Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I've posted. A new Freckles book is still in the works but it is slow coming. This is my fault. A lot of my time is being spend on the new business and getting it going. My efforts haven't been in vain though and I am getting it moving forward. I've also begun taking some classes online so I am spending a lot of time learning. I just wanted to let you all know I haven't forgotten about you.
In fact, Freckles and Sherlock have new merchandise out and online through the business website. I also have the books retiring in the systems so that I can put out new editions with better editing. These are slowly coming. Freckles' sixth book is out and on Amazon. Freckles and Stew are doing well as is Sherlock. We are hoping to begin attending events this Spring and by next year, I hope to contact schools for readings once more. I will try to post more regularly and get to updating the websites soon. Thanks for being such loyal fans! Oh!! One last note. Freckles' book # 5 & 6 will be online soon as e-books. You can pre-order until then. Keep an eye out for them on Barnes & Noble, Apple, etc. The price is $2.99 USD. You can pre-order now on Smashwords. These are the new and edited versions. Freckles' book on Amazon Freckles and Sherlock Merchandise Book # 5 - Smashwords Book # 6 - Smashwords There is a lot to tell. Each series now has gift certificates made for us. They are available for sale on each website as well as 4 Paws Games and Publishing's website.
4 Paws Games and Publishing posted a new video introducing Freckles the Bunny Series. This is the best one yet. My other works will be going through this company only. I am currently working on a new children's book about how to care for a bunny. This one will be done with real photographs. The company already has much of my other works up for sale from photographs to books. Please take a look and see. We are pleased to announce that Vickianne and her books are now under a publishing company. The company still leaves full rights and ownership to the authors while publishing them through the company name and website. Nothing much has changed about the books but there will be some new creations added to the books thanks to this company, which Vickianne owns. The company is currently working on a visual novel game app/program for children to learn about animals and the books while playing for free. If things go well with this release, we will be looking at some paid apps in the future. We look forward to working through the company!
Should a different publishing company come along down the road and shows interest in our books, we will happily see what they have to offer. In the meantime, be sure to check out the company's website (click the image) and like their Facebook fan page! Lastly, please make sure you are not a contest winner. If you are then please contact us about your book/e-book. We usually do not wait over a month for winners to contact us about their books. We still have one e-book and 2 books waiting to be claimed. We have contacted the winners by mentioning them on the site as well as by Facebook (though it may enter the "other" area of your messages). We would like to hold another e-book contest soon so please check and see if you have won. Those e-book winners will now have to receive a new coupon code as the previous one has expired. Simply contact us for a new one. Thank you! Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/4.Paws.Games.and.Publishing 3.
Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series News Post: 1. Fundraising Forms I have two fundraising options online for organizations. Both equal the same profit but are handled differently. As this is the first time doing this, I always welcome input so feel free to share if these need changes, etc. These fundraising forms are for all the books I have written and not Freckles the Bunny Series only. You can find them here on the website: http://www.sherlock-the-remarkable-cat-series.ca/story-readings-and-fundraising.html 2. Facebook Likes Contest Winners The winner for the 100 Likes contest was Jennifer Sunshine. She won a free copy of the book. The winner for the 125 Likes contest was Tim Smith. He won a free e-book copy. 3. Let's Get Another Facebook Likes Contest Going If we can get 15 more likes on our Facebook fan page, we will have 150 likes. If we can make it there we will have a contest for a free copy of the book and a signed photo of Sherlock (signed by Sherlock's paw print). Visit the page here: https://www.facebook.com/Sherlock.The.Remarkable.Cat.Series Freckles the Bunny Series News Post: 1. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 6: The Freckle Monster Illustrations are done and we are getting closer to completing it. We still need some bullying information and editing yet before it is complete. Don't forget that you can still pre-order. 2. Facebook Likes Contest We still need 9 more likes on Freckles' fan page to do another contest. This time we will do 2 free books to one lucky person. The one book will be book 3 (as a small bit of editing was missed) and a book of your choice. Visit the fan page here: https://www.facebook.com/Freckles.The.Bunny.Series 3. Fundraising Forms I have two fundraising options online for organizations. Both equal the same profit but are handled differently. As this is the first time doing this, I always welcome input so feel free to share if these need changes, etc. These fundraising forms are for all the books I have written and not Freckles the Bunny Series only. You can find them here on the website: http://www.freckles-the-bunny-series.ca/story-readings-and-fundraising.html Explaining Options: I am planning to work on a 3rd option for fundraising forms. All options are basically the same in the sense that you make so much profit and sell books. The difference is more of how you do it. 1. Option A This option is for an organization that doesn't want to spend a lot of printing but wants to send stuff to numerous people. A school would be a good example. They want to send home to each student but keep down the costs. This form lacks pictures. 