Debra Daugherty's Blog
April 29, 2025
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO GRANDPA'S BARN!
Book birth announcement: IT'S A PICTURE BOOK!
Debra Daugherty, author, and Victoria Marble, illustrator, are proud to announce the arrival of their latest picture book. Debra and Victoria are also the co-creators of The Memory Jar.
Name: Grandpa's Barn
Date of birth/Pub date: April 29, 2025, 12:00 AM
Place of birth/Publisher: Roan & Weatherford Publishing/Young Dragons.
Pages: 24
Size: 8.5" X 8.5" X 0.06"
Weight: 2.09 ounces
ISBN-10: 1633739155
ISBN-13: 9781633739154
Reading ages: 5-9 years
List Price: $10.99 Paperback
Grandpa's Barn is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
Synopsis: In GRANDPA’S BARN a curious child embarks on a sensory adventure, discovering the sights, sounds and wonders of farm life with Grandpa. Each stall holds a delightful surprise, leading to a heartwarming final discovery. A timeless tale of love, curiosity, and the joy of shared moments!
I dedicated Grandpa's Barn to my grandpa, Anton Reiser. As a child, I loved exploring his barn, playing in his hayloft, and finding surprises in the stalls, such as baby piglets and kittens.
I'm thankful to two amazing authors who read Grandpa's Barn in advance and wrote blurbs for the back cover, Alice McGinty and Lori Degman. Here is what they wrote:
“This engaging evocative story will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and smells of GRANDPA’S BARN as well as the warmth of his love.” Alice McGinty, author of BATHE THE CAT and A STORY FOR SMALL BEAR.
“Told with vivid sensory details and rich-toned illustrations, this sweet story of a girl, her grandpa, and their shared love of his barn will pull you in and warm your heart!” Lori Degman, author of LIKE A GIRL, COCK-A-DOODLE-OOPS! and TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS.
How you can help an author with their publication journey:
Buy their books.
Tell your family and friends about their books.
Ask your library to add their books on their shelves.
Write book reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Good Reads' websites.
Debra Daugherty, author, and Victoria Marble, illustrator, are proud to announce the arrival of their latest picture book. Debra and Victoria are also the co-creators of The Memory Jar.
Name: Grandpa's Barn
Date of birth/Pub date: April 29, 2025, 12:00 AM
Place of birth/Publisher: Roan & Weatherford Publishing/Young Dragons.
Pages: 24
Size: 8.5" X 8.5" X 0.06"
Weight: 2.09 ounces
ISBN-10: 1633739155
ISBN-13: 9781633739154
Reading ages: 5-9 years
List Price: $10.99 Paperback
Grandpa's Barn is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
Synopsis: In GRANDPA’S BARN a curious child embarks on a sensory adventure, discovering the sights, sounds and wonders of farm life with Grandpa. Each stall holds a delightful surprise, leading to a heartwarming final discovery. A timeless tale of love, curiosity, and the joy of shared moments!
I dedicated Grandpa's Barn to my grandpa, Anton Reiser. As a child, I loved exploring his barn, playing in his hayloft, and finding surprises in the stalls, such as baby piglets and kittens.
I'm thankful to two amazing authors who read Grandpa's Barn in advance and wrote blurbs for the back cover, Alice McGinty and Lori Degman. Here is what they wrote:
“This engaging evocative story will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and smells of GRANDPA’S BARN as well as the warmth of his love.” Alice McGinty, author of BATHE THE CAT and A STORY FOR SMALL BEAR.
“Told with vivid sensory details and rich-toned illustrations, this sweet story of a girl, her grandpa, and their shared love of his barn will pull you in and warm your heart!” Lori Degman, author of LIKE A GIRL, COCK-A-DOODLE-OOPS! and TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS.
How you can help an author with their publication journey:
Buy their books.
Tell your family and friends about their books.
Ask your library to add their books on their shelves.
Write book reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Good Reads' websites.
