Celebrate Summer 2013

So 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!

Logan Airport, June 2013

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!

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.

Paris France, June 2013

We headed over to St. Pancras Train Station and
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.

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. Get a copy, it is excellent!

Versailles, France June 2013

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!

Author Spotlight

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!



http://clcreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/award-winning-author-joyce-shor-johnson.html





http://www.authorsbistro.info/2012/11/author-spotlight-joyce-shor-johnson.html

Thinking 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.

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.


Eco-Friendly Gifts

http://www.sproutwatches.com/
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 here.



http://www.uncommongoods.com/gifts/collections/recycled-gifts
They even have bicycle chain bowls! How cool is that?
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."



http://eco-friendly.novica.com/

I think they have some wonderful gifts!
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."

Fun Gifts



Who doesn't like Bowling for Zombies? Perpetual Kid has so many goofy and fun items. Go wild.

Fave Online Gifts
MoMA STORE
I love the Fish Tank Hotel.

 


















But the best gift you can give is the gift of reading.

Order an autographed copy of the THE CASTING. 
Morgan Hill Bookstore
253 Main Street 
PO Box 2455
New London, NH 03257
(603) 526-5850
HOURS:
Monday to Friday 9:00 - 5:30
Saturday 9:00 - 5:00
Sunday 11:00 - 3:00

or go to PugaliciousPress.com 

Have Fun Shopping!

Review of The Casting by Superfastreader

Lovely Review of The Casting by Annie on her blog Reading is My Superpower.

You can read it here!

Ann Haywood Leal, Children's Author

Ann Haywood Leal braved the 98 degree temperature to spend time at Market on the Green in New London, NH to sign her books, A Finder's Keepers Place and Also Known As Harper. It was a pleasant (and very hot) afternoon.

An interested reader get's to meet the author.





















 Boys do read!

Ann and my daughter, Kendra had so much to talk about.
You can follow Ann @AnnHaywoodLeal


Thanks for sharing your wonderful books!

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham

I had the opportunity to attend the pre-launch party on Saturday for Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham. Really what this party consisted of was helping to set up the most amazing book launch prop created by Kirsten Cappy of Curious City and watching Hilary's excitement grow as everything came together.

Kirsten Cappy & Hilary Weisman Graham at the REUNITED book Launch

I was lucky enough to also be at the head of the line for Hilary to sign my book so I didn't have to wait in the heat of the day.

Hilary Weisman Graham signing her book, Reunited

Congratulations, Hilary!

Y is for YOU Made It!

On day left in the A to Z challenge and this year, I've made it! This being my second year, I knew what I was up against. I had a better plan, a list of ideas and several set in stone topics to write about. This planning, made it so much easier.

What this challenge has really done is made me sit and write, every day for a month. No excuses. This has established a new pattern for me. One that makes me think of writing every day. After I write my A to Z post, I've been working on an outline for a new book.

I only spend 20 minutes researching the different themes that I want to include, it keeps me writing.

This is an exciting time. This idea that has been with me, festering for a few years, now feels fresh and new. I can't wait to work on it more.

So tomorrow is Z and I look forward to to it, knowing that I and many others have made it through this challenge. 

I finish with more than I started. Thank you!

Cat In The Hat & Springfield, MA

When I was nineteen, I lived in La Jolla, California for two years. During that time, I worked as a floral designer. Richard (who liked to be called Dick) owned the florist and he was an interesting guy. He knew many celebrities and often had me “do up” the floral arrangements for the events he hosted or was attending.

One of his closest and dearest friends was, Ted Geisel. I met Ted several times. He had an opinion about everything! Some of which I just can’t divulge. He did think I a was talker and called me Voyce instead of Joyce after he got to know me.

I’ve been thinking about him lately because I have been to Springfield several times in the last few months as I help organize this years NESCBWI “Keeping It Real” conference taking place April 20-22.

He used to joke about Springfield and that is all I going to say about what he would say about Springfield.

Just to keep this post interesting, here are the inscriptions in the two books he signed for me.

This a 1957 printing.

My 4 year-old signature

His opinion of my love of his book.

 Shortly before I returned to the East Coast he gave me this book.

And a warning!

 I often wonder how he was able to sum up my life in these two captions? He was just amazing!

Oh yeah, Springfield is also where my husband and I lived right after we were married. So here’s to you, Dr. Suess & Springfield, MA!

Being Brave

Bravery isn’t the same for everyone. 

Sometimes, the bravest thing to do is to go about your day without worrying what others think of you. 

Sometimes, it’s walking into a classroom knowing that your bully is there, waiting for you. 

Sometimes, it’s all about facing the real truth, yours not theirs.

Sometimes, it’s about not giving in because it’s the easiest thing to do.

The brave are often the least recognized.

Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.  ~Mary Anne Radmacher

Who do you know that is brave and should be recognized?

Amazing - The Casting is out!

Please celebrate with me! The Casting debuts today. Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process. I am so excited. Please if you read the book, take a moment to comment on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. It really does make a difference.

You can order the softcover book here 

and the hardcover here

and don't forget to support your local independent bookstore. BUY LOCAL. Just ask them to order The Casting for you. I'm available for author signings and school visits as well! Just drop me a line.

THANKS!