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I was like, you bet! <br />
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His book, <a href="http://3petal.com/st-lawrence-ripples/" target="_blank"><i>St. Lawrence Ripples</i></a>, is a compilation of twenty columns he wrote in 1957 for the the newspaper in Potsdam, New York. His columns were all based on historical documentation and told the many stories and tall tales that inundated that area, some going back to the early 1700s.<br />
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It debuts March 1, 2014 as a Softcover and eBook.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ISBN:978-0-9915237-0-2 </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3petal.com/" target="_blank">Designed by 3Petal Books</a>Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-44406377481290763072013-12-08T12:23:00.000-05:002013-12-08T12:30:39.884-05:00NESCBWI 2014It is so strange not to be working on this year's New England SCBWI Spring Conference. I really miss it. But I love Co-director, <span class="wsite-logo"><span id="wsite-title"><a href="http://bit.ly/1d3w5vr" target="_blank">Kristine Carlson Asselin</a>'s choice for the theme <a href="http://bit.ly/sXziYI" target="_blank">CREATE BRAVELY, MAKE YOUR MARK</a>! So I was so excited when I found that <a href="http://bit.ly/IUOW2O" target="_blank">Alex & Ani</a> make bracelets with support making your mark. </span></span>20% of all Alex and Ani sales of the <i>Make Your Mark</i> Charm, benefits <a href="http://bit.ly/1bQlpnu" target="_blank">generationOn</a> to inspire,
equip, and mobilize youth to take action that changes the world and
themselves through service.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/IUOW2O" target="_blank">Order your bracelet today</a> and support <a href="http://bit.ly/1bQlpnu" target="_blank">generationOn</a> and <span class="wsite-logo"><span id="wsite-title"><a href="http://bit.ly/sXziYI" target="_blank">CREATE BRAVELY, MAKE YOUR MARK</a>!</span></span><br />
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Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-1954697467512718032013-11-24T14:31:00.001-05:002013-11-24T14:31:07.273-05:00Learning & the Brain ConferenceNovember 15-17 I was in Boston for a Learning and the Brain Conference. I had been to others but this one was different. I left Boston on Sunday knowing that I and the school where I work have it right. We work with each child, finding ways that will support their learning needs. David Sobel said that it is, "about individual differences NOT learning styles," and he is right. The students I work with are amazing and different. I see beyond their challenges and know they are brilliant, empathetic, and avid learners. They never let their dyslexia, slow processing,, or executive functioning weaknesses stop from excelling.<br />
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Our current educational system does not have to be set in stone. Our country and our educational directives are still in their infancy compared to other countries. Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-62505004452331195302013-11-05T08:19:00.002-05:002013-11-24T14:31:28.835-05:00Thanksgivukah = Rededication and Thanks<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Thanksgivukah</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">can only mean one thing, the convergence of Hanukkah
and Thanksgiving. This could be the best mash-up ever for Jewish-Americans, Foodies, or any one who simply loves the idea of these two holidays being celebrated together. Chanukah starts at sundown on November 27th and the first full day of this 8-day festival of lights is on Thanksgiving. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UmNF3YSV2cgn_ib0bG7MLgNmRdbL4ew1LfUxL81ca19YHux5iTxfrP6nzzwMIyUQLHIZf9tG4NH6IHQBn7gS9C6gySNB2AlN-hju7kch5VGK8JLtbQhTwhhMsBpQeA5Tam1g0e0UBJcp/s1600/thanks-giv-ukkah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UmNF3YSV2cgn_ib0bG7MLgNmRdbL4ew1LfUxL81ca19YHux5iTxfrP6nzzwMIyUQLHIZf9tG4NH6IHQBn7gS9C6gySNB2AlN-hju7kch5VGK8JLtbQhTwhhMsBpQeA5Tam1g0e0UBJcp/s1600/thanks-giv-ukkah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thanksgivukkah">https://www.facebook.com/Thanksgivukkahh</a></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Think about how delicious this holiday mash-up will be: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/health/sweet-potato-and-apple-latkes-recipes-for-health.html?_r=0" target="_blank">sweet potato and ginger latkes</a>, <a href="http://www.jewishjournal.com/foodaism/item/sukkot_for_all_20091002/" target="_blank">pumpkin challah</a>, </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/health/sweet-potato-and-apple-latkes-recipes-for-health.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Manischewitz-flavored Marshmallows</a>, the possibilities are endless. So get creative and make you holiday meal one to remember.</div>
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Now, add into the mix, that Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for what we have, for the freedoms we enjoy, and for reflecting on the past, present, and future. Chanukah's, the festival of lights celebrates rededicating yourself to your beliefs and believing in miracles.<br />
<br />
I believe I can complete the first draft of my next novel by January 1, 2014. To do so, I give thanks to my family who supports me and my dreams, for my friends who actually read my books, and for the life I am able to lead because of all the wonderful people who fill my life.<br />
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So when you are eating turkey and latkes, I hope you spend some time thinking about what you are thankful for and what you want to rededicate yourself too. Life is short, eat latkes!<br />
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-39606317388825126882013-11-02T15:39:00.000-04:002013-11-24T14:31:42.325-05:00What do Writing and Motherhood have in Common?<style>
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Writing is often about letting go and seeing where your
characters will take you. Writing is a lot like motherhood. The time comes when
you have to let go and see your children take flight. Maybe you have already
experienced this or maybe you are fast approaching the moment when the world changes. </div>
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Today was my day
to let my firstborn drive solo for the very first time. I knew he could do it because I
taught him how to drive. I know he is cautious and competent, what I can’t
control are the other drivers on the road who might not be. </div>
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Letting go means he has to take chances and I have to
believe he will always be safe and come home because that is what a mother must do. It is what a writer must do. Often you have
to go to the scary places in your mind to be able to know your characters. I know my son,
its time for him to soar. He will make the right choices and go to all the places he needs to go on his journey. </div>
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It’s time for me to let him go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-43695784740107218262013-10-23T10:08:00.001-04:002013-11-24T14:32:18.809-05:00New Hampshire Statewide Book Awards for Children and Teens<br />
