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.
As many of you are aware, I have been guest posting about Autism Spectrum Disorder on the Mom's Choice Matters Blog for a few months now.
It has been a privilege and honour to work with Terry Doherty the Director of Social Media for the Mom's Choice Awards. She is a true professional and a strong supporter of children facing all sorts of challenges. In addition to her work with Mom's Choice, she is also the Executive Director of The Reading Tub, an online book review site that is a must view for parents looking for great books for their children.
Terry Doherty
Sadly, I have now written my last guest post for Terry as my work with Rebelight Publishing and my upcoming book release of Forever Julia has erased all free time. However, great plans are in the works to continue the "All About Aspergers Syndrome Series" with a new contributor who will make you laugh, cry, and grab a pen and paper to take notes.
Once the official announcement has been made, I will write a quick post to introduce this most marvellous writer. I know you will enjoy her writing as much as I do!
Another successful book signing at Chapters St. Vital, done and complete!
I met all sorts of folks. Avid readers, burgeoning writers from ages 9 to 29, parents looking for books for reluctant readers, and of course grandparents. Again, I was astounded by the numbers of grandparents buying books for their grandchildren.
Most awesome.
Pat, me (chinless), & Christina - "An Anitas Writing Group Selfie"
Throughout the afternoon I was joined by my writing friends, my
parents, and my daughters who came and went, keeping me company and enticing shoppers to buy Spaghetti! My dad in particular had a delightful time speaking to customers and to Joseph, who looked after us throughout the book signing, making us feel like part of the Chapters team.
They say employees are a reflection of the general health and attitude of a business, and if that is so, Chapters must be doing everything right. Every staff member I've dealt with has been enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and a joy to work with.
This Saturday, April 5th, Chapters St. Vital is
hosting a book signing of Spaghetti is
NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons to help shine a light on Autism
Spectrum Disorder.
Come join me from 12:30 – 4:30 as I sign books, chat about
ASD, and the need for acceptance for all, regardless of our differences.
As an author, you hope your book reaches a wide audience, appealing to a diverse group of readers who like your book enough to recommend it to friends. Word of mouth advertising is the most cost effective and successful marketing tool we have.
When a reader is so moved by your novel (either they loved it or despised it), they often post a book review. This can be a joyous moment for a writer, or one that results in head-to-toe chills.
Recently, I received a totally unexpected and thoroughly delightful review from Terry Doherty, of The Reading Tub.
Doherty picked up, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food, at Book Expo America and this is a snippet of what she had to say:
"In a word: superb! By letting Connor tell the story, readers can walk in his shoes and see the world as he does. The author captures a young boy's voice perfectly. Every child knows what interrupting is - and how hard it is to be patient. All of us know what its like to want something NOW and then just grab for it. The story has a happy ending, as it should."
Of course I Happy Danced around the house after reading this
Stoked that my publisher has sold the foreign rights to a publisher in Korea. Curious to hear what South Korean kids think of Connor and his adventures.
The most coincidental aspect of this deal, is that Winnipeg has a fast growing Korean population. In fact at Linden Meadows School, where I have one of the best jobs in the entire universe, Korean kids make up a large part of our ESL program.
How cool will it be to have one of our students read Connor, in Korean, to me?
Let me tell you, it will be exceedingly cool.
So cool I may have my first ever public Happy Dance.
Okay, best to keep calm. Not my normal state of being, but I will try.
Terribly excited about my first ever book signing at Chapters St. Vital in the south end of Winnipeg!
I was overjoyed when one of Chapters' Booksellers, Trevor Rushak, F-Book'd me a few months ago asking ifI would come in and do a book signing. My immediate response was to run around my house screaming, which I do a lot. It is cathartic, freeing, and I highly recommend it.
It should always be followed by a Happy Dance.
One day I'll get brave and post a video of my best Happy Dance. Until then you'll just have to imagine me dancing to Pink's "So What" or The Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)." Just a few suggestions to get you started on your own Happy Dance moment.
Now where was I?
Oh yes, in response to this thrilling invitation, I typed my most professional reply, "I would absolutely love to come and do a book signing. I'm getting excited just thinking about it." Maybe not Donald Trump master class business worthy, but I'm a children's book author after all.
Here are the deets, my peeps:
When: Saturday, October 26th
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Chapters' St. Vital, in the St. Vital Mall, Winnipeg Manitoba
Both to my awesome job at Linden Meadows School and to schools around Manitoba to read from my chapter book, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons and to discuss the writing process.
I am currently booking into the fall and if you'd like to contact me about visiting your school, please email me at jodi@thecarmichaels.ca.
Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons, is a humorous chapter book about an
eight-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Connor struggles to make his way
through a typical school day and in his attempt to be as cool as everyone else, he
leaves a hilarious trail of destruction. But, by the end of the day, and despite
many miscommunications and misunderstandings, Connor realizes that he is exactly
as cool as he is supposed to be.
My presentations are varied and completely flexible. You can learn more about what I offer by clicking on the School Visits Tab of my webpage or simply click HERE.
