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January/February 2012
| www.teresafunke.com |
 Happy New Year!
Everyone I know has been telling me that this past holiday season was busier and more stressful than ever. I concur, although I very much enjoyed our third annual Great Book Giveaway! I handed out almost 400 books to four organizations who work with children and seniors. And I manned a table at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County's holiday party. We had over 300 kids attend, and to my surprise and delight, my 1940s table was pretty popular. We had tons of kids doing our paper airplane contest and making our cloth parachutes. And I connected with my very special sponsors again this December. Without them, none of the outreach I do in the community would be possible.
Now I head into 2012 with high hopes for some new endeavors, including my new book, which comes out this month and my soon-to-launch video blog. I'll also be teaming with some energetic artists and entrepreneurs this year who hope to make a difference in our field. And, of course, I'll be doing a lot more speaking. I hope great new things are on your horizons this year. Keep me posted on all of your good news and let me know how I can help.
Did You Know: Okay, I know Christmas is over, but I had to pass on this link to a YouTube video about Bob Hope's USO Christmas shows. I've been a Bob Hope fan since I was a kid, partly because I was fascinated by his USO shows in war-torn areas, and I thought this video really captured the essence of his work. Thank you to Ted Blevins who passed this on. He finds me the best WWII material! Click here to see the video.
Did You Know: The number of author visits to schools are down across the country. According to a recent article in the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators' Bulletin, the reasons are two-fold: 1) budget cuts have made it harder to pay our fees and 2) teachers are so locked into strict curriculums that tie to testing that they can't make time for author visits. Though authors, teachers, principals, media specialists, and students can tell you the value of author visits, the article cited at least one solid bit of "proof." School librarians report an increase in library circulation following author visits. The value that I see comes from the letters and e-mails I receive from students. "I used to think I was a bad writer until you came. I will now pursue the stories I left undone," one student said. What value do you put on a comment like that!
Did You Know: One of my favorite things about December is making my year-end donations. I support several charities and nonprofits that serve children, the arts, historic preservation, veterans, education, and more. Having partnered with several nonprofits this past year, I can vouch for how much they appreciate any amount you can give. No check is too small to make a difference. I've noticed many people, though, are in the habit of donating only to the large, national charities. Please take a look at the local nonprofits in your area. You'll find they are doing amazing work right there in your communities!
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Readers
and Writers
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Readers
Coming in January!
 Announcing my newest book in the Home-Front Heroes series, Wave Me Good-bye. "As the only Jewish girl in her New York neighborhood, Miriam Liebler has a lot on her mind. None of her friends understand her worries about the war, though, until she meets Christopher Richards, a British orphan sent to America for safekeeping. Miriam and Chris share candy, comic books, and secrets through the orphanage fence, but will their friendship survive when trouble brews?" Look for Wave Me Good-bye on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com and for order through your local bookstore later this month. Or to order a signed copy for delivery in early February, e-mail me at teresa@teresafunke.com.
My Books are Available as E-Books!
All five of my books are now available on Kindle and Nook and for download on computers and other types of readers. I'm super excited to be part of the fastest growing book market in the country! Watch for some of my individual short stories soon.
New Merchandise
From TFC
Click Here to see our new t-shirts, posters, notecards and more!
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Writers
That Book Inside You Writer's Workshop
Saturday, February 25, in Estes Park and Saturday, April 21, in Fort Collins
Denver dates will be announced soon!
It all starts with an idea--a middle-of-the-night brainstorm or a concept that's been building--and you know you've got a book inside you. But how do you begin? Click here to visit my website for more information. I'm also working on making this workshop available through webinars this spring.
Teresa's Quote of the Month
"A book is never done; it just goes to print." Click here to read more.
Writer's Tip
January is all about goal setting, right? In my years as a writer's coach, I've found that the writers who are most productive set regular goals. From what I've seen, monthly goals work best. Click through here to find a goal setting tip sheet and form that I use with my clients. |
Send Me Your Writing Questions
And I'll do my best to answer them in this column. Your questions can be on the craft of writing or the business of publishing or the challenges of marketing or anything in between. I'm eager to hear your questions!
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Contact Us
Teresa Funke & Company
3836 Tradition Dr.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
970-215-4155
tfcinfo@teresafunke.com
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Educators
and Students
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Educators
Author Visits for the Spring
Contact me to book an author visit for your school this spring. I offer assemblies and writing workshops for all grades and have worked with dozens of schools. We have matching funds for some of my visits and great suggestions for other ways to fund my appearance.
