FEATURED AUTHOR: MICHELLE STAUBACH GRIMES

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this sequel to Where is Pidge?, our young hero decides to audition for the school musical along with her canine buddy Maverick. Not everyone thinks Pidge can learn to sing or Maverick can be trained, but Pidge believes. Through their theatrical escapades, Pidge discovers that singing requires hard work, and that Maverick might not be ready for his stage debut after all. And by the end, Pidge understands that being a star is all a matter of perspective, and unconditional love matters more than fame.




Book Details:

Title: Pidge Takes the Stage


Author: Michelle Staubach Grimes

Genre: Children's fiction


Publisher: Pidge Media, LLC / February 2018

Print length: 32 pages

INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE STAUBACH GRIMES

Who are you?
Michelle Staubach Grimes - a daughter, a sibling, a wife, a mother, a friend, an aunt, a cousin, a confidant, and an author/writer.

Do you have another job outside of writing?
Raising children.

Where’s home for you?
Dallas, Texas

What’s your favorite memory?
The birth of my first child – Jeffrey Michael Grimes.



What’s the dumbest purchase you’ve ever made?
Chocolates at the checkout line of the grocery store which claim they help with anxiety.


What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
You must work hard in life if you want success.

Who would you pick to write your biography?
Emily Giffin.

What do you love about where you live?
We live close to my parents, siblings, and in-laws.


What is the most daring thing you've done?
Skydived
.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
My leather pants ripped when I did the splits recently.


What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
I wish I started writing books earlier in life.

What makes you nervous?
I worry about my kids when they are away from home.


What makes you happy?
When all my kids and husband are home.

What makes you scared?
That I will never write another book.

How did you meet your spouse? 
Through his brother in New York City.

What are your most cherished mementoes?
My wedding ring and my journals.

What brings you delight?
Spending time with friends and family.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Unspectacular preparation equals spectacular results,” by Roger Staubach.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where in the world would it be?
Italy.

What would you like people to say about you after you die?
She was kind and empathetic.

What’s your favorite line from a book?
“I lean in closer, kiss his cheek, and whisper, ‘You’ll always be my baby, Finch. And no matter what, I will always love you.’” From All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin.

What would your main character, Pidge, say about you?
She’s crazy.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people?
Yes. Pidge was my mom’s nickname, so the character is named after my mom, but she doesn’t have my mom’s personality. My middle daughter (Gracie) was a tomboy when she was young – I modeled Pidge after her. And we had a bernese mountain dog named Maverick.

Is your book based on real events?
In Pidge Takes the Stage – they aren’t real events. However, in Where is Pidge?, a child really did get stuck in the laundry chute as Pidge does in the first book.

Are you like any of your characters?
I believe my core story is Pidge’s experience in the first book – Where is Pidge?  I grew up with four siblings and often felt lost in the shuffle. It took me some time to find my way in life.

What book are you currently reading and in what format?
I’ve Been Thinking by Maria Shriver (hardcover) and Kidnapped - The Tragic Life of J. Paul Getty III by Charles Fox (paperback).

What would your dream office look like?
A very long desk, many built-ins for all my drafts and notebooks, comfortable chairs, and bright colors.

Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish because I didn’t want to wait three to four years for my book to reach the public. I am happy with my decision to self-publish, however it can be frustrating at times. Certain publications, etc. will not give you the time of day if you are self-published.

What steps to publication did you personally do, and what did you hire someone to do?
Self-publishing is like creating your own business. I incorporated my company as Pidge Media, LLC.  That of course requires the assistance of a lawyer. I had to hire an illustrator (Bill DeOre), design company, printing company, distribution company, PR firm, and part-time assistant to manage the bookkeeping and my schedule.