For those of you who are interested in the New Hampshire Statewide Book Awards for Children and Teens, they are listed below.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rFwili_mWvciTDxuWSacds10AZS0MWTvqk2jjm705g6CqOXUa4UPe5e8HAbyyHA3lLTEwnbH3aWYcMyG6l-p_Kw5716TGtbbqTo0qEJ9meLhfwUElF8o_8GFLMwxeyWoyBRhOajKGAHJ/s1600/ladybug_red_green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rFwili_mWvciTDxuWSacds10AZS0MWTvqk2jjm705g6CqOXUa4UPe5e8HAbyyHA3lLTEwnbH3aWYcMyG6l-p_Kw5716TGtbbqTo0qEJ9meLhfwUElF8o_8GFLMwxeyWoyBRhOajKGAHJ/s1600/ladybug_red_green.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Ladybug Picture Book Award</b> is sponsored by the <i>Center for the Book at the
NH State Library</i>, this award is given to a picture book that is voted
the best of ten titles by children pre-K through 3rd grade. Many librarians are currently promoting the ten books on the 2013 list,
reading the books at their library storytime and to classroom groups, this is their way of preparing their kids to vote in November. To see the picture ballot, tally sheet and promotional materials, go to <a href="http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/programs/ladybug.html" target="_blank">http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/<wbr></wbr>bookcenter/programs/ladybug.<wbr></wbr>html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQ0UfDWCRbyvpdwjhZ4lFYXuS-hqOmE9QPlfThtsigmYBNu2KJadE7GgiTFRMEoGeO9eCvRwYliFW856qINS0U3NIMaPK0MGLoMxQ4sJSvKO5YQ2WizXBQO3xbIl2Ce_NRBIusmZRRr7W/s1600/gsf-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQ0UfDWCRbyvpdwjhZ4lFYXuS-hqOmE9QPlfThtsigmYBNu2KJadE7GgiTFRMEoGeO9eCvRwYliFW856qINS0U3NIMaPK0MGLoMxQ4sJSvKO5YQ2WizXBQO3xbIl2Ce_NRBIusmZRRr7W/s200/gsf-logo.png" width="158" /></a></div>
<b>Great Stone Face Award</b> is for students in grades 4-6 choose their favorite
book from a list of 20 titles. The booklist for 2013-14 is available on
the CHILIS website at <a href="http://chilis.nhlibrarians.org/gsf/" target="_blank">http://chilis.nhlibrarians.<wbr></wbr>org/gsf/</a>
. Be sure to click on the awards' tab for drop-down menus that lead to
booktalks, brochures and other promotional material. Librarians are currently promoting the books on the 2013-14 list. This award is sponsored
by CHILIS.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMnTFWJMqj9BaqcRVOyLNXn-ufHYYtxJidUBT0FtPvAnSCjrP1dYI86agL9-5IWbgX6MTV-AU1AJOemJnuFXwDONKN1bf3UbfVxzfVMk3-yIUiKgQXBpYVeyyZd95Ngp_F39hmVijZgkJ/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMnTFWJMqj9BaqcRVOyLNXn-ufHYYtxJidUBT0FtPvAnSCjrP1dYI86agL9-5IWbgX6MTV-AU1AJOemJnuFXwDONKN1bf3UbfVxzfVMk3-yIUiKgQXBpYVeyyZd95Ngp_F39hmVijZgkJ/s200/images-1.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<b>Isinglass Teen Read Award</b> is also sponsored by CHILIS. This award is given
to the book that receives the most votes by students in grades 7 and 8.
All 15 nominations are books suggested by
students. Librarians are currently promoting the 2013-14 list and encouraging students to submit suggestions for the 2014-15 list.
Students will cast their ballots for the winning title on the 2013-14
list in April 2014. For more information and promotional material, go to
<a href="http://www.barringtonlibrary.com/barrington/isinglass.asp" target="_blank">http://www.barringtonlibrary.<wbr></wbr>com/barrington/isinglass.asp</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB5YlOSkU99l76sUaFcJaY-HhLUpRaVGtExXjeayBbct32FRIdFfn8m04kbk_tUFY9cSt0_eK0mP9AFSPOxqnXhLi7UFqQM0w6wDtH3d7QOzvQB5yygE38wq1sXP9Pf_5wUNsAdTQCZqO/s1600/FlumeHeader.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB5YlOSkU99l76sUaFcJaY-HhLUpRaVGtExXjeayBbct32FRIdFfn8m04kbk_tUFY9cSt0_eK0mP9AFSPOxqnXhLi7UFqQM0w6wDtH3d7QOzvQB5yygE38wq1sXP9Pf_5wUNsAdTQCZqO/s320/FlumeHeader.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>The Flume: Teen Readers' Choice Award</b> is geared for students in grades
9-12. High school students vote for their favorite book from a list of 10
titles. Only high school teens can suggest titles for the list. The
2013-2014 list is available on the YALS website at <a href="http://yals.nhlibrarians.org/book-awards/flume/" target="_blank">http://yals.nhlibrarians.org/<wbr></wbr>book-awards/flume/</a> Teen librarians are currently promoting the 2013-14 list and will soon be
encouraging teens to submit nominations online for the 2014-15 list. The
Flume Award is sponsored by YALS.<br />
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-27340515026661832952013-09-10T06:48:00.002-04:002013-11-24T14:32:50.497-05:00Children's Author Blog Hop<style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This week I am participating in the Children’s Author Blog Hop. For
this Blog Hop, participating authors were asked to answer four identical
questions and then invite additional children’s authors to join in the “Hop.”
My invitees are Ansha Kotyk and Laura Pauling.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am so grateful that my dear friend, the picture book goddess, <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sudipta
Bardhan-Quallen</span></b>, was kind enough to reach out to me via social
media and ask me join in the fun.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-kEf5ocIJN0TL-G3BXY4vrKJXkOraOElU2dJsUsRPZSKU0gtm_XwvBsxgnkE7_IrL7jk3pktbkRM1VJMpfl9UkZXyhpmPn65i12HiOn20_lzEwKNADr2PVU-_Z_j77yEVRweRiGe49cu/s1600/MS2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-kEf5ocIJN0TL-G3BXY4vrKJXkOraOElU2dJsUsRPZSKU0gtm_XwvBsxgnkE7_IrL7jk3pktbkRM1VJMpfl9UkZXyhpmPn65i12HiOn20_lzEwKNADr2PVU-_Z_j77yEVRweRiGe49cu/s320/MS2009.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Joyce Shor Johnson & Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen<br />The Meeting of two great minds<br /> (2009 NESCBWI Conference)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b>Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> writes across the spectrum. Her work includes
picture books, fiction and non-fiction for both children and even adults. Her
upcoming middle grade chapter book series, <i>Spectacles of Destiny</i>, and
her latest picture book <i>Duck, Duck, Moose!</i> illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
is coming out January 2014. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can find Sudipta at these social media sites: </span></span><a href="http://www.sudipta.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>,<span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.nerdychicksrule.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>,
which she shares with author Kami Kinard, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sudipta-Bardhan-Quallen-Childrens-Book-Author/67021696384" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://@SudiptaBQ Sudipta" target="_blank">Twitte<span style="color: black;">r.</span></a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Blog Hop Interview of Joyce Shor Johnson</span></b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What are you working on right now? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;">Over the last year, while Co-Directing the 2013 NESCBWI Conference, I had
been toying with an idea for a contemporary young adult novel. Now that my
two-year commitment to NESCBWI is complete, I have started writing again and I am
two chapters into my WIP. This is the fun part, because I am still learning
about my characters, which often leads to unexpected developments.</span></span><br />
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I’ve also been outlining and working on a number of non-fiction picture
books, including one about the art of keeping secrets.</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><b>How does it differ from other works in the genre?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;">My first two books, THE CASTING and HOUSE OF GIRLS are historical fiction.
