Been away for, oh, a few months now, but jumping right back in with a Friday Five/Poetry Friday combo:
1. I’ve been away too long, but for good reason. *drumroll, please* I actually will be published next year. OK, OK, before you break out the party horns, it’s Work for Hire through Rosen Publishing. Bethany Bryan is the lovely editor who assigned me the task of writing KENTUCKY, PAST AND PRESENT. So whoot for me, I’ll be a legit children’s author next fall. That’s my big news. I know I’ve missed lots of big news from many of you, so pipe up! I have a bottle of champagne here just itching to be uncorked.
2. I’ve also, thanks to the five-knuckled incentive support of lovely writers Jenn Bailey, Lisha Cauthen, Sue Ford and Kim Peek, spent the past spring/summer/fall revising WOLF and CLEMENTINE. And let me tell you, they both need serious work. Painfully so. I shudder to think I subbed them as is. Apologies to all those agents.
3. And speaking of Sue Ford, SCBWI’s Kansas Regional Advisor and ferret hunter: She has asked me to serve as the KSCBWI secretary and program director. So all you writers, editors and agents out there, beware. I’ll likely be badgering you to come to Kansas. Soon.
4. No. 1 son’s transition into middle school has been fraught with growing pains. I cringe to see his report card next week.
5. Despite his failing grade in Creative Writing, he did manage to hand in this accrostic poem about his obsession: skateboarding. I found it quite lovely. So here it is, No. 1 Son’s contribution to Poetry Friday:
Soaring above the concrete
Kicking the ground to go faster
Air in my face when I zoom down ramps
Trying not to crash
Elbows, knees, and ribs sting when I fall
