For those who are interested--I've started a new blog on www.melanieschulz.com where I will be posting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That blog will go beyond just my life as an author. Hope to see all of you there!

Let's Talk: School Shootings.

IWSG: April 2018

Welcome. It’s the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. A special thanks goes out to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on, I know it can’t be easy. If you’re new here, or don’t know what it’s about, this is a blogging world version of a writer’s group, where we talk about (vent over) all the insecurities this whole writing thing brings out. And it does, in each of us. Where else do you lay yourself out there so vulnerably? I can’t think of anything. Most people who read my work are surprised I wrote it. People who know me best would assume I’d write sappy historical romances, or middle-grade pioneer sagas. Nope. I write dark young adult. And I couldn’t imagine writing anything different. What I cant get is that they can’t see me in my writing; because I’m there, in every line. Maybe they don’t know me as well as I thought, or maybe I don’t present myself the way I think I do. I don’t know which is more frightening. So I guess that’s my insecurity for today—have I been true to myself, not only in the written word, but in my life? Something to think about.

Okay, I promised a big announcement, and here it is. I’ve been talking about Ubooks for a while (You, know, that new book format I invented?) Well, now I’ve developed a reading program using that format to teach kiddos how to read in a whole new, fun way. I’ve set it up so it will be free—commercial only—and so far it’s gotten some really positive feedback. Check it out for yourselves at www.setbooksfree.org Please share this with anyone you know who has kids in the 3-8 year age range, or those wanting to teach their kids to read. As far as publication goes, we’re looking for picture books to publish into the fall. They have to be really, really good. If you have one, feel free to submit to: submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com. Also, we’re planning on having a second site for young adults who are learning to read/struggling with reading, which will go live in September. We’re looking for short stories, flash fiction for that. Again, it has to be really, really good. I don’t care what genre, just good writing.  Send it to the same email. That’s enough for me for now. Have a great week everyone.

Grouchy Little House Release

Black and White has just released a new story: Grouchy Little House, by Marcella Kearns, artwork by Jessica Gadra, and original musical score by Nathan Moran. Here are the links: Enjoy. 

And the Narrated version: 

Look for a really big announcement the beginning of April (I'm so excited about this one!!)

IWSG: March 2018

It’s IWSG time again. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on. When it comes to insecurity, I have a big one: Marketing.

There’s not much more in the world that makes my stomach churn than marketing. I hate it. I know hate’s a strong word, but it’s true. I HATE marketing. I long for the days when writers lived in shacks and slipped their manuscripts into random mailboxes. It’s not that I’m shy. I’m not. I’m actually very social. It’s that I hate talking up my work. I think it should speak for itself. I know I’m a good writer—but that doesn’t mean I need to or should have to tell people that. It wasn’t until recently that I attempted to market at all. Those of you who follow this blog can attest to that—my posts are random at best. But I’ve finally decided I have to, no matter how much I hate it. Decided isn’t actually the right word. I’m being pushed into it. God has had just about enough of my waffling and has drawn a line in the sand. I am to obey or else (I really don’t want to know what the or else is). He’s led me this far, I guess it’s time to dive in. Pray for me.

IWSG: February 2018

Welcome. It's the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this thing on. When I was thinking about what to post, a conversation came to mind that I had with one of my illustrators. I asked the question. THE QUESTION. Are you willing to speak before a group? She very nicely, but firmly said, "No". I thought I understood. Who likes to speak in front of other people? But it turns out I was wrong, she didn't mean that, at least not ONLY that. She followed her no with a very insightful thought--isn't it better this way? I considered it, and I must say, I have to agree. Isn't it better that we as artists maintain some sense of mystery? Would we be so looked-up-to if the general public knew that we're not only like everyone else, in some ways we're a little worse? Not worst in a bad way, but in a socially-awkward kind of way. Would that young eight-year-old look bright-eyed up at you when your skirt was tucked in your underpants? Probably not. Would that teenager care about a word you wrote if they knew exactly how much of a dork you were? Again, no. Today I'm going to do a reading in my son's classroom. And he's howling the whole way to school. He knows how much of a dork I am. He knows I'll (probably) embarrass him. I told him not to worry. I've checked my skirt. It's officially panty-free. 

1/17/18

1/10/18

Feel free to share.
-Mel

*Photo is used with permission by Canva.