Prolific author Ann Bausum whose many excellent historical nonfiction books for middle grade and teen readers, which have been published by National Geographic, has a pair of new books out about a World War I heroic canine and his human companion. Stubby the War Dog “served on 17 battlefronts, suffered wounds from crossfire, became a national celebrity, met three Presidents, and found a best friend in American soldier J. Robert Conroy,” according the the book blurb on Ann’s website. http://www.annbausum.com/stubby-twd.html. Ann reports that the “California Reading Association recently announced its 2014 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Awards. Eight titles earned Gold awards, including my children’s title Stubby the War Dog.” The accompanying adult book is Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation. http://www.annbausum.com/stubby-sgt.html
Children's Author to Stump for "Stubby"
Wisconsin writer/researcher extraordinaire Ann Bausum whose many historical nonfiction books have been published by National Geographic is speaking at two library-sponsored events this week. Here’s her announcement:
“Veteran’s Day approaches, and this commemoration is bringing my war dog friend Stubby some additional recognition. I’ll be speaking twice about “Stubby and his Favorite Doughboy” (aka Corporal Robert Conroy) at two upcoming events in Wisconsin.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 at 7 p.m.
You can catch us at the Belleville High School Auditorium in an event sponsored by the Belleville Public Library.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 at 10 a.m.
I’ll be speaking in the Community Room of the DeForest Public Library near Madison.
You’d be welcome to join me at either site. My program is packed with stories and photos and will be suitable for adults and families alike (children circa nine yrs old and up).
For a bit of additional background, visit Stubby on my author website:
http://www.annbausum.com/stubby-twd.html
Or, here’s a story that ran last week in the Janesville (WI) Gazette:
http://www.walworthcountytoday.com/20141101/janesville_author_breathes_new_life_into_stubby_the_war_dog
Also, in a bit of belated good news, I’ll report that the California Reading Association recently announced its 2014 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Awards. Eight titles earned Gold awards, including my children’s title Stubby the War Dog.”
As an aside, I gave Stubby the War Dog, a young reader’s companion book to Sergeant Stubby to my grandson for his 8th birthday.
Like many kids, he knows quite a bit about World War II, he’s not much about World War I. He was thrilled to get Stubby and wanted to read it right there in the midst of other presents and birthday cake. Thanks, Ann!
Ann received CWW’s 2009 Tofte/Wright Children’s Literature Award for her Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American
Immigration, also published by National Geographic. Information about this year’s CWW contests is at http://www.wiswriters.org/rules.htm. The entry deadline is January 31, 2015.
Good News from Wisconsin Children's Writers
Ann Bausum‘s two companion releases about Stubby, the World War I hero dog — one book, Sgt. Stubby, for adults, the other, Stubby the War Dog, for young readers, both published by National Geographic — are getting lots of ink. Here’s Ann’s latest report:
“My pal Stubby keeps landing press coverage and seems off to a good start, both on the children’s side and for adults. Recent stories, mentions, and reviews have appeared in American History magazine, the Hartford Courant (CT), the Wall Street Journal, the Seattle Times, and on a blog called Literary Dogs. Check out my Facebook page for details: www.Facebook.com/AnnBausum”
This from Janet Halfmann: “…my new book, Animal Teachers, to be released in August by Blue Apple Book,s has received a great review from Kirkus Reviews: ‘Nicely connecting the child to the natural world, this would be a useful opener for a unit about animals as well as a title to share with young animal lovers.’ ANIMAL TEACHERS by Janet Halfmann, Katy Hudson”
Lisa Albert says, “My Enslow biography, STEPHENIE MEYER: AUTHOR OF THE TWILIGHT SAGA, was released as an audiobook by Recorded Books. The narrator is the reader of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Jodi Picolt’s books. Recorded Books approached Enslow a couple of years ago, and I was informed of that, but didn’t know it was actually made and released until I was updating promo material and came across it!”
Dori Chaconas‘s Cork and Fuzz continue their adventures in A CORK AND FUZZ CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOK.Here’s her announcement:
“I’m pleased to announce that Viking has asked for a Cork and Fuzz picture book to help celebrate Cork and Fuzz’s tenth EZ reader and both will be out next year. The picture book is a Christmas story, and after much work, three rejected attempts, (and anguish on my part – as my critique group can tell you) they made an offer on the fourth story.”
