Books by Carole Marie

2022 Book of the Decade Semifinalist | Cosmic Chaos | Author Update from Carole Marie

~ Carole Marie ~ 2 Comments

I’m excited to announce that my middle-grade novel, Cosmic Chaos, is a ‘Book of the Decade’ semifinalist!
The semifinalists are moving into the next round of judging, and the finalists will be announced by Serious Writers in August. Congratulations to all the semifinalists!

Finalists will be announced on August 5, 2022, and winners will be announced in early September. Grand prize winners receive an incredible awards dinner, a beautiful statue, and an Orlando experience.

Are you looking for a space adventure for your kid’s summer vacation? Cosmic Chaos is excellent for older elementary and middle school readers!

Twelve-year-old Logan lives inside the Luna Biodome on the moon. Not only is the moon dust making him sick, but it also sets him apart from the other kids. While Logan is inside his new robot’s interactive program, his illness disappears, and mysteries occur that he can’t explain.
Logan meets an annoying yet undeletable program character named Amy. Their misadventures awaken him to a glitch—a secret that could return him to Earth to track down his missing mother. But only if Amy will cooperate before the moon’s lockdown and before the robot destroys him.

To learn more about Cosmic Chaos, click here.

Contract Signed for Debut Picture Book | Sasquatch Loves Bacon Day | Writing Update from Carole Marie

~ Carole Marie ~ 8 Comments

On August 3rd, 2020, I joyfully signed a publishing contract with Clear Fork Publishing for my picture book manuscript, “Sasquatch Loves Bacon Day!”.

‘Sasquatch cooks up tasty dishes on National Bacon Day at his little friend’s cabin. The frying pan gets HOT while the bacon snaps and sizzles. But when the bacon burns, causing Sasquatch to panic, will it ruin their special day or will they still find a way to make the flavors sing? ‘

Sasquatch leaves the safety of his mountain cave to teach his little friend how acts of service can be expressions of love. And of course, it encourages the celebration of National Bacon Day on December 30th. (Bring on the tasty bacon recipes!)

My four children and I are bacon lovers living in the Pacific Northwest where we’re always on the lookout for Sasquatch on our hiking adventures. So why not combine bacon and Sasquatch into a sweet story about friendship?

Last spring I took a five-week picture book course through Children’s Book Academy. Wow, what a jam-packed course of valuable information about the children’s book industry! At the end of the course, each student had the exciting opportunity to pitch their picture book to twelve agents and publishing house editors. If chosen, a ‘Golden Ticket’ would be given to bypass the slush pile and submit directly to the agent or editor.

I was one of the fortunate ones to receive a Golden Ticket! I nervously sent in my manuscript and expected to wait four to six months before receiving a response, as that’s the usual waiting time, sometimes longer.

I was surprised, delighted and JOY-FILLED when in just a few days I received an email from the editor at Clear Fork Publishing offering me a contract. Thank you Callie Metler-Smith and Mira Reisberg for this beautiful opportunity. My heart is bursting with gratitude.

Sasquatch Loves Bacon Day is scheduled to hit shelves in 2023. I’ll keep you posted – I’m excited to share the bacon-love with you all!

The Story Behind the Story of Cosmic Chaos

~ Carole Marie ~ 2 Comments

In 2009 I was working steadily on two middle grade novels, all the while mulling over a science fiction story idea.  I had already done quite a bit of research, staying up late at night reading books on dinosaurs, Creation, Genesis, and space travel. But I was hesitant to begin the story as my plot wasn’t fully developed and honestly, science fiction isn’t really my thing.   Besides, I was determined to get my two other middle grade novels completed first.

Then our world was turned upside down.  My extended family had an emergency, which resulted in my young cousin coming to live with us.  We knew it would be temporary, we just didn’t know how long. We welcomed him with open arms and enjoyed having him in our home.  And through each day, every moment of his time with us, there was this quiet fierceness emanating from him with determination to get back to his mom, no matter what.

It occurred to me that this is the same goal of the main character, Logan, in my science fiction story, to get back to his mom.  And Logan is close to the same age as my cousin.  I decided this was the time to write Cosmic Chaos, not later.  I needed to write while I could see and experience the intensity and longing coming from this young man so I could accurately apply it to my story.

My cousin ended up staying with us for a year and we were very sad when it was time for him to go, but also rejoicing with him that his greatest heart’s desire was being fulfilled.  I continued to write Cosmic Chaos and each time I would see my cousin during holidays and family gatherings, he would ask me with a smile, “Have you finished that book yet?”  I would return the smile and say, “No, not yet.”

I finally completed the first draft about two years after he returned to his mom and the book was published just a few years later in 2015. I’m so thankful for my cousin – that science fiction story idea may have never been written without his inspiration.

Fabulous BLP!

~ Carole Marie ~ Leave a comment

The Book Launch Party for Cosmic Chaos was fabulous!  So many wonderful people came to celebrate with me. We enjoyed fine chocolates from The Chocolate Box, listened to a book excerpt reading by one of my critique group members, colored dinosaurs, took photos, and my daughter and I signed lots of books.  It was a great night.  Special thanks to every person who helped to make it special and memorable!

 

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