Second Draft
The second draft of Deadly Wish (which will be the sequel to Deadly Flowers) just went back to my editor. I think only Edward Gorey has really captured what this moment feels like to a writer, in the immortal The Unstrung Harp, or Mr. Earbrass Writes a Novel:
Read MoreHolding TUH [The Unstrung Harp, or The Novel of the Title] not very neatly done up in pink butcher’s paper, which was all he could find in a last minute search before leaving to catch his train to London, Mr. Earbrass arrives at the offices of his publishers to deliver it. The stairs look oddly menacing, as if he might break a leg on one of them. Suddenly, the whole thing strikes him as very silly, and he thinks he will go drop his parcel off the Embankment and thus save everyone concerned a good deal of fuss.
Trick or Treat! Smell My Stories!
My own sweet tarantula and her friend Medusa are terrifying Trick-or-Reaters!
Pretty soon hosts of tiny demons and witches and princess and superheroes will be showing up at your door. Want to give them something that will strengthen their brains instead of rotting their teeth*? Check out this fabulous new promotion from Curious City: Trick-or-Reaters! Give kids spooky, scary, suspenseful, and delightful stories for Halloween as well as yummy treats!
* Or in addition to rotting their teeth. I am not opposed to teeth-rotting Halloween goodies!
Read MoreReview of Deadly Flowers
Children’s Literature has a nice review of Deadly Flowers. Lovely to be compared to Lloyd Alexander! Do kids read him anymore? It seems like I spent half my childhood in Prydain.
Read MoreRather than trusting no one, [Kata] learns to decipher who is trustworthy, and instead of blind obedience to a master, she starts to wonder if freedom from any master is possible. This journey through feudal Japan and its hero folklore is reminiscent of some of Lloyd Alexander’s works. Ninja fans and others will fall in love with this daring, determined, and silent warrior.
Nopperabo
A nopperabo reveals its true nature at the appropriately dramatic moment.
Not a terribly threatening demon, but certainly disconcerting. The nopperabo often disguises itself very successfully as a normal human being. Your friends, colleagues, even husband or wife might well be a nopperabo in hiding. But at a well-timed moment (these bakemono have a keen sense of the dramatic), a nopperabo will wipe all of the features off its face, presenting a blank and empty countenance to the viewer (and later, presumably, laughing itself silly over the reaction it gets).
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly