Congratulations to Sue Morris of KidLitReviews for winning the Random Acts of Kindness free book. She chose the ebook, HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK.

Up for one more Random Act of Kindness? Visit Sue’s fledgling site and give her a comment of encouragement!

Thanks to everyone for your comments on the Errand Hero story. It was great fun to share!

Darcy

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

It was late on a Wednesday afternoon, when I was the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness.

I had worked hard all day, writing, blogging, preparing powerpoints for a speech and I was tired. Here in the South, we still have weekly potlucks at our church. It’s a time to relax, visit, do Bible study, and share our week with friends who will diligently pray.

It was our turn to provide a main dish and I was late.

I didn’t want to go to the grocery store, but I needed some chicken breasts. My office is in downtown Little Rock, in the historic Quapaw Quarter and the grocery stores I frequent were another ten minutes drive past my house in the late afternoon traffic.

I decided to stop in at the Argenta Market, a small specialty grocery store that was right on my way home. It would be a little more expensive–they carry only locally grown products, so they can’t compete on price with the larger grocery stores–but better quality. It would be worth the extra dollar or two to get home quicker and get in and out quickly without walking a couple miles. And, of course, I like to shop locally when I can.

I shopped quickly, gathering an small armload of groceries. Then, went to the checkout.

A lady with long, dark hair seemed to be casually glancing at the doughnut case–obviously they were low on doughnuts that late in the day, but I was in a hurry and barely noticed what she was doing. The lady suddenly turned and said, “I’d like to pay your bill.”

Now, I rarely talk to strangers who say odd, random things to me. We were in NYC last week, wandering around Times Square and more than one person inquired, “Do you like to watch a good comedy?” Obviously, they were selling tickets to a comedy show and just as obviously, I wasn’t interested.

I ignore all such blatant attempts to sell me things.

But: I’d like to pay your bill?

“What?” I asked.

She handed me a blue card that said “Errand Hero.” Inside, was an explanation and a business card. The local Centennial Bank has a program of Random Acts of Kindness.

Here’s how the card read:

ERRAND HERO
YOUR BILL HAS BEEN PAID BY CENTENNIAL BANK.
Life is full of errands. From grocery shopping, to dry cleaning, to banking. And Centennial Bank is here to make them as easy as possible. That’s why we offer over 50 convenient locations, the ability to use any ATM in the country for free, and instant-issue debit cards that are ready by the time you walk out the door. We even make switching banks easy with our Personal Switch kit. So stop by today or visit my100bank.com

It was legitimate: this bank–which I did not bank at–was going to pay my bill.

I was so startled that I have no idea what the total bill was worth. No idea at all. The bank lady just stepped into position and swiped a credit card.

I asked, “Do you do this often here?”
“Argenta Market is one of our customers. We like to give our customers business when we can.”

I walked out with 1 1/2 bags of groceries, probably $25 worth, free.

You can bet it’s a good deal for Centennial Bank. I’ve been telling everyone–and now, you. They didn’t require me to switch banks, though, their card told me it was easy. They didn’t ask my name or identifying information. They couldn’t have bought this space on my blog to get a recommendation from me. (Well, I can’t really recommend them: but they sure have a nice PR program. Makes me interested, anyway.)

It was just–well, nice.

I try to be nice, too, with the annual Random Acts of Publicity (Look for the RAoP to return on September 4-7, 2012).

But to honor my day as Errand Hero, I’d like to do a random act of kindness, in return.

Be a Reader Hero

Write a comment below. I’ve already decided on a random number, N. The Nth commenter will get to choose a free copy of one of my ebooks (epub or pdf versions). You must post a comment by Sunday, February 5, 2012 at midnight. Here’s your choices:

Reference books

• The Book Trailer Manual

How to Write a Children’s Picture Book

Picture books

• 11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph
• Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

Middle Grade Novel
The Wayfinder

Be a Reader Hero today and add a comment below.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Look at this!
A friend went to our local library and spotted my book, PRAIRIE STORMS, on display.
A happy day!

