Lori Degman
- Children's Book Author -
- Children's Book Author -
Children's Book Author
August, 2010
One of the critiques up for auction is for a rhyming picture book manuscript by ME! I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful endeavor!
Those of you on Facebook, you can join her event here: Critters Against Cancer.
Those of you on Facebook, you can join her event here: Critters Against Cancer.
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outstanding, tremendous . . . !
There was a super lineup of keynote speakers - here they are (in order of
appearance):Jon Scieszka, M.T. Anderson, Loren Long, Gordon Korman, Marion
Choldenko, Rubin Pfeffer, Rachel Vail, Paul Fleischman and Ashley Bryan.
There were also a zillion workshops throughout the four days. I'd go into detail,
but why reinvent the wheel? There was a team of bloggers who covered the
sessions. You can read it here: The official SCBWI Conference Blog.
I met so many talented and fun people, many of whom I'd talked to online but
never in person. I had two roommates I'd found online - E. Samantha Cheng, a
mini-documentary producer and Shelby Mahan, a middle-grade nonfiction writer.
I was worried that we might not hit it off and it would be uncomfortable for us.
Well, there was no need to worry - we had the greatest time together! As a
matter of fact, we've vowed to be roommates for all future conferences!
I also met my agent, Jamie Weiss Chilton, for the first time in person! On
Saturday night, she and her fellow agent, Kelly Sonnack, hosted a little wine and
cheese gathering in the park for their clients. It was so nice meeting them all. On
Sunday morning, she took me out to breakfast at a really cool restaurant - can't
remember the name of it though. It was nice getting to know her better.
I hope I'll be able to attend next year - it'll be their 40th year so it's bound to be
loads of fun! If I do go, I'll know better than to lug 20 books with me. At Friday
night's book sale, I only sold five books - and three of them were bought by my
roommates! Obviously, this picture was taken before I counted how many books
were left!
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July, 2010
I had my book launch for 1 Zany Zoo on Saturday, July 24th, and it was a huge
success! Ruth and Pam at Barnes & Noble did a fantastic job setting up the
children's area and getting the word out in the preceding weeks. I did my part by
emailing friends and spreading the word on Facebook.
I made goodie boxes for the kids with animal-themed items and Cheerios Treats
to tie in the contest.
One of the best things I did (at the suggestion of another writer - can't remember
who) was to have my friends and family autograph a copy of my book. It's going
to be a wonderful keepsake!
We had a great turnout - more than 90 people came and we sold 102 books - it
far exceeded my expectations! Thanks to everyone who took the time to help me
celebrate the release of 1 Zany Zoo!
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Today is the release day of 1 Zany Zoo. I've had this date marked on my calendar for nearly a year - my work calendar, purse calendar, home calendar, both laptop calendars and google calendar. You might say I was a little focused on this day. So, why aren't I standing outside my local bookstore, waiting for it to open so I can finally see my book on the shelf?
Because - 1 Zany Zoo will only be available online! Apparently, bookstores are choosing
to primarily carry authors with a "track record" in their stores. This has been a huge disappointment to me - not only because I can't walk into any bookstore and find my book on the shelf but, more importantly, potential readers can't!
From the first time I saw the phenomenal cover Colin Jack drew, I knew it would be a magnet for children and their parents. Then, they'd open the book and start reading and looking at the equally fantastic illustrations on every page, and they wouldn't be able to resist it! Well, that was the dream anyway.
So, I've very excited the book is officially released - REALLY! I just need to adjust the dream :-)
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My debut picture book, 1 ZANY ZOO is being released July 20th! It can be
ordered online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders. I'm not sure which
independent bookstores will be carrying it.
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June, 2010
Mark your calendars - I finally set the date for my book launch for 1 ZANY ZOO!
It's going to be on July 24th from 2:00 - 3:00 at Barnes & Noble, Hawthorn Mall,
Vernon Hills. There will be food, fun, family and friends - hope you'll join us!
