NEW PHOTOS FROM "SOME BIRDS"

© 2013 sylvaine sancton

So I attended the "Song & Music" literary festival in New Orleans last month and heard, over and over again, the following message: you have to flog your own books relentlessly on the social media because publishers don't do serious promotion any more.
     Okay, message received. Even though I am not well versed at blogging, tweeting, instagramming and in fact do not own anything that remotely resembles a smart phone. But I do have a computer, so here I come, yanked kicking and screaming into the world of techno self-promotion. Actually I am not interested in promoting myself, but I would like people to know about (and maybe even buy) my children's photo book, "Some Birds..."
     I've decided to make a game of it. I'll make regular postings of the funnier or more interesting photos from the book on the Some Birds FB page. I may even open an Instagram account. The whole point of the book, after all, is to charm and inform children (and their parents) with photos of birds doing amusing and fascinating things--spearing fish, trying to read, flocking together, hiding, falling in love. Young readers will learn that, in some ways, birds are a lot like us. This white and black swan, for example, making friends despite their different colors. Lots more photos to come, so stay tuned... And if you like what you see, you can buy "Some Birds" on line at Pelican Publishing, Octavia Books, or Amazon.

NEW BOOK IN THE WORKS!

I have just finished working on the prototype of a new children's photo book. It traces the coming of age of a baby goose literally from egg to young adulthood. It tells a simple story in the goose's voice as he learns to walk, eat grass, swim, cross the road, and get along with other animals, all under the watchful tutelage of his Mom and Dad, with an extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles looking on. Along the way, he has close encounters with squirrels, nutria and a very scary snake. My intention is to charm and amuse young readers (and their parents), but the book also contains some messages about families, nurture, growing up, and learning to function socially. The hero is a thoughtful and sensitive little goose who sometimes gets into trouble but always feels the love and protection of his family as he tries to figure out the world he was born into. Above all, he loves to have fun!

"SOME BIRDS"—THE FILM

My presentation and reading of "Some Birds" at Octavia books went well, thanks mainly to some very bright and attentive kids who interacted with me as I showed and talked about the photos in my children's book. They were especially impressed by the Anhinga spreading his wings like a vampire, but also liked the Whistling Ducks kissing each other on the beak and the ducks trying to read the "No Fishing" signs in Audubon Park lagoon. Thanks to the parents who brought these wonderful kids, and to all who showed up to chat and buy the book. And a big thank you to Tom Lowenberg and Judith Lafitte for welcoming me and "Some Birds" to Octavia books.

For a video recap of my presentation click here:

To buy now online:

http://www.octaviabooks.com/product/some-birds-sylvaine-sancton

See my website: sylvainesancton.com

TALKING ABOUT "SOME BIRDS" ON WWNO—FRENCH ACCENT AND ALL

My interview with Susan Larson on WWNO (89.9) aired Tuesday. Unaccustomed as I am by media appearances, I was s bit nervous at first, but Susan is a pro and immediately put me at ease. I was pleased with the final edited version, which eliminated all the hesitations and meanderings and made me sound more coherent than I probably am. But they couldn't change my French accent!

You can hear the interview on the WWNO site by following this link:
http://wwno.org/post/reading-life-atlas-birds-and-bird

(My segment starts at 10:04 into the show if you want to skip ahead to it.)

Please visit my website: www.sylvainesancton.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

BOOK EVENTS THIS WEEK

A big week for "Some Birds..."

• Last Saturday, I attended the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge and signed my book at three stands: Pelican Publishing, Alliance Française, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

• My interview with Susan Larson on WWNO (89.9) airs on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 pm; Friday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 pm; Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon. Also available via podcast on wwno.org.

• Signing at Barnes & Noble, 3414 Hwy 190, Ste. 10, Mandeville, LA 70471, on Friday, Nov. 8, 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

• Presentation and signing at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia Street, New Orleans 70115, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm. 

(See invitation: http://www.octaviabooks.com/event/sylvaine-sancton-some-birds)

Please visit my website: www.sylvainesancton.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

BOOK SIGNING OCTOBER 18

Preparing to give a presentation/signing of "Some Birds..." at Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70002. Friday, October 18, 7 pm - 8:30 p.m. I will give an interactive presentation of the book and would love to have some book-loving kids to interact with—plus their parents and/or grandparents. 

