Mid TD Book Tour Update

The Lakewood Lakers!

I am having the time of my life. No exaggeration. I've now been to five schools and delivered six presentations. I've shared Spy-Like Writing Skills and How to Grow a Story from a Seed of an Idea to a Published Book. I've answered hundreds of questions (only a slight exaggeration) from students in Kindergarten to Eighth Grade!

Holy Cross Students and Me!

I can't imagine how this tour could get any better, but today I visit two branches of the Burlington Library and will help a group of young writers prepare for a writing contest. After that I get to join a group of Brownies and Boy Scouts for an Author and Pizza night! (I hope they have pepperoni!)

Preparing for this trip, I felt waves of excitement intermingled with anxiety that would often make me think, "What have I got myself into?" 

Mid-tour my anxiety is low, my excitement is off the charts and I keep thinking, "How lucky am I to have got into this program?" 

Spy-Like Writing Skills at St. Theresa's School

Filled with gratitude and humbled by the response I've received from the students and staff at every school I've visited in Southern Ontario, I continue across the province, feeling blessed and so proud to be Canadian.

New Pal, Principal Van Laecke at Lakewood!

Thank you, TD Bank for supporting this program, Canadian authors, Canadian literature and Canadian children. Thank you to the Canadian Children's Book Centre, for selecting me to take part. Thank you to my mentor, actor, 1st Vice Chair of The Writers' Union of Canada, Award-Winning Author and friend, Anita Daher. Without you, I would not be sitting in the Holiday Inn in Burlington, surround by my books, preparing to finish my first book tour.

More New Pals!

So excited to begin with the grade 3/4's
at Sacred Heart that I forgot to take pics.
So, here are the scraps of paper
I autographed and the school!

The Business of Writing

See? Creating worlds is very cool.
Writing grant apps? Not so much.

Being a writer isn't only about creating imaginary worlds and characters to explore them.

It also includes tasks that range from writing grant applications to writing bios both lengthy and short and sweet. It also means perfecting blurbs, tweets, and elevator pitches to catch and hook the attention of readers, editors, and publishers.

All of these efforts take creative thought into a different direction and help to promote both a writer and their work. It is the business side of our industry and is as important to a writer's career as is writing the best book possible.

Today, I work on author bios for Sourcebooks, who purchased Little Pickle Press, the publisher of Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food. Author Bios are basically a humble or even not so humble brag about yourself and can be quite challenging. The goal, in my mind, is to encapsulate who you are, your writing style, and to pique interest in your work. No worries. I have a fresh pot of coffee brewing and a chocolate reward waiting.

This may need some work...

You can purchase Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food by clicking here.

Humble Bundle n' Spaghetti! Mmm, Mmm, Good Cause!

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food, Partners with Humble Bundle to Promote
Children's Literacy and Celebrate Children's Book Week!

I am super excited, and really quite proud, that 

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food has been included in 

Humble Bundle's first ever kids focused book bundle.

What is Humble Bundle?

Humble Bundle bundles together titles of like genre books, comics, and games for sale and ALL proceeds go to charity.

With the Humble Kids Comics Bundle, readers pay what they like for the entire collection. The total value for ebooks in this bundle is over $200!

What charities can I choose?

With Spaghetti's package, purchasers choose a charity of choice between Every Child a Reader (ecarfoundation.org), or The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (cbldf.org).

Be sure to get your bundle by May 13 and please help spread the word. 

Check out Humble Bundle Here: Take me to Humble Bundle!

I almost forgot! 

Humble Bundle, The Children's Book Council, Little Pickle Press, and Spaghetti, and their efforts to support children's literacy caught the eye of Publisher's Weekly.

Check out the Publisher's Weekly article here: Publisher's Weekly

Together we can help get books into the hands of ALL children!

Good Book Reviews Never Get Old

If only I was like dear Wolfgang and could ignore book reviews, but I will never be Mozart and so for me reviews never get old. 

Every time one comes to my attention, I get the same thrill of excitement, the same zing of joy that shoots from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. 

