I used to be a little obsessed with all those TV shows involving lawyers, cops and solving gruesome murders, but I've recently discovered what a difference it makes to my mood - and my ability to sleep at night - to watch things that make me laugh. Two quick tips: 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory, both very silly and very funny! Enjoy.

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The great thing about the World Wide Web is that it seems as if there is always something new and exciting going on. Although now, after much research, I realize blogging is nothing new to those surfing the web . . . it is to me. But it seems very much like an online diary where I can simply share the latest things that are going on in my life, so I thought I’d give it a try.

As of now I am anxiously awaiting my two preview copies of my first book, Laura and the Leprechauns. The printer said they are supposed to be here by the 23rd of October so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Admittedly, I am not the most patient person, but when books are traveling all the way from Hong Kong, I suppose a little patience is necessary. Why I’m really excited is this: unlike my Advanced Review Copies I distributed, this final version will actually have the glitter on the twelve pages I specified. I can hardly wait to see the finished product.
With any luck I will able to release the book sooner than listed—I hope . . . that’s the plan. Sometime before, or in December so that it will be available for Christmas. That would be nice, but again this is out of my control. As of now what I’ve been told is that the entire shipment will arrive by November 21st. That would be nice—really, really nice if it happens. I suppose all of this is really exciting for me because this is my first book to be published. The strange thing is that I thought writing and illustrating the book would be the hard part of the entire process, but oh . . . I was so wrong. Trying to figure out what to do after the fact has proved more challenging than I could’ve imagined. I think I’ve practically worn out my copy of Dan Poynters Self-Publishing Manual. I would be completely lost without it!

In the meantime I’ve been having fun creating lists of my favorite children’s books on Amazon. It’s taken me back to some great childhood memories. My all time favorites from the past are: Sloth’s Birthday Party, Little Bunny Follows His Nose (I scratched and sniffed that fabulous book to death!), and the entire Serendipity series. Has anyone out there read any of these? It would be especially neat to hear from someone who is familiar with the Serendipity series as they weren’t sold in stores—at least not back in the 70’s!

Anyway, I guess that’s all my rambling for tonight. I will write again soon. Take care!
http://www.chrysalispress.com/

Chrysalis Press Gets Attention from Disney® with First-time Author Amber T. Kingston

Newport Beach, California- First-time author Amber T. Kingston receives a glowing review from Disney® Imagineer.

Chrysalis Press will release Kingston’s book Laura and the Leprechauns in December 2007. The 32-page hardcover book contains full-color illustrations and photography, and it will be released in two languages. The storyline, inspired by the fresh imagination of seven-year-old Laura Liepold, encourages belief in magic that is often lost too soon and captures the essence of childhood.

Kingston firmly believes that children should be exposed to quality, imaginative literature, and this book is destined to be a classic. Review copies have been distributed, and Kingston has caught the attention of respected Walt Disney® Imagineer Bran Ferren of Applied Minds Inc.

Ferren says “Laura and the Leprechauns is a special children’s book by Amber T. Kingston, one of those rare people who has mastered both the illustrative arts and the written word. The story takes the reader on a magical journey through the wondrous world of clever but mischievous leprechauns, who, after being summoned by young Laura, take her into the fantasy of a lifetime. Charming illustrations illuminate the story and bring Laura’s enchanted world to life.”

Kingston’s illustrations are an imaginative combination of artwork and photography, adding effectively to the sense of fantasy intertwined with reality throughout the story. Detailed images of the characters convey their innocence and emotions through body language, facial expressions and dress. A charming story that will enchant readers well beyond St. Patrick’s Day!

Do you believe in leprechauns?

Little Laura does. That is, until her friends tell her that they aren’t real. But Laura doesn’t give up so easily. She decides to write the wee folk to find out for herself. When two tiny leprechauns pay Laura a visit, she has a St. Patrick’s Day that she’ll never forget!

Kingston explains why she believes this story will have staying power with readers beyond St. Patrick’s Day. “Children’s literature is changing. It is important to me that I capture the essence of innocence and imagination, when children believe anything is possible. I truly believe that parents will be proud to share this tale with their children without worrying about whether the content is appropriate.”

