Readers Great and Small

My doll reference books are primarily geared towards adult collectors, but over the years, some moms have shared photos or stories with me about how their young children have enjoyed my books as well. Two weeks ago while attending the Tammy Collector's Convention I got to witness a child in action enjoying my books. Here is seven-year old Sage getting her first look at "The Collector's Guide to Dolls of the 1960s and 1970s": 

Sage’s Mom and I have been online, long-distance friends for more than a dozen years. The first time her mom and I met in person was at a large doll show and flea market. Neither of us knew the other would be at the show, and Sage’s mom actually picked me out in a crowd of a zillion people, recognizing me only from earlier photos she had seen of me.

That first meeting, Sage was just a bulge in her mom’s belly, and the second time we met, Sage was still a baby. This was only the third time I got to meet Sage in person, but I feel like I know her intimately since she’s practically a youtube star. She’s bright and articulate, and would give a younger Dakota Fanning a run for her money if Sage’s mom ever decides to put her in showbiz.

Here is one of my favorite youtube videos of Sage back when she just turned four telling the story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Part 1

Part 2:

Part 3:

Check out some of her other youtube videos and let me know if you fall in love with her sweet little voice and adorable personality the way I did. Knowing this young collector-in-training is now a fan of my doll books is one of the wonderful fringe benefits of being an author.

It's Official: My Book Is Out

This past weekend my fourth doll book, Tammy Rarities From Around The World, made it’s publishing debut. Thanks to a group of generous, dedicated, doll collecting friends, the book was featured at the Tammy Collectors’ Convention in Chicago. The book received much fanfare at the convention, and even the theme of the convention centered around the book. As an author, it doesn’t get much better than that unless you happen to get a call while you’re at the convention saying your book just hit the New York Time’s Bestseller’s List…but…oh well…maybe next year...  

There were many things that happened this past weekend that touched me, but there were two things that especially amazed me and caused my head to swell just enough that I had to poke it a few times to stay grounded. One of those things was gushing comments made by a Tammy collector about the new book. Listening to her tell me how the book turned things around for her at a point in her life when she really needed it wasn’t just an ego booster, but it also humbled me to know the book had such a positive impact on someone. The other thing that really touched me was when one of the convention attendees came up to me with all four of my books and asked if I could sign them for her. Later, she told that I was like a rock star to her and how thrilled she was to meet me. Hearing someone say something like that totally blew me away. Both these people, as well as many others I spoke to this weekend, made me appreciate the fact that as a writer you can touch people’s lives--hopefully, in a positive way.

I can’t thank the chairpersons of the convention enough for all they did to honor my co-author and me at the convention this past weekend. I also am indebted to many of the convention attendees, some who have been following the journey of this book since I first started work on it, which now seems like a million years ago. Without their constant encouragement (and yup, sometimes nagging), I might have abandoned the idea for the book. Many of them also contributed photos to the book, and without their help and contributions, the book would not have been what it is. Of course, a big thank you goes to my co-author who came to my aid at a time when the book looked like it would never get published. She gave the project a jump start when it needed it, and added so much to the book since coming on board.  

I’m still catching up on much needed sleep from the wonderful convention weekend. I'm also keeping the phones lines open, just in case the New York Times wants to call to congratulate me for making their bestseller’s list.

Hey, it could happen!

*convention logo by Dal Lowenbein--who also helped design the cover of the Tammy Rarities book