Keep on Truckin :)

Nothing really new to share. I got critiques back from YBR for a story I wrote called "Cut a Rug Doug." I am going to do some work on it and get it out to magazines. I still really don't feel it is hearty enough for a PB. I was thinking about getting it out to Ladybug or Fun for Kids... Maybe both. That is a goal for next week :)

I have not received the reply cards from BABYBUG to let me know that my poems got there yet, but I am keeping a keen eye on the mailbox. It feels good to get those cards and remind myself that I have my work out there.

I did get notice that I can register now for the conference in October, but I have to wait for some paychecks to come in so I can make that possible :) They said that there is a special class on Friday night, I am going to see if I can do that too. It would be nice :)

That's about it. Just going to Keep on Truckin!

New Inspiration!

I am feeling so very inspired right now. I have 2 poems being considered by SFC, 2 that are off at BabyBug magazine, an entry to both the writing and illustration contest for Wik'11, and I have 2 illustrations that will be published for SFC this fall. It has been a great summer.

I have also found a wonderful blog called Query Shark that has really got me on the right track as far as my Query letter goes (which was totally awful by the way lol).

I am plotting out the school year to make sure that I allot time for my writing and illustrating. That has been a struggle for me in the past. I have a full time teaching job and a special needs child, on top of being a foster parent the secretary for our foster parent association, and oh did I forget, I am a wife too!! Add all that to writing and illustrating and it is nearly enough to knock you over!

But not this year!! I have a plan, I have everything laid out! And though I know that sometimes the best laid plans go askew a plan is also the first step to making it all happen. I am moving closer to the life I want and the success tastes great!

Ready to go!

After several revisions, and tons of thought and work, my story "Hotdog dog" is ready to go out to publishers. I am making a list this week and going to get it out ASAP! I know that the start of the school year is crazy for me, so I wanted to get my submissions out before the year started. I am happy to say that I am very proud of it and I really think it is going to make it somewhere. Hopefully one of the editors on my list will agree and I can start off 2010 knowing that I have a book that is going to be published!! Wish me luck!! :)

Welcome to Stories by Shannon

Let me start by telling you a little about myself, I have been writing children's stories and poetry for several years. In February of this year I joined the SCBWI, which has offered a vast amount of information and given me some wonderful resources. Since then, I have joined three picture book critique groups. Two that are online and one in person.

I have a poem, Oodles of Poodles, that will be published in the December 2008 issue of Stories for Children Magazine and another poem, Mail, that will be in the February 2009 issue of Stories for Children.

My goal for this blog is to post ideas, inspirations, thoughts, achievements, and discoveries that cross my path as I continue to pursue my dream of being a children's book author. Questions, feedback, suggestions, and encouragement are all welcome.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Please use the links on the right hand side to see more about Stories by Shannon, or feel free to visit some of my favorite sites.