NEW WEBSITE CELEBRATION BOOK GIVEAWAY

So my hubby pulled the names from the proverbial hat and voila! The winners of my new website free book contest are:

1. Set of my 4 books goes to Tina Davis (my facebook friend and all around wonder woman)

2. Nathan Clement's Picture book, Drive & my Healing Water go to Amy Butler Greenfield, author of A Perfect Red.

Congratulations Tina and Amy! And thanks to all for helping me and Nathan celebrate my new website design!

Find more of Nathan's Designs at Stickman Studio.

MEET NATHAN/WIN BOOKS!

Meet Nathan Clement. Author and Illustrator of this very cool book. (Which BTW is the recipient of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus!)

Nathan is also the designer of this so nifty website. (which, as you can see is mine!)

Nathan blogged about the process saying, "We wanted to make it seem like her—choosing symbolic imagery from her work, capitalizing on things in her life that are important, and giving her readers a rich, visual impression."

I have to say Nathan was quick to understand what I had in mind and to produce the look and feel I wanted. Working with him was delightful and I am thrilled with the results.

Here's what he has to say about his website work.

I'm offering design for a basic web site. I've made my living for 20 years in one form of design or graphic arts or another. I've had experience designing for the web, but do not have all the development (coding/programming) skills. So, I do the visual set up, focussing on who you are, how you want to represent yourself on the web—kind of like a book cover for YOU! Then, I work with a developer who is prepared to do the basic coding for a basic site, to get it up and live.

Even if you're not looking for a website, visit Nathan Clement's blog and do one of these two things in the comment section. .

1. Congratulate Nathan on his recent contract with Boyds Mills Press for a second picture book!
2. Tell him what you like about the site he designed for me.

Leaving a comment gets you entered into a contest for 2 free books - Nathan's DRIVE and my HEALING WATER. Drawing is Oct. 4. Announcement - October 5.

Hurry now - this is our boost to your economy!

CHECK OUT NATHAN CLEMENT & WIN FREE BOOKS

Christmas is coming. You'll need some cool gifts. Why not win some? Here's how.

A. Visit my new website. Enjoy Nathan Clement's handiwork there. Here's a preview.

B. Then click on over to Nathan's blog and leave a comment, telling him what you think of his mad design skills! (Comment on any of his posts! It doesn't matter which one; he'll let me know.)

C. Voila! You're finished. Just for doing that, I'll enter your name in a contest to win 2 books:

1. A copy of Nathan's stunning picture book, Drive, an unexpected perspective of a day in the life of a truck driver. Drive received starred reviews from both Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus!

2. A copy of my book Healing Water, which is as hopeful as the title sounds so do not let the subject of leprosy deter you.And if that's not enough book winning for you, enter the other contest described below.

2 WAYS TO WIN FREE BOOKS!

To celebrate the launch of her new website, Joyce Moyer Hostetter is giving away books!

A. First way to win free books.

1. Post the following sentence on your blog or facebook status - Check out Joyce Moyer Hostetter's classy new website at www.joycemoyerhostetter.com/
2. Comment on Joyce's blog or livejournal to inform her of the link you created.
3. Particpants' names will go into a "hat" and a winner will be selected on October 4th.
4. Prize is a signed set of Joyce's 4 books! (Book info is on the website)

B. Second way to win free books.

1. Visit Joyce Moyer Hostetter's new website www.joycemoyerhostetter.com/ and enjoy the design created by Nathan Clement of Stickman Studio.
2. Visit Nathan's blog and tell him what you like about the design.
3. Participants' names will go into a "hat" and will be drawn on October 4.
4. Prize is a signed copy of Nathan's picture book DRIVE and one of Joyce's HEALING WATER.

On October 5, Joyce will announce the winners of both contests on her blog, livejournal, and facebook.

Spread the word! Christmas is just around the corner and this could be as many as 4 gifts all wrapped up!

Well actually, Joyce might let you do the wrapping.

HOW'D HE DO THAT? (Reading Nathan Clement's Blog)

In this School Library Journal article, Diantha McBride (a librarian) tells children's publishers a thing or two - things she'd like them to do differently with children's books.

Her list includes 10 thought provoking points. A few of those items are # 1 - Bulk up those bindings, # 2 - Better editing, # 3 - Give that cover a makeover and #4 - Where's the art information?

So let's just focus on #4 for a moment. McBride says that out of 100 picture books she examined, only about 20 gave info about how the art was created. She says she's always teaching students how illustrators work. She'd like a little help from the illustrators and publishers with that.

Unfortunately, Nathan Clement (and the quietly impressive Front Street Books) do not include such info in his recent picture book, DRIVE. I wish they had because I'm fascinated with the graphic art employed there.

How'd he do that?

According to Booklist, "the artwork features clean lines, even shading and strong compositions".

The good news is, Clement does reveal some of his art processes at his blog. I've been watching him for a few months now and am enjoying little peeks at how he's building a new portfolio.

Please note as you peruse his Stickman Studio website that Clement already has a healthy list of illustration credits.

Drive, by the way, received starred reviews in both School Library Journal and Kirkus!