I found this one on Amazon after receiving a wonderful message from an occupational therapist friend who works in The Pembina Trails School Division. Yesterday she was at a meeting with two resource specialists who had a bunch of books on their reading list for teachers. Both of them put Spaghetti at the top of the list!

I shall coast on the fumes of all this good news for the rest of the week.

You can order your copy here.

Zero Purple Chickens

Recently, I posted a link to my lesson plans and was surprised to see a purple chicken attached to my link. 

Why does the vast and powerful internet do weird things like this? 

Since the Great Googler has not given me any deep insight into this phenomenon I decided to share it with you here. 

Any thoughts?

Jodi Carmichael shared a link.

7 minutes ago · Edited

For my teaching pals. This is where you can download Spaghetti lesson plans . Not sure why a purple chicken displays in this link. There are exactly zero purple chickens in my book. There is one green gecko and one brown dog, but I passed on poultry. I mean, who can compete with Mo Willems' Pigeon? He's got birds covered.

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food Lesson Plans - Little Pickle Press

www.littlepicklepress.com

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food Lesson Plans, based of the award-winning chapter book written by Jodi Carmichael and illustrated by Sarah Ackerley, will provide children with an...

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Exciting News!

Thrilled to receive great news regarding my chapter book.

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons, won a Silver Moonbeam Award for Best First Book: Chapter Book.

Much happy dancing occurred today. Fairly certain the dog thinks I lost my mind. Perhaps I did. For a while. But it's back and raring to get on a plane tomorrow for Chicago!

Look out Windy City - The Carmichaels are ready to celebrate!

Marvellously Melodious MagicBlox

I can never pass on an awesome alliteration opportunity, even when it results in nearly nauseating results. Sorry, peeps.

This past weekend while relaxing at Stone's Throw Cottage, along the sandy shores of Lake Winnipeg, I set up my very own recording studio in my front porch. Well, sort of.

My marketing guru, Cameron Crane, of Little Pickle Press arranged for me to read the first few chapters of Spaghetti on the fabulous online talk radio show and kids book site called, MagicBlox.


I dialed in and hooked myself up to my cell phone, wearing ear phones that NASA would envy. For the next 20 minutes I read, in my most slow-paced and animated voice, into what sounded like dead air to me.

It was all a bit strange and a few times I wondered, "What if they've lost connection with my cell? What if I've been reading the past chapter only to myself?"

"Can you hear me, Major Tom?"

But it all worked as planned and here is the link to the show:

MagicBlox Rocks!

(Yes, I did make that up. Thanks for noticing.)

I even squeezed in a plug about the FREE LESSON PLANS that can be downloaded from my publisher's site.

What?  You too would like these plans?


Follow this easy-peasy link and you too can use them at home or in your classroom:

 FANTASTICALLY FREE LOVELY LESSON PLANS FOR STUPENDOUSLY SPELLBINDING SPAGHETTI!

Again, my apologies if you are feeling queasy.  

I blame Dr. Seuss.

 

Try saying that three times fast.
(I double dog dare you.)

Spaghetti Launched at McNally's!

My smile swallowed my face. So happy.

It happened. My ultimate writing dream came true this past Saturday.

I said it in my launch speech and I'll say it here again, for every Winnipeg writer having their book launch at McNally's is as exhilarating as being a chocolate addict and winning a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

We began with running the incredible book trailer, followed by The Drew's introduction of me. He brought

The Drew. xoxo

gales of laughter when he remarked that he had been a fan of my body of work for years and then tears when he closed with his pride in my accomplishments.

When I then stood behind that podium and saw all those faces smiling back at me, I had a full Romper Room moment. All I needed was that monstrous mirror she held and it would've gone a little like this;

"I see Sarah and Thomas and Daniel and Emma and Melody and Neve. I see Lauren, and Brynne, and Kaiya and Signy and Ella. Oh look, it's Abi
and Katya and Laura. And is that Wren and Karissa and Shay and Tait, too?"

Hello Peeps! You all Came!!!

