My Snowflake featured at sruble's world today!

     As many of you know, the bloggers at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast came up with a great way for those who didn't create snowflakes for Robert's Snow to participate in their own way with "Blogging for a Cure."
     Bloggers have been featuring snowflake illustrators in wonderful interviews for weeks now. Today, it's my turn. I've been interviewed by Stephanie Ruble at "sruble's world." She asked some great questions which I had a blast answering. So go check it out!
     Follow the interviews of the other illustrators by clicking the Robert's Snow poster to the right (or go here). I've been updating all the links as they become live.
     And be sure to check out the Robert's Snow website for the important cancer research fund-raising event. Maybe you'll fall in love with a snowflake and help raise money for this worthwhile cause.

76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, Honorable Mention!

Now this is what you wanna hear!! This letter just arrived in the mail today. It says:

Dear Elizabeth,

One of my most enjoyable tasks as editor of Writer's Digest is passing along good news to writers. This is one of those fun occasions. It is my pleasure to tell you that your manuscript, Queen Bea, has been awarded Honorable Mention in the Children's Fiction category of the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Enclosed is your Certificate of Achievement to honor your accomplishment. (It's purty.)

This year's contest attracted over 19,000 entries. Your success in the face of such formidable compteition speaks highly of your writing talent, and should be a source of great pride as you continue in your writing career.

I congratulate you again on your accomplishment, and wish you the best of luck in your future writing.

Respectfully,
Maria Schneider, Editor
Writer's Digest

     Oh wow. Oh wow, oh wow. Yippee!! Wippee!!!
     This is the THIRD Honorable Mention this story has received. (One was from the SCBWI-Southern Breeze, and another from the Storydynamics- "Discovering Ease" story competition.) I am so, so incredibly thrilled! 19,000 entries!!! You think maybe, maybe, I got sumthin' here? Oh wow.
     So what do I frame? The certificate or the INCREDIBLE LETTER!!??
     (And yes you hungry publishers, it is still available! Call, let's talk - hehe.)

It's Snowing . . . Illustrator Interviews!

     I've already shared the story behind Robert's Snow, the fundraiser for cancer research, but there's a new side to it. Bloggers have stepped forward to do their part - they are interviewing the illustrators who created snowflakes for Robert's Snow. The 200 participating illustrators are impressive and all are worth checking out. So, here's the list.
     Check back, because I'll make each name a live link to their website and add static links to the blog interviews (the links will take you straight to the interviews) as they are posted.
     See my snowflake here and read my interview at sruble's world on Sunday, November 11th.
     And don't forget to go bid on a snowflake - they make an important and beautiful gift or collection.

