#12 Confessions of A Vampire: Rambling at the Texas Book Festival

Texas Book Festival is on! Come join me and the gang from Bright Sky Press

 "Sunny" Eva, Lucy Chambers, & Marla, hosting the Bright Sky Press booth. 

We're celebrating ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING--winner of the Writer's League of Texas Best Picture Book of 2013 Award.   Noon today at the Writer's League Booth!

Promise not to bite! 

The "I Vant My Vampire Baby" Book Trailer Contest--is NOW!!! 

Here's how: View the Vampire Baby by Kelly Bennett book trailer on Youtube. Leave a comment. You're entered to win you're very own authographed copy of the book. It's that easy! 

Here are the Contest Details! 

Rocking and Rambling

Zane's pirate flag is flying high today!

ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING

is a finalist for the Writers' League of Texas Book Award!

For more on WLT click: http://www.writersleague.org/131/2013-Book-Awards-Contest-Finalists

The 2013 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards Finalists 

*Winners will be announced on this page in early September.

FICTION

Along These Highways by Rene S. Perez Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale by Lynda Rutledge Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai by Barbara Lazar Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club by Benjamin Alire Saenz Appearances: Stories by Jan Seale

NONFICTION

Floyd Patterson: The Fighting Life of Boxing's Invisible Champion by WK Stratton Secret Sex Lives: A Year on the Fringes of American Sexuality by Suzy Spencer Gated Grief: The Daughter of a GI Concentration Camp Liberator Discovers a Legacy of Trauma by Leila Levinson My Boys and Girls Are in There: The 1937 New London School Explosion by Ron Rozelle In the Shadow of the Carmens: Afield with a Naturalist in the Northern Mexican Mountains by Bonnie Reynolds McKinney State of Minds: Texas Culture and Its Discontents by Don Graham

POETRY

Horse-Minded by Suzette Marie Bishop Crane Creek, Two Voices by Vanessa Furse Jackson & Robb Jackson Strange Light by Derrick C. Brown Begging for Vultures by Lawrence Welsh Jan Seale: New and Selected Poems by Jan Seale

MIDDLE GRADE & YOUNG ADULT NOVELS

Breaking Lauren by Jordan Deen Chained by Lynne Kelly Summer and Bird by Katherine Catmull The Veil by Cory Putman Oakes The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin Return to the Willows by Jacqueline Kelly

PICTURE BOOKS

Alicia's Fruity Drinks by Lupe Ruiz-Flores HummingBirds: Facts and Follklore from the Americas by Jeanette Larson It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate One Day I went Rambling by Kelly Bennett

HURRY! DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

Hurry! Only 4 days and 17 minutes to enter the fabulous RAMBLING prize Give-Away Package. Don't miss this opportunity (and see some never-be-for pics and prose) Click over to Cynthia Leitich-Smith's blog spot. Check out my interview:

Career Builder & Giveaway: Kelly Bennett

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2012/08/career-builder-giveaway-kelly-bennett.html

And enter to win the Prize! It's a gob-stopper!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????????????

Spilling My Guts to Cyn...

Cyn_med

When the cyn-sational , Cynthia Leitich-Smith, Author of, among others, the Vampire/Werewolf/Romance/Suspense/Fab series TANTALIZE, asks you to take part in her Career-Builder series what else is there to do but. . . SPILL YOUR GUTS! So I did. Read all about it (and be the first to see me in my so groovy ballerina tutu).  Click here to enjoy the interview: CAREER BUILDER AND GIVEAWAY WITH KELLY BENNETT  Or here (if the link doesn't work): http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2012/08/career-builder-giveaway-kelly-bennett.html

Best, sign up for the Cynsational ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING PRIZE PACKAGE GIVE AWAY

LGRBT Prize Package

Don't miss your chance to Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR 2012 AWARD CEREMONY

LGRBT 2012, LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR launching my new picture book, One Day I Went Rambling, illustrated by Terri Murphy (published by Bright Sky Press) culminated yesterday at with the LGRBT AWARD CEREMONY. A couple of couple of handsome friends, Pucia & Brujita, drew the WINNERS of our LGRBT Cool Prize Giveaway. ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING's talented illustrator of and blog tour organizer extraordinaire, Terri Murphy, recorded the festive finale on U-TUBE. WATCH THE AWARD CEREMONY HERE: And the WINNER IS... Huge thanks to our blogger friends who hosted and toasted and boasted  (not roasted) us and ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING.

LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR STOPS:

June 8:     “Author School Visits BY STATE!” Illustrator Interview by Kim Normanhttp://stonestoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/pleasant-ramble-with-illustrator-terri.html

• “Kim Norman’s School Visit & Author Blog” Book Review by Kim Normanhttp://www.kimnormanbooks.com/www.kimnormanbooks.com/Blog/Entries/2012/6/8_REVIEW__One_Day_I_Went_Rambling.html

•    “Andi Butler Studio & Workshop Chicago” Book Review by Andi Bulter www.blog.andibutler.com/?p=1620
•    “Picture Book Depot” Book Review by Rita Lorraine picturebookdepot.com/review/one-day-i-went-rambling
•    “Meandering Lane” Shout Out by Lindsey Lane    www.lindseylane.net/blog/2012/06/lets-go-rambling/     

June 9:   “Simple Saturday” Book Review by Debbie Gonzales http://www.debbiegonzales.com/simple-saturday/2012/6/8/things-to-love-about-one-day-i-went-a-rambling.html

June 10: “Vonna Carter.com” Author Interview by Vonna Carter http://vonnacarter.com/wordpress/?p=7783

June 12: “Little Deb’s Doodling” Book Review by Debbie Meyer http://www.thelittledeb.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html#links

June 13:    “Four Thousand Sentences to Go” Book Review & Author Interview by Cindy Faughnan http://www.cindyfaughnan.com/faughnan/index.php/4000-sentences/item/37-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling

June 14:  

• “Conjuring Tales for Young Minds” Book review by Susan Kaye Quinn www.susankayequinn.com/.../new-release-one-day-i-went-ram...

•  “The Story Continues -- The Writer's Plot” Book Review by Pam Zollman http://www.thewritersplot.com/news/2012/6/kelly-bennetts-newest-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling

•  “Kissing the Earth” Author & Illustrator Chat with Sharry Wright and Tam Smith http://www.smithwright.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html

• “ReaderKidZ” Book Review with Teaching Guide by Debbie Gonzales http://www.readerkidz.com/2012/06/14/one-day-i-went-rambling-giveaway/

June15:

• “Hurt the Bunnies” Shout out from Pam Zollman http://www.pamzollman.com/2012/06/kelly-bennetts-newest-picture-book-one.html

•  “One Word at a Time" Carmen Oliver rambles from the dunes of Lake Winnipeg http://carmen-oliver.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html

June 16:    “On My Mind” Illustrator Interview with Alison Hertz http://www.alisonhertz.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-picture-book-one-day-i-went.html

June 17:    “Writing on the Sidewalk” Author & Illustrator Interview with Sarah Tomp http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/one-day-i-went-rambling-by-kelly-bennett-illustrated-by-terri-murphy/

June 18:    "San Francisco/Sacramento Book Review" Book Review by Tammy McCartney http://citybookreview.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling/

June 19:   

• “Cherie Colyer” Illustrator Interview with Cherie Colyer http://www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-tour-once-day-i-went-rambling.html

• “More Letters From the Messy Desk” Blue Willow Bookshop’s Blog Book Review http://blog.bluewillowbookshop.com/?tag=one-day-i-went-rambling

June 20:      “Kids EBook Bestsellers.com”  Author Interview with Karleen Tauszik http://www.kidsebookbestsellers.com/2012/06/rambling-through-cyberspace-with-kelly.html

June 22:    “Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing” Illustrator Interview by Michelle Kogan http://moreart4all.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/terri-murphys-journey-of-a-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling/

Thank you to everyone who joined, liked, shared stories, blogged, tweeted, twittered, chirped, chime-in. . . RAMBLED ALONG!

If you're wanting a creativity boost, the whole long and winding ramble is on the LGRBT 2012 Facebook Page

Rambling On!

I'm a Rambling Gal/Made a lot a stops/all over this land . . . Ricky Nelson I hope you’re reading this cause we're singing your song—and we’ll keep on singing it from now until June 22nd. Why? Because it’s time! Time to welcome ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING, a new picture book, illustrated by Terri Murphy and published by Bright Sky Press.

What better way to celebrate a story about a boy who finds magic in the ordinary and adventure where ever he goes that by cranking up our imaginations and sharing stories.

That’s just what we’re doing for the next two weeks-June 8-June 22, Rambling’s Birthday Celebration is on. Come join the fun. Here’s how:

Tell a story of when you found something that turned out to be extraordinary, or a ramble day for you, sing a rambling song, draw a picture---Everything counts. Everyone’s creative. We’re Ready for Adventure, won’t you come rambling, too??

