Five Rascally Raccoons - Coming soon!

 My daughter and I have teamed up to create a fun counting book featuring adorable raccoons.  Yes, I said adorable and raccoons in the same sentence!  They may be well known as trash pandas, but they really are quite cute and funny, and their antics are enjoyed by kids.

This book is written to be sung to the tune of "Five Green and Speckled Frogs".  Instead of eating the same ole item each time, we shook it up and included different favorite foods of the rascally raccoons, so kids get to learn a bit while they sing! 

Speaking of which, further the learning with a color/cut/paste raccoon included at the end of the book!  Play is an important part of learning and growing.

We plan to release the book soon, so keep an eye out!  It will be a loved addition to your children's book collection! 

Check Out Local Author Events

 

Attention authors!  If you have not done so yet, take a look into local author events in your community or state.  There are so many benefits!

Networking Opportunities:

Libraries often attract a diverse audience, including fellow authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts. Attending such events provides authors with the chance to network and build relationships within the local writing community.

Exposure and Visibility:

Author events at libraries offer a platform for authors to showcase their work to a potentially new and engaged audience. This exposure can lead to increased visibility for the author and their books.

Reader Interaction:

Authors get the opportunity to interact directly with readers, answer questions, and receive feedback. This direct engagement can be invaluable for authors seeking to understand their audience better and tailor their future works accordingly.

Book Sales and Promotion:

Libraries often provide a platform for authors to sell their books during events. This can be a direct source of income for authors, and it also serves as a promotional opportunity to increase book sales beyond the event.

Education and Inspiration:

Author events at libraries often include discussions, readings, and Q&A sessions. Authors can share insights into their writing process, offer advice to aspiring writers, and inspire others to pursue their creative endeavors.

Library Support:

Building a relationship with local libraries can lead to additional support for an author's work. Libraries may choose to stock an author's books, feature them in newsletters, or invite them for future events.

Professional Development:

Attending author events allows writers to stay informed about industry trends, marketing strategies, and the publishing landscape. Workshops and panel discussions at these events can provide valuable insights for authors looking to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Promotion of Literacy:

Supporting library events contributes to the promotion of literacy and the importance of reading. By participating, authors actively contribute to the cultural and educational mission of libraries and will help little ones to get hooked on books.

Convinced yet?  Attending local author events at libraries is a multifaceted opportunity that extends beyond mere book promotion. It's a chance for authors to connect with their audience, fellow writers, and the literary community while gaining exposure and support for their work.  

Take a look online.  Try Googling the words “local author event” with your state or community name.   Do the same in Facebook or on other social media platforms.  There is usually a short application.  In general, many libraries will give preference to authors in their own community, but will usually consider others from their state.  It can’t hurt to give it a try!

Time to book vendor events

I just booked my firast vendor event of 2024 and it has given me the craft show bug!  I am ready to book more. If you are a new author, it is a great way to get your feet wet - get out there in the public and start to talk about your books with adults and kids.

I find vendor events on Facebook by searching on my town name and the term vendor.  You can also look through a list of upcoming events in your area.  Note any regu;ar events and check out their webpages for vendor infomation.  Some are way too expensive for my blood, but the events come in all price ranges.  

Check them out  It is another great way to get the word out there about your books!

We need to be more like the contestants on the Great British Baking Show

Introductory caveat:  I have had friends and family members this past year who have purchased books, sent me private messages of support, shared stories of sharing the books, showed me pictures of their little ones with the books, spread the word with their friends and family and shared my posts and it means so much!   Thank you seems too simple a phrase. Their honesty and support are treasures.

As I was fiddling with my blog layout, which includes scrolling through my titles in Amazon, I noticed there were stars next to some new titles.  You see, Amazon KDP doesn’t let you know when your titles have new reviews or stars.  In any case, IT MADE MY DAY!  It’s taken over a year, but people are starting to add comments to my titles, and it warms my heart.

Back when I published my first title, I asked friends to review books for me.  I’d send them the pdf files for free.  I really was looking for any feedback whatsoever.  *crickets*   A few friends did offer to review the book I wrote about my grandfather, but nothing was ever posted online.  You would think a librarian with a lot of librarian and teacher friends would know people who would give feedback on children’s picture books, but no.  Nothing.  Zilch.  *sigh*  Thinking about this sent my mind racing down a rabbit hole until I came to the conclusion that we need to be more like the contestants on the Great British Baking Show – or Great British Bake Off anywhere outside of America.