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Simon & Schuster is having a sweepstakes and the prize
is . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . 1 ZANY ZOO! What - no money, no cars, no trips?Sorry, but it is a $15.99 value :-)
If you want to enter - and why wouldn't you - here's the link:
1 ZANY ZOO Sweepstakes But don't wait - the deadline is June 30th!
Join me on June 12, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row Lit Fest, where I'll be participating in a panel discussion with other children's book authors: Esther Hershenhorn, Kat Falls, Meggan Hill, Barb Rosenstock & Kristen Walker.
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May, 2010
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The Illinois Chapter of SCBWI has a quarterly newsletter, The Prairie Wind, and I
was asked to write an article for a column called Tales From The Front. The
column is written by newly published authors and their paths to publication. I
wrote about the publication of 1 Zany Zoo and my article, 1 Peculiar Path To
Publication, appeared in the spring, 2010 edition,which went online yesterday.
April, 2010
I did an interview on the CBS show Monsters & Money in the Morning at the
crack of dawn yesterday morning. I think it went well and it was so much fun!
Everyone there was extremely nice and they made me feel very comfortable! By
the end of the interview, I was enjoying it so much I would have stayed for the full
two hours :-) After the interview, Terry Savage asked me to sign the hardcover
book and Mike North had me sign the Cheerios box. Terry gave me a signed
copy of her book The New Savage Number.
Here's a link to the show: Monsters & Money in the Morning
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taped radio interview with Kristin Moo for the show
Eight Forty-Eight
on FM 95.1 - WBEZ. The
interview aired this morning during the 9:00 -
10:00
hour and will replay tonight during the 8:00 - 9:00
hour. Here's a link
in case you want to listen and
can't sit by your radio waiting :-) I
think it turned out pretty well - Kristin had asked
me to read a few
verses and I read them a bit too fast but, other than that, I think it
was good.
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March, 2010On March 31st, I went downtown to WBEZ studio at Navy Pier. I did an interview
with Kristin Moo, who was very sweet and asked interesting questions! The
interview will be broadcast on FM 95.1, Tuesday, April 6 during the 9:00 AM hour
and again during the 8:00 PM hour. It will also be available online - I'll put the
link here when I get it.
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I had my first TV interview March 28th - it was a fantastic experience - until I saw
myself on TV!! The people at ABC were so nice and helpful and made me feel
very comfortable - as comfortable as I could be doing a LIVE TV interview!!
Here's a link in case you want to watch - it wasn't perfect but it was better than I
expected - I didn't faint or have a major brain freeze!
The wonderful marketers for Cheerios put me, and my two sisters, up in a
beautiful hotel right across the street from the studio - which we appreciated at
6:00 in the morning!
At the studio, we waited in the "Green Room"
My sister, Mindy, wrote, "The Grusin sisters
were here" on the wall!
I was "miked" by Mike - really!
I was interviewed by Kevin Roy, who dida wonderful job covering my flubs!
The "news room" is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. There was a small
platform off to the side where Kevin and I sat for my interview. I don't have a
picture of us together because I made my sisters leave right before Kevin sat
down. I was afraid I'd look at them and start laughing so they watched in the
green room!
Here's a view of the set from the sidewalk in front of
the building. The whole thing was very cool!!
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The wonderful marketers at Cheerios have arranged amazing media coverage
for me and 1 Zany Zoo! Here's a list of what's scheduled so far:
- An article in the March 21st issue of the Chicago Sun-times
- An article in the April issue of Chicago Parent Magazine
- A TV interview on the ABC Sunday Morning news show at 6:50 am on March 28th
- A TV interview on NBC Saturday Morning News in April - date TBD
- A radio interview with Chicago Public Radio, air date TBD
- Interview with the Vernon Hills Pioneer Press - date TBD
- An article in the May issue of Better Homes and Gardens
Joyce & Nicole - you're the best!!
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My friend, Suzanne Slade's latest book, What's The Difference?, is now available
for sale! Suzanne has written more than 60 books!! I can't even imagine that!
What's The Difference? (the sequel to What's New at the Zoo?)uses
clever rhyming verse to show the difference caring people
can make in
helping endangered animals - all while practicing
subtraction skills. You can check it out here.