April 26, 2025
Grandpa's Barn
I'm excited to announce that my picture book story, Grandpa's Barn, beautifully illustrated by Victoria Marble, has an April 29, 2025, release date.
Publisher, Roan & Weatherford Publishing/Young Dragons Press.
Synopsis: In Grandpa's Barn a curious child embarks on a sensory adventure, discovering the sights, sounds and wonders of farm life with Grandpa. Each stall holds a delightful surprise, leading to a heartwarming final discovery. A timeless tale of love, curiosity, and the joy of shared moments!
I dedicated this book to my grandpa Anton Reiser. As a child, I loved exploring his barn.
Grandpa's Barn is available for pre-orders on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
Publisher, Roan & Weatherford Publishing/Young Dragons Press.
Synopsis: In Grandpa's Barn a curious child embarks on a sensory adventure, discovering the sights, sounds and wonders of farm life with Grandpa. Each stall holds a delightful surprise, leading to a heartwarming final discovery. A timeless tale of love, curiosity, and the joy of shared moments!
I dedicated this book to my grandpa Anton Reiser. As a child, I loved exploring his barn.
Grandpa's Barn is available for pre-orders on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
February 10, 2023
New PB publication!
I'm excited to announce that my picture book story, THE MEMORY JAR, beautifully illustrated by Victoria Marble, has an April 11, 2023 release date.
Publisher, Young Dragons Press.
Synopsis: Amelia's grammy has dementia. She’s forgotten the special events and people in her life, even Amelia. To jog Grammy’s memories, Amelia writes in a notebook all the stories Grammy told her over the years. She cuts out each story and places the papers in a jar. She hopes when Grammy reads the notes from the jar, she will remember the events, and perhaps remember her.
I dedicated this book to my Aunt Luella, who had Alzheimer's. She was a brilliant lady. It was difficult to watch as her memory faded.
THE MEMORY JAR will be available to pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
This book is dear to my heart. I'm excited to share it with the world.
Publisher, Young Dragons Press.
Synopsis: Amelia's grammy has dementia. She’s forgotten the special events and people in her life, even Amelia. To jog Grammy’s memories, Amelia writes in a notebook all the stories Grammy told her over the years. She cuts out each story and places the papers in a jar. She hopes when Grammy reads the notes from the jar, she will remember the events, and perhaps remember her.
I dedicated this book to my Aunt Luella, who had Alzheimer's. She was a brilliant lady. It was difficult to watch as her memory faded.
THE MEMORY JAR will be available to pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites.
This book is dear to my heart. I'm excited to share it with the world.
April 19, 2017
This is the Season to Bloom
April 19, 2017
April. Springtime. Warm weather. Rain. Flowers. This is the Season to Bloom, not just in nature, but in my writing. It's time I shed the winter blahs and get busy writing, editing and querying. My goal this year is to connect with an agent. Having an agent would free time for me to write, and that is what I want to do. It seems like I spend most of my days researching literary agencies and their agents, and then querying the ones interested in the genre I write.
I enjoy twitter pitch days, and #Kidlit and #TKA20 were on the same day, April 5th. I had a fave from each, and I sent my query letter and pages, only to meet with disappointment from both agents this week.
My writers group believe a rejection is good as it shows we are trying, we are putting ourselves out there. But they still aren't easy to take. I find hope in the fact that so many great authors met with several rejections before offered a contract. The most famous that comes to mind is J.K. Rowling, but even Margaret Mitchell had trouble getting GONE WITH THE WIND published. I'm in good company.
I find help, suggestions and great writing tips and advice in other authors' blogs and websites. I especially enjoy reading Janice Hardy's articles on revising in Fiction University. Sub It Club and Kidlit 411 are great sources for writing help and advice. And so is sharing with the writers in my critique group.
At first it was hard to listen to any negative comments about my writing, but I've learned to trust the members in my group. They do know what they are talking about, and when I take their advice, my writing improves.
Because I know how hard it is to receive criticism, I have a hard time giving it. I just tell myself, if it was me, I'd want to know if there was a problem in my writing that I could fix. My input is only to help, not to be hurtful.