My current work-in-progress is contemporary and focuses on how social media has
become ruling factor in how we communicate. The two non-fiction picture books are experimental, and I’m waiting to see
how they turn out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Why do you write what you do?</span> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;">I write for children because my characters always seem to be kids on the
threshold of change. </span></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><b>What is the hardest part about writing?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;">Finding the time to outline and then the time to write the first draft. Once
I know where I’m going and have the time, the writing is easy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b>Here are the two talented writers that I’ve invited to the Blog Hop, (I
wanted to invite everyone I knew, but there are limits).</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXh0C0h7o0Q57Ie4H8D-bgxPwrW8lnucyEEsWg-FGu8xqgINQPeinmZszoOpOPhq5fnlVUX7h1pnGm1oSQ-cRuydXncsrFXheuwWqTU8J_Plf3c3iBhUSxRNwaHBniJeOPAYNenHzTmbb/s1600/headshot-web.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXh0C0h7o0Q57Ie4H8D-bgxPwrW8lnucyEEsWg-FGu8xqgINQPeinmZszoOpOPhq5fnlVUX7h1pnGm1oSQ-cRuydXncsrFXheuwWqTU8J_Plf3c3iBhUSxRNwaHBniJeOPAYNenHzTmbb/s200/headshot-web.gif" width="151" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gangsterland-Ink-Portal-Adventure-1/dp/193930900X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1351343906&sr=8-6&keywords=gangsterland" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHCU2OQ3BnVTooBaL9bbiq-buD42L-RVmuKQWISLuXbDUKmAfBVMGL05euYjM0tyadkpzY9PJoT9gXhu2WhObW-BwpzsJ6ehMnUy3X6v6eYOgpIhdvu4LscH9TdAhwFyHU3wSoCoqqxVC/s200/Gangsterland_CVR_SML.jpg" title="" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Ansha
Kotyk</b></span> lives in
Massachusetts where she writes upper middle grade stories full of adventure in
the modern day with a twist of fantasy. What that fantastical twist is… well,
it depends on what her cat whispers in her ear while she’s writing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her
characters have strong family ties, and value their friendships. They also
seem to get into a great deal of trouble and meet some seriously evil bad guys
in their stories. You can find Natasha at these social media sites:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://anshakotyk.com/blog" target="_blank">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/author.ansha.kotyk" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AnshaKotyk" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443254.Ansha_Kotyk" target="_blank"> Goodreads</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gangsterland-Ink-Portal-Adventure-1/dp/193930900X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1351343906&sr=8-6&keywords=gangsterland">GANGSTERLAND</a></span></b><i>,</i> her
first novel, spent 3 weeks in the top 10 of Hot New Releases in children’s
books about bullies, is a story about a boy, a bully and a magical comic book
that transports its readers to the gangster era of the 1920′s.
Book #2 in the Ink Portal series follows the friends on a Geo-caching treasure
hunt in a mysterious haunted mountain range, Apocalypse Junction will be out
later this year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T85_sfAxW7DiWkNhIwJSnFp1nA832W5qKWCJbgKwJuIqClAtbFTf3OkHJq6zFtqSF4O5dE1iAKjz5x6MI5m-VeqEpISeox7-XE0_EwkebMVIwM4h2oksxi37N1ehjxR5fR8KXupLyRdK/s1600/Heist_CVR_EXSML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T85_sfAxW7DiWkNhIwJSnFp1nA832W5qKWCJbgKwJuIqClAtbFTf3OkHJq6zFtqSF4O5dE1iAKjz5x6MI5m-VeqEpISeox7-XE0_EwkebMVIwM4h2oksxi37N1ehjxR5fR8KXupLyRdK/s200/Heist_CVR_EXSML.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL8YJcRy8Gw51-x17l-fUZ9taPg1GxuhIoRXSXkfPz3wjsWotDpvDpv2DJlVxrCbtVw29BgRQNBum99LwQ5RwHWzNaw2nvAfn8i8Abu2tRMEDr9O8La_yeYCqULTeTWQ9l8I7pwN_NbR0/s1600/Laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL8YJcRy8Gw51-x17l-fUZ9taPg1GxuhIoRXSXkfPz3wjsWotDpvDpv2DJlVxrCbtVw29BgRQNBum99LwQ5RwHWzNaw2nvAfn8i8Abu2tRMEDr9O8La_yeYCqULTeTWQ9l8I7pwN_NbR0/s200/Laura.jpg" width="192" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Laura Pauling</b></span> writes about spies, murder and mystery. She’s the
author of the exciting Circle of Spies Series, and the time travel mystery,
<a href="http://thewritejoyce.blogspot.com/2013/09/heist-by-laura-pauling.html" target="_blank"><i>Heist</i></a>. She’s a former elementary teacher and currently lives in New England.
After spending time reading books to her kids and loving a good plot turn, she
put her fingers to the keyboard. Don’t ask her about the unfinished quilts and
scrapbooks. Stories are way more exciting. She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to
be able to work in her jammies and slippers. You can find Laura at these social media sites: <a href="http://laurapauling.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>, Facebook, <a href="https://twitter.com/laurapauling" target="_blank">Twitter,</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17931006-heist" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HEIST, One
night Jack travels back in time to one of the world’s largest art thefts,
known as the Gardner Heist. Why that one moment in time? And what does
it mean for Jack?<br />
When he returns, his world is different. His
best friend is rougher, meaner. His dad hasn’t been around in years. And
then there’s Jetta. The girl who took over his heart the moment she
stepped into his life. No one is safe. Each time Jack goes back
to the heist to fix his mistakes, he returns to face the fallout.
Disaster strikes in the present until Jack must make a choice. His
family and his own happiness. Or the girl he loves. Except, he learns
that his sixth sense was right. Someone has been watching him and wants him dead.
