KIDLIT FALL FRENZY WRITING CONTEST!

The time has come to enter holiday writing contests. KIDLIT Fall Frenzy, Halloweensie, and in December, Rock Star Santa's Bookbag.

So today I am entering The Kidlit Fall Frenzy Writing Contest. 

A ton of thanks to Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for planning this event! They've gathered a ton of wonderful prizes. You might enter yourself.

https://mathiseverywhere439319476.wordpress.com/2019/10/07/official-kidlit-fall-writing-frenzy-contest-submission-page-2019/?fbclid=IwAR0vTnPv5SdFiUZvwBPEQQLTSF7kYcj6LnZpeUUlr-lhSjnQ7j9KzR6cwqc


Here is my entry based on this photo prompt.

Mostly Ghostly

My friends threw double-dares, 

so I climbed the creaky stairs, 

of the haunted mansion high up on the hill. 

I slipped through the front door 

and was more scared than before, 

but determined, I kept tip-toeing until... 

I touched cobwebs and I freaked, 

plus the stench of this place reeked, 

and farther down the hall a dim light flickered. 

It cast shadows on the wall—

a hand that waved a beckoned call 

and a warbling voice above me snickered. 

“You cannot go much closer. 

I must halt you, Mr. Ghost, sir,

for you're shuffling through the hall of doom. 

And if you decide to stay here, 

I cannot ease your true fear 

for this house may become your earthly tomb.” 

Just then I heard the laughter 

coming from the highest rafter,

and that’s when I knew that I’d been had. 

My friends were up there gloating, 

and beside them, clearly floating,  

was my brother, my mother, and my dad. 

“Surprise!” shouted the ghosts 

as they raised marshmallow toasts 

in the dark room, now blazing gold and green. 

They showered me with presents 

and suddenly it made sense.

I forgot my birthday falls on Halloween.

word count 195

Milford Library Presents... Children's Veterans Day with Author Gayle C. Krause

FRACTURED FAIRYTALE FUN PLUS 2 GIVEAWAYS

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

ONCE UPON A TWISTED TALE 

has arrived at castle Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Clearfork.

Please join me in welcoming the fantastic fairytale characters in their fractured "poetic stories." 

And there is a challenge for you........ a chance to win a signed copy and a rhyming picture book critique.

TO WIN:

1. Write a "fractured fairytale poem" of your own. 

POETIC FORM IS YOUR CHOICE.

What is a fractured fairytale?

It's a fairytale that has been modified in such a way as to make the reader laugh at an unexpected characterization, plot development, contrary point of view, or characters from other stories mixed together.

2.  Post it in the comments below.

3. Spread the word on social media and tell me where you shared it.

***TWO WINNERS will be announced on July 1st.

If you choose the book, address must be a U.S. address. The rhyming picture book critique is worldwide.

GOOD LUCK MY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Interview with SPORK Author Erin Le Clerc

G'day, Erin.

 The Storyteller's Scroll would like to welcome a SPORK children's author from the "land down under." My readers will be interested in your path to publication.

1. How long have you been writing?

My whole life, really! But in terms of making a serious commitment to writing children’s fiction specifically, about three years.

2. When and where do you write?

Most of my writing is done in my favorite armchair in my living room, but I write best on my laptop, so can happily port it to wherever suits my mood. I feel my creative brain works better at night, so evenings tend to be my most productive.

3. When did you start the first draft of I’ve Got A Cow Called Maureen and how long, from that point, until the book was completed?

My first draft of Maureen was in August 2017 and was ready for submission in September. Clear Fork Publishing picked it up in November 2017!

4. How many revisions?

There were three significant revisions from the first draft to the one I submitted, and then smaller revisions right up until the final illustrated version of Maureen. Some of the illustrations affected text placement, and so a few paragraphs were shortened, and a few words were adjusted to suit. 

6. How long did it take to sell once you started sending the story out into the market? 

I developed Maureen in the Children’s Book Academy Picture Book Writing course in August 2017, and Maureen was actually picked up from the “Golden Ticket” submission opportunity at the end of the course. I know this is a slightly back-to-front route into publishing, as I’m now sending out submissions to agents for representation!

7. How did you become affiliated with Clearfork/SPORK?

Callie Metler-Smith from Clear Fork was one of the Golden Ticket judges, and Mira Reisberg of Children’s Book Academy had just taken on an editorial position with Clear Fork. Sometimes you end up in the right place at the right time!

8. Was there anything that surprised you about the editorial/publishing process?

I was so new to publishing that I went in without a lot of expectations, really! That said, the number of changes and adjustments, right up to the finish line, was a definite whirlwind! I was also really impressed with the kindness and support shown to me by my publisher, editor, and all the lovely authors I’ve met along the way! 

