·
What
is your book about? “Journey to Jazzland” is a
picture book for kids ages 5 – 9 that’s about a Flute named Windy who gets
bored in Orchestra one day and wants to learn about jazz. It helps teach kids about music in a very fun
way.
·
What
inspired you to write this particular story (and/or series)? This story is basically about my experience with jazz and
learning to play jazz. I’ve been a jazz
musician (with other types of performing music) for over 20 years. My main goal here is to help bring back music
to Elementary schools.
·
Are
your characters in the book based on anyone you know?
I would say that Sly Guitar is based off a few jazz cats I know. By that I mean musicians that play jazz
guitar that actually talk like that (J)
·
Favorite
snack when writing. Anything chocolate related ;),
but I do like a nice cup of tea as well.
·
Share
the biggest hurdles in the marketing process.
It’s been a little bit of a challenge to
market this picture book, but it’s also a good thing that I understand how to
use Social Media from our Renaissance Faires we do here in MA/NH area. Since this book is for a different target
audience (by that I mean jazz musicians, teachers and parents or folks that
like jazz), I’ve had to tweak my marketing campaign a lot, and I’ve found different
places where I can post about my book (like your blog for instance, so thank
you for that) so that people can search for it on Search Engines (such as
Google for instance).
·
Is
there anything else you would like to say to your readers? I hope that you enjoy reading “Journey to Jazzland” and I
hope that you read it to your children and your grandchildren and instill the
love of jazz or just music itself.
·
Where
can readers find you and your book(s) online?
Right now, my book is available on Amazon and at my pal’s
online store New England Peddler
About The Author:
Born
and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and attended University of
Lowell (now University of Massachusetts, Lowell). It was there that I
learned to love jazz. I have been performing jazz and other kinds of
music for over 20 years, throughout the New England area. I live in
North Reading, Massachusetts with my husband Richard, and my son
Charlie.
Genre:
Children's Book
Publisher:
Flying Turtle Publishing
Release
Date: July 1, 2013
Book
Description:
Join
Windy Flute, Spitz Trumpet and their friends as they travel to a
legendary place where music is joyous, creative and free.
Excerpt:
One day during an orchestra rehearsal,
Windy Flute was playing a piece of music and her mind started to
wander. Over and over, she had practiced this piece and played this
piece. Feeling bored, she felt that she wanted to be a little
different.
Then something special happened. She
began to hear notes that weren’t on the page of sheet music on her
stand! When she started playing what she heard, Windy realized these
new notes made her feel better. The harmonies and the melodies were
the same, but the music moved differently. Before she could figure
things out, she was interrupted by a stern voice.
“Excuse me, Ms. Flute, do you mind
playing with the rest of us? Where do you think you are —
Jazzland?” said Mr. Conductor, scowling down at her.
After the rehearsal, Mr. Conductor
gave Windy a severe look and stomped off the stage.
Windy turned to her friends in the
woodwind section. “What’s Jazzland?” she asked. She was still
thinking about the good feelings she got from playing different
notes.
“It’s a myth,” said Mr. Bassoon.
“That’s right,” said Mr. Oboe,
“It’s a legend. It doesn’t really exist.”
“I think it exists,” said Spitz
Trumpet.
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