*All of the books featured in this article can be purchased on Amazon.com. Just search Amazon for the author’s name and/or book title. If your purchase initiates from this website, I get a small commission that keeps me in business. Thank you!
Donna Provance – #9 on The Gittle List 2017
“Meet Odie” #9 on The Gittle List 2017.
Donna Provance won the #9 slot on The Gittle List for Meet Odie. In her exclusive Gittle interview, she shares the benefits of self-publishing. (Read Aviva’s review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? I smiled broadly when I read the news. My first reaction was one of pleasure at being selected because it’s fun to win, quickly followed by relief that you, a professional editor/publisher, think my book is good. As a professional, your opinion carries more weight than friends, who might only wish to be kind and encouraging and not share any displeasure with my work. [Aviva says, “I don’t consider myself a ‘professional’ but a fellow self-publisher.”]
Odie looking glamorous in his pink wig.
What is your favorite children’s book? The Great Blueness by Arnold Lobel. If I need to tell a story from memory, I always tell the one about how our world became full of color. Everything was gray until a wizard created the color blue. Everything was painted blue. People loved the change and then they didn’t, so the wizard created yellow and everything was painted yellow. I was probably about 5 when I got the book from my dad, who always read to me when I was little. The detailed artwork is amazing and very different from most children’s books. I found a Youtube video with a reading.
Odie napping with a friend.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I wanted to self-publish because of cost, time, and control. It could take ages, if ever, for a traditional publisher to select my book and then publish it. It took me about 8 months from conception to publishing. From everything I read, even with traditional publishing, marketing would still fall primarily on me, but more people would be involved in the decision-making process. Self-publishing has unique decision-making frustrations (e.g., CreateSpace vs. IngramSpark/other, ISBN, etc.), but it also offered me career growth opportunities. Because of self-publishing, I started a company, designed my own website, joined a volunteer organization that teaches children about responsibilities toward animals, mentored others as they pursued self-publishing, and am learning ways to market my book. On the flip side, if I had to rely solely on my book for money, I would be starving. Selling books is hard work!
If you could wake up tomorrow as someone else, who would it be?
Odie in party mode.
A healthy, younger man living in enjoyable circumstances. It would be fascinating to experience life from a totally different perspective and you can’t get more different than the opposite sex.
What is the strangest job you’ve ever had? As a career project manager, I have been involved in oodles of projects. One project was testing mobile waste-to-energy units for military field camp operations. Our testing occurred at the vendors’ facilities. To mimic the Army’s waste stream, I solicited fast food restaurants for their garbage, which often meant dumpster diving and then sorting waste to eliminate Styrofoam(R) and other items not found in Army field wastes. Refuse sorting on hot summer days is not for those with squeamish tummies.
Contact Donna Provance:
D. S. Provance is a dog and book lover. During her more than two decades of managing military sustainability projects, she has written hundreds of technical reports and outreach products to promote technology innovation and deployment. Meet Odie was written for Odie’s young friends to answer their many questions.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
Liza Fenech – #7 and #10 on The Gittle List 2017
#7 on The Gittle List 2017
Liza Fenech is part of a small group of indie authors who have won Gittle List awards for multiple books. She is the only one to land on The Gittle List for two books in the same series in the same year! (Read Aviva’s reviews.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? What was your first thought after hearing the news? It was so exciting to learn that I won not just once, but twice! I was quite a shock!
What is your favorite children’s book? This is always changing but at the moment it is You Nest Here With Me by by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple.
#10 on The Gittle List 2017
Why did you decide to self-publish? I have been traditionally published as well as self published. Creating the content for self published books is a little harder. I am always curious about different ways to tell visual stories and self publishing definitely lends itself to that exploration. Learning to wear all the different hats needed (editing, marketing, printing, distribution, etc) has been a big challenge and one I am still working on. I see a great deal of promise however in both self publishing and working with small independent publishers.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? My mother gave me the best advice I have ever received when I was a cranky 12 year old fussing about ‘working so hard’ studying. She took a deep breath and with all the love in the world said, “I love you Liza, but you have never worked hard day in your life.” I think of it almost everyday and it motivates me to be self aware about how hard I really am (or aren’t) working.
The path for a commercially successful book and a book that is just as you envisioned it are not the same.
