Meet the author, Crystalee Calderwood

Hello visitors,

This month I have the honor to present you a special person, the author Crystalee Calderwood!

Enjoy her interview!

Interview with Crystalee Calderwood , the author of Angeline Jellybean

Tell us about yourself first.

I am a 25-year-old poet and children's writer. I've been writing nearly all my life and reading even longer. Writing for children was just a natural step for me.

When did you start writing?

My earliest memories of writing were in first grade, when we had to write short stories based on picture prompts. I haven't stopped since.

What genres have you written?

I started out as a poet. In fact, I originally went to grad school to study poetry. I have also dabbled in non-fiction and flash fiction. I like exercising my writing muscles and trying new things with my writing. Right now, I am focusing on writing for children and teens. I am in the process of revising several picture books, as well as a young adult novel.

Is Angeline your first book?

Yes. I was not the first picture book that I wrote, but it was the first I had published.

Tell us about your book. What is it about?

Angeline is a little girl who wants to eat nothing but jellybeans. Readers follow Angeline through an entire year of holidays- from Easter to Christmas- where Angeline requests jellybeans. In the end, she gets her wish and learns that sometimes there can be too much of a good thing!

What inspired you to write this book?

I was taking a class in writing picture books and my instructor had only one specification: our books had to be under 500 words. Angeline Jellybean was a story that came to me when I sat down to write, rhymes and all.

How long did it take you to write it?

Not very long. Like I said, it just sorta came out of me pretty close to the form it's in now.

Who is the publisher of your book?

The book was published by 4RV Publishing out of Oklahoma. Vivian Zabel is the president and founder of the company.

Where is it on sale?

You can order Angeline Jellybean from Amazon.com or www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html . You can also walk into any bookstore and ask them to order a copy for you.

Tell us about your other books/work.

Right now I am working on a contemporary Young Adult novel that takes place in Pittsburgh. I am in the revision stages and hope to have accepted for publication when the time is right.

What are the major challenges that you have faced in your career?

Publishing with a small press has meant that I've had to take most of the promotion into my own hands. It is always up to a writer to promote their own work and network with fellow writers, but even more so when you publish with a small press. I have had quite a few boundaries to overcome because most bookstores wont carry my book and therefore are sometimes reluctant to allow me to appear for book signings and readings.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career?

Yes. Probably about 75% of my promotion takes place online. The internet allows me to reach a larger audience than I could locally through newspapers and flyers. It also allows me to connect with writers all over the world, share my experiences and ask questions about the writing industry.

What do you advise new writers to do?

Write, write, write! Read, read, read! Read everything you can get your hands on, especially in your chosen genre. Network with writers of all kinds. Join a critique group and form a thick skin. Revise, revise, revise. Repeat.

Thank you!

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Stories for Children Book Review/Donation Program

Title: Angeline Jellybean

Author: Crystalee Calderwood

Illustrator: Stephen Macquignon

Category: Picture Book

Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC

Pub Date: December 2008

ISBN 10: 0979751381

ISBN 13: 978-0979751387

Suggested Reading Age Level: Beginner through 2^nd grade

Author e-mail: crystaleecalderwood@gmail.com

Author website: http://crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com

Author blog: http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com

Publisher: www.4rvpublishingllc.com

Book available at: Amazon.com and http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

It's so exciting!

Next month, VBT – Writers on the Move is having its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

To celebrate this accomplishment, we are having a STUPENDOUS Blogaversary Tour!

Daily postings and daily prizes! But, that's not all, we're still having our Mystery Site Giveaway: the Anniversary PRIZE is a $25 (US) GIFT CARD.

Visit the VBT – Writers on the Move blogsite for all the details.
http://vbt-writerso nthemove. blogspot. com
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You can use this or change it or create your own!
Karen

Art at Viros

The Art Hall at Viros.

In the foreground:
Paintings by Makis Zervos

On the right:
Mine.


Corfu in Oil, by Agis Xomeritakis

(This one is a huge painting!)








Oil painting
by Agis Xomeritakis






Mr. Balanikas, the president of the Cultural Center of Viros











Some of my paintings.








From left to right: Agis Xomeritakis, Ina Geroyianni, Yiannis Metallinos, Liana Metallinou

New book review!

Elemental Shaman
One Man’s Journey into the Heart of Humanity, Spirituality & Ecology
Omar W. Rosales
Llewellyn Publications
Woodbury, Minnesota
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1501-8
2009, paperback, pp.268. US $ 18.95
Non fiction/spirituality/adventure


Reviewed by Liana Metal
http://lianastories.blogspot.com

Omar W.Rosales, an adventurer and explorer, holds an honors degree in anthropology and law. Learn more about him at www.elementalshaman.com


Elemental Shaman is a quest into the spiritual world of shamanism. The author travels around the world and explores spirituality through the practices of the spiritual masters around the globe. The book is divided into 4 parts, starting with the element of fire, where the author talks about the significance of ashes, explaining all the ancient rituals and meanings connected to this element.

Having a background in religion studies, Omar tries to interpret ancient civilization predictions such as that of the Maya, referring to the year 2012 and the end of the world. The readers will follow his quest into spirituality and ecology with ample interest to learn about his latest discoveries. Omar also talks about dreams that connect shamans to pagan traditions. The style is simple enough to apply to readers from all walks of life. It is certainly an enjoyable read that will grip the reader with the mysteries the author describes page by page.

Elemental Shaman caters to those who love spirituality, magic, mystery and adventure. Get this book from www.elementalshaman.com and online stores.

