Scenes from the Writing Life

by Sandy Grubb

Seventh Edition, April 2025

Just Like Click is one year old!

I'm grateful to all the readers who have supported me this year to get Just Like Click well-launched out into the world. You have read my book, read it to kids and grandkids, gifted it to friends, placed it in Little Free Libraries, donated it to school libraries, left reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, and the list goes on. All of this means the world to me. Thank you so much!

I was invited to speak at the Children's Literature Festival at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, in late March. I had the privilege to speak to two hundred 4th to 6th graders over four sessions. I was so impressed with the questions they asked. One boy asked me why I named my protagonist Nick. I explained that after teaching school and Sunday school for several decades, all the Nicks I had met were nice kids. This little boy bursted out, "My name is Nick and I'm a nice kid!" I love that kid!

Guest authors at the Children's Literature Festival: Standing, left to right, Jane Kuo, Jose Pablo Iriarte, Lindsay Currie, Chris Barton, Chrystal D. Giles, David Biedrzycki, Jennifer Nielsen. Seated, left to right, Sandy Grubb, Jenny Ziegler, Megan Wagner Lloyd.

In March, I received the fantastic news that Just Like Click was selected to be on the 3rd-5th grade list for 2025-26 Oregon Battle of the Books. This is such an honor. My publisher has done a second printing. My local library district just ordered 120 more copies! Imagine all the children who will meet Nick, Patrick, Celia, and Jacey!

I'm not sure I'm smarter or wiser after launching my first book, but I have a couple observations:

• Never measure your personal worth by your book's Amazon ranking.

• Resist the temptation to compare yourself to other authors. We all have our own unique journey.

• Celebrate every good thing that comes your book's way!

• Don't keep moving the bar that defines your dream. Putting a book out in the world is my dream come true! That's all I asked for and exactly what God gave me (and more!).

• You will be happiest if you remain generous, grateful, and humble.

FREE RESOURCES

You can find discussion questions for Just Like Click and free down-loadable, make-your-own-comic templates on my website:

sandygrubb.com

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Purchase Information

Just Like Click is available for sale at almost all places that carry books. Here are a few links.

Paulina Springs Books (Bookshop)

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing

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