Macaroni Disaster

2009-10-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well the book reading and signing was a great success! My thanks to all who made it out. There is a nice article in the Sioux Bulletin which can be downloaded as a .pdf file here. I have also placed some books and calendars at the Sioux Lookout Travel Information Center so folks can pick up copies there if they like.
About the calendar. Over the past several years I have been photographing wildlife and nature scenes around Sioux Lookout. I have taken some of the best of my images and created a calendar which is available for purchase at 20.00 each. You can view a preview of the calendars (or purchase online) here.
Looking ahead a bit, I have a table at this years Sioux Lookout Arts and Crafts Sale. Details will be posted here as soon as I know more.
Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

2009-09-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

I have a book release date confirmed for "The Big Round Frog Returns".
It will be on Tuesday September 29th at the Sioux Lookout Public Library, and things will kick off at 6:30 pm. Hope to see folks there!
As a side note, my last book order arrived a few days ago so I should have copies of all my books available, in case you missed out on an earlier title.
Mike

2009-09-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

And here it is..."The Big Round Frog Returns"...!

2009-09-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's here!
The Big Round Frog Returns is officially ready. I have recieved several copies and hope to announce a book release locally in Sioux Lookout, but if you don't live anywhere close by then by all means order online. I will be attending as a vendor at a workshop series in Dryden on Saturday, October 3rd in at the Best Western Motor Inn. Copies of all my books should be available (I hope my next shipment arrives by then!). Also on hand I may have some calendars of local wildlife photography which I have put together. The photos were all taken in and around Sioux Lookout over the past year or so by me (yeah, another hobby!) You can preview the calendar here.
That's all for now, I'll try to upload a cover shot of The Big Round Frog Returns a little later.
Till then...have a great day!
Mike

2009-04-04T09:25:00.001-07:00

Well, The Big Round Frog Returns has been uploaded to the printer. I have ordered a sample copy to look for errors or areas that need touching up. Fingers crossed that it will be right the first time around!
More soon, once I get my copy.
Mike

Sneak Peak

2009-03-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak at one of the pages from the new "Frog" book. The illustrations may be tweaked a bit before publication, but this is pretty close to the final look.
More to come as I get the book wrapped up!

2009-02-24T20:43:00.000-08:00

Yet another very long stretch between updates. Seems like a trend. I have some good news however. I have received several more finished art pages for the storybook "Welcome, Welcome!".
Still no real ETA on it's publication though. Sigh. I know, I know.

On a more positive note, I have begun to illustrate the sequel to "The Big Round Frog: A Cautionary Tale In Verse".
I'm pretty excited about wrapping this one up and releasing it so watch this space for sneak peaks and release details. Who knows, maybe I can have it ready for the Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival this summer!
For now, I'll leave you with the prologue to the new "As Yet Untitled" Frog book, just to whet your appetite...

Prologue
You may recall that in a bog
There lived a very Big Round Frog

Whose trick it was to sit quite still
So all the bugs thought he was ill

But really it was just a trap
And so he ate them, thwap thwap thwap!

Which brings our story up to date
But don't go yet, just hold on...wait!

There's more to Frog-ish life you know
So hold on tight 'cause here we go!

So there you have it. Want to leave a comment? Please feel free!
Till next time
Mike

2008-08-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

Yikes! two posts in the same month....that just might be a record. Hope summer is treating everyone well, just wanted to post a few of the color illustrations that I've received from Mr. Shawn Richter.
We're getting there...!
More updates soon....
Mike

2008-08-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been 10 months since my last update. Suffice it to say that since my last post the writing has taken a back seat to other events in my life (such as recently buying a house), but the hiatus is over. I have just received a few pages of artwork from the illustrator of my next book, "Welcome! Welcome!" and I must say, I am pretty excited! Take a peek below to see the first few pages as illustrated by Shawn Richter. Shawn is in the process of coloring the artwork. Once this is done we can look at getting it published and available to the public. Keep checking back for updates!

