I don’t recall why, but several years ago, I borrowed the first Harry Potter book on tape and started playing it in the car. It was my second experience with audio books, and it was life-changing. The narrator Jim Dale brought the book to life. Our whole family listened, including my daughter who, at the time, was too young to read the book herself; and my husband who would come home from work and spend some time catching up from where he had last left off. Continue reading “Why Audio Books Work”
On Writing
Carol advises and muses on writing and the writer’s life.
Reader Respect
In Roger Sale’s “Fairy Tales and After: From Snow White to E. B. White,” Sale discusses one difference between two groups of authors, namely pre-eighteenth-century writers of the fables we now read as fairy tales, and those authors who wrote after childhood became a firmly entrenched concept. Continue reading “Reader Respect”
Burt Award for Caribbean Literature Now Open for Submissions
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Now in its fifth year, the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature recognizes up to three English-language literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by Caribbean authors.
CaribbeanReads has had the pleasure of publishing two Burt Award winners, 2nd place winner in 2014 Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse and 3rd place winner in 2016 The Protectors’ Pledge by Danielle Y. C. McClean.
This year, the winning title will be awarded $10,000 CDN, and two finalists will be awarded $2,000 CDN each.
Publishers of winning titles will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of up to 2,500 copies, which will be donated to schools, libraries, and literacy organizations throughout the region. To date, more than 22,000 copies of winning books have made their way into the hands of Caribbean youth.
Published books, previously self-published books, and unpublished manuscripts are eligible for the award. Eligible books and unpublished manuscripts may be submitted to the Bocas Lit Fest by publishers registered and operating in the Caribbean. Unpublished manuscripts or previously self-published books may be submitted by authors directly to the Bocas Lit Fest.
Books published between 1 November 2016 and 31 October 2017 and eligible manuscripts must be received at the office of the Bocas Lit Fest by 31 October 2017.
See attached for the official 2018 guidelines and entry form. More information at http://www.bocaslitfest.com/2018/burt-award/
Barberry Hill Launch
I’m launching my latest YA novel, Barberry Hill
at the TDC Mall St. Kitts this Saturday at 3 pm. So excited!
Reading Out Loud
This photo was taken in 2013 and it still amazes me how much my daughter has grown in that time. She is still an avid reader–both of my children are–and we still share our joy of reading. Nowadays, we discuss books we’ve read and recommend them to one another. I love this interaction, I love when they finish a book and say ‘Mommy, you have to read this book,’ and I attribute much of that to the fact that we read as a family way beyond the time when the children were able to read for themselves. Continue reading “Reading Out Loud”
Audio books
There is more than one way to skin a cat…or so I’ve been told. Similarly (or maybe not) encouraging your children to develop a lifelong love of reading involves a variety of approaches and audio books can be an important addition to your bag of tricks. Continue reading “Audio books”
Do You Need an Editor?
This morning I read a book review in which the reviewer’s writing was so careless and error-ridden that I questioned her credibility in critiquing someone else’s work. I stopped reading by the third paragraph and thought, she really should have hired an editor. Continue reading “Do You Need an Editor?”
The Matter at the Front
So your book is finished–edited, chapters laid out, ready to go to the printers. Then you get the estimate–major sticker shock. You may be tempted to cut cost by reducing the number of pages in your book. Continue reading “The Matter at the Front”
Picture Book Illustrations
There are a few illustrators that I’ve used repeatedly and there is a good reason for that. These are illustrators who deliver excellent work that meets the requested specifications and is delivered in the time frame promised. Continue reading “Picture Book Illustrations”
Taking Caribbean Stories to the Stars!
I’m really looking forward to attending WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest in NYC this weekend. I just read an article by Kellie Magnus, my co-panelist and I loved the quote “Caribbean stories deserve a place in the multi-billion dollar children’s book market.” Join us at CUNY this weekend.