Tag: the citizen science book

Posted on

Ya lo veremos!

© Loree Griffin Burns

Last week I handed the final draft of my next book—13,234 words and 104 images—over to my editor. Although most of the photos were taken by the talented Ellen Harasimowicz, I managed to slip a few of my own into the mix, including the wood frog above. I’m incredibly excited to see this project march off in the direction of publication, though I can hardly sleep for wondering how the design team will take my words and Ellen’s pictures and magic them into a book.

Oh, the waiting. And I am not a patient girl.

And so I’m trying to distract myself with more mundane things: planting garlic, painting the door to my office (said door having hung unpainted for TWO YEARS!), preparing for my November school visits (seven days, four schools, two libraries, and eighteen presentations!), learning Spanish with my kids, and reading like a fiend. I’ve also been wondering if this might be the month I finally get my act together and write up some of the stories behind THE HIVE DETECTIVES for this blog; they are long overdue.

Ya lo veremos! (We shall see!)

Buenos Martes! (Happy Tuesday!)

 

Posted on

A Couple Titles

Loree(2)
© Ellen Harasimowicz

So. So so so.

Whatcha been up to?

I’ve been busy working on a new book idea. In fact, I put the finishing touches on the first draft of my proposal this morning. And I kinda really love it. Yes, I do. Here’s hoping that my writing peeps do, too. And my collaborator. And my agent. And, eventually, my editor. It’s a book about a certain beetle that has been wreaking havoc and breaking hearts in my neck of the woods. My working title is BEETLE BUSTER. (I’m out in the woods practicing my own beetle busting skills in the picture above.)

I’ve also been thinking about my next-into-the-bookstore book, which will be published by Henry Holt in spring 2012. I’m anticipating notes from my editor soon and hope to be finalizing the text and photo selections in the coming months. This makes me very happy. There is, however, a tiny glitch: the title. As in, I just can’t come up with one! I’ve tried a few thousand possibilities (here’s one), I’ve made lists, I’ve consulted friends, I’ve asked kids in schools and libraries across the state … and, still, nothing. But last night, just before bed, I had an idea. I jotted it down.

And this morning, I still liked it. This is a good sign.

So … some background:

The book is about citizen science, that is, science done by kids and families and school groups and adults who are interested in observing the world around them. Professional scientists need our help on so many projects, and this book explores four of them in (what I hope is) irresistible detail. It needs a great title, something friendly, enticing, memorable, and representative of the projects inside.

So … a possibility:

BIRDING, FROGGING, TAGGING, SPOTTING: A YEAR OF CITIZEN SCIENCE
By Loree Griffin Burns
Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Henry Holt, 2012

Soooooo … what do you think? I’d really like to know.


Posted on

Bugs, Birds, Frogs, and You

That right there is a picture of my citizen science book in manuscript form. This first draft (it’s actually my third draft, but the first that feels good enough to meet its editor) logged in at 69 pages, 14,392 words, and 101 images. This was definitely the most challenging of the three books I have written. It took me a long time to figure out the best way to tell this story, and I feel as if I dove much deeper (from a craft point of view) than I have before. It was an excellent and SCARY dive, I must say, and although I am pleased with the results, I am glad to have a few weeks to sit back and catch my breath.

How will I catch my breath? Well, I’ve got a book launch to plan, a picture book to noodle with, and a whole lot of lost blogging time to make up for. And a research trip to think about. Oh, yes, and holidays to celebrate.

Happy December!

ps. The post title is what I am calling the citizen science book these days: BUGS, BIRDS, FROGS, AND YOU: A YEAR OF CITIZEN SCIENCE. Any thoughts on this? I’d love to hear them.