My book’s on #SCBWIBookStop! Here are three fun facts you may or may not have known: 1, 2, 3… Click the link in my bio/Go here to check out my page 👉 BIO
Fact One: My first published story “Marvin Composes a Tea” appeared in Highlights for Children in 1988. It received Author of the Month and went on to become the title-lead story for a Boyds Mills Press anthology. I thought I was off to a fine start. Never mind it took 32 years before my first picture book was published.
Classic Highlights
Fact Two: I still like to blow bubbles.
Bubbles are for all ages!
Fact Three: I nearly didn’t send out the manuscript to make the publisher rounds. I brushed it off it sitting in my “working on” file for almost ten years. My writing group convinced me to polish it up and send out. I’m glad I listened to their encouraging words.
With libraries and bookstores barely on the open side, you may not have had the opportunity to properly meet my debut picture book, Someday We Will.
written by Pam Webb illustrated by Wendy Leach
The book’s focus is building the anticipation of grandparents and grandchildren sharing activities when they visit together.
Swimming is a favorite activity
The idea for the book developed from my own anticipation list, for all the “someday” activities I would one day share with my own granddaughter.
There are so many fun activities to share together!Reading books together builds lovely memories
Reading books together is a favorite activity. Going to the library and selecting titles, suggesting favorite authors, or discovering new reads creates shared moments of lasting value.
Waiting, waiting for that special day to be together again
Being separated from loved ones is difficult, yet keeping that hope of being together again someday is important. That hope and anticipation of one day sharing good times together again is like keeping a bit of sunshine in our hearts on cloudy days.
Memories are sunshine for cloudy days
Although the book’s target audience is for grandparents and grandchildren, holding on to that “Someday” applies to anyone who anticipates being together with a loved one.
Thanks for stopping by!
If you are looking for a book that expresses how you look forward to being with someone, especially if you are a grandparent, I hope you will look up Someday We Will.
BOOK DETAILS TITLE: Someday We Will AUTHOR: Pam Webb ILLUSTRATOR: Wendy Leach PUBLISHER: Beaming Books, 2020 TOPICS: family, visits, multi-generational, anticipation AGES: K-3 FICTION: Hardcover
One month ago my debut picture book book,Someday We Will,launched out into the world–in the middle of a pandemic. Libraries are closed. Bookstores are closed. This makes readings and signings tough. I did manage a virtual book launch party, complete with a book giveaway.
The party was a hit.
Since that seventh day of April the book has received one professional view and two reader reviews. Content, perhaps am I, as Yoda might reflect. Somebody is reading Someday We Will. I am not sure what to expect in terms of getting reader attention, although I have attempted to nudge publicity by all sorts of reaching out. For those who are trying to garner your own “I published a book when the world shut down” attention, feel free to be inspired or perhaps encouraged by efforts.
To date I have contacted:
my library (they are wonderfully supportive)
the local newspaper and community magazines (nada yet)
set up my author page on the major social media book websites (decent response)
promoted on my blog (great response)
created a storytime video on YouTube(wait and see)
announced it through my school’s internet update page (very supportive)
reached out to NPR and AARP (creative hoping)
contacted my alumni magazines (Woo hoo! Got in!)
My publisher is doing their part. My launch team is doing their part. Publishing a book, a debut picture book, during a time when the world is in crisis is not easy.
Yet, I believe in my literary effort. It’s more than getting people to read the book. I know Someday We Will offers an incredible message of encouragement that goes beyond the story idea of grandparents and grandchildren looking forward to seeing each other for a family visit. Right now, we are all in a state of anticipation of what we will someday be able to do once again:
I have started a list—feel free to add to it:
Someday we will go to the grocery store without masks
Someday we will go to the park without worrying guilt for being outside
Someday we will go out to dinner AND a movie–in a theater
Somedaywe will hug those we haven’t seen for awhile without worry
Someday we can have teachers teach in the classroom again
And someday we will look at this time in our lives with wonder, awe, andeven some sadness and remorse, but someday it will be in the past.
It’s countdown time for Someday We Will, which debuts April 7th, 2020. Plans for the book launch at the library are understandably put on hold, as is a friendly backyard celebration of sorts. It’s fortunate social media is so readily available. And after an instructive morning of experiencing a crash course on Instagram, Tumbler, and YouTube, I have uploaded my promo trailer and I am hoping for kindness and uplifting encouragement.
The book’s original intent of describing that joyous anticipation of grandparents and grandchildren awaiting a visit together has taken on a different meaning. When I read the book now, I feel a resonance of hope, for hope can bridge the separation from loved ones. Someday We Will has become a message about how someday we will be reunited with our loved ones once again. My thanks again to Beaming Books, who believed in the manuscript and polished it into something so much more meaningful. I also appreciate Wendy Leach’s cheerful illustrations, which resonate with the goodtime feeling of being together.
My personal hope is that you and your loved ones are safe and well. I also pray that you hold on to the faith that we can focus on the positive, even through these through these uncertain times.
Amidst the current state of concerns arrived a day brightener:
Yes, a bit of celebration receiving a box of my debut picture book!
A happy moment holding my first published book
The premise of Someday We Will seems even more appropriate now. The anticipation of being together once again due to distance takes on different meaning.
In these times of uncertainty my prayer is that you and your family stay well and stay strong. Take care and celebrate being together in ways that bring you happiness.
Good news, especially unexpected good news that pops up in the email agenda, is very much welcome. And when it is a good news about my debut book’s first professional review—well, that news needs to be shared!
Last week my publisher emailed me Kirkus Reviews reception of Someday We Will. I was told I had to keep it on the quiet until January 21. The calendar now provides an all clear…
And here is what Kirkus has to say:
“While long-distance relationships can be a bit difficult to maintain even with the possibilities of today’s technology, this will surely encourage good strategic discussion to quell the impatience of waiting for the next welcoming stay at a grandparent’s home.Captures the eager anticipation of reunions with loving grandparents. (Picture book. 3-7).”
I shared this good news with our local children’s librarian and she congratulated me, mainly getting my book reviewed, commenting that many children’s books don’t get reviewed.
So-
Good news received and shared with you. I am hoping for more positive reviews.
The book’s publish date is April 7th—getting closer!
Pam Webb 