Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Alexis O'Neill - author's visits

My buddy, author, Alexis O'Neill is the queen of school visits. Alexis agreed to give us some tips when visiting a school.

You’re published.  Or soon-to-be-published.  You want to do school visits, but you’re not sure how to get your motor running.  Here are ten tips to help you roar into this exciting part of the children’s book business.

1. CREATE promotional materials.  Make it easy for potential hosts to contact you.  Establish a website and/or a blog.  Produce a brochure and business card.  Make a book trailer and post it on YouTube. 

Sketchbook Art - Skagway

Because it is near the top of the world, Alaska still has a frontier feel.  Most of the towns look like they are right out of the Wild West.  Skagway is one.  The tours basically show you the bars, boarding houses and historic houses of ill repute.
Now, being on the Inside Passage, instead of loggers and miners, it is full of cruises passengers looking for the best deals on souvenirs.

SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. 2008

I thought I would try my hand at YouTube.  Here's my little slide show of SCBWI L.A.Writer's Day.

Tricia Tusa - illustrator/author

I thought it would be fun this week to interview the author, Jim Averbeck and illustrator, Tricia Tusa ,who collaborated on the just released picture book,  In the Blue Room.  I give you Tricia Tusa.

When and why did you start writing for children?
At the age of five I announced my desire to write and illustrated children's books.  I turned Little Red Riding Hood inside out studying it.

Jim Averbeck

I met author Jim Averbeck at the SCBWI National Conference years ago.  Talented, funny and kind, he was a  blast to hang out with.  He just released his first picture book, In a Blue Room, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. 


I am so happy that Jim agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I served in the Peace Corps in Cameroon from 1990 to 1994.  One night I was in bed in my little house in Mokolo, a mountain village in the northern part of the country.

Yuki Yoshino - Winner L.A. Writers Day

Congrats to my good buddy, author and illustrator, Yuki Yoshino.  Her frolicking story, Eduardo's Chicks, won runner up in the picture book category at this years SCBWI L.A. Writer's Day.  

Sketchbook Art - Villa d'Este

One of the most fabulous hotels in Italy is the Villa d'Este on Lake Como.  Around 1500 it was built by a Cardinal for his private residence. It was owned in succession by a ballerina, a Napoleonic General, an English Queen, without a crown, who renamed it Villa d'Este.  In 1873 it was transformed into a Hotel.  One of the coolest things are the gardens that were built in the 1600.  What's unique are these giant mosaic buildings.  The mosaics aren't out of tile, but made with sea shells.  Lately, the hotel's claim to fame is being a neighbor of George Clooney.

Elijah of Buxton

I can't read a Christopher Paul Curtis book without thinking Newbery.  His latest, Elijah of Buxton, won a Newbery Honor this year.  Being a nut for historical fiction, this was a story for me.  It educated me about a free township started by a white minister for runaway slaves in Canada during the 1850s.
   

Ralph Nader and Me

Time to brag.  Last week I was in Washington D.C. with my husband,  Al Coury, who was given a life time achievement award.  Al was in rock-n-roll for 37 years.
He was honored with General John Abazaid at huge banquet with Ambassadors, Congressmen, Senators and other generals. One of my favorite persons was there in attendance.  Mr. Ralph Nader.  Being pushy me  I snapped a photo with him.  I reminded Ralph that he did an interview for my children's literature blog.  He was polite and said he remembered.  It was a thrilling night.
Congrats to my hubby who deserved all the acclaim.

Terry Pierce - Jokes

In honor of April Fools day, I thought I would get my buddy, Terry Pierce, who has written several kid joke books, to give me some of her favorite jokes.  (All clean ones, folks!)

(From Terry) Bonus Joke!!!  "I just thought of this one after I decided on a photo."
      

What did the eager scuba diver say?
       
"I'm just urchin to get into the water!"