Author Spotlight- Dayle Dabney on her award-winning book, Corinne’s Fin

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 
I always loved the name Corinne and saved it in my mind as a name if I ever had a 4th daughter….
Erin, Shannon, Meghan, and Corinne?

WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE IS MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY? 
I identify with Corinne in several ways in that I have had challenges to face and adapt accordingly.
I hope that readers will adapt to whatever they may view as a loss and rise above it, change their thinking, and move forward!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 
My favorite sentence of the book is the final one. “Corinne was FREE, free to be her new self from fin to fin!”

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER: 
I was a teacher of young children for 50 years. The children in my class loved stories and I learned to create stories of my own in various ways just by being with them day by day.

As a child, I always loved books with a profound message like The Little Engine that Could. I also admired stories full of creativity like the Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco.

Little by little, Corinne has become very alive to me as we have traveled from one book event to another. I feel as if a true friend, Corinne, is with me in the car and at the book table.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:
As a writer, I often write the first draft in a busy place, like a café or library. I am able to block out all the surrounding noise or activity and focus on the story at hand. Revisions are usually done at home on my computer during a quiet setting.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER?
My challenge as a writer is to leave room for the illustrator for I often SEE all the illustrations in my mind and will specify the details in indirect ways.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE?
Watty Piper inspired me as a child with The Little Engine That Could and still does, for he inspires children to continue to believe even though it may be hard to do so. My stories are intended to leave a lasting message for children long after the book is closed.

HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?
I was connected to Cathy Teets of Headline Books for many years as members of the red clay tennis courts in Mountain Lake Maryland and a local real estate company. Years later I contacted her with my story called, Corinne’s Fin, and fortunately at that time she had an experienced illustrator, Ashley Teets. The beautiful illustrations in Corinne’s Fin speak for themselves in vivid color.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
My advice would be to connect with your characters at various levels. Your character then becomes part of you which enables you to be passionate during book events; for you are speaking from the heart.

Awards are important in that they tend to bring recognition to your characters and your story. I was thrilled to win various awards: Literary Classics, Mom’s Choice, President’s Award, London Book Festival and others for Corinne’s Fin. Hopefully, the sequel, Coach Corinne, will continue to carry forth an inspiring message to young children.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? 
I have several picture books with an inspiring message for young children that I hope will be visible in print with accompanying illustrations in the near future.

I love calendars and planning for future fun and adventure. I can hardly contain my interest in many areas: grandchildren, writing, tennis, golf, gospel choir, nature, book clubs, learning, dinner clubs, birds, and the list goes on and on. Corinne’s Fin is also available on my website in addition to Headline Books. I have several picture books ready for submission. The future looks exciting!
Coach Corinne may be on the market by the summer of 2019!



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Spotlight - Sarah Hill on her award winning children's book, Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?

Well in truth, I didn't! I went to Bristol University here in England to study Veterinary Medicine and I qualified as a Vet from there in 1999. I then worked in practice for 10 years and at that point our second daughter was born. My husband was travelling overseas quite a lot with work then and so I decided to take a career break to stay at home and raise our very young girls.

Within 6 months of being at home, 'Posie Pixie', the main character in my first 7 Whimsy Wood books, appeared in my head and she wouldn't go away. She's terribly persistent you see! So I really had no other choice but to start writing about her exciting adventures in Whimsy Wood. 

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AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I always wanted to be a mum. That was an absolutely definite aspiration of mine and I am now very fortunate to have 3 happy, healthy children. Olivia, aged 8, Poppy, aged 6 and Monty aged 3 years old.

I remember considering journalism, but then I opted to study to be a Vet because of my passion for animals. 

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HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?

Well, each of the 35 books in my Whimsy Wood Series for 5-8 year olds is written for a specific month in the calendar, so the flora and fauna change as you read through the series. Book 1, Posie Pixie And The Copper Kettle, happened to be written for the month of August, which meant that book 4, Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party, would be written for the autumnal month of November.

