From Beta Draft to Book Birthday...
It's been more than two years since Wednesday the whale first visited my inbox. I had recently joined a writing critique group that included a few rock-star kidlit authors, and was eager to read their submissions. One project begged to be read first—because the title evoked such an intriguingly impossible image!
The story was captivating. I could visualize each scene—imagine myself reading it to my (future) grandchildren. I was absolutely enthralled! It was hard to imagine then that the draft could possibly get any better. But of course it did.
It’s a long road from beta draft to book birthday, and when one of your critique partners embarks on that journey, you ride the highs and lows right along with them. I was ecstatic when I heard the news that Schwartz and Wade would be publishing WHALE (it’s a lot like finding out one of your best friends is expecting a child). And after a bit of a wait, tremendously relieved to learn that Wednesday’s lovely tale would be illustrated by the talented Richard Jones. It was an honor to be privy to those early sample sketches—and then later, to flip through the finished F&G.
Now the wait is almost over—this exquisite book will be available for purchase beginning May 22nd! But my dear friend, Troy, is offering a signed and personalized advanced copy here for one lucky winner!
The story was captivating. I could visualize each scene—imagine myself reading it to my (future) grandchildren. I was absolutely enthralled! It was hard to imagine then that the draft could possibly get any better. But of course it did.
It’s a long road from beta draft to book birthday, and when one of your critique partners embarks on that journey, you ride the highs and lows right along with them. I was ecstatic when I heard the news that Schwartz and Wade would be publishing WHALE (it’s a lot like finding out one of your best friends is expecting a child). And after a bit of a wait, tremendously relieved to learn that Wednesday’s lovely tale would be illustrated by the talented Richard Jones. It was an honor to be privy to those early sample sketches—and then later, to flip through the finished F&G.
Now the wait is almost over—this exquisite book will be available for purchase beginning May 22nd! But my dear friend, Troy, is offering a signed and personalized advanced copy here for one lucky winner!
About the book...
WHALE IN A FISHBOWL
|
A moving, poetic story about a whale in captivity who longs for the ocean . . . because whales don’t belong in fishbowls, do they?
Wednesday is a whale who lives in a fishbowl smack dab in the middle of a city–it’s the only home she’s ever known. Cars whizz around her and people hurry past; even the sun and moon circle above. But if she leaps high enough out of her bowl, Wednesday can see it: a calm bit of blue off in the distance. When a girl in a paisley dress tells Wednesday “You belong in the sea,” the whale starts to wonder, what is the sea? Readers will cheer–and get all choked up– when, one day, Wednesday leaps higher than ever before and sets in motion a breathtaking chain of events that will carry her to her rightful home. Touching, and ultimately uplifting, here is a story about a lonely creature longing to be free–and longing to find someone just like her. |
About the Author...
Troy Howell is an author and illustrator of children’s books. His middle grade novel, The Dragon of Cripple Creek (Abrams/Amulet), featuring the last dragon on earth whose life is endangered by a twenty-first century gold rush that's triggered by a 12-year-old girl, is an American Bookseller’s New Voices pick, an Accelerated Reader book, and was shortlisted for the Reading the West award. Lizbeth Lou Got a Rock in Her Shoe (Ripple Grove Press) and Whale in a Fishbowl (Schwartz & Wade), which has garnered four starred reviews, are two recent picture books he has authored. Among the many notable books and book jackets he’s illustrated is the bestselling Brian Jacques Redwall series.
|
Troy's books have won awards, starred reviews, and the like. But what matters most to him is work that touches the reader or viewer in some way, whether it’s wonder, a laugh, a new thought, a tear. Those are the best rewards. Visit him on the web at: troyhowelletc.com
|
About the Illustrator...
Richard Jones has over 20 years experience in creative arts, and has recently begun illustrating children's books. He is also the illustrator of Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Libby Walden, a reimagining of Aesop's fable. Visit him on the web at: paintedmouse.com
About the Giveaway...
Troy is offering one signed and personalized copy of WHALE IN A FISHBOWL! And because cupcakes are difficult to mail, I'm tossing in a festive pair of women's blue whale socks from my local indie, The Little Bookshop. The giveaway ends May 17 at 11:59 PM EST and is open to residents of the US and the UK. See details below to enter.
Good luck!
Good luck!
|
|
RSS Feed
