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CLARINDA CLOUD and JOHNNY'S ADVENTURE MAKES READING FUN by Jodi Desautels are Free on Kindle 3/5-3/7 2015

3/5/2015

Hello everyone! Today, I am happy to announce that two of my children's books are FREE on Kindle today, tomorrow, and Saturday (3/5-3/7 2015).

Clarinda Cloud

CLARINDA CLOUD is an adorable little cloud who changes colors as her feelings change. The book is a great resource to practice and discuss the identification of basic feelings and colors. It also has repetitive text and whimsical illustrations to encourage early readers.

Best for ages 2-5

Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun

JOHNNY doesn't like to read. By the end of the story, with the help of Mom, that all changes. The book is a great resource for parents, grandparents, daycare providers, and early educators for young children who don't like to read. However, it is great for all children. After all, you are never too young for an adventure.

Best for ages 4-7

CLARINDA CLOUD and JOHNNY'S ADVENTURE MAKES READING FUN are both meant to be positive books with a role model for good outlooks and mental health, as well as educational. They are meant to be fun and relatable.

If you have one of the books and like it, please consider letting me know by writing a review.

Just as a reminder, if you are interested in purchasing a signed copy, feel free to contact me. I am also available for author visits, virtual author visits, book signings, guest speaking, and workshops. Thank you.

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Jodi Desautels Promotes Herself, Her Books, Her Websites, and Her Links

5/14/2014

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Hello everyone. I decided that I would market myself and my books today. I haven't done it in quite a while. So, I thought I would take a moment to tell you what I am up to now a days.
I currently have three published books as you can see from the poster. I hope you will check them out. I am also running a chance to win one of my books OR get ONE HOUR of FREE ONLINE TUTORING. You can check out DUO Education's Learning Blog for more information.
Speaking of online tutoring, now is the time to sign up for extra help during the summer. Don't let your child fall behind or lose skills during the summer. Sign up now!
I currently post three blogs a week. I have this author blog, DUO Education's Learning Blog, and Story Starters and Writing Prompts. I hope you will check them out each week.
I am still working on a new schedule for myself, as well as new ways promoting myself and my work. If you have any ideas, I am happy to hear them. Also, in case you don't have them, here is a list of my links. I hope you will get in touch. Thank you.

My Links:
Websites:
www.AuthorJodiDesautels.com
www.ClarindaCloud.com
www.DUOEducation.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/jodi.desautels.author.illustrator.educator
www.facebook.com/Author.Illustrator.Educator.JodiDesautels
www.facebook.com/pages/DUO-Education/421960901218609

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/J_Desautels

Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/108130827656213063141/posts

About.me:
http://about.me/jodidesautels

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/jodidesautels/

Author Page on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jodi-Desautels/e/B00B4BXUS8

Sell Links:
Clarinda Cloud:
http://www.amazon.com/Clarinda-Cloud-Jodi-Desautels/dp/1482010607

Clarinda Cloud Activity Book:
http://www.amazon.com/Clarinda-Cloud-Activity-Book-Desautels/dp/1490399011

Johnny’s Adventure Makes Reading Fun:
http://www.amazon.com/Johnnys-Adventure-Makes-Reading-Fun/dp/148398835X

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Some of My Favorite Songs

3/12/2014

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Hi everyone! Sometimes we can get to know a person by the type of songs they like. I thought that I would share some of my favorite songs with you. There is quite an array of them and these are just a few. I listen to and enjoy songs for various reasons.
I enjoy this first song, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," because it is a prayer. To me, it feels like a prayer for the meek and a prayer for a nature lover. And…I try to be a peaceful and caring person…so it is right up my alley.

Like the last song, "Here I Am Lord," is a prayer from a servant of the Lord. I try to follow God's word and His plan for my life. Like the previous song, it is a great reminder of how strive to live my life.

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver is one of my all time favorite songs. I have enjoyed this one for almost my entire life. I am not a "country boy," however, I am a "county girl."

Probably for the same reason that I like the last song, I enjoy "You're Lookin At Country" by Loretta Lynn. Loretta Lynn is one of my favorite old time country singers.

Hymns and country music isn't all that I listen to… I enjoy the old time rock and roll too! Who doesn't enjoy a good dancing song?!? I would love to "Rock Around the Clock" more often.

No, I am not a rebel like the poor mother portrayed in this song. However, I do think we all judge way too much in life. I believe the world would be a nicer place if we all left the judging up to God.

Yes, I have some announcements today.

*Two of my books: "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" are free today and tomorrow on Kindle.

*I am interviewed at "Grace & Faith 4 U" today. If you get a chance, please check it out.

*Please explore DUO Education, my education site. I have done quite a bit of work on the site lately. Thank you.

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Do I Have a Font Fetish?