What are you working on now? Pidge Book Number 3. However, I have also pulled out from my notebook closet a novel I drafted a few years ago. I’m considering re-writing that novel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Staubach Grimes was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1968 and moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969. After graduating from Ursuline Academy in 1986, she moved to Washington, D.C. and received her B.A. in History (1990) and J.D (1994). She returned to Dallas in 1994, practiced law for a couple of years, and worked for a year in sports marketing. Michelle married John Grimes in 1997 and became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of her first child, Jeffrey, in 1999. Two daughters followed, Gracie and Emma. Michelle began journaling years ago and enrolled in the Southern Methodist University Creative Writing Continuing Ed Program in 2012 to hone her writing skills. After falling in love with creative writing and studying “story” through the SMU program, Michelle launched her first children’s book, Where is Pidge? in April 2015.  Michelle launched her second children’s book, Pidge Takes the Stage, in February 2018.


Connect with the author:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Books-A-Million  |  Indiebound

Featured: Music Audio Stories

Music Audio Stories publishes original music-based children's audio stories created by Anna-Christina and Adie Hardy. Their stories involve original classical music, actors and musicians, and sound effects. They're based on animals and their adventures. Steven Brandt of Audiobook-Heaven says, "March of the Ants is not quite like any other audio production I have listened to." And Alice Berger of Bergers Book Reviews says, "March of the Ants is a fun story that kids will love to hear over and over again." Today I'm talking with Anna-Christina about their stories and Busy Bees Publishing.


Interview with Anna-Christina

Anna-Christina, please tell us about Busy Bees Publishing and Music Audio Stories.

Busy Bees Publishing was set up in 2012 by Anna-Christina and Adie Hardy, and we recruited a few friends to help us create the world of Music Audio Stories. They include Lee Tonkins, our creative web designer and Nick Hudson, our graphic designer who has designed all of our wonderfully colourful story covers. Whilst working on our first audio story March of The Ants, we searched online for other audio stories similar to ours, yet could find nobody combining original classical music with original children's stories and sound effects. So we decided to invent our own genre and call our creations "Music Audio Stories."


What kinds of stories do you publish?

We publish ground breaking, original, new music audio stories. These stories are a great way to allow children to use their own imagination, acting out the stories, drawing how they imagine the characters to be, singing, dancing and joining in, stimulating their creative senses. One of the things that makes our audio stories special from others you may have heard, is the strong themed original classical music behind the narration. Unlike other audio books, the music continues throughout and is an essential part of the stories. We combine cartoon style voices with sound effects to create a lot of movement in the sound. Not only are these audio books fantastic fun, they are great for giving you a short break in your busy schedule. They help long car journeys fly by and aid bonding with your child through acting out the stories together.


For what age range are your stories intended?

They can be enjoyed by children aged 3 to 7. They can also be a useful learning tool and great enjoyment for children with impaired vision, vision disabilities and the blind.


What actors have you brought on board? How do you pair them to a particular story?

We have worked with actors and musicians including the Olivier nominated actor Paul Kaye -The original Mr. Wormwood in the award winning West End hit musical Matilda, as well as appearing in many TV and film roles such as Franky Wilde in the award-winning It's All Gone Pete Tong  and is currently in the new series of Game of Thrones, and Susie Lewis, Harriet in the Play Colder Than Here. We have also been very lucky to have been able to work with some great singers from bands: David Ryder Prangley, (Rachel Stamp), Kiria LePink (Viva Le Pink) and Rob Stitch (Buffalo Fish) as well as two fantastic drummers, Belle Star - drummer/percussionist for a large number of bands and artistes and Tom Meadows - who can be found touring the world drumming for some of today's biggest artists such as Kylie Minogue. We usually have an idea as we’re creating the stories for the kind of voice we need for each character, and it’s a great help that many of the artists we have worked with can do several different voices. We do many of the voices ourselves too!

Anna-Christina, where do you get your ideas for stories?

I’ve always had a very creative mind and the stories and music just seem to flow out of me very naturally. I like the idea of unlikely heroes and characters overcoming obstacles. I also like to instill positive messages in each story and a few educational elements.


