Marketing and Inspiration: What is Your Approach?

Welcome to today's addition of Write What Inspires You Marketing Tips and Inspiration!

For last several months I have shared my marketing tips of:

• Marketing Yourself
• Keywords
• Press Releases
• Media Kits
• Author Visits
• Virtual Author Visits
• Book Trailers
• Educator Guides
• Repurposing Your Blog Posts
• Interviewing Fellow Authors

and sharing my inspiration behind my books:

• The Golden Pathway
• Powder Monkey
• Hockey Agony
• A Sandy Grave
• Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters
• Angel's Forever Home

Today, I'd like to pick your brain and learn about your marketing tips and where your writing inspiration comes from. 

I look forward to engaging conversations. 

Thank you for your time and participation.

Interested in staying connected beyond the Internet? Please feel free to opt-in to my Write What Inspires You Newsletter! I promise not to fill your email inbox, for I send out my emails no more than 1-2 times per month.

Opt-in today to the Write What Inspires You! Newsletter and join parents, teachers, and colleagues who receive Donna’s newsletter and receive two FREE e-Books: “The Story Behind the Books” and “Marketing Tips”

#writinginspiration
#bookmarketing
#donnamcdine
#writewhatinspiresyounewsletter
#thegoldenpathway
#powdermonkey
#hockeyagony
#asandygrave
#deeanddebofftheygokindergartenfirstdayjitters
#angelsforeverhome

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Facebook Live Story Time with Donna McDine - Contest Announcement

Looking to engage your child with live story time? 

Look no further! 

Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 9 am EST join me for 
Facebook Live Story Time with Donna McDine 

Contest Announcement!!

In celebration of my 5th Facebook Live Story Time I'm pleased to announce my bundle of children's book contest. Visit and ask your questions or comment on Saturday, May 9, 2020 during the Facebook Live Story Time and be automatically entered to win one bundle of autographed copies for your child of:

The Golden Pathway, Powder Monkey, Hockey Agony, A Sandy Grave, Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters and Angel's Forever Home. 

I will also take requests from parents and their children with a one week lead time. Email today with your request @ donna@donnamcdine.com 

If you are a children's author and would like your book read live, please contact me at donna@donnamcdine.com for mailing information. 

Tune in on Saturday, May 9th at 9 am EST to discover which book is selected.

I look forward to connecting with one and all via Facebook Live Story Time with Donna McDine weekly event.

Interested in staying connected beyond the Internet? Please feel free to opt-in to my Write What Inspires You Newsletter! I promise not to fill your email inbox, for I send out my emails no more than 1-2 times per month.

Opt-in today to the Write What Inspires You! Newsletter and join parents, teachers, and colleagues who receive Donna’s newsletter and receive two FREE e-Books: “The Story Behind the Books” and “Marketing Tips”

#facebooklivestorytime
#donnamcdine
#picturebooks
#childrensbooks
#asandygrave
#hockeyagony
#thegoldenpathway
#powdermonkey
#angelsforeverhome
#deeanddebofftheygokindergartenfirstdayjitters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

The Importance of an Educator’s Guide for your Children’s Book by Donna McDine

The Importance of an Educator’s Guide for your Children’s Book 

By Donna McDine

After I signed the book contract (oh my over ten years ago) for The Golden Pathway I took the time out to discuss with teachers what sparks their interest in children’s books for their classrooms beyond what the school provides. Many times over I heard they are under strict confinements with their curriculum and books need to fit into their daily teachings. I then took to task to research state curriculum guidelines and learned the creation of an educator’s guide for The Golden Pathway needed to be a comprehensive across the curriculum guide. After meeting homeschool specialist, Amy O’Quinn through the Working Writer’s Club I approached Amy about hiring her to write an educator’s guide for The Golden Pathway. The end result was beyond my expectations!

The educator’s guide is a teaching tool for English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Art teachers, as well as for Homeschooling families. Activities include:

Language Arts: Writing/Vocabulary 


Integrated Language Arts/Social Studies: Topical Study/Presentation Boards 


Social Studies: Timeline, Mapping and Geography 


Math: Map Work Mathematics, Calculations, Time, Recipe Math, Quilt Math 


Science: Astronomy, Skin, Plants and Crops, Alcoholism, Five Senses 


Role Playing, Disguises and Escape/Safe Houses 


Toys and Games of the 19th Century: Make a Rag Doll, Make a Nettie Doll, Information 
on Games/Toys 


Songs of Slavery and the Underground Railroad: Background Information and Lyrics 


More Fun Art Projects, Activities, and Resources: Coloring Sheets, Printables, 
Juneteenth, Make A Tin Can Lantern 
It is in my opinion well written children’s books have a better chance of finding their way into schools when it is accompanied with an educator’s guide. By having this guide for The Golden Pathway it has certainly helped spark additional interest with school visits. Case in point, when I participated in the New York State Reading Association, October 2011 I had the opportunity to meet with teachers from across the tri-state area (NY, NJ, and CT) and many commented on the educator’s guide I was chatting up with them as they stopped by my table. They were delighted and impressed to learn of this complimentary addition to The Golden Pathway, explaining their time is at a premium and to have activities already planned for them saves them valuable time. At this point in time, one of these conversations has turned into a weeklong visit to a local elementary school. The Parent Teacher Association purchased The Golden Pathway for each classroom and when I presented each teacher with the complimentary CD of The Golden Pathway Educator’s Guide their responses where overwhelming positive.


