Day 11 / 20 Days of Giveaways – Jake The Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair
I’m thrilled to have Shelly Nicholson, author of
Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair,
here with me today.
Take it away Shelly…
First, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Libby for hosting me on her blog! Thank you so much, Libby! I’m so excited to be here!
Now, to introduce myself…my name is Shelly Faith Nicholson, and I am the author of two books Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair and A Stinky Surprise for Jake the Snake (to be released later in 2010). I am also a freelance writer for children’s magazines and have many short stories and articles published in magazines such as Kid Zone, Fun for Kidz, and Jack and Jill.. My “Jake the Snake” book is a fun early chapter book targeted to children ages 5-8.
In my writing, it is my intention to get young readers interested in reading through realistic characters and humor. My eight-year-old son, Jacob (who was inspiration for my Jake the Snake books) just started second grade; and like most boys, reading is not his favorite pastime. He’d rather be playing a video game or riding his BMX bike. Sound familiar? There are a few books out there that tend to keep his attention. He laughs when he reads Junie B. Jones. He’s also recently discovered and enjoys the Cam Jansen series and the Magic Tree House series. His exact quote about the Jake the Snake books is, “They’re awesome!” I realize this is mostly because they are a little bit about him, but I also think he enjoys them because they are laugh-out-loud funny. Even my teenager (who’s at that age where everything is “uncool”) chuckled during proofreading sessions. I hope that your child will find my books just as much fun!
People often ask me how I became interested in writing for children. I have four children, so I like making up stories for and about them. My kids always inspire me. As a matter of fact, I just wrote a story for a magazine the other night, inspired by my son who made a huge sign that read, “I WILL NOT EAT!” because we were having “disgusting lasagna” for dinner.
If you are an aspiring author, my advice is to look at life situations around you and follow the three “P’s”
- Patience: there are definitely and undeniably going to be a lot of rejections before you get your foot in the publishing door!
- Positivism: keep a positive attitude. Keep each rejection letter you receive in a special file.
- Perseverance: keep writing and keep submitting!
Once you do get accepted, keep marketing! Join writing groups (I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators and a local writer’s group), open a blog, do a lot of social networking, invest in a website, do appearances and book signings! It all helps, little by little.
Libby, Thank you so much again for hosting me! To find out more about me and my books, visit my website at www.booksbyshelly.com. Have a great day! J Shelly
From the Publisher:
Jake the Snake is a rambunctious kindergartner who is always getting into mischief! And when that happens, he is sent to the “stupid time-out chair.” Jake the Snake is scared Santa Claus is watching and will bring a stupid lump of coal for Christmas ’cause Christmas isn’t far away! When Jake the Snake drowns his brother’s pet lizard in chocolate sauce, he is really afraid. But things only get worse when Jake the Snake goes to the mall to visit Santa and barfs in the mall elf’s hat! Will Jake the Snake get a stupid lump of coal for Christmas? Or will Santa forgive him for all the naughty things he’s done all year?
Thanks so much Shelly!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shelly is letting me give away a copy of
Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair
&
A Jake the Snake T-shirt
To one lucky reader!
To enter – please go HERE to Shelly’s website.
(Please be patient, it takes a little while to load.)
(Please be patient, it takes a little while to load.)
Sign her guest book, and then come back here
and tell me what number your comment was.
That’s it!
Giveaway ends on
Giveaway ends at Noon Central Time
12/01
Good Luck & Good Reading
Please count me in.
I signed the guest book #21.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I was comment #23 in her guestbook! Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I commented in the guestbook at #22.
bstilwell12 at comcast dot net
My comment is #24!!
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I signed in as #27 in the Guest Book. Thanks for the chance.
bookcat1010 at gmail dot com
I was #29! Please enter me.
[email protected]
Please count me in! I was #30 in the guestbook.
Thanks for the entry.
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
Comment #28
Loyal ollower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I was comment #31 in her guestbook.
[email protected]
signed guest book #32
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I was comment #35.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
Please enter me. dsandyboy@
Enter me please.
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