Tell us more about Busy Bees TV.

It’s an idea we came up with to show behind the scenes video footage of the artists and actors recording their voice-overs. As far as we know, no other audio book makers have done this so it’s a very unique part of our world and much fun to watch. We also have an introduction to Music Audio Stories video. All our videos can be seen on our website and YouTube Channel.


Can you tell us the process for creating a Music Audio Story?

In the beginning, the music for the first two stories we made were already written and then made to fit around the story, but now I write the stories first and then write the music around the story which makes more sense. Adie has written music sections in the last two stories crossing music genres, which is fun. We record a scratch track and then do the narration, character’s voices, and sound effects. We then mix, which can take some time as there’s so much involved, and Adie masters the stories.


Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

We have a free download of our first story, March of The Ants available from our website for everyone to enjoy, and all of our other stories are available on Amazon and iTunes for an affordable price.

 

Stories Available:
•    March of The Ants FREE download 
•    Chris the Caterpillar  Amazon | 
iTunes
•    Johnny No Cash  Amazon | 
iTunes 
•    Jimi & his friend Joe  Amazon | 
iTunes 
•    The Big Apple  Amazon | 
iTunes

Featured Author: Graham Austin-King

Just a few days ago I featured a children's book for the first time on this blog, and I'm happy to have another one today. 
Written by Graham Austin-King and illustrated by Sarah Heseltine, Liam and The Grump
 is the highly rated book about a little boy with a temper.

About the book:

When Liam's father tells him to control his temper Liam goes one step further and pulls it right out of him. Unfortunately Liam's temper doesn't want to be controlled and would rather have fun. Follow Liam and the Grump through the mayhem as he tries to get it back under control. A fun story for all ages showing how we all can struggle to control our temper.

Interview with Graham Austin-King:




Tell us about Liam and the Grump. 


Liam and The Grump is a fun book for kids aged roughly 4-8 that deals with the topic of learning to control your temper. More than that though, it teaches that everyone has to control their feelings - not just kids. 



Where did you get the idea for this book?

My son was beginning to develop a rather nasty temper, and one day I told him to throw his temper in the bin...
 


Do you have an inner grump?

Doesn't everyone? Mine can be quelled with enough coffee... well most of the time.
 


How did you come up with the title Liam and The Grump?

Liam is my six-year-old son.



Will this be a series?

It wasn't going to be originally, but it seems to be heading that way. I've had a few requests for more Grump stories.


I'm guessing your inspiration is your son?

In this case it was my son, but really it's the voices in my head.


Sarah Heseltine did the illustrations for the book. How did you find her?

I actually placed an ad on the Internet. Sarah was one of the many who responded, but her sample art was wonderful.
 


How do you market your books?

It's a bit of a challenge as I am not in bookshops yet, and so it's not as if I can go and do signings. I am spending a lot of time on social media, but I have also sent out a few press releases, and I am doing a series of readings at a local school.



This is your first published book. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I've been writing since I was about 16. I have a whole host of truly terrible scratchings locked away.



From Liam And the Grump:

“Oof!” said Liam as three jumpers and a cuddly giraffe landed on his tummy. Liam threw his pillow back and let out a giggle.

Five minutes later after they had emptied the wardrobe and run out of toys to throw in the air, the Grump pounced on Liam and started tickling. Liam giggled and screamed.

Who are your favorite authors? 

Patrick Rothfuss, Peter V Brett, Robert Munsch, Carl Sagan, John Grisham, I am pretty eclectic.


That's a good bunch! 
Where’s home for you?

I live in a sleepy part of Kent in the southeast of England. It's a very green place but only about 45 minutes from London. We've only been here about 2 years, and I am still getting used to it. I'm an urbanite at heart.
 


If you could only keep one book, what would it be?

