Kristin Butcher... has novel ideas

I am still working diligently on the revisions for The Order of Death and Other Secret Societies. At first I was overwhelmed by the prospect, because it seemed like the publisher and editor wanted the impossible -- namely the secret societies' secrets. But with some rethinking, researching, and rewriting, I think I'm getting closer to the goal. No, I don't know all the secrets, but I'm presenting what I've been able to discover in a more intriguing way. And since the publisher has extended the deadline, I'm feeling a lot less pressure.

On other fronts, things have been smoother sailing. I received the editorial feedback for The Last Superhero yesterday, and the changes were pretty minimal -- mostly just some punctuation fixes, which I whipped through in about ten minutes. Thank goodness! I don't think I could handle two major sets of revisions at the same time.

Just before Christmas I got an unepected cheque from one of my publishers for The Gramma War, a juvenile novel that was published in 2001. Apparently the Maryland Department of Education wants to use an excerpt from it in their reading assessment tests. Neato.

Another first for me will be happening sometime in February. A teacher in Edina, Minnesota has invited me to Skype with special ed students at her school. This will be as close as I come to being a television celebrity. I'm looking forward to it. It should be fun.

Finally, I just found out a few minutes ago that Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers was named to Resource Links Magazine's Best Books List for 2009.

All in all, things are going pretty well. 

Okay, so I've done my best to pick a fight with my husband -- it being Boxing Day and all -- and to no avail. The man is so filled with the Christmas Spirit(s) that there is no hope. (Besides which, I can't seem to hit a single correct key on the keyboard). I am simultaneously filled with hope and overwhelmed with burderns. One grandchild has reached the one year landmark and the newest has withstood a brush with death in Sick Kids Hospital. It's been quite the Christmas season. I have a publishing commitment to meet and two others in the wings. I am thankful for my publishing success, and hopeful that the new year will bring more work my way. The new year offers a reunion with farflung family and new books. I also want to do some painting. Too bad a day has only 24 hours.

Dear Facebook Friends,

I have been locked out of Facebook since mid-October. I can read what's posted -- at least most of it -- but I can't post a thing. Anything you see from me is via a link with my website blog. So please know that I'm not ignoring you; I just can't connect with you. Please visit my website (www.kristinbutcher.com) to connect with me through my email there.

Ciao.

Kristin 

... to be overworked, stressed, anxious, weary ... oh, yes -- and jolly!

When I returned from Book Week, there was a five-page revision letter waiting for me with a January 15th deadline attached to it. Doing my best not to panic, I told myself I would feel better once I talked to the editor. Things would become clear and everything would fall into place.

Yes, and no. Things did become more clear, but that didn't sweep away the amount of rewriting to be done; nor did it help me figure out how to go about it. I know what the editor and publisher don't like about the manuscript; I just don't know how to fix it yet. 

So while I've been rolling ideas around in my head, I've done some Christmas shopping, decorated the house, sent off gifts, made some antipasto, and created an email Christmas card.  

Last evening was Starlight Shopping in Campbell River, which basically means the stores were open until 11 pm and there was carolling, a wandering Santa, and hot chocolate. I spent much of the evening at Coho Books, signing my novels for cheerful shoppers. I had been very tired when I left home, but it didn't take long to get caught up in the spirit of the evening, and before I knew it, I was having a great time.

Today I'm off to Haig Brown house to a welcome reception for Harry Thurston, the new writer-in-residence. I've never met the man, but the writing community is a small one, and we must all support one another.

And when I get home ... well, there's still that 5-page revision letter. 

My Canadian Children's Book Week tour was fabulous. It's hard to believe that I was only gone 10 days. So much happened. I visited a part of Canada that I never knew existed, and I had a glimpse of a lifestyle totally different from my own. Everywhere I went I was treated very hospitably. The people were friendly and helpful, and I felt immediately at home.

Some of the highlights: riding four-wheelers on the boardwalks of Harrington Harbour; Netagamiou School buying every book I'd brought with me; the potluck supper at the community hall in Chevery -- especially the stepdancing; sharing a snack with the senior students at Harrington School; Amy Evans Boarding House; the round table discussion at the Community Learning Centre in Harrington Harbour; two radio interviews; sharing dinner with a fellow whose English was only a little better than my French; picking Medric O'Brien's brain; fabulous student audiences everywhere I went; Chevery sightseeing with commentary by Madison and Brianna; Pamela Anderson's sense of humour; the family writing session at the Misty River Inn; the look on the teachers' faces every time a student pulled the mummy's brain out through his nose; my accommodation in Blanc Sablon.

My biggest disappointments: I didn't get to ride in a helicopter; I didn't get to go to "The Edge" and put my foot on Labrador. And it was the wrong time of the year to see icebergs and puffins.

Everyone was fantastic, but I would like to give special thanks to Maureen and Don Wellman, who went above and beyond the call of duty. Not only did Maureen organize my visit in Blanc Sablon, she cooked Egyptian food for the presentation and made sistrums which she gave to me afterwards -- and saw me off at the airport with a cinnamon bun, because she knew I hadn't had breakfast. As for her husband, Don, he drove me everywhere and told wonderful stories while he did it. Thanks also to Medric O'Brien who made my day in St. Augustine very special. Not only did he make me comfortable in his school and take me to lunch, he also took me sight-seeing after school and saw me safely to my lodgings. Finally, I would like to thank Ana Osborne in Chevery for her part in making my trip memorable. She contacted me in advance to arrange for book sales and to help me dress appropriately for the weather and terrain, and she helped me gear my library presentations to the needs of the community. She's the one who invited me to the potluck supper and took care of a million other little details, of which I'm sure I'm not even aware.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I shall let the pictures do the talking for me. Enjoy -- I know I did.