2. Option B This option might be ideal for a person who plans to go door to door, bring the order form along or who plans to leave the form at their work location. An example would be the SPCA. The organization would have a printed copy of all the books (book cover photos included) and would use this to show what is for sale. They would also have a separate order form to fill out who bought what and another sheet to send in. 3. Option C I am going to be working on another option either this weekend or early next week. It will look a lot like a fundraising flyer that has the items (pictures included) as well as the order form as part of the papers. This would be for those who aren't concerned with printing and want to try to get a lot of sales by displaying what is offered while leaving it with the possible buyers. Each website has more details, the fundraising forms, etc. etc. Hi! I know I was supposed to post pictures of the two foster cats that we took in for the holiday. Between last minute Christmas shopping and a death in the family, I just never got around to it. Here are the pictures of the two cuties available for adoption at the Humboldt & District SPCA. One Freckles website update: We have also removed Erika-Elizabeth's Blog page. She is getting older and would prefer to not have it on any longer to keep some of her privacy. You can still follow "Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth." Author Update: I am in the works of writing a new children's book entitled, "Through the Eyes of a Bunny." It will be less cartoon like then the other stories as it is meant to be seen with understanding and reality. The book will follow a rabbit's life through being bought at a pet shop to ending up in a shelter, to it's final home. I am hoping to not only teach children and parents about rabbits so that they think before buying but also teach them about the right way to care for them. Sadly, rabbits are often a discarded pet. I hope the book will be out for the New Year however I will be working out some of the details once the book is complete. I hope to have some news to share with you before the year is out. Freckles Update: Freckles' book should be coming out within a month or two. We've had to span them out due to Anastasia's schedule and my family moving back into our home. We plan to try and keep the books roughly 4 months apart as before. It will all depend on how long some of these are. Sherlock Update: I am still planning on having a second book out early this year (at least I plan to try). It will definitely be out before the end of this year. Please keep checking his blog or Facebook page for updates. A late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all those who celebrate! Update! Both cats found great furrever homes.
School and Library Visits School and library visits are free as long as we are currently visiting in your area. Other locations will be required to pay for transportation expenses (pricing will depend upon location). Other options include a Skype reading which is also free. Locations Currently Visiting Free: Annaheim, Saskatchewan Bruno, Saskatchewan Cudworth, Saskatchewan Humboldt, Saskatchewan Lanigan, Saskatchewan LeRoy, Saskatchewan Muenster, Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Viscount, Saskatchewan Wakaw, Saskatchewan Watson, Saskatchewan Freckles and Sherlock's New Pages There are 2 new pages that go into the school visits in detail. Find these on either website. Here are the links:
Freckles the Bunny Series - http://www.freckles-the-bunny-series.ca/story-readings-and-fundraising.html Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series - http://www.sherlock-the-remarkable-cat-series.ca/story-readings-and-fundraising.html WEBSITE ADDITIONS - FRECKLES
We've added the following new things to the website: * Shown the pages that you once had to find the buttons to get to (we are doing a poll to see if this is easier for our viewers to navigate around). * There is a character page where children can read and learn more about their favorite characters and where they live. This can also be found on Sherlock's website as well but with his characters. * A new form can be found on the Newsletter page. I have not had time to create newsletters lately but I know many want to be kept up to date on the latest books. This new form will keep you from missing book release dates, book sales locations (online and offline), previews, book signings and more! You can even sign up for both series' there! WEBSITE ADDITIONS - SHERLOCK Many people like to be kept up to date with latest events and books. Sherlock's Book Updates Form will keep you from missing book release dates, book sales locations (online and offline), previews, book signings and more! You can even sign up for both series' there! http://www.sherlock-the-remarkable-cat-series.ca/sherlock-book-updates-sign-up-form.html SMASHWORDS SALE E-book prices are down for the weekend on Smashwords. Buy them for $2.99 USD. The Freckles Christmas book is still at $3.50. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/VickianneCaswell Upcoming Books Freckles Books #Freckles the #Bunny #Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Cost of Popularity should be out by month's end. #Book # 6: The Freckle Monster will be out this #Summer. I am already beginning something totally new for book # 7. Freckles and her friends will be dressed as princes and princesses for a#manners book which will come out this fall. Are there any manners that you would like to see?? Comment below. Sherlock's Books I am currently working on book # 2 though I don't know the title yet. It is a little more slow going as I am trying to work on two series' at once plus finish off Freckles book # 5. UpdatesNew Video Stay tuned for an updated version of the video, "Real Animals Intro." The first one done didn't include Stew I or II and Freckles III. Once it is updated, you will be able to find it on the website and Youtube. More Surprises I have a few other surprises and updates in store for this month and the next so be sure to read the updates on the website or the fan pages so you don't miss out!! Need Votes! We are still in need of votes for the book cover contest. You can vote on both Freckles books and the one Sherlock book. 1 star is poor and 5 stars is awesome. Simply click on the stars to vote. Voting times vary between 1 - 2 days, so please keep voting for us! A special thank you to all that have been voting! This is the 2014 contest so voting will be available for some time. http://authorsdb.com/books/2014-book-cover-contest/children-s-books-2014 Supporting Rescues Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary
As you know, we have been trying to help rescues like Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, in hopes of helping them find loving homes for the animals they care for. One of the new things we will now be doing is to help share some of their events. Below is their post: "Duck-Duck-Goose" Blue Ribbon Photo Contest! Our 6th annual Blue Ribbon Photo Fundraiser Contest is currently underway! Enter a photo of your duck or goose today for a chance to win one of our GIANT & GORGEOUS prize ribbons! http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/photocontestrules.htm We are very excited this year! New and exciting things have been happening here! Why?
1. We are constantly improving the books, new topics and learning so much along the way!
2. This year, we will be helping some rescue groups by placing their adoptable pets in our stories as background characters. - Freckles books. 3. We have a new series out which is getting a lot of attention. Be sure to check out Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series' website and Facebook fan page. 4. We are on a roll for winning awards for reviews (every book has earned a 5 star!) and now we have the opportunity to win "2014 Best Book Cover Contest." This is just a small portion of what is going on! In the meantime, we need you to vote! You can vote daily or every 2 days (the system is a bit picky). The link is below and we have the following books entered: 1. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas 2. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Cost of Popularity 3. Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series, Book # 1: Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow You can vote for all 3 books and here is how: 1. Follow the link and find the books. 2. It is the star rating system, 1 star being poor and 5 stars being awesome! 3. Click on the star to rate it and you can vote for other books too, not just one. http://authorsdb.com/books/2014-book-cover-contest/children-s-books-2014 Be sure to visit Freckles' website or our Youtube channel for the latest video preview for book # 5! I spent the last two months sick with a respiratory infection. I was unable to work on the computer or do much of anything which has resulted in a late release of the next Freckles book. We're nearly done though and it will be out this month. I've spent the last week catching up on series work. I am still behind on much of it but it is slowly getting there. I am hoping to get the reviews going again soon too but I need to get this work finished and after being sick for so long, the list is very long. There are plenty of updates added and being added daily to the fan pages and websites. If you are interested in learning more about them, please visit the news blogs of each series, found on their websites. I've updated the reviews pages on the website so be sure to take a look. A review or two were added as well. A special thanks to Sandra Bennett for reviewing all these books for me! Sherlock's book got a 5 star review also. It can be found on the reviews page on this website. Find his reviews here: http://vickianne-caswell.weebly.com/sherlock-the-cat-who-couldnt-meow-reviews.htm Sherlock Book Updates
Did You Know? Did you know that before I even thought of creating a series for Sherlock, I'd already begun creating other things for him? The Facebook fan page called, "Stuff the Cat Doesn't Want You to Know" has many photos of him and his friends. It was made in fun but also so that Vickianne could practice tubing photos and practice using Photoshop. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/StuffTheCatDoesntWantYouToKnow To Have a Contest or Not? I am currently debating about having a contest to win a free copy of Sherlock's first book. If you think we should, then click like on the website's post (either on the website or Facebook). If we can get about 20 likes on the posting between the two locations, I will hold a contest for a free copy of the first book. Meet the Real Animals of Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series Have you seen the video? If not then please take a look! It is just a few of the great reasons to adopt instead of buying a new pet!