I remember a story I wrote about a grandmother who couldn't hear. I thought it was funny, and my 5 year old nephew loved it and laughed every time I read it to him. I sent it out to several agents and publishers, with no luck. I then submitted it to Rate Your Story, a site where authors offer advice and criticism on the stories, including a rating from 1 to 10, with ten being the worse. I was shocked when I received a 9 rating, and told the grandmother in my story was mean. I never thought of her that way, but after some reflection, I realized that was how she sounded. I was embarrassed because I had sent this story out and probably alienated the agents who read it. They would probably never want to read another one of my manuscripts.
I had shared this story with my writers group,, yet no one said the grandmother was mean. Maybe they thought so, but didn't want to hurt my feelings. It's better my feelings be hurt in our small group than for me to foolishly submit it to agents and publishers as it was written. Someday I will re-examine this story and fix it, but even now I'm too embarrassed to read it.
I know that for my stories to bloom, I have to accept criticism and then revise. I guess criticism could be compared to the fertilizer applied to plants and flowers. It stinks, but in the end, it's the reason the flowers and plants grow and blossom.
This is the season to bloom. I plan to work on my writing and accept criticism as a gift. And then, oh, how my garden of words will grow!
April. Springtime. Warm weather. Rain. Flowers. This is the Season to Bloom, not just in nature, but in my writing. It's time I shed the winter blahs and get busy writing, editing and querying. My goal this year is to connect with an agent. Having an agent would free time for me to write, and that is what I want to do. It seems like I spend most of my days researching literary agencies and their agents, and then querying the ones interested in the genre I write.
I enjoy twitter pitch days, and #Kidlit and #TKA20 were on the same day, April 5th. I had a fave from each, and I sent my query letter and pages, only to meet with disappointment from both agents this week.
My writers group believe a rejection is good as it shows we are trying, we are putting ourselves out there. But they still aren't easy to take. I find hope in the fact that so many great authors met with several rejections before offered a contract. The most famous that comes to mind is J.K. Rowling, but even Margaret Mitchell had trouble getting GONE WITH THE WIND published. I'm in good company.
I find help, suggestions and great writing tips and advice in other authors' blogs and websites. I especially enjoy reading Janice Hardy's articles on revising in Fiction University. Sub It Club and Kidlit 411 are great sources for writing help and advice. And so is sharing with the writers in my critique group.
At first it was hard to listen to any negative comments about my writing, but I've learned to trust the members in my group. They do know what they are talking about, and when I take their advice, my writing improves.
Because I know how hard it is to receive criticism, I have a hard time giving it. I just tell myself, if it was me, I'd want to know if there was a problem in my writing that I could fix. My input is only to help, not to be hurtful.
I remember a story I wrote about a grandmother who couldn't hear. I thought it was funny, and my 5 year old nephew loved it and laughed every time I read it to him. I sent it out to several agents and publishers, with no luck. I then submitted it to Rate Your Story, a site where authors offer advice and criticism on the stories, including a rating from 1 to 10, with ten being the worse. I was shocked when I received a 9 rating, and told the grandmother in my story was mean. I never thought of her that way, but after some reflection, I realized that was how she sounded. I was embarrassed because I had sent this story out and probably alienated the agents who read it. They would probably never want to read another one of my manuscripts.
I had shared this story with my writers group,, yet no one said the grandmother was mean. Maybe they thought so, but didn't want to hurt my feelings. It's better my feelings be hurt in our small group than for me to foolishly submit it to agents and publishers as it was written. Someday I will re-examine this story and fix it, but even now I'm too embarrassed to read it.
I know that for my stories to bloom, I have to accept criticism and then revise. I guess criticism could be compared to the fertilizer applied to plants and flowers. It stinks, but in the end, it's the reason the flowers and plants grow and blossom.
This is the season to bloom. I plan to work on my writing and accept criticism as a gift. And then, oh, how my garden of words will grow!