Monday, October 15
Grace Lin at In the Pages
Randy Cecil at Chat Rabbit
Michelle Chang at The Longstockings
Kevin Hawkes at cynthialord's Journal
Barbara Lehman at the excelsior file
Tuesday, October 16
Selina Alko at Brooklyn Arden
Scott Bakal at Wild Rose Reader
Alexandra Boiger at Paradise Found
Paige Keiser at Your Neighborhood Librarian
Janet Stevens at The Miss Rumphius Effect
Wednesday, October 17
Rick Chrustowski at laurasalas
Diane DeGroat at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Ilene Richard at Something Different Every Day
Brie Spangler at Lectitans
Don Tate at The Silver Lining
Thursday, October 18
Brooke Dyer at Bookshelves of Doom
D.B. Johnson at Lessons from the Tortoise
Erin Eitter Kono at Sam Riddleburger's blog
Sherry Rogers at A Life in Books
Jennifer Thermes at Through the Studio Door
Friday, October 19
Graeme Base at Just One More Book
Denise Fleming at Mother Reader
Jeff Mack at AmoXcalli
Jeff Newman at A Year of Reading
Ruth Sanderson at Book Moot
Saturday, October 20
Linas Alsenas at A Wrung Sponge
Theresa Brandon at The Shady Glade
Karen Katz at Whimsy Books
Judy Schachner at Kate's Book Blog
Sally Vitsky at Shelf Elf: read, write, rave
Sunday, October 21
Matthew Cordell at Just Like the Nut
Maxwell Eaton III at Books and Other Thoughts
Roz Fulcher at Goading the Pen
Susie Jin at sruble's world
Susan Mitchell at Check It Out
Monday, October 22
Rose Mary Berlin at Charlotte's Library
Christopher Demarest at Writing and Ruminating
David Macaulay at Here in the Bonny Glen
Mark Teague at The Miss Rumphius Effect
Sharon Vargo at Finding Wonderland
Tuesday, October 23
Carin Berger at Chasing Ray
Sophie Blackall at not your mother's bookclub
Erik Brooks at Little Willow/Bildungsroman
Marion Eldridge at Chicken Spagetti
Brian Lies at Greetings from Nowhere
Wednesday, October 24
Sheila Bailey at Lizjonesbooks
Frank Dormer at What Adrienne Thinks About That
Elisa Kleven at Rozzie Land
Jimmy Pickering at Shaken & Stirred
Consie Powell at Becky's Book Reviews
Thursday, October 25
Margaret Chodos-Irvine at redergirlz
Julia Denos at Interactive Reader
Rebecca Doughty at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Brian Floca at Fuse #8
Friday, October 26
Margot Apple at Jo's Journal
Julie Kangas at Sam Riddleburger's blog
Ginger Nielson at Miss O's School Library
David Ezra Stein at HipWriterMama
Saturday, October 27
Sarah Dillard at The Silver Lining
Julie Fromme Fortenberry at Your Neighborhood Librarian
John Hassett at cynthialord's Journal
Abigail Marble at Please Come Flying
Sunday, October 28
Ashley Wolff at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Barbara Garrison at Brooklyn Arden
Kelly Murphy at ChatRabbit
Monday, October 29
Dan Santat at Writing and Ruminating
Joanne Friar at The Longstockings
Alissa Imre Geis at Wild Rose Reader
Diane Greenseid at Just One More Book!!
Sean Qualls at Brooklyn Arden
Tuesday, October 30
Ann Koffsky at Book Buds
Bill Carman at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Gretel Parker at Finding Wonderland
Matt Phelan at A Year of Reading
Stephanie Roth at Writing with a broken tusk
Wednesday, October 31
Shawna Tenney at Kate’s Book Blog
Adam Rex at Booktopia
Mo Willems at MotherReader
Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge
Thursday, November 1
Karen Lee at sruble’s world
Diana Magnuson at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Melissa Iwai at Brooklyn Arden
Victoria Jamieson at AmoXcalli
Molly Idle at The Shady Glade
Meghan McCarthy at A Fuse #8 Production
Friday, November 2
Tracy McGuinness-Kelly at Sam Riddleburger’s blog
Sara Kahn at Kate’s Book Blog
Sylvia Long at Whimsy Books
Jeremy Tankard at the excelsior file
Holli Conger at Please Come Flying
Saturday, November 3
Susan Miller at Your Neighborhood Librarian
Ellen Beier at What Adrienne Thinks About That
Hideko Takahashi at The Silver Lining
Judith Moffatt at Jo’s Journal
Wendell Minor at Wild Rose Reader
Sunday, November 4
Joy Allen at Check It Out
Robin Brickman at Greetings from Nowhere
Lauren Stringer at laurasalas
Nancy Wallace at In the Pages . . .
Monday, November 5
Anna Alter at The Longstockings
Laura Huliska Beith at Just One More Book!!
Cece Bell at Jo’s Journal
Denise Ortakales at cynthialord’s Journal
Tuesday, November 6
Carol Heyer at The Shady Glade
Joe Kulka at ChatRabbit
Steven James Petruccio at Blog From the Windowsill
Carol Schwartz at jama rattigan’s alphabet soup
Wednesday, November 7
Jeff Ebbeler at Sam Riddleburger’s blog
Scott Magoon at Just One More Book!!
Connie McLennan at The Shady Glade
Julie Paschkis at the excelsior file
Thursday, November 8
Geneviève Côté at a wrung sponge
Linda Graves at Your Neighborhood Librarian
James Gurney at Charlotte’s Library
Matt Tavares at Please Come Flying
Friday, November 9
Susan Kathleen Hartung at Wild Rose Reader
Mary Peterson at Brooklyn Arden
Annette Simon at Check It Out
Mélanie Watt at Whimsy Books
Saturday, November 10
R.W. Alley at Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup
Jeannie Brett at cynthialord’s Journal
Daniel Mahoney at Paradise Found
Amy Young at Kate’s Book Blog
Sunday, November 11
Tim Coffey at The Silver Lining
Elizabeth O. Dulemba (that’s ME!), featured by Stephanie Ruble at sruble’s world
Chris Gall at Through the Studio Door
Amy Schimler at Please Come Flying
Monday, November 12
John Nez at ChatRabbit
Liza Woodruff at Check It Out
Jane Dippold at Just Like the Nut
Mike Wohnoutka at laurasalas
Tuesday, November 13
Cynthia Decker at The Silver Lining
Cecily Lang at Kate’s Book Blog
Jane Dyer at Whimsy Books
Akemi Gutierrez at AmoXcalli
Lee White at Please Come Flying
Wednesday, November 14
Philomena O’Neill at Jo’s Journal
Maggie Swanson at Chicken Spaghetti
Timothy Bush at Here in the Bonny Glen
Peter Emmerich at A Life in Books
Thursday, November 15
Yangsook Choi at What Adrienne Thinks About That
Laura Jacques at cynthialord’s Journal
Mary Newell Depalma at Wild Rose Reader
Leanne Franson at Just Like the Nut
Friday, November 16
Mary Haverfield at Your Neighborhood Librarian
Lisa Kopelke at Lisa’s Little Corner of the Internet
Salley Mavor at ChatRabbit
Greg Newbold at The Longstockings
Elizabeth Sayles at AmoXcalli
Saturday, November 17
Paul Brewer at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Aaron Zenz at Jo’s Journal
Wendy Edelson at What Adrienne Thinks About That
Joan Waites at Chicken Spaghetti
Sunday, November 18
Annie Patterson at Check It Out
Teri Sloat at The Miss Rumphius Effect
Anette Heiberg at Lisa’s Little Corner of the Internet
Wade Zahares at Wild Rose Reader