Invitation to Viros Art Hall

Apart from the paintings, the children's book

The White Snail

is going to be presented to the public.

Coffee Time

Coffee Time paper, the local bilingual paper of Corfu island has released the October issue.

To read it click here

http://www.coffeetimecorfu.com

What you can read (in English):


Things we, locals, like and dislike on page 3

An interview with a Corfiot painter on page 4

Cinema reviews on page 6

Plastic bags -the issue on page 8

Back to school on page 18

Asthma on page 19

Useful Tips on page 21

Horoscope on page 23


Have fun!

Liana

Margaret Fieland-part 2

Today we are going to learn more about Margaret's work.

Her book, The Angry Little Boy, is going to be published in the near future. Here is a taste of it:



Chapter 1: At Grandma's House

Alvin’s eyes burned and his chest felt tight. The last time he'd visited Grandma he'd driven there with Mom and Dad. Now Mom was dead and Dad still in the hospital. Alvin peered out the window of Grandma's car as they passed through Millbank and down the tree-lined road leading to Pine Crest Point. As Grandma drove past the lake with the community beach, down the street, and into her driveway, Sam, Alvin's collie mix, put his front paws on Alvin's lap and barked.

"Yes, Sam, we're here," Alvin said, ruffling Sam's soft ears as they all climbed out of the car. He turned and noticed how thin and frail his grandma looked from the last visit. Her once vibrant gray curls were now faded and wispy looking.

Sam bounded down the hill ahead of Alvin and Grandma. They followed him down the flagstone path, down the hill, past the rock garden. The marigolds, petunias, and geraniums lifted their faces to the sun. Alvin's nose tickled as he breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers, and remembered how Mom loved to work in the garden whenever they'd visit.

The stained brown ranch came into view once they'd cleared the large trees. Sam waited by the porch.

Grandma unlocked the door, and Alvin followed her into the big living room. Paneled in pine, it had windows on both ends, a dining table to the left, couches and chairs on the other side, and a large fireplace in the middle.

Sam trotted up and dropped a ball at Alvin's feet.

"Grandma, Sam found a ball."

"Sam always manages to find a ball." Grandma stared at Sam, who opened his jaws and grinned a doggy grin. "You two go outside if you want to play catch. No playing ball in the house."

"That's what Mom always said." Alvin's throat felt tight. He frowned and rubbed his eyes.

Alvin pushed open the door and went outside. Standing on a flat spot in front of the house, Alvin threw the ball up the hill and Sam chased after it.
An hour later, Grandma called, "Alvin, time for dinner. Come in and wash your hands." By that time the now deep red sun hung just over the horizon.
"Grandma, when will me and Dad have our own house again?" Alvin said, when seated at the dining table.

"I don't know, Alvin. I don't know whether your father will try to rebuild your old house when he gets the insurance money." Grandma handed Alvin a hamburger and put one on her own plate. Alvin took a big bite. His throat felt almost too tight to swallow.

"I miss our house. I miss Mom and Dad. I wish everything would go back the way it was." Alvin's lips trembled. He swallowed hard to get rid of the big lump in the middle of his throat.

Grandma looked at him. "Alvin, you're nine years old. That's old enough to know your mother isn't coming back."

Alvin ate a few more bites. Grandma put down her half eaten hamburger and stood up. "I guess we aren't very hungry tonight. Let's clear the table and wash the dishes. Then you can brush your teeth and get ready for bed."
Alvin picked up his plate and glass. He followed Grandma into the kitchen, Sam at his heels.

Grandma put the dishes on the kitchen counter. "Scrape the hamburger into the trash and then put the dishes into the dishpan. I'll wash and you can dry."
"We could give the hamburger to Sam. I'll bet he's still hungry." Sam sat by Grandma's feet and panted hopefully.

"Hmmph," said Grandma. She broke the hamburger into pieces, put them into a bowl and placed it on the floor. Sam grinned, then started to eat.

"At home Dad always did the dishes. All I did was clear the table." Alvin looked out the kitchen window at the front yard. He could feel the soft breeze through the open window. The sky was a dark blue with a few fluffy white clouds. Grandma's flowers swayed back and forth. It looked very peaceful. "I wonder if Mom can see the flowers from Heaven?"

Grandma didn't say anything for a long time. Finally, she said in a brisk voice, "I'm sure she can.”

Then Grandma continued, “Here we both clear the table, I wash and you dry." She handed Alvin a blue and white striped dishtowel. "Stack the dishes on the counter and you can put them away when we're finished. You're as tall as I am now so you won't have any trouble reaching the cabinets.”

"At home Mom always left the dishes in the dish drain and put them away in the morning."

"I like my dishes in the cabinet," Grandma said as she pressed her lips together. Alvin remembered when Grandma came to their old house she always dried and put away the dishes and Mom would get annoyed. It made him smile to remember. Dad always used to stay out of the kitchen when Grandma visited.

"All I have is one pair of pajamas, Grandma," Alvin said later when they walked out of the kitchen.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow," Grandma said. It made Alvin feel funny to think that his beloved quilt and all his clothes and books were gone forever.

"Mom used to read to me every night. We'd just started The Fellowship of the Ring." Alvin glanced at the full bookshelves as they passed through the living room.

"We can buy you another copy. Or I might have an old one of your father's around somewhere."

"No thanks, Grandma. It wouldn't be the same. When we stopped, Mom said we'd read more tomorrow. That was the last thing she said to me. Except goodnight and stuff." The image of his Mom sitting beside him in bed reading to him made his chest tighten again.


You can contact Margaret here
http://www.margaretfieland.com