As writer's many of us can and do create our own educator’s guides, but for myself I wanted someone with the expertise of being in the trenches of teaching to formulate my educator’s guide. By outsourcing this project, it has freed me to up to work on new manuscripts, marketing, and client work. Amy O’Quinn also created educator guides for my children’s books, Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey.

Details of my author school visit my website.  

To learn more about my writing career or to order an autographed copy of any of my six children’s books visit my website.

Gift with purchase for The Golden Pathway, Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey comes with a customized Educator’s Guide for each.

I'd enjoy hearing if you have an educator's guide for your children's book. If yes, did you create it yourself or did you outsource this project? 

Thank you for your time and interest.

Continue to be safe and well!

#educatorsguide

#thegoldenpathway

#hockeyagony

#powdermonkey

#donnamcdine

#childrensbooks

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Children's Book Trailers - Hockey Agony Early Reader Picture Book

Welcome to today's edition of 

Where My Writing Muse Takes Me 

at Write What Inspires You!

Following up on my recent blog post on the importance of utilizing book trailers in your book efforts, I'm pleased to share the Hockey Agony book trailer created by Kim McDougall of Castelane for the Prose.

I'd enjoy receiving your feedback if the book trailer sparks your interest in sharing Hockey Agony with your young muses.

Please stay safe and well.

Interested in staying connected beyond the Internet? Please feel free to opt-in to my Write What Inspires You Newsletter! I promise not to fill your email inbox, for I send out my emails no more than 1-2 times per month.

Write What Inspires You! Newsletter ~ Opt-in today and join parents, teachers, and colleagues who receive Donna’s newsletter and receive two FREE e-Books: “The Story Behind the Books” and “Marketing Tips” 

#booktrailers
#hockeyagony
#kimmcdougall
#castelane

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Where My Writing Must Takes Me with Award-winning children's author, Donna McDine

Happy Friday one and all!

Today, I'm taking you to a behind the scenes glimpse as to where my inspiration and muse came for my early reader picture book, Hockey Agony. 

My writing muse sprouts up from many different directions. For Hockey Agony my inspiration came from watching my nieces, nephews and my own children compete in one sport or another. Over time it became concerning how some coaches, teammates and parents thought the almighty win was the most important outcome to a game. Sometimes even encouraging children to cheat or inflict bodily harm to an opponent to win. In today’s day and age it’s more important than ever to teach our children that “honesty is the best policy” and good sportsmanship is imperative. It may sound like a cliché to some, but without honesty and staying true to one’s self we would all self-destruct.

I used the backdrop of hockey since several of my nephews and a niece are avid hockey players and I wanted to pay tribute to them since I chose different names for the characters.

For Hockey Agony, even though the story of honesty and peer pressure is based around the sport of hockey, it’s important to overcome peer pressure in any circumstance that presents itself.

I’d enjoy hearing where your writing muse comes from.

Thank you for visiting!

#peerpressure

#honesty

#hockeyagony

#hockey

#goodsportsmanship

#donnamcdine

#writingmuse

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Happy New Year from the Writing World of Award-winning Children's Author, Donna McDine

   

Wishing one and all a 

joyous, prosperous, 

healthy and authentic 2020!

Best wishes from,

Donna McDine and the adventures of

A Sandy Grave

Angel's Forever Home

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters

The Golden Pathway

Powder Monkey

Hockey Agony

Thank you for being part of our journey!

#happynewyear

#2020

#childrenspicturebooks

#asandygrave

#whalepoachers

#angelsforeverhome

#dogrescue

#deeandebofftheygo

#kindergarten

#thegoldenpathway

#theundergroundrailroad

#powdermonkey

#royalnavypressgangs

#hockeyagony

#hockey

#presspressure

#donnamcdine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Children's Author Virtual Visit via Nepris - Donna McDine

By invitation through nepris, teacher Ms. Jami Gallo of the Francis H. Sheckler Elementary School in Catasauqua, PA reached out to me to conduct an author virtual visit for their 2nd grade classes.

What a wonderful way to spend my lunch time on December 10, 2019 when I video chatted with Ms. Gallo's class and had the opportunity to share my author presentation, How a Book Comes to Be.

The students were a true delight and after the presentation we had time to chat about Writing Children's Books. We focused on how they are studying various forms of writing and the stages of the writing process. The second graders asked insightful questions that kept the ease of conversation flowing.

They also shared with me that they read my children's book, Hockey Agony together as a class! Woo hoo...I'm thrilled!

I am filled with deep gratitude and joy for being selected to virtual visit with the students and teachers at the Francis H. Sheckler Elementary School. Thank you Ms. Gallo and nepris for arranging such an exhilarating time.

#nepris
#virtualauthorvisit
#donnamcdine
#awardwinningchildrensauthor
#hockeyagony
#gratitude

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Holiday Special from Award-winning Children's Author, Donna McDine

I'm delighted to announce my Holiday Special...

Purchase any combo of six children's books for:

$40 (a $65 value)

The Golden Pathway

Powder Monkey

Hockey Agony

A Sandy Grave

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters

Angel's Forever Home

Offer Valid: December 1-20, 2019

Call Donna @ 845-721-7802

Email: donna@donnamcdine.com or

Website: www.donnamcdine.com/books.html

Personalized and Autographed

10% of sales will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Wishing one and all a blessed holiday season! 

Thank you for your time and interest!

#donnamcdine
#childrensbooks
#picturebooks
#earlyreaders
#guardianangelpublishing
#mascotbooks
#holidaybookspecial
#thegoldenpathway
#powdermonkey
#hockeyagony
#asandygrave
#deeanddebofftheygo
#angelsforeverhome

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist