Playing with poetry

Hi everyone,

Mary Jo Fresch, my friend, co-presenter, and writing partner on several educational books, recently republished an article called “Playing with Poetry to Develop Phonemic Awareness” on Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275696575_Playing_With_Poetry_to_Develop_Phonemic_Awareness. This originally appeared on ILA e-ssentials and included some of the work we used when we wrote a five book set on this subject for Teacher Created Materials. I admit that Mary Jo wrote nearly all of this article but I “hepped” some.

The article has already been read more than 400 times, 23 in the last week. Way to go Mary Jo!

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Another chance to win a signed book

Hi everyone,

My thanks today to Darlene Beck-Jacobson for featuring my new book with Mary Jo Fresch, 7 KEYS TO RESEARCH FOR SUCCESSFUL WRITING, on her blog at https://darlenebeckjacobson.wordpress.com
There's also a free book involved so check it out if you're interested.

Darlene, many thanks!

Promoting two books at once

Hi everyone,

With two books out at once I’m spending more time than usual with my marketing cap on. 7 KEYS TO RESEARCH FOR SUCCESSFUL WRITING is being well received by those who’ve read it. Today or soon Mary Jo Fresch and I will have an article on the subject on Scholastic’s blog. More when I have it. Some of you saw (and participated in) Kathy Temean’s interview of us/book giveaway on her blog January 28. I don’t think she’s awarded the free copy yet so there might still be time to check on it. Mary Jo and I presented on the subject at NCTE and are on the ILA agenda later this year with a two hour workshop. Last week I was interviewed about the book on radio. I’m open to other suggestions for promoting 7 KEYS. Sometimes SKYPE sessions are effective, either with students or teachers.

Now that A PLACE TO START A FAMILY is out, I’m getting busy promoting that one too. This Saturday I’ll sign copies at Barnes & Noble in Springfield (1-3 p.m.). I’m arranging a store signing in Florida in February, be in a magazine in March, and in April will speak/sign at Texas Library Association, do an evening program at our main library, make a school visit in Kirksville, Missouri about four hours from here, and appear on radio to celebrate National Poetry Month. I also have my own giveaway opportunity in progress for those who leave a comment on Amazon about the book. One person has already done so although I’m not sure I know her. Bibi, I’ll be happy to put your name in the hat for this great review. Many thanks for your kind words!

“Hurray, this book finally arrived today! (I ordered it months ago.) It definitely lives up to its promise. The artwork is intricate, fascinating, and gorgeous. The poetry is fresh, fun and informative. I bought this for my toddler grandson, and had to be very careful. He was so excited by it and wanted to ripe the pages! My 10-year-old grandson is quite the naturalist, and he loves the illustrations, the poems, and especially the Learn More! boxes which lead him to more information about the builders he is curious about. Altogether, a book that offers so much: a look into the hidden world of builders and tunnelers, beautiful explanations of how they feed and hunt, mate and build. The poems are alive with rhythmic fun. This is a must for the child’s library!”

Again, I’m open to possibilities for promoting 7 KEYS so keep that in mind if you hear of anything interesting.

Here and abroad

Hi everyone,

I had a fine time yesterday on Larry Freund’s Talk Radio show, which was co-hosted by David Eslick. Left to right in the photo are David, Larry and me. Larry, thanks again for the opportunity to present and discuss my new book with Mary Jo Fresch, 7 KEYS TO RESEARCH FOR WRITING SUCCESS.

On another front I received a note from a student in France who has read “It’s Me” in her classroom. She isn’t the first one but I’ll relate hers.

“Hello, I’m one of the 12th grade students of Miss Plessis. I just wanted to say that is a great and funny anecdote ! Also “It’s Me”, fit much more with the “Marilyn Diptych” of Andy Warhol than the “cow”.
It is also a very original poem! We read it out loud in class with several people (one person did a sentence and an other did the next sentence), and it was a very fun moment to give a voice to your poem!
Goodbye ! ”

Some of you might remember this poem. I wrote it for Jan Greenberg’s book of poetry inspired by art called HEART TO HEART. It has been picked up in various other publications, including ART AND ARTISTS (Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets). It was inspired by an Andy Warhol painting of cows but when we couldn’t obtain the use of the painting I switched to Marilyn Monroe because we could get that.

Radio Interview regarding 7 KEYS TO RESEARCH FOR WRITING SUCCESS

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 CST I’ll be the guest on Larry Freund’s radio show, “The W-Factor.” The advance announcement reads, “Upcoming guest for January 11, 2018: David L. Harrison, award winning children’s author (and educator) 7 KEYS TO RESEARCH FOR WRITING SUCCESS, co-authored with Mary Jo Fresch. If you are a writer, teacher or educator you will want to tune in to this informative show. THE W-FACTOR.”

Full details:

KWTO Talk Radio, 560 A.M.
Springfield, Missouri
10:00 a.m.
stream at http://www.radiospringfield.com
phone: (417) 862-9977
toll free: 800-375-0056

The program is essentially about the new book and how it applies to getting prepared before starting a project, be it writing or anything else. If you have an interest in tuning in, I hope you will. Please share this information with others who might like to listen in. You can use the streaming link to hear us live. By using the phone number, you can call in with a question or comment. I’ll be given a CD of the interview after the show but it would not be available to anyone else.