The reason why being an author is awesome

I haven't talked about Dogsled Dreams for a while, but felt the need to mention I found this little gem thanks to Google Alerts.

Imagining my book being read out loud in a classroom,
and those kids actually liking it so much, they don't want the teacher to stop,
and then those kids reading it again ON THEIR OWN

and then having the totally awesome teacher,
who not only reads to her class, but also blogs about books,
take the time to post this about my little book ...

well, there are no words.

photo credit





just smiles.

Why Do They Run?

It's eighteen days away.

Every year, I sign up for the Iditarod Insider to get the latest news and videos. I pick the free option, but if you are a teacher, or huge fan, you can choose to subscribe to the whole package. It's a fun way to be part of the race, without the travel.

Check out my favourite video so far this year here and click on THE DOGS OF THE IDITAROD for a one-minute clip that will make you smile.

Or, if you just want to know WHY THEY RUN, check out my book, DOGSLED DREAMS.

It's all about love.

Six sentence Sunday

I'm jumping in to the six sentence meme.

Here's six from my own novel DOGSLED DREAMS, published by 4RV December, 2010

Chunks of ice flew off the dogs' feet and bounced on Rebecca's chest. Sometimes, more than just ice flew back.The dogs were trained to poop while they ran, as all racing sled dogs are. Rebecca kept watch for brown missiles flying in her direction. She made sure to keep her mouth closed.



Don't forget to enter my giveaway - two weeks left!

A few of my sled dogs

Today I woke to find Susan Fields had reviewed my book, DOGSLED DREAMS on her blog. WOW! I'm so happy that she enjoyed the book. And so did her kids! Susan mentioned how much she liked it when I posted a picture of one of my real dogs from the book. Here's a few more.

Doppler with some admirerers

Tarzan - unfortunately I don't have any pictures with him smiling

Doppler (bottom), Ulu, (left) and Orbit (smiling) as pups in the dog truck

On the stake out line at camp. Denali is the big white guy carefully not sitting on his straw

giving rides. Apollo and Soho in lead

Fall training. Blaze in lead. Doppler and Tarzan in point. Ulu and Apollo in Swing (or Team position). Orbit and Belle in Team. Elsie and Denali in Wheel

Elsie



dogs howling on the stake out line



SNOW! and other things almost as awesome



We've been hit with snow this week - little late for the two dogsled races that had to be cancelled, but just in time for March Break.

Tanzer on watch





"would you get off the blog and come snowshoeing already!"

about 30 cm more yesterday!

GOOD BOOKS

I haven't been writing as much recently, but I call this time in between "percolating". I'm also doing lots of reading. GREAT books lately. Here's a few paranormal suggestions:

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Haven by Kristi Cook

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Warped by Maurissa Guibord

And a story that I LOVED - one of my absolute favourite reads - I can't even talk about. It's a manuscript by my fabulous critique partner, Paul Greci. 

 Have you ever read a manuscript that you were so excited about you just wanted to tell the world?

BOOK TOUR

Lastly, I will be in CHAPTERS bookstore in Sudbury this Wednesday for a presentation and signing. Please come by and  say hello if you can!

Best part of being an author, and a challenge

First, I have to show you what I watched this morning while having breakfast:

My dog watched for a while, then shrugged her shoulders and went back to her squeaky toy. She's seen this show before.



Now, allow me to share with you what I think is the best part of being an author. Here are a few awesome emails I've been receiving from young readers of DOGSLED DREAMS.
note: some are editted to take out spoilers and I've replaced the name with the first initial


Dear Ms Johnson,

I really liked your book "Dogsled Dreams" and really liked how you described the characters. My favourite dog would be Apollo, because I think Apollo is a good dog.
I thought the book was REALLY FUNNY, interesting, and sometimes surprising. Sincerely J (gr. 5/6)



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book Dogsled Dreams. the dogs love running and stuff like that. I would love to try dogsledding. It sounds fun.
It was funny when the teacher slipped and landed on the pups’ pee. And I’m just like Rebeca I do those things and say those words !
Sincerely,
B


