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Monday, March 24, 2014

J.D. Holiday: Children's Picture Books

J.D. Holiday is the author and illustrator of the children's picture books- JANOOSE THE GOOSE and THE SPY GAME, and the chapter book for 6 to 8 year olds, THE GREAT SNOWBALL ESCAPADE. She is the host on "It's Story Time" & "Halo Kids Tales", children's reading radio shows, and "The Authors' Words" on the Book Garden Radio on Red River Radio at Blog Talk Radio.  She is a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Her sites: http://bookgardennook.blogspot.com/
Blog Talk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio

Wow! You're a busy lady, J.D. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions.

My pleasure, Susan.

How has your environment affected your writing?
If you mean by environment, my life experiences, then I would say in every way. I can't write without finding a place I've been or a feel I've had that my characters will escape feeling or walking those streets. For me writing is very personal.

How many books have you written?
 I have three children's books in print and e-book form. Janoose The Goose, my first book, which is a picture book, The Great Snowball Escapade, a chapter book for 6 to 9 year olds and my latest book is The Spy Game, a picture book as well.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.
In The Spy Game, the young boy, Eddie would love to have a puppy to play with. But his Uncle Reese brings Eddie an older dog named about a famous spy. What can you do with an old dog? It probably couldn't learn new tricks, and the only thing this dog did was stare. It's what they find to do together that makes them the best of friends!

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
As you can see by my answer to question one, quite a bit. For instead, my brother, Ike's dog Sheeba had puppies. He ask me to take this one puppy he named, Sidney Reilly after a spy series he and I watched together.  At the time I had a dog and didn't think my older dog  would be happy with a new addition.
My brother felt sure this dog was for me and he kept it with that in mind. When the puppy was 11 months old, my brother died of a heart attack. AND Sidney came to me. I was wrong to think that my dog, Snoopy and Sidney would not get along. They did, in their own way. In The Spy Game Eddie's Uncle Reese who is modeled about my brother brings Sidney to Eddie's house to live.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?
For most of my stories, when I come up with one, I write an outline for it to get it started. Then I place it in a notebook or binder. From there on, I will jot down notes on bits of paper and shove them in between the pages of the notebook or binder that's dedicated for that particular story.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?
I have many stories written or started that need to be done. Right now I am working on a collection of short stories I have written for adults that will be in a bookcalled Short Stories and Other Imaginings For The Reading Spot. And I'm doing pictures to a sequel to my first children picture book, Janoose The Goose called The Fall Feather Fair co-written with my grandson when he was 6 years old. Luke is now 8.  I am also working on a collection of short stories I have written, for adults called Short Stories and Other Imaginings For The Reading Spot.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?
People can find out more aabout me, my books and my radio shows on my site: 
http://bookgardennook.blogspot.com/
If they want to follow me they can find out where I am there as well.

Are your books available in print and ebook formats?
My books can be bought on Amazon and Barnes & Noble on line and ordered in bookstores.

The Spy Game book:
AMAZON: 
http://www.amazon.com/The-Spy-Game-JD-Holiday/dp/0981861449

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spy-game-j-d-holiday/1112796163?ean=9780981861449

E-book:
AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Game-J-D-Holiday-ebook/dp/B009EGBY1K
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spy-game-j-d-holiday/1112796163?ean=2940045442527

The Great Snowball Escapade book:
 AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Snowball-Escapade-J-Holiday/dp/0981861423
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-great-snowball-escapade-jd-holiday/1026666723?ean=9780981861425

E-book:
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Snowball-Escapade-JD-Holiday-ebook/dp/B003ODIV4C/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-great-snowball-escapade-jd-holiday/1026666723?ean=9780981861432

Janoose The Goose book:
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Janoose-Goose-J-D-Holiday/dp/0981861407/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/janoose-the-goose-jd-holiday/1102513406?ean=9780981861401

E-book:
AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Janoose-Goose-J-D-Holiday-ebook/dp/B001F0R5HU
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/janoose-the-goose-jd-holiday/1102513406?ean=9780981861418
 
I wish you the best of sales and artistry, J.D.    

Thank you, Susan, for having here!

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