What do you do to market your books? I use the paid promotion tools on KDP, Facebook, and Pinterest. I have worked with social media influencers and bloggers to promote books. I post about them on social media. Entering The Gittle List Book Competition is a new one to add to the list as well.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? Know what your goals are. The path for a commercially successful book and a book that is just as you envisioned it are not the same. There is a lot of continuous honesty and self awareness needed.
Liza Fenech is an illustrator, graphic designer, and product designer (BFA in Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology; AA in graphic design). She spent three years in fashion design before turning to illustration full time. Liza uses digital tools and hand drawing to create illustrations with a soft, humorous sensibility. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three year old daughter, and Great Dane.
Learn more about Liza:
www.PuddleDuckPress.com
www.LizaFenech.com
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
What is The Gittle List Contest?
- At January 20, 2018
- By AvivaGittle
- In The Gittle List
3
What is this Gittle List? The Gittle List is Aviva Gittle’s top picks for self-published children’s picture books for the year. (Books can be published in any year.)
Who can enter? You will find all the contest rules and submission guidelines here.
Who the heck is Aviva Gittle? That’s me. So, since it’s really weird to talk about myself in the third person, I’m going to stop now. I am a writer and independent publisher of children’s books. To date, I have published nearly 20 picture books with many more in various stages of production.
How long have you been running the contest? This is the sixth year. Select “TGL Winners” from the top menu to see previous years’ winners.
Why did you start the contest? Prior to 2013, if you had asked me to give you children’s book recommendations, I would give you a list of the classics. The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, etc.
Then, I joined a Goodreads group started by Mariana Llanos. It was called Pay It Forward and its sole purpose was to get other indie authors to review your book. I first read Mariana’s Tristan Wolf. Then Gusty McCabe’s The Most Important Critter in the Whole Wide World. I found I enjoyed those books as much, and in some ways more, than the classics.
I wanted these authors to get some recognition for their hard work. Also, I wanted to show the world that not all self-published books are, by definition, awful. I wanted to find the gems and tell the world about them.
The only contest to give ENTRANTS free book promotion — like this!
So this contest thing was completely selfless? Heck no! I knew that it would help me network with other indie authors and offer a win-win by providing cross-marketing. We would promote each other through social media. And, I would get more visitors to my website and more recognition for the Aviva Gittle Publishing brand.
Why is there only one category? That may change in the future, but right now my focus is on children’s picture books, because that’s what I write and publish. Also, I’m not a very fast reader. Seriously; that’s not a joke.
Who judges the contest? I do. I’ve been writing since I was about 7 years old. I’ve also written and published a lot of children’s picture books. I have read hundreds of traditionally published and self-published children’s books as well. I know the publishing process from the ground up (learned the hard way). I’m a grandmother who buys books for her grandchildren. I’m your target buyer. I’m also very opinionated. That helps.
I heard you did this for free the first 2 years. Why charge an entry fee now? I always intended to eventually start charging a fee. I wanted to get the contest going and figure out what I was doing first. I see that the entry fee for other contests starts at $50 and goes up (sometimes way up) from there. Other contests have dozens of categories and thousands of entrants. The Gittle List is more of a “boutique” contest. My entrants get more time and attention than other contests. In most contests, you send the book and pay the fee, and never hear from them again. The truth is, it’s a lot of work. Work I love, but a lot of work and a lot of time away from my own writing and publishing.
What’s so special about The Gittle List? The whole purpose of the contest is to support self-publishers like myself. I don’t have five zillion categories. One category. One judge. Up to 10 winners. That’ s my motto! This isn’t a “get more chances to win” kind of a contest. It’s by and for indie publishers of children’s picture books. Pure and simple.
What’s in it for me? The winners get several things including, frankly, the pride that comes with another indie-publisher, one who knows what it takes to publish a quality children’s picture book, recognizing your work.
Yes, you will get to call your book “award-winning.” But, the real prize is the free publicity you might receive as an entrant and the book promotion you will receive immediately after — and long after — the contest ends should you win a spot on The Gittle List. For the 2017 contest, I was still promoting 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016 winners. Some past winners received their own book tweet, several were featured in paid Facebook advertising, and where to find past winning lists were included in articles and press releases.
You will likely get some free publicity during the submission period. The earlier you enter, the greater your chances. For example, in 2014 and 2015, I did several press releases giving the story behind the story. (This press release was very popular). During the 2016 and 2017 contest submission periods, many of the entrants got some sort of book promotion. Several on Twitter and Facebook, several were featured in Gittle News with their book covers. A couple of lucky authors won the “story behind the story” promotional package. Last year, some authors were featured in videos. (Like the one above.)
