National Library Week & Writing News
Marcia Strykowski
♦ April 23, 2020
♦ 38 Comments
First off—Happy National Library Week—April 19-25, 2020
Libraries have so much to offer, even from the comfort of your own home. Have you checked your local library’s online offerings? From story-times to downloadable books, movies, magazines, audiobooks, and music, there’s something for everyone.
As mentioned in my last post, I’ve had trouble concentrating on my work during these unsettling times, but fortunately my previous pieces are still making their way through the world. It’s always a nice surprise to receive author copies (and a check!) for long ago work that’s been reprinted, such as this article and illustration for “Fun for Kidz.”
I was even more thrilled to have an article in the current March/April issue of the American Association of School Librarians journal: “Knowledge Quest.” These author/illustrator columns are in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council and it was a real honor to be chosen for this opportunity. Thanks to the Fitzroy Books team who, because of their membership in the CBC, suggested I send in a sample of writing to the journal for consideration.
For a sneak peek at what I’m currently working on, here’s a virtual background I made, with hopes I could use it during a writing group meeting where we’d be discussing my work-in-progress—a historical fiction novel. Unfortunately, the background didn’t work out for our Zoom meeting, but now I get to share it here instead, so all is well. You’ll just have to imagine my head sitting next to the goat’s head. 🙂 A picture of our meeting is in my last post. Two other members were more successful with using virtual backgrounds.
In other news, I recently came in fourth place (1st, 2nd, 3rd, plus an Honorable Mention) in an Institute of Children’s Literature contest—a wonderful surprise—as well as extra inspiration that my latest project is headed in the right direction.
Other than these bright spots, for which I’m grateful, I’m still slugging away on my current picture book and middle grade manuscripts. Hope you, too, are finding times when your brain is quiet enough to create.
Thanks for catching up with me and leaving comments on my last post. I’ve missed being as visible in the blogging community, but even though I’m not always actively posting, I’m still keeping tabs on you all. Best wishes for continued good health.
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Marcia Strykowski 
Congratulations on your prize! I think writing is the best thing we can do right now. Oh, and reading of course. Hang in there!
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Yes, a great indoor activity if only my concentration would improve. Thanks, Darlene!
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Congratulations on having your article published and placing in the contest.
I am impressed with your virtual background. Three of our family members had them on a recent Zoom gathering, and I had never seen one until then.
Our library cards are due to expire today, and there is no way to renew on line as there used to be. I must call, because I know our librarians are working.
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Thanks, Anne! Yes, give your library a call. I’m sure they’re renewing cards even if it’s something usually only done in person.
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My library card has been renewed for two years. I was the one who renewed John’s before, and for some reason, his has a year to go. Maybe they know he doesn’t use his. He OWNS books; I borrow them.
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Great to hear your library card is all up to date. Between the two of you, you’re supporting the book industry just right! 🙂
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I love your virtual background, so cute. Congratulations on your prize. It’s hard to concentrate on anything right now but hang in there all will be well in the end. xx
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Thanks, Barbara! Yes, you are right, brighter days are in our future. 🙂
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Congratulations on all of your news, Marcia! Keep on going!
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Thanks, Cathy! I guess that’s sometimes the best we can do, to just keep on truckin’.
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Hooray for the writing successes during these very difficult days, Marcia!
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Thanks so much, Tracy! Hope you are doing well. 🙂
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Thanks for your bright and cheery post. It helps keep us positive! Congratulations on your publications and award. That beauteous background made me think of Heidi, but that book has been written! It looks like you are reaching further back into your family roots for a new story. I can’t wait!
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Hi Joyce! Hope you and yours are doing well through all this. Thanks for visiting and for your kind words.
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Congratulations on all your recent successes! I’m eager to hear what your historical novel is about. You’re so versatile and creative!
Louise
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Thank you, Louise. I look forward to sharing my new work with you…at some point! 🙂
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Congratulations on all of your writing achievements! Well deserved! I love your virtual background. I am looking forward to reading your new novel when you complete it! 🙂
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Thanks, I will have to hurry up and finish my novel now that there’s a waiting line! Ha ha. 🙂
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Wonderful to hear from you Marcia, and heartiest congratulations on your award for the historical story from ICL!
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Oh, thank you, Ramona! Great to hear from you, as well; glad you’re safe and sound. 🙂
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Happy National Library Week! Weird not to be in school with my students celebrating- but I love all the shout outs to libraries I have been seeing this week. Congratulations on the publications! How awesome to be published in American Association of School Librarians journal: “Knowledge Quest.” I love that background you made (and I love goats). Stay well!
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Hi Stephanie! Yes, strange times in deed, but hope you’re doing well. I guess it’s a good chance for people to realize how much libraries have to offer whether in person or online. Thanks for your kind compliments!
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Congratulations on your price!
All the best and stay safe!
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Happy National Library Week! I didn’t even realize that it was the Library week.
All the best and stay safe!
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Thanks, Nas! Yes, library week was here and gone again before we knew it. Despite all that’s going on, the days are still passing too quickly. Hope you and yours are safe and healthy, too. Thanks for stopping by!
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Congrats on the article in the American Association of School Librarians journal and the award. We can check out books online and then pick them up curbside at our local library which is nice – though they are taking no returns until the building reopens, so the selection of books is becoming less and less. But it is a nice opportunity to read some of the excellent books that aren’t currently trendy, and that I might normally have passed right over.
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Hi Sheryl, thanks for your nice thoughts. I agree it’s fun to read titles I’ve missed rather than only those just being released. Luckily, I grabbed a bunch of items right before my library closed. They have an automatic check-in system accessed from outdoors, so now they’ve all been returned. Can’t wait until they open up again. Wishing you health and sunshine!
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What a fun magazine article and your virtual background is fantastic. Love it! Makes me want to know more about the story your writing. Congratulations on all this good news!!
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Thank you, Ashley. I had fun making that background even if it didn’t work out too good. Because I didn’t use a green screen, parts of my head mixed in strangely between all the mountain scenery, lol.
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Congrats on your successes! That’s great news.
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Thank you, Yvonne. Nice to have a little good news during this strange time. Congratulations again on The Third Ghost!
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I have had a resurgence of interest in my children’s writing recently, Marcia. Somehow, I feel like I need happier things to write about at the moment than my adult horror and paranormal writing. I have started a YouTube channel for readings of our free books and recipes. It’s keeping me busy.
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Wonderful, Robbie. Yes, there’s a time when different types of writing feel more right. I will have to check out your recent YouTube readings. p.s. I’ve learned something new, I didn’t know you wrote horror!
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Wonderful news on all your writing awards! Yahoo, and well deserved! I think your book on long ago Poland sounds exciting. Best to you, Marcia.
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Thanks, Jennie! It’s good to have a little something going on with my writing while I struggle to focus on new projects. Hope you have a lovely summer and that this awful pandemic lets up soon for all of us. Take care.
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You’re welcome, Marcia. Yes, it’s a good thing. Best to you, and enjoy the summer ahead. I do hope this pandemic will be a thing of the past by the time school starts in September.
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Fingers crossed for September. 😦
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Yes! 🤞
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