July Updates 2022

July Updates 2022

Jul 15, 2022 | News

Two sides of a celebration

In my newsletter, I briefly stated the importance of the 4th of July.

Yes, independence day but also my mom's birthday. Mom loved having her birthday on the 4th because of all the fireworks and parades. One of my brothers would decorate his golf cart, and mom and other family members would join her, and I was the camera lady. The fourth is not the same, but I am glad she is experiencing the greatest love with our Lord.

Road Trip

Summertime is here and this Texas girl with her husband and Remi, our dog, took off to visit family members and friends. Remi had her first long road trip. We covered Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, DC, and of course, Texas. Remi loved it. Remember to buckle up your pets.

Family

I mentioned one of my hobbies is genealogy. I enjoy being a member of Ancestry.com and have been a member from the beginning. I did the DNA and have connected with cousins I did not know I had, and we have privately shared pictures. One cousin I was able to meet on this road trip. When we met in person for the first time at a restaurant, we had to laugh because we both were wearing a red shirts with white stripes. We had a great time, and you would have thought we knew each other our whole life; we hated to part as we had so much to share. I encourage everyone to check out their family history. There is nothing like family!

My New Book!

I am super excited for you to see the cover. The Illustrator Nancy Hoover did an incredible job with the story. You are going to love her work. Also, mark your calendar for August 2nd for the book launch. Join us on the Texas Sister Press Facebook page. There will be prizes and guest author. You could win a book. You can preorder now on Amazon so that I can have a huge launch on the 2nd.

 

It's 'A Time to Fly'!

Media fun this july
June Updates 2022

June Updates 2022

Jun 15, 2022 | News

A time to celebrate dads!

A picture of my dad and I at a park near our home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

My dad lived during the depression years; he joined the Navy when he turned 18 to do his part for our country. My dad worked hard and eventually went into business with a friend, and they built a successful company. He taught all of us kids to have good work ethics. He and my mom provided for their six children and gave us a solid spiritual foundation and 'to believe in ourselves.' Thank you, dad, for all your sacrifices for your family to grow strong.

Happy Heavenly Father's Day!

Global girls book club
Global girls book club

Summer Time!

I agree with the school children; summer is a time for fun! No school. My husband and I will be enjoying road trips, family, hiking, and fun times on the water. We have kicked the summer off to enjoy Inks Lake and the Longhorn Caverns. I find exploring inspirational, and new ideas flow for my writing.

The George Floyd Scholarships

Since 2000, two scholarships are given to a student in baseball and music in honor of my dad's high school alma mater, Collinsville High school. This year the music scholarship goes to Emma Nolte and the baseball scholarship goes to Landon Bunch. Congratulations and may your new adventures in college be fabulous!

Emma Nolte

Landon Bunch

Big Announcement!

October 8, the release of Charlie and the Tire Swing! OC Publishing Co. is the publisher, and the illustrations are by the artist Judy Gaudet. Stay tuned for more information over the next few months!

 

What another book announcement!

Winnner!

Story Monsters Magazine Is an award-winning magazine for parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone and everyone who enjoys children's books. I am overwhelmed with joy that the magazine sees the magic of the book A Song of Peace. You can find the book on Amazon B& N and in local bookstores.

See Annoucement

School Visit

I enjoyed reading to the students in the 2nd-grade class at the Girl's School of Austin! The students were very attentive and asked terrific questions during the Q&A. I am so glad schools can have author visits again. I enjoy them very much.

Media Update

A busy month of interviews and school visits online and off.

The Uncaged Magazine writes on the Little Girl in the Moon and the Big Idea. WOW!

This book is one of my favorite stories. While working on the story, I knew I needed the poem/song, but the words were not coming to me. Then one night, while I was sleeping, the poem/song came to me, and I had to wake up and write the words down immediately. I am thrilled about the book and to have an article about the story in The Uncaged Magazine. When you read the article, please note that the photographer Bridget Karam took all the pictures of me. She is fantastic, and you can learn more about her at www.bridgetkaram.com

See full review

Coming Soon!

A Time to Fly,  published by Texas Sister Press, Cover Reveal July 26, mark your calendar for August 2, and join the fun for the Book Launch. You never know; you might win a copy of one of the first prints!  

Explore more
AMG Book Award Winner 2020

AMG Book Award Winner 2020

Jun 3, 2020 | News

PRESS RELEASE

Best of Texas & International Books Awarded | 9th Annual Contest for Texas Authors

AMG Indie Book Awards
TEXAS Readers of the exceptional titles selected for Authors Marketing Guild, a Texas-based organization Best Book Awards for Texas & International, would agree that they are winning reads and top-tier selections in their categories. By any measure, the distinguished books from this year's seventeen winners are of stellar quality. They are perfect examples of books readers will love to fall into the pages and climb out with the greatest of satisfaction.

