Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. This week I’m honored to welcome the very talented Aidana WillowRaven. Aidana is an illustrator and book cover designer. She did the cover for my good friend, Beverly Stowe McClure’s middle grade novel, Just Breeze . LOVED it! Aidana, please tell us more about you: Aidana WillowRaven, mother of three, was trained in Fine Art, Studio Design and Animation at Norfolk State and Old Dominion universities. She has illustrated and/or designed over 100 books through her company, WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus, in Tennessee. Her work has won numerous awards, has been published in several magazines, and has earned her guest appearances at various conventions. Framed and signed prints of some of her most popular works can be purchased through her ImageKind gallery: http://aidanawillowraven.imagekind.com       ...

This week I wrap up my career with Habitat for Humanity. It’s sad, I don’t want to leave, but those are the cards I’ve been dealt.   In 5 ½ years I’ve witnessed 35 families purchase their homes and take on the responsibility of homeownership. I’ve worked with countless selfless volunteers who, like me, believe everyone deserves the opportunity for safe, decent housing. I’ve processed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from people who put others above themselves. I’ve made some really great friends that I will value for a lifetime. Back in January of 2006, when I started my job there, I was surprised to learn that there are office politics at a non-profit. That not everybody is involved out of the goodness of their own hearts. Not everybody is doing it with community in mind. In turn, I learned that working at a non-profit is much like working for a corporation, but whenever the stress level elevated, I’d focus on the families. The children who would no longer have to mo...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. This week we are joined by Kimberly Sabatini. Kim is a never ending bottle of bubble solution. Whether you are blowing the bubbles or chasing them, you are having TONS OF FUN! Kim, tell us about yourself. I’m a former Special Education Teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom and a part-time dance instructor for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. After my dad passed away in 2005, I used writing as a way to make sense of the experience and discovered that I’m full of questions that need to be answered. I live in New York’s Hudson Valley with my husband and three boys and write Young Adult fiction.   I’m represented by Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency and I’m thrilled to be part of the "Wolf Pack." TOUCHING THE SURFACE is my debut novel.   (Simon Pulse - Simon & Schuster, Fall 2012) What a great title! Tell us more about TOUCHING...

A fun time was had by all at yesterday's multi author and illustrator signing at the Redmond Library. Thanks to all who came out and to those who stumbled upon us unexpectedly.  Some pics: Me reading while illustrator KC Snider looks on KC at our signing table. She's a fun gal to hang with all day! A sample of KC's original illustrations hanging throughout the library You can see more pictures from the event on my facebook page: Kai Strand, Author Thank you to everyone who worked to make this a fun and successful event! And a special thank you to the Redmond Library.

In honor of today's event at the Redmond Library, I wanted to share the interview KC and I did on Good Morning Central Oregon. Information about the event: See you there!

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. This week we are joined by Nathan Bransford. I confess to a bit of a fangirl crush on Nathan. I’m such a huge fan! Nathan is an ex-agent, fantastic blogger and newly published author. Here’s more on Nathan: Nathan Bransford is the author of JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW, which was published by Dial Books for Young Readers in May 2011. He was formerly a literary agent with Curtis Brown Ltd., but is now a publishing civilian working in the tech industry. He lives in San Francisco. My dad lives in San Fransicso, how come we’ve never run into each other? Nathan, please tell us more about your new book. Jacob Wonderbar has been the bane of every substitute teacher at Magellan Middle School ever since his dad moved away from home. He never would have survived without his best friend Dexter, even if he is a little timid, and his ...

I was making hospital corners on the “Be My Guest” Beauty and the Beast sheets in the room with many names. I use it as my writing room. It is also a guest room. But really, it’s my daughter’s room. She went off to college in fall. She immediately mastered the college experience, full course load for a double major, marching band, symphonic winds, fraternity. But she also got a full time job and started collecting new friends. Add that to the six hour drive…she hasn’t made it home much since September. But this time the hospital corners were for her.   I was a bit maudlin over the fact that the “Be My Guest” sheets now suited her just as well as they suit Uncle Tom or cousin Rose. But I thought about my daughter and the life she’s made for herself and the person that she is and I realized that now is really the time for me to accept that the shift in the family dynamics is permanent.   She’s so capable. She’s so vibrant. She’s so beautiful. My daughter has always been an ins...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the children’s publishing industry. This week I’m thrilled to welcome Lori Calabrese. Lori is one busy lady. I see her everywhere around the internet. So naturally, I had to invite her to join us here on Strands of Thought. Here’s more on Lori: Lori Calabrese is an award-winning children’s author. Her first picture book, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade , was awarded DFP’s Best Children’s Book Award. She writes for various children’s magazines, is the National Children’s Books Examiner at Examiner.com and enjoys sharing her passion for children’s books at festivals, schools and events. Visit her website to learn more, www.loricalabrese.com . Lori, please tell us more about your award winning book. The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade (picture book: ages 4-8) Ignoring his runny nose and worsening cold, Matt's single minded-pursuit of a ra...

Connected – –adjective 1. united, joined, or linked. Are we connected? Here is where you can find me: My website Author page on Facebook, all I ask is that you like me. My blog posts to two different host sites, because life is all about the choices you make: Strands of Thought on Blogger (follow me) Strands of Thought on Livejournal (friend me) Twitter (if link doesn’t work, search for KaiStrand) Email a bit old fashioned these days, but I can’t help it, I love email! I would love, love, love to be connected. Please connect with me in all formats available and leave info in comments where we can find you ! It’s all in who you know, right?

Three Times A Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, reviewers, agents, editors, anyone involved in children’s publishing.   This week we are honored to host the generous and talented author, Margot Finke. A little about Margot: Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, and their three children are now grown and doing very well. Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "   "Wild and Wonderful," her first...