The 3rd Annual Cheerios New Author winners were finally announced!
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Well, I finally got the green light to make this announcement:
As of today, spottings have been reported at Walmart, Jewel, Cub Foods,
February, 2010
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The 3rd Annual Cheerios New Author winners were finally announced!
And the winner is . . .
Laurie Isop for her story "How Do You Hug a Porcupine?"
And the runners up are . . .
Billie Fowler for her story "Samuel T. Slingshot"
Jessica Young for her story "Juliet the Jellyfish"
Read all about it here!
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Well, I finally got the green light to make this announcement:
The Cheerios boxes with my book inside are in a
grocery store near you NOW!!
grocery store near you NOW!!
As of today, spottings have been reported at Walmart, Jewel, Cub Foods,
Safeway and Wegmans, but
they should be in most grocery stores by the end of
the month. The
picture on the left was taken by my son at his Walmart by ISU.
It's a
very surreal thing seeing my book on the front of the box and even more
surreal seeing my picture on the back - yikes!!
The book is
written in English and Spanish - I actually like the Spanish title
better
- 1 Zoo Loco! Next time you're shopping, check out the cereal
isle :-)
Check out this picture my son took!
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February, 2010
My agent, Jamie Weiss Chilton, has been received a well-deserved promotion
from associate agent to agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, inc.! I'm so
happy for her!
CONGRATULATIONS JAMIE!!
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This past Saturday, Feb.20th, at the crack of dawn, I attended 8th Annual
Anderson's Children's Literature Breakfast - though it was only my 2nd annual. I
went there with my friend, Suzanne Slade, who was one of the 65 Illinois authors
invited to attend the breakfast. As part of the program, guest authors sat with the
approximately 500 attendees for "table chats". At different times during the
program, between speakers, the authors moved to different tables to mix and
mingle and talk about their books. I really enjoyed meeting authors who I knew by
name and book titles but had never met - Brenda Ferber, Katharine Kendzy
Gingold, Robin Luebs, Janet Nolan, and Beverly Patt.
As usual (at least both times I've been there) the Andersons provided a lineup of
fantastic speakers: Pam Allyn, Jordan Sonnenblick, Francoise Mouly, Patricia
McKissack, Henry Cole and Richard Peck. In addition, Jan Dundon and Kathleen
March, Anderson's Bookshop Children's Coordinators, did a wonderful
presentation of some of their favorite books released this year. To me, the
highlight was Jordan Sonnenblick - his talk was genuine, humorous, and
touching! I bet this middle grade English teacher is the most requested teacher
by parents and students!
I came away with a bag full of goodies, ton of inspiration and a long
list of story
ideas sparked by the speakers' presentations. I'm already looking forward to
attending again next year!
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I had my first blog interview on Scotti Cohn's blog It happened in Chicago.
Check it out!
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Two of my friends - one from grad school and the other from SCBWI - have had
books released in the last month.
Amber Buetel's book, SPELLING WORD
PRACTICE by Enasco is geared toward children
in grades 1-3. It features spelling activities that can
be used in spelling centers, weekly spelling
packets, at home. The book is divided into four
categories: word shape, word characteristics, word
practice, and word use and includes activities for
individuals, partners or groups.
I ordered the book online and it came in a couple of days. I'm giving it to my son,
Sean, who is student teaching first grade right now, but it has some really great
activities that I'm going to use with my students before I hand it over to him. I'll
probably order another copy to keep for myself. I think this would be an excellent
gift for a beginning teacher! Congratulations Amber!!
The other book, WRITING AND PUBLISHING:
THE ULTIMATE TEEN GUIDE by Scarecrow
Press, was written by Tina Schwartz.
In her book, Tina offers tips on writing fiction and
nonfiction, as well as poetry and songwriting. She
also provides information on the importance of
critique groups (I'll attest to that), and attending
classes and workshops. She even explores various writing carreers and the
basics of publishing and marketing. What a great resource for young writers.
Congratulations Tina!!