It has been a very busy time for us here between Christmas and a new book series. I'm afraid that it's been too busy to post. I am late in saying this but to all those that celebrate, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Christmas went well for us though we are still not back in our home. We were with family though and together so one could not ask for more. Now for some updates on what I have been busy with: Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series
This Website
Book Reviews It seems that I have little to no time to do reviews for other authors anymore. At least not for chapter books. My daughter has offered to take on this role and has been doing a great job of it. While some of it is slow, she is far faster at this then I am with lack of time. She has already done two reviews on her own (videos still need to be done) and has had compliments on them. Great job! Freckles the Bunny Series Freckles is now on her 5th book this year! This book should be out near the end of February. The book is entitled, "Freckles and the Cost of Popularity." Learn more about it by visiting her website. A video preview should be out sometime later this month. All Websites
E-BookI have not yet added anymore books on Smashwords (nor updated) as I am currently waiting for my husband to read the contracts for putting them on Kindle. I will bring you news at a later date to let you know if the e-books go on Amazon or if I add more onto Smashwords, or both. Well that is all of the news here. We hope all of our readers and fans are well!
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year (if you celebrate)! New things in the works for this year! Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series, Book # 1: Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow Sherlock's book is complete and just waiting for editing and a cover. It should be out by the end of the month. Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series , #chapter #Book # 1: #Sherlock, the #Cat Who Couldn't #Meow. A New Domain He is far more popular then expected and seems to be drawing quite a bit of interest for himself. Due to this, we've made a website for him and bought a domain. You can find it below. http://Sherlock-the-Remarkable-Cat-Series.ca Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Cost of Popularity We've already begun putting together Freckles The Bunny Series , Book #5: #Freckles and the Cost of #Popularity. It should be out around the end of February. A preview will be out for this at a later time. Humboldt and District SPCA We've added Petfinder #Pet of the Month for the Humboldt SPCA onto our sites. As many know, $1/book from all Createspace (an Amazon company, therefore Amazon checkouts) sales from Freckles books goes to them. This will be the same for Sherlock's. Sherlock's Facebook Fan Page If you haven't already, be sure to check out Sherlock's facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/Sherlock.The.Remarkable.Cat.Series Sherlock Signs Books Lastly, Sherlock's books will now be signed as well just as Freckles' are. You can expect to see his paw on any books purchased through me, just as Freckles' are. The paw prints you see were made from their real paws. We will be sure to post a sample on his fan page once it is done!
