Welcome, welcome. Come in and make yourself at home. Fancy a glass of champagne – please, be my guest. Take a canapé, too. This is a celebration, after all.
Why all the hospitality? Glad you asked. See, I’m not JUST a nice person. No, today is a special day, and not just because it’s my Mum’s birthday (though that is, of course, a good reason to celebrate) – but because today, May 1, marks the much awaited (by me) release of my verse novel, Pearl Verses the World. So please raise your glasses, and help me to toast my new book baby.
Now, as well as passing around the virtual champagne, I have lots planned to celebrate Pearl’s release. And, because today is just the first day in Pearl’s life as a book, I am planning not one day, but a whole month of celebrations. I am off on a blog tour, and will also be hosting visitors here on my blog. Together with my friend Kathryn Apel, who also has a book baby being released this month, I’m running a poetry challenge – a verse-off – where you’ll be able to show off your poetry skills either here on my blog, or at Kathryn’s. All this and more, to make May a month of celebration.
But, of course, a party is only a party with lots of guests, so I’m hoping you’ll join me throughout the month to learn more about Pearl Verses the World and to party with me.
For today, you might like to know a little bit about the book. First, feel free to admire the beautiful cover, featuring the delectable artwork of Heather Potter, who has really brought Pearl to life.
Now, more info.
What the Book is About (From the Publisher’s Website)
At school, Pearl feels as though she is in a group of one. Her teacher wants her to write poems that rhyme but Pearl’s poems don’t. At home, however, Pearl feels safe and loved, but her grandmother is slowly fading, and so are Mum and Pearl. When her grandmother eventually passes away, Pearl wants life to go back to the way it was and refuses to talk at the funeral. But she finds the courage to deliver a poem for her grandmother that defies her teacher’s idea of poetry – her poem doesn’t rhyme; it comes from the heart.
And the First Review, which I’m still glowing about, can be read online here.
If you’d like to buy the book, it is available from several online bookstores, including Fishpond – and, hopefully, in a bricks and mortar bookstore or library near you. You may need the publication details, if bychance the book isn’t displayed prominently. So, here goes:
Murphy Sally & Heather Potter (ill) Pearl Verses the World
Walker Books Australia, 2009
ISBN: 9781921150937Australian RRP: $14.95
Still reading? Great. Have some more cyber-bubbles while I tell you what else is happening this month to celebrate Pearl’s release.
First, starting today, I am off on a blog tour.
May 1 Spinning Pearls , where I am guest blogging about how I came to write Pearl Verses the World
May 2 The Writing Life , where I answer Brenton’s questions
May 4 Persnickety Snark
May 5 Let’s Have Words
May 6 Just listen Book Reviews
May 8 Write and Read With Dale
May 9 Tales I Tell , where Mabel has challenged me to answer her questions in verse.
May 10 Robyn Opie’s Writing Children’s Books , where I am guest blogging about getting published.
That’s a lot of questions and talking from me, so to take the pressure off me a bit, every Sunday this month visitors to this blog will be challenged to write some words on their own. Kathryn Apel and I will be joining forces to host a verse-off. We’ll be providing visitors to both our blogs with a photo stimulus, and asking you to respond in poetry – either rhymed (which you’ll post at Kathryn’s blog) or unrhymed (which you’ll post here). More details coming this Sunday, May 3. In between times, I have invited some of my poetry-writing friends to drop in and write some guest blogs about poetry. Some will provide poetry writing exercises, others will talk more generally about children’s poetry. The first guest blogger will be Kathryn Apel, who will be here tomorrow.
And if that’s not enough for you, you’ll have to drop by regularly and see what else happens here during May – there’ll be something new every day!
Thanks heaps for dropping by and sharing this special day with me. It’s not every day an author gets to celebrate the release of a new book. Pearl and I thank you for joining in the celebration. Have a lovely May. And happy birthday, Mum.
Congratulations! I am looking forward to your partying all through the month of May!
Congratulations Sally! Pearl looks like a terrific book. I look forward to all the activities on your blog!
thank you big sisters both for your lovely comments.
I’m afraid though, helen, taht youd didn’t ebat EMily -s he was prvileged enough to read it in draft and again when I got my first copy.
SO glad that Dymocks has it in stock (and that you made them unpack it!)
I’m a very proud big sister too!! I read it yesterday afternoon – I think I beat you Emily!!! Francis read it last night and finished with tears, he loved it too.
Can I add – as a Lecturer in Children’s Literature that this book really is exceptional!! It will make into at least two of my tutes next time round – one for the story itself and the other for Poetry – I think every
I’m a very proud big sister too!! I read it yesterday afternoon – I think I beat you Emily!!! Francis read it last night and finished with tears, he loved it too.
Can I add – as a Lecturer in Children’s Literature that this book really is exceptional!! It will make into at least two of my tutes next time round – one for the story itself and the other for Poetry – I think every
Congratulations sister – I could not find my way in from work yesterday but had some virtual bubbles anyway – the only kind that can legitimately be imbibed at a public service desk. You are an inspiration to your eldest sister. Looking forward to reading Pearl. xxx
Awwww, thanks Mummy. That’s lovely. A poem for me! Now I’m all teary.
And thanks for coming, too, Claire. Plenty of cyber bubbly still on offer.
