CONTEST: About a Week Left

About a week left for two things: the Lucky Clover Picture Book Contest, AND to get my house back in order. The washing machine flooded and we had to get new flooring in three rooms! The laundry room, the bathroom, and my office. Yikes! It's been two weeks and so far the laundry room is back in order (minus washing all the linens and getting them back on the shelves). A new vanity for the bathroom being installed today. 

Hopefully we'll get the furniture back in the office this weekend. We took the opportunity to also paint each room (sienna orange, sandy tan, and teal, respectively). I am excited about rearranging the furniture in my office. It will look so much better and even have more room. We're replacing 2 desks with 1 desk. It will unfortunately take me the better part of 6-8 weeks to get all my books organized back on the bookshelves. Anyway, today's post is a reminder about the contest that's all about YOU!!! 

The WINTER Lucky Clover Picture Book Contest closes March 31st. If you haven't gotten your entry in yet, it's not too late. Simply follow these instructions and e-mail your favorite manuscript. May the best story win. Good luck!!!

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

It's time for another BLOG HOP! Because March 17th is St. Patrick's Day, and I LOVE St. Patrick's Day!

What do you win? A Mad Libs book: Napoleon Dynamite style! Who doesn't love Mad Libs? If you're a reader, a writer, or a blogger, you SHOULD.

How to enter:

1. Follow my blog.
2. Leave your e-mail in the comments.
3. Answer one of these questions:
• Who is Napoleon Dynamite?
• What's your favorite scene from the movie?
• Do you think I have seen the movie?
• Did you do Mad Libs as a child?

This blog hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. You can visit the blog to see the other participants in the hop.

HIGH FIVE #26: The Writer Who Didn't Lose Her Mean

Today's guest is Tiffany Strelitz Haber. She's a lean, mean rhyming machine. Tiffany writes picture books and her first one, The Monster Who Lost His Mean, came out just last year. Her second one is ALREADY due out this spring, Ollie and Claire. She also offers professional critiques. Want to know how she does it all? Keep reading.

First book by Tiffany Strelitz Haber

Title: The Monster Who Lost His Mean
Author: Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Illustrator: Kirstie Edmunds
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Release date: July 2012
Word count: Around 550 words or so

Summary: Everyone knows the “M” in MONSTER stands for Mean.  But what happens when a Monster can’t be mean anymore?  Is he still a Monster at all?

One day a Monster’s “M” went missing.
Gone without a trace!
And every “M” is custom made.
The kind you can’t replace.

Winners of First-ever Book Love Event

For the past two weeks, I've been posting writing lessons using the Top Ten Elements of Picture Books. I've shared these online with you. I succeeded in my own personal challenge, what I called my Book Love event. I did it. I can't believe I actually did it! Yea!!! And to celebrate the event, I had a giveaway. Each comment earned readers a chance to win a market guide. The Book Markets for Children's Writers. 2011 and 2012 versions. Published by the Institute of Children's Literature (ICL).

I gave away a 2010 and a 2011 copy back in November 2010 when I gained my 100th follower. And now it's March 2013, and I'm giving away a 2011 copy (again - I had an extra back then), and a 2012 copy. It is my most favorite market guide ever! No magazine markets, but it does have for PB, MG, and YA.

Random number generator, random.org, chose the 1st place winner for the 2012 book to be...

...CATHERINE JOHNSON!!!

...and the 2nd place winner for the 2011 book to be...

...ROSI HOLLINBECK!!!

So, I'll be e-mailing you to get your mailing addresses. Congratulations! And thanks so much for following my blog, reading my posts, and leaving comments! It's been a blast. I think I just might do it again next year! And maybe with more pizzazz. It won't be long before I have another blog love giveaway, when I reach 400 followers. Only 22 more to go.

Come back tomorrow for my interview with debut PB author, Tiffany Strelitz Haber.

Keep on keepin' on...