A Kindle doesn't count right? Hmm...I think The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
 


Neil Gaiman said, “Picking five favorite books is like picking five body parts you'd most like not to lose.” So...what are your five favorite books and your five body parts 
you’d most like not to lose?  
 


The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Contact Carl Sagan

The Beach by Alex Garland

Skallagrigg by Willam Horwood

Pawn of Prophecy David Eddings


My head - it's hard to see what I am writing without one

My right hand - hard to type

My left hand - the right hand would be lonely

My left foot - it's my favourite
My right foot - it's my backup
 


Your last meal would be...

Paella
.


Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?

A bookshop.



You won the lottery. What’s the first thing you would buy?

My house
.


You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?

Spend the day with my wife.
 



You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be? 

Aslan and then I'd go to the zoo and freak people out.
 


What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Chasing my kids, reading, cooking, martial arts. 


Do you plan to write in any other genres?



I think so. I have a number of kids stories I want to get finished, but then I would like to try turning my hand to something more substantial.


What are you working on now? 

Naomi and the Lost Smile, and Captain Pegleg and the Greatest Treasure in the World.



I'd love to hear more about them! Please come back when they're published.

From Liam and The Grump:

"I...I...I don't know," said Liam. "I didn't do it!"

"Well I don't see anyone else sleeping in here so you can clean it up!" said Liam's daddy looking rather cross.

"When you've finished, you can come downstairs for breakfast." He walked out the door and stomped down the stairs.

Grump slithered on top of the bed and got a little bigger with that funny burbling noise and giggled gain. Liam grumbled at it and started to tidy up as the Grump sat watching with a big grin.

About the author:

Graham lives in Kent with his wife Gillian and their three children. He is a voracious reader and has been writing from an early age (just not publishing). Liam and the Grump is his first published work (now available in both paperback and Ebook format).




Website | 
Facebook |  
Goodreads | Amazon

Featured Author: Niamh Clune

And now for something completely different...I haven't featured a children's book before, but today I'm happy to be talking to Niamh Clune about her children's book series PA Dug & Rosie In The Garden: Rosie Wears Her Wellingtons, Wollee The Worm, and Biddle The Bee, published by Plum Tree Books.

About the book:

Everything in the garden serves a purpose including Wollee The Worm who brings food to our table!

Interview with Niamh Clune:

Niamh, you're CEO & Founder at Plum Tree Books and Art. Tell us about Plum Tree Books.

Plum Tree Books is committed to finding rare and exciting new talents in the fields of art, literature, and poetry and combining these mediums in new, exciting ways. We are focusing on children's books with a message, poetry, and a few exceptional, quirky novels. We also offer services to help others bring their e-books to fruition.


Think of us as an on-line group of modern-day Bohemians ~ artists inspiring, nurturing, supporting and promoting each other and raising the barre. Our poetry is often subversive, and I will be publishing some very exciting new poets soon. Such creative gatherings have always existed as breeding grounds for excellence and inspiration. In fact, movements are born from them. Ours is a virtual gathering. What's essential is a genuine sincerity, and a real appreciation of each other's genius.


Where did you get the idea for the Pa Dug & Rosie In The Garden series?

These little books were inspired by my granddaughter, Siolfor Rose (old English spelling for Silver). She is inquisitive, funny, spirited, very intelligent and very mischievous. Siolfor-Rose was two when I began this project. She is three now and has grown with the books, as they have evolved to keep pace with her!

Tell us about the books.

At the time, I was working with artist and author Marta Pelrine Bacon doing various projects for Plum Tree Books. I asked her if she would do the drawings in her inimitable black and white style. I wanted only one element on the page to have a colour. I felt this would help stimulate a child's memory. Children remember a red bow or a yellow watering can or pink or red wellies (Wellington Boots). In fact, these details seem very important to a small child ~ the beginnings of how s/he constructs a psychological sense of personhood: "I like this, I don't like this or that. I choose this, I don't choose that!"

I am a Doctor of Psychotherapy specialising in The Imaginal Mind, but I have always been a writer. I began writing poetry when I was 12 to escape the horror of my own childhood. I have been writing since ~ everything from novels, Orange Petals in a Storm, to The Coming Of The Feminine Christ, which is about awakening the heart! It isn't religious, but a spiritual psychology.

As I entered nana land, I was amazed at how delighted I was to be led and guided by my beautiful granddaughter. I ventured back into the world of faeries, magic and the pure delight of minute-by-minute discovery. These days, I write about the magic of very ordinary things ~ wellies, worms, bees, sunshine, rain, emotions!

I have a special relationship with Siolfor- Rose. She is very much like me: strong-willed and determined. My Rosie character is based on her.

I wrote the books all in rhyme as it is so much fun. I find that teaching and learning something is always more effective if it is a light and happy experience. These little books deliver a message about the importance of nature and how amazing it is. Rhyme helps children develop a freedom with language. It stimulates an enjoyment of words. Children love onomatopoeia.

I decided on two series in particular. The first is the Rosie series - how everything in the garden serves a purpose. I think it important for children to be aware of nature. My Siolfor-Rose loves going into the garden with her Papa Doug. Doug is Canadian and loves everything to do with nature. His background is in agriculture, so he knows soil science. I decided this would be a great combination: rhyme, story-telling about the magic of the ordinary, coupled with beautiful art and basic garden science. What a learning experience for a small child!

In the first of the Rosie series, we are introduced to Rosie and Papa Dug, and we realise that even when it is raining, everything is a celebration. Wearing wellies solves all problems to do with splashing in the mud and having fun whilst being able to help Pa Dug work in the garden. Wellingtons serve a very good purpose!

In the second story, we meet Wollee The Worm and learn how the worm brings food to the table. Rosie doesn't believe Papa Dug at first:

But standing firm, she shook her head, 
“Worm’s cannot do what you’ve just said. 
Mummy brings the food to table. 
Mummy, not the worm, is able.”

Rosie soon discovers that the worm serves a very good purpose too, as it does help Mummy bring food to the table!

The next in the series is Biddle The Bee, coming soon!

In another series, I am tackling the subject of helping children with their emotions. I have two more books on their way and will let you know when they are ready too!

The books can be bought directly from our website. They are not yet available from Amazon.

Where’s home for you?

I am Irish, originally from Co. Clare in Ireland, but I live just outside London.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

I live beside Hampton Court Palace. It was built by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514. But when he fell foul of dear old Henry V111, Henry gave the palace to Ann Boleyn. We all know what happened to both Wolsey and to Ann. Her ghost is said to roam the ancient corridors of Hampton Court. Many tourists have claimed to have seen her, and of course, the Palace makes much of this as a tourist attraction. When I take my granddaughter for a walk, we pass the palace almost daily. She always asks about whether the princess still lives there or not. The architecture alone is enough to stimulate the imagination, let alone its bloody history saturated in political intrigue. These days, it is a very friendly place with beautiful extensive grounds bordering on a huge deer park and situated on the banks of the River Thames ~ such a great location for the royal party to hunt and travel to by barge.

It sounds lovely, as does your series. Please come back and tell us more!

About the author:

Niamh is the author of the Skyla McFee series: Orange Petals in a Storm and Exaltation of a Rose, which is soon to be released. She also penned The Coming of the Feminine Christ ~ an in depth spiritual/ psychological journey into ancient mythology, prophecy and personal experience. Dr. Niamh Clune worked in Africa for Oxfam and UNICEF in her career as a psychotherapist. She is the founder of Plum Tree Books, an award-winning social entrepreneur, an environmental campaigner, and a singer/songwriter.

Website | Blog | Facebook--for poetry and comment | for news about products on facebook  |
for Niamh Clune on Facebook | Twitter Niamh, Plum Tree Books

Buy links:
Plum Tree Books | Amazon link for Niamh Clune: Orange Petals In A Storm