It's 5:30 a.m., and in half an hour I head to the airport and Quebec for Canadian Children's Book Week. I'm excited, and a bit nervous. Today and tomorrow are strictly travel days. I'll get as far as Montreal today, and then tomorrow I'll carry on to Sept Iles and Blanc Sablon on the Lower North Shore of Quebec. School presentations and community sessions begin on Monday and continue through to the following Saturday. There might even be a radio interview thrown in as well.

I shall hop from one community to the next for seven days, and then it's back to Montreal next Sunday. In total I shall have 15 airplane rides, 2 helicopter rides, and 2 water taxi rides. If nothing else, I am definitely going to be well-travelled.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.

Wish me luck. 

Well, after having all my facebook functions frozen for two weeks, I was finally able to post stuff and reply to posts yesterday and this morning. But, alas, it looks like I am once more blocked. (@#*&&#!!&*) The really stupid part of all this -- aside from the deplorable and  immoral fact that there is no way to contact facebook and complain -- is that being frozen means I'm not even able to deactivate my account. Needless to say I am very frustrated.

The only way I can communicate with my facebook friends is by posting something on my website blog and having it appear on facebook as a note.

So, thanks to everyone who wished me well on my Silver Birch nomination. Who knows when I'll be able to get back to you on facebook.

Sheesh! 

"Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day!"

That's me cheerily singing (for the sake of your ears, please pretend it's Doris Day or maybe Barbra Streisand). I just can't help it. I'm super-thrilled! Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers: One Hundred Ancient Egyptian Jobs You Might Have Desired or Dreaded has just been shortlisted for the 2010 OLA Silver Birch Award (non-fiction category). How cool is that!!?!!

The only other time I was nominated for this award was way back in 1998 with my very first book, The Runaways. That was in the fiction category. The novel was a regional winner, but lost out on the big prize to Kenneth Oppel's Silverwing.

Considering Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers is pretty much my first venture into the land of factual books, I am especially pleased about this nomination, though it's a bit daunting to be in the company of such fine non-fiction veterans as Helaine Becker, Hugh Brewster, and my good friend, Diane Swanson, to name just three.

This is an Ontario Children's Choice Award, so Ontario school children have from now until late April to read the nominated titles. On April 23rd (my birthday -- could this be a lucky omen?) they vote for their favourites, and on May 13th, the winner will be announced at a big gala in Toronto.

It is my hope to attend the awards' ceremony. It is a wonderful celebration, and win or lose, it is a fabulous opportunity to mingle with other writers and meet a kazillion young, enthusiastic readers. Too much fun! So the plan is to try to book school visits for the week and a half prior to the gala to offset the travel costs.

Cross your fingers and wish me luck.

Well, it's done. Yesterday I put a bow on the manuscript and sent it on its way. It always feels good to reach that stage, but I've been working on that book so long there's suddenly a gap in my life.

It's only momentary though. I must be very wicked, because I don't seem to be catching much rest. Tomorrow is the launch for my new Zach & Zoe book -- 10:30 at Still Water Books and Art in Campbell River. If you're in the area, please drop in.

But I digress. I shall probably spend the better part of today preparing for tomorrow. That includes planning my reading and hemming something to wear. The launch should be fun, followed by lunch with some friends, and then it will be time to come home and get busy on all the other things I've pushed to the side for the last few months.

Things such as: constructing the props for my Quebec Book Tour (fake Pharaoh, death mask, brain scraper, canopic jars, overhead transparencies, etc.); read and review a book for CM Magazine (Sorry, Rosa Jordan -- I know you are waiting); make antipasto; help my mother make a crafty Christmas tree; write the chapter outline for book #3 in the Zach & Zoe series; CLEAN MY HOUSE; do some touch up painting; etc., etc.

That should take me to the middle of November and my book tour. When I get back, it will be time to make Christmas and attack the revisions for my three 2010 books.

And then?

Oh, I'm sure there will be something.

For the last two and one half days, logging on to facebook has been like looking through the windows of your locked house. You know you live there, but you can't get in. I can sign onto facebook, and I can view my home and profile page, but that's it. I cannot accept friend invitations or show friends I like their posts. I cannot comment on other people's posts; I cannot even update my own status or view my list of friends. Links take me nowhere. I am totally locked out.

I tried to report this problem to facebook, but with no luck. Apparently, it can't be done. I get to the Help page, but when I click on any of the links, they don't work either! AND there is absolutely no way to email facebook -- no way to contact them. I'm thinking they don't want to know what my problem is, let alone fix it.

So, on the off-chance that any of my facebook friends are reading this -- it is possible that the blog posts from my website are making it through the cyber-smog to my facebook page --I apologize for not responding to you. I would if I could, but I can't, and the way things are going, I may never be able to.

Facebook -- in your face!!!