Sunday, 22 September 2013

October 9th - http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/ (Author Diane Robinson – for Tour Sites)

Come join in on the fun: giveaways, author interviews, and book 2 reviews.

To learn more about my adventure kids books and dragon books for children visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Friday, 20 September 2013

Dragon Facts And Award News.

Dragon Books For Children and Dragon Facts

Posted on September 20, 2013

Dragon books for children usually have some interesting dragon facts attached to the dragon character in the story. This is my dragon, Snarls, from The Forest of Doom. He is a secondary character in my adventure kids books series, The Pen Pieyu Adventures.

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

Snarls, unlike a lot of his dragon relatives out there, is actually quite charming. Here are some facts about my dragon character, Snarls.

Snarls the Dragon

Lives nearby and inside and around Dragon Mountain in The Forest of Doom (see map below).

Birthday: October 23

Age: 3 (that equals 12 in people years).

Middle name: Lotzapuf (middle name after his mother’s father, Singe Burnett Lotzapuf).

Last name: Doom

Favorite color: shiny silver things.

Favorite food: onions and exotic spices.

Favorite activities: cooking, barbeques, parties, cooking, adventures, cooking, cuddling up with a good book.

Dislikes: falling rocks, being chased, indigestion, having a cold, when his fire does not work--since he is a fire-breathing dragon, this is quite embarrassing to him.

Flaws: His fire-breathing doesn't necessarily fire-up when he needs it to, and at the most inopportune times, his fire-breathing seems to let go all on it's own. And, he can't fly--even though he lets people believe he can.

Girlfriends: One. Her name is Babbling Suzy, and she only exists in his dreams, not in my fantasy kids books. He talks about Babbling Suzy in his sleep. Interesting.

Random Insert: Sir Princess Petra, book one, has won another award:

Honorable Mention in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards (K - 3rd grade category)

MAP OF PEN PIEYU KINGDOM AND SURROUNDING LANDS Map

Travels: Snarls was born and raised in the Forest of Doom. He has traveled on adventures with Petra, of course, to the Kingdom of Lost Donkeys and to The Vast Wilderness. With Petra's encouragement, he has also successfully crossed Hobble-Wobble Creek.

Petra and Snarls don't know it yet, but very soon they will travel to the Kingdom of Boogy Gobees. Why? Because the king will be writing a new rule in the royal rule book. Hmmm, I wonder why the castle in the lands of the Kingdom of Boogy Gobees is so crooked? Maybe Petra and Snarls will find out in book three.

Petra and Snarls crossing Hobble-Wobble Creek.

Book two, Sir Princess Petra's Talent, releasing Sept. 24, 2013

Has anybody noticed that I drew the map to look like the shape of a head? No? Check out the map again.

For more information on the characters of my fantasy kids books, go here: http://www.dragonsbook.com/for-kids.html

Friday, 13 September 2013

1st Book Review - Sir Princess Petra's Talent

www.AngieMangino.com

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent

By Diane Mae Robinson

2013

Reviewed by Angie Mangino

Rating: 4 stars

A summary of Sir Princess Petra at the beginning introduces new readers quickly into this chapter book adventure, which stands well independently of the previous book. Readers new to Petra, joining previous readers, will love her immediately and want to follow her on this adventure and any future adventures.

Petra’s inner courage wins out over any of her fears, triumphant by her openness in conservation to determine what is best for all concerned. Her basic kindness, innate loving nature, adventurous curiosity, and non-judgmental personality enables her to befriend every one she meets, giving her a maturity way beyond her years that surpasses the adults in the story weighed down with preconceived ideas and worries.

Cloaked in a fantasy work of knights, kings, and dragons that will engulf children into the story, the moral lessons imparted are refreshingly neither preachy nor boring.

Petra’s breath of fresh air personality makes her an exceptional role model for children to admire and to imitate in the real situations of fear, new people, challenges, and goals in their own lives.

Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance writer and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service of unpublished manuscripts. http://www.angiemangino.com

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com and learn more about my fantasy kids books.

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Rights To Writes

Selling the rights to your work can be confusing, and often a new writer will sign away rights just because they are eager to get that contract. Some contracts are horrible and take advantage of writers. Make sure you understand your contract and what rights you are giving up before you sign that contract. If you are unsure, contact a lawyer. And remember, many contracts can be negotiated. Below is an article by Deborah Owen, CEO of the Creative Writing Institute--an on-line writing school which I am now a tutor at also.

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Beware of Selling Your Rights

Learning about Writer’s Rights

by Deborah Owen http://deborahowen.wordpress.com

Most creative writers are so eager to sell their work that they don’t stop to consider what rights they are selling. “Rights” refers to how a publisher can use your work. “Rights” has nothing to do with what you are paid or the copyright of your work.

First North American Serial Rights − Known as FNASR, are the most common rights purchased. The purchasing magazine has the right to publish the author’s work for X amount of dollars, while the author grants the magazine permission to publish his story (or article) one time in North America. If you are offering these rights to a magazine, place “Offering First North American Serial Rights” at the top of the document.

One-Time Serial Rights – If you are simultaneously offering your story or article to several publications, place “One-Time Serial Rights” at the top of the page. This grants the first magazine that snaps up your work the right to publish your story or article one time.

Second Serial Rights – If you have previously sold the story or article, you will be offering Second Serial Rights to the next magazine. They will be able to publish your work once.

All Rights – Unless someone is hiring you to develop a piece of work for them (such as developing a course for a school) shudder at the sight of these rights. It means you are signing away “all rights” to whoever bought your work. You may never sell the work again, publish it, copy it, download it, or transfer it. You have no rights left whatsoever.

Work for Hire – This is another “right” that should cause you to shiver. Work for Hire can only exist in two ways: you have created a document as an independent contractor and you are selling the rights to it, or you are being paid as an employee and your work was created during your work time – which gives your boss all rights.

Non-Exclusive Rights – This one is not desirable either. Although the “rights” refer back to you after one year and you can sell the work again, the original buyer may continue to use it and reproduce it in syndication without sharing the profits with you.

Exclusive Rights – If you sign these rights, you have given away the farm. An example of this would be Associated Content and other like places that assume full rights when they buy your work. You will not be able to reproduce it or sell it again. It’s gone. Ker-plunk! Down the toilet.

One-Time Rights – You can sell one-time rights simultaneously to as many people as you want. Columnists use this right to sell their articles to multiple markets.

As you can see, there is only the difference of a hair’s breadth on some of these rights. There are many more types of rights, so understand them thoroughly before you sign on the dotted line.

Keep this article in your safe and don’t sign anything without referring to it!

If you liked this article, be sure to follow our blog here on WordPress! You can also find links for our Facebook and Twitter pages at our website: www.CreativeWritingInstitute.com.

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Know you rights, don't give away any rights that you don't want to, try to negotiate a better contract if you don't like the terms, or you can always walk away. And always, always be professional.

As an author, I have walked away from a contract because I didn't like the terms. I have also been burnt by a different publisher's contract that tied my book up for one year and never produced the book.

Strange things happen in the writing industry. Before signing, make sure you are dealing with a reputable publisher. You can check out the reputation of publishers at Preditor and Editors: http://pred-ed.com/peba.htm

Visit my author's website: http://www.dragonsbook.com

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Semiconscious Semicolons

The simplest way to explain the semicolon: a comma is sleepy, a period is asleep, and a semicolon is semiconscious.

The main function of the semicolon is to mark a break that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a period. It is used between two main clauses that are closely related.

- The path to the castle is paved with stone; trees line and shade the travelers.

- The chef searched for the pots and pans; the dragon helped to save time.

It can also be used where the conjunction is left out and instead of having two sentences.

- The dragon summoned the royal councilman for an answer; he had no answer.

- The king had paid a heavy price for the potion; he was very pleased.

It is preferable to use a semicolon before introductory words such as however, therefore, this is, for example, namely, or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence. A comma usually follows the introductory word.

- The dragon liked to prepare his specialty dishes; namely, onion-a-la-tart, onions-ta-da, and onion stuffed squid.

The semicolon is used to separate items of a series when one or more of the items contains a comma.

- The dinner party included the puny army, from the Land of Messogie; Bograt, the bog witch; and Duce Crablips, from the faraway Kingdom of Crablips.

Use the semicolon between two sentences that are joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first part of the sentence.

- The dragon promised to mop the floor, clean the dishes, and throw out the onion peels; and a promise is a promise.

Seimicolons are follow by lower case letters, unless the letter is the first letter of a proper noun.

- Several castles were in a state of disrepair; Longstride Castle being one of them.

Modern usage recommends no space before a semicolon, and one space after it.

For a more in depth look at semicolons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon

Visit my author's website: http://www.dragonsbook.com
and learn more about my fantasy kids books.

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013

Saturday, 24 August 2013

There Is Magic In The Forest.

Magical forests are real. I have lived near one forest or another my whole life, and they were all very inspiring and held real magic for me.

Spirit Hill Forest, my backyard magical forest, Alberta, Canada

When I was a child, my imagination soared when I was amongst the giants of the woods and the magical creatures who could very easily dwell there. Somehow, they were just out of sight as soon as I turned my head their way. I often imagined that I just glimpsed the tail-end of a cloak disappeaingr behind a tree, and, sometimes, I heard the whispers and giggles of elves. Occasionally, I say sparkles fluttering around--surely this must have been faeries.

