Little Girls, Big Dreams Update & More!!!

Little Girls, Big Dreams Fall Literacy Project was a big success and I owe that to many of you! The girls were extremely excited to meet an author from the area and to receive books and pens to encourage them to keep reading & writing!

I want to specifically thank:

The Thomas Family

Cleaner Options Dry Cleaning Service

Gerald Bricker

Traci Sincock

Georgia Conrad

Harriet Kirsch

Herman Smith of ECO-Testing LLC

Zach & Justin Norgrove

Kimberly Crafton

Karen Stewart, Stewart Law Office, Novi MI

The Klinger Family

Bill & Tammy Adams

Caroline Vacketta

Final Destinations LLC

Tearza Martin of Bryce Avery Designs LLC

Eric & Nicole Roll

Tanyeka & Que B Buchanan

Chad Talo

The Black Women In Business Brainstorm
Because of your contributions these young ladies are very happy and ready to be stars in Literacy!!
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My dream come true....

I have been anticipating tomorrow for a very long time. This summer I had the pleasure of speaking with the founder of "Little Girls, Big Dreams" A literacy non-profit for girls in Pontiac, MI. We decided on giving these hardworking young ladies a treat from me a home-grown author....books from the "Who I Am" series.
I am thrilled to have a private book signing just for them tomorrow at their after-school program. My goal is to encourage them to keep up the good work and not to give up. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated books to this program to make it successful!
I will be sure to share your kind gesture with the young ladies tomorrow. It is not enough to dream for yourself.
Dreams have to be big enough to share with others!
These girls have made one of my dreams come true!
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A RIVER FULL OF WRITERS!!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being a featured author at "Writer's On The River" One of the biggest Author Fair's in Michigan. I was so pleased to see old and new faces at my "Who I Am" table. It is amazing that Brooke, Kristin, Jenna and Jaylynn came to tell me that they really loved getting their "Who I Am Not What I Am" books last year and that they were excited to see the newest book in the series.

This fair had a very big showing of educators, community members and children and was very well attended. Jason Michener, My illustrator and husband was the balloon king as he decorated fancy pictures for those who bought my series.

I was so pleased to see fellow members of the SCBWI-MI group and meet new friends that write for children as well.

One of my happiest moments was talking to Carol McCloud, (The Bucket Filler Lady) Author of The Bucket Filler series. Carol and I have known each other almost ten years and she had been an extraordinary friend that gave me lots of wisdom and advice during my early career and college years. It was fantastic to see her and to do a book swap with her. I hope that you enjoy the pictures from this fun event and if you missed it maybe I will see you on November 28th at the Borders Express, in Great Lakes Crossings Mall! Save the date I will be there from 12-2!

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Big Dream update...

Hi All!
On Wednesday I blogged about Little Girls, Big Dreams, the non-profit literacy organization in Pontiac Michigan. I have a new update on donations. Because of the generosity of our readers and those in the community our numbers are lower!
We now need 2 copies of "Who I Am Not What I Am" and 8 copies of 100% Real to reach our goal! Thank you so much for those who believe in sharing the gift of reading with the young girls of this great group!
Please pass this message on to those in your circle so that we can get the 10 books we need to allow these young girls to have a successful event with a published author. It certainly takes a village and I appreciate that the readers of this blog are indeed that village to help and assist with the literacy needs of those in the community.
Time is running out so please pass the word. Remember you can purchase the books for the girls under the paypal function on this page that is marked "Choose a book (s) to donate".
November is the time when many remember their blessings and in turn give back to those in need. I am thankful to have a platform to give back and to give others the opportunity to do the same!
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Helping Little Girls reach their Big Dreams...

Readers,
November 12th I will be going to Pontiac, MI. My hometown to celebrate and to motivate the girls of Little Girls, Big Dreams. This is a charitable organization that promotes Literacy in young girls ages 1st-4th grade. I am so proud of these young people that have worked so hard to embrace the love of reading, writing, comprehension and today's technology.
The best part is that I will leave these girls with books from the "Who I Am" series signed by me but purchased by their surrounding communities, businesses, families and individuals that also want to see them succeed. I am happy to say that we are almost at our goal for giving every girl one of each of the books that I have written. I am sad to say that we are not quite there yet.
We still need 3 more "Who I Am Not What I Am" books to be purchased and 9 more 100% Real books to be bought in order to reach our goal of every girl getting two books.
Please look to the pay pal panel and choose a book or two to give to this awesome group of girls.
I think that it is important for them to know that it everyone is pulling for their success even those that they do not know.
If you have questions please feel free to email me at whoiamnotwhatiam@yahoo.com
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

I enjoy being an author for many reasons one of the best... is meeting my readers!
I will be signing books this Sunday at a great literary event in Monroe!
"Writers On The River" is an annual author fair that features authors & illustrators from many genres...old & new to the industry!
Last year was my first year on board as an author and I was lucky and blessed to be able to sit next to the great illustrator Cyd Moore. She was extremely friendly and gave me lots of advice and of course I could not leave the event without purchasing her picture book "Willow".
I sold books but I came home with quite a few myself because the talent at this event is amazing. If you are looking for a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon...join us at the Monroe Library from 12-3.
It has been a wonderful treat for me to be able to share the "Who I Am" series at this top-notch author fair! I hope to see you there!
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November Thank-you's

Readers,
It is that time of the year again where we remember to be grateful, thankful and mindful of our blessings. I have so many that it would take forever to list all of them but I will share a few with you! A great big thank you to the readers of the "Who I Am" series! This thanks should cover the bookstores, the schools, the community groups and libraries that hosted events to include my collection of books that promote diversity & self-esteem in children. Of course, my books would not be able to thrive without the wonderful children that support Zoey & Janelle (my main characters). My new illustrator, Jason Michener has visually allowed 100% Real to be the talk of the town and since this is his second job I just want to add a special thanks for all of his hard work and tenacity on this project.
I have many more people to thank but first I will ask you...who are you thankful for? Has someone helped your life in an incredible way? Have they encouraged you when times were tough? Loaned you some support in time of need? Think about those people close to you and savor their presence in your life as a gift. I realize that each day brings troubles but the blessings far outweigh the troubles.
Tonight Jason and I are going to put our troubles aside as well as our date night and we are going to read our books to children from a homeless shelter. Everyone needs support and if we can be a blessing to others it may help us to truly understand what thanksgiving is all about. We celebrate it in November but we should try to be mindful of our blessings and give back throughout the year. Enjoy this beautiful month of transition from Fall to Winter and share your blessings with someone in need.
Read something great!