How do reading and writing correlate?

So, where do you get the ideas for your books? An oft asked question always seems to turn the conversation to reading and writing and how they work together...

"A good writer is a great reader and a great writer is a VORACIOUS reader!" and you can quote me on that!

Gabe is at it again...

Good day/night Blog Reader, I really appreciate the fact that you are here.  Book 5 (in my six book GB series) is well underway and for those of you familiar with Gabe you will know he and most of his crew are heading into Middle School! (queue the eerie music... BOM BOM BOM...)

 Having spent time working with middle schoolers lately, I have been mulling over some of the issues they deal with and Gabe is going to "represent".  I am interested to hear from anyone in middle school, teaching middle school or having vivid memories of middle school to hear what you think Gabe and his crew should encounter.  

 

I have the book outlined and about ten chapters written.  Much of their time is going to be spent at camp during the summer, but when back in school is what I am particularly interested in hearing about.

The awesomely talented David Schiedt is designing and illustrating the series and I would love for him to have some great challenges to bring Gabe and his adventures to life!    That's him ------->

Don't BUG me... I'm riding!

 

Awesome!

THIS IS BETTER THAN A GROUPON!

Please pass this article on to your teacher friends, your eager readers and mostly your reluctant readers.  

I have tried to pack my poetry books full of subject matter which will get the most reluctant reader chuckling, engaged and on the road to enjoying more and more reading and poetry!

http://highlandsranch.macaronikid.com/article/273139/book-review-theres-a-fly-on-my-toast

It is officially National Poetry Month and there is a new review and a great book deal associated with it.  Three books and a performed CD of poetry to enjoy in the car for the low price of two books, a whopping discount and a money back guarantee that your reader/listener will enjoy what he or she hears.  

ALSO, if you indicate on your order to whom they should be signed, I will gladly do that.  

http://justinmatott.com/JUSTIN_MATOTT_AUTHOR/MACARONI_KID.html

Why pay five to six times the price, when...

You can get this book signed on my website for list price or you can get it on ebay for this price... You decide.  

This is a current ebay listing, just not right!

BASEBALL SEASON DREAMS!

IF I COULD

If I could pitch a ball,
and strike out every guy,
I’d throw the ball so hard,
you couldn‘t see it fly!

I’d shut out all the players
when they addressed the plate.
I’d pitch and pitch and pitch and pitch!
Someday I’d be so great!

And then when I stepped up,
right behind home plate
to hit the ball out there,
that would seal my fate!

I’d swing and hit the ball.
It’d fly over the big fence.
The folks would stand and cheer,
and my baseball fame commence.

I LOVE "kid art"!

I think it would be great to have a bunch of kids illustrate a book, each page representing an different view, different angle of the story.  What do you think about that?

National Poetry Month!

April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate we are offering in conjunction with Macaroni Kids a special to keep your kids reading this summer and beyond!  Please visit my website http://www.justinmatott.com/JUSTIN_MATOTT_AUTHOR/MACARONI_KIDS.html and hit the MACARONI KID link to find out about a great deal for YOUR reader!

Looking for talented Illustrator/Designer to publish next book!

Friends if you know anyone who is TALENTED, PROFESSIONAL and has the ability to illustrate and or design please pass this press release on to him or her: 

Skoob Books, publisher of Justin Matott is looking for a fresh, new illustrator/design style that would mesh with the more quirky side as well as one manuscript which is in the classic fairy tale style. This is a way to build your portfolio by illustrating a professionally published book. IF you are interested, please do your homework. LIKE the fan page. Peruse the webpage, blog, reviews at various online sites of the books and the style. Even get some of the books to see if your style meshes. Four manuscripts are being shopped presently. Will you be the next published artist?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290

Upcoming book SUMMER 2012!

http://www.justinmatott.com/JUSTIN_MATOTT_AUTHOR/COMING_SOON%21.html

Just announced on my website, my new book due out this summer! 


The GP series is in FULL swing, books 1-3 illustrated and designed by David Schiedt and I am DONE writing book FOUR!  


Looking forward to the entire six book series!


What would YOU like to see happen in books five and six?

Recent School Visit Synopsis

Please click on the link below to read a great synopsis of a recent school visit.  The writer caught the true essence of what I try to do when motivating a school during my visits.  

http://www.thebrightonblade.com/content/comedic-author-and-storyteller-motivates-students-put-pen-paper