Research: Finding Gems
Monday, June 1st, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, the writing process | No Comments »I want to tell a quick story about doing research. Specifically about Crayola crayons and the book, Along Came Spider. But first, a little back story: As I was writing Spider, I did a lot of research in different directions. As ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #44-47 (Bonus Friday Edition)
Friday, May 22nd, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail, Jigsaw Jones | No Comments »Today we're all about bullies, and book titles, and bicycles, and the perils of publishing. That's right -- sound the timbrels! slaughter a fatted calf!-- I'm banging out a bonus Friday Edition of Fan Mail Wednesday, absolutely free of charge. Really: ...
A Few Links, etc.
Thursday, March 5th, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Mighty Casey, School Visits | 3 Comments »Been away on a school visit to Bailey Elementary in Dublin, Ohio, with Karen and Bill of Literate Lives. Since they've already threatened to blog about it, I'll refrain from much comment. Especially as I'm a little fuzzy in the ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #30
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | No Comments »I've thought about whether I should pick this one or not, because it's sort of grossly self-aggrandizing, but isn't that what Jamespreller.com is all about? Hopefully my reply might be helpful to somebody out there. Note: As always, I've removed ...
Along Came . . . Another Blog from Ohio
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider | 4 Comments »Let's face it, we can't spend all day clicking links and reading blogs. Right? We just can't, much. Things to do and all that. But still, some folks make it hard. I just found a nice blog, curiously titled, Best Book ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #27: Signed Copies
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | 1 Comment »I got this note all the way from Jersey! Actually, I figure the info in my response might help somebody else, so I thought I'd pass it along. Dear Mr. Preller, My name Jordan and I am eleven years old. I ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #23
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | 2 Comments »Every year I hope to be better with Fan Mail. But I guess I might as well confess this, even if it makes me look like a creep: While I'm grateful for fan mail, and amazed, and often touched, there's a ...
Books for Boys?!
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 Posted in Along Came Spider, Bystander, Greatest Hits, The Gender Gap in Reading | No Comments »School Library Journal recently ran a review for Along Came Spider. Written by Elizabeth Swistock, you can read it in full by clicking wildly right here and scrolling insanely downwards. I think Ms. Swistock gives an accurate, sympathetic review, while noting ...
Around the Horn: The “Me, Me, Me!” Edition
Friday, November 21st, 2008 Posted in Along Came Spider, Bystander, Mighty Casey | 2 Comments »Weird confluence of things in a 24-hour period, with five books colliding. Let's recap: * In the mail yesterday, the first hot-off-the-presses copy of Mighty Casey! I love this book, it's beautifully published, and I'm so happy that it brought ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #18
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | No Comments »Sometimes I receive amazing letters from classroom teachers. And boy, I love amazing letters from teachers! Mr. Preller, Thanks so much for writing Along Came Spider. I've just finished it as a read aloud with my 4th and 5th graders. I selected ...