October 14, 2016
The Dragon's Ring Book Links
I am excited to announce that my YA romantic fairy tale is now available on Barnes & Noble - NOOK BOOKS. The link is: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-d...
My book is also available on Amazon at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J73OAUG#...,
Kobo at https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
and Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
I have been anxiously waiting for my publisher to list with Barnes & Noble. There is a store six miles from my home and now that my book is on their NOOK site, I plan to approach the manager for a book event. To prepare for this I have ordered 100 bookmarks and am going to tie on each one a gold ring. (Not real gold, of course!)
I also have some prizes, T-shirts with my book cover art on the front, tote bags and a deck of cards with the same design.
Since I have no physical book to sign, as mine is an e-book, I can sign the back of the bookmarks. When a certain number of e-books sell, my book will go to print. I can't wait!
I am discovering that being an author is not all about the writing. It involves the promotion of not only the book, but myself. Doing interviews, both in newspapers and on online blogs, are exciting and scary.
Answering questions, talking about myself and my writing, is a process I am learning as I go along. Usually shy and timid, I am opening up and putting myself out there for the public to see. My ultimate goal is to do school visits.
And I can't forget the writing. I'm tackling my YA series, making changes, doing revisions, and loving every minute of it.
Hopefully, by the time this series is published, I'll be a pro at being a public appearing/speaking author, but until then, bear with me, as I, like my stories, am a work-in-progress.
My book is also available on Amazon at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J73OAUG#...,
Kobo at https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
and Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
I have been anxiously waiting for my publisher to list with Barnes & Noble. There is a store six miles from my home and now that my book is on their NOOK site, I plan to approach the manager for a book event. To prepare for this I have ordered 100 bookmarks and am going to tie on each one a gold ring. (Not real gold, of course!)
I also have some prizes, T-shirts with my book cover art on the front, tote bags and a deck of cards with the same design.
Since I have no physical book to sign, as mine is an e-book, I can sign the back of the bookmarks. When a certain number of e-books sell, my book will go to print. I can't wait!
I am discovering that being an author is not all about the writing. It involves the promotion of not only the book, but myself. Doing interviews, both in newspapers and on online blogs, are exciting and scary.
Answering questions, talking about myself and my writing, is a process I am learning as I go along. Usually shy and timid, I am opening up and putting myself out there for the public to see. My ultimate goal is to do school visits.
And I can't forget the writing. I'm tackling my YA series, making changes, doing revisions, and loving every minute of it.
Hopefully, by the time this series is published, I'll be a pro at being a public appearing/speaking author, but until then, bear with me, as I, like my stories, am a work-in-progress.
October 10, 2016
SCBWI BOOK BLAST
SCBWI's BOOK BLAST begins today, October 10, 2016. I'm excited to announce that The Dragon's Ring is included in this site.
To view all the books listed, use this link:
https://www.scbwi.org/bookblast/ and this is the link to view my special page: https://www.scbwi.org/bookblast-displ....
When I first clicked on the SCBWI's website and saw all the newest books on the market, I felt both excited and exhilarated at the thought of what worlds awaited me inside each book.
Two I have already read, Jeri Baird's Token and Omens, and Jean Ann Williams' Just Claire. Krysten Lindsay Hager's latest book in her Landry series, Landry in Like, was listed, and although I haven'e read it, I've read the first book, True Colors and found it delightful. I know this one will be just as good.
If you haven't read any of these, do, and you won't be disappointed.
I hope everyone will take the time to browse through the pages posted, to learn about the authors and their books. You can click LIKE if you enjoyed what you read. You can sign the guestbook and leave a comment. Some authors posted their book trailers or other videos. They listed their social media sites and links to their books. I especially enjoyed the box where the author tells something about themselves. (I told about kissing the blarney stone.)
Kudos to SCBWI for launching this site and giving authors a chance to shine.
To view all the books listed, use this link:
https://www.scbwi.org/bookblast/ and this is the link to view my special page: https://www.scbwi.org/bookblast-displ....