The children’s book industry has changed through the years, and content and subject matter have been scrutinized. Kingston and Chrysalis Press, firmly agreeing that age-appropriateness is paramount, are proud to release Laura and the Leprechauns in December 2007.

“This is a timeless book that can be shared for generations,” Kingston explains. “I grew up surrounded by the magic of original Walt Disney® themes, and I want to share a legacy in that tradition.”

Amber T. Kingston, born and raised in southern California, loves to write, paint and spend time with children. Laura and the Leprechauns is her first children’s book. Kingston can be reached by telephone 949.706.1860 or email at akingston@chrysalispress.com. Review copies are available.

The mission of Chrysalis Press is to provide inspired, quality literature to children with appropriate content. Chrysalis Press is located in Newport Beach, California.

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Amber T. Kingston
www.ChrysalisPress.com
Author and illustrator of Laura and the Leprechauns

So, I've taken the plunge. I've signed up for NaNoWriMo. For those of you who don't know what this is, it may sound like torture. It stands for National Novel Writing Month, and the original idea was to stimulate writers who don't think they can write a novel, setting them the goal of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. The point is that these are not 50,000 good words, they are just 50,000 words. This is to show people they can produce quantity, and give them a rough draft to work on. You upload your daily writing to the site, which counts them automatically (no-one else sees your writing) and keeps a tally. Anyone who makes it to 50,000 is a "winner"......

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Braved the distinctly wintry chill today to go to the 10am service - where it was so darn cold that I kept my woolly hat and fingerless gloves on throughout. Or almost throughout - after all, one doesn't want to get pieces of wafer stuck to one's gloves during communion. But never say I can't do Surrey style, ho ho. Anyway it wasn't a bad service - great hymns and the approachable vicar was there. Plus the coffee warmed us up afterwards and we didn't have to chat too much. Hurrah!...

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Lord H and I motored (goodness, how 1920s that is!) down to Essex today to spend the day with Mother. Who, incidentally, is looking very perky now and getting out and about more, which is good news. We decided to take her and my stepfather out for an airing and lunch, but I must admit that the pub we chose wasn't really that good. Too slow service, okay-ish food, they appeared to have run out of the electricity needed to have lights in the dining room and the only radiators were in the loos. Weird. Apart from that, it was great! And Mother enjoyed her salmon in spite of Jim (stepfather) making a brave bid for the Mr Grumpy 2007 national title - phew!...

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This morning, a long lost lover walked into my life. He stands roughly 7 inches by 9 (ooh baby!) and has about 275 odd pages. Glossy. Handsome. Mine.

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Today, in these parts, is rubbish collection day and once more our phantom rubbish napper has struck again ... We've had it happen a couple of times before over the last month or so and, this morning, Lord H put the rubbish out to add to the rubbish we'd put out earlier in the week - only to find that someone had taken the previous rubbish out of the bin and moved the bin itself to the other side of the gate. And the bin men most definitely hadn't been yet. Hmm. The plot thickens. Does Godalming have a phantom bin-napper? Or is some secret fan with very strange tastes going through the contents of our wheely bin hoping to glean some indication of what I'm currently working on? (So they can know what to avoid buying next, no doubt!) Ah, but I wish, eh!... Anyway, it's all very curious ...

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It's been a busy week. Same duties. But have received encouraging comments from fellow writers. This afternoon, have read messages. Sent some. Started working on a new Flash. Never thought I'd enjoy doing it. Found a file of old stories, none having been sent out, all languishing and yellowing in a drawer stuffed full of God know's what. Had a quick look through. Awful! Did I write that garbage? Yes, years ago when I was starry eyed but, and it's a big but, there might be a nugget hiding in that pile.

A nice big article has appeared in my local paper today which tells people all about the book. When Hubby saw it, the pride in his eyes brought a lump to my throat! ""Bloody hell, Jill!" he gasped. "That's brilliant!" Since arriving at the office, I have cut it out and taped it to the staff room door. It's not that I want people to see my mug-shot; I just want people to buy the book.

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