The Weekend SIllies

Let the good times roll with laughter…

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

 And for the Monty Python fans...


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

 Don't forget my Christmas Giveaway

Snutt the Ift - Finding a Gem at the Bologna Children's Book Fair

When Rana DiOrio visits the Bologna Children’s Book Fair each spring in Italy, it isn’t just to market her own titles for Little Pickle Press, the publishing company she formed several years ago. She is also looking for foreign rights acquisitions, particularly picture books with stunning artwork and stories that fit her award-winning collection. At the last show, she acquired a title by popular UK artist and illustrator, Helen Ward, a reclusive artist represented by Templar Publishing since her graduation from art school. For some of us, obtaining foreign rights to a book might sound daunting, but Rana DiOrio has a former life as an attorney, so when asked how the entire process transpired, here is what she had to say:

I found the book myself in the Templar booth. I quickly brought our Foreign Rights Agent, Sylvia Hayse, over with me to see if she liked it as much as I did. She did. 

We subsequently set up a meeting with David McMillan, Templar’s U.S. sales manager. Sylvia continued her dialogue with David after the Fair. We inked our deal on July 25, 2011. As part of the agreement, Templar and Helen agreed to let us change the title, subject to Helen's final approval. The pub date was September 2011. 

That is lightening-fast timing! 

An important consideration in the contract is one that every agent and publisher is negotiating these days, and that’s the issue of digital and other rights. Because Little Pickle Press is a B Corporation and has a strong environmental focus, all the books are printed in North America with recycled papers using soy inks. But another major part of their production model involves digital, product, and performance assets for all their titles. So the negotiations with Templar Publishing included rights to create e-books, enhanced iBooks, posters, apps, and even original music for the North American market.

The book was first published as Wonderful Life in England, but that title was entirely too reminiscent of the classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. So the title was changed to Snutt the Ift, after the main character, and was thus re-born in North America.

What is the book about? Please take a peek at the content by watching the lovely book trailer:


The story, about two explorers from different species and different worlds, who nevertheless discover common ground, will strike a warm and resonant note with anyone who has ever felt homesick or lonely or lost. It’s a children’s picture book, yes, but the message, like most classic children’s literature, will also resonate with adults. Consider giving it to your best friend. BUY HERE

Readers, if you have questions for Ms. DiOrio, please leave them in the comments. Also, there is a grand prize driving for nine award-winning Little Pickle Press books if you sign up for their monthly newsletter at their website or blog.May the best fan win!

A little about the author: 
Helen Ward has written and illustrated children’s books for over twenty years. She trained at the Brighton School of Art under such well-known illustrators as Raymond Briggs, Justin Todd, and John Vernon Lord and has accrued numerous awards and accolades for her work, including twice winning the prestigious National Art Library Illustration Award. 
Helen’s illustrations are renowned for their vitality and painstaking attention to detail, and this is never more in evidence than in the fantastical, imaginative world she has created in Snutt the Ift, a Small But Significant Chapter in the Life of the Universe. Originally published in the United Kingdom as Wonderful Life by Templar Publishing, the poignant story speaks to all who have discovered the elevated beauty of a world shared with kindred spirits. The message will resonate with those who understand, value, and seek true friendship. A children’s picture book, this book speaks to adults as well, and makes a lovely gift for all ages especially during the holidays.

Insecure Writer's Support Group Post

Today’s post is for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s The Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

A recent post by Elizabeth Craig asked the question - what are your writer goals?

I realized, I didn’t have any.

Not that I don’t have goals. I’m big on goal-setting. It’s just that my goals don’t include writing anymore.

After an incredibly busy fall and the events of last month, my perspective has changed a bit. As I stated last month, I am juggling many things. Too many things. I am ready to cut back and focus on what I enjoy.

I’ll be setting my goals for next year and making some changes soon.

Anyone else in need of a little change?

And if you missed it, I am holding a Christmas Special Giveaway.

 

Teaser Tuesdays (12-06-11 edition)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's Teaser:

"Oh darling, please forgive me if I do wrong telling you this. I know I don't have the right to go as far as proposing to you. I'm just nobody, but if someday I get to be something and if you still love me, I'm going to beg you to be my wife."

-- First Love: Just Once in a Lifetime: A Memoir by Violeta Barrett (page 67)

Christmas Giveaway Special!

As a thank you to all of my blogger friends and faithful fans, I have a special giveaway for you.

There are two parts to the giveaway:

1 - Comment to win a free book -

Must be a follower & comment - 2 points

Tweet this giveaway #SpunkyChristmas - 5 points

Post giveaway with button in sidebar of blog - 5 points

Post giveaway on Facebook - 5 points

Blog post about giveaway - 10 points

Three physical books and three ebooks will be given out to six random winners - the more points, the more times you are entered! Book is winner’s choice.

Contest runs until December 16, 2011 - winners announced on December 19, 2011

2 - Purchase a book to receive free book -

Buy any book from the list below and receive free books!

Purchase a print copy and receive ONE free, autographed copy of your choice.

Purchase an ebook copy and receive TWO free ebooks of your choice.

Books must be purchased between December 1 -16, 2011. Send copy of receipt from any retailer to wolferock@earthlink.netand let me know which book(s) you want. Don’t forget a snail mail address for print books!

Qualifying books:

Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting

Non-fiction - self-help/inspiration

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-2-9  $13.95
Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-2-1  $1.99

The Circle of Friends series -Fiction - YA:

Book I…Lori

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-0-5  $20.95

Ebook ISBN 978-0-9816210-8-1  $1.99

Book II…Sarah

ISBN 978-0-9816210-1-2  $20.95

Ebook ISBN 978-0-9816210-9-8  $2.99

Book III…James

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-3-6  $19.95

Ebook ISBN 978-09827139-0-7  $2.99

Book IV…Mike

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-4-3  $19.95

Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-1-4  $2.99

Book V…Heather

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-5-0  $19.95

Ebook ISBN978-0-9816210-7-4  $2.99

Books available retail and online and in all ebook formats.

For a full description to all books, click the tab above marked ‘Books’

You have until December 16 - now go!

And Merry Christmas! (Doesn't Spunky look festive and happy?)

The Weekend Sillies Return!

The Weekend Sillies are back!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Really surprised we haven’t caught Rocko in this position…

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

And just to get you into the spirit of Christmas - deck the cat with boughs of holly...

GIVEAWAY: Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop 2011

You love books? You love the holidays? You love winning free stuff? Well, then you're in the right place! You've happened upon the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop, hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy & I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

There are 250+ blogs participating in this giveaway, and you can find the entire list here. 

For my part, I am giving away a large Invisible Floating Bookshelf:

I love these things! So far, I have two of them by my bed. I may add more to my office and living room in the future! I have a small one to hold books that I've committed to reviewing, and a large one that I have to hold those books that I am most eager to read "just for fun".

The large bookshelf holds up to 20 pounds. Just look at how many books I have on my large shelf!

Quite an impressive load for a single, thin metal shelf, huh?

However I should mention that the large bookshelf isn't really "invisible" like the smaller one is. The base of the bookshelf is so large that a book must be at least 10" wide for it to be capable of covering the base and hiding it. So I find that I have to set books on the shelf, meaning that the shelf is visible from underneath, and there is the potential that if someone bumped into the shelf, they could cause all of the books to fall off the shelf. This hasn't been an issue for me.

Want your own invisible floating bookshelf? Use the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win! Be a follower (either via GoogleConnect, Email, Facebook, or Networked Blogs), and get an extra entry. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!