What the Heck is Tight Writing Anyway?

Donna McDine recently signed her third book contract with Guardian Angel Publishing for Powder Monkey or Boy and A Long Story short will publish her short story entitled, "Nikko and Herman," in their December 2010 issue.

Grier Cooper recently signed a contract with Gryphon Books. Her activity, "Winter Window", will be included in the newest publication of their Learn Every Day series, coming out Fall 2010. Grier has also become a blogger with Clariity.com. She writes regularly about living with grade-school children. She also recently joined the writing team of 42: Real Health For Men, a digital health and fitness magazine.

Irene Roth's article entitled Girl Empowerment was purchased by Encounter. It will be appear in the Spring 2011 issue.

Sharon O. Blumberg's story Porcelain Birds Can't Be Broken was recently published online at HandPrints On My Heart.

Donna McDine has recently joined the staff of the National Writing for Children Center and the Children's Writers' Coaching Club as Publicist Intern, where she will assist in planning and implementing all promotional activities.

As a children's author, Donna McDine will be making the following personal appearances:
September 17, 2010 - 1-4 pm - Children's Illustrated Art Museum, 37 Crestwood Court, Crestwood, MO - www.stlciam.org - book fair, book signings and readings, illustrator demonstrations, and activity stations throughout museum.
September 18, 2010 - 11-1 pm - Border Bookstore, South County Mall, 25 South County Center Way, St. Louis - www.borders.com
September 25, 2010 - 11-1 pm - Harry Bennett Library, 115 Vine Road, Stamford, CT - Author's Panel: Publishing with Small Press - Coordinated by: Stacy Moser, SCBWI Writers of Lower Fairfield - lowerfairfeildwriters.blogspot.com 

Dorit Sasson's article "Pre-Lesson Activities for English Language Learners" will be published by the TESOL-SPAIN Newsletter in the "Works for Me" section. Sasson's article "Teaching Prediction in Picture Books and Non-Fiction Texts" will be published in the December 2010 issue of Guardian Angel for Kids Online.

Dorit Sasson's article, "Successful Read-Aloud Experiences: Positive Reading Relationships Promotes Literacy Skills" was accepted for publication by Guardian Angel for Kids Online. It will be published in November 2010.

Dorit Sasson's article, "Read-Alouds as Building Blocks of Early Literacy" was accepted for publication by Guardian Angel for Kids Online. It will be published in October 2010. Sasson was recently contracted to be a reviewer for two Spanish-speaking Words Their Way texts for Pearson Higher Education. She was also recently contracted to write reading test items for the ACT, which tests junior and high school students.

Irene Roth was recently invited to become a contributing author for The Elite Royals, a new online magazine that will begin publication in August. Roth was also invited to become part of the editorial board, which will eventually consist of 15 editors who will review manuscripts that come in. Roth will be trained for the position, along with the other editors, over the next few weeks. Roth was also invited to become a program chair for two yearly conferences for teens on different topics in Southwestern Ontario. These are paid positions.

Pat McCarthy has just signed a contract to write a second book for Chicago Review Press's For Kids series. The working title is American Environmentalists and the 38,000-word book will contain 21 activities for kids to do.

Donna McDine's manuscript entitled, The Hockey Agony as been accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing and the book contract has been signed. A bit of the journey...this ms was critiqued in the early stages by Suzanne Lieurance (CWCC) and Donna's online critique groups and placed as Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 78th Writing Competition, then edited after the competition by Lea Schizas to assist in expanding the story since it was no longer under a word constraint from the contest.

Dorit Sasson just had an article query accepted by the International Reading Association - "Using Reflective Learning Logs for Reading Success!" The article will be published in a future issue of Reading Today.

Grier Cooper was recently featured on public radio in an interview with Dick Gordon for the show, The Story. Cooper discusses the realities of life as a ballerina and her ultimate decision to change careers. Listen to it Here. Her story "The Green Bike" was a recent finalist in the 6S short story contest, and her story, "New Girl" will appear the in the August issue of Guardian Angel Kids.

Dorit Sasson's article query "Writing for the Jewish Markets" has just been accepted by Children's Writer. The article will be published in spring 2011.

Grier Cooper has just put the finishing touches on her newest book, Wonderdads Marin. The book is a Zagat-style compendium of local activities, shops, and more for Marin County dads. Cooper has also completed final editing for the Daily Book of Photography, published by Walter Foster, which will be released in the fall (2010). Cooper's short story "New Girl" will be published in the August 2010 edition of Guardian Angel Kids,/i>.