</span></span></div>
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Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-43656766908397773872013-09-09T17:39:00.001-04:002013-11-24T14:33:09.916-05:00HEIST by Laura PaulingAuthor <a href="http://laurapauling.com/" target="_blank">Laura Pauling</a> knows how to write thrilling fiction. Her latest novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heist-ebook/dp/B00EHIRZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339789&sr=8-1&keywords=HEIST+laura" target="_blank">HEIST</a>, continues the tradition. The inspiration for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heist-ebook/dp/B00EHIRZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339789&sr=8-1&keywords=HEIST+laura" target="_blank">HEIST</a> came about because of her interest in the <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/resources/theft%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heist-ebook/dp/B00EHIRZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339789&sr=8-1&keywords=HEIST+laura" target="_blank">Heist</a>.<br />
<style>Can one decision change the past?Jack Brodie has a sixth sense that someone has been watching him. Following him.</style><br />
One
night Jack travels back in time to one of the world’s largest art thefts,
known as the Gardner Heist. Why that one moment in time? And what does
it mean for Jack?<br />
<br />
When he returns, his world is different. His
best friend is rougher, meaner. His dad hasn’t been around in years. And
then there’s Jetta. The girl who took over his heart the moment she
stepped into his life. No one is safe.<br />
<br />
Each time Jack goes back
to the heist to fix his mistakes, he returns to face the fallout.
Disaster strikes in the present until Jack must make a choice. His
family and his own happiness. Or the girl he loves. Except, he learns
that his sixth sense was right.<br />
<br />
Someone has been watching him and wants him dead.<style>
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Pauling explains:</div>
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I love heists - any and all kinds: art theft, diamonds, bank
robberies, con stories…etc. Some of my favorite movies and books involve a
heist of some sort. So a few years back, I decided to write about one. But
which one?</div>
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I turned to my best friend in times like this - Google. I
plugged in the words, famous art heist. And on the very first page I found the
<a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/resources/theft%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Gardner Heist</a>. I still didn’t think much of it, but I clicked on it, and the
word, Boston, flashed on the screen. What? There was a famous heist in a museum
in a city near me? The decision was made.</div>
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Of course, I knew absolutely nothing about the museum or the
heist.</div>
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So, the research started. I read nonfiction books and
learned the ins and outs of the crime. It truly was fascinating. At that point
in time, the heist was coming on twenty years - and it had never been solved!
That hooked me even more.</div>
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This was an amazing opportunity for me. My books have been
set in Paris, Greece, Prague, and the ruins of the ancient Maya. I had to learn
what I could of those settings from blogs, books, Youtube videos…etc. It was
incredible to go to Boston, walk through the museum, stroll through the Public
Garden, ride the T - all settings in my story. Of course, soaking in the
atmosphere and scribbling down details I’d be sure to forget otherwise. </div>
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You’ll find all those details in Heist. Plus, you’ll walk
through details of one of the most famous art heists.</div>
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Interview 101 with Laura Pauling:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL8YJcRy8Gw51-x17l-fUZ9taPg1GxuhIoRXSXkfPz3wjsWotDpvDpv2DJlVxrCbtVw29BgRQNBum99LwQ5RwHWzNaw2nvAfn8i8Abu2tRMEDr9O8La_yeYCqULTeTWQ9l8I7pwN_NbR0/s1600/Laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL8YJcRy8Gw51-x17l-fUZ9taPg1GxuhIoRXSXkfPz3wjsWotDpvDpv2DJlVxrCbtVw29BgRQNBum99LwQ5RwHWzNaw2nvAfn8i8Abu2tRMEDr9O8La_yeYCqULTeTWQ9l8I7pwN_NbR0/s200/Laura.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have you always known
you wanted to be a writer?</b></div>
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No, I haven’t. I’d love to say I’m one of those writers that
wrote her first story when she was 3 months old. But, I’ve always loved a good
story. It wasn’t until I was home with my kids that I got the urge to create my
own. Before then, though, I always had a creative outlet. I loved putting
together small photo albums. I quilted - for a little bit, even finishing a
wall hanging. And I put a lot of time into the children’s ministry at my church,
planning events. The earliest creative memory I have is designing a line of
cards to sell in the neighborhood. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s a recent book
you’ve read that you absolutely loved? And what will you be reading?</b></div>
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The last book that I couldn’t put down and loved was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Eight-Wishes-Gardner-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0058UXHHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378762345&sr=8-1&keywords=Twenty+Eight+and+a+Half+Wishes+by+Denise+Grover+Swank" target="_blank">Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes by DeniseGrover Swank</a>. A book I’m looking forward to reading soon is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nomad-J-L-Bryan/dp/1490474005/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378762401&sr=8-1&keywords=Nomad+by+J.L.+Bryan" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nomad</i> by J.L. Bryan</a> - another time
travel thriller.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What do you like to
do in your free time? Any other creative pursuits?</b></div>
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Right now, outside of writing, my time is spent with my
family and my kids. I enjoy hanging with them, especially because every time I
blink, they seem to get a year older. I still participate in my church,
co-leading the middle school youth group too.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will there be a
sequel to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heist-ebook/dp/B00EHIRZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339789&sr=8-1&keywords=HEIST+laura" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heist</i></a>? Or will you be
working on something new?</b></div>
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Right now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heist </i>is
a stand-alone novel. If I were to write a sequel it would be from Jetta’s point
of view on one of the alternate time lines. When I hit this alternate time line
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heist</i>, I realized there was a lot
more to tell there. And, of course, other heists to write about. </div>
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I’m eagerly planning, plotting and outlining an adult
light-hearted romantic mystery. We’ll see what happens when the writing starts.
I’d love to turn it into a series.<br />
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Read an excerpt of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heist-ebook/dp/B00EHIRZV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339789&sr=8-1&keywords=HEIST+laura" target="_blank">HEIST</a> now!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span>
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<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>At the bottom step, I hesitate. Moonlight reflects
off a metal napkin holder and a half-finished puzzle left out for customers.
