"If you want your dinner, don't insult the cook."
-Chinese Proverb
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
my book on kindle
My cousin recently got an Amazon kindle and "I'm going to read your new book on it!" he said excitedly. My reaction? Not as excited.
I'm trying hard not to be a book snob, but I know how much consideration and thought that the designer and I put in every aspect of my book. From the choosing of typefaces to the color of the page numbers to the direction I painted the swirls, we tried to make every aspect of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as beautiful as we could. I couldn't imagine that being translated through a kindle.
And, to my eyes, it wasn't:
But still, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I guess what it comes down to is that at least, even through a kindle, my story was being read. It still resembled my intentions, and I would rather have my book read through a kindle than not at all.
But the book is better.
I'm trying hard not to be a book snob, but I know how much consideration and thought that the designer and I put in every aspect of my book. From the choosing of typefaces to the color of the page numbers to the direction I painted the swirls, we tried to make every aspect of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as beautiful as we could. I couldn't imagine that being translated through a kindle.And, to my eyes, it wasn't:
But still, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I guess what it comes down to is that at least, even through a kindle, my story was being read. It still resembled my intentions, and I would rather have my book read through a kindle than not at all.
But the book is better.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Get your photo in by Friday!
Hey, you've got until Friday to enter my contest for this month's drawing!
Remember the contest? The one from my online launch party? Where if you post a photo of yourself with my new book HERE you enter a drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate for my store? There are three monthly drawings (July, August Sept) AND an Oct. 1st GRAND PRIZE-- your name or likeness in my next book!
If you enter the drawing now, your name is in the hat for all three drawings PLUS the grand prize. So if you enter now, you have more chances to win! Post away!
Remember the contest? The one from my online launch party? Where if you post a photo of yourself with my new book HERE you enter a drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate for my store? There are three monthly drawings (July, August Sept) AND an Oct. 1st GRAND PRIZE-- your name or likeness in my next book!
If you enter the drawing now, your name is in the hat for all three drawings PLUS the grand prize. So if you enter now, you have more chances to win! Post away!
Monday, July 27, 2009
coin under cupcake winner!
I just realized that one of the eight cupcake-coin winners from my book launch never contacted me...or their e-mail may have been lost in cyberspace. If you had a coin under your cupcake and have NOT received an e-mail from me, please e-mail me ASAP (gracenotes@gracelin.com)! I have a space saved for you in my new book!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mazza Museum
This past weekend I had the great honor of speaking at the Mazza Museum's Summer Institute. 
And I really mean it when I say honor, because it truly was. I had always heard great things about the Mazza Museum but have never been there before. It is quite a haven for children's book illustrators and anyone who loves children's book art. I had a lovely time, my only gripe being that I had to speak after the eloquent, entertaining and super talented Brian Pinkney:
who also played the drums! Not fair!
But I was able to soothe my nerves by getting immersed in the incredible art in the museum. I was just astounded by the collection, and the museum could only show a tiny fraction of it.
They let me see their high tech storage area and the art just goes on and on. It's amazing.
Because the art they have is quite priceless. For example, original art by HR Rey:
and originals from Madeleine:
As I was walking through the museum, I was filled with such gratitude that a place like this exists. A place that preserves and treasures children's book art for the art it is.
My other favorite part of the museum is the hallway. I know that seems weird, but they are making the hallway into a tile wall with tiles by children's illustrators such as:
Ed Emberley,
my favorite illustrator Elisa Kleven
and good friend (and great artist!) Mary Newell DePalma.
I think art schools that teach children's book illustration should have field trips here! I regret not seeing all of this when I was in school. However, at least now I have my next trip to the Mazza Museum to look forward to.
And I really mean it when I say honor, because it truly was. I had always heard great things about the Mazza Museum but have never been there before. It is quite a haven for children's book illustrators and anyone who loves children's book art. I had a lovely time, my only gripe being that I had to speak after the eloquent, entertaining and super talented Brian Pinkney:
who also played the drums! Not fair!But I was able to soothe my nerves by getting immersed in the incredible art in the museum. I was just astounded by the collection, and the museum could only show a tiny fraction of it.
They let me see their high tech storage area and the art just goes on and on. It's amazing.
Because the art they have is quite priceless. For example, original art by HR Rey:
and originals from Madeleine:
As I was walking through the museum, I was filled with such gratitude that a place like this exists. A place that preserves and treasures children's book art for the art it is.
My other favorite part of the museum is the hallway. I know that seems weird, but they are making the hallway into a tile wall with tiles by children's illustrators such as:
Ed Emberley,
my favorite illustrator Elisa Kleven
and good friend (and great artist!) Mary Newell DePalma.
I think art schools that teach children's book illustration should have field trips here! I regret not seeing all of this when I was in school. However, at least now I have my next trip to the Mazza Museum to look forward to.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon = Où La Montagne Rencontre La Lune?
