middle grade Archives - Donna Galanti - Where heart and hope meet adventure!

Unicorn Island Hardcover out Feb. 9th plus Events, Giveaways & Reviews!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Maybe early summer? Yikes! With this pandemic going on, every day seems the same. A blur of time. I’m sure many of you felt like that, too! I’ve been getting in as many hikes, kayaking, and family outdoor trips as I can with my husband and son, in between writing, of course.

It was also a super busy summer and fall for me with writing. I was contracted to write the second book in the Unicorn Island series by Epic. It releases in 5 parts in May 2021 on the Epic platform, the leading digital library for elementary students, followed with hardcover winter of 2022.

NEWS: I’m thrilled that the illustrated hardcover of Unicorn Island, book 1, releases one month from today, February 9th, by Andrews McMeel Publishing (Simon & Schuster)!

You can pre-order the book here. PLUS, email me your receipt at donna@donnagalanti.com and I’ll mail you out a bookmark and autographed bookplate to place in the book! Just let me know who to personalize it to. 😊

To celebrate the launch of Unicorn Island, I’ll be discussing the book through an Author in Conversation virtual event with the super nice and talented author F.T. (Fleur) Bradley. The event, hosted by my favorite local bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop, will be held February 9th at 7pm. Register here for free: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/donna-galanti-in

You’ll also get the chance to ask us both questions, too! You’ll definitely want to check out Fleur’s newest book, Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. It’s a delightful, fun mystery in a spooky setting. See my full review here.

Around release day, I’ll also be doing loads of interviews with cool book bloggers and a fun unicorn-themed giveaway that you or your favorite unicorn lover will want to enter. More information to come!

After writing the next book in the Unicorn Island series this summer, I finished a new middle grade that involves more mystery and adventure, and then was contracted to write another middle grade fantasy—and wrote that full length book in a month! And finally, I revised a current novel draft with a new plot line. Needless to say, with all this book writing in 2020, I ran away to get it all done on deadline. Multiple times. This involved going to one of my favorite places to write (three times) at The Highlights Foundation.

In between all this, I raced up to Cape Cod (also three times!) with my critique partner, Erica George, to get some writing done.

Erica’s AMAZING debut novel comes out this May, Words Composed of Sea and Sky. This young adult historical/contemporary novel is beautiful in so many ways. The prose is poetic and lyrical at times, deepening even more the emotion we feel for the characters. See my full review here and purchase the book and follow Erica.

I finished my writing marathon with a few days of relaxation at my very own farmhouse in fall at The Highlights Foundation. This is a wonderful haven for writers! Amazing setting, delicious food, warm and friendly staff.

Writing for children is a magical thing. Yes, writing books is H-A-R-D! Plotting, creating characters, building worlds, adding adventure and mystery…and revision. LOTS of revision. But connecting with kids and sharing books with them is an amazing job. And I get to be a kid again myself. Forever in that wondrous place between childhood and teen, where the world is still full of mystery and fantasy—and anything is possible.

And if you love books, too, then hopefully you love to support authors. The best way to support us is to buy and read our books, post honest reviews online, and share with friends! Help me do that for Unicorn Island and I’ll be forever grateful 😊. Here are some ways to do that:

Pre-order Unicorn Island at your favorite bookseller
Follow me on Amazon
Follow me at BookBub
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Check out #newrelease Unicorn Island! Because beyond the mist lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered. “A fast-paced magical adventure.”-Kirkus Reviews. Pre-order the illustrated hardcover: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Unicorn-Island/Donna-Galanti/Unicorn-Island/9781524864705 #unicorns #childrensbooks

Summer fun + more Unicorn Island books to come!

By Donna Galanti

Summer is nearly here! I hope you are enjoying outdoor adventures wherever you are. While this time has been hard for so many, I’ve tried to embrace this gift of time to spend with loved ones. Since we’ve been in isolation for nearly three months and my husband’s business was shut down, we’ve had more time together as a family and planned a nature excursion each week. The woods have always been where I go to find peace and solitude–it’s also where most of my story ideas are born!