Wow! Things have been so busy! I've almost fully recuperated (as fully as one can ever be after such a loss) from the fire and so much has happened since then and since my last blog post! Most of it is Freckles the Bunny Series news of course, but there is some other news, so I hope you will continue to read. Here we go: Other Authors Reviews Things have taken an unexpected turn this year, starting with the fire. Book sales have doubled in a small amount of time (though they are still small) and I am finding less and less time to get things done while juggling marketing, family, etc. I am finding it hard to make time to write at times. Unfortunately, this means that I need to cut down on the reviews. While I still intend to get those done as promised, I can no longer do any long books. This means chapter books. I simply don't have the time to read them. I hope you will understand. At the moment, I am not taking in anything new. I am still trying to catch up on the books I am behind on. Thank you for your understanding! Youtube Channel Videos I've added a bunch of new stuff to the Youtube Channel. I can't remember them all but of course there are more animal videos and some new things. I will just mention some of what I think is new. Some of them are playlists. Playlists: 1. Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series playlist 2. Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth playlist There may be some other playlists that were not mentioned earlier on there as well. Videos: 1. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas Preview (read by the author) http://youtu.be/X3jgTHKGi5g 2, Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series Pre-Intro http://youtu.be/twRtgIWO7eQ 3. Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth videos. - An intro to the shows. http://youtu.be/KF2cwS2EPf0 4. Pine Cone Feeder Craft - A how to video that your child can do along with Erika-Elizabeth. Stay tuned for more! http://youtu.be/lF87wCcHcCU 5. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas Trailer http://youtu.be/X3jgTHKGi5g 6. Many more videos on our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/FrecklesBunnySeries ContestsWe had two contests this month. One was for reaching 100 likes to our fan page. We gave away a free copy of Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 3: Freckles Lends a Paw. The second one was for our upcoming book, Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas. Unfortunately, we just don't seem to be getting enough participants at this time so we have decided that this will be the last contest for awhile. At least until things pick up again. Thank you to all of those that have been! I plan for it to be as humorous and possibly as educational as the Freckles series is now. A New Chapter Book Series I have decided to start writing a chapter book series. The character is a popular one and since the older children love the series (but some don't want to be seen reading them at their age), I thought they might enjoy a series of their own. The series is about my unique cat Sherlock. You can learn more on the page I have set up for him on the Freckles website. It will be out sometime next year. Expect to see humor, a lot of Boots' family, cross-overs and more! Freckles the Bunny Series Book #'s 5 & 6 Planned I am afraid that with lack of time, I sometimes forget what I've written on previous posts (especially after two other blogs). I have two new books coming out next year. I am not officially set on the titles or the order yet, though I do know book 5 will be book 5. They are as follows: Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Popular Persuasion - Popularity and peer pressure are discussed. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 6: The Freckle Monster - Emotional and verbal bullying are discussed. My daughter will be helping write the 6th book as she has previously experienced this at her last school. School Visits I have had the pleasure of visiting St. Augustine School here in Saskatoon and I will be visiting St. Phillip School very soon! Freckles III, Stew II and I had a wonderful visit and hope that we are invited back again. Book Edits My husband and I spent many nights fixing up the third book as we found many things that needed fixing. We are happy to report that they are looking great and online! I also spent many hours fixing the quality of the books appearance for books one and two. They are also online now. All three books will be listed as second editions as I also edited some text and added a craft to every book that did not have one. This will be a continued feature for every book. We've extended the deadline for pre-ordering book # 4, to October 20, 2013. If you haven't ordered one and want to, please contact me right away. This is by far, the best book, more writing, more pictures, 2 crafts and an 8 x 10 size instead of our usual 8.5 x 8.5. You don't want to miss it! Newsletters, Secret Page for Children and New Products I have added a monthly newsletter for the Freckles site. I will also include a monthly sign in so that children can access a secret page with some downloads and online games that are only accessible this way. There are also some new products for sale. Book Purchasing Options We realize that purchasing through Paypal on our website can be a pain. We are now taking orders through the contact link as well and we will figure out the shipping for you, then send an invoice. In this way, we will be able to charge less while you still use Paypal. Other payment options are as follows:
* Interact E-Transfer (works well if you are with a major bank in Canada). I am also told that this is only possible if you have online banking access. * Send us a Money Order or Certified Check after we let you know the total with shipping. * Personal/business checks will only be accepted through schools and libraries. Sorry for any inconvenience. |
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