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!
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!"
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 AMIand 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.
First, I found out that CBC's Larry Updike wanted me on his afternoon show, Up to Speed with Larry Updike, and then my publisher Rana gave me the news I've been hoping for.
Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food is going to print!
Woohoodleehoo!
I screamed myself hoarse when I read her email. Then I did the Harlem Shake with Zoe. Okay, I didn't actually do the Shake, but I could, if I knew how. I just need about 97 lessons.
But I have drifted. Again.
The Green Room is Actually Blue. Huh.
Being on the radio was a rush, a thrill, and downright giddyfying. No, that is not a typo. It is a state of being that I highly recommend. Try it. It's sublime.
Larry Updike is a pro. He guided me through the interview, carefully keeping me from the Dreaded Drift. Which I do. Often.
He asked all the right questions, ensuring our message was heard.
Having Asperger's Syndrome means you think differently not defectively. And being different isn't good or bad. It isn't a qualifier. It just is.
We spoke about Asperger Manitoba's 1st Annual Spaghetti and Potluck Dinner held this Saturday at the River Heights Community Centre. It's open to all Winnipeggers - both Aspies and Neurotypicals. It will be a safe and understanding place where those on the spectrum will find community, support, and acceptance. Click here to find out more!
Finally I got to announce, to all the world, or at least much of Winnipeg, the stupendous news:
I can hardly wait for my book launch, which I hope to hold at McNally Robinson Booksellers. It would be the perfect way to thank them for allowing my writing group, The Anitas, to meet twice monthly amongst the stacks, where we laugh our way through our critique sessions. Sometimes we get carried away. Occasionally Often we are loud. Still they let us return, week after week. This is how they roll. And we are so grateful.
Still don't know what all the fuss is about? Here's the Spaghetti book trailer:
Every time I do a school visit, I think, "Oh my gosh, it's even better than the last one!"
There is a definite pattern developing, and I love it.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Reimer's grade 3/4 class at Oakenwald School. They knew I was coming and had questions aplenty. This time, I was uber prepared. I even studied and knew that my book has 14 chapters, not 13 as I had previously believed.
Yup, that's the way I roll!
We delved into what inspiration means and where great writing ideas come from. We discussed the writing process and I showed them my current work in progress - all 32 chapters! (I told you I was better prepared!)
Just one or 652 edits to go!
Then we talked about how long it takes to get a book published and the importance of never giving up. It's just like learning to play the recorder - all wrong notes and squeaks at first, but with practice and determination, it turns into beautiful music. The same kind of effort is needed to make your written words leap off the page.
I was floored by the extent of knowledge those eight and nine year-old children already have. Kudos kids. Kudos teachers. Kudos parents.
And the absolute, positively best part? Mr. Reimer asked me to return to hold a writing workshop.
Fueled by the student's enthusiasm and excitement, I nearly skipped out of his classroom at the end of the morning.
It all came full circle yesterday. I'm referring to my book reading at École Crane, not the fact that I began and ended the day with a bite (or six) of chocolate.
When I was a child, in the long ago days of yore, when there were no home computers and the world wide web would make one think of colossal spiders, I walked those halls myself. In the olden days though, it was simply Crane School, as French Immersion had yet to be invented.
I had the pleasure of being part of Crane's, "I Love to Read Month" and was asked to read from, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food, to all the third graders. Seeing my Sarah's beaming face smiling at me the entire morning, was one of my most favourite Mother Moments to date.
My earliest body of work.
I began by sharing the books I made when I was a 5th grade student at Crane. We then watched the book trailer and I read Lesson 5 - Lunch Time Can Be Tricky (spaghetti should never be eaten with your hands.)
Super cool and amazing book trailer.
When they asked me to read the next chapter, my heart soared. How could I say no?
So on we read - Lesson 6 - A Library Voice is Even Quieter Than an Inside Voice (the newest best book in the universe should never be on the top shelf.)
The kids asked awesome questions and we discussed Connor's Asperger's Syndrome. One little girl shared that her uncle has Asperger's and told us her understanding of what that meant. She was bang on.
I was able to stay
with Sarah's class for a while longer, reading the first few chapters of Spaghetti and fielding more brilliant questions. Did I mention these kids were smart?
We finished off reading the "about the author" page from my grade 5 masterpiece, Sparky the Elf. The kids found it hilarious that 10 year old me was "great at climbing trees and talking and eating food." I am not exaggerating. I had skills.
Although I have given up climbing anything higher than a step stool, I am quite fond of talking (no kidding!) and eating all sorts of food. (especially chocolate)
"Sparky the Elf" Written and Illustrated by J.C. Griffiths. I was very accomplished in 1979.
And I didn't faint, stumble on the way to the podium, or forget how to read English. (Although my vision did blur a few times. I was nervous, after all.)
My inaugural school visit was extra special as it was at Linden Meadows; the school where I am lucky enough to work.