Have you watched that show?   My daughter got me onto it years ago.   We’d admire Noel’s sweaters and wonder where to get them.  We do have many baking shows in the US, and I do watch some of them, but they are so much more cutthroat than GBBS.  GBBS has a lovely soundtrack of uplifting happy music, the hosts get involved with each contestant and the contestants themselves actually help each other.  Like really help each other. Someone yells help, they can’t get their cake out of their pan and others come to help.  One is struggling to finish before time is called and others come to their station asking what they can do. It is the same for the junior version of the show – in fact the kids actually jump in before being asked to help!  I love it – everyone just supporting each other and being genuinely happy for each other when they have a success.

It doesn’t take much to help someone who is starting a new business or venture, and it doesn’t have to cost a thing.  If the books aren’t your thing, offer to share a post or two on your social media pages.   If you do read the book (or try whatever it is they are making/selling), then give honest feedback.  Constructive criticism can really help!  You may feel like you’re being mean if you have negative feelings, but you aren’t!  You are helping your friend refine their items.   For example, it never dawned on me that the subtitle “A Bingo Book” could be confusing to people until a stranger at a market mentioned they thought it was the game, not the song.  That helped me so much!  With a that little bit of information I could change my advertising a bit to help present my books in a more understandable way.

It would be awesome of we could regularly uplift others.  If we see our friend decked to the nines, instead of being jealous, let them know they look wonderful!  If someone we know succeeds or gets an award, acknowledge it!  You hear someone at work handle a tough interchange really well, let them know. And if someone you know is beginning a new business, take an interest and see what you can do to help:

• Engage with their posts online
• Give them a shoutout
• Share their posts
• Tell a friend about them
• Write a review

Submitting Books to Publishers

 Today was "free submission day" at Rocket Bird Books, a UK publisher based in London.  I debated for about 30 seconds and then went to work getting the allotted three works ready.   30 seconds?  Maybe 20.

I wanted to send pdfs which show the illustrations and layout ideas, but that isn't my area of expertise.  Besides, they had a 10MB limit per file and no matter what I tried, I could not get the pdfs below 20MB, so I prepared plain old Word documents.   I haven't submitted any works in a very long time, and I was preparing the items while getting ready to head out with my husband; not really an ideal work time.  The noticed popped up today in my feed, otherwise I would have been working on this for days in preparation!

I really have very little hope of anything coming of this, but it never hurts to give it a good try!  I think of it as getting my feet wet.  It would be absolutely wonderful to have a publisher interested in my books and ideas, but I'm realistic - there are so many great authors out there with awesome ideas.  The competition is tough!

Keep trying!

What happens to your books when you die?

 

What happens to your books when you die?  Have you considered that yet?  This was a question posed to me by a friend and I fully admit, I hadn't even given it a thought, but as is with anything you own, if you don't specify a benefactor, then the rights to your books will go to your estate to be forgotten or fought over.

Now really, at this point in time the rights to my books really wouldn't be a whole lot to fight over; at least that is what I think.  But who knows years from now. 

From the passing of my elders, I have learned some tough lessons.  #1.  No one warns you about the paperwork.   If there is not a paper trail, be ready for hefty fees and long, drawn-out legal proceedings.  Nothing was really difficult, especially with the help of a lawyer, but it did take a long time.  

To avoid any issues, I strongly suggest that you consult with a lawyer and get it down exactly what you want done with your intellectual property when you pass away.  Do you want to give the copyright to your children or a foundation?  Do you want things divided up?   Make those decisions now.

Here is a nice, concise read with some great information: What Happens to Intellectual Property When Someone Dies?

Welcome to my new Facebook Author Page

 Alright, I am attempting a Facebook page.  Please come and take a look!  

https://www.facebook.com/cassie.veselovsky.writes

I am open to any suggestions and constructive criticism!  I haven't thought much about my social presence on Facebook.  I have had a personal page, but like to keep it that way.  Everyone needs a place to be themselves.   So I thought I should try to create an author presence.  Don't know what I am doing and am hoping it is coming off as ok!  Again, please take a look and let me know what you think! 

Cat Storytime and Cat Headband Crafts

 

Print a copy here:  https://www.canva.com/design/DAF48pd_e5E/vxy2QdESqa5u4ksPM8ee3w/view?utm_content=DAF48pd_e5E&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

I decided to attempt to create a printable cat headband to go along with an upcoming cat storytime, and here it is!   This is a test post.  I haven't shared anything via canva before, so I want to see if it works before I do more.  If you're able to access it, please let me know!  Thanks!