Pam Webb
a writer's journey as a reader
Archive for the category “reflections”
A Birthday Reflection or What Happens When a Picture Book Debuts During a Pandemic?
One year ago on April 7th, Someday We Will debuted ready to greet the world with its message of the joy that comes with anticipating a visit with those we love, especially visits with grandparents.
As the book popped out ready to make the rounds of library story hour, school visits, bookstore events, the world closed its doors. Visits of any kind became questionable. One year later visits are still questionable and promotional visits are simply not happening, at least not yet in person.
So–how does a new author promote a debut book when the traditional methods are not readily available?
Well, it takes a bit of creative flair for certain.
For one, since the local library was closed to gatherings, such as story hour (still is) and local schools were on in person hiatus until fall, and the local bookstore was closed to large events (still is,) I hosted a virtual launch party. If you missed it, I’ve decided to have a Relaunch Birthday Party. I must say it is easy to organize. Baking massive amounts of cupcakes has never been easier. Go ahead and click here and grab a cupcake and sign the guest book.
The next steps involved contacting as many publications as possible ranging from the local newspaper and magazines to AARP to my alumni newsletters. I contacted reviewers such as Susanna Leonard Hill. I received some decent promotional splash in that area.
I then moved on to creating a virtual story time on YouTube and discovered other individuals had done the same. Serendipity had its moments.
Social media continued with blog posts and learning Instagram.
Word of mouth, friends, giveaways–yes, all of that.
After a year of watching and waiting and checking and continuing to promote, today I am reflecting on how pleased I am that my debut is holding its own among the other splashier releases. I have received kind and glowing feedback on Goodreads and on Amazon and my publisher, Beaming Books provided support and encouragement along the way.
I remain hopeful of celebrating the transition of “Someday we will…” to the “Someday is here!” moment when all is safe again for visits with loved ones, and traveling is no longer cautionary.
I look forward to story times, and book signings. A book debut during tenuous times has taught me to be even more tenacious and persuasive and creative about sharing my book with others.
I think it’s a great little debut, and I hope you think so too.
Don’t forget to grab a cupcake on the way out.
Want a signed copy of the book? Easy. Contact me through my email: cricketmusings@gmail.com and let me know where you purchased your copy of Someday We Will and I will send you a signed bookplate.
Psst–did you sign my guest book?
Friday Film Finds:
At the end of the week I’m ready to kick back with a bowl of popcorn with a remote in hand.
As much as I need to read, there are times when settling back to watch a movie is the ticket to totally unwinding from the week’s stress.
I have discovered I have lost my interest in films that are steeped in human dramas—maybe it’s because I’m living my own. Big, raucous CGI flicks, like the Marvel world offers, are okay for mindless escapism. What I discovered that engages my interest most are nature documentaries. I subscribe to PBS mainly for their Nature program.
Our library carries an impressive array of DVD and Blu-Ray offerings, especially in nature shows. Browsing the stacks one day I discovered an amazing series:
From the library catalog description:
Narrated by David Tennant, this exhilarating adventure was filmed over four years and forty countries with help from camera-carrying birds, drones, paragliders and remote-countrol microflight planes. This wondrous aerial spectacle will make your spirits soar!
It is indeed exhilarating to be so up close to birds in flight and to witness behaviors not easily accessible by humans. The dedication and ingenuity of the film crew is certainly impressive.
As a Whovian, it was an added bonus listening to David Tennant’s Scottish-infused narration. I half expected the Tardis to be spied among the migrating flocks of geese.
Film Faves:
- Extras: the behind the scenes of how the series was filmed
- the gathering of the flamingos, acres and acres of the delicate pink birds was visually stunning
- murmurations—how starlings swarm and cavort in the sky
- penguins-it’s hard to go wrong with penguins
I suppose there is some therapeutic aspect to watching the life and times of animals, especially birds. There is wonder and appreciation for the natural world. The joy and satisfaction of knowing there is so much beauty and marvel in the world that is available with a click of the remote is indeed a welcome balm after a long, long week.
What is your animal of choice to watch?
Word Nerds: Contronyms
I was quite chuffed, having received quite a positive response from my Kangaroo Words post.
And there it was—another strange lexiconical usage of a word. You see “chuffed” (British slang) can mean one is pleased or displeased. It becomes its own antonym. These words are known as “contronyms.”
Here’s a list to get a better idea:
bolt – to secure; to run away
cleave – separate, adhere
clip – fasten, detach
custom- usual, special
dust – add fine particles, remove fine particles
enjoin – prescribe, prohibit
fast – quick, unmoving
fix – restore, castrate
garnish – enhance (e.g., food), curtail (e.g., wages)
give out – produce, stop production
handicap – advantage, disadvantage
left – remaining, departed from
mean – average, excellent (e.g., “plays a mean game”)
out – visible (e.g., stars), invisible (e.g., lights)
put out – extinguish, generate (e.g., something putting out light)
quite – rather, completely
ravel – tangle, disentangle
sanction – approve, boycott
screen – show, hide
table – propose (in the United Kingdom), set aside (in the United States)
unbending – rigid, relaxing
weather – withstand, wear away
Talk about shades of ambiguity! Then again it keeps people on their toes to pay closer attention to the context to better understand the content.
Pam Webb aka Cricket Muse
A writer's journey as a reader
Recent Award
Children’s Insider
Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators
Pam Webb 