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Baby Sweater

It’s been a while since I shared some of the creative pursuits that I do other than writing. I don’t always have time to do a full blown craft or art project, so I do a lot of knitting because it’s portable. Also, I tend to like textile projects for colors, textures and patterns. Here’s a baby sweater that I made for my soon-to-be-born goddaughter, Lilianna.

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It’s so freaking cute (if I do say so myself!) that I want one for myself!!! I’m almost finished with a sweater that I’m making for myself that I also designed. Hopefully I can share pictures next week!

People who don’t read

I am slightly suspicsious of ‘people who don’t read.’ Especially when they admit to it freely. It seems almost shameful; something that you would want to hide. But people often tell me – “Oh, I don’t read” – when I mention what I am currently reading. The first time it happened was when I asked the mother of one of my daughter’s friends in elementary school if she wanted to join my book group. She said “It sounds like fun, but I really don’t read.” I was frankly stunned speechless. It seemed almost paramount to admitting that she didn’t brush her teeth.

More recently, a friend told me that the last book she read was “Fifty Shades of Grey” (over a year ago) and that she’d only read that because of the hype. ?!?!? I want to be clear that these are nice, seemingly normal people, but they have a dark and dirty secret. Actually, no, it’s not a secret because they freely admit to it.

I am really sad for ‘people who don’t read’ because of everything that they are missing. I absolutely LOVE to read!! The best think about having an e-reader is that I am never without a book. My bookshelves are literally overflowing with books, but I’ve been know to get panicky if I finish a book and don’t have something at hand to read next. I am currently reading four books simultaneously. One hardcover, one on my iPad and two audio books. If I am driving and listening to an audiobook and am in a really good part, I’ve been known to sit in the parking lot of my destination and even be late for an appointment so I can listen to the story, And that is really the crux of why I love reading. It’s the magic of story.

Story can take you places and make you feel things you’ve never felt before. It can open you up to new thoughts and ideas. It can challenge you and also take away the cares of the day. Although I admit to being a yarn snob (read some of my craft blogs) I’m not a reading snob. I’ve read my share of bodice rippers and People magazines in addition to “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “A Farewell to Arms” and enjoyed them all for different reasons. So it doesn’t always have to be fiction, but it’s my favorite.

My current book group is small, but composed of avid readers. In my last group, some of the members wanted to take the summers off from reading because they wouldn’t have time….isn’t that when we are supposed to have more time? We just finished “The Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline. It’s a wonderful tear-jerker which also provided information on a part of US history that I wasn’t aware of. I listened to it on audiobook and if you’ve never listened to an audiobook, I highly recommend it. The readers are talented performers who use different voices for all the characters adding another dimension to the story. I’d love to hear what you’re reading. I may have to add your recommendation to the pile of books waiting under my bedside table to be opened and enjoyed.

Fangirl at the ALAN Workshop of the NCTE

I am excited to be participating in the ALAN Workshop portion of the NCTE (National Conference for Teachers of English) in Boston this November. ALAN stands for Assembly on Literature for Adolescents at the NCTE conference. There will be over 500 teachers at the conference and they will all receive a copy of THE FIELD.(!) I am on the Sports Panel discussion to talk about THE FIELD – which has a sports theme – and also to talk about being a publisher. The three other authors on the panel are pretty heavy hitters.

Andrew Smith author of WINGER (getting Prinz buzz!)

Carl Deuker author of SWAGGER

David Klass author of SECOND IMPACT

So I am honored and thrilled to participate, but also a bit terrified!! Being selected to be on the panel gives me a feeling legitimacy and validation for my work as an author and a publisher, but I still have that fear – you know what I’m talking about – that they will discover that I’m just a poser, not the real thing. These other three authors have written several YA books apiece and they are all frankly, awesome. I’ve read WINGER by Andrew Smith and loved it, and stayed up until 1am last night finishing SWAGGER by Carl Deuker. They are both such powerful books. And also entertaining. And have such clear and distinct teen voices. YIKES!! (Look for reviews of their books in later posts.)

Next on my list is SECOND IMPACT by David Klass. I haven’t gotten to his book yet because I’ve been reading his “FIRESTORM – Caretakers Trilogy” first. In that series he uses many of the themes that are in THE FIELD. Environmental issues, sports and some science fiction/metaphysical bits, too. I’ve been looking for a book that is similar in part to THE FIELD and I think I found it in the “Firestorm” series.

THE FIELD isn’t actually my first book. INDIAN SUMMER is the story of Eric’s younger sister, Marcie, and is more for middle school readers. I have the beginnings of the next companion book to THE FIELD in outline form, too. So it’s not like I’m a total newbee, but still. These guys have written numerous of books. I sent them all THE FIELD and Carl Deuker sent me a note that he’s looking forward to reading it and that it looks great. 🙂  I’ve been going over and over my six minute ALAN presentation in my mind. Now I just have to get it down on paper. The trick will be not to act like too much of a fangirl at the workshop. Chris Crutcher is giving a presentation and John Green is receiving an award, along with dozens of other well-known and accomplished authors. So you see how it could be overwhelming for a YA lit lover like me.

The most exciting thing, though, is what if it turns out that they don’t think I’m a poser? What if they think I’m the real deal?

Moonbeam Award for THE FIELD

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards were announced last week and THE FIELD won a Bronze Medal! I am thrilled, excited, honored an humbled. Thank you to the Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher!

2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Results

“Celebrating Youthful Curiosity, Discovery and Learning through Books and Learning”
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Signing at Heartland Fall Forum

Last weekend I did a book signing for Independent Booksellers at the Heartland Fall Forum conference. I must have signed 100 books.  When I described THE FIELD as being about a high school boy trying out for the soccer team and connecting with the Universal Energy Field, they were very intrigued and said they are always looking for books for boys. I can attest that THE FIELD has been read and critiqued by teen boys and given the seal of approval!

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Goodreads Reviews of THE FIELD

Here’s what Goodreads reviewers have to say about The Field ~ Launch Date October 12th! Launch Party Thursday, October 10th!

“Sports, science, paranormal activity and strong realistic teenage characters, male and female. There is nothing not to like about this book.” ~ Ann Jones – Goodreads

“If you enjoy soccer or any sports and have been through high school it is an overall enjoyable and easy read that opened my eyes to new environmental practices and the mystical and magical energy fields.” ~ Lexie Miller – Goodreads

“The Field” by Tracy Richardson is an amazing combination of a clean cut, coming of age soccer athlete with a hint of a precognition type trait mixed in with educational science, scietific experimentation based in factual past practices mostly during war times, and a little magic and mysticism all rolled into one. Overall, I really liked The Field by Tracy Richardson and enjoyed so many different aspects of the story, even the fact that I can say that the cover on the ARC copy of the book is derived from page 154. That is so awesome.” CJ – Goodreads

“A fun book about soccer and tapping into hidden abilities. You don’t have to be a fan of soccer to like this book. I felt that the characters were credible. I enjoyed the psychic experiments that Eric works on in the lab. I also like the connection between Eric and Renee. I like Eric’s character. He is genuine and really cares about everyone, especially Will, even after he is mean and disrespectful to him. I also really like Renee. She is a down to earth girl who continually supports Eric. I enjoyed this book!” ~ Erin – Goodreads

Buy your copy today!