VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

Wow, it's been a crazy few months around SFC and my writing office. I've been lucky enough to meet some really great authors and illustrators with World of Ink Tours. Not only because I get to read some wonderful books or learn about them from Q&A's sent via email, but also because I've had the chance to chat with them on my Blog Talk Radio show, Stories for Children each month. Today, I'm excited to share an interview with Award-winning author Renee Hand. She's not only an award-winning author, but also an educator, tennis coach along with various other things. Renee has been writing for over twenty years and has six publications. She also writes for various chronicles and newsletters, as well as reviews for various authors of children´s books on her blog, http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com . Renee Hand's love for reading and writing started when she was a child. Renee always had a passion for it and remembers frequently wearing out the

Stories for Children Publishing will be touring co-authors Judy Snider and Joan Dickow’s latest children’s book, “I Love You, Be Careful” all month long in April 2011. Joan Dickow , Judy’s sister, lives in Berkley, Michigan wither husband, Fred and their cat, Coffee. This is her first book and she is currently working on her second picture book, The Porch Fairy. Judy Snider , Joan’s sister lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, Gil, and two silly cats. She is the author of the CWA award-winning children’s picture book, Goldy’s Baby Socks , and on a team of authors of The Scared Purse . You can find out more and Judy Snider & Joan Dickow’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/JudySniderandJoanDickow.aspx . There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. Both Judy Snider and Joan Dickow

Rosemarie Gillen, Art Director of SFC, is a professional Children's Book Illustrator. She has won several awards and has been published traditionally and online. She specializes in enhancing children's book with her unique style of illustrations. Her style is colorful, happy and child friendly displaying the sweet innocence and simplicity of childhood.  Her interests range from painting reproductions of great masters to reading, and horseback riding. You can find more of her work at www.rosemariegillen.com VS: Rosemarie, thanks for being here today. It's been lots of fun working with you and getting to know you. So now it's time for the SFC fans and my readers to learn more about the SFC Team so can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you became an Illustrator. Rosemarie: In the 80’s I remember falling in love with a Van Gogh and I imagined myself painting it. So I went and brought supplies and started painting to satisfy my curiosity a

After a year hiatus, Stories for Children Magazine is pleased to announce its re-launch with the April 2011 issue. This award-winning Ezine has delighted children around the world for three years, featured children’s authors and illustrators from top publishers to small indie publications, and given free worksheets to educators and homeschool parents. Stories for Children Magazine’s April 2011 issue will feature award-winning author Janet Halfmann. Janet has more than thirty fiction and nonfiction children’s books. Before becoming a children’s author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children’s magazine editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of four. When Janet isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living-history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in mid-Michigan and now lives in Wisconsin. Even though you cannot buy the relaunch issue until Ap

I get to introduce you to one amazing woman. I say this because she is not only a professional musician, but has also self published two books and is a mother. Sherry is one woman who knows how to balance her life and see her dreams come true. Sherry Ellis is a freelance writer who writes articles for parenting magazines and children’s publications. Her first book, That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN , was published in 2005. Her second, That Mama is a Grouch , was published in May of 2010. It was honored as a finalist in the Parenting/Family category of the 2010 USA Book News Awards.  Sherry is also a professional musician who plays and teaches violin, viola, and piano. Ms. Ellis lives in Loveland, Ohio with her husband and two children.   VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, Sherry. To get things started, what do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Sherry: One of my biggest challenges is finding time to write. I have