Instantly fireworks and bonfire night sprung to mind, when I was contemplating a storyline for book 4. These thoughts were very quickly followed by the tasty treats that often accompany bonfire night, such as toasted marshmallows in all their gooey, stickiness and very soon I was considering a fireworks party! 

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?

My favourite line from Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party is:-

' "Fizzling Fireworks!" exclaimed Posie as she saw the pretty firefly lights twinkling in the trees, the tablecloth laden with party treats and her guests all smiling at her! ' 

I love this because Posie has been struggling away, trying to organise a surprise party for her cousin Ping who has invented a brand new firework. Unbeknown to Posie, her best friend 'Wibble Woodlouse', has roped in all their friends to help Posie out with the work that needed doing, to ensure the fireworks party is a great success. Not only has Posie been organising a surprise party for her cousin, but she has a surprise all of her own with this extra help from her friends!

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WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?

Posie Pixie is most like me because she is very determined, even though she is a small wee creature. She also isn't very good at asking for help, rather like myself. Finally, I asked my children why Posie Pixie and I are similar and they replied, "Because you're fun just like Posie!" 

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WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

The proverb that is woven into this November story is, 'Many hands make light work'. I hope that readers will realise how important and fun team work is and how rewarding doing something for someone else can be.

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WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 

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Books 1-9 in my Whimsy Wood Series have been published to date and all by Abela Publishing based in Sandhurst, England. These Whimsy Wood titles are:-

Book 1, Posie Pixie And The Copper Kettle

Book 2, Posie Pixie And The Lost Matchbox

Book 3, Posie Pixie And The Torn Tunic

Book 4, Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party

Book 5, Posie Pixie And The Christmas Tree

Book 6, Posie Pixie And The Snowstorm

Book 7, Posie Pixie And The Pancakes

Book 8, Fearne Fairy And The Dandelion Clocks

Book 9, Fearne Fairy And The Chocolate Caterpillar

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TELL US SOMETHING FUN ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:

Shortly after the release of my 3rd Whimsy Wood children's book, titled Posie Pixie And The Torn Tunic, I received an absolutely amazing review from an online parenting magazine based in the South West of England called Chopsy Baby. This review was, "Think of the best bits from Enid Blyton's fantastical stories for very young children." Well, I was overjoyed to read this! To be likened to Enid Blyton was phenomenal! So I squealed with delight and jumped up and down for joy......only, I happened to be too near our dining table and as I leapt up in the air, I whacked my knee on the underside of this rather large and hard table! "Ooooww!" I shouted, whilst my 3 children (who had witnessed their lunatic mummy squealing, jumping and then causing herself an injury!) were laughing hysterically!

When I tell my children that another brilliant review for my Whimsy Wood Series has come in, they'll say, " Will it be another 'Yes! Yes! Yes! Bang! Ooooww!' " kind of review mum?!"

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WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?

I remember loving Enid Blyton's 'Faraway Tree' collection and Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge series as a child, so I would say that they are the authors who have influenced my writing style the most. 

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WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

This would probably be Salmen Rushdie's Haroun And The Sea Of Stories. For me, this book is the most imaginative and wonderfully written children's book around. I remember being blown away by its psychedelic storyline and wanting to read it all over again as soon as I had finished it. 

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?

It would definitely be Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party winning the Chapter Book category in this year's Children's Literary Classics Book Awards.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY WRITING RITUALS?

No I don't have any specific writing rituals. However I do have to be very disciplined with my writing time with having 3 young children and I tend to write when they are in school and nursery, or when they are in bed at night.

If my writing isn't flowing, rather than wasting the time I have set aside to write, I will research what wildlife would be out and about in a woodland for the particular month I am writing for. This will often help my writing to flow again, or I will have gained and written down a few more ideas, ready for the next time I sit down and write.

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HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?

Once I'd started writing about Posie Pixie, Fearne Fairy and the other Whimsy Wood characters, I discovered just how much I loved getting lost in my own imagination. So I started submitting my manuscripts to various literary agents and publishing houses.

