The New Year...

With the new year comes a new goal - a goal to edit and submit the manuscripts that I have been neglecting over most of the past year. I have already submitted one story and have two more that just need to be printed and mailed.
In November I attempted to write a 50000-word novel (Nano) and did not succeed. But I did find that I really wanted to finish a novel that I started writing several years ago. I read through the chapters I already had and the long timeline I wrote (so I wouldn't forget who all my characters were and how they were related to the main character.)
I would also like to continue editing my first complete novel. I did submit it once - but was rejected. Part of the problem was that I did not submit it to the right publisher. Although the guidelines said they accepted humour, I could not find any humourous novels in the books they have already published in that category.
The publisher I think would be perfect for this book is currently not accepting unsolicited manuscripts or queries. So I am watching patiently for an update on their site, while also looking for another publisher for this novel.

Updated my links

I have updated all the links at the side by removing the links that no longer work. I have also edited a few of my past posts, but not all of them.

If you would like to read one of my stories whose link is no longer available, just post a comment and I can post the story.

My story is out in Wee Ones!

This will be my last story published with Wee Ones; they will be closing at the end of the year. My first story was published in Wee Ones in July 2004. I want to thank the editor, Jennifer Reed for giving me the courage I needed to continue submitting my stories. I will miss Wee Ones.

Don't forget to stop by Wee Ones and read my story, Close To My Heart.

Thanks!

In April...

Earlier this month, I was sent an email from V.S. Grenier, editor of Stories For Children online magazine. She informed me that I won a "Granny Award" for my September 2007 story, Wind-Song. I'd like to say thank you to the Editorial Staff. :)

In their April issue, they will be announcing all the winners in the different categories. Congratulations to all the writers and illustrators receiving this award.

Happy New Year

Over the last few months I have had to put my writing on hold. Now that the holidays are over, I plan to get right back into writing. I'm also working on another course through ICL.

Hopefully I will get a chance to update my blog this week. I'll add the links to my stories from September, October and November. :)

As summer holidays come to an end...

I look forward to the month of September. In Stories For Children online magazine, my story Wind-Song will be available to read. It is a touching story about a young girl who remembers the day she had to say goodbye to her grandmother.

I also look forward to their October and November issues that will include my first article A Life Saving Plan and my story Matt's New Bike. This is a wonderful e-zine to share with your family and friends. :)

Wow, I missed almost all of July...

With the kids home for the summer holidays, I have not had much chance to get on the computer.

I know this is quite late, but my story The Mouse Catcher can be found in the July issue of Fandangle Magazine. It will be in the archives after today, so I will change the link at the side in August.

In August, look for my story The Fairy and The Frog to appear in Stories for Children.

A good month...

June is here, and with it comes good news. My story, Wind-song, has been accepted for the September 2007 issue of Stories For Children.

Wind-song was written with a special person in mind. Although it is fiction, the emotions are very real.

Now available online is the June issue of Stories for Children. This issue includes my middle reader short story, Lizzie's Lemonade Pops.

End of May...

Coming up in a few short days, my story, Lizzie's Lemonade Pops, will appear in the online children's magazine, Stories for Children. Please take a look at this great new ezine.

Spring is here?

I was almost fooled by Mother Nature into thinking that is was spring. The snow had melted with the rain's help, and the temperature was above zero degrees Celsius. But, as always, the colder temperatures returned with the company of a chilling wind. Soon more snow was covering the ground. Today, the 11th of April, it is cold and damp. The forecast calls for more snow. Definitely a practical joke by Mother Nature.

I am late in posting my story, Ginger Rose, Please Raise Your Hand in the April issue of Fandangle. This issue is full of great stories and articles for you and your children to sit down together and read.

I have a story, The Fairy and the Frog, that has been accepted for the August 2007 issue of Stories for Children. This is a newer ezine for children. Check out it's first issue!

Acceptances...

I have had a busy month with submitting my short stories. The editor of Fandangle Magazine had accepted my story, "Ginger Rose, Please Raise Your Hand," for her April 2007 issue.

I also received an acceptance from the editor of Wee Ones. She accepted my story, "Close to my Heart" for the Family issue, May/June 2008. It is a long wait, but well worth it. :)

Cecil Child's January Issue Online

My story, "Max and the Cottontails" can now be read at Cecil Child. Unfortunately, there will not be a print issue for this January/February issue. I was hoping for the print issue, but understand how busy things are around the holidays. There are lots of great articles in this issue, so don't forget to drop by and click on the magazine cover.

January 2007 Fandangle is out!

A big thanks to the editor of Fandangle, Nancy Cavanaugh, for a wonderful job on her magazine. Be sure to stop by Fandangle Magazine and read my story, "I Wish I Was a Snowflake" as well as all the other great stories, articles, poems and activities in the magazine.

Happy New Year!

January 2007 will be my first time for a story published in print. I am very excited about my story, "Max and the Cottontails" that is coming out in Cecil Child this month. The editor said she will send me a copy of the entire magazine.

I also have a story coming out this month in Fandangle, "I Wish I Was A Snowflake."

As soon as the new issues are online, I will post a link.

Wee Ones has opened up to submissions for 2008, so I better get busy writing. They now have a theme for each issue. :)

November Issue is out

The November issue of Fangangle Magazine is out. This is a great magazine filled with stories, articles, puzzles and crafts. You can read my story, "No Peanuts Allowed" at Fandangle Magazine.

Coming in November...

November is only a few short days away. I have a new story coming out in Fandangle Magazine, called "No Peanuts Allowed." I wrote this story because it's hard for children to understand how serious some allergies can be. It seems hard for some adults, too. There are a lot of children who enjoy eating peanut butter for lunch at school. But what about those children who have peanut allergies? Would you still try to sneak in a PB & J sandwich? No one would know, right? Anyways, what harm could one sandwich do? Erika learns that we have rules for a reason when the student with the allergy is exposed to some sticky peanut butter on a pencil. She understands the importance of following the 'no peanuts' rule and realizes it is not the new student's fault.

New for October

Although the weather isn't cooperating, October promises to be an exciting new month. I have two new stories online this month. The first one (rebus) is "Anna's Homemade Pizza." It is online for the month of October at Fandangle Magazine.

My second story, "It's a Dog!" is available online at StoryBox. This is a great new online story library created by the talented Kevin Scott Collier. Thanks so much to Kevin for all his great work!

The Tiny Mouse

In the quiet of the night
In the stillness of the house
Came a muted little scurrying
Of a tiny, subtle mouse.

In the weak light of the moon
A serene shadow did befall,
That scared the tiny mouse
As it chased him down the hall.

The soft purring of a cat
Made his little whiskers twitch
As he darted down the hallway -
Not knowing which way was which.

He hurried in great silence,
Scampering across the floor.
Quickly searching for an exit -
Needing to find a door.

As he skidded ‘round a corner
He saw a chance to hide.
Charging through the cat flap,
The tiny mouse ran off outside.

In Fandangle Magazine this month...

My poem, "Autumn Leaves" can be read in Fandangle Magazine this month (See link at the side.) Don't forget to check out "Ginger Rose, Stop, Drop and Roll" in Wee Ones Children's Magazine for September and October!