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?

It's Almost Official!

I just got a note from my Publisher yesterday...drumroll...I have an official, pending on the printer, release date of February 2nd, 2009 for my book. I even have an ISBN number!

Through Endangered Eyes: a poetic journey into the wild
By Rachel Allen Dillon – February 2, 2009 Publication Date
64 pages, 7-1/2” x 7’, jacketed-hardcover, © 2009, ISBN: 978-0-89317-067-7
Order Number: WW-0677…$16.50

It is surreal truly! What an amazing Christmas gift. I'll keep this posted once I speak with the marketing department on the rest of the details.

:) Yipeeee

Home stretch?

Last week the designer of my publisher mentioned that, if all goes well, the book should be at the printer the week of Dec. 15th. I have learned over the years to hesitate when wanting to bombard a publisher with "when, when, when...?" So, I usually wait a couple of weeks after they say they are going to do something, to check and see if it happened.

I have not always been the best with patience, it wasn't a given virtue. This process has forced me to wait.

There are so many things I am not sure of:
1) The number of books they will print - somewhere between 3,000-5,000
2) Where will they market the book? I know Amazon.com will have it on their site.
3) When the book will be released? I know it will be sometime in Spring 2009. So that could mean March, April or May.
4) What awards will it be submitted for? I want the Caldecott!
5) Not sure how it will be priced.
6) Not sure if I should start the next book, if they are interested in another or not...

The final book will be 64 pages, hard cover, with a wrap. I am so excited and can't wait to market it everywhere I go! I want to do readings at zoos, local libraries, schools, and bookstores. I am going to send it out to: WWF, Zeb Hogan (specialist in Mekong Giant Catfish), Pi Phi, UW Madison, Henry Vilas Zoo, Vaquita Marina, Folsom Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Taranga Zoo in Australia. That is my list thus far. I am sure it will grow.

I am currently getting my applications ready for Grad school. But, another book in my series of endangered species is floating in my head. I want to see how this first book does.

So, if I think big, I will be on Oprah; have a favorable review in the NY Times; and be a key-note speaker for a WWFoundation fundraising event. I want to have 3,000 books sold by Dec. 2009. The more people that talk about Endangered Species, the more people will help them.

Here is how I wrote the poem for the Karner Blue Butterfly:

When I am a caterpiller
I eat a lupine plant.
So I'll become a butterfly
because without the plant, I can't!

In the factual informaiton, it talks about how the Karner Blue Butterfly is a specialized species and completely dependent on one kind of plant for survival.

:) Night!

More editorial changes

I just completed a bunch of changes to the book. The editor emailed a list of 13 items in question. Glancing at the list was a bit daunting. Five to six hours later I completed the list of changes and emailed it all back to the editor.

All I can say is that the book is even better than before. It is amazing that when I think it is done, the editor still finds ways to improve it. Although, I am ready for the last edits to be done, so we can get the book done. I have probably gone through at least a dozen drafts of this book.

I am anxious to be done. It has been such a long time and long process! But, I want the Caldecott Award. Can you imagine how many would hear about my book? Can you imagine the discussions the book will create? Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring the issue of endangered species to the forefront of children education and reading. An award like the Caldecott would help make that happen. Even in a small way maybe my book can help to change the world.

Progress with the book!

Hooray! I have been working with the designer at Finney Co. The words preparing for "print"! oh my gosh, have actually been spoken.

We had a couple file glitches and a graphic saved at a low resolution. Thanks to www.yousendit.com , the 85MB file of the zebras was uploaded and fast. I love our new internet connection - lightening fast!

The publisher mentioned a Spring time release. Nature books are best released at that time, which makes total sense! So, I am thinking March or April? Wouldn't that be great? Six years in the making. To have it real is surreal.

I feel really positive though about Finney Co. They are a great team! I am looking forward to starting the next book, although I am applying for a Masters program to start next fall. We shall see how art continues to be a more significant part of my life.