Dear Ms. Johnson,
I love your book "Dogsled Dreams". I thought your characters were fun and adventurous.
My favourite characters in "Dogsled Dreams" are Rebecca, Apollo, Rebecca’s dog team and Rebecca’s dad. But my favourite character would have to be Rebecca. She was exiting!
I probably like her so much because I am a girl too!
I liked it because of the thrill. It made me nervous exited and worried.
From,
K Grade 6



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book Dogsled Dreams sooooo much. I think it is the best book our teacher has read so far. I am going to read all your books.
My favourite dog is Doppler it is also Rebecca’s favourite dog. The book is so funny, I really liked the part when Rebecca and her dad went to the school to show the dogs to little kids and the dogs ran outside the classroom and to the hallway and one of the dog peed in the hallway and made the teacher slip, that was hilarious.
I think you write awesome books and I cant wait to read them all.
Sincerely, Y Grade 5



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book, Dog Sled Dreams. My favourite part was when the teacher slipped on the pile of pee. It was so funny. Your book was so cool. I loved it so much because it also had humor. One thing is that I hate Robin, she is so bad.
Sincerely,
S Grade 5



Dear Ms. Johnson,.
I thought your book was interesting, EXTREMELY funny, and sometimes surprising.
My favourite part is when Rebecca and her dad brought the puppies to school and they went to the bathroom on the floor. Then the teacher slipped and landed in the puddle the puppy made.
My favourite dogs are Tarzan, Doppler, Apollo, and Blaze.
Do you actually have a dog named Apollo? And do you race dogs yourself?
Your #1 fan
E. Grade 5




LOVE ALL OF THESE! And yes, Emma, Apollo was my leader for many years. Here he is:

And finally, I know I've already posted a cell phone pict, but please indulge me again. And to make it worth your while - here's a challenge -

if you find my book in your own bookstore, send me a photo and I'll send you a YA or MG book. Simple as that!


And so -  a few pictures that I can't stop looking at and grinning:

 Cole's bookstore. bottom left - that's me!

Chapters bookstore - holy crap!!!

Don't forget to enter my Insanely Mega giveaway. Nine winners! Nine fabulous books up for grabs.

Giant huskies, flying toilet seats, and a little moment

This weekend I went to the Cannington Sled Dog Races. Sadly, the actual race was cancelled due to lack of snow. But the festival drew huge crowds - about 5,000 hardy souls participating in events like the grapefruit fling, big-foot obstacle course, and the toilet seat toss. (I mean, really, if you can't have fun with a toilet seat, you may as well stay home.)

I managed to find a stray mutt wandering around and lured him over with cookies.



Cannington Sled Dog Races mascot poses with DOGSLED DREAMS

The Brock Library event went well. I brought along a dogsled, harnesses, dog booties, gangline, musher gear, and lots of stories. At the end of the presentation, three little boys approached and asked me to sign their booklets, and one showed off his new knowledge by naming all the dog positions in the team. He was listening! It completely made my day. 

And the weekend just kept getting better. On my way home, I stopped in at Chapter's Bookstore and found my book. Face out. On the shelf. What a moment that was!

cell phone picture. Little fuzzy. But real.

And the placement isn't too shabby either! Look at the little book I'm sharing shelf space with!

Thank you everyone, for all your suggestions for my library reading! Two more stops left.

Northern living

It was Family Day yesterday - a new holiday. And what better way to spend it than going to the city to skate on the lake?

One little detail - it was minus thirty-two with the windchill.


cold noses, warm hearts

 So you would think that we'd be the only crazy family out there - but no. This is northern Ontario! There were many people out - playing hockey or just getting blown around. The skate up the lake was challenging, but the ride coming back down with the wind at your back was FUN!

And more fun: I'll be heading to CANNINGTON, Ontario this weekend for another sled dog race and book signing of DOGSLED DREAMS. I'm also doing a talk/reading at the Brock Library on Friday, Feb. 25.

THIS time, I hope to have photos/video to share when I get back.

Don't forget to enter my Mega Elevensies Book Giveaway in the post below!

book signing update - Dogsled Races

MARMORA SNOFEST 2011

photo by Peter Hellman

The good news:

 I've survived my first book signing on my book tour!

