Super Fan!

I get asked on a regular basis whether writing for a living is worth the effort. First of all, I love it and can't think of my life without it.

But, more than anything, I love the young readers I have the privilege of talking to and (hopefully) inspiring to read and write.

One such "Super Fan" is Aubree Goff. After a recent visit to her Nebo Elementary (arranged by Super Media Specialist, Lisa Brown), Aubree sent an e-mail:

Dear Mrs. Cunningham,

"I'm very sorry I couldn't get this message to you sooner . I was so caught up in my thoughts about the book "The Curse of the Bayou" and it's ending. I was so very intrigued by the books end. For at least a couple days I was lost in my own little world thinking about it. I told almost everyone in my class about my thoughts on the end. Two of my thoughts were " OH MY GOSH!!!, YOU GUYS HAVE TO READ "CURSE OF THE BAYOU" BY MRS. CUNNINGHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Also my other one is "You have to read the series of Cynthia's Attic, it's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you soooooooooo much for sharing your gift!"

Your fan, Aubree

Tell me, what author wouldn't love to get an e-mail like this? My publisher (Quake) and I were so impressed, we decided to put a portion on the front of the latest Cynthia's Attic book, The Legend of Lupin Woods (Book Five).

I recently met Aubree, her mother, Cindee, and older sister, Ashlee, to thank the 5th grader for her fabulous e-mail, and to present her with a copy of the book. I was pleased to learn that Aubree not only loves to read, she loves to write! Her writing is a little dark sometimes, she explained, and doesn't always have a happy ending. I told her that was okay. Life doesn't always have a happy ending and she should write what inspires her. She went on to say that she likes to inject humor throughout her stories,  like I do in Cynthia's Attic.

After meeting Aubree and her family, I have no doubt that Aubree's out-going personality and obvious support system, will take her to the stars, or wherever she wants to go.

Cynthia's Attic: The Legend of Lupin Woods is available now! Buy Now!

[Print]

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Cats In The Attic - Cynthia's Attic!

Cynthia's Attic, and favorite time-traveler, Augusta Lee (Gus), want to welcome a newcomer to the attic scene - Little Bitty Kitty, or LBK for short.

Gus: So, I hear we’re heading to Indiana the first of December. You, Wendel Wordsworth, me and Cynthia. You’ve never been there right?

LBK: Meow.

Gus: Well, you’re gonna love it. Sure you’re just a little kitty, and it’ll be cold there, like really, really cold, but you have a winter coat, right?

LBK: Meow.

Gus: And this Gram person, the one in your story, is she coming along?

LBK: Meow.

Gus: She seems like a nice lady. Your story is cute, too. The way you wiggle through that little…Well, guess I shouldn’t give away the ending.

LBK: Meow.

Gus And your book is interactive? It has coloring pages? That’s great. I love to color...especially outside the lines!

LBK: Meow.

Gus: Well, guess we ought to start packing for the trip. I’m visiting Corydon Intermediate School on Dec 3. What school are you going to?

LBK: Meow.

Gus: Oh, yeah, Corydon Elementary School. Those are some great students. Well, so long for now. See you in Indiana!

LBK: Meow!

Whew! Good thing Gus knows "kitty-speak"!

Little Bitty Kitty Website

Wendel Wordsworth Website

Cynthia's Attic Series on Amazon!

Mary Cunningham Books

School Visits - Expect the Unexpected.

Suzanne Lieurance (Working Writers Coach - Book Bites For Kids is a children’s writer with (at last count) 20 published books for children. She has also been an instructor with the Institute of Children’s Literature (located in West Redding, Connecticut) for 8 years.

As The Working Writer’s Coach, Lieurance helps people who love to write become “working” freelance writers and make a living doing what they love to do best.

She also enjoys school visits (most of the time - see below!) and promoting her children's books. This from a recent newsletter.

I love visiting schools and talking with children about the writer's life. Quite often, writers are treated like rock stars at schools. We're asked to autograph everything from backpacks to sweatshirts.

A couple of days ago I made an author's visit to a local school. And, yeah, I was treated like a rock star. At least for a while.

Students listened quietly as I read from one of my books. Then I told them more about the writer's life and ended my presentation by asking the children if they had any questions.

One little girl on the front row had been listening very intently. She didn't take her eyes off me during the entire presentation. When she raised her hand I looked foward to her question.

"Yes," I said, pointing to her. "What's your question?"

She smiled and asked, "Are you almost done?"

I gulped.

That was certainly not the question I was expecting.

"Uh, yes," I said. "I'm almost finished."

"We get a snack when you're done," she said.

Her teacher rolled her eyes in embarrassment. But I just laughed.

Kids really keep things real. It's all well and good to listen to some nice author. But the best part is moving on to the snack!

Suzanne Lieurance

(Some days are like that, Suzanne! Hope you got a snack, too.)

The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - Amazon

by Suzanne Lieurance

Mary Cunningham Books

Curse of the Bayou on Amazon!