PICTURE WRITING Giveaway!

     When I was named the Grand Prize W.I.N.ner of this year's SmartWriters.com Competition, I won a shiny new copy of Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing. Since I already have a much loved, dog-eared copy, I held a drawing to give the new one away. Turned out Kelly Milner Halls (one of the competition organizers) also had an extra copy - so two books are going out to two lucky readers!
     Well, hubbie had the honor of picking two names out of a hat last night, and the winners are (drum roll please), Janice Skivington and Kristi Valiant!
     So, check your mailboxes ladies as Picture Writing is on its way!! Thanks to all who entered. This was my first foray into a giveaway and 'twas much fun. I might have to do it again . . .

My Article in Writer's Digest - Wippee!!

     I just received my advance copy of Writer's Digest Magazine with my article, "Drawing Success"! Woohoo!
     It's in the "You Can Write for Children" special edition which hits shelves September 25th. Included are articles by Candie Moonshower, Alice Pope, and Lauren Myracle - wow am I in good company! Be sure to look for it!

It's Here! It's Here!!

My SmartWriters.com Grand Prize W.I.N.ner's schwag is HERE!!! Wippee!! My very first trophy EVER!!! (I'm talking no swim team, no tennis, no nuthin'!!) Isn't it purty . . . sigh . . . :) I also received a copy of Alice Pope's Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing, oh, and a lovely check! As the guy on the dog food commercial says, "So happeee!!"

Go here to read my initial squeal and sign up for my drawing of Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing - I'm giving my new one away because I already have a much loved copy. It's an awesome read for those who want to break into picture books - I highly, highly recommend it!!!
UPDATE: Kelly Milner Halls also has an extra copy, so there are now TWO copies in the drawing!! Go sign up!

e's News - August '07

e's news - August '07
     Hi All! It's been a few months since my last newsletter. This year has truly turned into a "nose to grindstone" kind of year for me - work, work, work. The good news is, it's paying off. I have SIX books coming out in 2008 (two trade picture books, two parenting aid picture books, and two educational picture books). I'll talk about them more in upcoming newsletters. I also have an article in the upcoming "You Can Write for Children" issue of Writer's Digest Magazine on my "Path to Success" - ha! No secret there, just b.i.c. as Jane Yolen likes to say (butt in chair). I believe it will be the October issue, but it hits shelves September 25th, so look for it! In the mean time, scroll down to see my great news from SmartWriters.com and don't miss the Decatur Book Festival where I'll be moderating this year's illustrator panel.

Good News!

     I was named the Grand Prize W.I.N.NER in this year's 2007 SmartWriters.com Competition for my illustration, "Lula's Brew"


     This was the first year an illustrator won this competition (and my first trophy - ever), so I was incredibely honored. (That's my lovely trophy in the front.) Winning this competition also ended up being a huge boon when I attended my first Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) National Conference in Los Angeles this summer. Read about my experiences on my blog.

