Please help us welcome, Shelley “The Story Queen” Moore Thomas to the Con!
Shelley Moore Thomas is the author of ten books for children, including the much heralded GOOD KNIGHT series (Penguin) and the forthcoming fantasy middle-grade novel, THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET (FSG Macmillan). In addition, she is an elementary school teacher and a storyteller known as the Story Queen. With a collection of rather rambunctious puppets, she performs at libraries, book fairs, and other special events. She also runs writing workshops for children when she can. Currently, she is working on a new picture book, and a new novel as well. Shelley is married and has three daughters, two dogs and one cat. She lives in Oceanside, California, but don’t let the name fool you. She is not that close to the ocean, really.
You can visit her at www.storyqueenscastle.blogspot.com.
Shelley is giving away a pre-order of THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET!! Comment on this post to enter!
Did you like this post? Show Shelley by buying her book! All of our authors are donating their time and experience FOR FREE, and the best way to show your appreciation is to buy their books.
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Guided by a tattered map, accompanied by Thomas the Pig Boy, and inspired by the storyteller’s blood that thrums through her veins, eleven-year-old Trinket searches for the seven stories she needs to become a bard like her father, who disappeared years before. She befriends a fortune-telling gypsy girl; returns a child stolen by the selkies to his true mother; confronts a banshee and receives a message from a ghost; helps a village girl outwit—and out-dance—the Faerie Queen; travels beyond the grave to battle a dastardly undead Highwayman; and meets a hound so loyal he fights a wolf to the death to protect the baby prince left in his charge. All fine material for six tales, but it is the seventh tale, in which Trinket learns her father’s true fate, that changes her life forever.
Shelley,
You’re always fun to listen to… and I so want that book
Best Wishes,
Joseph
As a rabid DIYer, this post was awesome!! I love how you were able to take a misprint and still use it as a promotional item, and then trinket boxes: brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing!
We love the Good Knight series. Can’t wait to read your MG.
Thanks, Donna
Hi, Shelley! This was a great DIY post. I liked how you reused the misprinted postcards for book covers and trinket boxes. Those will make great giveaways!
I enjoyed your book trailer for THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET.
Joseph–Thank you!
Sarah- Aw, shucks. I have to say, my Granny was a big one for making lemonade out of lemons. She’d have been proud of my resourcefulness
Great ideas! How about a lucky penny? Cheaper than a potato and shiny too! Thanks.
That was a fun video to watch. I love the trinket boxes and the notebooks for the kids. Great ideas that I’ll tuck away for later. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this! Especially your humor. I’ll bet you relate to children very well and I’m sure that comes out strongly in your writing! I love the lucky potato idea. When I was younger, I would’ve absolutely LOVED that. I just remember when my siblings and I went to this church on Easter while we were on vacation in the mountains. We were each given a paper bag filled with fruit. For us, that was about the highlight of the entire trip! We went back to our hotel room and gawked at all our fruit. It was ours. Any child that doesn’t already love you is just going to ADORE you.
Donna-thank you! I love the Good Knight books, too (obviously
I hope you like Trinket!
Suzanne-Thanks. My favorite part of the trailer is the music my nephew composed and played. I think it haunts…but in a good way.
That was so funny. I would like to read about Trinket.
Loved this! Besides being highly entertaining, I now have a new book added to my list of must-reads! Great, creative ideas on how to transform the postcards and business cards. Thanks so much for sharing. I would love to win a copy of this magical book!
Renae-Yes! The lucky penny! Of course! (But there will probably be potatoes, too, just sayin’)
Suzanne-Thank you. I think my little writers will really want to notebooks…just need to think of a cool way to decorate a pencil….
Kelsey- Isn’t it funny how some of the simplest things were the most magical when we were kids?
Kids are going to love the trinkets you made. I don’t have a book coming out–but when I do I am so DYI some stuff. Looking forward to reading your book and thanks for the fun vid!
Stacy-I hope you get to read Trinket! She made me laugh and cry when she told me her tales.
Yay, ytou broke out the crown! I loved listening to you and all of your ideas. Good luck on the upcoming school year (I know I should be at school right now getting organized, but I’m kind-of glad to be here instead!).
(this is erica from erica and christy, btw)
Deb-In the end, thing have to be fun for me–or it’s just not worth it. Making little things to celebrate Trinket’s launch into the world helps to remind me that it is supposed to be fun and magical and not STRESSFUL!