Here are a few photos of our recent adventures–and I’m excited to say we’ve just added kayaks to our family adventures (my birthday gift to me since today is my birthday!). 🥰

This time has also given me more time to work on new book ideas–including a new story outline for the next book in my Unicorn Island series! Since its release digitally in May on the Epic platform in a 5-part book serial (hardcover coming May 2021), the book has done so well that Epic hired me to write more books in the series. Yay! Watch for them coming spring 2021. You can get Epic free with a 30-day trial here and access 40K titles as the leading digital library for kids 12 and under: https://www.getepic.com/

So, last year Epic hired me to write a book for middle grade readers. With our first conversation, all I knew was that they “wanted a book where a girl must take care of a unicorn.” From this grew the idea for Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck–and I had no idea of the reception it would get! I’m happy to see that Unicorn Island has made its way on to many elementary school summer reading lists. It’s also out in audio book! And if you’re looking for more adventure books then check out my Joshua and the Lightning Road series!

I’ve also had so many wonderful messages from teachers, parents, and kids telling me how much they enjoy Unicorn Island.

This one below made my day today! How cute is this? I’ve never had anyone sign it “your fan”. For some reason, they all want to know how old I am. Ha ha! (51 today!)

Another little girl truly touched my heart. Her mom reached out to me with immense gratitude this past month. Her daughter had been so depressed by the pandemic, and the most heartbreaking thing was that she hadn’t seen her dad since December as he is an essential worker working far away. The little girl discovered my Unicorn Island series and something clicked–she “got a twinkle in her eye” and couldn’t wait to read all the books.

The mom thanked me from the bottom of her heart for bringing her daughter’s spark back for the first time in months. I offered to do a Zoom video call and it was so fun! The little girl asked the smartest questions, too. She also just sent me ideas for the next books in the series. This is what makes my heart burst with joy as a children’s book author. This is so why our world needs storytellers–to inspire, give hope, and entertain when we most need it.

I’ve had several kids write and let me know that they’d like to become an author now, too.

And speaking of becoming an author–if you’re a novelist seeking to finish your first draft or revise it for publication, check out my brand new online course I just launched!

I’ll cover what you need to improve your novel writing and editing skills to create a better manuscript that can catch the eye of an agent, editor, publisher, or reader—while saving thousands of dollars on story developmental editing services.

You’ll discover 9 story building issues that could be preventing YOU from getting published—or capturing a reader’s attention—and the techniques to fix them. PLUS, you’ll get direct access to my writing and editing toolbox AND my 10 years of author experience. ENROLL NOW and get my new course now for just $19.99 (reg. $59.99) for a limited time and save 67%. ENDS JUNE 20.

Since today is my birthday, your gift can be to share this promotion with writers you may know! 🥰

I know these times are difficult right now still, but I hope you are finding ways to cope. Meditating is a wonderful way to achieve this. And discovering transcendental meditation last year has changed my life. I practice it daily. I’ve lost 20 lbs. I’m more focused. But most importantly, I’m no longer quick to anger and I let things go. I’m filled with peace, compassion and hope every day. I wish the whole world would meditate right now–it would be a much better place.

Wishing you peace and love!

XXOO–Donna

P.S. Here are recent messages I’ve found on walks in the park near me. I hope they inspire!

New Book Release for Kids! Unicorn Island

By Donna Galanti

**UPDATED May 2021** Check out more new books in Unicorn Island!

I had mentioned last month that I had a surprise coming that involved unicorns—and here it is! I’m so excited to share that my new middle grade series with Epic for Kids just released!

Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck, Book 1, is out digitally right now. It releases in a 5-part serial one book per week for the next 5 weeks. Watch for it in hardcover release in the spring of 2021. It’s perfect for kids ages 8-12. Sign up and get access on Epic for one month for free.

About Unicorn Island series …

Off the South Carolina coast, a young girl discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts and darker dangers.

We all need a bit more magic in the world right now, don’t we? 😊 You don’t get more magical then unicorns!

When Epic hired me to write this middle grade series in 2019, all I knew was that it was to be about a girl who cared for a unicorn. Over many months, it was super exciting to bash around ideas with the Epic team until we had a full concept for the story.

Then the week before my 50^th birthday and celebration trip, I hunkered down and wrote the entire book in just five days. I fell in love with these characters and its world—and I hope you do, too.

I had so much fun writing Unicorn Island because … unicorns! The illustrator, Bethany Stancliffe, did such an amazing job with the artwork throughout, too.