It's time again for the

I will be moderating the illustrator panel on Sunday, September 2nd at 1:00pm with Chris Raschka, Judy Schachner, Mark Braught, and Laura Knorr. Be there for a good time!

One of my SIX books coming out in 2008 is

PACO AND THE GIANT CHILE PLANT ~
PACO Y LA PLANTA DE CHILE GIGANTE
Raven Tree Press, June 2008
(My Spanish lessons continue . . .)

Want me to visit your school or event? Read about my visits at my website: http://dulemba.com/index_visits.html

As always, you can order signed copies of my books through my local independent children's bookstore:

Little Shop of Stories
Call (404) 373-6300,
email atlantacaps@aol.com,
or visit their new website for more information.

Visit MY BLOG for COLORING PAGE TUESDAYS and download free activity pages at MY WEBSITE

Thanks Y'all!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
elizabeth@dulemba.com

My snowflake for Robert's Snow

     I have the honor of creating a snowflake for Robert's Snow this year to help raise money for cancer research. This is the third year illustrators have pitched in to help with this cause, and for good reason. One of our own has been too closely affected by this horrible disease. The story is worth reading about, and the snowflakes, which are auctioned off, are a joy to see. So, needless to say, I'm so happy to be involved.

     The snowflakes are all original pieces of art. However I work digitally (the most original art I create is a first run giclee), so what did that mean to me? To the matresses . . . I mean, pull out the paints and see if I can get these muscles to do what I want!
     The great thing is, while I was improving with my digital art, I was learning a lot about traditional media. I never claimed to be good at mixing colors (which is part of why I went digital). Who knew that mixing colors onscreen would teach me how to mix colors off? Well, that's what happened, and I was very pleased with the results.
     I didn't think to take pictures until I was well into the project, so I jump around a bit, but I'll walk you through my process:
     I had to practice to get my hands used to working with a brush rather than a pen-mouse, and experiment with how the acrylics would react. I certainly didn't want to practice on my snowflake! So, I bought a piece of masonite similar to the material from which the snowflake was made and cut it down to small pieces (about 8.5"x11"). I prepared the surface by layering it with gesso.
     One of the things I always try to achieve with my digital work is that wonderful rich texture and transparency you get with paint. So, layer after layer of gesso, I used a dry brush to cross hatch when it was close to dry. After four or five layers, I had a nice solid white with a rich texture. I then used Saral paper to transfer my art to the masonite. It worked very well as you can see the back design on the left.

     I also wanted to experiment with "scumbling." It's a fancy word for painting the darks first, letting them dry, then layering thin, lighter colors on top. (This is where the transparency comes in.) It's also about the only way to get gentle shading with acrylics - they just dry so darned fast! (They do make solutions to extend the drying time if you want to experiment, but I didn't want to go there.) So I went in with the darks first. Here you can see I've already started to layer in the turquoise sky and vermillion santa suit.

    I especially liked the way my workspace came together through this. I bought a set of small tubes of acrylics. Because they dry so quickly, smaller tubes encourage you to squeeze out less and therefore lose less to drying (okay, and after much digging, I couldn't find my acrylics!). It's also amazing how little paint you actually need. I saved plastic egg crates and used them as my palettes. (I can't tell you how many expensive palettes I've thrown away that I could never get clean - this worked GREAT.)
    By the way, my brushes did not sit above my art while I worked - I've heard horror stories about that kind of thing. I moved them over for the photo so you could see the size brushes I used.
    So the main things I learned: there are major advantages to working small; use egg crates for palettes; take your time and let the layers build.
    I have to say, I really enjoyed this. I may actually try to do more projects in the future just for fun.
    Here is my finished snowflake front and back:


I sure hope whoever purchases my snowflake gets in touch!

I'm the SmartWriters 2007 Grand Prize Winner!!!

