Happy Fall

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

Fall

Fall is my favorite season. For me it has always held the excitement and anticipation of a new beginning because of the start of the school year. In fact, my years kind of feel like they start in September since I have spent most of my life on a school-year calendar. After going through grade school, middle school, high school, and college, I taught school for twenty-six years. Every fall, for all those years, I went to school. Even though I’m retired from teaching, my mind still works on a school-year schedule. Last week, I was excited as I pictured yellow school buses, pencils, erasers, tablets, crayons, markers, backpacks, decorated halls, and the smiling, excited faces of students. Students sitting at desks ready to learn from the teachers who have dedicated their lives to sharing knowledge in creative ways.

A huge part of this “school-beginning” picture I have in my mind has to do with books. Classrooms full of books. Libraries full of books. Books everywhere. Books to be read and enjoyed. Books that become a part of memories. For years, I have dreamed of having of books I have written in those classrooms and libraries—to be read and enjoyed, to bring smiles, to bring “Read it again!”.

But dreaming took me nowhere until I was willing to get get to work—the type of hard work goes into making any dream come true. A few years ago, I started working hard to reach my dream. Writing hard to reach my dream.

Now, that’s what I do. I write children’s books. And this September is especially exciting for me. I’m getting closer to making my dream a reality. Closer to getting published. Closer to having books that I have written sitting in those classrooms and libraries.

Why is this September especially exciting? I now have an agent. April the 29th, I signed with Tricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Our author/agent relationship is only a few months old, but I already know she’s wonderful. I could tell you all the ways she’s wonderful, but I know I would miss some. Let me just say that she when she shows up, her backpack is full of all the right supplies. Very well stocked. I feel lucky to have her, and one very important reason I feel lucky to have her is because she makes me feel like she’s lucky to have me!

Fall is my favorite season, and this may be my favorite fall so far. Technically, this isn’t a “new beginning”, as I’ve already begun my writing journey, but it feels like I’ve gone on to the next grade in school. I’m full of excitement and anticipation for what this year will bring!

Happy fall to all my readers. I hope you, too, feel excitement and anticipation as you move forward on your journey…whatever it may be.

34 thoughts on “Happy Fall”

  1. With all the back-to-school business last week, I somehow missed this post. Congratulations! And may that first book contract be just around the bend. =)

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  2. Pingback: Perfect Picture Book Friday-Sophie’s Squash | ~a penny and her jots~

  3. Oh what a post! Hey put me in the line of people loving fall. I live near a high school and I can’t wait until I hear the band and their late eveing practices. Since I was a little girl high school band practice, the smell of leaves burning (rural living, ya know), and country fairs signal fall. On to the good stuff…Huge! Huge congrats to you, Penny. I can’t wait to have your books to share with my classroom clan. It tickles them so when I tell them that I know a particular author personally. You’re such a talent. It was just a matter of time. Yaay, Penny!

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  7. Penny , you are too young to have taught for 26 years 🙂 Such exciting news! I am thrilled (though not surprised) that you have an agent representing you! It truly is an exciting time for you. I can’t wait to read your upcoming books! Congratulations!

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    1. Now that is very sweet, Iza…but not only did I teach for 26 years, I took six years off during that time and have been retired for five. If we ever get the chance to meet in person…you’ll see my wrinkles!
      Thanks for the congratulations and I do hope to have books out there in print!

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  8. Fantastic news Penny. You really do have an excellent agent. I’ve heard her speak and was impressed. I wish you much success! I like the fall, but spring is my favorite time of the year.

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  9. This is a wonderful post of such joy, I can’t help but be excited for and with you, Penny. Congrats on your agent and all the best for what lies ahead. Enjoy the fall, while I begin to enjoy the spring!

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  12. Hi Penny! I so relate to the year starting in Sept. too, not just the start of the school year, but here in Florida, the slight change in weather to not as much humidity, and cooler nights – nights when you can open the windows and sleep with real air instead of air conditioning! I’m excited for your ‘new year’. All the best, my friend!

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  14. YES! Me, too. Fall is my new year and full of color and potential…. I love all the excitement and hope bubbling in this post and am excited with you for what this next ‘grade’ will bring for you!

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  15. I’m so excited for you, Penny! Fall always feels like the proper “New Year” to me, as well. And it is so wonderful to feel along with you the possibilities of this “new grade” you’ve passed in to. Congratulations on your agent (and congratulations to your agent as well!) Here’s to a new school year and a new writing year full of exciting surprises!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! A new year full of exciting surprises sounds great. As writers that can happen in so many ways. I know PiBoIdMo will bring excitement and new ideas. Finishing another year of 12 x 12 will be exciting! And…Perfect Picture Book Friday is starting up again! I appreciate all the inspiration that is to be had here in our exciting community! What an exceptional group of people!

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  17. What a wonderful post, Penny, full of excitement and anticipation – exactly what fall always means to me, too. And I am also doubly excited because I can’t wait to see what’s next for you, just waiting around the corner. You’ve worked so hard, and I’m thrilled to see you “pass” to the next grade – with flying colors! Your books will be on my shelf, too. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Renee! It’s fun hearing that others feel the same way about fall…the excitement and anticipation! Fall seems to have given me a new energy with my writing which can sometimes feel stale! Thanks for dropping in!

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