Happy News

Highlights just sent me an acceptance for some of my work. I'll post the full details when they are available, but in the meantime, YIPPEE!!! And let's throw in a few WHOO-HOOs, shall we ?!

I Won!!!

How cool is this - I entered a contest on the PiBoIdMo blog, and I won! The details of the contest are here:

http://taralazar.com/2012/11/21/piboidmo-day-21-debbie-ridpath-ohi

The assignment was to fill in a response to Mr. Turtleneck's statement. I thought his comment was utterly smack-worthy, which led me to the cage-fighting reference. The cartoon was created by talented illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Debbie's work includes the fantastically funny "I'm Bored."

Thank you so much Tara and Debbie for the opportunity. You guys really put the jingle in my bells this Christmas.

12 x 12 in 2013

Registration for 12 x 12 in 2013 opens January 2d people, January 2d. That's super soon!!! I'm super excited!!! I'm super over-using exclamation points!!!

According to the website: 12 x 12 in 2013 will be all it was in 2012 and MORE. Participants will not only be encouraged and supported as they attempt to write one picture book draft a month, but also to revise one and submit one as additional, optional goals. There will of course be more outstanding featured authors giving away fabulous prizes that will help you in your craft. And we will have a brand new forum to share and exchange information in addition to the Facebook group – so everyone who joins can participate 100%.

http://www.juliehedlund.com/12-x-12

Hire An Illustrator

Though I'm not pursuing self-publishing myself, I've had a few requests for posts about the subject. As a one-time graphic designer and Cartoon Network intern, I'm obsessed with illustrations and so I thought I'd post the introduction of this helpful how-to: "There has been a significant increase in small press or self-publishing, as ways of getting your work out there increase outside of traditional publishing streams... this booklet is intended to educate those who have never commissioned illustrations..." Text by Randy Gallegos

http://www.hireanillustrator.com/how-to-commission-an-illustrator.pdf

Pajama Press Open to Queries Dec 1!!

**UPDATE: I recently confirmed with Pajama Press that they do accept work from American authors**

According to their website: 

Due to an overwhelming volume of submissions, Pajama Press is not accepting submissions or queries at this time. Email queries will be accepted after December 1, 2012: info@pajamapress.ca

Pajama Press does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. If you would like to request permission to send us a digital copy of your manuscript, please email a query to info@pajamapress.ca. Your query should include an overview of your book, information about your writing background, and an excerpt. Pajama Press prefers not to receive simultaneous submissions. Please notify us if you are submitting your manuscript to another publisher.

In the interest of saving trees, Pajama Press does not accept physical manuscripts. Any manuscripts mailed to our office will be recycled unopened.

Mirror Publishing

According to their website: We are accepting submissions for children’s books, 
young adult books, and full length books.  We do not publish books of poetry, 
cook books, or comic novels. Please only submit one manuscript.  We can only 
consider and work with one book at a time from any author.

http://pagesofwonder.com/submissions2.html

Seven Days

Seven days, if you count today, until the end of PiBoIdMo. That's seven more picture book ideas. Or, in my case, 14 more. Possibly 17. Or 27. This challenge has been great for me and the ideas are just bubbling up everywhere. Now all I have to do is write them - you know - the hard part. Eh, I'll worry about that in December.