Saturday, April 19, 2014

2014, Young Writer's Conference


I was thrilled to be a presenting author for this year’s 2014, Young Writer's Conference for Jeffco Public Schools, 8 elementary schools were involved this Thursday evening.

I spoke to the parents 1st, for 45mins, then off to the auditorium for the K-2 and their parents. What a fabulous group of Aspiring authors!


Friday, April 4, 2014

Interview by Beach Bound Books from 2013

(I found this on twitter the other day.)

Meet Carmen Swick, Author of Patch Land Adventures Picture

  What inspired me to become a Children’s author? My son was Preston is my inspiration for writing these series of books! He has Amblyopia and Strabismus. The Dr. told me that he was legally blind in his left eye and he needs to keep up with his eye patching 6 to 8 hrs a day. My son and so many others struggle with the eye patching, because they cannot see very well during patch time, since they have to patch the stronger eye in order to strengthen the weaker eye. The struggles of everyday broke my heart! After that doctor’s eye appointment I told him I was going to write Children’s books and it would be called Patch land, changed to (Patch Land Adventures). How did you come up with the Idea for Patch Land Adventures? I wanted my books to be easy to read and that the children could relate to. These books are Fiction and Non-Fiction. My son Preston is a very active young boy that enjoys life and adventures, sports, camping dirt biking to name a few, so I based some of his real life events into the stories. When young readers join Preston and his dog Beau on their fun-filled adventures, they will feel like they are there with them, cheering them on as they overcome their vision challenges. This is why I came up with anything is possible in Patch Land”. What was your favorite book as a child? Pippi Longstockings. Pippi who lives without any grownups in a little house at the edge of the village. The matter-of-fact way in which her absurd adventures are related is one of the chief charms of this story. She is so unique! What do you hope the children will learn from your books? I would like my books to help children that need to eye patch as a tool! Let them know that they can do anything! For the children that don’t eye patch they will understand that just because someone has a challenge doesn’t mean that they are any different from them and they will also love the story, it’s heartwarming and captivating. Did you do your own illustrations or did you hire an illustrator? No, I did not do my own illustrations I hired Joey Manfre, and. I am so glad that I did! We try and speak on weekly basics. Joey is brilliant and very talented! His gift as an artist truly shows through his work He knows how to bring the story to life, while keeping the authors vision. Are you currently working on any more books? Yes I am, I have written three books, but I am in the process with book two Patch Land Adventures Camping at Mimi’s Ranch with my Illustrator Joey Manfre hopefully to be out in print sometime this summer. The 3rd book will hopefully be out a year after the 2nd one comes out in print. You can find out more about Carmen Swick, her son Preston and Patch Land Adventures by visiting patchlandadventures.com or patchlandwritings.blogspot.com.

Our dog Beau

Our dog Beau
Preston's eye patch buddy

Preston and his eye Doctor

Preston and his eye Doctor
Eye Exam

Preston and Beau Eye Patching

Preston and Beau Eye Patching
Eye Patch Buddies