I’ve accepted an offer from Red Deer Press to publish A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk. If all goes according to plan, it should be between covers in the Fall of 2010, which is really quick!  As it turned out, I had a second offer, as well as serious consideration from two other publishers, but I know Red Deer’s Children’s Editor, Peter Carver, will help me make this book the best it can possibly be.  Their terms seem very fair, and I met with Jacob Deng last Friday to confirm his approval of the book going forward.  Although it is a work of fiction, it is certainly inspired by Jacob’s story, and I hope the book will help support his foundation, Wadeng Wings of Hope, through which he is raising money to support education in Southern Sudan.  Stop by www.Wadeng.org if you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift!

I first got the idea for the novel 2.5 years ago when the Acadia Alumni Bulletin contacted me to interview Jacob and write an article for the Bulletin. I listened to Jacob that March day, in awe, for 2 hours, and I just knew it was a story to be told for young readers. In Jacob’s words, his interest in having his story told is to empower young readers living in difficult situations to believe in their own ability to dig themselves out of just about any horrible circumstance. Exactly!

I’m excited to begin the editing process; I’m confident I’ll learn lots from Peter over the winter!

I’ve also signed three contracts over the past month for three English as a Second Language chapter books with a Korean language school, JLS Academy, which has a British Columbia office. It’s a completely different type of writing in that I submit the manuscript, sign the contract, do some on-line editing and get paid! A very different scenario than trade publishing. I’ve also just had a manuscript accepted for StorySomething – a web-based venture offering personalized picture books for busy parents to read to their children on-line.  Interesting…Guess I’d better get back to writing!