Thank you Sally. A wonderful birthday gift –though it made me a bit teary.
Tried my hand at blank verse –just for you.
Four year old
chattering
scribbling notes
behind me as I work.
Schoolgirl
happy, singing
head full of stories
skipping across the road to school.
Mother with
children on knee.
reading, storytelling
Okay, there’s always one guest who turns up on the wrong day. Yes I knew it was yesterday, I even called in and ‘whoohoooed’ at the screen, but didn’t quite get to the commenting thingo (or the cyberbubbles).
But just in case you have second day blues…Congratulations on the release of Pearl. I’m looking forward to reading it (still haven’t received my review copy)
Enjoy the roller
Again, thank you so much for all your wonderful comments, and just for dropping in and joining in the fun. I have alovely warm glow that is nothing to do with the cyber bubbles and everythign to do with knowing people are smiling with me.
Thank you.
Happy Birthday to your mom! 🙂
And a big, big congratulations on the launching of your new book! *throws confetti*
Happy Release Day, Sally! Your book sounds lovely (the cover is exquisite), I am looking forward to reading it. Enjoy your exciting day and a wonderful birthday to your Mum as well!
Big Congratulations, Sally! I saw your post on poetry Friday and was thrilled to hear the news! It couldn’t happen to a nicer person!
Finally found my way in! Congratulations to you, Pearl and the Verses…
Sally O
Sally, congratulations – so glad I could stop by for a flute of cyber bubbly and to toast the release of “Pearl Versus The World!” The review is great, and I look forward to reading your book!
Namaste,
Lee
Congratulations, Sally. Off to read more. A book I’d love to have in our library.
Congratulations Sally – I know I’m late, but i’m guessing the party is still going? I’m only late ‘cos I’ve been trying to finish the book I’m currently reading so I can start yours. I found it in the local bookstore today (of course, they hadn’t realised the importance of the book and had it nestled with other spine out books… but I fixed that!)
Now, where’s the food table?
I’m visiting from Poetry Friday. Congratulations! The cover is gorgeous, and this sounds like a wonderful, poignant book.
Happy birthday Pearl and Mum! :)Big congrats on your new book!! I love verse novels so much and look forward to checking this one out!!
Thanks so mcuhf or dropping in and joining me for the cyber bubbles everyone. It is now past wine o’clock in my part of the world so I am sipping on the real stuff. Am so happy to have people celebrating with me 🙂
Yay for you and yay for Pearl! Congratulations on the release of your Pearl of a book. Oh that sounds corny, it must be all the cyber bubbles, hic…
Hi Sally! Am I fashionably late yet? I’m writing from Broome, home of many pearls, to say Hooray for you and a very happy Pearl day. What a beautiful book. I can’t wait to get my hands on my very own copy.
Virtual champagne to you and Pearl from this lovely corner of the world!
Sally, How lovely for you that this day actually arrived. It makes me feel like a seven year old waiting for Christmas. And another bonus: You’ve solved mt Christmas shopping problem. Pearl has been invited to lie under the tree in five households so far.
Enjoy your moth of celebration. And can I make one small request? A little orange juice on the side will help me keep my balance. See you
Congratulations Sally,
Glad to hear that the cyber bubbles won’t run out – so you’ll be able to keep celebrating ALL MONTH!
Thanks for sharing Pearl with the world, and for giving us such a beautiful and courageous story.
Reading Pearl made me realise that there is poetry in everyone, you just need to know where to find it.
Cheers
Dee
Congratulations Sally. Keep the champagne flowing!
I’m looking forward to seeing Pearl in the flesh.
Love the cover.
Liz Flaherty
Woohoo! Wonderfully exciting day and month for you Sally. Enjoy! I am sure we all will – a Party AND a Pearl – how could we not?!
Huge congrats!
Kat
Congratualtions, Sally. Your book sounds perfect for a little nine year old in my life. I’m off to Fishpond now!
Rockin’ party mum! What is a canape?
Well done on releasing Pearl!! 😀
I read it and it is awesome. Sounds like you have heaps planned
(Ps. I bet i was totally the first one to read this. I just didn’t want to post at four in the morning because that would have given away the fact that i was reading your blog at four in the morning)
thanks Sheryl and Sandy.It’s so wonderful to share with fellow writers, and even more lovely to hear that you read it to your son.
Never ending champagne? I’ll be back.
It’s a wonderful book. I read it to my youngest (8) last night and he has had no exeperience with older people passing away so it was a real eye opener for me as a parent to gain some insight into what he knew and felt – and also to lay a little groundwork for the future.
As a parent – thanks for opening up those important but
And a BIG, SUPER-DUPER CONGRATULATIONS from me too, Sally!!. Happy birthing day to the good ship Pearl and all who sail in her. 🙂 XX
Your glass CAN’t be empty, my darling Sue. This is cyber-bubbles. It doens’t run out. Maybe you are drinking faster than I can refill. Thank you so much for dropping in – and for being part of my writing journey.
Looks like I’m your first guest. Yay! More champagne for me. Cheers! I must say the canapes are delish. Thank you. Now, why am I here? Oh – the BOOK! That’s right. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS, SALLY. I am so very thrilled for you. Pearl is a beautiful book baby and I hope she does very well for you. XXX Now, where’s that champagne – my glass is empty already. How did that happen?