Coming Soon: Momma Don't Own A Machine Gun

     Twelve year old Billy Burch is trying to support his family picking mulberries for pocket change until he begins working for Al Capone in the summer of 1925. He becomes entangled in a web of moonshine and murder and must decide if working for the gangster costs more than it pays. Billy's life is further complicated by his nemesis, Nellie O'Brien. She may be the preacher's daughter, but she can lie like the devil and her temper is as fiery as her hair. As June melts into July, the war between the two children escalates as they play one cruel trick after another on each other with deadly consequences. Will one bad choice shape the course of Billy's life forever, or will he be able to overcome his guilt and escape?

Dawning of a New DayMay 13, 2012

Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.
Buddha
This quote seems particularly pertinent this weekend as I reflect on the end of my teaching career, the completion of the 2012 OWP Youth Conference, and my eldest daughter moves out of the family home.

Rather then being sad about endings-I’m looking forward to some new beginnings. I recently spent the weekend at an SCBWI Advanced Wriers’ Retreat in St. Charles. Good food, great people, and some excellent advice from Viking Editor Kendra Levin. I look forward to being able to spend time on some new projects that have been percolating as well as focusing on finding Momma a home with an agent & publishing house.

700+ students, teachers, and volunteers attended the OWP Youth Conference; I think it’s safe to say it was a smashing success. My presenters did a fantastic job of engaging the students-and I’m hoping I can talk many of them into returning for the our first high school conference at MSU in the fall.

I’m also looking forward to becoming more involved in our local SCBWI chapter by helping to plan the annual November conference .

Last night, I spent an hour just petting my kitten and listening to her purr. Today I spent several glorious hours in my garden. I finally have time to sit back and smell the roses.

First Passion Flower of the season from the garden

Bittersweet B & B, St. Charles