Patti Richards

Hello Friends,

I hope the New Year has been kind to you so far and that you’re finding lots of joy in the everyday! It may sound strange, but January is one of my favorite months of the year. Here in the Mitten, January is always filled with snow, and there’s nothing better than sitting by an open fire, watching fluffy snowflakes fill my backyard as I write. I think it’s the peace after two months of holiday celebrations that speaks to my heart the most. It’s as if I’ve finished a long race and am finally able to exhale. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE the holidays! But the stillness and simplicity of January days hold a charm unlike any other month of the year.

Sun on snow is one of my favorite January things:)

And because of all its simplicity, January is often one of my most productive months of the year. Having large chunks of uninterrupted writing time means getting to let my mind wander and my muse have her way. It’s amazing what can happen when we have time to create. I hope you’ve found that kind of time this month.

January is also a great month for looking ahead, and I can’t wait to share my next book with you, O POSSUM’S PREDICAMENT! This book was a joy to write and it’s been an even bigger joy to see it coming to life. I’m hoping to be able to announce the release date very soon.

In the meantime, MRS. NOAH is still sailing strong, and I thank you again for your continued support! I would love to share MRS. NOAH and THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE with your students. So if you’re a teacher looking for virtual presentations for March is Reading Month or April Poetry Month, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Here’s to cozy, creative days and lots of good things to come!

Sensibility- Quiet, uninterrupted time is what we need to feed our creative souls!

Sense- Quiet, uninterrupted writing time doesn’t just happen. Look at your calendar and schedule time to be creative.

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Receive a Signed Book Plate for Your Copy of MRS. NOAH!

January 13, 2022 Patti Richards, Children's Author

Many of you have asked,

“How can I get a signed copy of MRS. NOAH?”

Well, now you can!

I have a limited number of signed bookplates that you can peel and stick into your copy of MRS. NOAH! Here’s how to get yours:

Purchase a copy of MRS. NOAH (if you haven’t already:) from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, or wherever books are sold.
Visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads and leave a review of MRS. NOAH.

When your review goes live, use the form on my contact page and send me the following:

Your name
Your address
The name(s) of the person(s) you’d like your signature made out to
A link (or URL) to your review

And that’s it! As soon as I receive your information, I’ll pop your signed bookplate(s) in the mail! There is no deadline.

Thanks so much for your continued support, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Blessings,

Patti

Sensibility- For book lovers, having a signed copy of the author’s work is a treasure.

Sense- Reviews help books get noticed by search engines, helping them become more visible and accessible to readers!

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Happy Holidays!

December 14, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

It’s been almost two months since MRS. NOAH set sail, and as we turn our hearts and minds towards family time, gift-giving, and saying “Goodbye” to 2021, my thoughts turn again to thankfulness.

Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for this year:

I became a grandmother for the very first time a little over two weeks ago, and he’s just the most precious thing! Baby Benny came quite early, so he’s spent the last two weeks in the NICU sleeping, eating, and growing! I can’t wait to meet him and hold him and tell him just how much Grammar loves him!
My youngest graduated from college back in May, and she’s working at a nonprofit job she loves helping teen moms through support, community, and love. I’m so proud of her!
My older daughter received a full scholarship to Wayne State University Graduate School of musical composition. She’s teaching full time too, and we just couldn’t be prouder.
My son and daughter-in-love are just the most amazing new parents! Their courage and faith as they’ve spent a month in the hospital while waiting for Benny to be born as well as the last 2 weeks with him in the NICU has been such an incredible thing to witness.
My family, in spite of some health challenges over the past few months, are strong and happy!
My first book launch has gone well and I’ve learned so much about marketing…something I was pretty nervous about…and I’m just so grateful!