2/26/2014

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Hello everyone! As some of you know, I haven't really been feeling well. So, I haven't got too much accomplished lately. However, I have been flub dubbing around, as my husband would put it. (I hope to feel better soon and get back to work on my books!)
I have a new excitement for fonts. So, I have been playing around with different fonts. This one is a new promotion poster for my books. I thought the balloons made a very cute font!
Here are some promotional posters I made for my education site, DUO Education. They were fun to make! I like the exercising people font. So, naturally, I put the word exercise in the poster. And… I was just playing with the "stop sign" poster. That font is a little fancy for a stop sign, but I think it is cute.

I think I have a font fetish now. LOL! Not really. But… I am enjoying my new found font families. I have downloaded probably 100 different new public domain fonts. I think they add an artistic touch to various visual arts projects. I am even thinking about trying to create my own fonts some day.

Here is another poster I created for DUO Education. This one was created to celebrate and announce 1,000 page views in one day for the first time ever. Yay! This was an exciting milestone for DUO Education!

Okay. Here is one more poster. I was just playing with this one. I wanted something to post on socially media sites, just to play around. This is a different font. Yet, it seems to fit the poster style.

I have a few notes and announcements I would like to mention this week:

*For all of you who don't know, I have a "Story Starters & Writing Prompts" page on DUO Education.
*Also, I am thinking about having a directory of illustrators on my website. I thought it would be a great addition to the site, since most of my audience is geared towards children's book readers. I was thinking about letting authors create a poster ad and I will display it for $25 a year. If you are interested, please contact me. (LOL! That is something else I created with one of the new fonts I downloaded.)

*I got a wonderful review on "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" by Barbara Ann Mojica. Please check it out at "barbara ann mojica's blog" or at Amazon.com. Thank you, Barbara!

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Reflections, Ponderings, Giveaways, and Announcements

12/11/2013

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“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
~William Shakespeare

Hi everyone! I have been doing some reflecting and pondering lately. Maybe it is because I have been answering interview questions for a few people who will be interviewing me on their blogs. More than likely, it is just the way I am. I like to reflect and ponder.
I have thought about how I have grown as a writer, illustrator, formatter, marketer, and person from when I first started a little over a year ago. (Well, I started as a person a little longer ago than that.)
I have met quite a few kind people along the way who have been willing to help me, encourage me, advise me, promote me, etc. We have shared, chatted, brainstormed, and helped each other. I have truly built friendships along the way.
In the beginning I was a beginner in all of it. Today, I still consider myself a beginner as I am still fairly new to the field. Yet, I am feeling more confident in the field and more experienced. Maybe, I could even consider myself in the intermediate level!
I have made quite a few changes along the way. Recently, I changed the cover to one of my books, "Clarinda Cloud," to make it more eye catching. I didn't think of that as much in the beginning. Yet, the importance of cover designs means more to me now and my illustrating skills have improved.
In the beginning, I also "liked" pages and shared things by other authors without considering my target audience, the family friendliness of my sites, or the quality of the things I was liking and sharing in hopes that other authors would return the favor. Yet, I have decided to be more discriminate in what I share or like. I want to "know" more about the things I like or share, so I can really stand behind them. I try not to say anything I don't mean or know about a book or author any more.
I still hope to be able to share, like, and promote books and authors. There are many wonderful books and authors out there. I just want to make sure that I am being honest with my shares, likes, and promotions. And, just because I don't recommend a book, it may not be that it is a great story. It may be that it has some errors in it. Sometimes if there errors were fixed, I would happily give a glowing review!
I am currently thinking of ways I could help encourage quality work in 2014 and beyond. I have thought about possibly offering a proofreading service for children's/MG/YA authors. If I don't do it myself, I have thought about creating a network and offering referrals to other wonderful people who do author friendly services such as editing, proofreading, formatting, PR work, illustrating, cover creations, etc. I have also thought about creating a "write and publish your own children's book" class or mentoring program. (Yes, I am only at the intermediate level with this, however I am an experienced educator. And, often times people will choose people just a little ahead of them in the progress to support them, so that they feel the supporter "knows how they feel and what they are going through" because he or she was there not long ago.)
Research and considerations are in progress for these things now. I would like to get your feedback and ideas. Also, if you would be interested in joining the network, please feel free to contact me.

Notes and Announcements

*Please check out the latest interview of me. It is by Fiona McVie and she did a wonderful job! Thank you, Fiona!
*Along with all of this reflecting and pondering, I have been thinking about how I could make my sites better. I would like your help there as well. For mainly that reason, I am offering a giveaway contest on my blogs. For more information and a chance to enter, please follow the links the posts on the following sites. I am hoping this chance for you to win a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" will be a win/win for both of us.
~DUO Education Learning Blog
~Clarinda Cloud's Feeling Blog
~What is New with Jodi Desautels?
Good luck!
*I am having a giveaway for my ebooks on Kindle on December 17th and 18th. That means you will be able to get the Kindle edition of "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" will be free on those days. Taking advantage of free giveaways on Kindle is a great way to decide if you want to buy the softcover, give the author a review on the book, or have it for trips and in the car. (I don't particularly like the idea of ebooks for children, but they do have their uses.)
*Also, I am going to be co-hosting (with Virginia Wright) the "2nd Annual Author Christmas Giveaway" event on Facebook on December 17th. You are all invited! It is a great way to "mingle" with authors online, ask questions, get answers, play games, win books, etc. Many authors are expected to show up.

