I haven't been ignoring you...

To steal a line from Bridgerton--"Dearest gentle reader..."

I have not been ignoring you despite the fact that there hasn't been a blog entry since October. 

OH NO!! In fact, it's the exact opposite! I've been busily interacting with my readers, and holiday shoppers, and awards programs, and creating new ideas!

One of the things that kept me pretty busy in the lead up to Christmas 2024 was the round of Christmas Bazaars and Art Sales going on, not just in Barbados but shipping books to representatives who dealt with sales in Canada for me as well as some bulk shipments to the USA retailers.

The other pre-Christmas time consumer was putting the final touches on Cried the Raven which released in December. There were ink drawings to do, so my older readers could easily segue between picture books and middle school. There were final edits to do. And there was working on preparing some resources for the ending of the book.

January saw some big announcements in our email inboxes here with Short Lists and Finalist announcements for various awards so we raced to keep up with the posts while travelling to Scotland to visit the family of my very patient Dave. This was a pivotal trip in a couple of ways for you, my reader, as I was able to get my books placed in the ever popular Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum and scoped out settings and scenery for something which will be released in the next couple of months! The excitement for that book release has an extra edge to it as the main character has been modelled on my own dear father-in-law who was an intrepid hill climber and mountain climber in his day. He seemed bemused by my story and rough sketches but has given it his blessing so "Hugh MacCoo", his namesake, shall be emerging from the editor and design phase quite soon!

February and March were whirlwinds of sketching, colourisation, working on various art projects and some virtual speaking engagements with a couple of writer groups. I also attended a writing workshop or two as a student and felt my writing batteries recharged as a result. Working with fellow creatives can have this effect.

Then, along came April. A big trip by plane to end up in Washington State in the beautiful Pacific Northwest USA to attend CAC2025 (Chanticleer Author's Conference) and the 2024 CIBA Awards banquet. There was much excitement because I had TWO titles -- Ess-Car-Go! and Island Moon in different categories of the Little Peeps Early Reader Awards.

There was no win for Ess-Car-Go! this year but Island Moon  won First Place in it's category of bedtime books. I was so proud and very patient Dave was there to cheer me on, as was fellow author, competitor and friend Julie Lomax. Her book won it's category ribbon as well. We settled back at our table to cheer on other writers receiving their awards and then Division prizes were announced.

I was flabbergasted to hear them call my name and Island Moon!! No way had I expected that although I'm very proud of the book. I had read most of the competitor's entries and there was some very stiff competition out there with some very well-written and illustrated work. I confess, I blubbed a bit. I can't lie about it because Dave took photos. However, I am still aglow with this news as I sit here a month later trying to process how all my blog posts have gotten away from me!!

A short visit with Canadian family, and Dave and I were headed back to Barbados and work work work....illustrations, edits, noting down book ideas, processing sales paperwork, making connections with local vendors and now preparing for the final stages and another new release! 

I shall endeavour to keep to my promised monthly blog post in future! I have missed you all and look forward to your thoughts and comments.

As always,

​me xx