In 2015, I started providing all 10 winners with paid social media advertising and a commitment to buy at least one copy of each winner’s book. (Digital or hard copy, used or new, is at my discretion.)
Review the Submission Guidelines.
This article best explains the cross-marketing power of The Gittle List Contest.
Want to know more? Email GittleSubmissions@gmail.com.
Aviva Gittle Publishing offers great stories for children in English and Spanish, including the Kitten and Friends / Gatito y amigos series. See all of Aviva’s books here.
What Makes A Book A Winner?
Chase-Man is #1 on The Gittle List 2017
The 10 winning books of the 5th Annual Gittle List Competition were just announced. (2017 winners.) Each year, I try to improve the contest that is exclusively for self-published authors of children’s picture books. One of the entrants, in providing me feedback on the contest asked, “How are the winners chosen?”
The 2017 contest rules describe this generally under Judging Process. But, I’d like to drill down a bit deeper to try to help indie authors understand why I place a book on The Gittle List (49 books to date).
To give you some idea of the subjective side of my decisions:
I enjoy books on a broad range of topics. For example, I’m agnostic, but I am hopeful to find a great children’s picture book about faith. The few I’ve read so far on this topic are more lecture than story.
I’m drawn to stories that are different. A book can be silly (Thumbpire by Stephen and Sarah White) or serious (The Amida Tree by Bonnie Ferrante). I appreciate stories that manage to tackle difficult topics in a child-friendly way. (GG and Mamela by Belinda Brock.) I hate “message” books. Don’t say, “We should be kind to one another.” Tell me a story where the characters are kind to each other. I’m very sensitive to adult dialogue coming out of the mouth of a child. The kids in the story should talk like kids.
Another Bev Stone book wins a spot on The Gittle List
Story always takes precedence over illustrations, but there’s a limit to this. I’ve had books where I liked the story, but the illustrations were so bad, I just couldn’t put it on The Gittle List. Honestly pains me. I’ve also been drawn to a cover with gorgeous illustrations only to be disappointed with the story.
A book has to feel great to read aloud. Bev Stone is a master at this. That’s why five of her books have made it on the list. 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.
I’m a New Yorker, born and raised. So, I’m pretty tough. I’ve made friends with fellow authors online, but it has zero impact on my evaluation of their book. I’ve had authors submit their books year after year and not win. I feel bad about it. They’re nice people. But I just can’t recommend a book I would not personally spend my dollars on.
I’ve had authors submit a book one year and not win. They submit a different book the following year and it makes the list. And the reverse has happened.
#2 on The Gittle List 2014
When I fall in love with a book, I fall hard. You can tell the ones I’m wild about because you will see me mention them in later contests. Over the Under, and Around the Square by Craig Kunce. The most unusual children’s picture book I’ve read. My older grandson really enjoyed it. Frank the Gentle Viking by Lucy Elliott (the very first book on The Gittle List 2013). The Best You Can Be by Bev Stone. Bear With Me by Dan Stern. Tristan Wolf by Mariana Llanos (one of two books that inspired the contest).
I am not a professional judge. Nor do I have a background in traditional publishing. I’ve learned to self-publish from the ground up. I’ve self-published nearly 20 books since 2013. I’ve read hundreds of children’s stories. More importantly, I’m your target market: A grandmother and a lover of children’s picture books.
The Gittle List 2018 submission guidelines will be released in January. The Gittle List is exclusively for self-published children’s picture books. It is the only contest that gives entrants opportunities to get free promotion during the nearly year-long submission period.
Aviva Gittle hosts The Gittle List Book Competition. She publishes children’s picture books through her company, Gittle Publishing. Find all her books on Amazon.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
The Gittle List 2017 – Revealed!
The Gittle List is a book competition exclusively for self-published children’s picture books. Here are the winners of the 5th annual contest. They all make great gifts during the holiday season or anytime.
