Category: Events (Page 4 of 16)

Happy Book Birthday to THE BEDTIME KNIGHT by Katie L. Carroll & Illustrated by Erika Baird

January 26, 2021 / Katie L. Carroll

I’m so happy to have THE BEDTIME KNIGHT out in the world today! This book was first released as an ebook for a picture book app way back in 2012 (see “The Bedtime Knight” Is Born”), and it’s exciting to have it out in print for the first time.

Erika Baird, the illustrator, really did an amazing job of using the pictures to tell the story along with the text. And I love the purple color scheme she chose. The original layout was the text on one side and the illustration on the other, much like this page in the version releasing today.

That wasn’t going to work for the entire picture book for a print version. The design would have gotten stale, and the number of pages wouldn’t have worked. When I purchased the illustration rights from Erika, it was for the originals, so I had to bring my own design skills (or lack thereof) to the table.

Wow, did I learn a lot in the process of designing a picture book. If I never hear about adjusting page size for bleed again, I will be a very happy person indeed! One of my favorite spreads is this one with the closeup the young mouse character. It’s hard to see in this screenshot, but the illustration has a white border around it, and it was fun page to design.

This book is all about facing fears, especially the ones in our own heads. The mouse daughter keeps imagining the shadows in her dark room are scary things (like a giant on the ceiling). When Daddy Knight shines the light on them, they discover the shadows are just ordinary objects (like a ceiling fan). Then together, they use their imaginations to turn those everyday things into something else (like a friendly sea creature).

As the story progresses, the young mouse grows more independent in using her imagination, until finally at the end, she is alone in her room (with Daddy watching from the doorway) and reimagines the shadows all by herself.

As a person with a very active imagination, I often see things in the dark that scare me, especially when I was child. I love the way the dad character in the book so lovingly guides his daughter to see things (literally) in a new light and empowers her to reimagine them.

THE BEDTIME KNIGHT is available in print and ebook from Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, IndieBound, and other book retailers.

Also a quick reminder that I’m teaching a virtual ShopTalk for the New England SCBWI called “What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing” this evening, Tuesday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. (ET). This is going to be packed with information! I’ve also added a Self-Publishing Resources page to my website for anyone interested in exploring more on the topic.

No New Year’s Resolution, But Hitting the Ground Running In 2021

January 4, 2021 / Katie L. Carroll

It seems I say the same thing at the beginning of every New Year: mainly that I’m always in the middle of things and a resolution doesn’t make much sense. Well, 2021 is no exception, so my plan is to keep moving forward on what I’ve been working on.

I’m so very close to finishing this big revision of my witchy middle grade novel, which finally has a title (not sure if that will end up being THE title, so not sharing right now). I think my next move is printing out a copy to do smaller line revisions before sharing it with critique partners.

I’ll also be presenting a Virtual ShopTalk with the New England SCBWI called “What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing” on January 26, 2021 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Having booked this workshop has finally given me the motivation to work on setting up a page on my website for resources on self-publishing, so keep an eye out for that.

You may have seen my surprise announcement (see “The Journey of Self-Publishing the Picture Book THE BEDTIME KNIGHT”) that I have a picture book coming out as well. THE BEDTIME KNIGHT, illustrated by Erika Baird, officially releases January 26, though I know some of the pre-orders went out early (long story!). I’ve added THE BEDTIME KNIGHT to my Books tab, so you check that out for details on how to order.

All in all, lots of good stuff going on. I’ve thought about doing a 2020 book wrap-up post, but like everyone else, I’m kind just ready to move on and not look back. I hope the New Year brings you and yours health and happiness, and I’d love to hear your resolutions or plans for 2021.

Indie Author Day Children’s Panel Today & ELIXIR BOUND Sale

November 9, 2020 / Katie L. Carroll

I have a fun book announcement coming up next week (check out my site’s header for a hint of what it’s about). Quick post today to let you know that at 3:00 p.m. I’ll be on the Indie Author Day Children’s Authors Panel with the Norwalk Public Library.

Carol Gordon Ekster, Allia Zobel Nolan, Amy Oestreicher, Eric Sondergeld, and Frederick Thurber, and I will be on the panel discussing indie children’s publishing and our books. I’ll be reading from my latest YA fantasy ELIXIR SAVED. This will be the first time I’ll be doing a reading of this book! And this is a good opportunity to check out my virtual author visit space live, which I recently blogged about setting up.

You can email Cynde Lahey at clahey@norwalkpl.org to join the Zoom directly or join us live on the Norwalk Public Library’s Facebook page.

Last order of business is to share that ELIXIR BOUND is on sale for $0.99! Also, if you have purchased any of my paperwork books, I’m happy to send you a signed bookplate. Signed books make great holiday gifts. Just send me an email.

Setting Up a Virtual Author Visit Space & Recording of “Balancing Writing and Parenting” Webinar

October 26, 2020 / Katie L. Carroll

I’ve been working hard getting my new virtual author visit space up and running in my attic office. I’ll be offering a variety of programs through Talkabook when it launches soon. You can also book a program directly through me by sending me an email at katielcarroll @ yahoo.com. Check out my Author Visits page to get an idea of my offerings.

The recent “Balancing Writing and Parenting” webinar I presented for the Indie Author Project Expert Sessions was recorded there. You can view that now on demand. The office space isn’t visible because the video is only my presentation, but it was a nice way to break it in.

I know not all the little details will be obvious in a virtual setting (and the yellow wall is what I see when I’m presenting), but I really wanted a space that would also make me happy. I made small posters to give some interest to the slanted ceiling. My books are displayed with skull and corvid bookends. The characters on top of one of the bookshelves were painted by my grandmother. I also have a special pirate ship backdrop for PIRATE ISLAND themed presentations that’s not pictured.

I’ll be making adjustments as necessary (and I have to make up a new poster for a secret upcoming book!), but I’m pleased with it so far and I’m very much looking forward to connecting with readers there.

“Balancing Writing and Parenting” Virtual Event for Indie Author Project Expert Sessions

October 7, 2020 / Katie L. Carroll

A quick announcement today to let you all know that I’m doing a virtual webinar next week for the Indie Author Project’s Expert Sessions. It’s called “Balancing Writing and Parenting” and is from 12 – 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

It was created with the particular needs of parents in mind, but I think there will be some good tips for any writer who’s feeling short on time lately. It’s free, but you do need to register to attend live. It will also be recorded, so you can watch it at your convenience.