Time is sailing by during my visit to Oregon. I had a fun reading of Blackberry Banquet last weekend at the Hood River Library, followed by a book signing at the Waucoma Bookstore, a fabulous indie located in downtown Hood River. The folks there are terrific and I’m happy to say the store is going strong. They have a nice children’s section and are they’re very supportive of local educators. It’s my kind of bookstore!

I also wanted to remind folks that only two days are left to enter the Blackberry Recipe Contest I’m holding here on my blog. The deadline is July 10. Please scroll down to find the contest details. I’m salivating just thinking about all of the delicious recipes I get to make in helping me determine a winner; and for those of you who are waiting to the last minute (perhaps adding a final touch to that perfect blackberry cheesecake recipe), I’m looking forward to receiving your recipes soon.

Happy baking!

I wanted to thank all of the bloggers who hosted me on their sites last week for my tour with Blackberry Banquet:
Karen Lee (author/illustrator)
Elizabeth Dulemba (writer/illustrator)
Anastasia Suen (author/blogger extraordinaire)
Sherry Rogers (illustrator)
Anastasia Suen (picture book of the day/poetry Friday)
Anne-Marie Nichols (My Readable Feast)
Book Buds

Thanks, everyone!

This week I’m doing a blog tour for Blackberry Banquet (how cool is that–I get to “tour” without getting out of my bunny slippers!). Today author/illustrator Karen Lee has posted an interview with me on her blog. Karen is the illustrator of One Odd Day, My Even Day, My Half Day and she wrote and illustrated ABC Safari (all published by Sylvan Dell Publishing).

I thought I’d give an update on what’s going on with Blackberry Banquet. Not as blatant book promoting (well, maybe a tiny little bit), but more so to give yet-to-be-published folks an idea of what to expect after they sell that first manuscript.

The publication date is July 10, so I’m right at the three-month mark. Prior to this, I made a book trailer, designed and purchased bookmarks, and wrote articles for regional parenting magazines. And of course, I casually try to mention the book whenever I can (yes, I’m as subtle as one of those people you see on a traffic corner waving a sign over their head).

In case you hadn’t noticed, I just added a cool little feature to my blog. See it? Over there–on the right. That little box that says, “Subscribe.” For you busy, busy folks who enjoy visiting my blog (thank you :-), I’m trying to make things easier for you. Isn’t that nice of me? 😉 I knew you’d appreciate that.

Here’s how it works: If you sign up to subscribe, an email will automatically go to you that includes my most recent post. Isn’t that grand? It’s like having me show up at your home or office, but without the nasty embarrassment of catching you in your bathrobe or with curlers in your hair!

So go ahead, sign up now! And once again, thanks for stopping by!

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Well, I did it! I plunged into the deep, dark waters of video promotion (where I’d never swum before) and made a book trailer for Blackberry Banquet. And it was really fun! I was surprised at how easy it was for me–it took about ten hours to create, plus another couple of hours to tinker with (it reminded me of writing a story~ how I “think” I’m finished but then I keep going back to tweak it here and there until I have it exactly like I want it).

So, here it is! Drum roll, please (drrrrrr…drrrrrr…drrrrrr)!

Blackberry Banquet was sent to the printer today. Yea! Now that the writing is complete, the illustrations finished, and the design and layout all done, it’s in the hands of the printer. Now, one might think this is when a writer can lean back, sigh and take a rest, but au contraire. Now is when a whole different kind of work begins–promotional marketing!

Donna German, my fabulous editor at Sylvan Dell, recently sent me the finished cover of BLACKBERRY BANQUET. I love the way it turned out! Lisa Downey, the illustrator, did such a great job. The bear is adorable; the cover is colorful and inviting. I can’t wait to see it on bookshelves in bookstores or better yet, in the hands of small children!

Another piece of unexpected news that I received this week from Sylvan Dell is that they’re in the process of selecting a plush toy to accompany the book. What would it be? A bear, of course! As soon as I get a picture of what it looks like, I’ll post it too.

Finally, I found out that they plan to release my book in early July, which makes perfect sense as July is Blackberry Month. Mmm…I think the berries will be a little sweeter this summer!

This is an exciting time during the birth of a book. You see, once the acquisition is made and the ink has dried on the contracts, the author often goes into a sort of hibernation period, where he isn’t involved much. At this time, the illustrator is extremely busy doing the art and the editorial staff are making final text reviews and marketing decisions. Then, after a few long months, the author begins to hear about his/her book again. The cover is out, marketing decisions have been made, publication dates are skillfully determined. To me, as the author, it’s like my book has come out of hibernation! It’s very exciting to see.

My blog friend, Greg Pincus, has taken my comment that if he doesn’t have a favorite dessert it’s because he hasn’t tasted them all, to a challenge. He’s going to make it his life’s mission to find the perfect dessert and is welcoming others to joing him (a noble quest, don’t you think?)I told Greg that of course, I’m willing, even though I already have a couple of favorites (yes, I’m just that good of a friend).

The best dessert I ever had was at the 1999 SCBWI Golden Kite Awards luncheon at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. It was a work of art—a paper-thin crispy waffle-style cup, lined with dark OMG chocolate (that’s the good kind—the stuff that makes you say, “Oh My Gosh!”). Inside was thick French vanilla bean custard, drizzled with more dark chocolate. Over that, was a scattering of raspberries and blueberries, drizzled with more chocolate, and topped with whipped cream and more berries. Even the plates were artfully decorated with raspberry sauce drizzled into beautiful patterns. I think the hotel pastry chefs deserved a Golden Kite Award for their artistic achievement!

I long for that dessert…but alas, I fear I shall never have it again (my thighs are thanking me).

So here’s a challenge—how would you describe your favorite dessert? We’re all wordsmiths here—give it your best shot. Make my mouth water with your scrumptious word choices. I dare you!