Top Right, Chisa Merriweather, Bottom Right, Nicole White
#1: Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero, written by Chisa Merriweather and Nicole White and illustrated by Cathy Reene, is the fictionalized story of Ms. Merriweather’s son, Chase, who came down with a rare blood infection at the tender age of three. The story is told from his older brother C.J.’s point of view. Chase and C.J. love playing superheroes. So when “Baxter Bacilli” threatens Chase, they use all their powers to thwart him. They win the fight, but Chase loses his hands and feet to the evil Baxter. The real life Chase, with the use of prosthetics, is like any other active little boy. (Learn more here.) The story is uplifting and readers will be inspired by the unstoppable real-life superhero nicknamed “Tank.” (As he knocks down any obstacle in his way.) Artist Cathy Reene (a 2014 Gittle List recipient) created illustrations that capture the drama of the story, yet have a watercolor softness to them. Just beautiful. Available in softcover.
#2: Greenbeard the Pirate Pig, written and illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara, is about a guinea pig who decides that a pirate pig he will be. With his lettuce beard (thus “Greenbeard”) and his carrot sword, he takes off for adventure. Greenbeard is hilarious. I read each entrant’s book out loud; this story required singing. A so-bad-it’s-so-good ditty about being a pirate. Even Greenbeard’s reluctant sidekick, a rat named Snug Rumkin (who looks suspiciously like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean) sticks his fingers in his ears to reduce the pain of the guinea pig’s rousing song. Ms. Balsara’s page design is so well done. Greenbeard the Pirate Pig teaches children how some hard work and self-confidence can help them achieve their dreams — without ever saying those words. I love books that teach but don’t preach. In softcover or Kindle version.
#3: The Worry Tree Is Waiting, written by Rebekah Prince Bergeron and illustrated by Sandy McDermott, is not your typical children’s book. It is a “guided imagery script” meant to help children relax and go to sleep. In that sense, it is the ultimate bedtime story. I have to say I was skeptical when I heard the premise of the story. I’m not a fan of “message” books. The first time I read it, however, I fell in love with The Worry Tree and the guided imagery concept. I read each contest entrant’s story aloud so I know how it feels to read it to a child. I read The Worry Tree Is Waiting several times and found the rhythm of it lovely — and relaxing. Be sure to read the Forward before reading the book to your child. It helps to understand how the story came to be. Ms. McDermott’s illustrations have a calmness to them that is well-aligned with the text. Available in softcover.
#4: The Best You Can Be, written and illustrated by Bev Stone, is about a sheep who is told to “be the best he can be” as he leaves the farm to wander and roam for the very first time. Problem is, he doesn’t know what that means. So, he begins his journey seeking the answer to the question, “What does it mean to be your best?” He meets others who are being the best they can be, but it takes a fateful event for him to learn what his best is all about. Ms. Stone’s illustrations have a feathery quality to them with beautiful colors. Her books have landed on The Gittle List several times over the years. It is very difficult to write a whole children’s book in rhyme. Ms. Stone’s stories are so well written and a joy to read out loud. Available in softcover. See her other winning books: 2016, 2015, 2014.
#5: According to Corban, written by Marcy Pusey and illustrated by Daniela Sosa, is a story about the imagination of a little boy, Corban. It’s actually a series of stories told in the way a child would tell them. We gain entry into Corban’s imagination as he turns everyday situations into adventures. Throughout the day he does many exciting things including dining with a troll, saving a princess, and riding in a spaceship to the moon. Each adventure is followed by an illustration that shows Corban in the everyday activity that sparked his imagination. (Mom telling Corban and his sister to clean up their mess morphs into Mom turning into a dragon and he and his sister turning into firefighters.) It’s a fun, unique book with colorful illustrations that kids will enjoy. In softcover, hardcover, or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#6: Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four, written by Maria Ashworth and illustrated by Andreea Chele is about a little girl whose mom is going to marry a man who has four boys. I love that the story is told from the girl’s perspective. Interestingly, the girl and the mom are never named. This allows any little girl to picture themselves in this situation. It deals with the serious issue of how to blend families while helping the children deal with sometimes sensitive feelings about the change to come. Ms. Ashworth does so in a light and fun way, that allows adults to talk to their child about their concerns. The illustrations are bold and bright with a Dr. Seuss quality to them. In softcover, hardcover, or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#7: Which is my dinner?, written and illustrated by Liza Fenech, is part of a series meant to help kids develop reasoning skills. (You’re not seeing double; the first book in the series earned the #10 spot.) The initial pages give the instructions for the rest of the wordless book. On the left side is an animal (or other creature) and on the right are three dinner options. The child selects the food item most likely to be enjoyed by the animal. The next page shows the animal enjoying their dinner. The puppy is totally out of control with the bones (which just cracked me up). It’s an educational opportunity, but it’s also a lot of fun. The blue bunny from Which is mine? has a cameo role with a lot of carrots. Visit Ms. Fenech’s Amazon Author Page to see all of the “Which is my…?” books. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#8: Go To Sleep!, written by Marion Adams and illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills, is the story of Tansy the sheep who can’t sleep. And also is bit math-challenged. What unfolds is woolly mayhem as a sheep who can’t sleep — and can’t count — insists that one of the flock has gone missing. Just darn funny with sweet, fluffy illustrations by Ms. Wills. The best part of the story is Tansy speculating what may have happened to the missing sheep. Kids will enjoy the opportunity at the end of the story to properly count the sheep. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#9: Meet Odie, written by D.S. Provance and illustrated by A. J. Stawarz, is about a rescue dog named Odie. The goal of the book is to help children better understand what dogs are about so that they may feel more comfortable being around them. Even this old dog learned a few things. Did you know that dogs can’t see red or green? Odie narrates his own story — not of his difficult past living on the street — but his present life with his loving human parents. The book is filled with Twitter-worthy photos of Odie enjoying his favorite activities. Such as playing in the snow and running on the beach (where the waves chase him.) There are resources for those interested in giving a rescue dog a forever home. The book includes a glossary that will put a smile on your face and help your child expand their vocabulary. (Bet you don’t know what a “bumpy” is.) Available in Kindle or softcover. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#10: Which is mine?, written and illustrated by Liza Fenech, is an adorably illustrated educational book for the toddler set. Each double-page spread shows a rabbit and one of his animal friends on the left and two pieces of clothing on the right. The child matches each piece of clothing to each animal then turns the page to see if they got it right. Each “answer” page is a double spread of the animals enjoying some activity wearing the “right” clothing. I love that other than the first page instruction of how to use the book, their is no text. In this way, you can have a discussion with your little one about sizes and shapes, what the animals are doing, etc. The activities Ms. Fenech selects for the animals are hilarious. Wait until you get to the socks. Ms. Fenech expanded the series to include dinnertime and bedtime. The 3-book series (which may expand further) is also available in Spanish. Visit her Amazon Author Page to see all of the books. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
Aviva Gittle hosts The Gittle List Book Competition. She publishes children’s picture books through her company, Gittle Publishing. Find all her books on Amazon.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
A Mother Faces the Challenge All Parents Fear
A Mother Faces the Challenge All Parents Fear And Becomes a Children’s Book Author in the Process
Chase was just a 3-year-old boy running around an amusement park with his big brother CJ.
The next thing Chisa Merriweather and her husband Chad knew, their little boy was fighting for his life. In the middle of the park, in the middle of a beautiful day, Chase came down with a rare blood infection, which led to a brain hemorrhage and sepsis. “This was the most frightening day of my life…I felt absolutely helpless,” Chisa says.
Chisa knew this was not a situation that a few stitches or a course of antibiotics could fix. “The days of living in the ICU were long and painful. Watching Chase lying motionless in a hospital bed connected to so many machines made me feel as though I failed him.”
“He went from uttering, ‘Mommy’ to dancing on his hospital bed.
Slowly, the boy they call “Tank” — because he tackles any obstacle in his way — improved. He went from uttering, “Mommy” to dancing on his hospital bed to Michael Jackson. “While in full superhero attire, CJ enjoyed pushing Chase through the halls with their oversized stuffed Batman and Superman attached to the back of his wheel chair.”
But, the infection wasn’t quite done with Chase. On December 14, 2013, Chase had his feet and hands amputated. Chisa says, “I felt like we had finally hit rock bottom. There was nowhere for us to go but up.” Chase looked different from the little boy the Merriweathers took to the park that day, but they were all determined to help Chase reach his full potential. “My last tear for Chase was cried that morning,” Chisa says.
Artist Cathy Reene turns Chase into “Chase-Man.”
Eventually, Chase was given prosthetics for his hands and feet. The doctors told him to take it slow, but “Chase-Man” — boy superhero — wasn’t going to slow down for anyone. Today, Chase is the same “Tank” with the unstoppable optimism he always possessed. From superhero to soccer, he lives each day to its fullest.
Chisa and Chase’s teacher, Nicole White, got together and co-wrote a children’s book based on Chase’s amazing story. The two women entered Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero into The Gittle List 2017 Book Competition. (Cathy Reene — a 2014 Gittle List recipient for her work on The King’s Dream: A Fairy Tale by Harris Tobias — illustrated Chase-Man.) Chisa says, “Chase was excited to see himself as an illustration. Cathy Reene was able to capture is ‘robot feet’ and ‘robot hands’ so well!” Chase’s favorite illustration is of him with his red superhero cape.