When I first clicked on the SCBWI's website and saw all the newest books on the market, I felt both excited and exhilarated at the thought of what worlds awaited me inside each book.
Two I have already read, Jeri Baird's Token and Omens, and Jean Ann Williams' Just Claire. Krysten Lindsay Hager's latest book in her Landry series, Landry in Like, was listed, and although I haven'e read it, I've read the first book, True Colors and found it delightful. I know this one will be just as good.
If you haven't read any of these, do, and you won't be disappointed.
I hope everyone will take the time to browse through the pages posted, to learn about the authors and their books. You can click LIKE if you enjoyed what you read. You can sign the guestbook and leave a comment. Some authors posted their book trailers or other videos. They listed their social media sites and links to their books. I especially enjoyed the box where the author tells something about themselves. (I told about kissing the blarney stone.)
Kudos to SCBWI for launching this site and giving authors a chance to shine.
August 9, 2016
WHIRLWIND
The past couple of weeks I feel like I've been caught up in a whirlwind. All along I thought my book release date was August 28th. August 1st my publisher sent an apology email. My book was released July 28th. She'd told me the wrong date. I've missed my book launch date!
I laughed, and felt relieved and happy. It was out there! People were buying it!
Since then I've been busy promoting my book on twitter and Facebook, posting on my blog sites, doing book interviews, visiting libraries, and setting up a newspaper interview.
I've set up an Author Page on Amazon, signed on with Authorgraph.com so I can send my readers a digital autograph to print out, and have been seeking sites to have my book reviewed and promoted.
August 1st was my writers group meeting at the Chatham, IL library. When I walked into the room I was greeted by everyone singing, "Congratulations on your book," to the tune of "Happy Birthday." They had a cake, decorated with the stunning cover art of my book, a unicorn's head with the dragon's ring dangling on its horn. And these wonderful writer peers showered me with cards and gifts. A special gift was a silver charm bracelet with two charms, one, a star with the words, "Reach for the stars," and the other, a crown, representing the princess in my story.
My book trailer, teaser and GIF were done by Opal Campbell, videos by o. She did a fabulous job. I especially love the music she chose. The GIF is my art cover, the unicorn, with its mane blowing as if by a gust of wind.
My book is available on Amazon, Kobo and Smashwords. and will soon be available at iTunes and B and N.
Having a book release is fun, exciting and exhausting. It's an experience to treasure and savor, and I'm loving every moment, even though I feel like I'm caught up in a whirlwind.
I laughed, and felt relieved and happy. It was out there! People were buying it!
Since then I've been busy promoting my book on twitter and Facebook, posting on my blog sites, doing book interviews, visiting libraries, and setting up a newspaper interview.
I've set up an Author Page on Amazon, signed on with Authorgraph.com so I can send my readers a digital autograph to print out, and have been seeking sites to have my book reviewed and promoted.
August 1st was my writers group meeting at the Chatham, IL library. When I walked into the room I was greeted by everyone singing, "Congratulations on your book," to the tune of "Happy Birthday." They had a cake, decorated with the stunning cover art of my book, a unicorn's head with the dragon's ring dangling on its horn. And these wonderful writer peers showered me with cards and gifts. A special gift was a silver charm bracelet with two charms, one, a star with the words, "Reach for the stars," and the other, a crown, representing the princess in my story.
My book trailer, teaser and GIF were done by Opal Campbell, videos by o. She did a fabulous job. I especially love the music she chose. The GIF is my art cover, the unicorn, with its mane blowing as if by a gust of wind.
My book is available on Amazon, Kobo and Smashwords. and will soon be available at iTunes and B and N.
Having a book release is fun, exciting and exhausting. It's an experience to treasure and savor, and I'm loving every moment, even though I feel like I'm caught up in a whirlwind.
June 23, 2016
BOOK RELEASE
I'm thrilled to announce the release date for my novel, THE DRAGON'S RING, is August 28, 2016.