It’s a small shop, and the faded smell of cinnamon clings to everything. Even
our upstairs apartment. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>I breathe in the scent, drawing courage from all that
is familiar. Times like this I wish for Dad. He’d know what to do.</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>The floor creaks from the other side of the
room. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>My heart crawls into my throat, choking me. My knees
weaken and my sweaty hands slip on the handle of the bat. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>Step up and be a man. Those were Dad’s words, spoken
into a telephone on the other side of the glass partition. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>I think back to that day, the visit Mom knows nothing
about. The smeared glass, the stubble on Dad’s chin and the fierce look in his
eye that said he’d be outta there next week. But the next week turned into
months and then years.</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>As my eyes adjust, the vague outline of a man appears
in front of a painting on the wall. He reaches out and traces his finger down
the gilded frame. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>My pulse pounds so loud against the inside of my
head, I can’t think. I stumble forward and raise the bat above my head. “Who’s
there?” My voice shakes.</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>With his back to me, the intruder hesitates, his
finger at the bottom of the frame. He doesn’t turn or flinch or seem to care
who’s behind him. His black suit is tailored to fit his body and much too fancy
for this time of night. </i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>Sweat beads on my forehead and it feels like hours
before the man clears his throat to speak. My arms shake. I debate whether to
whack the guy in the legs with the bat and then take him out with one good
punch.</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>“You been behaving yourself, kid?”</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>I freeze. The bat drops with a thud.</i></div>
<div class="textbody" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i>The words, the tone of voice, remind me of lazy
spring afternoons when Stick and I would find my dad and uncle under the hood
of their latest piece-of-shit car. I can taste the cold iced-tea and homemade
cookies. I can feel the warm air against my face and smell the gasoline and
grease. That was when I was thirteen and thought my dad was perfect. At
sixteen, I know better. </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dad turns and steps forward, his thumbs
hooked into the pockets of his tuxedo. All suave and elegant, he looks like a
star from the old black and white movies Aunt Fiona watches. His parole is
tomorrow. Did they let him out early? Or did he break out?</span></i> </div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Book & Author Details:</span></b></div>
<div>
Heist by <span class="il">Laura</span> <span class="il">Pauling</span><br />
Genre: YA Psychological Thriller</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Goodreads: </b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17931006-heist" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/book/show/<wbr></wbr>17931006-heist</a></div>
Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-11314193900436311922013-07-16T09:11:00.000-04:002013-11-24T14:33:30.277-05:00Celebrate Summer 2013So much has happened since my last post at the beginning of May. It was just a day before the 2013 NESCBWI conference that I directed and I was so entrenched in the final details. The conference went so smoothly and then suddenly, I was just done. No more planning, or checking and rechecking details. Just quiet exhaustion!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMZ2t_yOOK1FVmLO5WxE_VsvPZroQo9JZfSG7jlf2wv8TiLUunE1Edupfm5YIYwfrHgGtasoUo0HbVqgQpXBC8TMUuizZZE99oQAmRWuDxNZhUu-LEL9dZ42bP-f_2KOEQuVBO_QdNyBk/s1600/IMG_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMZ2t_yOOK1FVmLO5WxE_VsvPZroQo9JZfSG7jlf2wv8TiLUunE1Edupfm5YIYwfrHgGtasoUo0HbVqgQpXBC8TMUuizZZE99oQAmRWuDxNZhUu-LEL9dZ42bP-f_2KOEQuVBO_QdNyBk/s200/IMG_1462.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Logan Airport, June 2013</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had planned a vacation with my daughter to London and Paris just
because I wanted time with her and because I knew I would need a
distraction from the quiet of no longer planning out the conference. I
packed for that and off we went.The Flight out of Logan was delayed due to severe thunderstorms but this amazing rainbow heralded the days ahead and we had a flawless flight to Heathrow. We spent several days with in-laws and then stayed in Central London and saw one of our former Cultural Care Au Pairs. It had been 6 years and she was amazed at how "her" Kendra had grown up!<br />
<br />
We had a lovely surprise when arriving at the Globe Theater for a tour, we were able to see a full dress rehearsal for the upcoming performance of MACBETH. It was a true gift and I enjoyed it very much.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg_f_8xcJmuUO-XwRiKjVDOnp0AhL7k4xAO9N7R7sjn4KWV7w1hpezVveLVPVFPocsPxtuzf_lnqTNk4Abm9Q1R1jQyBIFR4dQ954MYnAExr6X_HCAULpb1s7OlWNiWVRnuDm3ql2s0Fl/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg_f_8xcJmuUO-XwRiKjVDOnp0AhL7k4xAO9N7R7sjn4KWV7w1hpezVveLVPVFPocsPxtuzf_lnqTNk4Abm9Q1R1jQyBIFR4dQ954MYnAExr6X_HCAULpb1s7OlWNiWVRnuDm3ql2s0Fl/s200/IMG_1618.jpg" title="Paris, France, June 2013" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Paris France, June 2013</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We headed over to St. Pancras Train Station and <br />
waited for our
train to Paris. I was nervous since I speak no French, but I should have
known...I never have a problem communicating!It was so nice to visit family and friends in London and to make a
few new ones in Paris. The 10 day trip flew by and I was home again only
to to be so very lucky to be able to spend some time spend some time at Lake Champlain with Murray and his lovely companion, Nancy.<br />
<br />
Another quick
turnaround and I was on my way to Gettysburg, PA for the 4th of July. While sitting in the car, I was finally able to start reading my copy of Chris Eboch's ADVANCED PLOTTING. <i>Get a copy, it is excellent!</i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKNl6_929Sqkj5Fy6m5tx4QzDL4l2QrmKdEbsyScDfMqmvBjOjNgIvjeOAQxz5TyvczpYN3XxQWgcQl7YAwF3pGFJy5eVhQGDU2vs9KwOLt8Y5TI8cGHN9x5OEOs703ozteT0Hhg_XQ7N/s1600/IMG_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKNl6_929Sqkj5Fy6m5tx4QzDL4l2QrmKdEbsyScDfMqmvBjOjNgIvjeOAQxz5TyvczpYN3XxQWgcQl7YAwF3pGFJy5eVhQGDU2vs9KwOLt8Y5TI8cGHN9x5OEOs703ozteT0Hhg_XQ7N/s200/IMG_2019.jpg" title="" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Versailles, France June 2013</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
PA was great. Visited a dear and now (old) friend and her family and
introduced them to some new friends from New Hampshire who came with us! Now I am helping my daughter to pack for camp and then I will start plotting the next grand adventure!<br />
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-86583472406075312202013-05-02T08:33:00.002-04:002013-11-24T14:33:44.844-05:00House of Girls Free on AmazonIn celebration of my almost being free to write again and the New England SCBWI Conference this weekend that will keep me from obsessing about download numbers (thank you NESCBWI), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Of-Girls-ebook/dp/B00AQS6HDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367497761&sr=8-1&keywords=house+of+girls" target="_blank">House Of Girls </a>is free on Amazon today and tomorrow (May 2nd & 3rd). Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsx4XltO1uU0wBJkg141ixn7cYfbuRfK_xHLCM9MYrudh-z9KWF8RzHrG3szETIXFmfgXhjHrFyyJGeF293KyNeYB9lM1HXDRPK8W3zWZjdR3rR62CTCFLkQmFk38PhvYUzj0K_OJrRN/s1600/hog5-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsx4XltO1uU0wBJkg141ixn7cYfbuRfK_xHLCM9MYrudh-z9KWF8RzHrG3szETIXFmfgXhjHrFyyJGeF293KyNeYB9lM1HXDRPK8W3zWZjdR3rR62CTCFLkQmFk38PhvYUzj0K_OJrRN/s200/hog5-.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>House of Girls</i> is about being