     OMG OMG OMG I'm still reeling!!! The email came in about 6:00 this evening - silly me didn't put my phone number on the entry form. I honestly didn't think I'd win! At first I thought Roxyanne meant I'd won the illustration category (which would have been good enough!). But no!!! I won the SmartWriters 2007 W.I.N. Competition Grand Prize!! OMG.
     I can't tell y'all how much this means to me. I started in this business cold turkey right before 9/11. Like everybody else, I had all the stereotypical misconceptions about how it all works, and I have learned just about every lesson the hard way. But with every failure, I just grew more and more determined to keep trying. (Yes, I'm a bit stubborn).
     Things have been going well lately, I must admit. But I work so hard, no violins, just truth. I needed some reassurance that this was all going somewhere. And my dream is to write and illustate my own books. That's the goal. It's so frustrating to know what you want sometimes, and know that you have a lot of work ahead of you to jump the hurdles that need jumping. Sometimes it flat out gets you down.
     One of the things I find I have in common with others on this crazy journey is the conscious decision to stay positive, move forward, and not resent the need for growth.
     But it's a much needed shot in the arm to receive recognition like this. It's confirmation that you are supposed to be on this path, that it's the right one.
     I'm so pleased, so thrilled, so honored to be on this journey with all of you. What a funny quest to embark upon, but somehow it is so, so worth it.
     Thank you to Roxyanne Young, Verla Kay, Kelly Milner Halls and SmartWriters for such a well respected competition, but especially for everybody's kind comments and support. This is not a stand-alone honor, I assure you. I am on the shoulders of so many friends.

     Btw, one of the prizes in this year's SmartWriters.com competition is a copy of Anastasia Suen's "Picture Book Writing." I already have a copy, dogeared from the treasure it's been to me. Reading it at different stages of my career has revealed new and just as relevant information. So, I am "paying it forward." Email me below if you'd like me to forward you my winning copy. I'll hold a drawing at the end of the month. (Make sure you don't sign anonymously so I can get in touch with you if I draw your name.)
     Keep writing, keep dreaming, don't give up!!

Here's my winning entry (click to see it larger):

Harry Potter cover Revealed!

TA-DA!!!
     According to Publishers Weekly, this is cover for the last of the Harry Potter books, "Harry Potter and the Dathly Hallows," again illustrated by fabuloso Mary GrandPré.
     I love his serious, mature expression on this one. Of course, the big question is . . . will Harry survive? I can't wait to find out.
     Of course, I've got to say, the cover kind of reminds me of something . . . hmmmm.

The Bird has flown the coup

     Just got an email from my agent. My first novel, "A Bird on Water Street," went out to publishers Friday. All I can say is, Weehaaa!!! And Ee Gaads. And I'm a nervous wreck!
     A friend said I shouldn't be a nervous wreck yet - more like a few weeks from now when we might actually start hearing responses.
     I tell ya - this business moves slower than molasses in winter. But once things are out there, it's like jumping off a cliff. Will you fly? Will you crash and burn? You just don't know. It's a heckofa ride.
     Weehaaaa!!!

The 2006 Award Results are IN!!

     After several tries I finally hooked into the ALA webcast. It is so well done with the power point presentation of the books as the announcements are made.
     This year's CALDECOTT is . . . drum roll please . . . "FLOTSAM" by David Wiesner!! No surprise there.
     Two other big winners were "MOSES" illustrated by Kadir Nelson. It won the CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD and was a CALDECOTT honor book - WOW!
     "Rules" by Cynthia Lord won the SCHNEIDER FAMILY AWARD for middle school and was a NEWBERY HONOR!! Wow, wow!!
Other winners were:
"Higher Power of Lucky" by Susan Patron won the Newbery (how was this not on my radar?). Congratulations to the illustrator, Matt Phelan!
"Small Steps" by Louis Sachar won the teen Schneider Family Award.
"Jazz" by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers also won a Coretta Scott King honor - again, no surprise there.
Lois Lowry was awarded the Margaret Edwards Award.
"Octavian Nothing" won an Printz honor. (You can read my review here.)
Big shake-up: a graphic novel won the Prinz Award - "American Born Chinese." I gotta get my hands on this.
     Those were the biggies on my radar. You can read more about the awards at the American Library Association.
What a rush!

Here come the Awards!

All those who weigh in on the best children's books are currently at the mid-winter American Library Association conference in Seattle, and once again, they will be doing a live webcast as they announce the winners. I watched last year and enjoyed it immensely. It's like watching the Oscars when you actually know some of the stars (and without the great dresses). So fun! You can watch it LIVE at 10:45am est (7:45am in Seattle) HERE.

Haley and the Big Blast!