• 30 copies of DOGSLED DREAMS were snatched up!
• I made a pack of new friends. (Waves at 11-year-old Martina the avid reader, eloquent speaker, and sled dog enthusiast.)
• And I learned a ton about how to move your book at an event. Namely - you actually have to talk about yourself. Unabashadly. The natural (Canadian?) tendency toward modesty must be left at the door. How else are people going to know your book was selected as a Recommended Read by the Iditarod Education Department, unless you tell them?

Photo Peter Hellman



Photo Peter Hellman

 I LOVED being around all the amazing mushers and sled dogs! 100 howling dogs outside my motel door each evening and morning. Too beautiful for words. I choke up just remembering what that sounded like.

photo by Glen Milligan

The bad news:

I really really wanted to get videos of the start of the races. I wanted to share the absolute joy of the dogs before they run. I taped amazing shots of crazed dogs running past, full teams screaming and lunging on the ganglines. Mushers slipping and wrestling to the start line. It was all so AWESOME!

Then I came home to watch and edit for you and ... AND ...

photo Glen Milligan

I had the recorder off when I thought it was on and on when I thought it was off.

I've got brilliant shots of my feet running in the slushy snow with insane barking in the background.

I didn't get even one photo! (luckily, some did, thank you Peter and Glen)

I'M SO HEARTBROKEN!!!

Photo Charmaine Collins

But - I'll be doing all this again on my next stop in CANNINGTON, Ontario in a couple of weeks. My man will be coming this time. He has graciously volunteered his skills to do the video taping.

Photos are nice - but to really feel the energy and buzz, there's nothing like actually hearing 200 + dogs screaming to RUN!

Thank you to all who purchased my book!

Swag fun and Junior Musher Video Contest Launch

Next week is my first book signing event. I'll be at the Marmora SnoFest and sled dog races.

I'm sure it will be loads of fun, but I have to admit, I'm nervous. What if no one buys a book? What if I say something brilliantly inappropriate? What if the ink blobs in the pen and messes up someone's copy?

My man surprised me with these little cuties to help out. What could go wrong that a blue-eyed, stuffed husky can't fix?

DOGSLED DREAMS JUNIOR MUSHER VIDEO CONTEST 

I'd also like to announce that the JUNIOR MUSHER VIDEO CONTEST is up and running at the DOGSLED DREAMS website.

Contestants are invited to submit videos of their own 'dogsled dreams'.

I'll be posting the videos here, on the facebook page, and on the website. So exciting! Hope we get to see lots of awesome junior mushers with their gorgeous dogs!

You will get to vote for the winner in April!

Reviews!

Wow! I'm liking google alerts lately! Here's what some people are saying about Dogsled Dreams. It's such a strange feeling to know your book is out in the wild without you. Readers are keeping it alive now - it's out of my hands. I LOVE LOVE LOVE readers!

Just One More Chapter

The Writing Room

Just Jemi

Book Dreaming

Book readings

I have a burning question for you today.

I've been invited to do a reading of my novel, DOGSLED DREAMS, at the Cannington Public Library during their Sled Dog Races. This is something I have never imagined myself doing. Not even when I dreamed about one day having a book published.

Living in a small town, I haven't had too many opportunities to even attend a book reading. I've been to one - a memoir. The author read from a scene in the book, not the beginning. He read for a LONG time, and the only thing I know for my own reading is that I want to be sure to read a very SHORT passage. (especially since it will be a middle grade audience I hope to impress the most)

I've been stressing a little about this, but then I remembered I have a blog and an amazing group of blogging friends who probably have much more experience attending readings than I have.

So, what do you think about what part to read? Do you prefer when the author reads the first chapter, or part of it? Does it interest you more when the author reads part of an action scene from somewhere else in the story?

If anyone has read Dogsled Dreams, please chime in and tell me which parts you would suggest!

note: I also plan to do some dogsledding activities and fun things, so the reading will only be a very small part of the presentation.

Teachers Guide for DOGSLED DREAMS

The fabulous Natalie Lorenzi has completed the Teacher's Guide for my novel, DOGSLED DREAMS.

It is beyond amazing. Some of the creative ideas for activities to do with the class are brilliant and inspired. Really. I can't say enough good things about it.

Please check it out here.

DOGSLED DREAMS released!

