Back to School Preparedness

Believe it or not it's Back to School for kids across the nation and the world. Parents are in a frenzy getting kids new clothes and school supplies so they get off on the right foot when they enter the classroom.

This fall the new "kid" in the classroom may well be the iPad. There will be anywhere from 1 to 10 in a classroom with more classrooms adopting a one-to-one program. Research shows that well-integrated technology where kids can interact has a positive impact on student learning outcome.

The kids app developer community backed by Moms With Apps is preparing for a school year where iPads are more common and quickly becoming an integral part of the learning curriculum.

Introducing the launch of AppyMall where all things kids apps can be found. Back2School is the first promotion where oodles of educational apps and books are discounted for the classroom.

AppyMall has Smart Searching so you find what you're looking for. It categorizes apps by appropriate age and category. It will launch with 5 anchor stores or “AppyStores” including: the Preschool AppyStore, Elementary School AppyStore, Middle School AppyStore, Speech and Language AppyStore and Special Needs AppyStore. Each AppyStore will have a comprehensive stock of apps, highlighting select apps chosen by Siva (creator of AppyMall) and his expert team as being exceptional in a category.

Of course The Prisoner of Carrot Castle will be featured on the AppyMall under books for ages 3 - 8 years old. We're excited about the mall where parents will be able to do precise searches to find what they want without all the clutter of adult apps.

Doors Open – August 2, 2012

Visit www.appymall.com
 

Life is More Important

As a writer, do you find yourself exhausted and stressed out by the social media push? Many do! Ask yourself, is it worth it?

Stress takes it's toll on the body.

I took a forced hiatus last December to move. I found it refreshing and believe me it was a hectic move. We had little notification and needed to move out in 10 days!

On the many trips to and from the car, I soaked in the sun that shined above. I relished the thoughtfulness of friends who showed up everyday to help. I took the opportunity to pare down some of life's clutter. What a refreshing time. And I built up some pretty good core body strength by the end of the 10 days.

So next time you feel you need to jump on Facebook or tweet 20 times each day by loading up Hoot Suite with a train of tweets or post to your blog site three times a week.

Remember:

Life is more important. Sunshine is good. Touching friends lives in the flesh is better.

 

How to Do a Book Launch Party

My writer friend, Keli Gwyn, graduated to author with the release of her first novel this month—A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California. This historic romance takes place in our own backyard. Keli held her book launch and old fashioned ice cream social in Shingle Springs, a rural community mentioned on page one of her novel. Just down the road is the historic town of El Dorado, where the story takes place.

Period Pictures, Games and Companion Book Display

Before opening the door to the event, I heard singing. Inside the hall, people bustled about buying books, entering a drawing for prize-filled baskets (romance movies, candy, candles, musical items, etc.), viewing the other books in the Bride series from Barbour Publishing, waiting in line to have Keli sign their book and building an ice cream sundae.

Ice Cream Sundae Buffet

 Keli's husband Carl and Daughter, Audrey, in Victorian Dress

While Keli obliged her fans lined up to get a signed book, a continuous performance of music took place on the stage behind her. The entertainment reached a peak when the Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus performed historic tunes topped off with their version of the Beatles "When I'm 64."

Keli and Fan

Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus with Gwyn Victorian Family

Keli wore a stunning purple dress with matching hat. The outfit, similar to the one worn by the heroine Elenora Watkins at the end of the book, was appropriate for evening wear in the Victorian era.

One more thing. Lest you think this book is for wimps and tells stories of limp characters. On page one, the stagecoach carrying Elenora and Tildy, her daughter, are held up at gun point. You'll have to read A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado to find out what happens.

I left thinking Keli really knew how to do a book launch party right.

Have you been to a fun book launch party lately?