     Hi Y'all! I have BIG news!
     HALEY AND THE BIG BLAST, written by A.E. Scotland and illustrated by Yours Truly for Amy Elise Press, has just been released!
     Haley is a young scientist with a lot of crazy ideas. Her constant experiments get her into all sorts of trouble. But, when all the windows at her school are mysteriously shattered, it's Haley's science experiment which proves how it occured.
     HALEY AND THE BIG BLAST is a fun chapter book for bright young minds, and best of all, a "Haley" doll is available for your budding young scientist.
     Haley would make a great Christmas present! Click on the images to visit the Amy Elise website.

"A Bird On Water Street" is outta here!

I sent my first novel to my agent today and I have the strangest emotions going on. I'm relieved, nervous, scared. I feel about 50 pounds lighter. I mean, this thing has been with me for four years. It was born as a picture book and demanded to be longer. Turned into a chapter book and got some really good feedback, but again the word was "make it longer." So, it turned into a novel. A real novel. Who knew I could do that? I bled all over the paper - there wasn't another thing I could have done for it. It's as good as I felt it could be. And now it's out there - my little baby - to be slashed and edited and rejected and god knows what else. I'm just raw. I'm one big open wound waiting for either a band-aid or salt. Could go either way. And yet, I'm excited, really, really excited. Like I said, strange emotions today.

e's news: November '06

I send out a newsletter about every other month. If you would like to sign up, click HERE. Here is my latest:


Hi Y'all!
Well, it's been a crazy and exciting Fall.
Here's what's coming up:

I've been invited to present
GLITTER GIRL AND THE CRAZY CHEESE
with the author, Frank Hollon, at the
Annual Author's Luncheon at
Mercer University next weekend.
Woowee!!

November 13th-19th is
CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK!

In honor, I have two events planned:
I will be the guest speaker for an online chat in the First
Children's Book Week Virtual Book Fair.
If you have any questions about illustrating for picture books,
come join us on
Tuesday, November 14th at 8:00 pm.
To learn more, click the logo:


Also!
I will read GLITTER GIRL AND THE CRAZY CHEESE
at my favorite independent bookstore

LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES
during the Evening Storytime,
Thursday, November 16th at 7:00 pm
Author Anne Ginkel will also be there to kick off her new book
I'VE GOT AN ELEPHANT
Come join us for a fun time!
Call (404) 373-6300 or
email atlantacaps@aol.com
for more information.

SHHHHH!!!
Along with working on
PACO AND THE GIANT CHILE PLANT
(Raven Tree Press, June 2008)

I have a new contract in the works.
I'll share the details as soon as they're confirmed.
Wippee!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's the new stuff,
here's a recap of the last two months!

I had a great time at the Decatur Book Festival
which turned out to be a bigger hit than anybody expected.
To read my summary of the event on my blog, click the logo:

I had several book signings in September:
at the Barnes & Noble Northpoint;
the Barnes & Noble Edgewood;
and the Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta
What a blast!


My logo design graced the
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Southern Breeze Fall Conference
in Birmingham a few weekends ago.
The SCBWI is the umbrella organization
that holds children's writers and illustrators together.
I was happy to give a talk about the "Nuts and Bolts" of this
business and do several portfolio reviews.
If you're an aspiring children's writer or illustrator,
look for the southeast region's Springmingle
event in Atlanta next March.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

START THINKING CHRISTMAS GIFTS!
As always, you can order
signed copies of my books through:

LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES
Call (404) 373-6300 or
email atlantacaps@aol.com for more information.

I'll be talking to media specialists and librarians
about doing School Visits at the upcoming
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR SALE
in Kennesaw this December
(more info on this soon).
You can learn more about inviting me
to your school at my WEBSITE.

For more information, additional events,
upcoming books and free coloring pages,
visit MY WEBSITE at
www.dulemba.com

Thanks Y'all!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Jack Prelutsky, Children's Poet Laureate

Very cool news today. Jack Prelutsky has been named the first ever Children's Poet Laureate. What a great thing!

Southern Breeze 15th Anniversay Logo

I was happy to hear that my logo design for the 15th Year Southern Breeze Anniversary was the winner and will soon adorn book bags to be sold at the Fall Conference in Birmingham. Most of all, I was glad to contribute something useful to my local branch of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) that has been so supportive to me.

"Queen Bea" receives honorable mention!

