ESC (Educational Services Center) Event in San Antonio, TX

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, I attended the Educational Services Center, Region 20 conference, in San Antonio, TX, along with many other authors, booksellers, and publishing houses. First picture shows me with awesome authors Claudia Villareal and Tim Tingle. The second one is with my dear friend and fabulous middle-grade author, Diana Lopez. Hundreds of teachers and librarians attended this event.

AUTHORS AT ESC EVENT

AUTHOR WITH DIANA LOPEZ

Also in attendance were two storytellers from the Storybook Theater. The fun begins!

STORYBOOK THEATER

The story is not what happens; the story is who it happens to. — Peter Rubie, How to Tell a Story

Author School visits. It’s that time of year again. School visits! My schedule is filling up fast. I like doing school visits because the students’ reactions to my books and writing process energize me. These students inspire me to keep on writing. This is what it’s all about for me. Literacy and reading for pleasure as well. Reading is fun!

School Visit

Do you sometimes struggle with your writing whether it’s just getting the novel done or dealing with rejections? Here’s an interesting article by author Jenny Martin. She was interviewed on the Writer’s Digest blog, Guide to Literary Agents, by Chuck Sambuchino. The title of the article is “4 Pieces of Advice for Struggling Writers.” Martin lists the four: if you’re struggling to succeed (1) you’re in good company, (2) write the next book, (3) you need to get back up, and (4) you’ll be prepared when you DO succeed.

” I think [a good book] all starts with passion—a subject the author is passionate about exploring, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction.”  — James Cross Giblin

I am thrilled to announce that, Latina Authors & Their Muses, edited by Mayra Calvani and published by Twilight Times, took first place under the Best Latino Focused Nonfiction Book category at the 18^th annual Latino Literacy International Latino Book Awards ceremony . The event was held on September 8, 2016, at the Dominguez Ballroom of California State University, Dominguez Hills. Thank you, Mayra, for including me in this anthology with so many other awesome authors.