Well then let me be the first to welcome you! And also let you know how much I love Belle Prater's Boy. I read it out loud to my daughter when she was young and still count it among my favorite middle readers. I'm looking forward to reading any posts you may decide to write as well as following your bookshelves!

Thank you, Jo-Ann. I hope you will check out my new book, Diary of a Wildflower. It's free on Kindle this Sunday, Sept 1. If you like it, please give me a good review on Amazon. I am betting you are a teacher or a writer or both?

I will definitely download it on Sunday! Writing myself a note. And yes, I am both a teacher and a picture book writer currently working on finding an agent to represent my two manuscripts. How did you know? :-) For 10 years my colleague and I ran a fourth grade book club and we included Belle Prater's Boy on our reading list. Our students always loved the story and we had many lively discussions. Being a huge fan of Rumi poetry, I was hooked after the first chapter! I look forward to reading Diary of a Wildflower. It will be the perfect way to end my summer.

That's very sweet. I'm glad you like Belle. It's been my best seller all these years.
If you don't mind a little advice, I would skip the agent. I know that you are told it's impossible to find a publisher these days without one, but it's my personal opinion that agents and editors are going to be practically obsolete in the next few years. Already writers are going to ebooks to get their stuff out there. And that's where the publishers are looking to find the talent. Just a thought!

Wow. Thanks so much for that valuable advice. It's amazing how the industry is changing. Sad in a way since I find great comfort being surrounded by bound books! But perhaps there's opportunity for someone like me as well. I'll certainly consider the ebook route. I appreciate the input. Hope you enjoy Goodreads!

If you'd like to read about an interview with Ms. White, check out my blog! http://firesidemusings.blogspot.com/2...

Thanks, Nicole!

I think hardback books will always be with us. We wouldn't want a world without them. And a good editor can never be replaced by a machine. But I think the publishers will be finding their writers in the ebook world. That's where the competition is fierce, so that the writing gets better and better. It's also much easier to publish an ebook on your own without going through all the time and trouble and rejection you have to put up with in looking for an agent or an editor who will read your work.

It is a relief to hear someone in the industry have confidence in the staying power of actual books. I have been thinking about your ebook suggestion and doing a little research. Might even approach a friend who is an artist about doing the illustrations. I have renewed hope for my projects! Many thanks again for your advice.

Thank you, Sam. Sorry I got behind on my blog. There is a sequel now to Way Down Deep. It's called The Treasure of Way Down Deep. Keep reading!