![]() And to all of you who teach, love books, write and illustrate, and support other creatives – Thank you! You are the people I’m excited to share the cover with now. What if I had not eaten in that restaurant that night, or sat next to Athena’s family? I am filled with a truckload of gratitude for all who have helped this book come to life. I truly believe in the process and the gift of a writing life with all its mysteries and wonder. #Whats the rumpus windowsIts sparkle and power feel beyond perfect. What's the rumpus Walshie's waltzing with a tree, Pete and Podge were on their backs Drunken Monkeys drinking Draino and the guarda's in the jacks People hanging out my windows and bowling down my hall Mad music loud enough to shake the shingles off the wall When the whole thing's over, there's gonna be hell to pay 'Cause when it's upside. I am thrilled to share the cover reveal here. He said “I was really drawn to this story from the moment I read it.” And then there was the brilliant pairing with illustrator Russ Cox. Though I am no longer with the agent that sold the manuscript, it helped that someone else believed in this story and that she sent it to the right editor at Capstone. And because of Covid and how trucks showed themselves to be such a vital part of our economy, I dusted off the manuscript and added in back matter about what might happen in just a few days if trucks stopped service as well as an author’s note. This was manuscript number 52 out of more than 120 at the present time. The manuscript went through countless revisions, picture book revision with Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson, picture book boot camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, and many views by critique partners. ![]() In this publishing business, timing is everything. It will be released ten years after the spark of this story began, and the title is now changed to Trucker Kid. So we chatted, exchanged information, and I began my journey into writing this story. My writing brain ignited and within a few minutes of sitting down, I knew I wanted to pen the picture book, Trucker Girl. As a writer, I had become more attuned to listening, to looking for stories. We sat quite close and Taos is a small town and of course, my daughter, who was a midwife, knew this family. They were having a very sophisticated conversation about a trucking trip little Athena took with her dad. ![]() And on this particular night, it was the universe’s design that we were seated next to a family of three, a three-and-a-half-year girl old with her parents. But now as a #kidlit writer I’m happy to sit near families and put my author ears on alert. ![]() Having been a teacher for so many years, when I’d enter a restaurant, I usually chose to sit away from children. My daughter and I at the Love Apple restaurant, Taos, NM ![]()
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