I encourage each of you to find some quiet moments this holiday season to think about all you have and be grateful. A thankful heart is a happy heart! And in our house, the Joy of the Lord is always our strength.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Blessings,

Patti Richards

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

MRS. NOAH and I say “THANK YOU” and Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

What a month it’s been for our MRS. NOAH! Her story set sail on October 28th, and since then she’s been the #1 new release in children’s Noah’s Ark books on Amazon for nearly the entire month. She’s also been in the top 100 in a couple of other categories on Amazon and is continuing a strong showing in overall book sales on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You have been such a part of her success, and I just wanted to say a heartfelt, “Thank you!”

I know I’ve said it before, but if I could stand in front of you right now, faithful friend, I would give you a big hug and say, “Thank You,” for coming alongside me. Your support and words of encouragement are gifts I will treasure always. If you’ve ordered and received a copy of MRS. NOAH, I am so honored. If you love the book and have a minute over the next few days, stop by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Good Reads and leave a review. Reviews help books show up in search engines, and we want MRS. NOAH to stay strong! And remember, MRS. NOAH is a perfect book for gift-giving this holiday season and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop and wherever books are sold.

As you gather ’round your Thanksgiving tables with family and friends this year, know that this friend is giving thanks for YOU!

Blessings,

Patti Richards

Sensibility- The writer’s journey is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, but as it says in Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Sense- No matter how the writer’s journey looks for you, the point is that you ARE a writer. Be thankful for the gift and use it every day!

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Happy Book Birthday, MRS. NOAH!

October 28, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

It’s finally here! MRS. NOAH releases today, October 27, 2021, and is now available for presale wherever books are sold! The long wait is over, as MRS. NOAH sails into a book retailer near you. Here are a few links where you can order:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Target

Thanks for joining me on this journey! Your encouragement over the past years makes this first fiction picture book release all the sweeter!

Thank you, friends!

Blessings,

Patti Richards

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

MRS. NOAH COVER REVEAL!

September 14, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

I can’t believe it’s almost time for the release of MRS. NOAH (Little Lamb Books)! In just a little over one month, this book that began nine years ago with just a seed of an idea is about to be born! I can’t tell you how fun it’s been to watch it all take shape, and I so appreciate you begin with me on the journey. So, without further fanfare, here’s your first taste of MRS. NOAH:

I’m just in love with this cover created by Alice Pieroni, and I know you’re going to love each page of this beautiful book that is so dear to my heart. MRS. NOAH will be available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Little Lamb Books on October 5 and releases on October 19. So, mark your calendars!

Thanks for being on this journey with me!

Patti Richards

Sensibility- Watching a book come to life is one of the greatest joys of any writer.

Sense- Being present in each part of the book creation process, from idea to drafts to done, is important. Take time, wherever you are on your journey to be still and recognize that this step, right now, is necessary and good.

Uncategorized

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP GIVEAWAY!!!

July 28, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

Hello Friends!

In honor of the coming release of my book, MRS. NOAH, here’s a giveaway you don’t want to miss…

Sign up for my monthly newsletter (must confirm subscription) between now and midnight on August 2, 2021 and be entered to win your choice from these amazing prizes:

1. Michigan Author/Illustrator Picture book bundle #1:

SOMEONE BUILDS THE DREAM, by Lisa Wheeler

THE SINGER AND THE SCIENTIST, by Lisa Rose

THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE, Patti Richards, one of many contributors, edited by Miranda Paul

2. Michigan Author/Illustrator Picture book bundle #2:

THE SUMMER OF THE TREE ARMY, Illustrated by Kirbi Fagan

OONA, by Kelly Dipuccio

THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE, Patti Richards, one of many contributors, edited by Miranda Paul

3. Michigan YA Author Bundle:

WHISPER, by Tracy Bilen

THE ART OF HOLDING ON AND LETTING GO, by Kristin Lenz

RIPPLE, by Heather Smith Meloche

4. PGWRites Complete Picture Book Critique (A $50 value)

5. PGWRites Picture Book First-Look Critique (A $25 value)

Aren’t those some amazing prizes?!! Please share this with all your social media friends!

