Author   Jodi Desautels
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Jodi Desautels and (cousin) Jennifer Whitecrane Compete in the Jill and Jill Competition

7/30/2014

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     Hello everyone.  Many of you know me as the mild mannered wife, mother, author, and educator.  It is true.  That is what I am most of the time.  However, I do have another side.
     I have a tomboy side to me.  Growing up, I enjoyed visiting my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in the country.  Every once in a while, my grandmother would even bring me to the Lamoille County Field Days.  
     Fast forward years later and now my husband and I go to the Lamoille County Field Days.  For me, it is almost like a family reunion.  Almost everyone on my mother's side of the family goes.  Last year, we went and I sat on the sideline watching my uncles and my cousins participate in the lumberjack competitions.  I wanted to try an event or two; however, I could never get up the confidence to do it.  I have very few muscles as evidenced as always being picked last in sports at school.
     This year, I decided to go ahead and try a couple of events.  The picture at the top is my cousin, Jennifer Whitecrane, and I competing in the Jill and Jill competition.  Before we even signed up, I told her that we were probably going to lose because I have no muscles and I didn't have a clue what I was doing.  Well, Jennifer was adventurous and signed up with me anyway.  Thank you, Jennifer!  Besides, Jennifer said she was a beginner too.  We both had a blast!!!  (And, guess what… we won third place!!!)
     Here is a picture of my entry bracelet into the field days as well as my check and ribbon for third place.

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     I also tried another competition.  I got up the confidence after participating in the Jill and Jill competition and because my cousins also competed.  The other competition is the ax throwing competition. I didn't get a score, because the ax didn't stick on any of my (four) throws.  I still had a blast though!  LOL!
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Jodi Desautels Shares Some Insight on Her Style of Creating Book Promotion Posters

7/23/2014

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     Hello everyone!  I thought I would share with you a little about how I make promotion posters for my books.  
     Here is a new poster I just created to promote my books.  It may look a little quirky.  However, sometimes quirky is fun and to the point.
     My books are children's books, so I try to make sure that the books and the promotion posters are filled with colors!  My books are fun, relatable, and educational… and, I try to depict that in my posters.  I may not always use those words, but try to give the poster the "feel" for at least one of those traits.  And, all my books specifically have to do with children's feelings.  That is mentioned specifically in this particular poster.
     In this poster, I also depicted the word "impact" with the designs behind the books.  Again, I used different colors to depict the word.  This also ties into my book, "Clarinda Cloud" which depicts various emotions by Clarinda Cloud changing colors.
     I am probably not what you would call an "expert" in creating promotion posters.  I never went to school for graphic arts or marketing.  It is something that I am learning as I go along. 
     All of my books can be found on Amazon.com.  They are also promoted on all of my websites in one way or another.  Please feel free to explore and find my book tabs and more on my sites:
www.AuthorJodiDesautels.com
www.ClarindaCloud.com
www.DUOEducation.com
     I would love to hear what you think of my books, my book posters, my sites, and my blogposts any time.  Feel free to comment below or to contact me.  Thank you!

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Just a Little Post about a "Non-vacation"

7/16/2014

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     Hello everyone.  This has been quite a week so far.  Therefor, my post is going to be quite short.  We have been on a "non-vacation" for the past few days.  "What is a 'non-vacation?'" you ask?  LOL!  That is when you were planning on taking a vacation and end up tearing the bathroom apart and trying to put it back together again instead.  Yes.  Our bathroom has been in disrepair for the past few days.  We are putting in a new floor, walls, toilet, and vanity.  What a project?!? 
     LOL!  Please don't think that I am complaining.  I am not!  We chose to do this and it needed to be done.  Although, we are looking forward to seeing it finished!
     However, I do have good news coming!  I can't wait to tell you all about it!  I am hoping to be able to tell you about it next week! 

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Jodi Desautels Tells about "Share and Win Party" and Other New Things

7/9/2014

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     Hello everyone.  I have been busy lately.  That is true.  Let's see, what is going on?  I created a "Share and Win Party" event on Facebook to promote DUO Education.  However, you don't have to be on Facebook in order to participate.  You can also go to this blogpost on DUO Education to find out more information and to join in.  Don't forget to tell me that you are sharing, so you will be entered to win the $10 Amazon gift card.  (Offer for chance to win $10 Amazon gift card is only good while event lasts.  However, if you enjoy DUO Education, please feel free to share the site any time.)
     I have also created a new board on Pinterest.  I hope you take a moment to check it out.  The board is of special interest to children's book authors and readers.  So, if you fit into one of those categories, please check it out and share it with friends.  Children's book authors, if you are interested in being featured on the board, I need you to message me your author pic and Amazon link to my email or my Facebook page.  Please feel free to friend request me.  Also, please like my Facebook fan page.
     I have been working on my author site (this site) and my education site (DUO Education) quite a bit lately.  I hope you take a moment to explore both sites.

