As the month of August is coming to a close, I find myself preparing for my autumn story programs.  Outside it's often over one hundred degrees.  It feels like the deep “dog days” of summer to me.  This even though most schools around here have already started two to three weeks ago. 

 Today it rained so hard it was a bit difficult to remember we are in a severe drought.  I heard a saying that was new to me.  Someone called the downpour a “toad strangler.”  Isn’t that a colorful way of putting it!

Looking back on July and August so far, it was much busier than I expected it to be. I remember looking at my calendar thinking it would be nice to have a slow summer.  When does life ever truly feel like it slows down for you?  For me, that so rarely happens, but busy can be fun too!

I've got so many things to work on right now.  It's exciting and fun.  Everyday I get more bookings.  I love fitting together all the various elements to make the best story programs I can for my clients!

This fall I'm finally doing Stories From Around the World.  It's great fun researching and preparing these gems.

I'm also preparing programs and materials for Summer Reading 2008.  I plan to have those ready to send out mid September for the libraries that are interested!

My co writer, Destin Hicks and I, have gotten the first picture book based on a stories I tell finished.  It is titled, The Rain Frog. We’ve also finished the first picture book in our rescue animal series.  That title is Star’s Forever Home.  Both are finished except for illustrations, editing by the agent and/or publisher and actually getting them published. 

 We would love to find the right people to our publishing agent, illustrator and publisher. That’s something we will be researching in the coming months.

I’ve also started up a Teen Reading, Literature, Arts and Social Group this month.  Our first book of the month for August 2007 is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. We will be meeting up to discuss it, share literature or art we’ve done and just hang this Friday.  It’s open to any teen in the Birmingham area that is interested.

 
Next month, September 2007, the book selection is Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. Contact me for more information about this club if you are interested.

 I am considering starting Parent Book Club in September to meet along side the teens since most of us drive our teens around anyway.  We will see how much interest there is in that.

In just another week or so the official autumn programs will start.  I hope to see you all at one of my private or public programs soon!