I'm a twitter success story as I found my publisher with a twitter pitch. #Pit2Pub was held on February 3, 2016. Stephanie Griffin, publisher for Clean Reads, formerly Astraea Press, favored my tweet, I followed the guidelines for submission, sent in my romantic Upper MG/YA fairytale/fantasy and on February 24th I signed the contract for publication.
The next few months I've spent on edits, and two days ago Stephanie sent the Galleys. I have until July 1st to check for typos and misspelled words and then send it back to her. The same day I received the Galleys, I received the Cover Art. Amanda L. Matthews did a fantastic job on the unicorn, with the dragon's ring dangling on its spiral horn. I couldn't be more pleased.
Today, June 23rd, author Kristin Van Risseghem revealed my cover on her blog. Here's the link: http://www.kristinvanrisseghem.com/pi....
This has been an exciting week. I'm looking forward to August 28th when my novel will make its debut. Save the date and check it out at www.CleanReads.com.
I'm a twitter success story as I found my publisher with a twitter pitch. #Pit2Pub was held on February 3, 2016. Stephanie Griffin, publisher for Clean Reads, formerly Astraea Press, favored my tweet, I followed the guidelines for submission, sent in my romantic Upper MG/YA fairytale/fantasy and on February 24th I signed the contract for publication.
The next few months I've spent on edits, and two days ago Stephanie sent the Galleys. I have until July 1st to check for typos and misspelled words and then send it back to her. The same day I received the Galleys, I received the Cover Art. Amanda L. Matthews did a fantastic job on the unicorn, with the dragon's ring dangling on its spiral horn. I couldn't be more pleased.
Today, June 23rd, author Kristin Van Risseghem revealed my cover on her blog. Here's the link: http://www.kristinvanrisseghem.com/pi....
This has been an exciting week. I'm looking forward to August 28th when my novel will make its debut. Save the date and check it out at www.CleanReads.com.
March 5, 2016
Publishing news - coming soon, THE DRAGON'S RING, on Clean Reads
On January 1, 2016 I wrote on my calendar, "This is my year! Seize it!"
My prediction is coming true. In February I did the #Pit2Pub on twitter. I had 6 requests for pages for various works. Of these, I had a request for a full on my YA, (still pending), and a publishing contract offered on my fairytale, THE DRAGON'S RING.
My publishing contract is with Astraea Press, LLC, /Clean Reads. I've already done the pre-edits and sent in all the forms. I'm waiting for the next step, which I expect to be more edits.
Hopefully, before the year is out, THE DRAGON'S RING will be ready for purchase. One site where it will be available is the Clean Reads website, www.cleanreads.com.
This fairytale is about a knight's quest for a unicorn. If he presents it to the King, he'll be allowed to marry Princess Isadora. On his quest he encounters a witch and slays a dragon for its ring. What he doesn't know is the Princess followed him, and when he runs into trouble, it is she who rescues him. He does capture a unicorn, but then learns if it's not set free, it will die. Now he has a dilemma. Should he marry the Princess or free the unicorn?
I hope, dear readers, when the book is available, you'll check it out.
My prediction is coming true. In February I did the #Pit2Pub on twitter. I had 6 requests for pages for various works. Of these, I had a request for a full on my YA, (still pending), and a publishing contract offered on my fairytale, THE DRAGON'S RING.
My publishing contract is with Astraea Press, LLC, /Clean Reads. I've already done the pre-edits and sent in all the forms. I'm waiting for the next step, which I expect to be more edits.
Hopefully, before the year is out, THE DRAGON'S RING will be ready for purchase. One site where it will be available is the Clean Reads website, www.cleanreads.com.
This fairytale is about a knight's quest for a unicorn. If he presents it to the King, he'll be allowed to marry Princess Isadora. On his quest he encounters a witch and slays a dragon for its ring. What he doesn't know is the Princess followed him, and when he runs into trouble, it is she who rescues him. He does capture a unicorn, but then learns if it's not set free, it will die. Now he has a dilemma. Should he marry the Princess or free the unicorn?