I’ll announce the winners on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and my blog on August 20, 2021…40 days before the release of MRS. NOAH! (See what I did there?:)

Thanks for being along for the journey!

Blessings,

Patti

Writing for Children

Introducing ALL GOD’S CREATURES! A new devotional from Little Lamb Books!

July 23, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

I’m so excited to be one of the authors on the newest project from Little Lamb Books, ALL GOD’S CREATURES! 60 DAYS OF DEVOTIONS FOR ANIMAL-LOVING KIDS! Little Lamb Books has put together an amazing Kickstarter program to help fund the printing of the companion journal for this beautiful book. If you do your pre-orders through Kickstarter, you’ll be eligible for some amazing prizes. Click here for more information:

ALL GOD’S CREATURES KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

And here’s the gorgeous cover of the book created by the amazing illustrator, Katie Wekall!

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Happy Release Day! TEENY SWEENEY AND THE COUSIN CALAMITY, by Amberly Kristen Clowe

March 23, 2021March 23, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

I’m excited to welcome fellow Little Lamb Books author, Amberly Kristen Clowe to Sensibility and Sense today! We’re celebrating the release of the newest book in her Teeny Sweeney chapter book series, TEENY SWEENEY AND THE COUSIN CALAMITY! Amberly Kristen Clowe, is a veteran elementary school teacher and writes from her home in Kingwood, Texas. She and her husband have two children, and two dogs, Roxie and Bella. Amberly loves cycling and coffee and spends her days crafting stories that share faith in a fun way with young readers. TEENY SWEENEY AND THE COUSIN CALAMITY is the second chapter book in the Teeny Sweeney series. Welcome to Sensibility and Sense, Amberly! Now, let’s talk about your new book:

TEENY SWEENEY AND THE COUSIN CALAMITY

PR: Since this is the first post about your new children’s book Teeny Sweeney and the Cousin Calamity, tell us about it.

AKC: Glad to. So, very early in the book, readers find out that Teeny’s cousin, Winston Waddlesworth, will be visiting the Sweeney household. Readers also find out that Teeny doesn’t really dig her cousin. This book was so much fun to write because there are many pieces at play. Not only is Teeny struggling to get along with her cousin, but there’s someone or something terrorizing the neighborhood. There’s a lot going on in this story, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how the setting changes throughout. Kids will visit an indoor waterpark, a food truck festival, one of my absolute favorite places—the library, the zoo, and more. How fun is that!

PR: Will we see some familiar faces, like Amanda Mayweather? Will we be introduced to any new ones?

AKC: Readers will get to hang out with Amanda for a little while in this book and meet one of her family members. There are new characters galore! I’m also really excited that we learn even more about Teeny.

Writing the Second TEENY SWEENEY Book!

PR: How did the experience of writing the second book in the series compare to the first?

AKC: You know, it was really fun to dive more into this made-up place, to learn more about the characters we knew, while introducing the many new ones. I did find myself referring to my character documents and making sure to not contradict what we had already established about the characters. That was super interesting. I have the best editor, so it was awesome to work with her on another project. My publisher is also so lovely. This year we started Zoom-ing, as opposed to phone calls, so I (like a zillion others) did set up a space to do that. Haha. It was such a treat to see the illustrator, Janet Samuel, put color to Winston and especially Mustard Steve the Mustard Seed, the hero from a graphic comic strip in the story. The first time I saw his little character in his little cape I definitely cried. Not gonna lie.

PR: What message do you want readers to take away from this book?

AKC: Honestly, I think the message, though packaged a bit differently with different scripture, remains the same. My goal for this series is to help young readers look to scripture to guide them in their everyday situations. I don’t want church to be on Sunday and life to be Monday through Saturday. It took me a long time to even understand that I was compartmentalizing. I would love for it to take readers much less time to not do that. We need God’s guidance every day of the week. Teeny isn’t telling anyone to do that, but instead, she’s showing them how. She tries really hard to always think about what does and doesn’t please God.

More TEENY SWEENEY Books?

