LAUNCH PAD Needs Authors & Illustrators

LAUNCH PAD, a free online magazine for kids 6-12, needs juvenile authors and illustrators. The ezine--a bi-monthly literary and arts publication--includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and artwork from children in the U.S.

Read the request below from editor and publisher, Paul Kelsey.


Dear Launch Pad Readers,


I am pleased to announce that the second online issue (Fairy Tales & Fantasy) of Launch Pad has now been published. The issue is accessible on the magazine web site. In this issue, you will meet a genie who loves to work out at the gym, some uninvited guests, fairies that light up the stars, an evil magician, and two brave fairies on a quest to save their village from the dragon. The stories and artwork are superb, and I know you will enjoy reading these outstanding creative works.


Launch Pad still needs contributors. We are looking for works for our upcoming issues about the Ocean, Summer Fun (hiking, camping, summer sports, vacations, etc.) and Mysteries. If you are a teacher, librarian, or parent, please encourage young people to submit their work! We still have space in all of our upcoming 2008 issues, and Launch Pad especially needs young artists. I would welcome any comments that you might like to share about the second issue. Please feel free to forward or post this announcement on listservs, blogs, Facebook, or other resources.



Enjoy the magazine!


All the Best,
Paul Kelsey
Editor and Publisher
Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off!
http://us.f806.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=editor@launchpadmag.com
http://www.launchpadmag.com/



Consider this an immediate bulletin for all librarians, teachers, parents--especially those who homeschool their children. What a great way for a child to have his story or her illustration published!

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK April 13-19

Nancy Pearl, world renown librarian immortalized with her very own action-figure, is pictured to the left to announce that today, April 13, is the start of NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

The American Library Association's website provides a brief history and explanation of this special week promoting libraries:

What is National Library Week?
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.

The entire month of April is School Library Media Month. I know I'll be celebrating with school students in the St. Alban's School Library on Wednesday when I spend time with two first grade classes and their extremely well-organized and energetic librarian, Christy Bobbit.

How do you plan to celebrate libraries this week? Here are some suggestions:

• Check out a library book--or two or three or more


• Say an enthusiastic "THANK YOU!" to your librarian


• Send your favorite library (librarians) a "Just Because You're Special Card"


• Donate time or money to your favorite library


• Attend a library story time with your children


• Soak up the zen when you stop by your favorite library for some quiet reading time

Writing for the Children's Educational Market

Today's entry is especially for children's authors. Here is information from Margot Finke (http://www.margotfinke.com/ and http://margotfinke.blogspot.com/), children's author and one of the CHILDREN'S WRITERS' COACHING CLUB.

The National Writing for Children's Center ( http://writingforchildrencenter.com/cwcc/)is the home of the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC) --a growing resource for children's writers, aspiring children's writers, and elementary school teachers and/or librarians.
This Thursday, February 28 , 2008, at 2:00 p.m. eastern time,the Children's Writers' Coaching Club will offer another excitingand informative teleclass for children's writers. Rita Milios will present session #1 in her:Writing for Children's Educational Markets Series - The Lucrative Educational Market: Where Do YOU Fit In?
Find out on Thursday if writing for the educational markets is right for you. When you join, you will receive links to the other three teleclasses that were presented earlier this month.