     I just heard that my picture book manuscript, "Queen Bea," won honorable mention in the SCBWI-Southern Breeze writing contest in the category "Illustrated Books for Children: including fictional picture books, easy readers, and poems." I'm thrilled, even more so because the judges didn't see my artwork, this was based solely on my writing. I've been drawing for so long, I can pretty much judge my art with an objective eye, but not my writing. This validation feels so good - I needed it!
     You've seen a piece of the interior art (IF - "Play" listed below), and having put the teaser out there, here is a sneak peak of my work-in-progress cover:

Glitter Girl at Barnes & Noble!!

     I'm so excited! This is almost as big as when my book was first published. For those who don't follow the children's book industry, there are so many hurdles it's ridiculous. Getting published is the biggest hurdle, of course. After that is the crazy adventure of distribution. While independent book stores (like my favorite, A Little Shop of Stories) are often big supporters of local author/illustrators, it's the big chains that can literally make or break a book. Unlike what you may think, they don't carry everything that gets published, far from it. They have buyers who choose books for their stores or regions who pretty much dictate what will be a successful book. So, to have your book carried by a major chain is a HUGE, BIG deal!
     You can imagine how happy I was to discover that "Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese" was prominently featured at a local Barnes & Noble (Perimeter Mall, Atlanta). Stan and I went up for lunch, and sure enough, there it was, on their main display wall! I spoke with the CRM (community relations manager) who asked me to sign all their copies and add "signed copy" stickers to the covers. We are scheduling a book signing for this Fall during a storytime event. Keep an eye out for my newsletter for more information!
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A Little Shop of Stories One Year Anniversary!

My favorite bookstore just celebrated its one year anniversary! I'm so happy for Diane, Dave, Terra and the whole crew. They got a fantastic write up in Publisher's Weekly. Stan and I attended their anniversary party and had a great time. They had a bluegrass band and a wonderful storyteller from August House Publishers, Rob Cleveland. A huge crowd showed up to celebrate what has become one of the favorite spots in town!

July - Illustrator of the Month!

Wippee! I've been named the July "Illustrator of the Month" at the childrensillustrators.com website! I pay to list my portfolio on this site, but not for this honor! I look forward to seeing what kind of feedback and exposure I get from this.
So happy . . .

e's news - testing

Oh, this is cool. I just sent out my latest newsletter today, announcing the release of GLITTER GIRL AND THE CRAZY CHEESE and listing book signings. I'm using a new newsletter company which I love: Your Mailing List Provider. It's inexpensive and gives me all the bells and whistles I want. You can sign up for my newsletter here.

Also, I recently downloaded Firefox. It functions much better than IE (which I use for some side-searching purposes). I mostly use Safari, but the Google Toolbar is not available for Safari, only Firefox. I've just downloaded it, and there's a cool button I was able to add which allows me to add posts to my blog through my browser. So, this is a test. Very cool.

Glitter Girl is HERE!!!

A book is born!! GLITTER GIRL AND THE CRAZY CHEESE is here!! I just got my box full of free copies today. Just gotta love it. I love the paper the designer at MacAdam/Cage chose, it just feels so GOOD! Wippee!!!

2006 Caldecott Winner: "The Hello Goodbye Window"

Illustrated by Chris Raschka, written by Norton Juster

Honor Books:
ROSA, illustrated by Bryan Collier
ZEN SHORTS, written and illustrated by Jon Muth
HOT AIR, by Marjorie Priceman
SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN DNA OTHER POND POEMS, illustrated by Beckie Prang

NEWBERY AWARD WINNER: CRISS CROSS by Lynne Rae Perkins

I watched the webcast announcements live from the ALA at www.ala.org. It was very cool. I predict this is going to be a hot thing to watch every year in the children's book world. They did a great job with it combining live video with a power point presentation showing each book and award. Very good!

THE PRINCE'S DIARY No. 1 on BookSense!!

Wow, wow, wow. THE PRINCE'S DIARY, my first picture book, has been named No. 1 on the 2006 Valentine's Day Top Ten picks by Book Sense in conjunction with the Association of American Publishers' (AAP). Needless to say, I am thrilled!

Publishers Weekly - Glitter Girl

Very cool blurb about GLITTER GIRL AND THE CRAZY CHEESE in the July 18, Publishers Weekly online magazine:

"Silly Salutations for the Season" (by Staff)
     As is our custom, we were on the lookout for books that for one reason or another caught our attention-and made us chuckle. In the spirit of fun, we announce the following awards.
     Book Most Likely to Make Kids Living South of Alaska Grateful for the Climate: Recess at 20 Below by Cindi Lou Aillaud (Graphic Arts Center/Alaska Northwest Books).
     Picture Book Most Likely to Encourage Youngsters to Gobble Down Lunch-Fast: Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese by Frank Hollon, illus. by Elizabeth Dulemba, in which the cheese in a sandwich springs to life and dashes out the door. (MacAdam/Cage)
. . . .