fifteen, falling in love, and getting pregnant—all of which is a real
problem if it is 1961, you’re Jewish, your boyfriend isn’t, and you are
determined to keep your baby—especially if your parents want you to
“fix” the problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of 1961, life is still suspended
in the ideals of the 1950s, but it is only a short leap into the
turbulent 196os, where young women fought for and won, independence for
themselves, their children, and their right to love on their own terms.</div>
Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-22017133708200016322013-04-26T14:20:00.000-04:002013-11-24T14:34:24.083-05:00Get Ready - NESCBWI 2013 ConferenceIt is just around the corner! NESCBWI <a href="http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1108084" target="_blank">Word-By-Word: The Art of Craft Conference</a> in Springfield, MA. The largest gathering for industry professions in children's literature. You can follow the conference on twitter using the hashtag #nescbwi13Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-90049880050812518912013-02-24T18:48:00.003-05:002013-11-24T14:34:40.264-05:00New Cover - The CastingCheck out the new cover for The Casting!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRE8YZyr6Fh4x0nybik3erd0cdWMj08Y3SMG_vPMOj8Tnf1ei41ShNYw3EZEm4zfR1T6MwRPicebMn89pkTWczff3-5OzIaPpSk6ONXn0PBtOP4i4Ae-pyCIhjJI5vCqbo4lbPiopDYGr/s1600/Cvr-thumb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRE8YZyr6Fh4x0nybik3erd0cdWMj08Y3SMG_vPMOj8Tnf1ei41ShNYw3EZEm4zfR1T6MwRPicebMn89pkTWczff3-5OzIaPpSk6ONXn0PBtOP4i4Ae-pyCIhjJI5vCqbo4lbPiopDYGr/s640/Cvr-thumb1.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-86548015016280444222013-02-16T08:07:00.000-05:002013-02-16T21:48:19.027-05:00House of Girls - Available Now!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsx4XltO1uU0wBJkg141ixn7cYfbuRfK_xHLCM9MYrudh-z9KWF8RzHrG3szETIXFmfgXhjHrFyyJGeF293KyNeYB9lM1HXDRPK8W3zWZjdR3rR62CTCFLkQmFk38PhvYUzj0K_OJrRN/s1600/hog5-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsx4XltO1uU0wBJkg141ixn7cYfbuRfK_xHLCM9MYrudh-z9KWF8RzHrG3szETIXFmfgXhjHrFyyJGeF293KyNeYB9lM1HXDRPK8W3zWZjdR3rR62CTCFLkQmFk38PhvYUzj0K_OJrRN/s400/hog5-.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By <a href="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/" target="_blank">Joyce Shor Johnson</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Sharon knows being
fifteen, falling in love, and getting pregnant—is a real problem in 1961, especially
if like her, you are Jewish and your boyfriend isn’t.<br />
<br />
It all starts when Irish roars into Sharon’s life late one humid summer
afternoon in the Catskills. He propels her into the grown-up world of love,
sex, lies, and scandal. For ultra-conservative Jewish women and girls, spending
summers in the Catskill Mountains is not just about escaping the heat of the
Bronx. In the Catskills, you are freed from the restrictive confines of what it
means to be “a good Jewish girl.” <br />
<br />
Sharon’s parents relax their grip on her enough so she is able to spend her
summer days learning about love with Irish. The end of the summer means a
return to her “real” world but not an end to Sharon and Irish’s relationship.
When Sharon discovers her pregnancy, her parents have her remanded to a home
for unwed Jewish girls, and assume she will give up the child.<br />
<br />
In the home for unwed mothers, Sharon struggles to find a place for herself.
Along the way, she bonds with a few of the girls, each with her own story of
pain and drama in a world where abortion is illegal and the stigma of being
pregnant and unwed is harsh and humiliating. Gradually, the shared stories and
dreams help Sharon find the strength to stand against her parents, family
court, and the adoption agency so she can give birth to her baby.<br />
<br />
At the end of 1961, life is still suspended in the ideals of the 1950s, but it
is only a short leap into the turbulent 196os, where women fought for and won,
independence for themselves, their children, and their right to love on their
own terms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Will Sharon make the
leap?</span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQS6HDA" target="_blank">BUY IT NOW </a><br />
<b>ASIN:</b> B00AQS6HDA<br />
$3.99 Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-17818707905854905292012-12-04T10:02:00.000-05:002013-11-24T14:34:09.704-05:00Let the World Know!<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Have you read The Casting? Did you like it? Let the world<span style="font-size: small;"> know!</span></span></span></span></h2>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To post a review on Amazon, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Casting-Joyce-Shor-Johnson/dp/0983824037/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1354553989&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>click here</i></a></span></span> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To post a review on Barnes & Nobles,<i> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-casting-joyce-shor-johnson/1106011907?ean=9780983824039" target="_blank">click here </a></i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To order a signed copy for a friend<i>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dDZtSHU3YnB4UVVwR0V6XzZGQ0pBM2c6MQ%22%20width=%22760%22%20height=%22704%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%3ELoading...%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">click here</a></i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To like J<span style="font-size: small;">o</span>yce's author page on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JoyceShorJohnson" target="_blank"><i>click here</i></a></span></span> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To like the The Casting on <i>Goodreads, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12837068-the-casting" target="_blank">click here</a></i></span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12837068-the-casting" target="_blank"> </a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To subscribe to Joyce's newsletter, <i>sign up on the <span style="font-size: small;">lef<span style="font-size: small;">t</span></span> side of this page</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To follow Joyce on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/thewritejoyce" target="_blank"><i>click here</i></a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To invite Joyce to speak at your event, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dDZtSHU3YnB4UVVwR0V6XzZGQ0pBM2c6MQ%22%20width=%22760%22%20height=%22704%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%3ELoading...%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank"><i>click here</i></a></span></span> </li>
</ul>
Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-6055446422459009582012-11-30T10:58:00.001-05:002013-11-24T14:34:58.287-05:00Author Spotlight<br />
It's always nice to open an email to find that you are the subject of
a nice blog post at someone else's blog. To read the interview, click
on the links. Enjoy!<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://clcreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/award-winning-author-joyce-shor-johnson.html" href="http://clcreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/award-winning-author-joyce-shor-johnson.html"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-305 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Literary_Classics_Intl_Masthead.jpg" height="106" src="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Literary_Classics_Intl_Masthead.jpg" title="Literary_Classics_Intl_Masthead" width="396" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
http://clcreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/award-winning-author-joyce-shor-johnson.html<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.authorsbistro.info/2012/11/author-spotlight-joyce-shor-johnson.html" href="http://www.authorsbistro.info/2012/11/author-spotlight-joyce-shor-johnson.html"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-308" data-mce-src="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/AUTHORS+BISTRO+MASTHEAD+fnl-300x168.jpg" height="168" src="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/AUTHORS+BISTRO+MASTHEAD+fnl-300x168.jpg" title="AUTHORS+BISTRO+MASTHEAD+fnl" width="300" /></a><br />