Wisconsin Children's Writers Celebrate Good News
The first of each month, members of Wisconsin’s chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators shares their good news, which includes, among other things, their newly published books, awards and glowing reviews. Here is what got posted this month:
From prolific author Ann Bausum whose books published by National Geographic include Freedom Riders, Marching to the Mountaintop, Muckrakers, Our Country’s Presidents, Our Country’s First Ladies, among others:
“My twin books Stubby the War Dog (for young readers) and Sergeant Stubby (for adult books), which go on sale May 13, are already earning praise from reviewers. The kids book has received starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal with such comments as “a triumph on three fronts: educational, emotional, and inspirational” (Booklist, April 15, 2014) and “a moving thoughtful dog story….a choice offering for dog lovers and history buffs alike” (School Library Journal, April 15, 2014). Kirkus praised the children’s book as “an absorbing read,” commenting that the book presents “a story that reads like fiction” (Kirkus, April 1, 2014). An early review for the adult title observed “the book’s charm simply radiates off the page” (Booklist, April 15, 2014). In short, so far, so good.”
Georgia Beaverson reports”
“I’m so happy to be able to share some good news this month. The Wisconsin Media Lab has contracted with me to serve as editor for 6 children’s books they plan to publish this year. Last year they published bios of such historical Wisconsin luminaries as Chief Oshkosh and the Harley-Davison duo. The 6 I will edit are also bios and will be free for classroom use.”
Kashmira Sheth says:
“Tiger in My Soup is nominated for Georgia Book award as well as Ohio Book award.
Also, in conjunction with National Library Week, the State Library of Ohio, Ohioana Library Association, and Ohio Center for the Book, Tiger in My Soup is selected as one of the 20 books for Choose to Read Ohio 2015 & 2016.”
Relative SCBWI newcomer Angie Stanton‘s new book Royally Lost, was released this past Tuesday.
“There was a great article today in the WI State Journal about my publishing journey” Angie says. Here’s the link.http://host.madison.com/entertainment/arts_and_theatre/books/a-fairy-tale-journey-madison-writer-finds-her-voice/article_a4266a87-f624-5a33-8572-55da487a810c.html.
Angie is having a book signing at A Room of One’s Own bookstore, 315 W. Gorham St., in Madison on Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m.
Congratulations to one and all!
SMA Awards Entry Deadline is Feb. 1
Award-winning biographer and children’s nonfiction author Ann Bausum sends the following information about the Society of Midland Authors and its program for book awards:As residents of the Midwest, all of us are eligible to enter our books in these annual contests. Award categories include children’s fiction and children’s nonfiction. Individuals with long-standing ties to the Midwest are eligible to enter the contest, too (even if they no longer live here).See below for the details of the awards and the entry process. (I hope the text that I am forwarding travels well!) Take note that the deadline for entries is approaching: February 1.
Best wishes for the new year,
ANN BAUSUM
Feb. 1 is the deadline to enter the Society of Midland Authors awards competition for books published in 2013.
The Society of Midland Authors literary awards recognize excellence–the best books of their kind by Midwestern writers. Our judges will select one winner in each category and may also select one or two finalists as worthy of recognition. Each winner will receive $500 and a recognition plaque, and each finalist will receive a plaque, at an awards banquet on May 13, 2014, in Chicago.
A book may be nominated by its author or publisher. Please read the following rules carefully before submitting:
- An entry form must accompany each book to each judge for a total of three forms per title (three judges, three forms, three books). Books unaccompanied by completed entry forms will not be considered.
- There is no entry fee and the author need not be a member of the SMA.
- The book must have been published in 2013 (with a corresponding copyright date) and the author must reside in, be born in, or have strong ties to one of the 12 Midland states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
- At this time, we do not consider e-book originals unless there is a corresponding print edition.
- Books by deceased authors are eligible, provided they meet the other requirements.
- Submissions must be postmarked by February 1, 2014. We strongly encourage early submissions.
