A Cover for Hades Speaks!

Illustrator J.E. Larson has outdone himself, for real! I wish you could see the "foil" effect on the eyes. So. Delightfully. Creepy. This book, I think, really hits the sweet spot for kids ages 9-12 interested in mythology.

Hades Speaks! A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead (Boyds Mills Press) releases this October--just in time for Halloween!

Many of you know that I'm a docent at the Carlos Museum at Emory University. It occurred to me that, without realizing it, I'd turned both Anubis (Anubis Speaks!) and Hades into "docents" or tour guides of their own mythological worlds. Each god walks the reader through their respective afterlife/underworld landscapes, sharing bits of history and ritual along the way.

Keep an eye out for giiveaways of the advanced reading copies (ARCs) coming up soon, though I'll likely wait until after Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii (YA historical fiction) releases at the end of May. If you are (or know of) an elementary school librarian who would like a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review, contact me by either leaving a comment or emailing me directly.

Go Hades!

And Now for the Rest of Us...

    A reporter once asked an industry insider how an author gets on the New York Times bestseller list.
     "Oh that's easy," the guy said. "Already BE on the NYT Bestseller list."
     His answer was a nod toward the reality that once an author makes it to the big leagues, it's usually hard to knock him or her off the list. First, because usually (and especially in children's lit) the book is really, really good. Second, because the publisher will support that author/book with even more aggressive marketing for current and future projects. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle.
     So what are the rest of us to do (outside of writing the best book we can)? We do our own marketing, especially if the publisher is smaller. We "hit the streets" as best we can--telling librarians and booksellers about our books, sharing about it on FB and Twitter, and asking our friends and acquaintances to help spread the word. 
     Supporting a local author doesn't necessarily mean having to buy the book (though that would be nice!). It could be as simple as:

• Asking your local library to carry it.
• Telling your child's school librarian about it.
• Requesting that a local book seller carry it.
• Recommending it to book clubs.
• Sharing the book with friends and getting them excited about it.
• Writing a review of the book for Goodreads, Amazon, Library Thing, or Barnes and Noble. Or even better, on your blog!

     Anybody game to help me spread the word about Anubis Speaks!? Do you know someone who teaches ancient civ? Who loves Egyptian mythology? Who works with kids in the 4th through 6th grades or in a Gifted Program? Let me know and I'll send you bookmarks as well as my undying gratitude!!

 

Friday Funnies--Ancient Style!

Anubis Wishes he Could Speak

(Reason 4,786 why Anubis hates cats)

(Mah boy's response...)

(Anubis's good deed)

3-D Mask of Anubis

Elizabeth Hornor models the prototype for the 3-D Anubis masks we'll be making...

     This, my friends, is why I love my job (well, it's not really my job, it's more of my passion, but you know what I mean, right?). Today, I met at the Carlos Museum with local artist Pam Beagle as well as Elizabeth Hornor and Nina West from the museum's education department to work out the details for my upcoming children's program. 
     Look, just look, at the 3-D mask of Anubis Pam created. We are going to make these masks as part of the "Anubis Speaks!" program. And this is just the prototype. The ones we will create that day will be on glossy gold and black paper. Isn't Pam's work amazing???
     The program--from 1-3 pm on Sunday, November 17--will begin with an "Anubis Tour," where I will guide kids through the galleries looking for mummies, monsters and Anubis. Then we will move to the art room where we will make our 3-D masks. I will tell stories from my latest book, Anubis Speaks!, while we work.

     The program is limited to 16 participants, so if you think your child will want to be a part of it, sign up soon.  Here are the deets:

For ages 8-12 years. Fee: $12 for Carlos Museum members;

$15 for non-members. Registration is required by

calling 404-727-0519. 

I, for one, cannot wait!