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My First TV Interview!

9/18/2013

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Hi everyone! I have some exciting news!!! I had my first television interview on Sunday night! I was on my local access channel, VCAM, channel 15.
I was interviewed by Cathy Hartley on her program, Art Break. We are both kind of beginners at the whole TV scene. But... we had fun and we look forward to doing it again! I have been told that it was pretty good!
It was strange. I wasn't nervous all week prior to the interview. Then, that night, I was really nervous. I am thankful that Cathy did a great job at calming me down. I appreciate it! Yes... I was still a little nervous, but not nearly as much!
On the show, I talked about my children's books: "Clarinda Cloud," "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book," and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun." Our discussion led to their educational and psychological value. I also talked about my passion for education and my educational site, DUO Education. And, of course, I talked about some of my pages and services on the DUO Education site, such as: "The Storyteller's Tale webinar series," "Online Tutoring," and the "DUO Education Learning Blog."
If you are local to Vermont and happened to see it, please leave me a comment or contact me! If you didn't see it, I am hoping to get a DVD copy and then figuring out a way to post a copy or a blip of it on some of my sites. So...stay tuned on more information on that!
I want to thank Cathy for having me on her show! Also... if you are a local artist, author, musician, etc. you can contact Cathy about being on her show by emailing her at artbreakvt@gmail.com.

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Author Blog Hop for Children's Authors, MG Authors, and YA Authors

7/17/2013

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Hi everyone. I have been asked and tagged to participate in a blog hop for children's authors, MG authors, and YA authors. I have been tagged by children's author and illustrator Virginia Wright. In order to participate, I answer some interview questions and tag three other authors. You can find Virginia's blog and answers at http://virginiawright.com/blog/.

Here are the interview questions and my answers:

1. What are you working on right now?
I seem to have "many pots in the fire" right now. I just had my first author visit at a local library, which I will post about at another time. So, that has kept me busy. I am also looking for other libraries and for bookstores who would like an author visit from me. I have been working on my education site, DUO Education, at www.DUOEducation.com. I also have other children's books to illustrate and some ideas to write more. On top of all that, I am trying something new and working on a YA novel. I have been busy and excited!

2. How does it differ from other works in it's genre?
The YA novel I am working on is about a girl who gets emotionally abused from her parents. I believe it is an important subject as people do not usually take it as seriously as other forms of abuse, because there are often no outward lying scars. I haven't seen any books like this out.

3. Why do you write what you do?
I write, because I enjoy it! I write the "things I write" because, I either find them to be educational or relatable in some way...as well as enjoyable or interesting. Education is another one of my passions, so some of my books will have an educational component. Others, are things that are relatable, which I feel is very important in a book.

4. How does your writing process work?
I guess I do not have a specific writing process. I write when I have an idea or feel like writing. I illustrate as I build skills and feel like illustrating...or have something to illustrate. I try to market, network, promote, and learn new strategies always! It is difficult sometimes to find a healthy balance of all that writers do. But.... I am learning and working on it!

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I would like to thank Virginia for tagging me and thank all of you for stopping by. Please stop by her blog, the blogs of the people I tag (Lisa Cole Orchard, Laura Wintczak Eckroat, and Wendy Nystrom), and the blog of other people in the hop. (The people I have tagged will post theirs next week.) Please show your support by leaving a comment as you hop from site to site! Thank you.
You can find the websites of the people I have tagged by either pressing their names above or by going to the following websites:
*Lisa Cole Orchard's site: lisaorchard.wordpress.com
*Laura Wintczak Eckroat's site: http://lauraeckroat.blogspot.com
*Wendy's site: http://wendysbookcase.com/

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While you are here, please explore the site! You can read more about my books here. They are available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other online retailers. Please search: "Clarinda Cloud," "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun," and "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book." You can buy all of these books from this page on my site. Also, please check out my education site, DUO Education at www.DUOEducation.com. Thank you!

*Notice: I am always interested in giving new and talented artists a chance to illustrate one of my books for their portfolio. If you are interested, please contact me. I cannot pay anything at this moment, but will do what I can to promote your work and help get you exposure.

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CLARINDA CLOUD and JOHNNY'S ADVENTURE MAKES READING FUN by Jodi Desautels are Free on Kindle 3/5-3/7 2015

Clarinda Cloud

Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun

Jodi Desautels Promotes Herself, Her Books, Her Websites, and Her Links

Some of My Favorite Songs

Do I Have a Font Fetish?

Reflections, Ponderings, Giveaways, and Announcements

Notes and Announcements

My First TV Interview!

Author Blog Hop for Children's Authors, MG Authors, and YA Authors

Jodi Desautels

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Jodi Desautels… bringing you books that are inspirational, educational, and relatable!