On Friday, March 25, 2022, it was my privilege to visit an elementary school for March Is Reading Month. It was a day for me to share the joy of reading and writing books. It was also a chance to share the wonder and power of books to take us on adventures.
Using my books Grandma’s Sock Drawer and A Home For Evert as examples, the classes and I explored the steps of the writing process together.
Learning is Fun!
Students from kindergarten through the fifth grade were the shining stars of each presentation, sharing with me their attentiveness, energy, and enthusiasm.
We embarked on the adventure of writing beginning with the hunt for an idea, looking far and near to discover ideas that are all around us and within.
Time to put on the Idea Hat!
Once we found our Best, Most Exciting, Fabulous Idea in the Worldwe were ready to write it down and then share it with friends and teachers. It was after this sharing that we discovered that our Most Fabulous, Best Idea in the World needed some work. “Should we throw our story away?” I asked when we found out it wasn’t perfect.
“NO!” agreed every class.
So, we put on our working hardhat and erased and changed our stories until they were the best they could be.
Time to figure things out with our Working Hardhat.
“How many times do we fix our story?” I’d ask. “Once? Twice?” “Until it’s right!” the children encouraged me.
We talked about the differences between Fiction and Nonfiction. We discovered that a writer could use facts, even in their fiction story, just like I did with my shrew, Evert.
Talking about writing fiction and nonfiction.
After reading scenes from my published book Grandma’s Sock Drawer and A Home for Evert, my newest story in the process of revision, we celebrated with applause for the wonders of words and their ability to whisk us away to new and exciting worlds.
My elementary friends and I parted with renewed interest in books and the writing process that creates them.
Thank you to all who have supported Grandma’s Sock Drawerduring these past months of competition!
It appears that your votes have carried Grandma’s Sock Drawer successfully through the first cut!
Now, Grandma’s Sock Drawer is a finalist under the Young Adult Fiction 2021 category on the Author Elite website.
You can find and vote for Grandma’s Sock Drawer on the first page of the Author Elite website. Here, voters are allowed to vote for their favorite book multiple times per day, every day, as often as you wish. All you have to do is exit the Author Elite site and your browser, re-enter and vote again.
This final round of voting closes on October 21, 2021.
Thanks for voting Grandma’s Sock Drawer into this final round of competition.
I hope you will continue to see Grandma’s Sock Drawer to a brilliant finish.
I am excited to announce that Grandma’s Sock Drawer has been nominated for the 2021 Author Elite Awards and I would love for you to cast a vote for my book!
Please visit https://authoreliteawards.com and click on the red button that says “Vote Now” – it will take you to the voting page – once here, you will be on the 1st page for the Young Adult category (1/12), just scroll down, and click on my book cover to choose Grandma’s Sock Drawer.
You may vote daily. I greatly appreciate your support! The Author Elite Awards is sponsored by Igniting Souls in connection with the Author Elite Academy.
What an exciting month of writing November held for me. I chose to work on the prequel to Grandma’s Sock Drawer.
As expected, the writing journey had its moments when ideas seemed stale, action stalled out, characters became boring.
I’d say to myself, “You’re the one writing this thing! If you don’t like what’s happening, change it!”
I’d remind myself that writing Nano is more exploring, than settling down. At the end of the month, if I like the story, I can work to make it the best. Nothing has to be permanent in the first draft. Everything can be improved. Thinking like this keeps me hopeful and excited about the story.
Even so, there were times I had to keep slogging along. Then something clicked and things started to pick up momentum. The story flew from my fingers through the last two weeks of November.
Characters asserted themselves on the page. (One day, for instance, my main character sat down and sobbed her heart out! I was so surprised!)
I found myself visiting familiar places with new twists. Farms in need of planting,
meadows thick with wild, purple lupine flowers,
and spiraling tunnels in dark, echoing caves.
I crossed the Nano finish line of 50,000 words, plus, on the 27th. But the story wasn’t finished, yet.
On December 2nd, the first draft was finally completed. The thrill of accomplishing the Nano goal was surpassed by the excitement that I have for the beginnings of my prequel for Grandma’s Sock Drawer.
Yes, I have crossed the Nano finish line.
But only to start again. A new goal. A new energy. A new commitment. Polish this new story until it will shine in the hearts of readers.
I’m excited to be a part of the Rochester Hills Public Library 2020 Virtual Author Fair which is being presented in partnership with Rochester Writers. This is the first time I have done something like this and it’s been a fun adventure. I recently did an interview on Zoom and then this recording will be aired on the weekend after Thanksgiving in honor of Shop Small Saturday. This will take place on Saturday, November 28, 2020 and Sunday, November 29, 2020 beginning at 11:00 a.m. both days. I hope you get a chance to tune in and listen to all of the fascinating interviews with all of the participating authors. Check it out here!
