New Book Deal

Well, I usually blog about my clients and their fabulous accomplishments, which I will continue to do, of course! But today I wanted to share with all of you, my exciting news that a children's book written by my husband and I has been officially signed by boutique publishing company Crosswinds Press. We are in the early stages of design and illustration but I should have more info soon. Thanks for your support!!

Here's the announcement on their blog as well!

Making Lemonade

CJ Connolly, like so many others diagnosed with scleroderma, has gained a heightened awareness of the important things in life.  “Finding out about my disease definitely put life in perspective.  It was time to write down all of the many lessons I had learned from family, friends and life in general to pass on to my grandchildren and others.” 

The result of this renewed focus is a new series of rhyming children’s books aimed at 3-8 year old “early readers.”  After reading the first story CJ had written for her grandson last Christmas, George noted “It was good, really good so I decided to find a way to publish the book so others could enjoy it.  CJ was adamant against sending it to a traditional publisher, though, as she had found the experience less than thrilling in the past.  “And sure enough, the first time we showed the book to an editor, she proceeded to take out key words that supported the rhyming structure of the book,” says CJ.

So, George and CJ have taken on a major challenge—starting a new business in a down economy.  The result is the boutique publishing company, Crosswinds Press. Using what is called a “virtual” structure, George and CJ have joined forces with three other small Connecticut businesses (Lisa Adams Art, LaPointe Design, and The Racine Company) to launch this joint venture.

“In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series,” notes George Racine of The Racine Company, who prints the books and all related printed matter in his Brooklyn, CT plant.  “It is actually fun, not work.  We are all proud of the high quality product we’ve produced.

The first book in the series, Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T, was released and recently The Boomerang, The Bad Enchilada have released. The Lemonade Stand and A Line in the Sand are in production for release in early summer.  Each of these books contains a lesson, or moral.  In the first book, Wil meets a wise old flea named simply “T” who helps him see that gaining anything of value requires effort—it is never, ever free.  Mr. T continues to help Wil throughout the series, often accompanied by one or more of “T’s” extended flea family.  Brought to life by the talented illustrator, Lisa Adams, the books are both entertaining and beautiful. 

In talking about undertaking such a major project while fighting the creeping progression of her scleroderma, CJ notes: “The fact is that no one knows how many more days they have left.  I almost see the scleroderma as a ‘gift’ of sorts, perhaps the best one I’ve been given because it has motivated me to do things that otherwise might have been left undone.  With the press and the book projects, I’m simply too busy to worry about what happens next.”  Clearly, as suggested by the title of fourth book in the series, The Lemonade Stand, CJ has decided to make lemonade with the lemons she’s been given. 

The Reach Out and Read National Center in Boston has placed Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T on several lists of recommended books distributed to parents and medical providers saying:  “it will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers, who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made.”

The books are available through the Crosswinds Press website and through Amazon.com.

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

MKP author CJ Connolly and a nice write-up on The Day.

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

MKP client CJ Connolly, author, is featured in local CT paper

Meet Mr. T. He is a wise, old flea that helps his new friends Wil and Fitz find what they are looking for and teaches them a thing or two about life along the way. This enchanting children’s book, “Wil, Fitz, and a Flea Named T,” is written by CJ Connolly, Noank, and is part of a new series, published by Crosswinds Press, Inc. The book is illustrated by Lisa Adams, Mystic, and designed by Trish LaPointe, Old Mystic.

Read the article Fleas Teach Kids About Life by Amy Pjura in it's entirety here

Partners in Rhyme: Announcing the Release of Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T

The rhyming children's book Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T by CJ Connolly and illustrated by Lisa Adams has just been released. Focused on the 3-8 year old segment of the children's market, this whimsical tale is the first in a series of books starring Wil and a wise old flea, Mr. T, who serves as Wil's modern day Jiminy Cricket.

Using rhymes and engaging illustrations to tell the story, the focus is on teaching a simple life lesson--that achieving anything of value requires effort--it is never ever free. The book is the first in the series published by Crosswinds Press, a boutique, virtual publisher that has combined the talents of four small Connecticut businesses to bring a high quality product to the market--a book written, illustrated, designed, printed and bound in the United States.

When I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, scleroderma, it put my life in perspective. If I wanted to share all the stories and lessons I had learned from my relatives, friends and life itself with my six grandchildren, I would have to do so in print and as soon as possible
I also knew that rhyming books hold a special place in children's literature, and rhyming is something that has always come naturally to me.
Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T is both educational and charming…(it) will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made.
In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series
It is actually fun, not work. We are all proud of the high quality product we've produced.

Mystic, CT (PRWEB) October 29, 2009 -- Stories are the timeless way to pass the lessons of life from one generation to the next. Telling these stories is the focus of a new whimsical series of rhyming books authored by CJ Connolly and illustrated by Lisa Adams, both of Mystic, CT. Focused on the underserved 3-8 year old children's market, the new series debuted in mid-October with the release of the first title, Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T published by Crosswinds Press. Four additional titles are in production, including The Boomerang and The Bad Enchilada, and will be released within the next four to six months.

"When I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, scleroderma, it put my life in perspective. If I wanted to share all the stories and lessons I had learned from my relatives, friends and life itself with my six grandchildren, I would have to do so in print and as soon as possible," noted CJ Connolly. "I also knew that rhyming books hold a special place in children's literature, and rhyming is something that has always come naturally to me."

Each book in the series contains its own unique moral. In Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T, Wil, one of the two prime characters, discovers that achieving anything of value requires effort…it is never, ever free. This lesson is taught to Wil by a wise old flea named "T" who serves as a modern day Jiminy Cricket. Forthcoming books, such as the soon to be released The Boomerang, feature members of T's extended family who add humor to the stories and help bring the lessons to life. They are written in a style similar to Dr. Seuss and hope to compete with Dr. Seuss and Mouse Cookies in their key markets.

Jacquelyn Miller of the Reach Out and Read National Center notes, "Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T is both educational and charming…(it) will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made." Ms. Miller has added the book to several of the lists of recommended books she distributes to parents and medical providers.

The publisher of the series, Crosswinds Press, is a start-up boutique publishing firm that emphasizes rhyming children's books. Using what is called a "virtual" structure, the Press contracts with a local designer, Trish LaPointe LaPointe Design website and a local printer, the Racine Company to bring the books to fruition. It is a uniquely Connecticut team, or partners in rhyme, that is knitting together four small Connecticut businesses to have one big impact.

"In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series," notes George Racine of The Racine Company, who prints the books and all related printed matter in his Brooklyn, CT plant. "It is actually fun, not work. We are all proud of the high quality product we've produced."

CJ Connolly has authored numerous books and articles in the professional press under the moniker CJ McNair. An expert in cost management and control systems, she currently is a professor at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Lisa Adams is a well-known illustrator of children's books. She designed the logo for the Baby Gap stores and has recently released a new book The Twelve Days of Christmas in New York. Other work completed by Lisa can be viewed at Lisa Adams Art website.

For further information or to purchase books from the series, contact Crosswinds Press at Crosswinds Press website , by phone at 860-245-0245 or by fax at 860-245-0246.

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