9. Would you please summarize I’ve Got A Cow Called Maureen for us in one sentence.

It’s the true story of how my Nana Maureen became Australia’s Champion Swiss Yodeler in the 1940s, despite being part-deaf!

10. Could you briefly tell us about what inspired this picture book.

The picture book is based on my Nana’s true story. I was trying to decide what to write during the CBA course when my mum mentioned a story about my Nana that made me laugh: every time she was introduced to a local farmer, they’d exclaim “Why, I’ve got a cow called Maureen!” This funny little anecdote was the “way into” telling the story of Nana’s amazing and unusual yodeling career!

 Erin is graciously giving away a picture book critique of 500 words or less. To be eligible please leave a comment below and share this post on your social media. Leave a link so we can see where you left fabulous comments for Erin. :)

One winner will be selected on May 7th. Stop back to see if you won and thanks for sharing Erin's debut picture book journey.

BOOK LAUNCH - Daddy, Can You See The Moon?

The book launch for my newest picture book, Daddy, Can You See The Moon? is set for April 27th.

I am very excited to share this important story with children and families.

Please stop by, if you are in Scranton, PA that day.

Thank you.

Happy Book Birthday - DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON?

Beyond The Fairytale - Online Writing Course for Children's Writers

For a story to truly hold a child’s attention it must entertain them and arouse their curiosity. But to enrich their life it must stimulate imagination and help develop intellect!

No story does it better than fairytales!

On April 12^thI will be leading a roundtable discussion at the Eastern Pennsylvania SCBWI Pocono Retreat. The topic? Beyond The Fairytale: Something Old! Something Borrowed! Something New!

It will be shortened version of my writing workshop using a traditional fairytale as a mentor text to find the writer’s voice for PB, MG, or YA (writer’s choice) 

Participants will discover the kernel of a potential new children’s story from a fairytale. Participants should bring their favorite fairytale to use as a mentor text. 

My favorite fairytale is The Twelve Dancing Princesses, sometimes called The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces because as stated above, it always did and still does stimulate my imagination. It’s that stimulation that I hope will allow my participants to create a setting and framework for a new story, which is different, yet holds the premise of the original tale. 

My urban fantasy YA novel, RATGIRL: SONG OF THE VIPER, is an example of this method of writing. 

And my newest picture book, ONCE UPON A TWISTED TALE, is a poetry collection of ‘fractured fairytales.’

Before the workshop is over, participants will have the first page of a new work completed. And I will offer an opportunity to submit the first chapter (novel) or entire picture book for critique.

Anyone else interested in this writing workshop? I've taught it at The Cliffhouse Writer's Retreat, The Milford Readers and Writers Festival and now at SCBWI Eastern PA Pocono Retreat. 

Past participants and my past students have asked me to teach this as an online course. I'm contemplating it if there is enough interest. After all, I taught Children's Literature for thirty years. Why stop now? 

Please comment below. If we have 10 interested writers I will develop an online "fairytale' course, covering prequels, sequels, and fresh retellings.

There's a New Alligator in the Reading Pond!

Today, I’d like to share a review I’ve written for my friend and rhyming colleague, B.J. Lee. Her new picture book, THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH released yesterday. 

Alligators are an intriguing subject and very popular with young children and families. Just visit the various alligator parks in Florida. 

From Mercer Mayer to Leo Lionni, alligators have been a fun topic for children's picture books. And now, BJ Lee has added another one.  

I met BJ years ago when we were both members of THE POETS’ GARAGE. The Garage is a supportive community of writers who write verse for children. They write and critique everything from haiku to full rhyming picture books.

There Was An Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indie bookstores.

And now, for my review...

There was an old story that is written anew. 

I loved reading it aloud, and so will you!

Lee’s choice of subject and her delightful rhyming word choices make this parody of a children’s favorite cumulative tale unique. Filled with wonderful alliteration and perfect rhythm, Lee’s writing helps the reader glide right through the verses as easily as the gator slips through the swamp. And Opie’s humorous graphic illustrations just add to the fun.

You can follow B.J. on her writing journey at http://www.childrensauthorbjlee.com

The Winner of Ellen Leventhal's Giveaway at THE STORYTELLER'S SCROLL

WHO SAID LIGHTNING CAN'T STRIKE TWICE?????

Ellen Leventhal has randomly selected a winner of her picture book manuscript giveaway.

And the winner is:

DAVID MC MULLIN!!!


The Storyteller's Scroll must be your lucky place, David. That's two manuscript critiques you have won here. Spread the word!!!

You can contact Ellen through me or DM her on Facebook.

Thanks for guessing everyone............oh, and you were all correct, except for Michele. But she was just trying to add a little variety to the guesses. :)

The lie was... Ellen did not get Lola's title from a song!

Too easy, huh! Next time, she'll have to make it a harder choice.

Thanks for visiting The Storyteller's Scroll.

INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN'S AUTHOR ELLEN LEVENTHAL AND A GIVEAWAY

The world of a children's writer is very small! No, I'm not referring to "It's a Small World After All!... But it is!

Today's guest on THE STORYTELLER'S SCROLL explains my case in point.

ELLEN LEVENTHAL is a widely known children's author on Children's Writer's sites like 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, KidLit 411, and Sub Six.

I was first introduced to Ellen at the SPORK publishing website. She is a fellow Clear Fork Author. She has two picture books published by SPORK and today I'm going to interview her about her new one, LOLA CAN'T LEAP!

Welcome, Ellen. I have a few questions for you...

1. Can you tell us something your readers don’t know about you?

One thing my readers may not know about me is that I am terrified to send my manuscripts to agents and publishers. I could spend years and years on revision (and I usually do) because I never really feel that my story is the best it can be. However, I have learned to get to a point where I say “this is it,” and I take a breath and hit “send.” Then I yell at the computer to send it back. It doesn’t help. 😊

2. Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

That’s an easy one. YES! I am super clumsy, so when I thought about poor Lola trying to leap, I thought of myself slipping and tripping. The “splat” and “kerplunk” in the book are sounds very familiar to me. Also, I wrote a short story about a little girl’s relationship with her grandfather, and that was based on my grandfather and me. 

3. How long ago did you get the idea for Lola Can’t Leap? What inspired you to write it? 

 I got the idea close to four years ago. I was taking Susanna Hill’s wonderful class, and one night I was in bed watching a mattress commercial where a sheep was jumping the fence. I said to my husband that I’m glad I’m not a sheep because I could never get over the fence. That was my “aha” moment, and I started writing it for her class. Unfortunately, there were lots of starts and stops due to unexpected circumstances (including three floods in two and a half years), but, I kept going and finally began to submit it. 

4. When and where do you write, Ellen?

I really don’t have a set time when I write. I often write or at least do “writing-related tasks” first thing in the morning, but on some days, I only have a few minutes before the rest of my life calls.  On days like that, I try to get back to writing later in the day. As far as where I write, it depends on the day and my mood. I usually do the “real” writing in my home office, but I take notes, do research, write random thoughts or poetry pretty much anywhere. I’m lucky because I work with young writers, and when they write in class, I do too. 

5. Any new picture books coming out?

No more picture books in the pipeline at this point. I have several manuscripts completed, and I will be submitting them soon. (See, I am overcoming my fear!) Of course, there is no guarantee that they will be published, but they’re there! 

6. What are you currently working on?

Right now, I am doing research for a non-fiction picture book biography, playing around with an outline for a middle-grade historical fiction novel, and trying to take that short story about my grandfather and change it into a picture book. 

7. Do you have any advice to unpublished writers?

 My main advice to unpublished writers is to work on the craft. Writing a book is hard work. Reach out to others in the kid lit community, take classes, find a critique group (or three!), and don’t be afraid to fail. The other thing I’d say is to focus on the joy of writing, not the end game of publication. I think we all need to remember that. The advice to an earlier version of myself is basically the same advice I give to my present self. Be brave and remember that a rejection is not a rejection of you. Keep working, learning, and connecting with other writers. And as I said above, don’t let the stress get you. Connect to the joy in writing. 

For me, one of the best things about this business is the connections and friends I’ve made. I couldn’t do it alone. We are in this together! 

Thank you so much for having me, Gayle! I really appreciate it. 

You are certainly welcome, Ellen! 

And now for Ellen's special Giveaway...

Ellen has agreed to giveaway a picture book manuscript critique. To be eligible, we have a little game for you to play. 

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE!

The following three statements are about Ellen and Lola. Can you guess the lie? Those of you that comment below and guess correctly will have a chance to be selected for the manuscript critique prize. Winner will be posted here in 2 weeks. ***

I wrote more than thirty drafts of the book.

When I was young, I fell off a tire swing and took ballet lessons like Lola did. 

A song gave me the idea for the name Lola.

***Follow The Storyteller's Scroll through email choice above for updates on other new books, author giveaways, and contests!

Good luck to everyone and Congratulations to Ellen and Lola!


LOLA CAN'T LEAP is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Clearfork Publishing!

CELEBRATE THE MILITARY CHILD

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. 

Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.

Throughout the month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan special events to honor military children.

I hope that DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON? releasing on April 9, 2019, in honor of this special month, will be incorporated in the school’s special events across the country as they celebrate April, the month of the military child. 

10% OF ROYALTIES WILL BE DONATED TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE MILITARY CHILD.

Available now for pre-order at:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Can-You-See-Moon/dp/1946101869

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daddy-can-you-see-the-moon-gayle-krause/1129944198?ean=9781946101860

Clearfork Publishing: https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p91/DaddyCanyouseetheMoon.html

Please support the military child!  Thank you!