The blog of Canadian author Cynthia Reyes
You just never know what Myrtle’s biggest fan in New Zealand will do when a new Myrtle book comes out. She has been known to paint her nails purple, don purple clothes, and now she seems to be choosing purple jewellry or something.
As I said, I never know. But I read her blog this morning, and am intrigued to see what comes next. Please click on the link below.
https://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2019/08/20/return-of-the-prodigal-blogger.
Babies of all kinds are being born these days.
Here’s one of mine.
Born “Myrtle”, reborn with a new name — “Vertu”, in French — she arrived recently.
Huge thanks to Jean Long and Jessica Charnock, who translated the book from English, then diligently proofread the book in its draft form.
To do the translation, Jean took a big break from designing and building new birdhouses.
Jessica, meanwhile, took a break from the acclaimed Myrtle the Purple Turtle wall hanging she was creating at the time.
Thanks to Clif Graves, who formatted the book patiently and well. With Clif’s help, the book is also distributed by IngramSpark, making it easier for the bookstores, libraries, schools and other organizations who usually order my books.
As always, thanks to illustrator Jo Robinson, who created the original images.
I’m grateful to my co-author Lauren Reyes-Grange (of Myrtle’s Game and subsequent Myrtle the Purple Turtle books) whose brilliance allows me to shine.
I’m indebted — yes, that’s a great word, ’cause he invested in me! — to my husband for his love, support and commonsense. He and our entire family continue to help me with everything I undertake.
They all make for a remarkably diverse crew of midwives and family members. Two French-Canadians; two Jamaican-Canadians; one American from Maine; one South African, and a bunch of Canadians.
I’m also dedicating this post to Carol S, a Canadian who has become a super agent for the Myrtle books.
Thank you all for loving Myrtle! Err… Vertu!
I’m seeing turtles everywhere these days!
Myrtle’s Game, book 2 in the Myrtle the Purple Turtle series, is complete and now the Kindle version has just been released on Amazon.
In Canada, it hit the #1 spot in its category on the first day.
The US ebook is available here, with more links and updates to come.
The print version will be released everywhere on Amazon in another day or two. Stay tuned, please.
Jo Robinson again has created gorgeous full-colour images of Myrtle and friends and we are once again bowled over by her great talent.
Daughter Lauren Reyes-Grange is my co-author on this book, and it’s been a joy to collaborate with her. You may recall that the first Myrtle book was written for her when she was a child. Please help me congratulate her on her first book!
While we anxiously waited for the book to be ready, Karen Pickering’s art class in Wisconsin, USA, made us pictures of turtles. This delighted us no end.
So did the wonderful messages from many Myrtle-fans — among them the great champions of Indie authors, Chris Graham and Sally Cronin. Take a bow, please! We authors thrive on such support.
On Facebook, I noticed today that friend Mandy, while waiting for the new book, has re-read Book #1 and painted her nails purple. She beat me to it, and I have never been so happy to be bested!
Finally, late last night, I belatedly came across this review of Myrtle the Purple Turtle from Canadian Living, one of Canada’s top-rated magazines. I was “over the moon”, as they say!
Book reviews and stories, from magazines, newspapers, bloggers, broadcasters — and many others sharing by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email and elsewhere — made Myrtle the Purple Turtle a repeat bestseller.
You proved that a little book, written 28 years earlier and produced independently, could be a success.
Are we grateful? You bet.
THANK YOU.
No child wants to be different. To be taunted for something you can’t change.
I know.
I wanted dark hair, like everyone else. Instead, during childhood, I had flaming reddish hair. “Reds” was the kindest of my nicknames.
I loved playing — boisterously — with my sisters and friends. Suddenly, I was struck with childhood epilepsy, and — over several years — would have to frequently retreat to quiet spaces. While my friends played, I read books, kept a journal and sometimes wrote little stories.
I grew to love reading and writing and — thank goodness — my family nurtured this love. I read so well that my mother and grandmother sent me to read the Bible and newspaper to elderly patients in the local infirmary.
It was my first “job” as a volunteer, but a weird role for a small child. I didn’t want to do it at first. I wanted to be out playing, like the other children.
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How was I to know that the very things that made me odd would also make me strong?
That having reddish hair in childhood would strengthen my empathy towards “different” people, persisting long after my hair colour had gradually darkened on its own?
That having epilepsy — being forced to slow down and read — would nurture my love of stories and words and expand my view of the world outside our small village?
That all of it, even reading the news to elderly people, would help prepare me for rewarding careers in television, community service, and — more recently — in publishing?
~~
If I could, I’d tell every child in the world:
Don’t hate the things that make you different. Love them. Because the very things that you’re teased for, even excluded for, will provide some of your greatest strengths.
I’d say:
See the teasing and strange looks as proof that you’re wonderful.
It’s painful now, I know.
It’s hard to believe now, I know.
Try to believe it anyway.
I know.
~~
Dedicated to every child who feels different, including a very bright young girl with purple glasses whom I recently met.
#loveyourshell
Cynthia Reyes 