Monday, September 24, 2007

In Which I Scuff My Toe And Look at the Ground

So. I have an announcement.

Here's what happened:

Some months ago, I got a warm and informed e-mail from someone who asked if I wanted a paid weekly blogging gig.

What I felt like I honestly should say: "Um... are you sure you want me?? Because there are all these really fantastic kidlit bloggers out there [and you know I could link to way more, too] who are incredible writers and also post reliably, like, all the time. Here, let me give you some names..."

What I did say: "Sure!"

What happened after that: Nothing, for a while. And then, some more e-mails, culminating in the launch of a raft of new blogs at Scholastic.com's site for parents. Including one by me with the highly descriptive title Librarian Mom. My first post went live today.

I'm linking to it even though some of the layout is still a bit rough, because...well, because I'm happy about it and wanted to tell people.

I'll be cross-posting some posts from the new blog on this one, though the intended audience is somewhat different: the general book-friendly parenting public, as opposed to the kind of obsessive kidlit hounds (like me!) whose idea of fun is a rousing evening spent debating the relative merits of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden (ah! a post I haven't written yet!)*. I'm also going to focus over there on books for kids between the ages of 3 and 13, so ruminations on the far ends of the kid/teen lit spectrum will end up at this site.

Anyway. I would love to have visitors from those among you who are still reading this blog after what's been a rather fallow summer. Even if you just click over because you're curious to see a photo of me with what appears to be a halo emanating from the back of my head. (It was originally snapped against a background of kitchen cabinets, and transformed by the photoshop wizards at Scholastic.)

Now that I have a new library job, along with this new blogging one, my brain is buzzing with ideas for things to write about, and I'm looking forward to writing about them here and there and...well, not quite everywhere. Yet.


*Though actually, when you get talking kids' media with many parents who don't on the surface appear to be that involved with the genre, you find hidden pockets of obsession: I once heard a volunteer mom at my old job riff for a good twenty minutes on the themes and idiosyncrasies of the "Arthur" TV shows and how they compared with the books. So, you never know.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's pretty awesome. Congratulations on the gig as well as the first post. :D

Charlotte said...

Congratulaions Els! Good for you! I have not yet checked out the New You, but shall do so shortly...

david elzey said...

Good on ya, as we used to say in the back country (of, uh, Santa Monica?). I do have one question: I've looked around the Scholastic site and I don't see any DAD bloggers. Am I missing something, or do I need to start a movement?

(No, this is neither your fault or responsibility, please don't take it personally.)

Phantom Scribbler said...

Mazel tov, Els! I'm thrilled for you!

susan said...

Congratulations!!! What good news.

A Little Princess, is my vote. I loved, loved, loved that book (although didn't read Secret Garden until I was much older, so it's not a fair contest from my view.)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That's great. I look forward to reading what you post in both places.

And I'm more of a Little Princess fan, too.

(and thanks for the compliment of your link above)

mbpbooks said...

Love how they're giving you freedom to rave about non-Scholastic books. Felicidades!

ElsKushner said...

Mitali--Yes, their offer specifically noted that I could write about any kids' books I wanted; that was part of the reason that I was so happy to take this job!

David--That is a really excellent question; as far as I know, you're not missing anything, though there might be another section of the site of which I am ignorant.
I see they grow 'em smart out there in the wilds of Santa Monica.

And everyone-- thanks for the congratulations!

Saints and Spinners said...

Hurrah for you, Els! I'm so glad this is working out AND you have a new library job to boot.

MotherReader said...

Color me impressed. I was over there from Mitali's site, but didn't put two and two together. Yeah for you!

Anonymous said...

Els, that's awesome. Congratulations. I look forward to checking out the new site!

Anonymous said...

Woo-hoo, Els!!

And I so want to read your Secret Garden v. Little Princess post.

(I'm pro-Sara)

L K C J said...

Wow Els congratulations!! Who knew this blogging gig would pay off?? This is so cool, and an affirmation of what a good writer, and reader, you are! I love the idea of the recommended books--that is just what I'm always wondering for C.

We have Secret Garden here, but I'll need to get Little Princess so we can read along! Go Els!!

Dawn of the Read said...

That is totally awesome news! (Obviously I'm way behind on blog reading right now).

I'm proud of you :D

Melodee said...

How fantastic! Congratulations!

EllenKushner said...

Mazel tov!! Richly deserved. Keep it up. (Is it Nepotism if you blog GOLDEN DREYDL there? But suuuuurely they need more Chanukah books for Young Readers! And I suspect your years at the Seattle school left you with a fine set of recommendations...)