Unicorn Island Book 1: The Secret of Lost Luck

By: Donna Galanti

Illustrated By: Bethany Stancliffe

When Sam moves to a small South Carolina town full of secrets, she stumbles upon the truth behind Lost Luck, Foggy Harbor’s biggest mystery.

For those with school kids at home, you can get the Epic platform for free through June 30th or anyone can sign up for a month-free account. Get access to the book and 40,000+ other books for kids here. You can also gift this award-winning subscription to a child. It’s the leading digital library for kids 12 and under: https://www.getepic.com/

Happy reading!

Middle Grade Rewind: A Day in My Life at 9

By Donna Galanti

As middle grade writers, we find joy in putting ourselves into the young characters we write about. One way I love to do this is re-visit pictures of myself as a kid.

I stare at them, sifting through specific memories connected to that photo. What was I excited about? What did I most want? What made me sad? What made me happy? What was my biggest worry?

Then I journal in that moment, bringing in all the details on the edge of that photo and just out of reach. Often the details outside the picture are the ones that tell the story of that photo. I did this recently with this photo.

Bethel Woods Campground, Holderness, New Hampshire, 1978

Bethel Woods Campground, 1978

Every day I dream about getting my first dog. I imagine she is so real that when I come home from school I run to meet her (her name will be Beauty after Black Beauty). But not yet…so while I wait, I keep busy roaming the campground we own.

It’s fun to wear my strap-on roller skates and hunt the woods for dead butterflies and shotgun shells. They make cool noise makers when you put them in old coffee cans.

I’m lucky because there are always kids here to play with and swim with at the pool (awesome for an only child like me!).

I especially love to hang out in the recreation hall and play pinball machines and records on the juke box. My favorite song is Escape by Rupert Holmes. I asked Dad what a Pina Colada is and he said it’s like a party in a glass for grownups.

Each morning as I pick rotten apples in the orchard to feed our fat hogs, I get to pretend I’m my favorite hero, Laura Ingalls from Little House in the Big Woods. Mom says we’ll even be butchering the hogs soon – just like Laura did!

Mom wants to make head cheese Like Mrs. Ingalls did (ewww!) but I want to blow up the pig’s bladder like a balloon and roast its tail over the fire, just like Laura did. Little House on the Prairie is my favorite show and sometimes I even pretend that Mr. Ingalls is my dad.

After hog feeding time, I get to gather the eggs in the chicken coop. Today I found a double yolk egg without a shell. It was see-through and wobbly just like a Weeble. Although, I think it would fall down if I wobbled it.

Tomorrow is dump day. I get to collect the trash with Dad from all the campsites (we even saw a bear last week!). It’s a totally smelly chore but the best part is that I get to stand up in the back of our 1965 Ford truck and hang onto the wood sides as we cruise to the dump. Wheeee! It’s almost as fun as snowmobiling on the camp trails in winter.

If I help Dad out good, he even promised to take me fishing on Squam Lake this weekend to use my new tackle box. I caught my first pike there last month. Dad almost crashed the boat up on the rocks just so I could reel it in!

Heading out fishing with Dad and friends, in his Boston Whaler

Oh, and there’s a big thunderstorm coming tonight so I plan to sleep on the screened-in porch and watch the lightning all night long (just don’t tell Mom, okay?). Well, time to go practice my after-dinner show for Mom and Dad. I’m singing and dancing to The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers and On The Good Ship Lollipop on my record player. I even made my own sailor and Tigger costumes (I’m a blue fuzzy Tigger in my one-piece footed pj’s, Dad’s striped tie for a tail, and Mom’s wig).

Being nine is the best. Getting a dog would make it even better.

Me and Beauty’s son, Windsor. I got to pick him out from her litter.

Win $10 B&N Gift Card + Middle Grade Book Giveaway!

By Donna Galanti

I’m cleaning out my bookshelves this week and made some awesome finds in fabulous condition. A great mix of middle grade fantasy reads – two are in hard cover! And since I’ve got spring fever soooooo bad I’m giving them away! Enter giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Check out this great middle grade book bundle of award winning books and authors:

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch

Curiosity House by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester

Love to win this amazing bunch of goodies? Enter below. And don’t forget to leave these great authors a review after reading. What are some of your favorite children’s authors?

U.S. only. Enter the Rafflecopter to win! Ends 3/2/2017.

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