I Received A Lovely Email

Monday, May 31, 2010
On Friday I received a lovely email surprise. It was from an Academic Intervention Facilitator in Florida asking permission to reproduce my work so it could be used in the school and possibly in other schools in the district) to help teach the elementary school children to read better. She found 4 of my poems published in Fandangle Online Magazine and wanted reproduce the poems and write questions pertaining to the poems for the students. She also said she appreciated any addition pieces I would be willing to send.

Well, of course I was thrilled my work was being used to promote reading so I said yes and I sent her my acrostic poem, JACK-O-LANTERNS. I'm pleased someone took the time to request permission to copy these pieces. It means a lot to me.

So, to the students of Dundee Elementary School, Florida, I hope you enjoy my poems and please feel free to email me if you have any questions or if you just want to say hi.

Gargoyle-like mystery creature washes up in Ontario lake

Friday, May 21, 2010
Wow! I'm sure someone will get a story idea from this. To me it looks like an otter with no fur on its face. Interesting.

Gargoyle-like mystery creature washes up in Ontario lake

Maybe Today Is The Day?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I have a few little butterflies in my stomach and a smile on my face but deep in my mind there are doubts.

I'm talking about a picture book manuscript I sent to a publishing house in January. On the site it state it usually takes 3-4 months to respond. It also state if you do not hear back from them by 5 months you can send an inquiry.

So that is pretty standard for most publishing houses. So why am I a little excited? Here's a few reasons.

1. Today is exactly 4 months since I sent the manuscript meaning it hasn't been rejected yet. That's something to get excited about, right?

2. I am totally in LOVE with this manuscript and last year, when I sent it to a different publishing house, it was shortlisted for publication but ultimately wasn't chosen. However, I'm really glad it wasn't chosen because I believe it is a better fit where it is currently.

3. I sent a 2nd manuscript to the same publisher in March and received a rejection for it in April. One month! It only took them one month to reject it. Does that mean the other manuscript they have had for 4 months is being considering? I'd like to think so. :)


Now here are the doubts creeping their way in:

1. Maybe my manuscript simply got lost! Maybe, I've been sitting here for 4 months waiting for a situation to resolve that doesn't even exist. I will be heart broken if they don't have my manuscript but I will just have to send it again because it is a good fit.

2. I'm wondering if there is a delay in responses because the publishing house has had some staff changes? This doesn't bother me as much because it is to be expected. Change can sometimes be difficult and I understand that.

So, that's what's on my mind today. I will be twittering my visit to the mail box today so be sure to join me at http://twitter.com/auntieflamingo

Welcome

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Welcome to my new website. I setup this site on May 15, 2010 to replace my current site http://home.cogeco.ca/~madelinebarr
I needed something a little more dynamic to allow me to easily update with recent news. I found the blog format allowed me to do that.

For those who don't know me, I am Madeline Barr and I'm a writer. I've been published in a number on online magazines and also in print. My favorite people to write for is children. I'm currently working on getting my first picture book published.

I will be using this site to update you on my writing career along with personal posts, accomplishments of my writing friends and things I simply find interesting.



If you have a question or comment please feel free to contact me either by email or by leaving a comment below.