Dropped Candy - Edition 7, Updates, NEW BOOK w/Tf7 + Bonus Question
How are things with your book? 📖
I fielded this question throughout 2024. Initially, I responded (truthfully): "I don't really know. My publisher doesn’t say much to me about that."
Quickly, I realized how boring this answer is. I tried out a variety of approaches. Here are a few:
I think it's doing good? I've seen it shelved in some independent bookshops. People I know, kids and adults, have told me that they enjoyed it.
I think it's doing pretty well. It is busy, having a new book out in the world! I've been doing author events -three panels at NCTE, a mini zine workshop, and several signings. A lot of people have purchased it.
It’s great! I've seen CoaCS on the shelves at numerous Boston Public Library children’s departments --particularly when my good buddy Nora and I went on a “library crawl” to visit the BPL’s 26 branches. Two branches asked me to sign their copy, and others put it up on display!
There’s more to say, of course, but this represents my experience, not the book’s, and not yours. Therefore, I’m turning the question your way. How’s CONFESSIONS OF A CANDY SNATCHER doing in your neck of the woods (/city,/’burb, /beach,/countryside)?
Have you seen the book shelved in a store or library?
Have you picked a copy up for your reading pleasure, or as a gift?
Have you heard a reader mention what they thought of the novel, or zine illustrations?
Share whatever CONFESSIONS news or updates you have, and I will likely include them in an upcoming Dropped Candy newsletter! Photos are equally welcome.
Accolades for Confessions of a Candy Snatcher
Did you know that CoaCS has a starred review from School Library Journal, and received other positive trade reviews? In 2024, Junior Library Guild announced that the novel is among their Gold Standard selections.
New Resources for Teachers
I’m filled with gratitude for a new, FREE resource created by author, freelance editor, and my friend and crit partner Wendy M. McDonald. Available on my website, this comprehensive 24-page curriculum unit for students in grades 5 through 9, offers:
Discussion questions
English and Chilean Spanish language vocabulary
Writing prompts
Culminating activities, including instructions for creating your own zines
The guide is comprehensive and preceptive. I hope it will inspire educators and readers to engage thoughtfully with the “wonders and mess” of their own lives, families, and communities by asking nuanced questions to discover commonalities and understanding. I hope many mini-zines are created!
Also on offer, and FREE, is a 2-page Teaching Tips sheet created by Candlewick Press.
Fall Event Recap
This fall, I was invited to speak on three panels at NCTE Boston. The National Council of Teachers of English conference was held in the (new) Seaport neighborhood of Boston, and thousands of teachers, education professionals, authors, illustrators, and others attended. In addition to the panels, I was fortunate to have been invited by my publisher Candlewick Press to sign free copies of CoaCS in the big exhibition hall. I’m excited to know that classrooms across the country will host Jonas and friends on their shelves.
On the same week as the November conference, I participated in the first Black Creatives Children’s Book Fair, organized by author Lisa Stringfellow, at the Roxbury branch of the Boston Public Library.
Then, in December, I attended the first Newton Children’s Book Festival, organized by author Mia Wenjen, where I talked about my novel to kids and parents for four hours straight, sold many books, and gave away 40+ mini-zines.
Which brings us to winter . . .
New Short Story Anthology by Table for 7 Press
In early December, the indie press created by my writer’s crit. group, launched our first anthology of short stories: Tonight’s Specials: Five Stories. One Vietnamese Restaurant.
Not a cookbook.
Synopsis: Five authors from Table for Seven Press, Phoebe Sinclair, G.J. Crespo, Erin M. Dionne (as Mina Allan), Wendy M. McDonald, Megan M. Mullin, with a foreword by Annette Trossello, weave together short stories that explore the eternal question: “What if…?” when the promise of tickets to see a beloved band are on the horizon.
This is a collection geared toward adults, although young people are welcome to read it. (Book cover design / refinement by rock musician and graphic designer, David Kurimsky.) TONIGHT’S SPECIALS is available in paperback and ebook at Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your favorite indie bookseller.
We hope you’ll consider picking up a copy for yourself, or as a gift, (or both)!
Learn More
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bluesky (so long 🐦): wholeheartlocal.bsky.social
tiktok (well . . .⏰): @pholoveslocal
🐥 Bonus Question 🐭
Did you miss these??
Complete four well-known children’s nursery rhymes, but with the WRONG ANSWERS. You read right: wrong answers ONLY.
Ok? Submit your WRONG ANSWERS here: https://forms.gle/fuDA1t2GjRpRQCq66