Speaking of ideas......and critics are born, not made

Right after I wrote my first children's book, The Fairy Painting, I wrote a chapter book called The Magic Waiting Room. I really like the story but, not having a boy who read at the time, I just couldn't get it right. My son is now 9 years old and is a great reader but is VERY picky about what he reads (it MUST be funny) so I got to thinking "maybe I can rewrite The Magic Waiting room so Son would like it AND get it out to a publisher" - thus killing two birds with one book. I picked up one of Son's favorite books - Diary of a Wimpy Kid - for inspiration then rewrote the beginning of MY book and gave it him to read. He read it, LAUGHED OUT LOUD, then said "That's pretty funny." But when I asked if he would like to read the rest of the story THIS is what I got:

"What's the title?"

"Who's the guy narrating it? What's his name?"

"Is the Magic Waiting Room a real place? Like, does it exist on earth?"

"Nah, I don't think so."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

Shameless self promotion

This coming Saturday (10/17) I will be reading my children's book, The Fairy Painting, at the Metro Detroit Baby and Kids Expo (in the Livonia Radisson Hotel) at 12:15 pm because, apparently, there is nothing I won't do to sell a few more books.

The Expo runs 11 am to 6 pm and even if you have no interest in me or my book but you do have kids (or are expecting some) you should check out the event. Admission is just $3…one dollar goes to March of Dimes. The Livonia Police Department will be there doing free kids finger printing. There will also be cupcake decorating, and if you can't find me at reading time hunt me down near the frosting. There will be representatives from Buy Buy Baby, CVS (free samples!), Mad Science, Baby Bliss, Goldfish, Providence Hospital, MESP, Moss World, Children’s Orchards, Thorton Photography, Borders, and more.

I will be selling (and signing!) books after my reading. I believe I've already pointed out that I am shameless.