My infatuation with fantasy kids books and magical forests has been with me for as long as I remember. This is why I am certain that I will always write books that are fantasy kids books and adventure books for kids.

If you were ever wondering how you would know a magical forest, I have some suggestions:

1. The trees sway and clap when you enter the forest.
2. There is a mistiness about the forest, or the trees are giants and of a unique nature, or you spot the glitter sparkles fluttering around.
3. The fall colors definitely look painted on--this is because every magical forest has a Forest Painter in charge of the fall colors.
4. You will probably hear rustling noises--this is caused by the excitement and scurrying of gnomes, elves, and faeries.
5. You will also smell a woodsy, musty odor, which is created by the bark soup all magical creatures make at dusk.

If you still aren't sure it's a magical forest, here are some pictures of real magical forests that you can refer to:

Crooked Forest, Poland

The Redwood Forest, California

A painted forest of undisclosed location

deviantart.com

Stone Forest, China

Are you convinced yet? Do you believe in the magic that dwells within each of these--and many, many more--magical forests?
Actually, magic exists everywhere, you just have to believe.

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Friday, 16 August 2013

This is a re-post of an interesting article on why amateur books and e-books are ruining the literature world for good writers and keen readers alike.

Personally, I have nothing against self-published books, and I have read incredible self-published book. I am, however,totally against bad, unedited, amateur self-published books and e-books.

Read the article by Michael Kozlowski and decide for yourself.

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Self-Published Authors Are Destroying Literature

By Michael Kozlowski

http://goodereader.com/blog/commentary/self-published-authors-are-destroying-literature

Self-published authors with their insistent need to spam social media and pump out a copious amount of horrible ebooks are ruining the modern online bookstore. You can’t browse Kobo, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon without running into a maelstrom of poorly written and poorly edited books. All of these bookstores put indie authors’ books side by side with established authors, who are signed to a publishing company. Social media is also a breeding ground for people to try and hustle their books and literally beg for sales.
Bowker Market Research reported last week that self-published ebooks now account for 12% of the entire digital publishing market. In some cases, the number actually rises to a very respectable 20%, but is fairly genre specific to crime, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and humor. 95% of these books are insufferable and are written to capitalize on trends in publishing, with authors trying to emulate successful writers such as E.L. James or Cassandra Claire.

At a recent publishing conference in London, Andrew Franklin, founder and managing director of Profile Books, blasted authors who self-publish. “The overwhelming majority of self-published books are terrible—unutterable rubbish, they don’t enhance anything in the world.” He ranted on by saying, “These books come out and are met with a deathly silence, so the principle experience of self-publishing is one of disappointment. I was very shocked to learn you can buy Facebook friends and likes on social media. That is what passes for affirmation in what I think is the deeply corrupt world of self-publishing.”

I am inclined to agree with Andrew. Take a look at Amazon, the only quality control it employs is Kindle Serials and its official publishing imprints. All of their other self-publishing programs do not have anyone proofreading or editing the books. These ebooks are then listed side by side with mainstream books. This makes the process of quality ebook discovery a very time consuming effort. Not to mention the onslaught of auto-generated books, written by scripts and Public Domain Books, retitled and put up for sale. GoodReads was basically purchased by Amazon, because it sought to bring some measure of separating the good books from the terrible.

Smashwords is one company that is one of the guiltiest in encouraging writers to try and market their books on the internet. The company even provides a free ISBN number and will list your book for sale on Sony, iBooks, Kobo, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many others. It will ACCEPT anything, though most amateur fan-fiction is better, because at least those authors are trying and fanatically loyal to their subject matter.

Good e-Reader has around 3,000 Twitter Followers and over 5,000 Facebook friends. Not a day goes by that I don’t see people asking for ebook sales. “BUY MY BOOK!” No marketing, no reason to buy it, JUST BUY IT! The vast majority of indie authors have no concept on how to legitimately market a book title and just encourage people to BUY! #ihateebooks

One thing indie authors have done is devalue the work of legitimate published authors. You know the type that write for a living, who have an editor and are considered accomplished, or at least well-read. The average indie title is $0.99 to $2.99, and the average publisher price is $7.99 – $12.99. Book buyers have been so conditioned to pay as little as possible that often they will not even consider a more expensive book.

The vast majority of self-published authors definitely incur my everlasting ire, but hybrid authors gain my respect. Often, these folk cut their teeth with major publishers and now self-publish for a little bit more control. Bella Andre is a fine example of a self-publisher; she got a major deal and went back to self-publishing. She has done very well.

I don’t know how many more paranormal romances or erotica clones I can stomach before I got completely berserk. Sure self-publishing MAY pay for a few bills, but at the expense of modern literature.

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I think when an author is in the writing business for the right reason--to entertain the reader--then the integrity of their professional efforts will shine through in their books, however those books are published.