2007-10-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

Sigh...Another summer has come and gone. Sad to see it go! It was a great summer, and I enjoyed seeing so many folks at the local trade and craft show this year, hopefully I'll have a table next year as well.
A new book is in the works, and this time I'll be teaming with a wonderful local artist who will be tackling all of the illustration duties. I've seen a few roughs so far and I must admit, I'm pretty excited to get this one printed up. The artists name is Shawn Richter, and you can see some of his other comic related projects at http://www.wonderealm.tk/ . Our collaboration will be titled "Welcome, Welcome!" and should be available sometime in the new year!
On a side note, I've been uploading photos to an online gallery. Photography is another love of mine, so I hope that you'll take the time to pop over to my gallery at http://mnlawrence.zenfolio.com/ and take a peek.
Well, enough for now...thanks for stopping by!
Mike Lawrence

It's Available!

2007-07-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. "Something About The New Kid" is released and available for purchase.
Check it out at http://www.lulu.com/content/825170 .
If you enjoy the book, don't forget to leave a review or rating on the purchase page!
Oh, and Happy Canada Day everyone!

Mike

Spring Has Sprung!

2007-05-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been a long stretch again since my last update, I know. No excuse!
I have some good news however. I just received a proof copy of my next children's book, "Something About The New Kid"!
In this story, a boy finds that there's "something" about the new kid that has moved in next door.
Living and working in a community that has a large First Nations population, I wanted to write a story that would address the acceptance and friendship that can develop between differing cultures. From there the story evolved into the book it has become. It should be available to the public soon, as I have made a few minor "tweaks" to the artwork and am waiting for another proof copy to confirm that all is as it should be.
Till then, watch this space!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe that should be "Hoppy"...? OK, that was sad, sorry.
"The Big Round Frog : A Cautionary Tale in Verse" has been out for about a month now and the response so far has been quite positive. I've had a bit of newspaper exposure recently, which you can check out online. You can read an article from the St. Thomas Times Journal here, which deals a bit more with my writing in general, or you can check out an article in the Sioux Lookout Bulletin here, although you may need a .pdf reader to access that one. If you have any problems with the links, let me know and I'll try to sort the problems out.

On to The Frog...

"The Big Round Frog" is a story about, well, you guessed it, a Big Round Frog!
Told in verse, the story relates what happens when a very quiet, very still Frog attracts the attention of several curious insects.
Here's an excerpt from pages 11 and 12 respectively...
"So Mosquito and Fly and new friend Bee
flew across the pond, to look and see.
"How strange!" said Bee. "He sits so still...
I think you're right. He sure looks ill!""

I will try to ad a few more images and excerpts over the next week or so. Until then, you can visit my Lulu page for ordering information on both "The Macaroni Disaster!" and "The Big Round Frog" here. So far most of my sales have been person to person locally. I'd sure like the web sales to pick up a bit (Hint, hint!).
That's all for now...I hope everyone has a great 2007 (Who knows, it might be the Year of the Frog!)
Mike

Way Too Long!

2006-12-21T16:10:00.000-08:00

I have been remiss in letting this blog go so long wothout an update, and for that I apologize. After Christmas I'll be posting info on my new book "The Big Round Frog:A Cautionary Tale In Verse", which was released this December. Until then, you can check it out here .
Have a great and safe Holiday!
Mike

2006-05-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

Well it's been way too long since my last update and for that I appologize. There is a new Macaroni Disaster website to be seen at www.macaronidisaster.com , hopefully you can check it out. As far as the book itself, there will be an official release party on June 22nd at the Sioux Lookout Public Library which should be fun... I'll keep you all posted as to how that goes. I should soon have a proof copy of my second book, "The Big Round Frog"...if it looks good I may post some images here.
In case anyone is interested, I've set up a photot album at Photothing.com to allow people to view some of my favorite photographs. If you have time, feel free to take a peek!
Well, thats all for now!
Mike

Offical Website

2006-04-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, the "official" Macaroni Disaster website...take a peek,
and feel free to comment!
website

2006-03-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

Hi...just a quick note that I am working on getting a website up a running as soon a possible. Once this is done I'll post a link here.
Type to ya soon...
Mike

A sneak peek inside

2006-03-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Heres a look inside...(dimensions may be off a bit but you get the idea...)

2006-03-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Author

2006-03-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Macaroni Disaster blog. Here you can find info relating to the children's picture book "The Macaroni Disaster" which I have written and illustrated. Thanks for popping in and I hope you enjoy your visit ...
Mike Lawrence