I hope, dear readers, when the book is available, you'll check it out.
December 4, 2014
my year in writing - 2014
2014 has been a busy year for me. I have been editing and revising the three novels I wrote for November 2013 NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month.
My International Intrigue series, YA romantic thrillers, have teens Dru and Darcy solving mysteries and eluding killers in London, Paris and Rome.
For this year's NaNoWriMo, I wrote a fourth book for the series. This time Dru and Darcy are in Edinburgh on a quest for the Holy Grail.
I've also been working on picture books, submitting to agents and publishers and entering contests.
Agent Jodell Sadler critiqued one of my picture books and did an excellent job. I love how much better my story is after following her advice.
My short story, "The Mystery of the Ghostly Thief," was published in the Guardian Angel Kids' ezine - December 2013 issue.
In June I attended a writers' conference in Springfield, IL - Words in the Woods. There I met editor Johanna Cardenas, agent Stephen Fraser and author Matt Kirby.
Also in June I was interviewed by blogger/illustrator Dani Duck about my writing and about my picture book "Calamity Cat."
My publisher, MeeGenius, also published an interview with me on their June blog page.
November was also PiBoIdMo - Picture Book Idea Month, and I completed the task of coming up with 30 picture book ideas. I just need to sit down and start writing them!
PitMad is going on strong today and I'm pitching my International Intrigue series. PitMad is about pitching your book in 140 characters or less on twitter with #PitMad #Genre. My genre is YA. If an agent likes your pitch, he or she favorites it and then you can submit your manuscript to them. Author Brenda Drake is the brains behind PitMad.
I belong to a writers group - the Springfield Scribes. Our meetings are held once a month and this year we Skyped with two authors and an agent.
We also exchange our ms. and critique each others work.
December is our party month and this year we ate at Bella Milano's in Springfield, Il. Food was delicious and our gift exchange was a blast. Too hard to explain, you'd have to be there.
I'm excited to be an author. I love writing and I hope to have more books for my readers to enjoy soon.
Wishing everyone a happy and joyous holiday and the best in the year to come!
Debra Daugherty
My International Intrigue series, YA romantic thrillers, have teens Dru and Darcy solving mysteries and eluding killers in London, Paris and Rome.
For this year's NaNoWriMo, I wrote a fourth book for the series. This time Dru and Darcy are in Edinburgh on a quest for the Holy Grail.
I've also been working on picture books, submitting to agents and publishers and entering contests.
Agent Jodell Sadler critiqued one of my picture books and did an excellent job. I love how much better my story is after following her advice.
My short story, "The Mystery of the Ghostly Thief," was published in the Guardian Angel Kids' ezine - December 2013 issue.
In June I attended a writers' conference in Springfield, IL - Words in the Woods. There I met editor Johanna Cardenas, agent Stephen Fraser and author Matt Kirby.
Also in June I was interviewed by blogger/illustrator Dani Duck about my writing and about my picture book "Calamity Cat."
My publisher, MeeGenius, also published an interview with me on their June blog page.
November was also PiBoIdMo - Picture Book Idea Month, and I completed the task of coming up with 30 picture book ideas. I just need to sit down and start writing them!
PitMad is going on strong today and I'm pitching my International Intrigue series. PitMad is about pitching your book in 140 characters or less on twitter with #PitMad #Genre. My genre is YA. If an agent likes your pitch, he or she favorites it and then you can submit your manuscript to them. Author Brenda Drake is the brains behind PitMad.
I belong to a writers group - the Springfield Scribes. Our meetings are held once a month and this year we Skyped with two authors and an agent.
We also exchange our ms. and critique each others work.
December is our party month and this year we ate at Bella Milano's in Springfield, Il. Food was delicious and our gift exchange was a blast. Too hard to explain, you'd have to be there.
I'm excited to be an author. I love writing and I hope to have more books for my readers to enjoy soon.
Wishing everyone a happy and joyous holiday and the best in the year to come!
Debra Daugherty