Oh. Or is it bad that it hasn’t been checked out?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Book Trailer: Archived Video and Purchased Music

Today, I’m officially unveiling a new book trailer for Prairie Storms, my nonfiction picture book.

I’ve done tons of research for the past two years ago and wrote The BookTrailer Manual, which will be totally revised in time for the 13th annual SCBWI Winter conference on January 27, where I’ll be speaking at the pre-conference Marketing Intensive on the topic of book trailers. So, check back in at www.booktrailermanual.com about then or sign up for the newsletter at the site to get notification of when it is available.

I created this trailer myself. The old film comes from public domain video that I found at archive.org. When I saw the ice skating bison, I knew it could be an interesting video, so I looked for something humorous to go with it. Research says that humor is the most often shared content on videos, so I’m searching for funny things. For the music, I bought the track at istockphoto.com for about $5. NEVER use copyrighted music; besides the obvious reasons why, I just saw that YouTube can recognize some instances of copyrighted music use and they have permission from the copyright holder to insert ads on videos that use their music. So, you may get unwanted ads when you do this.

I use SonyVegas HD software. There are tons of free software packages out there, including free ones that come on every computer (iMovie or Windows Movie Maker) and those from YouTube partners at www.youtube.com/create. But I like the Vegas program because it has great tutorials, I can burn a DVD and thus show the trailers at conferences, and it has more flexibility than many of the free programs; for example, it records my voice when I need to do voice overs.

When I want to shoot my own video, I use the Kodak Zi8 camera because it is light weight and mostly because it has an external microphone jack, the only small camera like this to have that option. I just plug in a cheap lavalier microphone (clips onto your shirt) and record that way and it has good sound quality. I like the Zi8′s HD quality, too.

To upload, you create a YouTube Channel and basically follow instructions. For the Vegas software, I make sure the video is edited as I want and then it’s a simple matter of clicking the option that I want to upload to YouTube. It then creates the video in a format optimized for YouTube, accesses my channel and uploads it. Once uploaded, I can log into YouTube to edit, annotate, fill in descriptions, etc. as needed. Most software has a similar option, so you don’t have to worry about the technical specs of YouTube–they all assume you want to upload to YouTube and make sure it is easy.

You can also do something as simple as use your iPhone’s video and upload that. It can be as simple or complex as you want. I guess what I emphasize is that with some basic experience, you can quickly get up to speed on creating the video files. But it’s the ideas that will grab people and make them want to share your video. Rarely does a simple rehash of your story’s plot line get many views. The YouTube audience wants entertainment. The manual has 14 types of videos and more suggestions on combinations of text, sound track and images.

The Bison v. Woman Skating Competition

This new video is an example of a YouTube Aesthetic Book Trailer , an informal, humorous video that only addresses the content of the book tangentially, but nevertheless, creates interest. The humor is meant to be shared! I chose this aesthetic, instead of the Movie Trailer Aesthetic or the PowerPoint Aesthetic, because I believe it has more potential for drawing in viewers on YouTube.

Please watch the video. Enjoy, laugh. And pass it along–I need your help to get lots of eyes on this!

If you can’t see this video, click here. *|YouTube:oRle8t3dHLs|*

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Joyce Perry Ponder Pattison, 1923-2011

My mother in law passed away this morning. In her honor, we offer this version of the Silent Monks singing Hallelujah!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

THE CRITICAL EYE

I’m working on a update and revision of The Book Trailer Manual. One goal is to expand the section on how to write a book trailer script, including recommending some software and detailing the process more clearly. Another goal is to update the recommended software for actually producing the video, including adding about a dozen new, free resources. Finally, I”ll be looking at all the examples of trailers and updating the list of trailer to study.

Doing this revision all on-screen means I have to find new strategies for working.