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http://www.authorsbistro.info/2012/11/author-spotlight-joyce-shor-johnson.htmlJoyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-65453966663138267472012-11-14T09:46:00.002-05:002013-11-24T14:35:19.602-05:00Thinking about Gifts?It's that time of year again, where the holiday decorations suddenly explode - and it seems as if it starts earlier every year. I've already ordered my photo holiday cards. They are sitting on the dining table waiting for Thanksgiving day morning. This is when I will address them and have them ready to send on December 1st.<br />
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In the meantime, I have started to shop. This year, I thought I would put together a list of cool places to visit online for awesome gifts that you might not have known about.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Eco-Friendly <span style="font-size: large;">Gifts</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div id="logo">
<a href="http://www.sproutwatches.com/"><img src="http://www.sproutwatches.com/images/logo.gif" /></a>
</div>
<a href="http://www.sproutwatches.com/">http://www.sproutwatches.com/</a><br />
If you are looking for watches, these bright and eco-friendly timepieces are made from corn! Better wear than to eat! The company page really is well written and tell the consumer all about their ideals. Read it <a href="http://www.sproutwatches.com/about.asp" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/"> <img alt="Great gift ideas at UncommonGoods" src="http://www.uncommongoods.com/images/ugLogo.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/"> </a><br />
<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/gifts/collections/recycled-gifts">http://www.uncommongoods.com/gifts/collections/recycled-gifts</a><br />
They even have bicycle chain bowls! How cool is that? <br />
Here is what UncommonGoods has to say about their company: "At UncommonGoods, we want to change the way business is conducted by
making sustainability a part of every decision we make. Each month,
employees from all areas of our company gather to discuss how we can
make UncommonGoods more environmentally friendly, socially responsible
and an ever-more rewarding place to work."<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.novica.com/"><img alt="Welcome to Novica.com!" border="0" height="88" id="headerLogo" src="http://pics.novica.com/images/logoTop.gif" title="Welcome to Novica.com!" width="219" /></a><br />
<a href="http://eco-friendly.novica.com/">http://eco-friendly.novica.com/</a><br />
<br />
I think they have some wonderful gifts!<br />
Novica has this to say about their company: "[Novica] want[s] to give artists and artisans around the world a
global
platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their
creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique,
hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure
can allow. At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a
bridge
between you and the many talented artisans across the globe. [Novica]
want[s] you to know about who you're buying from. [Novica] want[s] you
to
feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it."<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fun Gif<span style="font-size: large;">ts</span> </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/" title="Return Home">
<img alt="Perpetual Kid - Fun & Unique Gifts" border="0" src="http://www.perpetualkid.com/perpetualkid-logo.gif" /></a><br />
<img alt="BOWLING ZOMBIES" border="0" height="163" src="http://edgecastcdn.net/800034/www.perpetualkid.com/productimages/lg3/BOWL-3756.jpg" title="" width="200" /><br />
Who doesn't like Bowling for Zombies? Perpetual Kid has so many goofy and fun items. Go wild.<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fave <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Online</span> </span>Gifts</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/StoreCatalogDisplay_-1_10001_10451_" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">M<span style="font-size: large;">o</span>MA STORE </span></a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I love the Fish<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">T</span></span></span>ank Hotel.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkVkcNPhcjH8dDyYP9xY4ogO5cue9NKmV5-59TZouBGxOZx5vSVIsdmLjiMv74Exl5rZ6JKPnK9DoW01Ur79kBDwJXYzD1JIFRpsD6wk3arUtDNIaa5KQdCU_6IbcIx6yqKkl18_cZvsb/s1600/96729_A3_Fish_Tank_Condo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkVkcNPhcjH8dDyYP9xY4ogO5cue9NKmV5-59TZouBGxOZx5vSVIsdmLjiMv74Exl5rZ6JKPnK9DoW01Ur79kBDwJXYzD1JIFRpsD6wk3arUtDNIaa5KQdCU_6IbcIx6yqKkl18_cZvsb/s1600/96729_A3_Fish_Tank_Condo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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But the best gift you can give is the gift of reading.<br />
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<a href="http://www.morganhillbookstore.com/about-us-morgan-hill-bookstore" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrEc8JAa7L5hR9SObAsHO5WQx8O9nXOG52-FkWQ2VJQJAdUmSQ7OdAbr1z1CSnl4sVwh6Wfbxv8uR9OlWVj65-DNmnAOJdeLTGnSZI8PWe0Z4n7pU9p7n_cMUxyL9A4f3y5y4tSBFfU5k/s1600/Casting-cvr-4-12.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Order a<span style="font-size: small;">n autographed copy of the <a href="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/" target="_blank">T</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://joyceshorjohnson.com/" target="_blank">HE CASTING</a>. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.morganhillbookstore.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">M<span style="font-size: small;">o</span>rgan Hill Books<span style="font-size: small;">to<span style="font-size: small;">re</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">253 Main Street <br />PO Box 2455<br />New London, NH 03257</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(603) 526-5850</span> </b><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">HOURS:</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Monday to Friday 9:00 - 5:30<br />Saturday 9:00 - 5:00<br />Sunday 11:00 - 3:00</b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>or go to <a href="http://www.pugaliciouspress.com/our-books/" target="_blank">PugaliciousPress.com</a> </b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: teal;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have Fun<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Shopping!</span></span></span></span>Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-23914103288196396972012-08-10T11:14:00.000-04:002013-11-24T14:35:50.559-05:00Review of The Casting by SuperfastreaderLovely Review of The Casting by Annie on her blog <a href="http://superfastreader.com/the-casting-by-joyce-shor-johnson.htm" target="_blank">Reading is My Superpower</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrEc8JAa7L5hR9SObAsHO5WQx8O9nXOG52-FkWQ2VJQJAdUmSQ7OdAbr1z1CSnl4sVwh6Wfbxv8uR9OlWVj65-DNmnAOJdeLTGnSZI8PWe0Z4n7pU9p7n_cMUxyL9A4f3y5y4tSBFfU5k/s1600/Casting-cvr-4-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrEc8JAa7L5hR9SObAsHO5WQx8O9nXOG52-FkWQ2VJQJAdUmSQ7OdAbr1z1CSnl4sVwh6Wfbxv8uR9OlWVj65-DNmnAOJdeLTGnSZI8PWe0Z4n7pU9p7n_cMUxyL9A4f3y5y4tSBFfU5k/s1600/Casting-cvr-4-12.JPG" /></a></div>
You can read it <a href="http://superfastreader.com/the-casting-by-joyce-shor-johnson.htm" target="_blank">here</a>!Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-67285583804564015722012-08-10T11:11:00.001-04:002013-11-24T14:36:27.680-05:00Final Call for 2013 NESCBWI Conference Proposals<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8fSRxSGzhkDV7Hhzk29oTDRGytVnWHaf79KUJ_aHXdiGNJq_MXs8KfLrrUO6Mg5dOcMTKrmj1bOedJLl2BeEzXv2hL_SBobkHtJSDB8hiIAa9JhUPTJ3XI5nGEAqPw0cEh7yZYYCsBKi/s1600/nescbwi13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8fSRxSGzhkDV7Hhzk29oTDRGytVnWHaf79KUJ_aHXdiGNJq_MXs8KfLrrUO6Mg5dOcMTKrmj1bOedJLl2BeEzXv2hL_SBobkHtJSDB8hiIAa9JhUPTJ3XI5nGEAqPw0cEh7yZYYCsBKi/s1600/nescbwi13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">August 27th brings with it the close of </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br />2013 New England SCBWI Conference Proposals, <br />so take a moment and submit your most awesome idea today! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Proposal Due Date: August 27, 201</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Presenter Notification Expected: October 15, 2012</b><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For Additional Information go to <a href="http://www.nescbwi.org/2012/06/2013-cfp.php#more" target="_blank">NESCBWI</a></b></div>