Obviously Glitter Girl made a very good showing at BEA.
Glitter Girl, with credits, is also listed under MacAdam/Cage in the July print edition of Publishers Weekly. Happiness!
Although I do have to mention, they hit printer problems and the entire children's catalogue is being held for a Spring release now. Hope the momentum keeps up until then!

The Prince's Diary

Woohoo! THE PRINCE'S DIARY is now available for pre-orders on Amazon. This is my first published picture book, so I'm pretty excited about it. I've created computer wallpaper which is available at my downloads page. Now the promotional side begins. This is where my graphic design background kicks in. That's fun too.

The Caldecotts are here!

Woohoo! They've arrived! Unfortunately, the shipping delay was not caused by stickers, as my Picture Books arrived sans stickers. I'll review the Newbery Winner, KIRA-KIRA by Cynthia Kadohata, as soon as I've read it. Picture Books are such little flashes of joy - they go by too fast. Here are my thoughts on the Caldecotts:

The Winner:


KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON by Kevin Henkes
Unbelievably simple. That's the first thing that hit me. And I don't just mean the black and white illustrations, which look like they must have been drawn much smaller and enlarged to create such rich line quality. Even the paper is dull and uncoated, almost like a thick newsprint. But the story itself, is so simple, and yet there is tons of action. The kitten draws amusing conclusions. It's just smart enough I can imagine a child interrupting, "It's a reflection!"
Did it deserve to be the Caldecott winner? I don't know. I think I'm surprised it made it onto the radar. But once noticed, I think this book has a strong impact.

The Honor Books:


THE RED BOOK by Barbara Lehman
What a beautiful book. It is very tactlie, with it's solid red high gloss cover. The child in the corner is embossed, but not glossy. It's immediately a very rich feeling experience. There are no words in the story, and you won't miss them. The images are mysterious, but clear, and the story is easy to understand - even with it being so fantastic. The illustrations themselves are very simple, a fitting evolution from KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON. The line quality is strong and the details sparse and geometric. I might have liked to see a bit more color on the faces of the children, but overall this is a wonderful book.


Coming On Home Soon
by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
One of the few Caldecott's awarded to a book written and illustrated by two different people – this book confuses me. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolors done the way one expects superb watercolors to look. The story is quiet and rich. What confuses me is the old feeling of the book. The story is obviously set in the first half of the 20th century. It is a memory, and something most of today's children will not relate to. With the push in the publishing world for something new and different, I'm surprised this book even exists. Don't get me wrong, it is beautifully done. It just seems a completely different direction from what the publishing world says they want, and what marketing says will sell. It could have been produced 30 years ago as easily as today. It will sit on my bookshelf screaming of age that it does not have.


KNUFFLE BUNNY by Mo Willems
I am converted. I didn't realize this was by Mo Willems when I ordered DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! today. I am a new fan. Where COMING ON HOME SOON feels old, KNUFFLE BUNNY feels new and vibrant. The art is a combination of halftone photography with flat color illustrations drawn in a scratchy pen and ink. The art is not well-drawn, but it is fun and lively and a joy. Character emotions are easy to read and right on the money. The story had me laughing out loud from about halfway through all the way to the end. It is about a common enough event, the loss of a favorite toy, told in the most amusing way. This one I highly recommend. Frankly, if I were voting, this would have been my pick for the Caldecott.

Caldecott/Newbery winners announced

It's so exciting to see what they choose every year. This year's winners are (drum roll please):
Newbery: KIRA-KIRA by Cynthia Kadohata
Caldecott: KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON by Kevin Henkes
I've already ordered both from Amazon, along with the three Caldecott Honor books:
THE RED BOOK written and illustrated by Barbara Lehman
COMING ON HOME SOON illustrated by E.B. Lewis
KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE, written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

Once again, the majority of Caldecott winners both wrote and illustrated their books. Always an interesting observation.

The big announcement is a new award named for Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). The first winner will be announced in 2006. How wonderfully appropriate that is. ALA - American Library Association