This is the ninth year for Texas Librarians to select winning titles written by Texas authors in the Children's, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry genres. This is the first year we selected winners for the international division. The winners from this year's contest will be featured at the Texas Book Festival in the DEAR Texas & Texas Authors Institute of History booths.

Authors Marketing Guild promotes authors from the Lone Star State and around the world in many innovative ways. The association leverages the knowledge and expertise of various authors to expand their visibility and promote their works locally and globally.

International Award Winners

Diann Floyd 
Harry the Camel
Children's Books - Foreign Translation
Winter Lawrence
Eve 2.0: The Ultimate Gaming Experience
Literature
Bill Poje
The Byzantine Pineapple with Corporation X
Non-Fiction Economics

Texas Award Winners

Cathey Nickell
Yazzy's Amazing Yarn
Children's Picture Book
Sandra Rhea
Willowmena's Quest
Middle School Fantasy
Ernie Lee
Search for Aquasaurus
YA Sci Fi
G.M. Kelso
Tess: Law Woman of the West
YA Western
M Ward Leon
Blood of the Beast
Action/Adventure
Sharon K. Middleton
The McCarron’s Daughter
Historical Romance
Sandra Fox Murphy
On a Lark
Historical Fiction (Texas)
Becki Willis
Wildflower Wedding With a Killer Reception (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series, Book 8)
Mystery Series, Amateur Sleuth
Deborah Chelette-Wilson
What the World Needs Now! Healing Trauma in Ourselves and Our Children
Non-Fiction Education in Trauma
Michael J. Farlow
Leaders are Made Not Born: 40 Simple Skills to Make You the Leader You want to Be
Non-Fiction Leadership
Roger Leslie
Divine Destiny: A Dialog with God
Non-Fiction Spirituality
Patricia Taylor Wells
LodeStar
Poetry
Breakfield and Burkey
The Enigma Factor (2nd Edition)
TechnoThriller
Art Anthony
Too Many Rivers to Cross
Western

Source: www.authorsmarketingguild.com

March Visits

March Visits

Mar 19, 2019 | News

Temphis, Tennesse

Recently I had the opportunity to travel with my husband to Memphis, Tennesse. There were many things to do and I did but one thing I wanted to do was to find a place where more inspiration would occur and sure enough I found the spot during a visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – with its amazing history and daily miracles, and also on a place I never imagined existed, Mud Island in the Mississippi River.  The island has a great museum and other attractions.  My inspiration, however, came from contemplating that mighty river.

Texas and Virginia

I attended Good Shepherd School, in Kingwood,  Texa,  Washington Mill Elementary School in Mount Vernon, Va and Sandra Mossman Elementary, Texas.  As always I greatly enjoyed and learned a lot from reading to the classes at the schools and taking the students’ questions.

I even had a question from a sweet girl with the name HOPE just like our word of the month. With a friend she is co-authoring a book.  I am looking forward to hearing more about, and one day buying her work. 

SCBWI Conference 2019

SCBWI Conference 2019

Mar 19, 2019 | News

I attend The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference in New York City this March, and what a great experience it was!

As I took my seat for the opening ceremony, I looked around the ballroom filled with over 800 authors and illustrators, and I could not help but be in awe of all the creative people in one room. It was inspiring to meet illustrators and new and seasoned authors, all of whom were very gracious and welcoming to us new members.

The opening keynote was none other than Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who is also a children’s book author. She was humble, inspiring and honest in her story sharing how and why she started writing children books and how she felt she was making a difference by being an author for children.

It was very touching. She gave a signed copy of her book to all of us. I had the honor to speak briefly with her as well as shake her hands. And no, I did not get a picture as they were not allowed.

The days were filled with the gala, keynote speeches, breakout sessions, sign books, purchase books, and network with other authors, illustrators, agents, and other wonderful keynote speakers.

The keynote speakers were outstanding, along with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor there were authors like Jarrett Krosoczka, Elizabeth Acevedo and Christopher Paul Curtis.  This was not one of those conferences where you leave the speaking sessions and only attend the networking.  The stories told by the speakers were riveting and revealed the human being inside each of these highly acclaimed authors. Over the next few months, I will be introducing you to the talented illustrators and gifted authors from the conference.

Signing books at The SCWBI conference gave me a feeling of accomplishment. For those who don’t know, it has been a long journey to becoming a published author. I am so grateful to OC Publishing who believed in me and publishes my books.  To be meeting other authors, from aspiring to best-sellers is a milestone to be sure.

For more about the society see their website here