Erica-I have one more week until the inner teacher has to wake…..
Who doesn’t want a lucky potato? If I eat it, is it still lucky? This was so entertaining. Not only did I laugh, but I learned a few good tricks for when I have a book to promote someday.
Great trailer too. My ten-year-old daughter would read this book. Good luck!
You’re awesome! The book looks amazing too! Can’t wait to read it!
Theresa-I KNOW!! I would definitely want a lucky potato. (I need all the luck I can get.)
Great marketing ideas! I’m hole punching my business cards and turning them into bookmarks now. I also added a bag of lucky potatoes to my shopping list
Thanks!
Michael
Aww I love DIY stuff! I’m trying to make more time to do crafty projects with my kids!
Heather-Thank you! I hope you will love Trinket.
Michael-I like to think of them as “cheap marketing ideas” but that is because I am at peace with my cheapness. If piece of paper like a business card can serve TWO purposes, so much the better. It’s kind of environmentally green, too, don’t you think?
lol. This is awesome. I love the ideas and the trailer. And, um, yes, the potato was…original. Thanks for the info.
Amanda-Kids + crafts = some of the most fun I’ve had as a teacher!
Great ideas as I am an avid DIYer. The dual uses for the business card and bookmark — awesome. Who doesn’t love a BIGIF.
I love the book trailer!!
Chandara-I am packaging up a potato for you, even as I type:)
What great ideas! I especially love the composition book. You have a lovely book cover, which really lends itself well to swag!
I love how at the end of the video, the chair is worn down. You’ve clearly taken the advice “butt in chair” to heart!
TL-thank you. I am pretty happy with the trailer–I think it gets the feel of the book across to kids and librarians….I hope!
Teralyn-I hit the jackpot with my cover artist. The painting he did is just so, so beautiful. (and yes, the chair is VERY worn.)
I love the trinket book. What a great idea.
Thank you so much! Great ideas!
That was a fun vlog post. I will have to keep many of your “do it yourself” ideas in my pocket when I get my first book published. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Fun video. Your book looks great : )
That was so very cute and great ideas. My kids and I love The Good Knight books. They tickle our funny bones.
Great ideas Shelley. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas with us.
You’re awesome!! I love DIY stuff and the notebook is such a great idea (as are all the other ideas–but the notebook is my favorite–well, it was close between the notebook and the lucky potato).
The trailer is amazing and I can’t wait to read the book.
By the way, is there a link for the trailer so I can share it?
Love it! Those are great, fun tips and I can’t wait to read your book! Thank you for sharing.
You guys are making my day. Thank you so much for all of your comments!
Joan, I’ll be putting the link to the trailer on my blog, but I think this is it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuObmVKL2A
Maybe cut and paste? Also, if you go to youtube and put in The Seven Tales of Trinket, it comes up.
Thank you so much for spreading the word! (If anyone else wants to share it, FEEL FREE!)
Great ideas! It’s all about the swag.
Shelley–what a fantastic post! You always make me giggle.
Love, love how the trailer turned out!
Thanks for the link, Shelley!
Jo!!! xoxoxo!! I had to rework and stick the stars in, but I really wanted them to be in it, too! Well, off to parachute into more places….
Some great creative ideas here — thanks!
I’ll have to remember the lucky potatoes. Lol
Lovely book trailer. Beautiful pictures, too. You gave me some great tips. Thank you, Shelley.
I’m enchanted! I’m an avid DIYer, so this was such a fun vlog to watch. It was very clever how you used elements from your story to create trinket boxes as door prizes. I especially love that you found such a fun way to reuse the postcards with the date mistake!
I definitely would love to read this book. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and story with us.
Thank you for helping to make WriteOnCon an awesome conference!! I loved the trinket box and the notebook idea for kids… and your trailer was terrific!
Thank you for your entertaining and informational video, Shelley! Your trailer is magical and transported me into Trinket’s land. I love your humor, ideas, and your dog! I find you inspiring…and would love to win a copy of your book, THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET. I would find it a true treasure!
I love the business card idea and the notebook idea. I also think the framed book cover is brilliant — it makes it stand out and signals it as something important.
You rock, Shelley!!! Who wouldn’t want one of your lucky potatoes??? Love it!
Love this post! Thanks for the cool tips, Shelley.