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 - Now Available on Amazon!

WOOHOO! It's here!

Launch day, at last.

So thrilled to finally have my first chapter book ready for young readers.

It is now available on Amazon for your Kindle.

 

Please click here to puchase your copy: http://amzn.to/VmKP08

Don't have a Kindle?

For your convenience I have listed various links for you to download a Kindle app, allowing you to read Spaghetti on your PC, Mac, Android or iPad. Once your app is installed follow the same link to Amazon and you're good to go.

App Links:

 

Click here for PC

Click here for Mac

Click here for Android

Click here for iPad

In 91 days, Spaghetti will become available on iOS, NOOK, KOBO and Sony eReaders. We're pushing for a print copy, and once we get a large enough order we'll be full steam ahead for a paperback, too!

Spaghetti, in summary:

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.

Book Reviews and Big Thanks!

www.orcabook.com

Are you looking for a great book for a 7 to 9 year old boy?

One that will keep him turning the pages?

Then look no further than, Ben the Inventor, by Robin Stevenson. Click here to read my entire book review:

http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/editorial-2833/Jodi-Carmichael----Night-Table-Recommendations

And a huge thank you to John Toews of McNally Robinson for allowing me to take a crack at my very first online book review. John is a key figure at McNally's and a strong advocate for every writer who walks into the bookstore.

We, The Anitas, (my writing group) refer to John as "The Voice", as we hear his voice eloquently introduce book launchs and special events, every time we're in the store. It is every Anita's dream to have John introduce our own books. McNally's just wouldn't be the same without him.

Another enormous thank you to my friend, Alexei Russell, for being so supportive of Connor's story. Alexei graciously introduced me to John and voila, new opportunities presented themselves. Alexei is a talented author and his young adult novel,Trueman Bradley - Aspy Detective, is engaging and lends further insight into the unique world of Asperger's Syndrome. Follow this link to explore his dynamic book website: http://www.truemanbradley.com/.

Top 3 Book Launch Emotions

Lucky number 7.

 

That’s how many days left, until Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons, launches into the digital world.

 

For the past two weeks, I’ve slept very little. It feels like I’m counting down to the most incredible Christmas morning of my life.

 

I’m a natural born insomniac, so all this launch fervour has kept me awake for much of the night, every night. On the plus side of being awake at 2:00 a.m., I’ve had loads of extra time to surf the net, get lost on Pinterest, and narrow down all my heightened feelings into a top 3 list. Oh, how I love a good list. (And chocolate. Just sayin.')  

 

My Top 3 Book Launch Emotions:

 1. Excitement – that my first book is being published. I’ve actually given myself migraines after speaking with my publisher. On numerous occasions. True story.

 2. Trepidation – what if I sell so few copies, my publishes wails to the heavens and refuses to return my emails? (Even when they are loaded with super-smiley-faced emoticons.) I quell this fear with kilograms and kilograms (pounds and pounds) of M&M’s and Caramel Kisses.

3. Hope – I am riding a Tidal Wave of Hope.

Hope that Connor’s story will reach our desired audience – Asperger Syndrome kids and their families; teachers; as well as children who aren’t on the spectrum, but have a classmate or friend that is.

 

I hope, with all my heart, that Connor's story impacts lives.

 

I hope it brings understanding. I hope it brings compassion and acceptance. I hope that hope grows within the Asperger and Autism community that inclusion is possible. I hope that this hope spreads to other communities as well and we foster inclusion for all.

My hopes are bigger than me.

They’re bigger than big and grander than grand.

They’re audacious.

And that’s the best thing about hope.

Hope has no limit. Hope has no maximum weight.

Hope springs eternal.

 

 

And hope, nurtured and encouraged, spreads like wildflowers across the prairies.

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons

www.littlepicklepress.com

"On the 12th day before my book launch, I get to introduce to you -  Connor my favourite eight-year old boy!"

Yes, you were to sing that line to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas. Work with me people, I am tone deaf after all.


Finally, I can show the world my book cover and show off Connor's baby blues.


The illustrator, Sarah Ackerley, captured the true essence of his personality and with the guidance of art director, Leslie Iorillo, my story has been brought to life.

There are oodles of book launch-type parties and events in the works and I'll keep my blog, face book, and twitter updated with news as it rolls in! We're still working towards a December 3rd eBook launch date and over the next week I'll post the link so you have easy access to Amazon.

And we're hammering out the details, so I will be able to sign your eBook. Isn't technology wonderful? (Even if I truly have no idea how it works.)

Still not sure what Spaghetti is all about? 
Here's my elevator pitch:  

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.