Hi Family, Friends, and Everyone else who has wandered into my blog,

You have to forgive me, but I have no idea what I am supposed to say, though I do have some exciting news to tell everyone.   My story, Savannah's Castle, will be published this fall by PM Moon Publishing.  I wrote the story about 3 years ago on my niece Savannah's fifth birthday.  I wanted her to have something special, besides a bunch of toys, to remember her birthday.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't remember my fifth birthday, not even a special toy.  Do you? 

I sat staring at the blank screen of my computer trying to figure out what to write.  Savannah is a darling little girl, but I don't really know her well.  She lives in Florida and I'm in Maryland.  We average meeting about twice a year.  I noticed this tiny crystal castle my husband had gotten me for Christmas sitting on the coffee table.  I spotted the castle about 2 years ago in the glass case at the jewerly store.  For those of you who don't know me, I'm not somebody who would spend over a hundred dollars on a piece of glass no matter how pretty it was.  But when the price dropped to 80 dollars, it was mine!

I thought about seeing the castle for the first time and how I felt.  It became the first two sentences of my book.  The rest of the story just wrote itself. 

Savannah liked the story at the time, but wasn't really impressed that I wrote it for her.  Now she's 3 years older and likes the idea she's the star of a book.  She's a bit of a ham.

That's the story of how I wrote Savannah's Castle.   

   

Congratulations on your first book!
Savannah's Castle is a delightful story.
The child has such strength of character.
When the book is released, you and the story will have such a fan club.:)

Way to go, Martha. We are now both published authors. I still have an early draft in my computer when we are bouncing ideas off each others head bone. I'm happy for you. Tom Hannon

Best wishes on your book! I'm so happy for you!:)

This is such awesome news. Your blog will be a great way to promote the book, too! Congrats bigtime! Loiso:)

Martha, I am extremely happy for you! You're very talented and I hope this is just the beginning for you. Savannah absolutely loves the story and I can't wait to get an autographed copy. Love to you, Walter & Sean.

Congratulations on your book, what a wonderful gift for Savannah, it may take her a while to appreciate what you have done, but I bet she will cherish this book and save it for her children. I know I will buy it for my children and they will be so excited to read a story about one of their friends. Good Luck!!

Lisa Katz

Way to go, Martha! Your'e on your way! What's next for Savannah--the book one? Karel

Can't wait to but the book for Amber's classroom library. wishing you much success! Debbie

You are so talented with your writing and after all these years of talking about doing it, then actually doing it, it's absolutely fasinating and fantastic that your work is being published!! I can't wait to see them all in print...especially your first and my favorite, Oscar. I believe you will fill alot of young minds (old ones too!) with great stories that will last a lifetime and more. I hope see Savannah's castle as the first in a series of an ongoing story of Savannah and the new and magical world she has entered into with the Crystal Castle. I already can't wait to read the next one!! I'd also love to see them on film...maybe disney?

Congrats on your book being published, that's an awesome accomplishment! If I were your niece, I sure would feel special! Don't forget me when your rich and famous!!

Congratulations, Martha! I can't wait to see it on the bookstore shelves. You are such a talented story teller. I've always had faith that you would become a published author. Noah wants to know when they will publish your book with him in it.

Martha, can't wait to read Savannah's Castle. If it's anything like the manuscript you let me take a peak at a while back, it will be a winner.Children's Literature was a big part of the Reading Classes that I taught at FSU. You should check out the International Reading Association's website. I was President of that organization 1991-1992. They do a lot with children's literature. Check out their section on Children's Choices.
Good luck-let me know when Savannah's Castle comes out.

I like Savannah. I think she's a very nice girl. I want to read the book.

I can hardly wait to see this book in the stores. This is such a thrill for all of us that know you. You can be proud of yourself, we are, great job !!!!!!!!!