Monthly Archives: November 2016

What would You Do If You Encountered THE NIAN MONSTER???

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Having created my own book trailer in the past, I’ve come to appreciate great children’s book trailers. Take a look at Andrea Wang’s trailer for THE NIAN MONSTER.

tpierce's avatarEMU's Debuts

Today we continue our celebration of the release of Andrea Wang’s picture book, The Nian Monster.

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I found so many things I loved about this book that it’s hard to focus on just one. Alina Chau’s illustrations are delightful (such a scary yet adorable Nian monster!). The notion of societal complacency requiring a sharp mind to resolve a problem it created gives a message of hope. But the writing is what struck me the most.

Andrea did a fabulous job of seamlessly weaving Chinese New Year traditions into a fiction story. It’s a lovely read, as we follow Xingling’s story of how she outsmarts the Nian monster, but along the way we’re enriched with culture. We hear the words and sounds, taste the foods, see the colors and of course, get to know that rascally Nian monster himself!

For a bit of fun, watch The Nian Monster book…

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The Nian Monster is Out!

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This week on EMU’s Debuts, we’re celebrating the release of Andrea Wang‘s new picture book, THE NIAN MONSTER. It’s a wonderfully spun tale that tells how one young girl, Xingling, saves the Chinese New Year when the Nian Monster threatens to eat everyone and everything in sight! Yikes!

Go out and get a copy so you can see how this clever girl uses her wits and knack for snacks to trick the Nian Monster!

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Enrollment is Open!

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Enrollment is now open for my upcoming online course with the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. INTRODUCTION TO WRITING PICTURE BOOKS is an 8-week course that introduces new writers to the world of picture books! Through the course, we’ll talk about idea generation, structure, character development, language, the balance of art and text, and revision. Everyone will work on their own quarter project and engage in creative writing exercises. And this all happens in a safe environment where folks can exercise their creativity!

What better way to start off the new year than with a meaningful and fun learning experience! Click HERE for more details.

PALS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

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This year, my local SCBWI chapter (SCBWI Central-Coastal CA) is doing a special event for its reading community and “published and listed” members (PALS). I’m proud to be a part of this event and love the idea of supporting local charities, encouraging reading and helping booksellers and authors promote their books. From their website:

This holiday season you can share the joy of reading while supporting local authors, independent booksellers, and charities alike when you purchase titles from the list below as gifts or as a donation to a worthy cause.

Our goal for the month of November is to support local bookstores in the Central Coastal region
as well as our booksellers’ favorite charities,
and share books by our Published And Listed authors’ and illustrators’.
​Purchase one or more for gift or charity!!

​You may order books using the PALS for the Holiday’s Order Form posted on their website.

 

OR

Attend a Special Event!Help support our local PAL’s by stopping by any of the stores belowSaturday, November 26!


Book Promotion Ideas on EMUS DEBUTS

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Today on EMUS Debuts, I share some book promotion links that I’ve found helpful as I move forward in planning events for my upcoming book releases.

Book promotion can be a bit mind-boggling for many authors (including myself!). Each book requires its own special promotional events, so my hope is to share resources and help other writers who are experiencing that feeling of “swirling the drain” as they plan for their book release.

Enjoy!