Tag Archives: Groundhog’s Dilemma

Apr21

A Squirrelly Guest Post with Kristen Remenar (and bonus book giveaway!)

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Published by Charlesbridge Publishing

My little glistening spring peepers, Frog on a Dime is overjoyed to host the ever-delightful picture book author Kristen Remenar. Her latest book–SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK (illustrated by her talented husband Matt Faulkner)–scampers to shelves everywhere on May 7, 2024. You can preorder it now from your favorite booksellers (after you read Kristen’s post, of course!).

Comment on this post by noon on Friday, April 26, for a chance to win a personally autographed copy of SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK.*

Take it away, Kristen!

Illustrator Matt Faulkner & Author Kristen Remenar (Photo credit: Scott Orser)

I was a children’s librarian for thirteen years until I had a stroke in 2016 and I was an elementary school teacher before that. I was also a national speaker on using picture books to teach reading skills. For those careers I read literally thousands of picture books which I think made me a much better writer. I learned what I liked and what kids responded to. If you need picture book recommendations and free activities for kids, go to my website: kristenremenar.com!

In SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK, Squirrel starts off very grumpy because he’s spent a long winter stuck in the nest alone with his kits. I remember my days as a single mom with little ones. Feeling like I had to do everything on my own could feel very overwhelming! I found, like Squirrel does, that having support from friends can make a world of difference. Cheers to all those who help us get through the “little kit” years!

GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA was the first book in the Groundhog & Friends world. SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK is the second book. Matt Faulkner, illustrator extraordinaire and world’s best husband, is currently working on the art for the third book, OWL, PLATYPUS, AND THE FALL FEAST FIASCO, coming in the fall of 2025!

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Thank you, Kristen! We cannot wait to meet Squirrel and all his faithful, furry friends.

Meet Kristen and Matt, and take home a personally autographed copy of SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK, when you stop by one of their upcoming bookstore visits. (Frog on a Dime recommends picking up at least one extra copy for Father’s Day!)

Upcoming Michigan bookstore visits include:

May 11: 2 Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton, MI at 11am

May 18: Sidetrack Bookshop in Royal Oak, MI at 11 am

May 19: The Book Beat in Oak Park, MI at 2 pm

May 25: Schuler Books in West Bloomfield, MI at 11 am

June 1: Orion Township Public Library in Lake Orion, MI at 11 am

June 8: Eras Bookstore in Oxford, MI at 11 am

For more information, check out Kristen’s web site or find her on Facebook (Kristen Remenar) or Instagram (Kristen_Remenar).

Friendship is like a sheltering tree. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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*Congratulations to Jocelyn Levin, winner of the Frog on a Dime book giveaway!

Jocelyn will receive her very own personally autographed copy of SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK. Jocelyn, your book has been pre-ordered so that it can be sent to you as soon as possible following its May 7 release date. So happy for you! (Jocelyn, please contact me with your mailing address via Facebook (Vicky Lorencen) or by posting a message on the Frog on a Dime “Contact Me” page. Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway and shared such kind, encouraging words. You’re so sweet. I’m sure Squirrel would love to call you all friends!

Nov25

and the “groundhog’s dilemma” giveaway winner is . . . [ahem cue drum roll please].

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Congratulations to Buffy Silverman! You’ve won your very own copy of Kris Remenar’s debut picture book GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA. I’m so happy for you! This adorable book will be available in early December, so I’ll pre-order your copy and have it sent your way quick as a bunny on Red Bull.

Bushels of thanks to everyone who visited Frog on a Dime and offered such kind, encouraging comments for Kris. You’re the best! Honest. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick my finger in my nose, I mean, pie.

P.S. Pssst. Buffy, please send me your mailing address and I’ll whisk your prize to you as soon as its available.

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By Kris Remenar, Illustrated by Matt Faulkner, Charlesbridge Publishing

                                                                       

Though the groundhog and crocus creep into their holes
It’s Spring, and the almanac shows it;
Though a polar wave over the continent rolls
It’s Spring! And we don’t care who knows it!
~ Robert J. Burdette, “March,” c.1888

Nov20

You’ve Sold Your First Book. Now What?

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We are in for a treat, my little ginger scones. Frog on a Dime is delighted to welcome a very special guest blogger–debut author extraordinaire Kris Remenar, author of GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA.

Okay, Frog on a Dime is all yours. Take it away, my darlin’ friend!

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Illustrated by Matt Faulkner

Congratulations! You sold your first manuscript! After you’ve popped the champagne to toast your sale, you might wonder – what do I do now?

Become “findable” online. You want people to know who you are, what you write, how they can buy your books, and how to contact you. Build your own website or hire a web designer. If the idea of a website makes your throat close, start with an author page on a book site like Amazon or GoodReads. Explore social media options like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Trying to do everything at once is guaranteed to scramble your brains, so take it slow and do what works for you.

Set up book signings. Contact local bookstores to set up a book launch party. To broaden the marketing reach, consider creating signing events with other authors/illustrators. Research events where there will be people with a special interest in your book. Because my first picture book is called GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA, Matt Faulkner and I signed books at the Howell Nature Center on February 2nd during their annual Groundhog Day celebration. If you’re willing to travel, see if you can sign books at conferences for groups like the ALA (American Library Association) or NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English).

reedConsider school and library events. Check with area libraries to see if they have author events in which you can participate. For school and library events, you want to offer more than just a reading of your book. For younger ones, plan an interactive story time, and for olders, prepare a presentation about your process, or publishing, or ways your book ties into the curriculum.

Overwhelmed? Reach out to experienced authors and illustrators for advice, or ask librarians and teachers what they’ve seen that works. Hire a marketing genius like Kirsten Cappy of Curious City or an educational guru like Deb Gonzales for promotional ideas.

Literary genius Sarah Miller asked me an important question when I was frazzled making multiple promotional plans: “Will it be fun?” After working so hard to get published, don’t forget to enjoy signing the books and interacting with your readers. There is no magic formula to guarantee your bestseller status. Do what works for you, do what makes you happy, and keep writing so you can go through the whole process again soon when your next manuscript sells.

Illustrator Matt Faulkner and Author Kris Remenar

Illustrator Matt Faulkner and Author Kris Remenar

Kristen Remenar is busy promoting and hugging tightly her first picture book, GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA (Charlesbridge, 2015, illustrated by Matt Faulkner) and her first adult book, DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE: GET EVEN IN INK AND LET KARMA HANDLE THE REST (Running Press, 2015).