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Jodi Desautels Looks the Part of a Gardener and Plants her First Flower Garden

7/2/2014

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     Hello everyone!  Do you see me in my bib front overalls?  (It looks like I can tackle almost anything in that picture, right?  LOL!)  Yes, well, I can look like a gardener.  But…that doesn't mean I am a gardener.  LOL!  However, I did do something last week that I have never done before.  I planted my first little flower garden.
     The only thing I knew when I started the garden is that I wanted perennials.  I didn't want to have to dig the plants up and bring them inside each winter or buy new one year after year.  My other goal was to have plants that would repel nasty pests like mosquitos and appeal to nice critters like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
     So, my first step was to google "perennials that repel mosquitos."  That turned up some things like mint, citronella grass, lemon grass, catnip, and rosemary.  (Only the mint made it into the garden.  I have some peppermint and spearmint.)  Then, I searched the perennial section on the site of a local nursery.  There are some pretty perennials out there.
     Part of my problem was that it was only a small space.  I couldn't get perennials that would grow to be very tall or that spread like wild fire!  It wasn't until I went to the local nursery and explained the spot, that I finally decided on some plants.  
     Here is an image of my first little flower garden!  It will be interesting to see how it blooms and weathers the future!  I hope it works well!  I think it is beautiful! 

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Wonderful news!  You could win a $10 Amazon gift card!  Click here to see how!
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Jodi Desautels Shares Another Double Pinochle Story

6/25/2014

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     Hi everyone! I have another double pinochle story for you.  LOL!  As some of you may know,  my husband and I play it often.  Well, lately, my husband has been very, very lucky at the game!  
     I would have to look back to know the exact number, however, my husband has been getting double runs AND double aces at the same time quite often lately.  It is unbelievable!  He has got them more in the past few weeks than both of us together has got them in the past few years. 
     We play that a win is 1,000 point game.  So, in one hand he got over one fourth of the way there!  If you add the 150 for the double run, the 100 for the double aces, and the 20 point minimum for the save- - you get a minimum of 270 points for just the one hand.
     I wonder if I should have had him buy extra lottery tickets or something! LOL!

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News about the First Children's Book Ever Written and the New Appearance of the Site:  Author Jodi Desautels

6/18/2014

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     Hello everyone.  They say that in writing a book, the title can be one of the most important words of the book.  That is very true.  The title is usually the first text of the book that people read.
     People will caution to have the title include keywords for search engine optimization.  Others will say to make the title short and catchy.  
     Well, just out of curiosity, I looked up the first children's book ever written.  The title of that book wasn't very short or catchy at all.  (Hmmm!  I wonder if that is why it is no longer in print.)  Anyway, the title is twenty-four words long!!!!  Can you imagine walking into the bookstore or library and asking for that book?  
     I won't share the title here.  I will let you click the link to the page where I found the information.  I just thought it was interesting, so I thought I would pass along the information.  After all, I am a children's book author and many of my friends are children's book authors.  I hope you enjoy it!
                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     I have some GOOD NEWS!  If you haven't noticed, I am in the middle of changing the appearance of my author site.  Many people have told me that it is more professional, more appealing, and easier to read to have a site with a light background and a dark font.  As many of you may know, by site used to have a dark blue background with a white font.  Please bear with me while I make the switch in the site.  Thank you.
     I am happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions about the new appearance.  Thank you again.


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Are Those Social Media Questions Innocent or Not?