My workshops incorporate various curriculum points and can be taught in a variety of classes. I have a brand new school visit flyer and price sheet that I would be happy to send you, or you can visit my website for details. You'll also see plenty of endorsements from educators and students!
School Kit News Our Do Your Part School Kits provide classroom sets of my Home-Front Heroes books along with curriculum to teachers nationwide through a sponsorship program. To learn more, click the video below. 
Don't forget to sign up for our waiting list to receive a free kit. If you know of someone who would like to sponsor a kit for your classroom or you think your PTA might be interested in helping you out, direct them to this link for more information on this innovative program!
Famous Firsts: 1940s
The Forties brought a number of firsts. Some of these are listed below, but you can click here to find more.
Penicillin was used to help cure diseases.
The first synthetic rubber tires were manufactured.
Synthetic tooth fillings were developed.
The first commercial flights with pressurized cabins were inaugurated.
The Jeep made its debut on November 11, 1940.
M&M'S�were manufactured for the U.S. Army.
The first Superman animated cartoon debuted.
The first all-star bowling tournament was held.
The first successful turbo-prop engine was developed.
The Slinky�was invented.
Educator's Tips
January begins the new year and many people set goals to learn something new. Here is an activity that kids love: finger-knitting! Finger-knitting is a fun and easy way to knit bracelets, anklets, or key chains. Click here to learn how.
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Students
Pancakes for Valentine's Day Did you know that pancakes were a popular food during WWII? Although rationing only allowed one egg per week, this pancake batter recipe made enough food for a whole family. Try the Valentine's variation for an extra special treat! - 1 egg
- 4 oz of flour
- pinch salt
- 1/2 pint of milk and water mixed
Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together. Add wet ingredients slowly to dry ingredients to make a stiff batter and then continue adding the rest, beating well until smooth. Add a little margarine to a pan until bubbling. Pour in batter and cook both sides until golden brown Serve plain or with jam, syrup, or whipped cream. Makes 10- 14 pancakes. To give your meal a Valentine touch, place heart-shaped cookie cutters into the pan and pour the batter into the cutters. Add strawberries to the mix to give it a Valentine-red color. Enjoy! |
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News
and Events
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News
Wake Island Memorial
In December, I had the privilege of visiting the new Wake Island Memorial at Veteran's Memorial Park in Boise, Idaho. The memorial's creation was part of an Eagle Scout project undertaken by Noah Barnes, whose great-grandfather was a Wake Island civilian who died in one of the prison camps.
Look Who I Met
I had the great pleasure of presenting my books to Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves at one of the holiday events I attended as part of the Great Book Giveaway. They were eager to read the books, and I think it was nice for them to receive a gift for a change!
To see more pictures from the Great Book Giveaway, please see the Picture Gallery on my website! |
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Sponsor Thank Yous
An extra special thanks to the following sponsors of the Great Book Giveaway, one of my favorite community outreach programs of the year! These dedicated sponsors made it possible for me to once again give almost 400 books to four very special groups this year, Realities for Children, Project Self-Sufficiency, The Museo de Las Tres Colonias, and two programs sponsored by the Poudre River Library District. These are such great organizations doing such important work.Thank you so much, sponsors!
North Beach Dental
Jean and Tom Sutherland
Serimus Foundation
Carol Ann and Gary Hixon Hixon Interiors Northern Colorado Writers
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Sponsor Opportunities
Contact me to find out how you can team with Teresa Funke & Company and our partner organizations to help improve literacy, education, and the arts in 2012. Our programs bring new solutions to old problems.
Programs like:
The Read A Hero Literacy Program
The Do Your Part School Kit Program
The Teresa Funke Author Visit Program
The Great Book Giveaway
The Teresa Funke & Company Arts Appreciation Program
And more . . .
If you are looking for ways to benefit your community and get good exposure for your group or business, I'd be happy to send you our Partnership Opportunities packet. Join us in making the things that matter, matter.
Catch Me Here!
Follow my speaking engagements, school visits, readings, and more on my events page.
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Teresa Funke & Company provides books, programs, and resources to Readers, Writers, Teachers, and Students. Teresa is a Speaker, Presenter, Writer's Coach and author of six books based on true stories from World War II. For more information please visit www.teresafunke.com.
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