Okay, today I’m feeling sluggish…but editing doesn’t wait for anybody! We have manuscripts to be edited and children’s manuscripts to be illustrated.

For any of my writers out there—make sure you always have your work edited by someone else when submitting to a publishing house. We never want work to come to us in first draft form. We want your best. Your best always comes with a professional edit even though we still have an editing procedure in house.

Now for some inspiration that I found…

I’ll admit it.  I’m a book addict.  So what?

I love to surround myself with books.  I like to look at them, run my fingers along their spines as they stand on my bookshelves, and smell them on occasion.  Books give me goosebumps.  :)  I’m surprised my husband isn’t jealous about my countless affairs with those irresistible pages.

But lately, I have been wondering if anybody wants to buy a physical book anymore.  There is so much attention paid to the Kindle series, the Nook series, and the iBookstore, that I’m afraid physical books will be a ancient idea years from now.  As a publisher who loves the fresh smell of newly printed books arriving and being able to first crease them, I’m not sure what I will do if the only option is e-printing books.  Have you ever try to smell the Kindle?  What’s that like? Plastic?

I know e-books have opened up a world of opportunities to allow books to be more interactive and we are certainly trying to take advantage of that.  But, the thought of NOT being able to hold a book in your hands and flip through the pages is sad.  Do you think we can exist with both physical AND electronic?  I never imaged having to read to my daughter from a computer…

It’s 2012 and all publishers, myself included, are always on the lookout for that next “bestseller”—the book that will inspire/encourage/enlighten/cause “talk”/and yes, bring in the cash.  The one that EVERYONE will be talking about.  Seems like a tall order—and it is.  That’s why we get a new gray hair popping up every week.

So, let’s take a crack at children’s books.

I’d love to know from parents what type of children’s books do you love?  We all know the classics and love them.  But, is there a book that you have read lately that you like?

I found the cutest book and I really enjoyed reading it.  It opens up the love for young children and books.

My First…

by Eva Montanari

I always tell writers to ‘take an old theme and create a new angle’ when they ask how do they write a successful book when it seems that there is a book for every subject under the sun.  I also believe that picture books need to not only have great words, but fantastic pictures.  Have you ever looked at a small child and watched them be mesmorized by the beautiful pictures in a book?  They look like they just saw a bag of candy.

So, tell me, what children’s book do you like and if you have any suggestions for ones you would like to see?  :)

Wow.  It’s 2012 and we are already off to a running start.  I, along with the rest of WLB, want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

I’ve had an emergency to deal with for the last month and a half that prevented me from hanging out on my ‘cyberspace couch’.  But I’m missed you all!

Now, for a little “house cleaning”.  By now the winner of last month’s The Golden Sky iPad 2 Giveaway has been notified but I wanted to congratulate her on my blog nonetheless.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

ROBIN KIRK MURPHY!!!!

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________

I also found some great quotes that I think are perfect for starting out the new year:

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~Confucius

“Wear the old coat and buy the new book.” ~Austin Phelps

This is why my coat doesn’t fit!  :)  Anyone else have a great quote that they want to implement in 2012?

“I read over a hundred books a year

and have done so since I was fifteen years old,

and every book I’ve read has taught me something.”

~Nicholas Sparks

I couldn’t agree more.  Books give such a unique look into other cultures, environments (real and imaginative), and personalities.  This year is ending and I didn’t get a chance to read 100 books but I did get in my fair share.  :)  I think I probably only read about 25 books this year.  It usually takes up the time I try to get some sleep.  Whether it’s one or 25, I love to lose myself in the pages of a book and get wrapped up in the lives of characters.  That’s probably why I am a publisher.  Being able to be a part of the making of a good commercial book makes me smile every time.  Maybe next year.  100 books in 365 days.  Wow–as I am typing this it looks a little daunting.  But, what’s life without challenges?  Who needs a home cooked meal, or sleep, or a shower?  Any other book lovers out there?  How many books did you manage to get in this year?  Any ones you love?

Also, since there has been talk about our “name your price” book sale, I decided to do another promo for the holidays.  It’s hard shopping for everyone on the list in today’s economy!  What better gift is there than a book?  :)  It’s last forever and DOESN’T NEED BATTERIES!!!!  So, we a giving away free books (just pay S&H)!

You heard me!  FREE BOOKS!

So, take a peek on our site: www.writerslairbooks.com/bookshop and take home some books asap!