The birds and the beasts were there - well, mostly chickens, sheep, and cows.
All the children in our school district had the day off on Friday for "Fair Day." We live in a rural area and so many children raise animals to show at the fair that they give everyone the day off. So we went. It was fun to show Brendan what a county fair is like in America (or at least in Texas), since we'd been to a few in England.
In England, even in the middle of July, it can be blustery cold. You park in a sheep paddock and walk around the hedge rows to get to each section of the fair. They had lots of blow-up slides, some cheesy rides and midway games. They show small animals like chickens and rabbits and sell home-baked goods, have clay pidgeon shoots and sheep-hearding demos. Not bad. The most disappointing thing is the food. They roll up in snack wagons and sell burgers and dogs and not much else.
In comparison, the county fair in Texas had more and bigger stuff. They had lots more large animals. They showed and judged and gave awards for the kids that raised them. Some kids go to college off the money they win on prize-winning steer and sheep. There was a petting barn in which we touched chicks, piglets, calves, and lambs. There were the homemade goods, both baked and handmade things like quilts that were judged. The high school bands were going wild. The midway was huge with many more rides and games. And the food! Glorious fair food! We didn't sample any because it was too hot to eat, but it was all there - funnel cakes, sausage on a stick, turkey legs, kettle corn, big sour pickles and so much more. Plus each night they put on a rodeo with barrel racing, calf roping and bull-riding, and live concerts. We didn't stay for the night activities, but I still want to see some bull-riding.
We'll have to go back next year. We made some rooky mistakes going too early. Next year, we'll stay late, go hungry and enjoy the nightlife.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Saturday, 22 September 2007
Critique Groups
I have just returned from my first meeting with the San Antonio chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and I am PUMPED! This group is so accomplished. I thought I was a big-shot being a finalist in this book contest, but one lady had just come back from the Ukraine where she shared her published book with school-kids there because her book is set there. Another has just had her second book published and is having a book signing in October. The leader of the group is a full-time jewelery-maker and write articles for Beads magazine. On, and on, and on...
This is good. It lets me see that there are people in my immediate surroundings who are making it as writers and illustrators, and inspires me to keep trying. I've signed up to be in a critique group that meets once a month, so I must produce!
We had a critique session at the meeting today, and got such good feedback, that I've good new ideas and a new direction to take Dillon and Blue that will make it more marketable, I'm sure of it! I had gotten bogged down and disappointed with the rejection letters.
Writing and illustrating can be lonely pursuits. Everything I've read says not to show rough drafts to family and friends because they'll be too kind, and immediately like it. Now I have an objective group of peers to share my ideas with, and it gives me new energy. I even met a women from Puerto Rico whom I might collaborate with on an idea that I've stored away for a year or two. She could be invaluable at filling in Hispanic traditions and cultures that I don't even pretend to know enough to write about, but would like to include in the story.
Refreshing. New vitality. I can't wait to get started!
This is good. It lets me see that there are people in my immediate surroundings who are making it as writers and illustrators, and inspires me to keep trying. I've signed up to be in a critique group that meets once a month, so I must produce!
We had a critique session at the meeting today, and got such good feedback, that I've good new ideas and a new direction to take Dillon and Blue that will make it more marketable, I'm sure of it! I had gotten bogged down and disappointed with the rejection letters.
Writing and illustrating can be lonely pursuits. Everything I've read says not to show rough drafts to family and friends because they'll be too kind, and immediately like it. Now I have an objective group of peers to share my ideas with, and it gives me new energy. I even met a women from Puerto Rico whom I might collaborate with on an idea that I've stored away for a year or two. She could be invaluable at filling in Hispanic traditions and cultures that I don't even pretend to know enough to write about, but would like to include in the story.
Refreshing. New vitality. I can't wait to get started!
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Vote for Jack!
My picture book, A Pumpkin Named Jack, is a finalist in the nationwide 3rd Annual ABC’s Children’s Picture Book Competition. The winner is chosen by internet vote. You can help me win!
Please go to http://www.abcbookcompetition.org/ between September 16 and midnight of September 30 and vote. You can vote up to ten times from the same IP address, once per day. If you have a website or blog, add the link and instructions to vote for A Pumpkin Named Jack by Beth Cooper. Or, if you know a Kindergarten, First or Second-grade teacher or Elementary School librarian, please ask them to spread the word to their students and parents. The winner will be announced on October 8.
On the website, you will find each finalist’s story accompanied by a piece of sample artwork done by a chosen artist. In this case, I am both author and illustrator of A Pumpkin Named Jack. Scroll to the bottom of the story, click “Vote,” and follow the instructions.
This is a real opportunity for me as an unpublished author. According to The Book Connection, which sponsors the contest, only three of 12,000 manuscripts sent to publishing companies are ever published. The winner of the competition will receive a royalty contract and 1000 books to sell. If I win, I will happily come to your school or library to present the published story and sign copies.
On the website, you will find each finalist’s story accompanied by a piece of sample artwork done by a chosen artist. In this case, I am both author and illustrator of A Pumpkin Named Jack. Scroll to the bottom of the story, click “Vote,” and follow the instructions.
This is a real opportunity for me as an unpublished author. According to The Book Connection, which sponsors the contest, only three of 12,000 manuscripts sent to publishing companies are ever published. The winner of the competition will receive a royalty contract and 1000 books to sell. If I win, I will happily come to your school or library to present the published story and sign copies.
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