My debut novel for middle grade readers is now out in the world! What a strange emotional mix of thrilling and terrifying!You can purchase copies at the links on the sidebar - Amazon or B & N.

You can also visit the Elevensies site today for a chance to win a copy. One day only!

Also, check out Paul Greci, my awesome critique partner's post about the book! I'm very lucky to have found such a great partner. (and I can't wait till the day I announce HIS book)

And Kathy Habel at I'm a Reader Not a Writer, is also giving away a copy!

And one more - OMG, please visit Just Jemi to read her review! I'm completely blown away!

Thank you to everyone who has shared this journey with me!

Winner of DOGSLED DREAMS

Happy New Year! I can't believe 2011 is here!

And for my first post, I'm pleased to announce the winner of my contest for a signed copy of the new release DOGSLED DREAMS



is



Shannon O'Donnell!!  Of Book Dreaming


Yay, Shannon! 


If you entered but didn't win - good news. You still have a few chances to win a copy. Over the next few weeks you can win a copy at

Goodreads
The Elevensies
Dogsled Dreams Facebook Page

and  a few other surprise places that I'll announce shortly.

Thank you all for entering and helping out. I'm so thankful for my followers!

DOGSLED DREAMS book giveaway

It's finally here - the contest you've been waiting for!  I'm giving away a signed copy of DOGSLED DREAMS. Here's the deets:

Fill out the form
Contest ends December 31
Open to everyone
Two random draws

I'm asking for you to do at least ONE of the following to help out with promotion of my debut novel. You are most welcome to do more than one - they are all simple and cost nothing but a tiny bit of time. There are no points involved here, just goodwill between bloggers.

1. Add DOGSLED DREAMS to your Goodreads list

2. Post the cover anywhere on your blog

3. Ask your local library to order a copy of DOGSLED DREAMS,
     ISBN-10: 0982642342 
     ISBN-13: 9780982642344

4. Post a link to the Dogsled Dreams page on Facebook

5. Tweet about this contest

TO ENTER FILL OUT FORM HERE

celebrating snow, reviews, and 200 followers!



our deck - gateway to winter wonderland

We finally got our snow, the lake is making ice as I write this, I've got 200 followers! And Dogsled Dreams continues to get good reviews! So much to celebrate! What should we do?

First, let's make fun of my step-daughter's little Remmington, and his snow ball plight.

little dog likes to tromp through drifts like the big dog but doesn't have the fur for it!

Now, let's announce that NEXT WEEK, author Kate Messner will be stopping by to talk about winter, and her latest book SUGAR AND ICE.

Next, I'd like to share a review Dogsled Dreams received from a famous musher and author.

Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson is a story that demonstrates the bond between mushers and their dogs, the devotion mushers feel for their dogs, and the lengths to which they will go to ensure their dog’s health and well-being.


The most important lesson in this book is that it shows a young person being responsible and treating animals humanely and that this behavior is admired by their peers.
This story also truly shows that mushing is a family sport that enhances family connections and one that bring joy to humans and canines. People of all ages will enjoy reading Dogsled Dreams.
--Pam Flowers, Author of Alone Across the Arctic: One Woman's Epic Journey by Dog Team

All this great news - makes me feel like giving away signed copies of DOGSLED DREAMS! Any cool ideas out there on how to make it fun?

To Gee or to Haw, that is the question

Bark River Racing team photo

Find out how tuned in mushers are with their leaders in the latest FUN FACT #3 on the website HERE.

Dogsled Dreams on Biblio Reads

Biblio Reads gave Dogsled Dreams FOUR stars in their review!!

Check out the review here.

What fun can you have with a bucket of bloody chicken parts?

FUN FACT #2 has been posted to my website. Check it out HERE.

Also, you may notice Chapter One of Dogsled Dreams has been officially posted on the top bar.

I've been busy lately considering a CIRCLE SUPERIOR book tour to Thunder Bay and Duluth. I could take in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and visit my old haunts in Thunder Bay. I've been invited by a Thunder Bay musher friend of Boreal Journeys to join them at the race festivities. Dogsled Dreams is based in the outskirts of the city.

This hasn't been officially decided yet. I have a concern with the road conditions in January. But just in case, are any of my dear readers along this route?