Fairy Godmothers have Incorporated!
Today I’m excited to announce a new book on the reading scene: (trumpet fanfare, please) FAIRY GODMOTHERS, INC., by Jenniffer Wardell. Jenniffer and I met at my book launch for Big in Japan, and I only got to talk to her for a second because of swirling chaos, but now that I’ve read her amazing […]
A Mom’s Throwdown Over Throw Pillows
After all these years sitting in living rooms, it finally occurred to me this morning why they’re called “throw pillows.” It’s because every single time a child encounters one, he or she feels an uncontrollable urge to throw them on the floor. Why is this? Why is it that every time I go into my […]
What Do May Flowers Bring?
Despite the fact we had no measurable rain in April for the proverbial April showers, May seems to be making the flowers come up in my yard. You should see the snapdragons. They’re glorious. And my husband planted them from seed, which still just dumbfounds me. You know, I think I have never once grown […]
Things I Paid my Daughter $1 to Do
Today my 10 year-old asked me if she could save up and buy a kiddie pool to put in the back yard. My mommy mercenary ears went a-buzzing! Cheap labor! A way out of doing housework chores I have been dreading! Yeah! “Sure, sweetheart. Do you want to start today?” “Do you mean ‘money jobs’?” […]
Tina Scott! Giveaway! $10 Gift Card! Woot!
Hey, gang! One of my favorite people in all the world is Tina Scott. She is a great writer, lovely artist, amazing cook, great mom of SEVEN, and a hilarious friend. She’s got some fun children’s books, great parenting articles, a travel book about peach rings and Denmark, and now (drum roll, please…) she’s ready to […]
Goodreads Gobbled Up by Amazon: Will this Hamper My Free Speech?
…Or, Why I Probably Won’t Review Books Very Often Anymore You might have heard the news that printed-word-behemoth Amazon has now purchased Goodreads, the online book site where readers and authors connect to share opinions on books and make recommendations, as well as keep lists of books read, book ratings, book wishes, and so on. Some […]
Yes, dear, I *am* an island. An automobile island.
I don’t get it. Why am I the only person in my family who can see the beauty and fun of the automobile? Since I was a kid I loved cars, looking at classics, knowing what models and makes were cool, which ones were clunkers. I learned to drive on a sweet, shiny copper 1964 […]
Should I Get an Agent? Take this Quiz!
Do you need an agent? Well, it depends on what your publishing goals are. Take this little test. I get asked this question all the time by writing friends who are getting ready to publish. It’s a good question. Literary agents are one of those publishing business mysteries. These eight questions might help you determine […]
It’s Not an April Fool’s Joke: Sumo Makes its English Class Debut
I know, I know, it sounds like an April Fool’s Day joke, but I’m being totally serious here. Although Big in Japan has made the rounds through quite a few book groups now, but this week it’s making the jump to the big time: High school English classes! Yep, it’s true. Last Tuesday a high […]
Remember Kip on Napoleon Dynamite? Well, he and I disagree. (And my sister might be Summer Wheatley.)
Remember Kip on Napoleon Dynamite? Well, Kip and I are not in agreement on a major issue. At his wedding, he sang that oh-so-melodious rendition of his own lyrics to LaFawnda: “I love technology. But not as much as I love you. But I still love technology.” Well, Kipper, today I’m about ready to drop […]