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Presenters from New England who send in more than one, well-crafted and detailed proposal will receive preferential consideration. Also, you may be asked to present your workshop twice during the conference. You might consider doing a 120 or 180 minute presentation and then tweaking it to fit a 55 minute format. With so much talent in our New England and surrounding regions, bringing you together to share knowledge and skill is what makes New England SCBWI the largest regional conference.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Types of Presentations: <br />55-minute workshops; 120-minute intensives; 180 studios w/15 minute break.</b> </div>
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<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
To Submit a Proposal: Please complete <a _mce_href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?pli=1&formkey=dHdXb0lUZ1lfSm5Dc2NRTTR1T2o1ZVE6MA#gid=0" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?pli=1&formkey=dHdXb0lUZ1lfSm5Dc2NRTTR1T2o1ZVE6MA#gid=0" shape="rect" style="color: blue ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">a conference proposal form</a>. Separate submissions are required for multiple presentations or workshop/intensive versions of the same presentation. </div>
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<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Selection Criteria and Topics</b></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Every
year SCBWI New England receives so many excellent proposals, more than
can fit into a conference schedule. Therefore, we must choose on the
basis of experience, quality, variety, novelty, attendant costs, and
other factors. Please use the <a _mce_shape="rect" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3082438809880534785" shape="rect">2013 NESCBWI Workshop Rubric</a> for more explicit selection criteria and standards.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We
would love to see presentations on the following topics. If you are an
expert on one of these topics, we would love to see your proposal.</div>
<ul>
<li>Hands-on writing workshops that spotlight elements of craft:
outlining, story arc, tools, tips, character, dialogue, sketching, etc.</li>
<li>Hands-on illustration workshops</li>
<li>Publishing 201 session for intermediate authors or illustrators</li>
<li>Developing an idea from conception to completion</li>
<li>How to complete a Detailed Novel Outline</li>
<li>Secrets of Story Arc</li>
<li>How to lay out a picture book dummy</li>
<li>How to start your own publishing company</li>
<li>Gesture and emotion for illustrators</li>
<li>School and library visits and promotion</li>
<li>Grassroots Marketing strategies to libraries and other overlooked venues</li>
<li>Writing nonfiction articles and short stories</li>
<li>Mystery writing, organizing your mystery</li>
<li>Planning Out Clues</li>
<li>How to write chapter books</li>
<li>How to design an eBook</li>
<li>Writing Teen Romance</li>
<li>What I publish/represent and why</li>
<li>Historical Fiction for middle grade and YA - What makes it work!</li>
<li>How to reinvent yourself as a writer and reignite your career </li>
<li>What exactly happens at BEA, ALA, Frankfurt, Bologna and how can it help you with book sales? <br />
</li>
<li>How to write suspense for MG & or YA</li>
<li>Illustration techniques - making the magic happen</li>
<li>Defining the terms: High Concept, Realistic Fiction, Magical Realism, etc.</li>
</ul>
Got Questions? Ask in the comments section below! <br />
<ul>
</ul>
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Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082438809880534785.post-60277469516941361122012-06-27T20:47:00.002-04:002013-11-24T14:36:42.394-05:00Ammi-Joan Paquette, Children's AuthorIt's Wenesday and that means another New London, New Hampshire Market on the Green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohzUk_ru4MpYuL4iXpB1rSszVYGDRnWeMbegSq560EXNR96HCMDdRL7SupWIOEExco8NXkGGHwywxrFh4U7_1q-UouZpBaoLd_uKIQE7OSkOX2-dhIf3WSaL0fQLjNdc-vc_askTy45RR/s1600/DSCN2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohzUk_ru4MpYuL4iXpB1rSszVYGDRnWeMbegSq560EXNR96HCMDdRL7SupWIOEExco8NXkGGHwywxrFh4U7_1q-UouZpBaoLd_uKIQE7OSkOX2-dhIf3WSaL0fQLjNdc-vc_askTy45RR/s400/DSCN2688.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kendra Johnson and Ammi-Joan Paquette</td></tr>
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This week's Children's Author was <a href="http://ajpaquette.com/" target="_blank">Ammi-Joan Pauqutte</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933718595/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1933718595&linkCode=as2&tag=thewrijoy01-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1933718595&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thewrijoy01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thewrijoy01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933718595" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Joan's latest picture book Tip Toe Guide to Mermaids is just delightful. It is the companion book to Tip Toe Guide to Faries.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193371820X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=193371820X&linkCode=as2&tag=thewrijoy01-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=193371820X&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thewrijoy01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thewrijoy01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=193371820X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Joan is also the author of Nowhere Girl, a middle grade novel that is b<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer151466161"><span id="freeTextContainer5219069896431217259">eautiful, evocative, and full of rich language that lingers long after the book is closed (via <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/162861434" target="_blank">Kate Messner's Goodreds Review)</a></span></span>. Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was Born in a
prison in Thailand, Luchi Ann knows only that her American mother was an inmate there. With her mother's death, Luchi must leave the only place she's ever
known. Being neither Thai, because of
her fair skin and blond hair, nor a foreigner, because of her
knowledge of Thai life and traditions, Luchi feels as though she belongs
nowhere. <i>Nowhere Girl</i> is a beautifully rendered story of courage, resilience, and finding the one place where you truly belong.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802722970/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802722970&linkCode=as2&tag=thewrijoy01-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0802722970&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thewrijoy01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thewrijoy01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0802722970" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Visit Ammi-Joan Paquette's <a href="http://ajpaquette.com/" target="_blank">website</a> to learn more about her and her books. <br />
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On July 11th, the Children's Author at New London, New Hampshire's Market On The Green is <a href="http://www.janesutcliffe.com/" target="_blank">Jane Sutcliffe</a>.<br />
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I hope to see you there!<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <a href="http://goo.gl/MVzCZ" target="_blank">Get Directions</a><br />
<br />Joyce Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148686080324252038noreply@blogger.com3