Indie-Debut 2010: Member Spotlight ~ Donna McDine

Indie-Debut 2010: Member Spotlight ~ Featuring Donna M. McDine.

I invite you to visit http://www.indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/ and learn all about what this group of talented authors have to offer.

Intuitive interviews, hot discussion topics, excerpts of soon to be released books, and member spotlights is a brief sampling of what this dynamic group has to offer.

Take the time out today and visit and be sure to leave a comment on the posting of your desire.

Thank you in advance for your interest.

Indie-Debut 2010

M E D I A  R E L E A S E


CONTACT: Amy Allgeyer Cook, Author
Email: amyacook@live.com

For Immediate Release

Indie-Debut Authors Join Forces in 2010

Indie-Debut 2010 blasts into the new year to announce the impending arrival of debut books from Small Presses across America.

Come along to learn about these talented debut authors and their publishers through blog tours, virtual launch parties, and interviews. The fun doesn’t stop there. Once you learn about each author you may be pleasantly surprised to find out they reside in your neck of the woods, providing you the opportunity to meet them in person at a local event, such as a book fair, school visit, or book signing at your local book store.

Without further ado the Indie-Debut 2010 group consists of:

January 2010 ~ Connection by Jo Ramsey

March 2010 ~ Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore

Spring 2010 ~ Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

Spring 2010 ~ The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

Spring 2010 ~ The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine

Spring/Summer, 2010 ~ The Flute and the Dagger by Miriam Forster

July 2010 ~ The Invisible Sister by Amy Allgeyer Cook

Summer 2010 ~ Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken by Scott Heydt

February 2011 ~ Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson

Interested in learning more? Visit Indie-Debut 2010 at http://indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/ or contact the Indie-Debut 2010 creator, Amy Allgeyer Cook at amyacook@live.com.





Thank you in advance for your interest. We look forward to your visit.



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More information is available upon request electronically.

Guest Author - Scott Heydt

Scott Heydt is a published Young Adult Author, "O.Y.L."- Helm Publishing and Honorable Mention, "CROSS", P.M. Moon Publishing, March 2009.
Fifth grade teacher and Green Team Environmental Club Chairman- Groveland Elementary; Greater Lehigh Valley Writer's Guild; Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; and Marathon runner
Scott is all about getting things done, staying healthy, and doing whatever he can to help others. He does his best to hold true to his personal mantra, "Live, Learn, Teach."

DMc: When did you decide you wanted to become an author? Do you have another job besides writing?

SH: While I’ve read voraciously and toyed with words since childhood, my decision to officially transition to author status came during a low point in my life. For years I was a competitive marathon runner, but four years ago, I suffered a series of injuries that put me through three separate operations on my feet. Weeks confined to a couch gives you time to think. It also gives you time to write. From the disappointing loss of my competitive running career came the satisfying opportunity to share my work with young readers.

In addition to writing, I am a 5th grade classroom teacher in Central Bucks School District, Doylestown, PA. My daily interactions with students are often the foundations of my stories.

DMc: What inspires you to write?

SH: Every aspect of the world around us is complex and unique. I’m inspired by how writing opens my eyes further to that complexity, helping me to understand.

DMc: What has been the most memorable experience in your writing career?

SH: My most memorable experience actually hasn’t happened yet. My second novel, Cross, currently under consideration for publication, is an homage to my sixth-grade teacher. The most memorable experience of my young writing career will be when I hand him a copy of this published novel and say, “Thank you.”

DMc: What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

SH: Recently, at the Columbia University Reading and Writing Project, I attended a session led by Lester Laminack, author of such picture books as Saturdays and Teacakes and Snow Day. He emphasized the writer’s craft as “the artful placement of technique with intention.” Whenever he struggles to artfully express himself, he leans on authors he admires (like Mem Fox, Cynthia Rylant, etc.) for inspiration and assistance with placement of technique with intention.

DMc: What kind of obstacles or challenges have you experienced as a children's writer?

SH: My biggest challenge has been learning the ins and outs of self-promotion and marketing, on top of the other commitments in my life. Staying active with social networking, web pages, book signings, and the like can be mentally and physically draining.

DMc: Please share with us your latest project?

SH: O.Y.L (Helm Publishing, 2008), my first young adult novel, is available now. To download sample chapters, read reviews, and purchase a copy visit http://www.scotthbooks.com/. Also, $1.00 from every purchase of O.Y.L. is donated to American Forests charities. The donation plants one tree in the continental United States. One book, one dollar, one tree.

My second manuscript, a middle-grade fiction novel entitled CROSS, recently won Honorable Mention in PM Moon Publishers, LLC’s Writing Contest. Aside from my traditional blog, I’ve created a special blog to track the journey of this novel from concept development through possible publication. For more information on CROSS, visit http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com/

Guest Author - Scott Heydt

Join me on Friday, April 3rd when children's author, Scott Heydt will be my guest author.

Published Young Adult Author, "O.Y.L."- Helm PublishingHonorable Mention, "CROSS", P.M. Moon Publishing, March 2009.

International Director of Scholarship - Delta Tau Delta Fraternity; Alumni Engagement/Communications Task Force Chairman- Moravian Alumni Board; Fifth grade teacher and Green Team Environmental Club Chairman- Groveland Elementary; Greater Lehigh Valley Writer's Guild; Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Scott will check-in throughout the day to answer your questions.

Looking forward to seeing you in cyberspace.

Guest Authors & Illustrator Visits at Write What Inspires You!

Guest Authors and Illustrator Schedule for Write What Inspires You! Blog:

Tuesday, March 31st ~ children's illustrator, Manuela Pentangelo.

Wednesday, April 1st ~ Christian children's author, Patti Ogden.

Friday, April 3rd, ~ children's author, Scott Heydt.

Wednesday, April 8th ~ children's author, Lori Scott

Monday, April 6th, ~ children's author, Margot Finke.

Be sure to stop by and leave a comment or question.Each guest will be on hand periodically throughout the day to field your questions.

Guest Authors and Illustrator Schedule

Several guest authors and one illustrator scheduled to visit Write What Inspires You!

Monday, March 23rd ~ Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Foot Forard to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success.

Tuesday, March 31st ~ children's illustrator, Manuela Pentangelo. Manuela was born in Holland and has lived in Italy all her life. Manuela says instead of a silver spoon in her mouth, she was born with a pencil and a paintbrush.

Wednesday, April 1st ~ Christian children's author, Patti Ogden.

Friday, April 3rd, ~ children's author, Scott Heydt.

Monday, April 6th, ~ children's author, Margot Finke.

Be sure to stop by and leave a comment or question.

Each guest will be on hand periodically throughout the day to field your questions.