C'est vrai! Mon roman sera traduit et publié en français. Il fera partie d'une série de romans de fantaisie. oh, la la!
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon = Où La Montagne Rencontre La Lune?
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon = Où La Montagne Rencontre La Lune?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
cupcake portfolio
I've decided to start documenting my cupcakes. It's going to be my portfolio for when I start my cupcake business (everyone needs a backup plan). These are some of the cupcakes I made for my friend Anna Alter's wedding. It was an outside, country-ish wedding which is why we went for the bee and flower theme.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
can I be called professor?
I just finished teaching my section of the Solstice low-residency MFA program in YA/Children's lit and I can't say enough good things about it. I wish I had gone to a program like this before publishing, it's such a smart group of people--students and staff (including the very sharp and funny co-teacher Laban Hill), all passionate about writing. They were especially kind to green-horned teachers, such as myself. I caught myself telling stories like an old grandfather ("I remember when I learned there was no such thing as a brontosaurus...") and their eyes did not glaze over once--true signs of real writers, who know that they can find something interesting in the most mundane of incidents.
If you are at all serious about writing for children, get thee to a program such as this!
Monday, July 13, 2009
small graces: NOW!
Oops, forgot to send the notice for this earlier but the small graces auction is happening NOW!!
Bid Here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-PAINTING-by-Childrens-Book-Author-GRACE-LIN_W0QQitemZ220451246067QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings?hash=item3353eb0ff3&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A4|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A200
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Chinasprout Promotion
Did you miss the free bookplate offer from my online booklaunch? Don't worry! You can still get an autographed book!
Chinasprout is offering 10% off copies of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon which will include this special bookplate that I made & autographed for them:
So get a book while supplies last. And don't forget to take a photo with it! Remember:
Go and post your photos!
Chinasprout is offering 10% off copies of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon which will include this special bookplate that I made & autographed for them:
So get a book while supplies last. And don't forget to take a photo with it! Remember:
Go and post your photos!
on the way to the grocery store
I wear my new shoes! Helps to have something to smile at in the rain!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
final fish?
Long-time readers of my blog posts may remember when I was tormented by fish (from this post and this post)--images of fish seemed to swimming in my subconscious, popping up at me randomly and incessantly, as if reminding me that I needed to make a fish book. I thought I had exorcised them when I wrote Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, where a goldfish's voice is finally heard. That, I thought, would be the end of my bizarre fish sightings.
But I was wrong. Today, in the mail, I received this mysterious package:
Strangely, it seemed to be for to one and from myself (but I didn't send it, at least I don't think I did).
Inside is a small white box that contains a....
What?
Yes, it's some kind of fish pin--a real fish encased in resin, then made into a pin.
Accompanying this box is a card that is addressed to "Megan" from "Judith." I don't know a Megan (spelled this way) or a Judith. And who is Andrew? A husband? Son? Boyfriend?
Very curious! Very mysterious! It's like a beginning of a novel! Perhaps it is some sort of sign, a message that there are more fish wanting to be set free from my subconscious. That another fish book is in my destiny.
Or that I just opened Megan's birthday gift from Judith. Sorry, Megan!
But I was wrong. Today, in the mail, I received this mysterious package:
Strangely, it seemed to be for to one and from myself (but I didn't send it, at least I don't think I did). Inside is a small white box that contains a....
What?
Yes, it's some kind of fish pin--a real fish encased in resin, then made into a pin.Accompanying this box is a card that is addressed to "Megan" from "Judith." I don't know a Megan (spelled this way) or a Judith. And who is Andrew? A husband? Son? Boyfriend?
Very curious! Very mysterious! It's like a beginning of a novel! Perhaps it is some sort of sign, a message that there are more fish wanting to be set free from my subconscious. That another fish book is in my destiny.
Or that I just opened Megan's birthday gift from Judith. Sorry, Megan!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
fortune cookie friday
"Dogs have so many friends because they wag their tails, not their tongues."
-Chinese Proverb
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Online Launch!
I can't believe it but Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is now officially released! In celebration, I am throwing an online party! Please come!There are favors, contests, games and much more. Some of the fun requires that you are on facebook, but I've given some alternatives in case you aren't a facebook fan. I'd just be thrilled to see you there!
Have a cupcake, find out what Chinese Symbol you need to change your fortune or listen to an excerpt of the book. Also, TODAY ONLY I am offering special personalized & dated autographed bookplates. So, really, don't miss it.
In the meantime here is a preview of some of the "party entertainment" at the launch. It's a little interview about the inside notes of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon:
I hope all of this makes Where the Mountain Meets the Moon even more enjoyable for you or at least piques your interest in it. If it does, I humbly ask that you spread the word and invite others to the launch. Because it's not a party unless people come!