Friday, June 16, 2023

Storyteller's Journey

It's Time for Summer Vacation!

Even though my middle grade novel, The Sibylline Scroll, will release in September, I'll be taking my usual summer break from Writ of Whimsy. (Columbia River Gorge.)

That being said, I'll be busy planning the book's launch, giveaways, and of course, a bit of networking. Then, too, I'm hoping to make some headway with our home's landscaping; we still need to complete that.

Click here for my summer reading list for kids! 

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter! 

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter; that's where you'll find the latest news on my book release - plus news on fun launch events!


Wishing each of you a safe and sensational summer! 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Whimsical Word of the Week

Querencia - (n.)
a refuge; a sanctuary.
Example: The teenager's second-floor bedroom had become a quiet querencia from the family chaos below.
 

Monday, June 12, 2023

Bibliophile's Corner

My Friend Anne Frank
by Hannah Pick-Goslar

Flap Copy Description:
In 1933, Hannah Pick-Goslar and her family fled Nazi Germany to live in Amsterdam, where she struck up a close friendship with her next-door neighbor, an outspoken and fun-loving young girl named Anne Frank. For several years, the inseparable pair enjoyed a carefree childhood of games, sleepovers, and treats with other children in their neighborhood of Rivierenbuurt. But in 1942, Hannah's and Anne's lives abruptly changed forever. As the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam progressed, Anne and the Frank family seemingly vanished, leaving behind unmade beds and dishes in the sink - but no trace of Anne's precious diary. Torn from her dear friend without warning, Hannah spent the next two years tormented by questions about Anne's fate, wondering if she had, by some miracle, managed to escape danger.

My Thoughts:
This recently released memoir by Hannah Pick-Goslar is another intimate look into a Jewish family during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam during World War II. The fact that the author was one of Anne Frank's friends when they were young children gives us another perspective into the life of Frank. The serendipitous thread that weaves its way through the lives of the two girls, to the very end of Anne's life, is extraordinary. I highly recommend My Friend Anne Frank to readers aged twelve and up.

Note: Today would have been the 94th birthday of Anne Frank.

Friday, June 9, 2023

Storyteller's Journey

A Book Trailer for Livvi Biddle!

As I mentioned last Friday, this image of my protagonist Livvi Biddle from The Sibylline Scroll (my upcoming MG novel), is my way of introducing you to my main character prior to the book's release in September 2023.
Another way is this new book trailer!


I had a blast creating this video - I hope you enjoy it!

Artwork by Michael Lindstrom Artist

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Whimsical Word of the Week

Munificence - (n.)
the quality of being extremely generous.
Example: The charity organization was grateful for the philanthropist's munificence.

Monday, June 5, 2023

Bibliophile's Corner

The Book of Charlie
by David Von Drehle

Flap Copy Description:
When a veteran Washington journalist moved to the Midwest, he met a new neighbor who was more than a century old. Little did he know that he was beginning a long friendship - and a profound lesson in the meaning of life. Charlie White was no ordinary neighbor. Born before radio, Charlie lived long enough to use a smartphone. When a shocking tragedy interrupted his idyllic boyhood, Charlie mastered survival strategies that reflect thousands of years of human wisdom. Thus armored, Charlie's sense of adventure carried him on an epic journey across the continent, and later found him swinging across bandstands of the Jazz Age, racing aboard ambulances through Depression-era gangster wars, improvising techniques for early open-heart surgery, and cruising the Amazon as a guest of Peru's president.

David Von Drehle came to understand that Charlie's resilience and willingness to grow made this remarkable neighbor a master in the art of thriving through times of dramatic change...

My Thoughts:
I discovered The Book of Charlie via the Instagram account of Tom Hanks; thanks so much Mr. Hanks! It's always a pleasure to read an authentically inspirational book; when it's full of humor, wisdom, and history, well, I'm all in. Mr. Von Drehle's book would make a great graduation or Father's Day gift. I'll be purchasing more copies for gifts myself. Bravo, David Von Drehle!

Friday, June 2, 2023

Storyteller's Journey

MY BOOK COVER REVEAL!

After twelve years of outlining, writing, revising, and editing, my upper middle grade fantasy novel is finally about to become a reality! The Sibylline Scroll is the first novel in my new book series: The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. I absolutely love the cover! Many thanks to Michael Lindstrom and Kriston Clark for bringing it to life.


I had hoped to use this image of Livvi Biddle on the front cover, but as we went through the arduous process of creating the cover, it was clear that that just wouldn't work. But something else did...

When we began designing the back cover, we realized that there was a perfect spot for the image of Livvi Biddle!

The process of creating this novel has been the most rigorous, and the most rewarding, of any of the books I've written. To learn more about The Sibylline Scroll, and to subscribe to my newsletter, check out my website, here. 

Stay tuned! The book will be available this autumn 2023!