I got to read my book to my kids!

Well, the book arrived last night. I was filled with excitement, pride, and joy as I opened my book to read it to my kids. My daughter was filled with questions about the animals. It was like a light bulb went off as she realized that the book was really here.

This morning my daughter clutched the book in her arms as she delivered it to her first grade teacher as a gift. To see how proud my daughter was of me, was humbling.

This experience, over the past six years, has been emotional for me. To almost have it published, then not; then rejections as I looked for another publisher; then elation as Finney Company picked it up. My friends in Flagstaff, and my family, went through it all with me. Now, I am here in California, and the people I mention the book to don't quite understand what a journey this has been for me.

Now that it is here, my tenacity and overly outgoing personality will pay off. I am obsessed with getting the word out about my book. Although, I worry that I am boasting, my passion to help these animals hopefully will overshadow that worry. My goal is to have 3,000 books sold in 6 months. Goals are a challenge to reach for.

I am grateful to all those that pre-ordered the book, or plan to purchase it when it is out. Their support and enthusiam is beautiful.

So, along with publisizing this book, I have started another. It will be called "Through Desert Eyes." I have started gathering a list of 22 species whose habitat is the desert. From the cheetah to the Desert Pupfish. It has created a whole new excitement for me to start this next project. It will also be another blog of information for me to publish.

I also joined the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators:)

Art accepted into organization

Greetings,
Wow, I love 2009! I have just been accepted as a Signature Member of Artists for Conservation. Only 500 Nature artists worldwide are allowed into the organization. Amazing! I am updating my profile on their site www.natureartists.com. I applied two years ago and didn't get in.

Really big deal to me!
:)

TA DA! I am in Amazon.com

How cool is it that when I type my name, Rachel Dillon in Amazon.com, my book comes up. So darn cool!

I am tired since I have been emailing everyone I know and updating my Web site and facebook, to start marketing and getting pre-orders for the book. Look at my little icon. Cute huh?