PR: I hear that there are more Teeny Sweeney books in the works. Can you tell us what to expect next?

AKC: Hmmm … I can’t say too much, but I can say that I would LOVE to have some holiday Teeny Sweeney books and some short stories.

PR: At the end of every blog post, I like to leave a little sensibility and sense for the journey. Could you share some of your wisdom with our readers?

Sensibility- Remember to have fun. That can be easier said than done, when we have these constant ambitions.

Sense- Think about what you’re currently passionate about. Our passions can be super fluid. Dig into the things that excite you. Maybe it’s reading and writing in an entirely new genre. When I’m working on projects that pique my interest, I’m having fun!

Thanks so much for joining us, Amberly!

You can learn more about Amberly here:

www.amberlykristenclowe.com

Follow the author on these sites:

MEWE under Krissy Clowe

Facebook at facebook.com/amberlykclowe

Twitter at @AmberlyClowe

Purchase your copies of TEENY SWEENEY AND THE COUSIN CALAMITY at Little Lamb Books or anywhere books are sold!

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Welcome 2021, and the Birth of MRS. NOAH!

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 Patti Richards, Children's Author

Can it really be almost the end of January? As I look at today’s date and wonder where the month has gone, I can’t help but think that with each day that passes I’m one day closer to the release of my first fiction picture book, MRS. NOAH. I’m so excited! MRS. NOAH is the story of Noah’s Ark from Noah’s wife’s perspective. It’s a rocking, rolling, rhyming romp about all the work Mrs. Noah does to get the ark ready to receive all of the furry and feathery guests for their 40-day cruise. Mrs. Noah knows there’s more to creating a happy, floating home than just hammers, nails and gopher wood, but can she help Noah understand and lend a helping hand?

You’re probably wondering where the idea from this story came from. Well, it just so happened that I was packing and preparing my family of 5 for a big trip…we were celebrating my parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary with a cruise for 11…grandparents, kids, cousins…you get the idea. Anyway, it was our first cruise experience and I was running around like a crazy woman trying to plan for the two-day drive to Florida (we thought that would be fun?). So along with planning for the actual cruise, I had to book hotel rooms and make sure everyone had enough clean clothes and toiletries for the two days before and the two days after. Not to mention buying up enough pet supplies and snacks for our house sitter, stopping the mail, making sure everyone had a swimsuit and shoes that fit, plus paying all the bills and getting the house cleaned before we could leave. My husband, who is always very helpful, had to work extra hours getting clients taken care of so we could have this week away, so he was at the office until late every night leading up to the trip and wasn’t able to help me. And just 6 weeks earlier, my son had undergone a big surgery to remove a benign tumor from his skull base, so there were follow up appointments to get the all-clear just a few days before we left. Needless to say, I was a wreck.

Somewhere in all of the craziness, a thought ran through my mind… “If I’m this stressed out trying to get everything done that needs doing before we leave for our cruise, how in the world did Mrs. Noah get everything ready for an ark full of animals and the rest of her family? Lord have mercy!!” That thought made me laugh out loud. Here I was fretting and worrying and being frustrated because I had so much to do and no help, that I couldn’t enjoy the process. God started using Mrs. Noah even then to help me see that He is always in the details, even if I can’t see it at the time. Of course, the idea of Mrs. Noah settled in and stayed and by the time I got home from that wonderful trip, I already had the first lines of the story playing over and over in my head. God whispers seem to work like that.

Fast forward almost 9 years and many, many versions later, and MRS. NOAH is one step closer to being born. The target is fall of 2021, so I’m looking forward with expectation and joy. I’m so glad you’re here to join me on my journey! Watch this page for an official “countdown to MRS. NOAH” in the coming weeks!

Sensibility- The journey is almost always more important than the destination. Take time to stop and enjoy whatever road you’re currently on.

Sense- Story ideas can come from the strangest places. Part of being a writer is being aware so you can see, hear and recognize a story seed when it appears.