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Saturday, 10 August 2013

The Opening Line.

I love opening sentences in children's books. They vary in length from six words in Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie to the extreme of 148 words in L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.

No matter the length of the opening sentence or what the sentence is about, it should capture its audience with some sort of intrigue so that the reader wonders, "why is that happening?" or "what is going on?"

Here are some opening lines that made me wonder enough to keep reading.

“‘Where’s Papa going with that axe?’ said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.”

Charlotte’s Webb by E.B. White

“I didn’t know how long I had

been in the king’s prison.”

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

“All children, except one, grow up.”

Peter Pan and Wendy by JM Barrie

“Sophie had waited all her

life to be kidnapped.”

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

"Queen Gobbledeegook was angry!"
Sir Nathan and the Troublesome Task by Mark Simon Smith

"It certainly seemed like it was going to be another normal evening at Amelia Bedelia’s house.”

Amelia Bedelia Unleashed by Herman Parish

"When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen."
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

"The First Place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it."
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

First sentences not only peak the reader's interest with "why" or "what", they also set the tone of the story.

Here are the first lines of my two books.

"Petra curtsied to the king and queen of Pen Pieyu, who sat upon their thrones."
Sir Princess Petra - The Pen Pieyu Adventures by Diane Mae Robinson

"Petra awoke to the sound of the royal councilman's bugle."
Sir Princess Petra's Talent - The Pen Pieyu Adventures by Diane Mae Robinson

What are some of your favorite first sentences in children's books?

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Friday, 2 August 2013

More on Commas.

Yes, this is my third post on commas. Commas seem to be one of the biggest problems for many writers, and I also have a lot to say about them.

Meaning what you say and saying what you mean.

Meaning is everything, and the comma can make a big difference in your meaning. Pay special attention to phrases that have because and since in them. Check out the sentences below and see if you can tell the difference in meaning with each pair of sentences:

I didn’t ride the dragon because you were mad at me.
I didn’t ride the dragon, because you were mad at me.

In the first instance, my riding the dragon had nothing to do with you being mad at me, and that’s what I’m telling you. But with the comma, the sentence means I didn’t ride the dragon for the reason that you were mad at me. In the 2nd sentence, you being mad at me kept me from riding the dragon, which is the opposite of the first sentence’s meaning.

I have tamed dragons since I was nine.
I have tamed dragons, since I was nine.

The word since has some different meanings, so by using the comma, you’re being clear. In the first sentence, I started taming dragons at age nine. The second sentence gives the reason I tamed dragons—because I was nine, implying I was at the right age to tame dragons.

So before taming or riding your dragon, make your sentences clear and edit, edit, edit. That way the reader knows if one character did what they did because the other character was mad at them.

More on the commotion of commas: http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/2013/02/a-common-comma-commotion.html

And more comma common sense here: http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/2013/02/commas-ahhhhh.html

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013

All About Children's Books

Pages

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Sir Princess Petra's Talent - Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, 20 September 2013

Dragon Facts And Award News.

Dragon Books For Children and Dragon Facts

Friday, 13 September 2013

1st Book Review - Sir Princess Petra's Talent

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Rights To Writes

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Semiconscious Semicolons

Saturday, 24 August 2013

There Is Magic In The Forest.

Friday, 16 August 2013

More On Amateur E-books

This is a re-post of an interesting article on why amateur books and e-books are ruining the literature world for good writers and keen readers alike.

Personally, I have nothing against self-published books, and I have read incredible self-published book. I am, however,totally against bad, unedited, amateur self-published books and e-books.

Self-Published Authors Are Destroying Literature

Saturday, 10 August 2013

The Opening Line.

“‘Where’s Papa going with that axe?’ said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.”

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

“Sophie had waited all her

life to be kidnapped.”

“Sophie had waited all her

life to be kidnapped.”

"It certainly seemed like it was going to be another normal evening at Amelia Bedelia’s house.”

Friday, 2 August 2013

More on Commas.

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Sunday, 22 September 2013

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Friday, 13 September 2013

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Saturday, 24 August 2013

Friday, 16 August 2013

This is a re-post of an interesting article on why amateur books and e-books are ruining the literature world for good writers and keen readers alike.

Personally, I have nothing against self-published books, and I have read incredible self-published book. I am, however,totally against bad, unedited, amateur self-published books and e-books.

Self-Published Authors Are Destroying Literature

Saturday, 10 August 2013

“‘Where’s Papa going with that axe?’ said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.”

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

“Sophie had waited all her life to be kidnapped.”

“Sophie had waited all her

life to be kidnapped.”

"It certainly seemed like it was going to be another normal evening at Amelia Bedelia’s house.”

Friday, 2 August 2013

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“Sophie had waited all her

life to be kidnapped.”