SHARE YOUR RAMBLINGS and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY now! Here: http://terrimurphy.typepad.com/mermaid_waves/

Lots of friends are helping us celebrate with reviews, blogs, stories, interviews---including some never-before-asked-or-answered stuff. Read and see for yourself. Here’s a list of who’s doing what when:

Let’s Go Rambling Blog Tour Stops:

• June 8         "Author School Visits STATE BY STATE!" http://www.authorbystate.blogspot.com Illustrator Interview by Kim Norman
• June 8        “Kim Norman’s School Visit & Author Blog” http://www.kimnormanbooks.com/www.kimnormanbooks.com/Blog/Blog.html Book Review by Kim Norman
• June 8        “Andi Butler Studio & Workshop Chicago” www.blog.andibutler.com Book Review by Andi Bulter
• June 8        “Picture Book Depot” http://picturebookdepot.com Book Review by Rita Lorraine
• June 9        “Simple Saturday” Link:  www.debbiegonzales.com Book Review by Debbie Gonzales
• June 10      “Vonna Carter.com” www.vonnacarter.com Author Interview by Vonna Carter
• June 12      “Little Deb’s Doodling” www.thelittledeb.blogspot.com Book Review by Debbie Meyer
• June 13      “Four Thousand Sentences to Go” www.cindyfaughnan.com/faughnan/index.php/4000-sentences Book Review & Author Interview by Cindy Faughnan
• June 14      “The Story Continues -- The Writer's Plot” www.thewritersplot.com Book Review by Pam Zollman
• June 14      “Kissing the Earth” www.smithwright.blogspot.com Author & Illustrator Chat with Sharry Wright and Tam Smith
• June 14      “ReaderKidZ” www.readerkidz.com Book Review with Teaching Guide by Debbie Gonzales
• June15       “Hurt the Bunnies” www.pamzollman.com Author Interview with Pam Zollman
• June 16      “On My Mind” www.AlisonHertz.blogspot.com Illustrator Interview with Alison Hertz
• June 17      “Writing on the Sidewalk” www.writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com Author & Illustrator Interview with Sarah Tomp
• June19       “Cherie Colyer” www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com Illustrator Interview with Cherie Colyer
• June 22      “Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing” www.moreart4all.wordpress.com  Illustrator Interview by Michelle Kogan

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW, HERE'S HOW: www.brightskypress.com/infostore/ca.cart.asp?sAction=DisplayDetails&pid=219

DON'T LEAVE THE PARTY WITHOUT PLAYING...WON'T YOU COME RAMBLING, TOO???

LET'S GO RAMBING BLOG TOUR-June 8-22, 2012

Register for the Let's Go Rambling Blog Tour!

In Celebration of the release of ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING, Illustrator, Terri Murphy and I are sending our brand new picture book Blog-hopping--make that Blog-Rambling!

 From June 8th until June 22, ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING will make guest appearances on our favorite blogs in the form of book reviews, interviews with the author or illustrator, or  spotlight mentions.  Anyone who participates in the blog tour, or comments on a guest blog post, comments/friends Terri or me on Facebook,  tweets about  our book with the hashtag #letsgorambling, or attends and participates in our Facebook event--One Day I Went Rambling Virtual Book Launch on June 8th will be eligible to win cool prizes.

What cool prizes you ask?  Well,  ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING is a story about an fun-loving boy, Zane, whose wild imagination allows him to see magic in the ordinary. He has a sidekick....a chameleon, who changes color to match Zane's friend with the most creative idea in that scene (Terri's clever add-in!).

 LGR Blog-Tour Cool Prizes:

1st PRIZE- This signed original illustration of the chameleon from the book’s dedication page.

2nd PRIZE- An autographed copy of the book, and this zany color-changing Chameleon!!

3rd & 4th PRIZES..ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING,  authographed, of course!

If you'd like to participate in the LGRBlog-Tour 2012, please fill out the registration form in the clickable link at the top of this page.  I will send you a pdf of the book, and Once again, anyone who posts a blog *3, comments on a blog *1 or posts a Facebook mention *1 (link the author's or my page to your mention) or tweets *1 (hashtag #letsgorambling), or buys the book *3(send proof of purchase to murfslawblues@gmail.com) are eligible entrants.  The numbers reflect how many times your name is in the hat. The prize drawing will take place on June 23rd. Winners will be posted and notified.

You can start by pre-tour commenting here! It'll count. Why not share a few lines from a time you went Rambling, and found something that turned out to be extraordinary....

We're ready to Celebrate! Won't You Come Blog-Rambling, too? P.S.  If you haven't yet, friend me and Terri on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/kellybennettbooks

https://www.facebook.com/terrimurphyart