The Winner of THE CASE OF THE MISSING CARROT CAKE is Dow Tphumiruk. Dow please send me your address, so Robin can send you your book.
Thought you might enjoy getting to know Robin Newman and read the interview I had with her. Robin’s debut picture book hit the book shelves on Tuesday. Plus, she is offering anyone who leaves a comment here the chance to win a copy of her book. You get extra chances if you also tweet or share on Facebook and let us know.
Here’s the interview:
How long did it take you to write The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake?
The book took about seven years of writing, and more important, rewriting. A good gauge is my son. I started writing after he was born. He’s eight-years old now.
How and when did you team up with Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency?
Tori Corn, author of What Will it Be, Penelope? illustrated by Danielle Ceccolini (Sky Pony Press), and Dixie Wants an Allergy, illustrated by Nancy Cote (Sky Pony Press), introduced me to Liza. I emailed Liza a number of my manuscripts and we had multiple email exchanges, but it wasn’t until the 2012 NJ SCBWI Annual Conference that we finally had a chance to sit down and plow through my manuscripts. At the conference, Liza agreed to represent me.
When did you sign the contract with Creston Books?
I signed a contract for The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, and Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep at the same time in November 2013.
Did you have any say in picking out the illustrators?
Marissa Moss, editor and publisher of Creston Books, selected the illustrators, but she was kind enough to ask me for my thoughts.
I see that you have put together a Teacher’s Guide. Did you have any help with that?
Marcie Colleen prepared the Teacher’s Guide. She did a phenomenal job! Click Here to review Robin’s Teacher’s Guide.
For more information about Marcie, please go to http://www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
What are you doing to help promote your book?
Hmm … I really should get on that! Actually, I have been doing a number of guest blog posts, interviews, as well as school, bookstore, and library visits.
Is Creston Books helping you with the promotion your first book?
Yes! One of the many things that I love about Creston Books is that they promote all of their authors, whether they are the big money makers or not.
I like your book trailer. Did you do it yourself?
Thank you and no. The incredible Cynthia Nugent at Rascal Media created the book trailer. For more information about Cynthia’s work, please go to http://www.rascalmedia.com.
Has anyone reviewed the book, yet?
I am extremely fortunate and grateful that The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake has been very well received.
The book received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, as well as wonderful reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly.
Do you have any other books coming out?
I have two other books coming out. They are: Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep, illustrated by Chris Ewald (Creston Books, Spring 2016), and The Case of the Poached Egg, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books, Fall 2016).
Do you have any advice for other writers?
1. Join the SCBWI.
2. Write, rewrite, and rinse and repeat as necessary.
3. Read.
4. Never give up on your dreams!
About Robin
Raised in New York and Paris, Robin is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She’s been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks.
She is the author of The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books, Spring 2015), about two hardboiled mouse detectives working their beat from a shoebox at the back of Farmer Ed’s barn. They are MFIs, Missing Food Investigators, and on their seminal case, they’re on the hunt for Miss Rabbit’s missing carrot cake. (Note: The names of the animals have been changed to protect the good guys.)
Check back on Wednesday May 20th to see who won Robin’s book. Good Luck!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Reblogged this on Robin Newman Books and commented:
Looking for something fun to do this Thursday morning? Then, hop on over to Kathy Temean’s for the once in a lifetime opportunity to win a FREE (Yup! You read correctly! That’s FREE, GRATIS, NO CASH REQUIRED!!) copy of The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake. May the best blog reader win! Good luck.
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 5:37 am
Hard work really does pay off! Congratulations Robin!
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By: Red said what? on May 14, 2015
at 6:36 am
Thank you! Lots of luck involved as well! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 10:42 am
I remember critiquing this book at SCBWI NJ — so glad all your hard work paid off!! It’s great to see your story all come to life 🙂 Congratulations, Robin!
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By: Lynne Marie on May 14, 2015
at 8:22 am
Thanks, Lynne! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 10:43 am
As you well know, Robin, I am ecstatic to hear that your book is doing so well. As you also know, I really wanna win this. (But even if I do win, I’m buying another copy at the NJSCBWI event — ’cause there is no way I’m gonna rob you of a sale!)
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By: heylookawriterfellow on May 14, 2015
at 9:05 am
Thanks, Mike! May the force of the blog gods be on your side. Good luck! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 10:44 am
Thank you for sharing your publishing story. Congratulations!