Really, I could go on like that for hours. No jokes. But honestly, with every new face I saw, I felt a surge of joy.

The Hartmichaels on Another Grand Adventure.

McNally's, the finest Independent Book Store in all of the world, went above and beyond.

They moved book shelves out of the way to expand our space, served the most scrumptious chocolate chip cookies a kid could ever ask for (even better than mine, I've since been told), and tolerated my rambunctious children as they raced through the children's department as if it were their second home as it is mine.

Apparently watching your mom sign books for an hour and half is 100% Dullsville, when you're 8 and 12.

And McNally's graciously allowed us to sell Spaghetti book posters as a fundraiser for Asperger Manitoba. Anne Kresta was in attendance and was able to disseminate important information about the services and support that Asperger Manitoba Inc provides to Manitoban families.

My thanks to all who showed up, if not in body, but in spirit - you made me feel like the Queen of Books.

To my publisher Little Pickle Press for designing a book I am proud to call my own, with Lesson Plans, book marks and posters to accompany it - what else could I ask for? You are stupendous.

Now, about that next book...

Spaghetti Launches Today!

The day has come. The day I have dreamt of since Little Pickle Press offered to publish my book..

The Book Launch for Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons.

When I first signed with Little Pickle, the marketing strategy was to launch digitally first, see if we had an audience, and follow with a print book if deemed appropriate. Our plan was to wait until we had a sufficiently large school order down in the states and then we'd start our first print run.

But Connor's story was a hit and ba-blam! Rana pressed the print key and voila 5,000 copies of my beautifully illustrated book were ready within days.

Joff Schmidt and I.

Yes, my outfit matches my book cover.

I started this morning with an interview on CBC Radio with Joff Schmidt. We talked about writing, kids, and Asperger's Syndrome.

Our chat, as far as I could tell, was going extremely smoothly, until a flock of runners in bright yellow t-shirts stopped to wave wildly at us through the ginormous window that faces the studio. Exactly what a person with my focus issues does not need when on live radio.

Might as well have been a tap dancing purple unicorn or an elephant sized squirrel juggling cannon balls outside that window.

Thankfully, Joff is a pro and helped me redirect my attention back into the room.

So here are the deets for today!

McNally Robinson Booksellers.

When: 2:00 pm - in the Atrium

There will be cookies, punch, coffee, tea and water. Oh, and of course paper books aplenty. And to support Asperger Manitoba Inc, McNally's is allowing us to sell book posters at the launch, with all proceeds benefiting AMI. Have I mentioned before how much I love McNally's? And what about my publisher, Little Pickle Press, who generously donated hundreds of posters?

Now it's time to get myself book launch ready. New blue and green outfit. Check. Painted matching blue toes. Check. T-Rex the Gecko earrings. Double-check!

Hugs,

Jodi

Spaghetti at #5 on McNally's Best Sellers List!

Riding a Rocket Ship

I feel a bit like Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield, flying high above the earth, except my feet are planted firmly on the ground.


My space travel is one of excitement and gratitude. 

Over the past two weeks, I have been honoured with winning two awards for my middle grade book, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons.

The first I received was a  Gold Mom's Choice Award. I got so excited, I gave myself a migraine and ended up in bed for most of the following day.

Yes, I am made of that sort of tough stuff.

On Mother's Day, I received the second award - A Silver Benjamin Franklin Award. This time, I was able to rein in my exuberance and remained migraine-free.

I must thank my publisher, Little Pickle Press, for having the faith in my book and entering Spaghetti for these prestigious awards.

As Connor's story reaches an ever widening and growing audience, I can't think of a better partner to have in the journey.

Hugs to you, Rana, and all of Team Pickle.

Hot off the Presses...

...and into my Cool Hands!

WOOOOHOOOOOO!

My box of author copies of Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons arrived today!

So excited, I think I may stroke out. Must take a breath. Or twelve.

Happy Dancing as I type. Sounds impossible, but not when you are a pro like me.

