A Children’s Book of Necromancy
To our concerned parents and faculty:
It has come to my attention that many of our students are in possession of “A Children’s Book of Necromancy,” written by Debrin Case and illustrated by Darcy Melton. The book encourages children to mesmerize up to twelve of their friends, then force them to unwillingly participate in ceremonies in which they reanimate the dead.
Although “A Children’s Book of Necromancy” is clearly marked “Not recommended for children” on the cover, it is a coloring book and sells for just $12 from Open Heart Publishing, an amount any child can save from their allowance.
The inherent danger of this book cannot be overstated, and parents should closely monitor their children’s phone calls and activities. Make sure you know where your child is going and what they are doing. If they seem confused or are acting strange, they may have become a victim of a necromancer.
If your child exhibits any of the following signs, especially following a telephone conversation, do not permit them to leave the house, and call a local clergy member to assist with exorcism.
· Swirling spirals in place of eyes
· Sudden willingness to follow commands
· Insistence upon leaving the house without a specified destination
· Penchant for dark robes
· Chanting or humming
As long as these reanimation ceremonies are kept to a minimum, our students need not fear the zombie horde. I know we can count on your help in these troubled times.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nigel Newsom
Headmaster, Schadenfreude Academy
An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 authors Meet & Greet
From left: Erin Marissa Russell, Melissa Cantrelle, Alyssa Cooper, Rhia Johnson, Eric Trant, Jon C. Forisha, ME Johnson
Way back in July of this year, several of the Dallas-local authors of An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 met with publisher and fellow author Debrin Case and editors ME and Rhia Johnson at Liberty Hall to rub elbows so when we have events things won’t be all awkward. Also because we are an incredibly talented lot, and it’s always good to share drinks and discussion with a table of authors, editors, and publishers.
You can read Eric Trant’s musings on the evening at his blog, Digging With the Worms.
I’d like to say, before you read Eric’s blog and start wondering, that I only carry batteries in my purse (both AA and AAA) because I usually need them for my digital camera or voice recorder. I have another job as managing editor at the Brookhaven Courier, and it’s the end of the world if my voice recorder runs out of batteries.
From left: Erin Marissa Russell, Melissa Cantrelle, Alyssa Cooper, and Rhia Johnson.
At the time, I was an artist for An Honest Lie- Rhia Johnson was the junior editor as well as an author- and it was fascinating to hear the authors talk about their stories. I’d already drawn the illustrations, based on a scene Debrin had described, but I didn’t know who the people were, what was happening, or even what the stories were really about. The authors had a lot of fun hearing about one another’s work, too.
Don’t forget to support your favorite contributor to An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 by doing one or both of the following:
* Leave them a comment by clicking their name on this link: http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com/. A comment earns them one point toward a book deal with Open Heart Publishing.
* Purchase An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 through their portal by clicking on their name here: http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com/. A purchase earns them 500 points toward a book deal with Open Heart Publishing!
Also, there are only 95 days left to work on submissions for An Honest Lie, Vol. 2: they’re due March 15, 2010. Read over the submission guidelines here: http://anhonestlie.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/its-that-time-again/
Exciting Opportunities with OHP
Things are happening here at OHP, and as such, there are several positions just waiting to be filled by the right author, artist, editor, or salesperson. Check out the opportunities below and don’t be afraid to send a letter of interest- we don’t bite (much).
Writers and Illustrators
Open Heart Publishing is recruiting four people to form a creative production team.
Must be comfortable working on a managed and controlled product with expectations for results and serious deadlines.
Product is serialized fiction, setting is modern and based around a specific location and a diverse cast of characters; the “story collections” created with this team will be linear and as such the changes to characters within the story will have unique effects to plotline and development. Authors chosen for this episodic serial will receive full credit for the pieces.
To be considered for this position with Open Heart Publishing
Writers please submit 3 written examples as attachments in a .doc or .docx format, these examples must be
1. Real Life essay
(Humorous encounters from real life only 2,000 words or less)
2. Fiction
(Preferably fantasy fiction. In the areas of contemporary and urban tales, surrealism, magical realism, modern age fairytales, and folktales)
(3,000 words minimum – 5,000 words maximum)
3. The Pitch
(pitch us an interesting story concept revolving around “the heart of a butterfly” 1000 words or less)
Illustrators please send us 3 black and white illustrations of
1. A woman’s hand
2. A housecat
3. The interior of a bathroom in a small apartment
Please keep these illustrations simple and quick.
