Saturday, August 31, 2013

Any kids in your life?

These middle grade action-adventures and mysteries will help keep them interested in reading!
 


























Friday, August 30, 2013

The Case for Good Taste in Children's Books


Great, great article by Meghan Cox Gurdon, “The Case for Good Taste in Children's Books,” which a friend forwarded to me.  It’s worth  taking the time to read.
 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Friday, August 16, 2013


NEWSRelease

FOR INMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Mander8813@aol.com

 
Rockford Author in Chicken Soup’s Lemons to Lemonade

Children’s author, Max Elliot Anderson, is a contributor in another Chicken Soup for the Soul book, “From Lemons to Lemonade.”

“This new book contains one of my stories,” Anderson said. “It was a nice writing project because it gave me the opportunity to tell how, after a lifetime of film and video productions, I came to write middle grade adventures & mysteries for kids. The title of the story is, ‘Who Would Have Thought?’ After one door closed, another opened, and it’s important to be prepared to walk through that door, no matter how unlikely the opportunity might seem at the time.”

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade” will inspire, encourage, and motivate the reader to turn any sour situation into a better one with its 101 personal stories from others who turned a negative into something positive.

When life hands you lemons… make lemonade! This collection is full of inspiring true stories from others who did just that, and will help readers make the best of any bad situation. Readers will find inspiration, encouragement, and guidance on turning what seemed like a negative into something positive in these 101 sweet stories of success!

The book is divided into the following sections: From Victim to Victory, From Rat Race to Relationships, From Pausing to Pursuing, From Adversary to Acceptance, From Problem to Purpose, From Sickness to Success, From Heartbreak to Healing, From Bleak to Blessing, From Apprehension to Appreciation, and From Fear to Faith.

“This is my 4th Chicken Soup for the Soul volume,” Anderson said.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade” was released on August 13.

Max Elliot Anderson is the author of nearly 20 action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 12. He grew up hating to read and now writes the kinds of books he would have enjoyed as a boy. http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE               His blog is http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

"Shadows Under the Midnight Sun"

Many know I grew up hating to read, even though my dad published over 70 books. Growing up, I never read any of them, including some of his kids books. Lately, I've been trying to remedy that and have finished six or more so far.
A writer friend, Donna Clark Goodrich, from Mesa, AZ, contacted me a few weeks ago, and asked if I'd like a copy of one of my dad's old books, "Shadows Under the Midnight Sun," published by Zondervan in 1943 - published 3 years before I was born. She sent it to me and that's what I'm reading now.
Amazon Author Page
http://youtu.be/48nLqzNFBWg
My Youtube Videos

Monday, August 12, 2013

Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade Released Today!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade has been released on August 13!

This NEW book contains one of my stories.
It was a nice writing project because it gave me the opportunity to tell how I came to write adventures & mysteries for kids. The title of the story is,
Who Would Have Thought?
Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade will inspire, encourage, and motivate you to turn any sour situation into a better one with its 101 personal stories from others who turned a negative into something positive.
When life hands you lemons… make lemonade! This collection is full of inspiring true stories from others who did just that, and will help you make the best of any bad situation. You will find inspiration, encouragement, and guidance on turning what seemed like a negative into something positive in these 101 sweet stories of success!
The book is divided into the following sections:
* From Victim to Victory
* From Rat Race to Relationships
* From Pausing to Pursuing
* From Adversary to Acceptance
* From Problem to Purpose
* From Sickness to Success
* From Heartbreak to Healing
* From Bleak to Blessing
* From Apprehension to Appreciation
* From Fear to Faith
This is my 4th  Chicken Soup for the Soul volume.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade  was released on August 13.


Max Elliot Anderson

See all my action adventures & mysteries for kids at
http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE




Link to Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSoupfortheSoul

Link to Chicken Soup for the Soul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChickenSoupSoul

Thursday, August 08, 2013

A NEW Book From One Of My Friends

Here’s a brand NEW book,
Ukuleles Undercover, for middle grade readers from an author who is a friend of mine. She’s also represented by the same agent I have; Terry Burns. Comfort Publishing publishes her books and some of mine, too. This is Cheryl Linn Martin’s third book in her Hawaiian Island Detective Club series.
The titles are:

NEW Book 3 Ukuleles Undercover Releases August 14.




Here are the other 2 books in the series.
Book 1 Pineapples in Peril
Book 2 Menehunes Missing

 
Meet Cheryl Linn Martin






Interview

What’s happening at the music school?
Someone’s leaving threatening notes on music stands, in cases, on stacks of music and in the bathrooms. Kimo takes ukulele lessons and is very concerned about his teacher, Mrs. Lee, the kids and the music school, so he asks Leilani to join the class to investigate the mystery. She’s not happy since she’s a surfer girl, not a musician. Maile and Sam join her in class which makes the whole thing bearable.

What inspired you to write mysteries for kids and this series?
I was first inspired to write as a child, reading Nancy Drew. I knew at that young age that I would one day write a mystery!
Striving to do what God has placed in front of me motivates me to keep pressing forward. Sharing wholesome mysteries filled with fun, humor, mishaps and unexpected moments for kids to enjoy also motivates me to continue this amazing journey.
I have always loved Hawaii ever since I lived there while attending The University of Hawaii. I combined that with my interest in writing for ages 8-12 years and The Hawaiian Island Detective Club was born!
The three books in this series are entitled Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing, and Ukuleles Undercover.

 What advice do you have for new writers?
If you’re goal oriented, try setting a reasonable word count goal that allows for you to get ahead at times and gives you make-up time as well. Also, set aside that time to simply sit down and write—don’t go to any e-mails, facebook pages, etc. It’s all about planting yourself in front of that computer and pounding out the words!
 
What do you do for fun and relaxation when you’re not writing?

I love to grow veggies, blueberries and raspberries on my deck. I also love to sing, and am part of my church’s drama team—challenging, yet rewarding. I sometimes work-out with my son and do push-ups with the Oregon Duck (the U of O mascot) whenever Oregon scores—and, yes, they’re men’s push-ups! I’m practicing for another great fall of football and push-ups!

 Tell us a little about your family:

I have a great husband, three amazing kids and two adorable Persian cats, Nala and Thor.
My oldest son, Ian, has his own home and works for Nautilus. My daughter, Ashley, is married to a wonderful man, Dave. She works for Portland State University and he is a lawyer for a Portland, Oregon firm. They just made me a first-time “Tutu” with the birth of their son, Ewan. My youngest son, Shane, wants to be an artist for a Graphic Novel company. In between working at a movie theater, he’s busy working on projects—not unlike being an author!

How can your readers connect with you?

 My website address is www.cheryllinnmartin.com I also have a blog all about Hawaii at www.lifeinflip-flops.blogspot.com  

You can also connect with me on my facebook author page at www.facebook.com/authorcheryllinnmartin  



If “tweeters” would like to comment on The Hawaiian Island Detective Club, they can add any of the following hashtags: #Detective #Hawaii #Hawaiian #Ukuleles #Undercover #Kids #Parents #Moms #Homeschool #HIDC

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Just For Kids FREE Short Story - Harv & Marv…the Dumb Guy Detective Agency


Starting this month, kids can read part 1 of a 3 part story called, “Harv and Marv…The Dumb Guy Detective Agency” in Book Fun Magazine http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/148116  Page 107.

Harv and Marv were reoccurring characters in hundreds of bedtime stories I told my kids when they were small. This one takes place in Florida. It’s about a mysterious alligator living in the lake. Just wait till you find out what he’s doing and his BIG secret. Now it’s up to Harv and Marv to solve the mystery, catch the crooks, and save the day!

Enjoy!