After 3 years of writing, editing, submitting, getting rejected, picking myself up again and then writing, editing and submitting some more, I finally received my author's contract with Abela Publishing in January 2013. Posie Pixie And The Copper Kettle, book 1 in my Whimsy Wood series, was published in July 2013. 

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WHAT DID YOU DO TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

When I'd completed Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party, I punched the air in triumph whilst shouting "Yes! Yes! Yes!" to myself! I then moonwalked (rather badly I'm afraid!) across the floor! 

We celebrated the publication of Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party back in 2014, by holding a book launch for it at the WHSmith bookshop in Bath, which is the nearest city (and my most favourite!) to where I live.

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CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?

I opted for the path to traditional publication so I can comment on this from my own experience. For me, this journey was an emotional roller coaster, filled with uncertainty and the need for utter determination and dedication. Expect to be rejected. This is part of the process. Don't be disheartened, do not give up and listen to constructive criticism. 

The bottom line is that you must believe 110% in the series, characters and stories that you have created. If you don't, who else will? 

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CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?

Use all social media sites that you are familiar and comfortable with to help promote your book. AskDavid.com is a very good and reasonable website for book promotion. Finally, the National Writing for Children Centre in America will showcase your latest book and help you carry out a virtual book tour to aid promotion. This I used to help promote book 9, Fearne Fairy And The Chocolate Caterpillar:

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For more whimsical information, please follow the Whimsy Wood children's series and connect with its author Sarah Hill at the official Whimsy Wood Website .

You may also find Whimsy Wood updates at the following sites:

Sarah Hill's GoodReads page

The Whimsy Wood Facebook page 

Whimsy Wood on Instagram 

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

The Growing Sweater, by Jason J Marchi, earns the CLC Seal of Approval

When Granny Quigley knitted a purple sweater with a white lace collar for her granddaughter, Ashley, she never imagined the adventures that would ensue.  Ashley loved her sweater, but when it came time to wash it, the sweater grew.  It was far too large for Ashley, so she gave the sweater to her older sister, hoping to one day grow into it again.  But with each subsequent washing, the sweater became larger and larger, making it ever more challenging to find a use for this magical growing sweater.

The Growing Sweater, by Jason J. Marchi is an imaginative story that will enthrall and delight young readers.  Illustrations, by Ben Quesnel, are a wonderful addition to this book which is sure to become a favorite with young readers.  Recommended for home and school libraries, this book has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Spotlight - Marianne Berkes