MY BOOK IS OUT!

I'm excited! My new children's photo book, "Some Birds..." (Pelican Publishing) has just come back from the printers and is available in a bookstore near you. I am preparing to do signings and presentations starting in early October. Please visit the Facebook page I have set up for "Some Birds...", befriend it, click the "like" button early and often, and tell your friends about it. Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

In addition to information about the book, you will find details about my author events at local bookstores. Please check it out, and come to my events. Some little one(s) you know will be glad you did.

Here is a description of the book from Amazon:

Learn about the funny lives of birds! Each species of bird is different. Some birds like to float along, others like to splash, and some like to fly up high while others fly down low. The author's amusing photographs capture the quirky characteristics of birds at work and at play in the New Orleans area. Pelicans, cormorants, ibises, among other local birds are featured in this delightful picture book. The book also includes a brief index of the birds and their habitats.
...And from the back cover:

Some birds are shy, and some birds are show-offs. Some birds make friends, some birds are copycats, and some birds even try to read. But all birds are beautifully featured in this sweet and simple book designed for children. Read along and learn about the funny lives of birds found in the New Orleans area, including pelicans, wood ducks, egrets, anhingas, and herons. This entertaining and educational introduction to the fascinating world of birds includes a brief index of the birds, their habits, and their habitats.


You can find the book in local bookstores, or order it online at the following sites:


Pelican Publishing
http://www.pelicanpub.com/products.php?cat=1526&filter=sancton

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvaine-Sancton/e/B00E94R6U0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

And please have a look at my website:

sylvainesancton.com

"Some Birds..."

I have just put the finishing touches on my new book Some Birds..., which Pelican Publishing is bringing out in the fall. It is a 40-page photo book for children about birds, their habits and habitats. I hope kids (and parents) will find it charming, and educational. It has certainly been an educational experience for me to observe and photograph birds over the past two years. I am not really  a birder, but find birds beautiful and fascinating. I also learned a lot about different bird species while doing research for the glossary. I'm now thinking about the next book, which will probably enlarge the subject matter beyond birds. Stay tuned...

check my website: sylvainesancton.com
and the book's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Some-Birds/277423012401411?skip_nax_wizard=true

Where are the Egrets?

I'm worried about the egrets. Last week, I was sure they were going to return to the island in Audubon Park as in years past. I spotted three  couples building nests and mating, so I was sure that baby egrets would be coming along in a matter of weeks. On arriving at the park last Tuesday, I was surprised by their absence from the island. Same thing on Wednesday. They seemed to have completely abandoned the site after beginning to nest and breed there. On Thursday, camera in hand, I ventured across the foot bridge and onto the golf course (which is allowed as long as the pedestrian takes full responsibility if he or she is brained by an errant golf ball). I was happy to find five egrets perched on the bare branches of trees on that side of the lagoon. But if they haven't abandoned the area, they have not yet settled into the nests that they had started to build on the island. I am still hoping to see them return en masse to that site. Stay tuned.

Have the Egrets returned?

While shooting birds in Audubon Park recently, I spotted four couples of great egrets. It was a welcome and unexpected sight. Until two years ago, the island in Audubon Park lagoon was covered this time of year with nesting egrets. Then a film crew arrived in the park with noise, bustle, and lights to shoot nocturnal scenes for Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, one of the stupidest movies ever made and a well-deserved box office flop. All that commotion disturbed the sleep of the egrets, who apparently decided “there goes the neighborhood” and disappeared overnight. That was in 2011. I hadn’t spotted more than the occasional egret in the park since then and lamented their absence. I am hoping my sighting of the four couples signals a return en masse to their island.

visit my website: sylvainesancton.com

Back With my Birds

Now that our sculpture show is up and running, I am turning my attention back to photography. My

current project is a children’s book of bird photos for Pelican Publishing. I have been photographing birds in and around the New Orleans region for the past two years. The idea of the book is to show a wide variety of bird species doing interesting things, accompanied by short comments meant to appeal to children. My hope is to charm, entertain, and educate young children about bird habits and habitats. One thing I particularly enjoy about this project is getting out into fresh air and open spaces. I also feel a certain sense of kinship with the birds. I may be imagining things, but I have the impression they have gotten to know me and accept my presence.

Visit my website: sylvainesancton.com