Send your submission packet to
ohpcareers@debrincase.com
Pay structure is royalty based.
Production begins May 1st 2010, so apply now.
Telecommuting is ok
Promotions
O.H.P. is looking for talented individuals who love the arts, namely the literary arts. These passionate people can help us expand our ever growing fan-base, and we can in turn compensate them handsomely for their efforts. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting position with O.H.P. send an email to ohpcareers@debrincase.com
Opportunity Project Exclusive with Dorayne Breedlove
We’re talking with Dorayne Breedlove, Youth and Family Ministry Director at the Center for Spiritual Living in Dallas, TX. Open Heart Publishing worked with Dorayne and the children at the Center for Spiritual Living to create “The Cave of Colors,” the first release of the Opportunity Project. The Opportunity Project works hand in hand with youth organizations to instruct future generations about the positive changes they can make in the world around them, as well as the limitless opportunity their lives will offer them so long as they are willing to look for those opportunities. Through the crafts of writing, art, editing, marketing, and publishing, these groups create a book the children sell, and 100% of the profits benefit a charity of the children’s choosing.
Thanks for joining us, Dorayne. Tell me about what you do at the Center for Spiritual Living.
I am the Youth and Family Ministry Director. I am responsible for all children, youth, and parenting programs, which include our Sunday school classes, spiritual parenting classes, and special family events through out the year.
What would you say is the most rewarding thing about your life’s work, and what is the hardest thing?
The most rewarding thing about my life’s work is that I am with children every single day. I learn how to be a better teacher, better parent, and better person when I am with children. They are my greatest teacher. The hardest thing is to remember that I do not have all the answers and am willing to to seek help.
You said the children are your greatest teacher. What is the most important thing we can learn from children?
When we are most aware of the gifts children bring to our lives, we learn the importance of “allowing”. So often we, as teachers, caregivers, and parents, tend to direct, manipulate, and coerce our will on children. By allowing the multiplicity of ideas to flow, to be as inclusive as possible, to work together as a team, we create a synergy that would not have otherwise existed if we were only set on our own agenda. Allowing children to express their creativity, thoughts, and ideas helps to bring a higher level of relationship between children and the adults who care for them.
The children you work with had an chance to express their creativity in the Opportunity Project. Tell me about the story the kids wrote, “The Cave of Colors.”
The Cave of Colors is a story written by our children in grades 1-3. During the past year, they worked together to create an original story based on their ideas and input. The Cave of Colors is the magical world that resides inside of everyone. In this place we decide, through our thoughts, to live in light and beauty.
That’s a very valuable message. How do the kids feel about writing their own book?
The best word is “pride”. During the months of developing the story, the gathering of ideas, the unfolding of characters and plot, the children were part of a process that developed many skills like listening, including, creating, and deciding. After all that, they have a final product that they can own as theirs and feel a sense of pride in their accomplishment.
It sounds like it was a lot of fun. Tell me about the writing/publishing workshops that the Opportunity Project did?
The Opportunity Project was an amazing experience for the kids of Jr. Church. Debrin began the Opportunity Project as a way to help kids have a creative voice in the world at large. Over the past year, Debrin inspired the kids with interactive lessons tailored to the age group that touched on story craft, writing, publishing, art, and creative teamwork.
Do you know what charity the children have chosen to benefit from “The Cave of Colors” sales? Why was this one chosen?
The children have chosen 3 charities so we can touch the world globally, locally, and also within our own community. In order to touch the world globally, we chose “Pennies for Peace.” To impact our world locally, we decided to donate to a program here in Dallas known as “Preventing Violence in Children,” a program dedicated to teaching alternative solutions to violence to kids in Dallas area schools, and of course the kids also wanted to help build our own resources here at the YFM program at CSL.
If you had the opportunity to speak to yourself as a child, what would you say? Do you think your child self would listen?
I would simply say, “I love you dearly. You are a magnificent child of God, and I adore you.” I would hope that my child self would listen and know this to be the absolute truth.
Dorayne Breedlove is the Youth and Family Ministry Director for the Center for Spiritual Living in Dallas, a professional storyteller, and a music and drama teacher. She offers multicultural stories, educational programs, and training for teachers through her company “A Slice of Rainbow“, and has performed her arts and education programs for more 15 years in many states including Texas, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Georgia, Maryland and even Delaware. A product of a military family, she learned at a young age how diverse, interesting, and fun cultures can be and incorporates that into her stories, music and drama classes. You can visit Dorayne’s website at www.alsliceofrainbow.com.
