Critique from SIX Superstars! #KidLitForHaiti

Elaine, Penny, Will, Sally, Kim (sadly, Jerilyn is not in this photo)

KID LIT FOR HAITI:  This auction is for a critique of the first ten pages of your manuscript (PB, MG, or YA) from both of my critiquing groups. That means you will receive feedback from a total of six people!

This auction: is for a pass to my critiquing partners—feedback from me and five others. Each of us come armed with a super-power—creativity, voice, plot, structure, grammar—you’ll get it all! You will submit the first ten pages of your manuscript (or one picture book manuscript). You’ll submit via email in Times Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, one inch margins. After you submit you will receive your six critiques within a month— six critiques! Get the feedback you need to gain insight in your work and take your craft to the next level. 

Who are my fabulous critiquing partners?

Elaine Pease is the award-winning author of four books. Her website can be found at www.peasepodbooks.com One of my favorite titles by Elaine is Tallie's’sChristmas Lights Surpise, A HolidayWhodunit! It’s a picture book with a clever mystery to solve! Elaine spends weeks on the road making school visits—she really has her finger on the pulse of what’s going on in classrooms. Her award-winning historical fiction middle grade GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK is currently a finalist in the Youth One Book, One Denver 2015 program (and if you're familar with GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK and would like to vote for it click here ).

Will Limón  has been published by Harper Collins. He is the founder of Will Limón's Plot Chart as well as the workshop Will Limón's Making Scenes Come Alive. If your plot or scene has a hole, Will can certainly identify and point it; he’ll steer you in the right direction. Will’s writing has received recognition—not only is he published in the adult market, his YA work-in-progess received honorable mention (2^nd place) in a regional SCBWI scholarship award.  (P.S.  In addition to Will’s ingenuity and understanding of scene construction, Will is my go-to guy for grammar advice!).

Sally Spear is probably the most creative person I know—I swear wizards speak to her! Sally is the master of the picture book, but when we bring YA and Middle Grade novels to the critiquing group, Sally provides incredible feedback and insight from a completely unique angle. She has the keen ability to spot voice drops and narrator intrusion. My manuscripts always launch in a better direction after critiques from Sally.   

Penny Berman is both a kid lit writer as well as a screenwriter. She studied screenwriting at UCLA and currently has a project receiving a lot of interest in Hollywood (where everything is currently hush-hush, but I can brag that BIG names are involved). Penny is also in the final draft of one of the coolest middle grade novels you’ll ever read.  If you want your manuscript to scream with voice Voice VOICE, then Penny is your go-to gal.

Jerilyn Patterson is another master of voice and also an expert at turning a scene. And that’s not just my opinion, Jerilyn won recognition by being the first place winner of The Vicki Ferguson Memorial Scholarship where she entered the first ten pages of her manuscript and won free tuition to a regional SCBWI conference. Jerilyn is so amazing at writing and critiquing because she spends a lot of time studying craft—one of her favorite books is called SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack Bickham. She will use her creative skills and wealth of knowledge to provide you with the best feedback possible.

And Me (Kim Tomsic) I’ll critique my butt-off for you!

How do I bid?

Place your bid in the comment section by increasing the previous bid. Please include information about how I may contact you if you are the winning bidder; I can be reached for questions in the comment section here or at  ktomsic@gmail.com .

When does this auction close?

**This Auction will close on December 16, 2014** Bidding closes at 11:59pm MST This auction item has closed. Thank you!!

Whatother items are available in the Kid Lit For Haiti auction?

Click here to find out

What happens if I win?

I will contact the winning bidder (remember to provide your contact information!). You will make your donation at this donation link and then you will email a copy of your receipt to ktomsic@gmail.com . Then we will begin the process !

How do I know when new auction items are posted to this blog:

You can receive emails when new auction items are listed. Simply enter your email address in the upper left corner of this blog where it says "Follow by email". You will only receive an email when a new post is created on this blog.

