Artist Initiative

1) I attended writing workshops to hone my craft, wrote for myself versus for wrote-for-hire, and I finished SASS, the middle-grade novel I'd been working on for three years. I completed 2 other stories to submit to editors because I had the time to write my own stories. 2) After finishing SASS and submitting it, I was offered representation by 2 agents. My agent Sara Crowe (at Harvey Klinger, Inc., New York) has sent SASS out to various editors. While SASS hasn't sold yet, I've received some positive feedback and not enough consistent criticism to edit the draft. Sara Crowe has also sent out an early chapter book and picture book manuscript that I completed this year. Both of these projects have received positive responses from editors--3 of which want to see more of my stories. All 3 stories are currently with editors. 2: 1. I expanded my online presence by creating an author web site, an author page on Facebook, and partaking in a group blog that writes about children's books (Worddisco). I spoke at a Children's Literature Network breakfast where I networked with teachers and librarians. I was a visiting author for twelve elementary schools in Minnesota, which allowed me to improve my presentations. 2. I have 240 fans for my author page on Facebook. Teachers have contacted me through my web site and through Children's Literature Network. Here's a quote from a school I visited: Trisha Speed Shaskan is an author full of fun and enthusiasm. The children feed off of her passion for books and reading. She gears her demonstrations to meet the appropriate age of the audience. Trisha will ask questions of the audience and get them to interact with her as she talks about her various books of both fiction and nonfiction. The students loved her."