"Twitter Parties"

Tomorrow I am joining two "Twitter Parties" to pitch a few kids book ideas. It's all very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking!

Books to be pitched:

• Zoo of Emotions 
• In search of a publisher that will do a reprint in a board book edition
• Black, White & Rad
• A High Contrast Dictionary of Cool for Newborns
• Kid Feminist
• Pretty much what it sounds like... :)

All of this may be for naught, which is actually fine. It will be great practice and has put a fire under my butt to do final edits on manuscripts.

Wish me luck!

Help Me Win A Little Contest!

You know the post I wrote about the "Creative Boom that Birthed Zoo of Emotions"? Its by far my most popular post on here so I entered it into a contest where I could win a year of free promotion for my book!

You don't have to comment or sign up or anything - just click the link below. THAT'S IT!

http://selfpublishersshowcase.com/blogoff-the-creative-boom-that-birthed-zoo-of-emotions/

(Thank you, I love you, forever)

The personal me.

I thought I would share a bit about my life outside of the Author world. As I do have much more life swirling around in this tornado!

I am a mother of two crazy girls under four-years-old. A wife of one awesome designer. A pet mom to one Dog and two Cats. We all live in Atlanta where my Husband is originally from. I, however, was born in California but grew up, for the most part, in New Hampshire. I wholeheartedly love Atlanta and absolutely call it "home".

My career has been in the corporate office world thus far, currently working in the Ancillary Auto Insurance Industry (sounds exciting, right?!) I honestly do enjoy what I do and have been with the same company for 5 years. I am treated well and have the flexibility one needs with a young family.

The question of what I want to do when I grow up has confounded me for most of my life. I'm a bit of a Jill of All Trades, Master of None. I love the creative life, but kick butt at things like Project Management.

• I love to; 
• garden, drink coffee, craft, finish projects, eat Thai food, listen to hard music, and read books to my kids. 
• I dislike; 
• scrapey/grindey sounds, when people bite their fork, misogyny, and whining. 

Me and my girls. 

Speaking Arrangements for the Win!

Last week I had my very first Author visit at a school. I read my book, did my chant, and depending on the age group had a discussion, 5 separate times to a total of 200 kids in about 3 hours. Sounds exhausting but it was exhilarating.

Children can be so darn inspiring! They were very engaged and had such wonderful questions for me. Funny, straightforward and sometimes difficult questions. I absolutely loved it and hope to do it again.

I've been waiting all my life for that moment that says, you are on the right creative path, keep going...and I think I'm finally seeing the signs.

Wish me luck.

Zoo of Emotions - Written by: Teneisha R. S. Jones, Illustrated by: Amy Churchwell

Author Problems.

I just realized that the pen I have been using to sign books with is showing through the cover. Sigh. Sorry everyone that I have signed books for.

Looks like I'm in the market for a gel pen!

Updated Head Shot!

I think it follows all the universal head shot rules:

1. No shadows!
2. Must look like you.
3. Must be at eye level.
4. Must have eyes looking into the camera
5. A smile helps.

I'm Starting A Review Blog!

I'm starting another blog over at http://picturebookblurbs.blogspot.com/. The premise is that I will have people send me illustrated picture books and I will post quick reviews of them. Sort of a small review for a small book concept.

Self-Publishers Welcome!