The sweetest moment of speaking to the entire K-grade 8 school? When the kids spontaneously began clapping to the book trailer. I bopped along with them and that bouncing meatball, feeling like I was the queen of the school. I felt a lot like Connor, in Spaghetti, when he becomes the King of Robert H. Crane School.
Pretty sure I blew some sort of blogging gasket during my week long BBT.
I needed a few days of rest to refuel my blogging mojo.
Currently, I'm outlining a series of posts aimed at writers.
Yes, I know the title of this post suggests it will be all about the readers. And it is. In a round about, circling my brain, and finally out to you - The Reader, sort of way. You know, my typical way of thinking.
My hope is that this "writing series" of blogs, will not only be helpful for developing writers, but it will give readers a glimpse into the writing process. To see how a story takes shape.
But today, in this very post, I wanted to shine all the attention on The Reader and say,
"Thanks!"
Your support of kind words and emails have made my heart soar to places I only day-dreamed about.
My current ranking on Amazon, and the success of my digital launch, is a direct result of readers being interested in Connor and the story he has to tell. So, Merci, Danka, Graci!
Here is my most favourite "review" that I received from a parent of a child who has Asperger's Syndrome:.
"I am so happy to have a glimpse into how my son thinks and why he does some of the things he does. Simply put, reading this book helped me to know my son better. I can't wait to share this with his teachers and family members. Thank you Ms Carmichael, from the bottom of my heart."- DB, Virginia, United States
Leslea Tash, is the host of my next blog stop. She's a writer, newlywed, mother, and dog-sitter. And according to her blog site, she's even a human being.
She's got a wicked sense of humor, so I expect we'll have a lovely time hanging out on her site.
You may also be wondering, "Where do I know this woman from?”
Leslea has a long history in blogging and goes way, way back. (In addition to being a well known and highly regarded freelance reporter.) Here's the blogs she's been active in:
The Blood Red Pencil, is run by a group of editors and writers, who have a lot to say, so they carry a big red pencil so they can say it loudly, clearly, and with emphasis.
Chuck in all his glory.
Hmm, well I haven't fact checked the actual size of their pencil, but I imagine it is colossally large. In my mind it resembles Selkirk's Chuck the Channel Cat, but far less fishy.
The goal of their site is to help writers by blogging about what they know best – editing.
Dani, 1st Reader Extraordinaire
Dani Greeris hosting me on the BRP site and I couldn't be more pleased. Dani heads up the Blog Blook Tours group and started this group of fearless Blood-Red Pencil editors. She has great information for authors trying to set up their own blog tours and is an advisory board member and special projects coordinator at Little Pickle Press. She also critiques and edits manuscripts, with special attention to period details and voice in historical novels and plot resolution in her favorite cozy mystery genre.
Dani is also Little Pickle Press's first reader, which means she was the first person to read my submission of Spaghetti. If it didn't make it past the "Dani Test," Connor's story would remain on my hard drive, not brought to life by Sarah Ackerley's beautiful illustrations.
So come over to The Blood-Red-Pencil and feel free to share with us your favourite, enormous road-side attraction!
Here are the other blog stops on the Spaghetti tour:
Okay, could there be a better title to this blog post?
I think not.
And it's from the clever mind of Winnipeg Free Press reporter, Carolin Vesely.
She wrote an outstanding article that ran the entire front page of the Art & Life section and onto a second page. The piece featured Asperger's Syndrome, Asperger Manitoba and my book, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons.
I couldn't be more pleased with how well it turned out and her inclusion of a factoid side bar was icing on the proverbial cake. (Rich chocolate cake with layers of smooth ganache.)
And the timing couldn't be better. We did the initial interview well before Christmas, and the holidays delayed the article's issue. It finally hit the paper right in the middle of my blog book tour.
A coincidence? Perhaps.
If you missed getting a paper copy of The Winnipeg Free Press this past Tuesday, you can read the full article by following this link:
Not the expert mom with all the answers - the mom who can't stop looking for them.
I had the distinct pleasure of "meeting" Karen Wesley Weaver, the host of today's blog stop, on Friday December 7, 2012.
The date is firmly etched in my brain as that was the date Little Pickle Press posted Karen's book review of Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food on their website.
I was especially nervous as Karen and her family are exactly who Spaghetti was written for - families with kids on the spectrum.
Would she like it? Would she think I had done her boys justice? Would she see the merit in Connor's story?
Thankfully she said "yes" to all the above and posted a glowing review.
I'm ecstatic that she is hosting me today on her blog, Confessions of an Asperger's Mom. Karen is an Autism Advocate, Writer and full-time Mother to two boys on the autism spectrum, who are now in middle and high school. She blogs about her journey and also administrates an online support community for Autism and Asperger's Parents on Facebook.
Karen is an outspoken and passionate advocate and I encourage you to seek her out on her blog, Facebook and Twitter. You'll be inspired, encouraged, and most of all welcomed.
Here are the other blog stops on the Spaghetti tour:
.JPG)
.JPG)