Chisa hopes to win a spot on The Gittle List, but the greatest prize is watching the son she almost lost tackling obstacles every day.
Have you self-published a great children’s picture book? See if your book meets The Gittle List Book Competition submission guidelines. Entries must be received by November 15, 2017.
Gittle List entrant and Chase’s mom, Chisa Merriweather
Co-author of Chase-Man and Chase’s teacher, Nicole White
Desirée DiGerolamo – #4 on The Gittle List 2016
Desirée DiGerolamo won the #4 spot on The Gittle List 2016 for I Am An Art Superhero. Read my review here. In this exclusive interview, Desirée shares the best advice she ever received. Of course it was from her mom. 🙂
#4 on The Gittle List 2016
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? In a matter of moments I felt shocked, excited, emotional and accomplished – then I went back to the site to check it again thinking I had made a mistake.
What was the inspiration behind your book? It was a very long journey getting I Am An Art Superhero to become a book. It began as an actual incident that happened in my art classroom. It evolved into a story I told friends, a “lesson” I taught my students, a fully funded Kickstarter project and ultimately a published book.
Interior illustration by Desirée DiGerolamo
Which children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? I would have to say that Jan Brett is one of my favorite illustrators. She has a very distinctive style with much attention paid to detail. I love details. Her colorful illustrations are filled with warmth and humor. The Mitten is one of my favorites.
What is your favorite children’s book? My favorite children’s book is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. I read this book over and over to my boys when they were young. It perfectly describes a parent’s unconditional love for their children. It does exactly what a book should do – it makes you feel.
Interior illustration by Desirée DiGerolamo
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I am fearless in my ability to follow my passions. I am simultaneously confident and insecure. I have a wicked sense of humor.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? My mother always said, ”You can be anything you want to be, as long as you are willing to work hard enough.” She was right – I have had many different careers in my life, each one of them a creative steppingstone to the next.
What was a defining moment in your life? Moving from Connecticut to Los Angeles by myself at 18 years old to pursue an acting career.
Contact Desirée:
Desirée DiGerolamo – #4 on The Gittle List 2016
I am a curious, creative soul who loves learning new things. My creative side came out early in life with my love of photography- I’ve always enjoyed capturing moments and nature on film. I began to write captions for those moments and that ultimately led to my writing books. I have worn many artistic hats. I was a working actress, a Trade Show spokesperson, directed Musical Theater productions, and am currently teaching Drama and Art to elementary students. My husband Jeff and I produce and sell a family line of olive oil, Rancho DiVine, from our ranch in Paso Robles, CA. Together we have raised two very creative sons, Dylan and Cody.
The Gittle List is a book competition exclusively for self-published authors of children’s picture books. It is hosted by Aviva Gittle, owner of Aviva Gittle Publishing. To enter the contest, select “The Gittle List” from the top menu, then “Contest Rules.”
Bev Stone #1 & #5 on The Gittle List 2016
#5 on The Gittle List 2016
Bev Stone is the first indie author to win two spots on The Gittle List. She is also the first to get four Gittle List awards, and to win the #1 spot twice. Bev won the #5 spot this year for Rumbly Grumbly and the #1 spot for Snowpuppies and the Snowdeer. Read my review here. In this exclusive interview, Bev shares reveals her favorite character in the Snowpuppies series.
#1 on The Gittle List 2016
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? I watched every day form the tantalizingly first announcement. When I saw that Rumbly Grumbly was number five on the Gittle List, I was super excited. It’s always nice to know that someone out there who has no connection to you, likes your work. I had no expectations after that so when I finally saw number one, I screamed! Yep, I was by myself but I actually screamed. I was so excited! Snowpuppies and the Snowdeer is my “baby” so it’s gratifying to know that it’s appreciated. I have to add that Aviva Gittle’s reviews are always so beautifully written that receiving them is a gift.