• Search. The search function or search and replace lets me find repetitions or find pieces to see where they are fitting in. I love how it takes a tiny snippet and finds it for me.
• TOC. The Table of Contents allows me to check the structure of the piece, to see gaps and more easily find sections I need.
• Rereading everything. I also find myself re-reading the whole manuscript every day. Geez, I wonder, isn’t there a better way? Well, no, not this time, because I can’t hold the mss in my hand and flip around, I don’t know how else to get back into the flow. In some ways, this constant rereading is good, though, because I’m polishing things every time I do this.

What techniques or tips do you have about editing on-screen?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

In celebration of National Picture Book Month and Veteran’s Day:

Give a Military Family a Free Book

11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph book

THE STORY: “11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph”

When her father goes soldiering for a year, a girl decides that without Dad at home, it’s not a family photo album. Though her beloved Nanny is in charge of the album that year, the girl makes sure that photographs of her never turn out well. Photos are blurred, wind blows hair in her face. April rains bring umbrellas to hide behind. Halloween means a mask. This poignant, yet funny family story, expresses a child’s anger and grief for a Dad whose work takes him away for long periods of time. It’s a tribute to the sacrifices made by military families and to those who care for children when a family needs support.

THIS STORY IS A WINNER!

READ THE BOOK!

Darcy Pattison’s story, “11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph” is the winning children’s story. It is a free download at www.takepart.com/thehelp, or download it here (pdf download).

You can also order it for your:

• Kindle
• Nook
• paperback, coming soon

MORE

Read more at www.11WaystoRuinaPhotograph.
PLEASE pass this along to anyone who might know a military family or to anyone in the military that you know.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Local PBS Feature

Coming August, 2011

Reviews of Prairie Storms

Home School Book Review

Macaroni Kid Torrance

Book Loons

4 the LOVE of BOOKS

Just Our Thoughts

Geography and OLIVER K. WOODMAN

You may also be interested in this just released resource:
Keep ‘em Reading: Finding Their Place, Students and Geography by Judith Snyder. The lesson plans include my book, The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman and Searching for Oliver K. Woodman.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Sometimes I write for other places or other places talk about my books. Here are some links for your reading pleasure.

2012 Writer’s Market

This year’s market guide–the best in the industry–includes my article on Book Trailers. Based on my experience writing The Book Trailer Manual, the article talks about the pros/cons of book trailers, how to create them and options for the content of your trailers. You can see my book trailers on my YouTube Darcy Pattison channel.

Voice: A Conversation of Many

Author Bobbi Miller has put together a great conversation on Voice in this presentation: A Conversation of Many: What is Voice Anyway?
Besides my take on voice, read what these authors, editors and professionals have to say: Cheryl Klein, Kathi Appelt, Adam Gidwitz, Eric Kimmel, Nathan Brandsford, Emma Dryden and many more.

Reviews of Prairie Storms

Order NOW!

• Taking Time for Mommy
• Just Another New Blog
• Mom of 3 Dolls: And One More
• Heck of a Bunch
• Just Our Thoughts
• Peace, Love and Rainbows
• Feathered Quill
• Elizabeth O. Dulemba
• Simply Science

Have you seen the Prairie Storms September Coloring Page?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Official Release Date: PRAIRIE STORMS

Celebrate with me the release of my new picture book, PRAIRIE STORMS.

Here’s a new book trailer, which has a chant about the weather in each month for kids to learn. This is an adaptation of an 18th century poem.

Prairie Storms: A Chant of Months
Snowy, Flowy, Blowy,
Showery, Flowery, Bowery,
Whippy, Skippy, Nippy,
Breezy, Sneezy, Freezy.

If you can’t see the embedded video, click here to see the first trailer.

This is the second book trailer. Here’s the first.

If you can’t see the embedded video, click here to see the second trailer.

What do you think? Isn’t it exciting?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

by Darcy Pattison

Giveaway ends March 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win