Join us online for the second annual Author Fair with RHPL and Rochester Writers. Nearly thirty local authors will be featured in recorded interviews that will debut on RHPL’s YouTube channel on Small Business Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.
Beginning Monday, November 30, the library will release each interview independently on its social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The interviews will feature a Q/A with the selected authors, as well as links to their social media channels and websites. Authors may read from their books or offer a creative interpretation of their published materials.
These authors cover a variety of genres and are both traditionally and self-published. PLEASE NOTE: The YouTube links will not be live until Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.
I love that we are supporting local authors with this event and sharing stories, wisdom, and insight with our communities. Normally it would be an in-person event; the virtual event this year is providing unexpectedly delightful benefits. It’s going to be a great weekend and I hope to see you at the fair!
Grandma’s gone. Now Sukey races against time to unravel the mysteries of a puzzling inheritance – a sock drawer – from a grandmother she was forbidden to know. A note and a key to Grandma’s “most precious treasure” sends Sukey on wild adventures with unexpected twists and turns. Will Sukey learn the truth about her grandmother, unlock the questions that will lead to peace, and connect her fragmented family? And, can she find the answers before an estate sale ends everything? Author Sue Agauas’ first full-length novel, Grandma’s Sock Drawer, delivers for readers and receives rave reviews.
“In her debut book, Agauas mixes adventure and Christian allegory in a way that’s mildly reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.” – Kirkus Reviews
“In Grandma’s Sock Drawer, Agauas combines masterful storytelling, compelling dialogue and vivid imagery. This is a story of family, love, forgiveness and hope … a must read!” – Angela Wright; Educator, Administrator
“Grandma’s Sock Drawer is a read and re-read fantasy novel that can stand alongside classic literature giants. It’s a fanciful tale filled with vivid imagery, suspense, and adventure.” – Evonne L. Rogers; Educator, Curriculum Director, and School Administrator
“I am passionate about the power of love and family,” said Agauas. “I love how books can transport a reader to places near or far, real or imaginary.” She wrote Grandma’s Sock Drawer, her first novel, during the 2017 National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. “Writing my first book has been an adventure. I’m grateful to all the hands, hearts, and help that coaxed this book into its momentous liftoff.”
Finding support and motivation within the local writing community led Agauas to participate in events with the Rochester Writers organization and to become a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) of Michigan. She founded Why Not Now? Children’s Books LLC – a publishing company. She has been writing picture books for younger readers for many years, and is currently writing book two – her next novel – in the Grandma’s Sock Drawer series.
With a deep love of nature and animals, Sue feels that stories revolving around emotions, especially joy, have a large impact. For thirty-nine years, she enjoyed teaching children in elementary school. “Having a strong love for learning and discovery, I now endeavor to share these passions with children of all ages through my books,” said Agauas. She finds her greatest happiness when she is spending time with her family, traveling with her husband, writing, and riding her overly clever, but very lovable horse.
Readers can find Grandma’s Sock Drawer in both print and eBook format at numerous outlets including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Bookshop.org, independent bookstores, libraries, and more. Grandma’s Sock Drawer is middle grade fiction, yet appeals to a wide audience that includes teachers, parents, and senior citizens.
By visiting www.SueAgauas.com, visitors can gain insight about Grandma’s Sock Drawer, learn about Agauas’ history, read her blog, and order the book. In addition, teachers will find online resources for using Grandma’s Sock Drawer in the classroom.
About the Author
After a 39-year successful career as an elementary school teacher, Sue Agauas retired in 2016. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two adult children. A strong love of God, family, and animals (especially horses) drives her passion for life. Sue lives in Sterling Heights, MI with her husband, enjoys writing, and spending time with her grandchild.
Product Information
BOOK: Grandma’s Sock Drawer
AUTHOR: Sue Agauas
PAPERBACK: 336 pages
PUBLISHER: Why Not Now Children’s Books LLC
PUBLICATION DATE: February 25, 2020
LANGUAGE: English
ISBN-10: 1732271119
ISBN-13: 978-1732271111
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
PRICE: $14.99/paperback, $3.99/eBook
Follow the adventures of Sukey as she struggles to unravel the mystery of the unusual gift left to her by her missing grandmother. Discover, with Sukey, the meaning behind her grandmother’s most ‘precious treasure’, a sock drawer.
Many thanks to all the hands, hearts, and help that coaxed this book into its momentous liftoff.
Visit my website: sueagauas.com, for free materials to use with Grandma’s Sock Drawer. You’ll find a delightful word search, match the characters page, and a chapter by chapter comprehension guide, with corresponding answer keys.
Keep your eyes peeled for future adventures with Sukey!
Sue Agauas 
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