Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!
Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.
Congratulations to Natalie Ann Andrus on the release of Natelf and Her Magical Doll Share Christmas Around the World
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I started writing this story in 1975 when I was in 5th grade and ten years old. It was a Michigan winter day, and I was stuck in the house with nothing to do. After writing the first draft I showed it to my teacher and he asked me to choose a cast from our class and produce it in front of other classrooms. The story stuck with me and I re-wrote it for a Creative Writing course at the University of Michigan in 1989. Thereafter, my life got busy with a family and career.
What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?
The joy in celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
The joy in a magical doll that changes with belief and hug of a child.
The joy in learning about different Christmas cultures around the world.
What was the most difficult part of writing this book?
Deciding on whether it would be a Children’s Book or Early Reader and editing the word count down. Also, deciding which countries to use in the book. I tried to include various continents.
What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?
The book should be up on Amazon KDP no later than 12/1/2024. I have been accepted to exhibit at a few Christmas Craft Shows/Bazaars to sell my book. I will be selling and signing my book at local bookstores and children’s toy stores.
What's next for you?
I have left the last sentence of the book open for a sequel or many to come. “See you next year” (with the wink of an eye).
More about the book . . .
A little girl opens her present from Santa on Christmas morning to find an elf inside. The elf had mistakenly fallen asleep in the box with the magical doll she made for the child. The two of them discover they both share a Christmas birthday and name. As the child embraces her new doll, it magically changes and teaches her about Christmas around the world.
Publisher: Self with help of EABooks Publishing
More about the author . . .
NATALIE ANN (ELENBAAS) ANDRUS lives in Rockford, Michigan with her husband (Robert) of thirty-four years. They have two adult children: Forrest (wife Carley) and Spencer. Natalie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has been a contract litigation paralegal for twenty-five years. She has earned the American Association for Justice Paralegal of the Year award. Natalie started this story when she was ten years old. The story grew over time with her love of FAITH, travel throughout over twenty countries, and meeting people of various cultural backgrounds.
Congratulations, Natalie Ann.
ReplyDelete