UP!–“Come With Me” to Glen Rock

Posted on December 4, 2017 by writersideup

Over a month ago (yes, that’s how busy life can be) I was fortunate to catch a tweet about a book signing at a bookstore in northern New Jersey, my “neck of the woods.” The tweeter? The lovely Holly M. McGhee, gifted author of a variety of children’s books. The book? Come With Me, Holly’s newest picture book release (a smash hit, by the way!). The place? The Curious Reader, an independent children’s bookstore in Glen Rock, NJ, one I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to visit.

I was looking forward to the event, for sure. It was a “win-win-win,” right? You bet it was! But it turned out to be even more of an afternoon than I’d expected. Not only was the book signing a “gold/silver/bronze” event, but I even ended up with an unexpected, celebratory “closing ceremony,” all of which I want to share with you 😀

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UP! – When A Book Moves You…

Posted on June 15, 2017 by writersideup

It’s been a long while since I’ve written a proper blog post, I know. And it’s not that I don’t have plenty of ideas for posts. I do — a couple of them actually valuable — but what can I say? Life “stuff” can do that. I’m also not a book reviewer, so let’s not confuse this post about a book with an actual review. This is different. This is more.

For a very long time my sleep — mostly the lack of — has been an issue, last night being no different. I didn’t fall asleep till after midnight, then woke up about 4 a.m. to a pillow that shunned me no matter how much I tried to re-bond with it. By 4:30 the sun and birds were starting their day so I thought it best to join them. Continue reading →

UP!–My First Book of 2017

Posted on January 1, 2017 by writersideup

I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned here that I don’t really place much significance on the shifting from one year to the next other than prepping a new datebook and having to remember to change the number when filling out documents like bank checks. Now, if you’ve followed this blog for a while, you are well aware of what an organizational nerd I can be, so you can imagine what I do to a datebook with all the color-coding and reminders and such. It’s a project, for sure, so it’s not like it’s something I actually look forward to, but over the past few years the ONE thing I do look forward to as a new year begins is the annual meme that Sheila at Book Journey hosts: “First Book of the Year.” Continue reading →

UP!–Princeton Children’s Book Festival 2016!

Posted on October 3, 2016 by writersideup

Poster Art by Greg Pizzoli

It may have been a drizzly morning, but it didn’t dampen the mood and prep for what would be yet another abundantly successful 2016 Princeton Children’s Book Festival. This being my fourth year attending, with each festival I’ve become a more seasoned veteran, leading to my being that much more organized.

Last year was the first year I’d figured out, before hand, which books I was going to buy because there’s a “pocketbook problem” when you “buy on the fly.” If I hadn’t narrowed it down, I would’ve given into purchasing ALL the books I wanted! Having had that color-coded (tents), numbered (tables) strategy in place, I executed the same thing this year, only this time my charts were even more refined to help the day go as smoothly as possible. And, yes, I know how persnickety I am with such things 😉 . Also, I have to include my standard apology for the “less than clear” photos. There are only a few! 🙂 Continue reading →

UP!–The “HARRY POTTER” Clock Strikes MIDNIGHT!

Posted on August 1, 2016 by writersideup

(NOTE: while this post is current, scroll on the sidebar —in a separate tab or window—to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

Back in July 2007, the anticipation was palpable for the release of the last installment in the one-and-only Harry Potter series. The day on which there would be midnight release parties throughout the world for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I made very definite plans to enjoy it. I’d never attended a midnight release and that being the last one (so I thought), I didn’t want to miss it. (You can read about how I spent that unforgettable day in a blog post I wrote when having done a “Harry Potter Re-Read“.)

The question of whether or not there would be additional books to the series was discussed by many and certainly posed to the author herself. J. K. Rowling said she’d “never say never.” The characters and world she built had become a part of her and her life in a very profound way, and the truth is—you can’t turn off the imagination of a writer—certainly not one of her caliber. Aren’t we LUCKY?! Continue reading →