Celebrate Children's Book Week! May 12-18

Celebrate Children's Book Week! May 12-18

Order your signed copies! Thanks for your support!

www.patchlandadventures.com

Outstanding Chapter for the Foundation Fighting Blindness!

Way to go Denver! Thank you to all of our Amazing members to make this happen! We will find a cure to Blindness! "Denver Chapter has once again been named Outstanding Chapter for the Foundation Fighting Blindness! Our president, Carmen Swick, invites you to join her at the Host Chapter Reception on Thursday, June 19th at 5:30 PM where we will welcome everyone from around the country. You can attend for FREE on Thursday and meet lots of wonderful people!" Let us know if you can make it! Email us at Denver@FightBlindness.org.

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!

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.

The unveiling of, Patch Land Adventures (Book Three) "Pirates Adventure" Front cover

The unveiling of, Patch Land Adventures (Book Three) "Pirates Adventure" Front cover by, Joey Manfre, my illustrator & creative partner. Great job Joey! & thanks for capturing my vision as an author! I think this cover is so cute! Looking Forward to seeing the illustrations, for book 3! The manual script has had it final edit! Hopefully the book will be in print the next couple of months! It will be excited to see the book come to life with the illustrations!

Avi, the Writer/Author

I had the opportunity to hear Avi, the writer/author speak the other night at my nieces High School. I really enjoyed his unique style of writing and storytelling. Avi shared his number one advice with the Children, about becoming a great writer, it is to read, read, & read! Avi, kept emphising, read, read! He has 73 books published, and 10 books, that are not published. He mentioned that, he was never a great speller, and to this date, he is still, not a great speller. Avi shared with the group some of his school work when he was a youngster. The teacher had marked in red, not so wonderful remarks about his grammar, spelling etc… Fast forward to the date, you can see that did not stop him from his life’s work! When he went to college, he refused to take any writing class etc… due to having some professor tell him that is work spelling etc… was not to standard. Avi didn’t want to relive those, not so wonderful feelings, which he had left behind. He also shared some of the letters he had received from editors, rejections. One editor told Avi, the only great thing about this book, was the title. That was crushing! It really hurt! Obviously, it’s up to the individual, what they do with that information. If it’s your heart, take the criticism, and keep going! Make sure that you surround yourself with the same minded people! Family, friends etc… that will encourage you to keep writing if that is your passion to do so! When I started my journey in writing, I made sure to find a great editor that was able to help me through the process! That is one important piece of advice I would like to share with you! And be supportive to others in their life journey!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

HAPPY NEW YEARS! I want to thank all of you, for your love & support through this year! And making a difference in a Child's life. As we get ready to welcome the new year and say good bye to 2013! Let's not forget, how special reading time is with a Child! Much love to you! Wishing you & yours the Best in 2014! Peace!