Children's Book Festival

The first annual BOULDER CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL benefitting the “I Have A Dream Foundation” will be held at Barnes & Noble, 2999 Pearl Street, in Boulder on Saturday, August

17, from 1- 4 p.m.  Colorado authors and illustrators will read from just released and recent titles, sign books, and teach fun book-related crafts, writing exercises and provide curriculum-based information for teachers and librarians. Exciting give-aways and drawings throughout the afternoon. Children from toddlers to teens, parents, teachers and librarians are invited to meet and interact with some of the most talented authors and illustrators in Colorado.

The following authors and illustrators will share their picture books, middle grade and young adult fiction:

Leslie Ann Clark

Lindsay Eland

Ingrid Law

Kerry Lee MacLean

Claudia Mills

Cathy Morrison

Nancy Oswald

Elaine Pease

Kathleen Pelley

Phyllis Perry 

Pat Postek

Natasha Wing

*Leslie Ann Clark, Ingrid Law, Kerry Lee MacLean, Elaine Pease and Phyllis Perry are all from Boulder County.

This event is free.

For more information contact Jeff Oliver at Barnes & Noble, 303-444-0845.

1 – 2:30

Phyllis Perry - Colorado History using: A Kid’s Look at Colorado, Bold Women in Colorado History, Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Colorado History

Lindsay Eland – Reading and signing A Summer of Sundays.

Elaine Pease – Art project – Creating a sea urchin from Even Sharks Need Friends

Ingrid Law - a short reading, with Q&A, as well as a door prize and a drawing for teachers, offering a free 30-60 minute session in their classroom.

Leslie Clark – Art activity

Natasha Wing – Art Activities

Pat Postek – Signing and Reading

2:30 – 4

Kathleen Pelly – Reading

Phyllis Perry - Panda's Earthquake Escape - Teach a few

Chinese words

Lindsay Eland – Reading and signing A Summer of Sundays.

Elaine Pease – Reading from Ghost Over Boulder Creek

Claudia Mills – Reading with a signing to follow.

A Holiday Whodunit!

Tallie’s Christmas Lights Surprise! Author Elaine Pease and illustrator Anna Maria Crum  have created the perfect picture book for kids who like to solve mysteries. It’s a Holiday Who-Done-It that will keep the best gumshoes on their toes until the crafty and clever end.  Parents, grandparents, and teachers will have fun sharing this story with kids. See if you can solve the mystery around who stole Tallie’s Christmas lights!

Jacketflap:

A holiday whodunit for kids, this story solves the mystery of who stole Tallie's sparkly-special, twinkling, candy-cane Christmas lights. Was it the mailman, a snake, or her slobbery pup Fuego? To find out who swiped her lights, Tallie first dons her spy gear, which includes her ski hat, pink sunglasses, magnifying glass, and spy blanket. After sneaking by Mom for a Christmas cookie-for a little extra spy energy, of course-and examining footprints in the snow, Tallie sets the trap. Then she waits, and she waits some more. When the thief comes for her new playhouse decorations, he's in for a surprise. As she and Fuego chase the thief through the snow, they quickly learn that he has great decorating taste, which Tallie cannot bear to ruin. Instead, she gets a super spy idea and trades him a more suitable decoration to get her glowing candy canes back. With every clue revealed through radiant illustrations, Tallie and her sparkly-special lights are sure to steal every reader's attention. Let's just hope Tallie keeps her spy gear handy! Elaine Pease is a full-time author who has written several children's books. She also enjoys teaching writing workshops in her spare time. Pease received first place in the 2011 EVVY Awards for Juvenile Fiction and won a National Writers Association award for one of her short stories. Anna-Maria L. Crum is an illustrator, freelance writer, and designer. Born in Pasadena, California, she is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Picture Book Artists Association board member. She has twice been named a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards.

About the Author

ELAINE PEASE is a full-time author and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She received first place in the 2011 EVVY Awards for Juvenile Fiction and won a National Writers Association award for one of her short stories.

ANNA-MARIA L. CRUM is an illustrator, freelance writer, and designer with a long list of credits to her name. A Picture Book Artists Association board member, she has twice been named a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards.

·          Hardcover: 32 pages

·         Publisher: Pelican Publishing (September 15, 2012)

·         Language: English

·         ISBN-10: 1455615862

·         ISBN-13: 978-1455615865