The Perfect Gift
by Elysabeth Eldering
What do you give someone who seems to have everything? Gift cards seem too impersonal; money is good but it seems to say you don't care. Why not give a book. The gift that keeps on giving.
With books, you can go on many adventures. You can leave your life for a few days and get caught up in the characters' lives. You can go to outer space and come back again, only to do it all over it again.
When I was younger, my godmother used to send us "care packages" for no reason and almost every box contained a few books for me to "read" to my brothers. Of course, my parents would have to read the books to me first so I could read them to my brothers, but I always enjoyed getting books. I still enjoy receiving books as a "just because" gift. It doesn't take too much to make me happy. A well written mystery that keeps me turning page after page to get to the whodunit or the reason for the mystery, and I'm a very happy camper.
In this day and age with technology overtaking our lives, it seems that reading has gone by the wayside, but there must be a resurgence of new readers coming about since it seems libraries are staying busy and book sales seem to be coming up some, even if they are for ebooks or ereaders, but folks are reading.
With the VBT Writers on the Move group, we have something for everyone. Children's books, nonfiction, mysteries, cowgirls, thrillers and everything in between.
We have:
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the Frugal writers and other books
Dallas Woodburn, author of short stories and contributor to many magazines and anthologies
Darcia Helle, author of several self-published thrillers
Debra Eckerling, creator of WriteOn!
Diane Sagan, ghostwriter
Donna McDine, author of many articles, and creator of the Write What Inspires You newsletter and website as well as children's books
Elysabeth Eldering, author of the Junior Geography 50-state mystery trivia series and writer of short stories
Heather Paye, young author of a self-published novel as well as illustrator and graphic designer
Heidi Thomas, author of cowgirls' memoirs based on her grandmother's life
Helena Harper, author of humorous writings
Janet Ann Collins, author of middle grade mysteries and children's books
Jennifer Gladen, author of children's books
Karen Cioffi, author of children's books and many health articles
Kathy Stemke, author of children's books
Kevin McNamee, author of children's books
Lea Schizas, author of children's books along with creator of the MuseItOnline free conference
Maggie Ball, poet
Margaret (Peggy) Fieland, poet
Marietta Taylor, author of a non-fiction series dealing with unemployment
Martha Swirzinski, author of children's books
Marvin (The Old Silly) Wilson, author of several novels
Mayra Calvani, author of children's books
Nancy Famolari, author of young adult novels
Robert Medak, freelance writer and editor/reviewer
Shelby Patrick, horror author
Stephen Tremp, author of a thriller trilogy
Virginia Grenier, author of children's stories and creator of the Stories for Children Magazine
Vivian Zabel, author of mysteries, children's stories and publisher
So find a good book and give the gift that keeps on giving. There are many new authors out there with a variety of books.
Elysabeth Eldering is a traveler from birth. She has traveled with her family due to her father being in the military. She has lived in several states and overseas during her childhood. Ms. Eldering calls South Carolina home these days with a mindset of "Southern by choice, not by birth." She entered her first writing contest at the age of 41 and took second place for a children's mystery story, which has inspired her to take that story and write a series for children, the premise being that each state would be the mystery. Her series has a Jeopardy!® like style to it but for guessing the state in the form of a question. Each book concentrates on one state and there are supplemental study guides available, which take the series cross curriculum. For more information on the series, please visit http://jgdsseries.weebly.com/ JGDS website. Elysabeth may be reached at eeldering@gmail.com with any questions or to place an order.
Visit, Martha Swirzinski the next featured author on the VBT Writers on the Move November Virtual Book Tour hostedby Shelby Patrick http://writershideaway.blogspot.com/.
Thank you for your time and interest.
Fantastic post Donna! I love the concept of Elizabeth's series. It would make a great gift for kids this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me on your blog today, Donna.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kathy. I agree; the series would make a wonderful gift for Christmas. Although, any of the listed authors here would definitely work for a gift at any given time. See you all in the postings - E ;)
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
My favorite gift to receive is a book! I also love to give them as gifts for all sorts of occasions. We do have quite a variety of authors and books to choose from here. This post is a perfect reminder that the little things we give are often the best - and it's just in time to give me ideas for my holiday shopping list.
ReplyDeleteI, too, always got a book for Christmas and birthdays when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteElysabeth's book, The Golden Pathway, should make a wonderful gift for kids. And, thanks, Elysabeth, for mentioning me and my books.
Thanks ladies. I felt that we all should be featured in this time of giving. Janet, you have a new one out for the holidays, right? Sounds like a perfect gift to me. (PS - just a note, Donna is the author of the Golden Pathway and I'm the author of the a state series - no biggie, but don't want to take away from Donna's book).
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what books are being given this season - hopefully lots of them from our list - E :)
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
Books n are a gift that is rceived each time it is read. I read my favorites so many times that I wore the binding out.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer & Speaker
Children's Author of Klutzy Kantor & Marta Gargantuan Wings
Elysabeth,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. My children love your books.
Martha
Fascinating post mates. I really enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteBooks for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
What a great one-stop shop! And really, Elysabeth. This post is a gift in itself. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Carolyn
Blogging writers' resources at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Elysabeth, it's been a pleasure hotsting you today.
ReplyDeleteThank you one and all for stopping by and visitng with Elysabeth. Her gift idea and feature of her fellow VBT members is terrific.
Best wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Donna
Thanks everyone. I figured since it is the season, why not give back to everyone on the list and therefore, keep on giving to our readers. Hope you all have a wonderful Turkey day and remember give a gift that never goes out of style - give a book. See you all in the postings - E :)
ReplyDeleteElysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
Books do make wonderful gifts at Christmas time and all through the year. Nice post, Elysabeth.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Elysabeth. The gift of a book is a gift that gives forever.
ReplyDeleteElysabeth,
ReplyDeleteI agree, a book is a gift that keeps giving. And, they're perfect gift for all occasions including the "just because."
Great post. We are giving a lot of books this year as Christmas presents. Books are the gift that keeps on giving.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. I hope that books are given during this season and all during the year. Thanks for stopping by. See you all in the postings - E :)
ReplyDeleteElysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com