Author, Marianne Berkes

​Animalogy, Animal Analogies

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING? 20 years, professionally
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WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING? As a child, I loved to write plays and perform them with my friends every summer. I especially liked rhythm and rhyme and often would write poems for special occasions. My parents always encouraged me. Music, theater and reading have been a constant in my life. I’ve always had a good imagination and lots of ideas for stories. I like making music with words, but it wasn’t until I moved to Florida that I became an aspiring children’s author. I read many children’s books in the ten years working as a children’s librarian that I decided I could write one too. I eventually published my first book in 2000 called “Marsh Music” about frogs performing a concert in a marsh.
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WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
I love to write about animals and nature, combining fact with fiction. In “Animalogy” though, I decided to try something a little different. As a former early childhood educator in New York, I wanted to make learning about analogies fun! “Animalogy” is a rather simple book, but can lead to lots of discussion as kids compare and contrast different animals. And of course Cathy Morrison’s vibrant animal images bring my words to life.
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IS THIS YOUR FIRST BOOK?
No, but it’s quite different from my others, which have an interactive story, followed by a glossary so the reader can learn more about what he/she has just read about. I love doing research and all my books are vetted by experts in their fields, from frogs, birds, seashells,
Planets, to name a few, so everything is accurate.
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WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
Marsh Music (2000)
Seashells by the Seashore (2002)
Marsh Morning (2003)
Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef (2004)
Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme (2006)
Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun (2008)
Over in the Arctic, Where the Cold Winds Blow (2008)
Going Home, the Mystery of Animal Migration (2010)
Over in Australia, Amazing Animals Down Under (2011)
Animalogy, Animal Analogies (2011)
Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek (2012)
The Tree that Bear Climbed (2012)
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DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
My fourteenth book, Anybody Home? will be released by Sylvan Dell Publishing in August 2013. In this book, a ‘possum is looking for a new home to raise her expected babies. Along the way, she meets a wide variety of forest animals and learns about the homes they build and live in.
Also in fall 2013, another of my habitat books, Over in a River, Flowing Out to the Sea, will be released by Dawn Publications.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: I’ve been a teacher, a children’s theater director and a children’s librarian. Now as a children’s author I visit schools and libraries sharing my publishing adventures. I hope I inspire students to write their own stories sharing their ideas, thoughts and feelings, as they inspire me.
I have a great love of nature and get outdoors as often as I can. Living in Florida now, I enjoy walking the beach and have a huge seashell collection. I love the ocean; there is peace and serenity as I look out on the water. In our hectic and busy lives today, I hope kids can still feel that too and get outdoors more.
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TELL US SOMETHING FUN THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND FASCINATING ABOUT YOU:
When I laugh about something really funny, tears start streaming down my face and I look like I’m crying, but I’m really very happy.
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WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Reading, going to a movie or theater, enjoying a nice meal
at a fine restaurant, walking the beach, swimming, traveling and
meeting people of all ages—that includes kids, of course!
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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SHOW?
I love Broadway shows. It’s hard to decide whether my favorite is Mama Mia, Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.
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HAS YOUR BOOK RECEIVED ANY OTHER AWARDS?
Animalogy also has received a Teacher’s Choice Award and an
IPPY Award (Independent Publishers’ Award)
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WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR?
There are so many of us and in today’s world it’s harder than ever to get published, unless you are already a well-known children’s author. But even well-known authors still deal with rejection sometimes, which we all have to accept. You might think a manuscript is really good, but come to find out something like it has already been published or it’s not quite right for that particular press and you’ve already waited a year.
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These days, many publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so that’s another challenge-- to get your manuscript in the hands of a publisher you think might like your book.
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DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
Hemingway said that an author is a writer that never quit, so keep keeping on. Don’t give up. While it’s more difficult these days to get published, there are still many opportunities. You just have to try harder and before you submit something, do your homework. Make sure you submit to a press that is right for the genre you’ve written in.
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CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED? Join SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), go to critique meetings and writers’ conferences. Network as much as you can. You never know who will be there.
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IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
Thanks so much for this honor and for the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings. To learn more about me and my books, please go to: www.Marianneberkes.com.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Don't Be Silly Mrs. Millie! earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

The name of this books sets the tone for this work of children's literature which is absolutely delightful. The illustrations are highly expressive, imaginative and entirely spectacular! Kids will love this book which incorporates the use of word-play in a way which kids will thoroughly enjoy. This is a book children will love reading again and again. -Don't Be Silly Mrs. Millie is highly recommended for home and school libraries.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Borrowed Wings, by Regina Puckett earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Borrowed Wings, written and illustrated by Regina Puckett, is the heartwarming story of a little dragon who aspires to spread his wings and fly.  Sadly though, his head is too big, his stomach is too round and his wings are too small.  So his mother says to him, "You may borrow my wings.  They are big enough to carry two."  --And off they go into the clouds where they create wonderful memories together. 

The young dragon eventually grows into his wings and is able to fly on his own. His friends begin to call him Mighty Dragon; and he goes off to explore the world and beyond.  But when he returns, his mother has grown old and frail.  Because she is no longer able to fly, the now Mighty Dragon tells her she may borrow his wings and the two share many special moments together flying and exploring the world and beyond. 

Regina Puckett has created a timeless tale about the circle of life which stirs the imagination and evokes warm feelings of the special bond between mother and child.  This book has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval and comes highly recommended.



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com