6/11/2014

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    Hello everyone!  Have you ever seen those, "What is your real age?" or "What is your princess name?" things going around on Facebook?
     To me, they can be tempting to fill out, you know…just to see for kicks and giggles.  But… I am never tempted enough to do it.  I am leery of those things.  Yes, they seem harmless enough.  What can the harm be in sharing your middle name and the color pants you are wearing?  There are usually some seemingly harmless combination of questions.  
     However, I am still alarmed.  It is my guess that that teenagers and young adults may be apt to fill out these things the most.  And, even older adults could fall victim to predators.  Each and every little "game" like this can seem harmless if taken individually.  Yet, if you put them together, what does it tell predators about you?  One might ask your first name and your favorite color.  One might ask your last name and your favorite food.  Just to make it all seem innocent and throw you off guard every once in a while there is one that asks your favorite food and the color shirt you are wearing.  It is nothing too personal, right?   One will ask the month you are born and the other will ask you the day you were born.
     Who is seeing these things?  Could it be predators who are wanting to lure you by buying you a gift of something with your favorite color and your favorite food?  Is it someone who wants to know enough for identity theft?
     Okay.  I know.  I could be overly cautious and this could all be innocent fun and nothing will ever come of it.  I get that.  I hope that is the case.  But… are you being underly cautious?  It is just food for thought and I hope you take it as such.  I am not trying to say one way or another.

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Three Examples of Marketing Pet Peeves Jodi Desautels Has Experienced on Facebook

6/4/2014

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     Hello everyone!  As an author, I try to do what I can to market my books.  I join groups, do research, create posters, and network.  I do what I can to get myself and my work known.  That is totally understandable.
     So, I understand others wanting to do the same.  However, there are some marketing techniques that just rub me the wrong way.  You may consider them "pet peeves."  Some push me too far.  I will not help market or promote the product no matter how good my feelings are towards the product itself, because I don't want to "reward bad behavior."  I will list three for you today that I have experienced on Facebook.
     For example, I have had an email by someone who said that I was so closed minded because I would not try a product.  So, I emailed back saying that I didn't ask for the email and that being called "closed minded" wasn't not enticing me to buy the product any more than any of the other conversation. Hmmm!
     I have also gotten a friend request by another author.  So, I accept.  Then, without saying "hi" or "thank you for accepting the friend request" or any nicety at all, I get "check out my book."  Umm! No!  I am happy to check out books and even promote the ones that strike me nicely.  However, if you are going to go through the trouble of friend requesting me, you are going to say "hi" before you are going to get me to check out anything.
     I have also been tagged in a multiple chat about a book a launch or some sort of promotion.  While that may seem like it is saving time to get the news out to people, it is a big put off to some.  I don't check out the event or book, because of it.  Notifications just keep popping up whenever anyone posts anything concerning the conversation.  I get twenty notifications that people are leaving the conversation, plus all the other notifications when people actually say something.  Hmmm!  Nope!  Not for me!
     What are some marketing pet peeves you have experienced on Facebook?

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Jodi Desautels Tells "What is New with Jodi Desautels?"

5/28/2014

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     Hello everyone.  The title of this blog is "What is New with Jodi Desautels?" so I thought I would let you in on some things that I am doing.
      Actually, I have quite a few pots in the fire right now.  First, I am looking to broaden my exposure for my books and sites.  I am currently working to get my books approved to go into a local chain.  I am so excited about that!  Also, I am looking for author interviews, book reviews, and places to post my books.   
     I have started researching ways to develop and sell character products as well.  I would love to brand Clarinda Cloud!  She would make a wonderful character for various products.  I have an email into a company that makes stuffed book characters now.  If any of you know anything about product development, I would love to hear from you.  
     Oh, and did you know that she is a spokescloud on bullying prevention and anti-bullying causes?  I will continue to promote her as such.  Bullying is an issue that has touched my heart.  I want to do what I can to help prevent it.
     After a long hiatus, I have started illustrating again.  I am currently working on an illustration for a book that I first published, but had to buy back the publishing rights.  I am looking forward to re-illustrating and re-publishing this book.
     I have also been adding to and tweaking my websites.  I have added an "events" tab to my website.  If you would like to have me speak at your school, library, bookstore, or event, please feel free to contact me.
     I am also running a sale on my online tutoring services.  The discounted price ends June 15th, so sign up now!  This is great for summertime learning, renewing skills, learning new skills, or just having help with homework.  I help people of all ages and abilities.  Also, it would be great for aspiring children's authors who may want some individualized help and encouragement.
     And, did I tell you that I lost the last game of backgammon between my husband and I?  Ugh, and I lost the last game of pinochle too!  I guess my game playing hasn't been what it has been.  Maybe it is because my creative mind has been overpowering my game playing mind.  LOL!
     

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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner who has two rules to live by:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."  She loves family, friends, and nature.  Passions include caring for people, education, writing, illustrating, and photography.

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