So Much to Do So Much to Say

So you all probably noticed that I hadn't blogged for most of the month of September. That's because I've had my nose to the grind finishing all sorts of projects. Let me run down the list.

EYEWITNESS REPORTS

So I finally wrapped that sucker up. I was pretty busy packaging the art, signing books, going to the post office (which you all know I LOATHE) but in the end I feel the rewards were worth all the effort. We managed to raise $5500 in total and I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I wished we had raised more. ($202 for a Tony Diterlizzi original is a steal in my book) but in this economy I'm sure every cent counts so I was happy and proud of myself and all the talented people who participated for the efforts put in. I owe all the contributors a huge debt of thanks and I'll find a way to pay them back somehow, but, for right now, I hope they all understand that I'm just burned out a little. The lesson learned in all this? I highly admire anyone who is able and willing to organize any sort of fundraiser.

THE KIDS WERE SICK

It's the middle of summer and my youngest son has a fever for a whole week. For any parent who has had to take time off of work you know that a sick child commands all of your attention and you can't get anything done. A whole week went by with the youngest having a fever lingering around 103. Just as Saturday comes and I feel as if I'm out of the muck, the oldest catches the fever and it turns into a whole other week of 'Daddy Do Nothing' which then rolled into Labor Day weekend which then rolled into the oldest son starting at his new school which turned into 'Daddy is way behind on all his work'.

TOM'S TWEET

I just wrapped up this little picture book written by Jill Esbaum on Friday. More on this later, but I am quite fond of the end results. Here are the About the Author/Ilustrator photos....

ORIGINAL ART SHOW

So 'OH NO!' won a Silver Medal! WOO HOO! I'm overjoyed, flattered, honored, and mostly humbled and feelings of unworthiness permeate my body. 'The Adventure of Nanny Piggins' also made it into the show which is also very pleasing to me and I look forward to heading out to New York in October to see all my peers for beers and fancy foods. 

What else? I can't think of anything right now. I'm starting up on the next book project, finishing up my graphic novel for the ARC production and I will be appearing at the ORANGE COUNTY BOOK FESTIVAL this SATURDAY. Come one come all. I'll be selling stuff.... you know..... STUFF.....

Back to the grind.

Comments

[jillsbooks@netins.net]

Congrats on OH, NO! Dan. Just got a good look at it at B&N over the weekend and am not surprised it did so well. Can't wait to see the TT illus!

[Amy Ellerman]

Congrats on Oh No honors. That book never spends any time in my classroom library--it just goes directly from kid to kid. . . They just pore over your illustrations. I actually recently blogged about how amazing it is.

[ca_wadey@hotmail.com]

I can't imagine 2 sick kids for 2 weeks straight of getting nothing done! You are a good daddy.

Looking forward to checking out the newer books. Aurora's just now wanting us to read the Secret Life of Walter Kitty all the time. She especially loves counting the kitties in the front and back and acting surprised when we get to the tiger.