So if you're looking for fun and motivating ways to get your children or students to
practice their spelling or if you know a teen who wants to break into the
publishing field, these are the books for you!
January, 2010
created the blog because I am missing most of my elementary school class
pictures, as are many of my friends, and I would love to replace them. I've
designed the site so it is extremely easy for people to share the class pictures
they have with those of us whose pictures have been lost or destroyed.
Check it out!
December, 2009
December, 2009
*I got my author's copies of my book - the hardcover and the small paperback
that will be in Cheerios boxes. Take a look!!
August, 2009
Books Release:
*THE GREAT DOG WASH, written by Shellie Braeuner and illustrated by
August, 2009
Books Release:
*THE GREAT DOG WASH, written by Shellie Braeuner and illustrated by
Robert Neubecker is available in stores and on Amazon.com. Shellie's story
was the winner of the first Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest!
It's an adorable book that the children in your life will love!
July, 2009
*The American Library Association (ALA) is having it's annual conference and
July, 2009
*The American Library Association (ALA) is having it's annual conference and
exhibition in Chicago July 9 - July 15 at McCormick Place West. You can find
down there on Monday with two of my writing friends. Let me know if you're
going and maybe we can meet up.
*WHAT'S NEW AT THE ZOO (Sylvan Dell), written by a friend of mine,
*WHAT'S NEW AT THE ZOO (Sylvan Dell), written by a friend of mine,
Suzanne Slade, is now available on Amazon.com and at select bookstores.
June, 2009
June, 2009
*I just returned from a 13 day trip to Alaska with three of my great friends
from College! I didn't get a single word written but I saw some incredible
landscapes and wildlife. Here are a couple of pictures (the first is a view from our
first hike and the second is a moose in the backyard of our B&B):
May, 2009
*I am going to be the guest speaker at our local SCBWI meeting May 6th. It's
*I am going to be the guest speaker at our local SCBWI meeting May 6th. It's
going to be a question and answer session so hopefully I'll have some
interesting answers!
April, 2009
*There was a really nice article about me and the Cheerios contest in our
April, 2009
*There was a really nice article about me and the Cheerios contest in our
local paper, the
Vernon Hills Review.
March, 2009
Cheerios Contest:
* Cheerios is taking entries now for this year's Spoonfuls of Stories Contest
March, 2009
Cheerios Contest:
* Cheerios is taking entries now for this year's Spoonfuls of Stories Contest
so, polish up you manuscripts and send them in!
* There was a blurb about the contest in the Publishers Weekly Children's
* There was a blurb about the contest in the Publishers Weekly Children's
starting to get exciting!
November, 2008
November, 2008
"1 Zany Zoo" by Lori Degman Wins the Cheerios® Spoonfuls of
Stories® Children's Book contest!
The day before Thanksgiving, I got a phone call from the people at Cheerios
telling me I was the grand prize winner (you may have heard me screaming)! Not
only did I win a $5,000 cash prize, but Simon & Schuster is going to publish the
story as a picture book! The book is expected to be released in 2010, initially as a
paperback distributed inside Cheerios boxes, and later in hardcover sold in the
market.
After years of writing, submitting, and getting nothing but rejections, this is a
dream come true! Thank you Cheerios, the judges and the editors at Simon &
Schuster!
I want to add a big CONGRATULATIONS to the two runners-up in the contest:
Tameka Fryer Brown, for her story "I'm Not Eating That!," and Joan Stradling, for
her story, "Who Invites a Pig to Dinner?" Both Tameka and Joan will receive a
cash prize of $1,000 from Cheerios!
* DANI NOIR, written by fellow blue boarder, Nova Ren Suma.
“Top 10 Children’s Books: Middle Readers” for 2009!
* GRINELDA,THE MAD HATTER, written by a friend of mine, Mary Jo
* GRINELDA,THE MAD HATTER, written by a friend of mine, Mary Jo
Reinhart, and illustrated by Paula Nathan.
* OTTO GROWS DOWN, written by Michael Sussman, a previous critique
* OTTO GROWS DOWN, written by Michael Sussman, a previous critique