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By: katmaz2012 on May 14, 2015
at 10:39 am
Thank you! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 10:44 am
Great advice. Writing is hard work – but look at the great book you created 🙂
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By: writeknit on May 14, 2015
at 10:47 am
Thanks you! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 11:45 am
Hilarious! I can’t wait to get it today! Love the title, the idea, and the cover.
Congratulations Robin for enduring seven years.
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By: tinksiescott10 on May 14, 2015
at 10:58 am
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the book. 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 11:46 am
Carrot cake is my favorite! Congratulations to you!
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By: Natasha Wing on May 14, 2015
at 11:16 am
Thanks, Natasha! Mine too! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 11:47 am
Love this interview and LOVE the Book! As a fellow Creston Author, it is so great to see Creston Books getting good reviews and this book deserves every one! So much fun!
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on May 14, 2015
at 12:04 pm
Thanks, Darlene! xo
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:07 pm
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson.
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on May 14, 2015
at 12:04 pm
Even though I read an ARC, I’d still be thrilled to win a copy! I tweeted, commented, shared on FB and reblogged this post.
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on May 14, 2015
at 12:06 pm
I love your book trailer and can’t wait to read the book!
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By: Monica Hodges on May 14, 2015
at 1:16 pm
Thanks, Monica! Hope you enjoy the book. 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:08 pm
Congratulations, Robin!! – Dow
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By: tphumiruk on May 14, 2015
at 2:09 pm
Thanks, Dow! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:08 pm
Dow, Congratulations you have won Robin’s book! Please email me your address, so Robin can get it in the mail to you.
Kathy
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By: Kathy Temean on May 20, 2015
at 10:33 pm
Congratulations, Robin! I love the cover of your book. I would love to read it.
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By: Monica Holtz on May 14, 2015
at 2:12 pm
Thanks, Monica! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:09 pm
Congratulations, Robin! Thanks for sharing your publishing journey!
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By: Valerie Bodden on May 14, 2015
at 5:25 pm
Thanks for reading, Valerie! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:08 pm
p.s. The designer did a FABULOUS job with the book. 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 14, 2015
at 7:10 pm
I was excited to see Robin interviewed here and I’ve read great reviews. Being in Australia I probably won’t count for the competition, but I’m going to buy a copy that’s for sure.
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By: Kaye Baillie on May 14, 2015
at 8:17 pm
Thanks, Kaye! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 15, 2015
at 2:52 am
This sounds like a cute book! Congratulations on your debut book and for more to come and thank you for the advice. It is nice to hear it is possible to make it in this business!
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By: Heather Pierce Stigall on May 14, 2015
at 8:31 pm
Thanks, Heather! Best of luck with your writing projects. 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 15, 2015
at 2:53 am
Great interview, Robin! It’s so neat to “watch” and learn from you taking this book from birth to sales.
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By: tinamcho on May 14, 2015
at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Tina! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 15, 2015
at 2:54 am
Congrats on this one and all the books coming out! I love reading about your story and enjoyed the book trailer.
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By: Stacy on May 14, 2015
at 11:00 pm
I am so excited for Robin for the way her career has taken off! I love The Case Of The Missing Carrot Cake and can’t wait to read the next book in the series and the picture book, too! 🙂
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By: Teresa Robeson on May 15, 2015
at 12:39 am
Teresa, Thanks so much for the kind words. Hope you enjoy the other books as well. 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 15, 2015
at 2:59 am
I love this idea! From what I can tell just by reading a few reviews, I think I’d love the humor in this book.
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By: Carol Jones on May 15, 2015
at 6:27 pm
Thanks, Carol! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 16, 2015
at 10:02 am
What a fun premise! It sounds cool, and the video and curriculum guide look great as well. Congratulations!
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By: hjtfranz on May 15, 2015
at 9:26 pm
Thank you! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 16, 2015
at 10:02 am
Congrats.!!
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By: Chris Behrens on May 15, 2015
at 10:41 pm
Thanks, Chris! 🙂
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By: rnewman504 on May 16, 2015
at 10:03 am
Congratulations, Robin! Looking forward to finding this on the shelves. 🙂
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By: Wendy Greenley on May 18, 2015
at 12:59 pm
Great interview. I “know” you online Robin and hope to meet you some day. I love hearing more about you and your writing journey!
Thanks for a great interview, Kathy!
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By: Penny Parker Klostermann on June 20, 2015
at 4:41 pm