Tag: Grandma's Sock Drawer

Sterling Heights Local Author Book Sale: A Fun Summer Event For All

On By Sue AgauasIn Author Events, Author Fair1 Comment

I was excited to be one of the authors at the Local Author Book Sale hosted by the Sterling Heights Public Library during the weekend of SterlingFest on July 30, 2022. We had a wonderful time and it was so nice to connect with both readers as well as other local authors.

The Sterling Heights Public Library did a wonderful job of putting the event together. I would like to offer special thanks to Terry Hojnacki, author and volunteer event coordinator for the Local Author Book Sale. She made sure everything went smoothly and that the event was a great success.

Plenty of smiles and engaging conversations occurred on this beautiful summer day as I met with readers of all ages. It was exciting to share my book, Grandma’s Sock Drawer, with people and to sell signed copies.

I also shared pictures of Evert, a character that’s a shrew, from my upcoming book that will be published in 2023. I’m so excited to share this adventure with young readers!

We also had coloring sheets, a word search, candy, and lots of fun items at our table. My husband came along to help set things up and to cheer me on. We both enjoyed meeting people on such a lovely summer day.

Please watch my calendar and sign up for my newsletter for details of upcoming book signings and author visits. In the meanwhile, enjoy this beautiful summer weather and happy reading!

Meet Me at the Local Author Book Sale

On By Sue AgauasIn Author Events, Author FairLeave a comment

Come join the fun! I’m excited to announce that I will have a table at the Sterling Heights Public Library Local Author Book Sale on July 30, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m where I will be selling and signing my debut novel, Grandma’s Sock Drawer. I will be one of over 50 Michigan authors who will be on site at this fun event.

This gathering of authors is a special opportunity for readers of all genres to find the perfect book or two for summer reading. It coincides with the popular Sterling Fest event known to offer a unique combination of arts and crafts, music, food and fun means 3 days of sun-drenched, summertime delight for Sterling Heights families and friends.

The Sterling Heights Public Library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights. Tables will be set up on the covered sidewalk between the library and the police station. 

I will have my novel, Grandma’s Sock Drawer, available for visitors. This book is suitable for middle grade, young adults, and adults . Enjoy reading about a race against time to unravel the mysteries of a puzzling inheritance. Also, I have a word search and teacher resources available on my website that accompanies my book.

This is going to be so much FUN and I look forward to seeing you there!

Where Students Shine and Learning is Fun!

On By Sue AgauasIn Books by Author Sue Agauas, School Visits, WritingLeave a comment

      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 World we 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. 

     We all agreed that learning can be fun.

Reading Grandma’s Sock Drawer to the students.

A Big Thank You To My Loyal Supporters

On By Sue AgauasIn Writing Contest1 Comment

To all loyal supporters of Grandma’s Sock Drawer:

THANK YOU!

                      THANK YOU!          

                                           THANK YOU!

Thank you for your attention, efforts, and support in voting for 

Grandma’s Sock Drawer over the past seven months.

Your faithful voting put this book into the top ten for the Author Elite Award.

I have felt you cheering my book to the finish line throughout these months and it has thrilled and encouraged me.

Once again, thank you for your expression of love and well wishes for my book’s success.

From one who is used to a slower pace of life,

thank you for joining me on this thrilling adventure.

I look forward to sharing more of Sukey’s adventures with you in the near future!

Author Elite Awards Update: Round 2 for Grandma’s Sock Drawer

On By Sue AgauasIn Books by Author Sue Agauas, Writing ContestLeave a comment

Thank you to all who have supported Grandma’s Sock Drawer during 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.

My continued gratitude for your votes.

Please Vote: Grandma’s Sock Drawer Nominated for the Author Elite Awards

On By Sue AgauasIn Books by Author Sue Agauas, Writing, Writing Contest1 Comment

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.

2020 Novel Writing Month Completed

On By Sue AgauasIn Books by Author Sue Agauas, Writing2 Comments

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 can’t wait to get started!

Meet me at the 2020 Virtual Author Fair!

On By Sue AgauasIn Author Fair, Books by Author Sue AgauasLeave a comment

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!

Here is the description from the Rochester Hills Public Library:

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!