Tag Archives: bunnies

Easter Giveaway…And a Shameless Plug

March 27, 2015

WARNING-

This post contains a shameless plug for my new children’s picture book…

Something DUSTY is going on!

Head over to my Facebook page for the details. https://www.facebook.com/michelleeastmanbooks

I am offering a special Easter GIVEAWAY. You can enter for the chance to win The Legend of Dust Bunnies, a Fairy’s Tale and an official Dust Bunny adoption kit. In this book, dust fairies come out at night and create all sorts of messes in our homes. The naughty nymphs hold crumb-spitting contests and fire soot from their slingshots. And they have a “fairy” good time doing it!

To enter to WIN, simply LIKE my Facebook page, and ANSWER the following question in the FB COMMENTS.

What messes do you blame on dust fairies?

Or simply like or comment below to win a PDF version of the book.

Posted by Michelle R. Eastman in book marketing, fairies, giveaway, holidays, new author, new release Tags: #booknerd, #kidlit, author, bedtime stories, book marketing, book promotion, bunnies, children's book, children's literature, children's picture book, christian, dust bunnies, Easter, fairies, fairy tale, giveaway

2 Comments

A Dusty World Book Day | Sylva Fae

March 6, 2015

A Dusty World Book Day | Sylva Fae.

Posted by Michelle R. Eastman in blogging, costumes, fairies, families, kidlit, Literacy, moms, new author, new release, Self-Publishing, The Legend of Dust Bunnies, World Book Day, writing Tags: author, bedtime stories, blogging, bunnies, children's book, children's literature, children's picture book, dust bunnies, early literacy, fables, fairies, fairy tale, families, favorite bedtime stories, fiction, Kevin Richter, kids' books, legend of dust bunnies, michelle eastman, michelleeastmanbooks, moms, picture book, preschool, read aloud, rhyming picture book, self-published author, top picture book

Cyber-Samaritan Shout-Out, Take I

October 11, 2014 Embed from Getty Images

As I make my way through the self-publishing world, I continue to be amazed at the kindness of strangers. I have been touched by individuals I call “Cyber-Samaritans”. From gestures as small as a website “like”, to those as grand as spending their hard-earned free time tutoring me…I am blessed. As I stay the course, I hope to pay my blessings forward and back. My first shout-out goes to fellow self-published children’s author, Aaron Peters. http://www.heavenisblue.com

“I don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ books!”

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Prissy, from Gone with the Wind, didn’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ babies, and a year ago, I certainly didn’t know nothin’ about self-publishing a book. I also didn’t know nothin’ about twitter, blogging, tags, categories, hashtags, trolls, or the true value of caffeine.
I thought once I had my manuscript polished, I was on my way to realizing a lifelong dream of being a children’s author. I quickly discovered that notion is like finally getting pregnant and expecting to hold your baby a few weeks after. Well, a baby typically takes two people to create, and the woman’s body takes care of the rest. A book, not so much. I created this new being, but I needed a heck of a lot of help to get from conception to delivery of my book.
First, I had to figure out how most picture books are put together. It turns out there is a pretty standard format as far as length and layout. But, there’s a slight problem…I can’t draw. Kind of hard to put out a picture book with no pictures. Mission Impossible…find an illustrator. Mission made Impossible-er…find one who will work with a first time, self-publishing, stay-home-mom, from Iowa, with a budget barely breaking 4 digits.
Time to throw in the towel.

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Not an option. I’ve already told my 8 year old son that his mom is going to be an author. Time to consult YouTube, the all-knowing Yoda/Oprah of everything. Search for self-published children’s authors who have actually survived the process and are willing to tell their tales.

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Enter Aaron Peters. I found and watched his You Tube video about how he self-published a kids’ book for his niece, Proof that I’m a Princess, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hflNjz-HZfI After watching his video, I’m thinking: What a cute book. I sure wish I knew this guy, so I could ask him some questions. Hey, look at that, below his video it says,“If you have any questions send me a comment or check out my website for other cool stuff.” http://www.heavenisblue.com I’ll type him a note, but I probably won’t get a reply.

Well, I was wrong about that. Aaron did reply. Not only did he answer my questions, he provided the framework for what would become the path to getting my book published. Oh, and remember my Mission Impossible-er? Aaron helped me solve that problem as well. Thanks to him, I connected with illustrator, Kevin Richter, via a service called Elance. How does a mom, from Iowa, team-up with a South-African guy, living in Great Britain, to create an awesome children’s picture book?

To be continued…

Posted by Michelle R. Eastman in Literacy, moms, Self-Publishing, writing Tags: author, book marketing, book promotion, book trailer, boys' books, bunnies, children's book, children's literature, children's picture book, christian, entrepreneurs, fables, fairy tale, families, favorite bedtime stories, fiction, generosity, Kevin Richter, legends, michelle eastman, preschool, read aloud, rhyming, top picture book

The Girl Who Cried Book…UPDATE

October 3, 2014 Embed from Getty Images

Remember the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf? Well, my book’s release date has been pushed back so many times that I am beginning to feel like “The Girl Who Cried Book”. Self-publishing for the first time has been an awesome and exhausting experience. Initially, I had hoped my children’s picture book would be launched around Easter. Unfortunately, I told people. Spring leaked into summer, and still no book. While I diligently posted book updates to friends and family, summer slipped into fall. Nope, no book yet. Oh, I’ve had 3 rounds of proofs, but no “real” book. Today, I’ll order what I hope and pray is the final, final proof copy. I’m so looking forward to trading my “Girl Who Cried Book” status for “The Lady Who Worked Her #@* off and Created this Awesome Kid’s Book” moniker.

UPDATE!!

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It took much longer than anticipated, but my very first book is finally published. Self-publishing has been quite a balancing act. As a first-time author, I had to teach myself each aspect of the process, then I had to go back and complete each step. All the while, countless stumbling blocks cluttered my path. Exhausted, but undaunted, I forged ahead.

It turns out that writing and building the book is just the beginning of this crazy journey. Book promotion and the business side of things is a whole other marathon. Most days I feel like I am climbing a waterfall, but once in a while, I find the perfect rock. I regain my footing, take a breath, and press on.

I was looking forward to trading my “Girl Who Cried Book” status for “The Lady Who Worked Her #@* off and Created this Awesome Kid’s Book” moniker. But, since I am gearing up for my next publication, I’ll have to stick with crying book!