To enter this year’s competition, print out the entry form posted at http://www.midlandauthors.com/contest_form.html and include a completed copy with each nominated book mailed to the judges (again: three judges, three forms, three books). Make sure that you enter the book in the proper category (Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir (adult), Children’s Fiction, Children’s Nonfiction, or Poetry). Books entered in improper categories will be disqualified.THE JUDGES ARE:
Adult Fiction
- Billy Lombardo, 13 Bergman Ct., Forest Park IL 60130
- Patricia Ann McNair, Fiction Writing Department, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60605
- Bayo Ojikutu, 6238 South Ellis Ave Unit #3, Chicago, IL 60637-2975
Adult Nonfiction
- John Hallwas, 404 S. Edwards St., Macomb IL 61455
- Re’Lynn Hansen, 14388 Lakeshore Road, Lakeside MI 49116
- James Merriner, 530 Michigan Ave. #3E, Evanston IL 60202
Biography & Memoir (Adult)
- Ray Boomhower, Indiana Historical Society Press, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis IN 46202-3269
- Diane Diekman, Realty Center, 3023 E. 10th St., Sioux Falls SD 57103
- Gerry Souter, 905 E. Frederick St., Arlington Heights IL 60004-5737
Children’s Fiction
- Charlotte Herman, 6623 N. Monticello, Lincolnwood IL 60712
- Marianne Malone, 408 E. Oakbrook Circle, Urbana IL 61802
- Gary Schmidt, Department of English, Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546
Children’s Nonfiction
- Ann Bausum, 613 Monroe Street, Janesville WI 53545-1783
- Marlene Targ Brill, 314 Lawndale, Wilmette IL 60091
- Andrew Medlar, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., 10-S, Chicago IL 60605
Poetry
- Mark Eleveld, 305 Brooks Ave., Joliet IL 60435
- Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, c/o Third World Press, 7822 S. Dobson Avenue, Chicago IL 60619-0730
- Donna Seaman, 4159 N. Lawndale Ave., Chicago IL 60618
Should you have any questions, or to confirm that judges have received submitted books, email Society President Meg Tebo: awards@midlandauthors.com.For CWW contests categories, rules and awards — entry deadline is January 31–please go to www.wiswriters.org.
Wisconsin Children's Writers Rock!
Ann Bausum (Marching to the Mountaintop, Unraveling Freedom, Denied Detained Deported, Muckrakers, Freedom Riders, With Courage and Cloth, Our Country’s Presidents, Our Country’s First Ladies) surfaced last week, explaining her recent absence from SCBWI events to announce two firsts in her illustrious writing career: The upcoming publication of her first adult book and her first book contract with a New York publishing house. Her adult book is a companion title to her children’s publication about World War I service dog Sergeant Stubby. The adult and children’s book divisions of National Geographic, which has published her previous books, will publish both “Sergeant Stubby” books in May. Her contract with Viking is for Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights, about the 1969 riots that helped to spark the gay rights movement. Ann also added to her impressive string of awards. Her Marching to the Mountaintop, a biography about the final months of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., has received the Jane Addams Children’s Book Honor Award (for older readers) and the Carter G. Woodson Award (Middle Level category) from the National Council for the Social Studies.
Kashmira Sheth (My Dadima Wears a Sari, Monsoon Afternoon, No-Dogs-Allowed Rule, Boys Without Names, Blue Jasmine, Keeping Corner, Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet) reports that her Tiger in My Soup is on the Kirkus Best Children’s Books of 2013 list.
Kashmira will be joining children’s and adult writer, poet and former children’s librarian Evie Robillard on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Mystery To Me bookstore in Madison where Evie will be giving a “book talk and read aloud” as part of its “take your child to a bookstore day.” Her forthcoming chapbook of adult poetry–called The Willow-slip–is now available for preorder at FinishingLinePress.com.
There are so many writing and writing-related courses available to and offered by Wisconsin writers, that it would be impossible to include them in this blog. I’m making an exception, however, with a four-week online course called “Put Your Fear to Work” that award-winning middle-grade and YA writer Pat Schmatz will be offering in March. Writing with fear was the topic of the closing session Pat presented in October at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators-Wisconsin’s Fall Conference. It was one of the most compelling, insightful and beneficial conference sessions I’ve encountered. “It’s not just for kid writers,” Pat says, “it’s for anyone. … Scholarships are available and there’s an early-bird discount. Here’s the link for more details and to register: https://www.loft.org/classes/detail/?loft_product_id=55401. “Meanwhile,” Pat adds, “welcome to the dark and cold days – perfect time for fear excavation. Happy writing!”
Another link to visit is www.wiswriters.org, which contains information and entry forms for the Council for Wisconsin Writers’ 2013 writing contests. Entry deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. The link for a list of and information about the eight contests is http://www.wiswriters.org/awards.htm
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