I send a huge, heartfelt thank you to my publisher Rana DiOrio and all of Team Pickle. Most especially, Cameron Crane, Dani Greer, Khadijah Lacina, Sarah Seward, Leslie Iorillo, and Kelly Wickham. And a digital thanks to Aarti and Chintu Parikh of Kite Readers for creating the best digital book a writer could ask for.

And my congratulations to Spaghetti's talented illustrator, Sarah Ackerley. You brought Connor to life, exactly as I imagined.

I feel like that little youtube girl who sings,

"I love my life. I love my hair. I love everything."

 And to my supportive family and friends,

"I love you. I love your hair...I love everything about you!"

Spaghetti Dinner a Success!

Charlene and I, with a visit from Gavin.

What a night!

Charlene Walberg, President of Asperger Manitoba Inc, and I were overwhelmed with the incredible turnout for our 1st Annual Spaghetti and Potluck Dinner.

We planned for 85 and served over 150, running out of cutlery and plates! The Drew ran to Safeway to replenish our supplies so we could feed the starving masses.

Ok, so maybe they weren't starving, but still they devoured the scrumptious spaghetti and tasty treats.

DeLuca's pasta was DeLicious!

I need to extend an enormous thank you to Rosanna Deluca-Poole, of DeLuca's Specialty Foods for her generous donation of the best spaghetti I have ever tasted. 

My Rocking Book Trailer.

I was too busy to actually eat at the event, but I scarfed down a mounding plate of spaghetti once I got home. (I did not, however, morph into a cavewoman and dump any noodles on my head, Ala Connor.)

The evening went off without a hitch - beyond the mid event supply run.



Sarah & I getting crafty with signage

All thanks to Charlene, her husband Ryan, my husband Drew, my great friends Brenda and Laura and all my parents - especially my mom who thought of every last detail.

Mom, organizing the troops

And of course to Charlene's son Gavin and my girls Sarah and Emma who helped prep the tables and the kids craft section.

6 year old McKenna's picture she drew for me.  

We sold close to 40 posters, that were donated by Little Pickle Press, making $300 for Asperger Manitoba. 

Again my thanks to Rana DiOrio and her whole team for supporting not just me as a Little Pickle Press author, but also Asperger Manitoba and by extension the Aspergers' community in Manitoba.

But the best part by far?

Nearly blew a gasket, dreaming up witty messages!

Meeting so many incredible kids; Tait, McKenna, David, Alex, Gavin, Sam, Agustin, Cooper, Eric,and Carter. I know there were more, but I lost my paper with all the names written on it. I am a bit disorganized that way. Frustrating, but true.

I hope to see them all again at the book launch in spring, and I'll make sure to include their names when I blog about it!

I was able to squeeze in two readings and the kids had lots of questions for me when I signed their posters.

Looking out to the packed room and seeing my friends and family smiling back at me was my dream come true.

The Best Dad. Ever.

My fellow Anita, Pat.

The Original Anita.

My PR guru pal, Tish.

It takes understanding, compassion, and acceptance to build an inclusive community and this was a much appreciated way for you to show your support. 

Cyber Hugs for you all!

Meeting wonderful people, always makes me happy.

Oodles of Noodles in Support of Asperger Manitoba

 

Please join us for 

Asperger Manitoba's 1st Annual Spaghetti and Potluck Dinner!

Date: Today
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with spaghetti being served from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location: River Heights Community Centre at 1370 Grosvenor Avenue
 

Spaghetti book posters will be available for purchase for $8, with all proceeds going toward AMI and it’s efforts in supporting the portion of our community living with Asperger’s and Autism by providing them with the resources necessary to succeed in school, at work, and in their personal lives.

Beverages will provided courtesy of AMI and with the generous support of DeLuca's Specialty Foods we will have oodles of spaghetti noodles!

Contribution of either a salad, appetizer, main course or dessert will be accepted with gratitude, and should serve 8 to 10 people.

I would like to thank DeLuca’s and Little Pickle Press for their generous support and donations for this event!

Please RSVP to Spaghetti Dinner and Potluck by filling out this quick survey.