Why did you decide to self-publish? Let me just say that I’m definitely open to traditional publishing but after doing some research, I found that most of the publishing houses are closed to unsolicited submissions, so I decided to check out self publishers. I did, and aside form marketing issues, it’s been a great experience. I’m about to publish my 8th children’s book with many more to come.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I work by hand, watercolor on paper. I’ve been painting for many years in both oil and watercolor but when I decided to illustrate I thought watercolor would be a good fit. I have to confess, I know very little about illustrating digitally so I stuck to what I was familiar with. I have to say that it’s really been a joy for me to illustrate my stories. I hope when you read them you can tell how much fun I’m having.
Tell us about your latest project. I have several books that I’m currently illustrating. Although I do write stories that don’t rhyme, these will be rhyming. I just can’t help it; I love to rhyme! :0) I can tell you that my next book features a big bug and I’m already working on the next Snowpuppy series. It’ll be a fun one which will introduce some interesting new characters and exciting adventures. When I was at a recent book signing, several people came up to me and said “snowpuppies would make a great kids movie!” ;0)
What do you do to market your books? Hmmm, marketing! Now that does not come easily! That’s definitely a drawback to self publishing. The one thing I’ve done that has really helped, is entering The Gittle List contest. It’s really the only contest that I’ve entered so far and its online presence, plus the advice that Aviva Gittle has given, has really helped. I recently started a non profit for kids, supported by the money I make from book sales, so I’m more motivated than ever to try and learn more about marketing my books.
Who is your favorite character in the books you’ve written? I think I’d have to say that so far my favorite character in one of my books is, Poe, the snowman in ‘Snowpuppies.’ Poe, along with Wind, watches over them all. He ‘speaks’ by signing and has a little squirrel who accompanies him wherever he goes. He’s a kind and loving snowman. You’ll hear more about him in future books, along with some other characters who may compete with him for my favorite. 🙂
Bev was introduced to art at an early age and that introduction started her on a journey to experience many different art mediums throughout the years. “I can’t remember when art wasn’t a part of my life. In 2013, Bev decided to combine her love of art with her love of writing and started illustrating some of her many children’s stories. She just published her 7th book with an 8th due out this Spring.
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Christopher P. Stanley – #6 on The Gittle List 2016
Christopher P. Stanley won the #6 spot on The Gittle List 2016 for The Tree Watcher. Read my review here. In this exclusive interview, Chris shares his reaction to winning and the best advice he’s ever received. (Hint: It involves sin.)
#6 on The Gittle List
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? It felt so fantastic to win a spot on The Gittle List! My first thought after hearing the news was, “Hey, I’m an award-winning author!” Ha! In all seriousness, I was taken aback and quite humbled. It’s truly amazing to have my work recognized in this way. I’m pretty sure I stared at the Gittle List website with a smile on my face for about 15 minutes making sure that it was real and I wasn’t just seeing things.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? One of the earliest memories I 
have of writing something of significance was when I was in 5th grade in 1990. I wrote a paper on the War of 1812 and won some school writing award. I remember my teacher gushing to the class that I used the phrase, “Unlike the British.” I honestly can’t remember anything else about it except the feeling associated with being recognized for my writing. That, and my friend Michael teasing me for having to stand in front of the class on the carpet area. Then my teacher sent me down to the office to give something to another teacher with the instructions that I was to tell her that, “she was a life saver, but not the kind with a hole in it.” So off I went, skipping merrily down the hall!
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? The Tree Watcher was definitely inspired by Nancy Tillman’s, On the Night You Were Born. The first time I read that book to my daughter it took everything I had to get to the end without crying. I had to blame the tear that rolled down my face on yawning – which was a solid excuse, by the way. 
My daughter totally bought it. But what I enjoy about that book is that it is equally loved by both parents and children alike. The sentimentality on every page really struck a chord with me and I attempted to evoke similar emotions in my book. It’s been one of the greatest joys of my life so see that, at least for some of my readers, I was successful and The Tree Watcher touched them in the same way Tillman’s book touched me.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I decided to self-publish because I believed I had something to contribute to the world of children’s books – that I had a voice – and I didn’t want it to fall into the Wasteland of Bureaucracy that is the traditional publishing world and have nothing come of it for years on end. I don’t know literary agents and, sadly, I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on attending writing conferences to meet them, so I knew it 
would be very hard to break into that scene. I am also lucky enough to be friends with a professional editor and one of my best friends is an artist, so he and I decided to start our own publishing company. Honestly, the process was harder and more labor intensive than I could have imagined. Self-publishing is a lot of work, but when I’m holding a copy of my book in my hands for the first time, it’s all worth it.
Draft of cover for upcoming project. (By Alex LeVasseur.)
