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Who's Your Hero? Blog-fest

30/9/2013

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Six months ago, I released the novel Christine's Odyssey, a coming-of-age story. Today, I'm happy to announce that the second book in that series will be released next month. In both stories, there is one character who turns things around for Christine and her brother, making a huge difference in their lives.  Based on that aspect of the novels, I thought Heroes' Day—a national holiday in Jamaica—would be a good time for a release. I'll be going a day later though, with the official release.

In keeping with the hero theme, I'll be hosting a blogfest called Who's Your Hero? which will run from October 22 - 24. Did you know Jamaica has seven National Heroes? Yeah, we do. Hence the theme of my badge, which you're free to copy.  The blogfest will be hosted at The Character Depot.

It's easy to participate. Write a maximum of 300 words in which you talk about someone who's encouraged or inspired you in some way. It may be a spouse, writing buddy, teacher, one of your kids or none of the above. You get the gist.

If you can't participate in the blogfest, I'll also be organizing a write up that can be shared via twitter if people are so inclined. Leading up to the release of Saving Sam, I've discounted Christine's Odyssey to $0.99, so get your copy if you haven't read it as yet.

Feel free to tweet this post (see the icons below? Hint. Hint) as the more people we have the merrier. I should add here that I'll be doing a random drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Card as well as e-copies of both books on October 25. The Rafflecopter will be running from here on in.
Many thanks for participating and thanks ever so much to those of you who helped me decide on the cover for Saving Sam! Don't forget to sign up on the Linky list below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Tween Readers & Word Choices

25/9/2013

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Today is the day for the Tween the Weekends hop hosted by the Emblazoners. So what's it all about?

Tween the Weekends is a monthly feature hosted right here on Emblazon. This is an opportunity for everybody to promote tween literature, that age bracket squashed between middle grade and young adult. You can review a great tween book, post about writing for kids, connect with others who love the genre, support and encourage one another, relate news, share links, or just about anything else tween related. Let’s celebrate tween literature!

Like every other writer, I go through several rounds of edits to bring a manuscript to completion. However, fiction for young people is peculiar in that apart from the other red flags that come up, language is extremely important.

I've been working with a particular manuscript over several months and although I've kept the focus on word choices in the back of my mind, at this point I have my eagle eyes on that aspect, plus dialogue. Having written this book some time ago, I've been forced to give it more than a fine tooth treatment. Each word has to be examined to see that it's exactly the right one for a book of this kind and for a child the age of my protagonist. In short, since it's his story, his voice has to be accurate.

I don't want him to come across as being too old and at the same time I'm making sure the conversations sound natural. Of course, there will always be doubts because while I wonder if a 12 year old would say this or that thing, I have a son that age who amazes me with the span of his vocabulary and the depth of his intelligence.

Children don't appreciate being written down to and will spot a fake inside of a minute, so it is with this in mind that I'm wading through this book, determined to hit just the right note. It would be ideal if I had young readers to bounce the book off, but alas, with technology being what it is, I know of very few children who will sit still long enough to read a book.

I'm encouraged though because the few times I've lured my son into reading parts of the book to get his view on the language and such, he's given me good feedback. Now if I could tie him down for a few more pages...

That said, I believe that when writing for the tween set, a bit more is required for putting out a book that will resonate with readers.

What say you?

See the list of other writers who are participating here.


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Follow Fest with Melissa Maygrove

23/9/2013

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This week, I’m participating in Melissa Maygrove’s Follow Fest where we get to meet new folks and perhaps reconnect with old acquaintances. Details on the event are posted here.  And there will be prizes, so have a look-see here.

You ready? Here’s the stuff about me.

Name: Joy L. Campbell

Fiction or nonfiction? Mainly fiction these days, but I do write articles to do with the sport of golf on the island of Jamaica as well as craft articles on writing.

What genres do I write? Romance & Women’s Fiction. At Jamaican Kid Lit, I focus on Middle Grade & Young Adult Fiction.

Am I published? Yes. One action/adventure/romance novel. One family drama and a romantic suspense novel between two publishers. I’ve self-published my Middle Grade Fiction.

Do I do anything in addition to writing? I edit and like playing with graphics and I also read.

Where can people connect with me?

Blog
Facebook

Twitter
Goodreads
Google+

Author pages:
Amazon

Goodreads
Smashwords

Is there anything else I'd like you to know?
Gee, I’d like to say yes to writer’s groups, Twitter chats and such, but I tend to join and then forget the group if I don’t get reminders about activities. I’m always willing to help with cover reveals and such. Just ask when you need help.


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Choosing a Kid Lit Cover

18/9/2013

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I’ve been trying to finalize a cover for Saving Sam and would love to have some feedback. Which of these covers appeals most to you? Thanks for your help!
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Which cover do you think works best?
  
pollcode.com free polls 
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Best of Summer Results

9/9/2013

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Many thanks to everybody who participated in the Best of Summer 2013 Kid Lit Giveaway Hop. The hop was hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews  and Youth Literature Reviews. My winner was Michelle Willms as noted on the Rafflecopter below. Congrats, Michelle!

Stay tuned for exciting news on Saving Sam, the next book in the Simms Siblings Series.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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    J.L.Campbell lives in sunny Jamaica, where she's always on the lookout for story-making material. She is the author of five novels and three story collections.

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