Wednesday, April 17, 2013

And the bit of happy news is...

A few years ago, I sat down and started to write a children's book. And now it is up on Amazon!  (That is the short of it. Read on if you are interested.)

This amused my close friends and immediate family - people who know me well - because, well, you know how much I like to swear. My other writing at that point had mostly been professionally; as a reporter, I tended toward crime and investigative pieces and columns of commentary. Later, I did marketing writing, which I hated every minute of.

In fiction, I've dabbled in writing for adults but what I most like to do is write for kids, and the adults who read to them.
Illustration by Nik Houser, aka my brother

It's my way of creating a happy place.

I have always loved good children's books, and I hate it when books talk down to kids or otherwise make reading a chore for them. Reading is supposed to be fun! There are not enough hours in the day or years in the millennium for all of the books I would like to read. It makes me sad when kids say they don't like to read, because it's usually due to bad or boring books having been forced on them.

So, a couple of years ago I finished a short collection of stories for younger readers. It's about a sassy 6-year-old girl and her adventures with her little brother, her endlessly patient dad, and their cat.

What adventures, you ask? she nearly cooks a pet blue lobster who looks too cold, tracks a polar bear's footprints (actually belonging to a plumber) through her snowy backyard, and finds her father’s Santa suit in the attic, prompting a frantic call to the police because "the man in red" has must be running around naked.

 My brother Nik, who is a writer as well as a fabulous illustrator (I envy his talent, as I can't even write my name legibly or draw a circle without it looking like a lemon), illustrated them when I threatened to yank out his teeth. (Just kidding, but it took some persuading.)

And since I am not a patient person, rather than sending it out to hundreds of agents (and I totally respect those of you who have the patience for this), when ebooks picked up steam Nik and I decided to go that route.

So, my blog friends, here is where I shamelessly plug my book. If you would like to buy it, and review it (the good! The bad! The ugly! No publicity is bad publicity!) on Amazon, Nik and I will be able to enjoy a few lattes. (Kidding. One latte would be just fine.) You can buy it for Kindle or, if you, like me, don't have one, Amazon gives you the option of sending it to your Android phone, or you can download (free, fast, and no spyware) Kindle Cloud Reader for your computer.

You will also see special shout outs to my friends who provided help and encouragement with this book, your fellow bloggers GB Miller and A Beer For the Shower. 

CLICK HERE TO GIVE US A LATTE.  Thank you!

31 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

I have a confession, as you may know, I just hate reading books, always have, especially fiction. I read one book a year and even on holiday I'll choose anything else to fill my time rather than read. I don't have a Kindle or a mobile phone, and find it hard to read "on-line" but as you are my buddy, I'll check out your book! I'm not sure if I can buy it from the US though, maybe when I'm next in the States I can open a account on Amazon?

Elephant's Child said...

Congratulations. I will definitely be back - but not this week. And I love the illustration you shared with us today too.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Drat! Well, I was hoping there was a paperback or a hard copy---I don't have a Kindle or use a cell phone....So....Do you think it might ever be like in an old fashioned book form?
CONGRATULATIONS to you, my dear! A great achievement! It looks like great fun!

Granny Annie said...

Bought it. Love it. My sister is buying it for her grandchildren. Bravo RK:)

Rock Chef said...

E publishing is definitely the way forward - that is how I intend to publish my zombie novel when it is done...

Lynn said...

I downloaded it to the Kindle app on my iPhone and am looking forward to reading it! (The last two days have not had a minute to spare.)

Congratulations to you and Nik!

Birdie said...

Awesome! I downloaded it so you can go get another latte. Good work.

CraveCute said...

This is fabulous! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congrats. I did find your little sneak peep at the adventures of your heroine quite appealing.

Abby said...

Cool!

Charles Gramlich said...

I'll pick this one up! Congrats on getting it out there.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Congrats! To both you and your illustrator brother -- wishing you all the success in the world!

Green Tea said...

Hoping my Techie son will come over and download to my computer..I don't have a kindle..I prefer turning pages..You really should send it out..
I have been lazy..or should say FB has taken over my blogging.
Hope to see you soon Darlin!

Green Tea said...

I really need to update my picture..;)

Riot Kitty said...

Joey: Extra thanks! You can get it on the Amazon.com site even if you are in the UK, my friend in Sheffield checked.
EC: Thank you!
Naomi: Not for now, but you can download Kindle Cloud Reader for your computer if you like - that's what I did - or email me and I will email you the document if you would like to read it :)
GA: Thank you, and thanks for the great review!
RC: Keep us posted :)
Lynn and Birdie: Thank you very much!
Birdie: Thank you! Drinking a coffee right now ;)
CC, LG and Abby: Thanks :)
Charles: Thank you! I appreciate it.
Debra: Cheers!
GT: Good to see you here! You should put up the Al Franken pic. See you this summer I hope!!

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'm glad to see this up and doing well! I posted a review under my pseudonym (I'm sure you can guess which one it is), and I'll make Brandon post his soon. I really did mean it when I said that I enjoyed it, and I hope it sells like hotcakes so you can have a big fat muffin with that latte!

G. B. Miller said...

Yowza, yowza, yowza!

I am seriously thrilled to pieces that you got finally got your book out there.

I really enjoyed reading the ARC that you had thoughtfully sent my way, and as soon as I get a free moment this weekend, I will pop up a review for you.

I appreciate the shout out both in the post and in the acknowledgements, and I'm glad that little old me helped you along the way.

Congrabulations from your bud from the abnormal coast.

George

Riot Kitty said...

GB: SO appreciate it, as well as the post just for me! PS My coast is pretty abnormal as well ;)

Kathleen said...

Yay! Congratulations and I am bowing down! I shall purchase a copy for my 6 year old niece who has a Kindle...whereas I do not. The irony does not escape me! Well done indeed!

Wiwille said...

I stand in awe of your awesomeness. Congratulations! Looking forward to reading this to my daughter.

Mike_D said...

Wooo-hoooo!!!!!! I gotta pick up a copy soon!!!!

Riot Kitty said...

Kathleen and Wiwille: Thank you! I don't have a Kindle either, btw.
Mike: Yeah you do!

Claire said...

Yay! I can't wait to read it!

Riot Kitty said...

Thank you Claire! I am eager to see what you think, having lots of younger folks in your life.

DWei said...

Congrats on the book! I don't know any kids to recommend your book to I'm afraid. :(

Best of luck with the sales though.

Riot Kitty said...

DW: Thanks. Surely you know someone who is a kid at heart ;)

Betty Manousos said...

yaay!
this is awesome!!congratulations!!

to both you and your brother!

big hugs!

Riot Kitty said...

Thank you Betty!

Darth Weasel said...

Congrats! Glad it finally came to fruition. I will look for it soon.

Riot Kitty said...

Thank you!

Ileana said...

This is so cool! Congratulations, my friend!! I love the illustration and I really want to read this book. As you know (or may not know) I lost my Kindle so I don't know how to go about purchasing it. Maybe on the iPad...although it's under a different account (work pays for it). What else can I do to read it?? I feel like I'm missing out and I know I will love it and leave you a great review. Just let me know how to have it download to my computer. Thanks!