Tell us about your latest project. My latest project is a book I’m working on with my friend and artist Alex LeVasseur called Dr. Ulysses J. Picklebottom’s Guide to Everyday Household Monsters and How to Defeat Them. While still in its nascent stages, Alex and I have some really solid, funny ideas outlined and ready to expand. The basic gist is that we categorize monsters that dwell in houses, such as monsters that live under the bed, in the closet, etc. and detail humorous ways that kids can thwart their plots. I’m excited to see the finished product later this year!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Back in my college days (may they ever reign) one of my favorite professors, Dr. Kathleen Riley, constantly captured my imagination and inspired me to succeed. Stealing a line from Martin Luther, she used to say, “If you are going to sin, then sin boldly.” I really took this metaphor to heart, and I think about it often as I am getting ready to attempt some sort of crazy project. It has helped me to cast aside my self-doubts and, more generally, to not be afraid to embrace my ambitions. We only get one shot at this life, after all. I have passed her advice on many times over these intervening years, and it continues to be the most impactful advice I’ve ever received; in fact, it was her words that echoed through my head as I began to write a novel last year. If not for this piece of advice, the thought of writing books might have been too intimidating to attempt. Thank you, Dr. Riley!
Christopher P. Stanley grew up in Grove City, OH and had a childhood that centered around imagination, play, and exploring the outdoors (mixed in with a healthy amount of Nintendo). He is an award-winning children’s author and a co-founder of Jump Splash Books, a publishing company that aims to highlight imagination and celebrate the joys of childhood. A graduate of Ohio Dominican University, Christopher has been an educator for the past ten years in both the K-12 and Higher Education settings. He currently lives in Upper Arlington, OH with his wife, four children, a dog named Captain Theodore Wookiee Roosevelt and a rodent called Alexander Hamsterton.
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The Gittle List is a book competition exclusively for self-published authors of children’s picture books. It is hosted by Aviva Gittle, owner of Aviva Gittle Publishing. To enter the contest, select “The Gittle List” from the top menu, then “Contest Rules.”
Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf – #8 on The Gittle List 2016
Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf won the #8 on The Gittle List 2016 for her book Priceless Penny. In her exclusive interview with Aviva, she shares her favorite color and reveals her next project. Read my review of Priceless Penny here.
#8 on The Gittle List
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? I am truly honored to have won a spot on The Gittle List. I was so excited that I immediately called my husband to tell him the good news. The first thought that ran through my mind after hearing the news was that Penny’s story had touched someone’s heart. It means the world to me knowing that Penny is such an inspiration to others.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? I was about three years old when I began writing. I used to make up stories about fairy tale characters and create my own newspapers. My parents encouraged me to keep writing and to follow my dreams.
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series, is the author who has most influenced my work. He had a way of creating whole worlds through his words. I could always visualize the characters that he created in my mind as I hungrily read each book in the series. I hope to create such depth in my written works.
Interior illustration by James Sell.
What is your favorite color or color combination? My favorite color is orange. I love orange because it reminds me of my favorite time of year, fall. I love seeing the bright orange pumpkins lying in the fields as the smell of burning leaves wafts through the air. Seeing pumpkins reminds of wonderful childhood memories where my parents would take me pumpkin picking at Eckert’s Family Farm.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I decided to self-publish so that I could have more creative control over the book creation process. I actually found it to be easier than I thought it would be. James Sell, my illustrator, and I worked wonderfully together which made the process flow smoothly. I loved being able to bounce ideas off of James directly instead of having to go through a team of people to reach the illustrator.
Interior illustration by James Sell.
Tell us about your latest project. The latest project that I am working on is the second installment in the Priceless Penny series. In Penny Discovers Hope, Penny meets Hope, a double dapple Dachshund that was born without eyes and is completely deaf. Penny soon learns that Hope can still accomplish amazing things even though she is differently-abled.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. 1. I have a double uvula. 2. I have a screw in my pinky finger on my right hand. 3. I have a tooth in a tooth. This occurs when a tooth actually grows around a pre-existing tooth.
Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications-Print Journalism from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While there, she earned the Outstanding Student in Journalism award in 2006.
Priceless Penny is the second book written by Kramer-Theuerkauf. Her first book is a collection of poetry entitled More Than Words that was published in 2010. In 2015, she created her own publishing company called Theuerkauf’s Tails, LLC. She is also an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA).
Contact Lauren:
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