Well, howdy-hey neighbors!
M1 has been a very busy little bee and just finished her first children's book entitled, The Story of Q, which is aimed at the mid-grade or 'tween' crowd, ages 9-12.
The Kindle (mobi) and Nook/I-Pad (EPub) versions have already been released and I'm waiting to get confirmation regarding the print book within the next day or so.
As you can imagine, we (my illustrator and I) are very excited about the prospects and feeling quite optimistic about the future.
Here's the book's description:
In book one of, The Story of ‘Q’, ten-year-old Rachael Lexington, lives with her parents and six-year-old sister, Melanie. She is a fifth-grader and excellent student at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. She loves learning new things, meeting new people and shares her father’s love of science and astronomy.
One day while attending the annual garage sale event in her neighborhood, she stumbles upon a porcelain letter ‘Q’ and cannot understand why she feels compelled to buy it. However, she convinces herself to make the purchase, for it just happens to match the decor of her newly re-decorated bedroom. Embarrassed that others may think it too childish, the ‘Q’ remains stuffed in her closet for weeks, until she has the nerve to display it on her desk.
Weeks later her best friend Jenny, spends the night at Rachael’s house, when they accidentally discover that the ‘Q’ may be more than a simple decorative item, after her little sister mysteriously goes missing later that night.
For more info regarding the book/release dates, etc, please visit
We also have a FB page, which can be reached via the website.
Wish me luck!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
How cool is that? Now I'm intrigued! I'll have to "pick it up" on Amazon when I get home!
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Oh cool. I can't wait to hear what you think.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
The proof copy should be arriving by tomorrow at the latest. If I'm happy with what I see, I get to hit the PUBLISH button this week. I can't tell you how thrilled I will be. It's been a long time in the making...
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
I have it on Kindle now. Next challenge. . . Time to read! Most of my "reading" is done in the car or jogging with audio books, so if you were to record it maybe. . . . .
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Wow, I think you are the first to buy on KINDLE!!! Thank-you! So thrilled, hope you will be too!
Thanks again, buddy!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Just went public tonight!!! The printed book is now available here:
https://www.createspace.com/5744977
So happy!!!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Trying to get word out about my book. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
It's really difficult to spread the news to the general public when you are self-published. For not only am I author, editor and publisher, I have to be my own advertising guru. On top of that, I have little to no capital to do so, so relying on word of mouth.
So, if you could spread the news to your friends and family about the Story of Q, I would be forever indebted.
When ten-year-old Rachael buys a porcelain letter 'Q' at a garage sale, she has no idea that her latest purchase is more than a decorative item. Follow her eye-opening journey, as she, her best friend Jenny, and Rachael's little sister Melanie, discover the world of 'Q'!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Here's me at my first book signing at a local pub in Dec 2015
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Started on book two called - The Story of Q - Misha Goes Missing. I'm on a roll and already have six chapters completed in less than two weeks. I am hoping that this inspirational trend continues.
I don't know how many of you have read it, or bought it for your kids and grandkids, but the Lexingtons live across the street from an older couple and near the beginning of book one, it says,
“How’s my two favorite young ladies this afternoon?” he beamed, while adjusting his World War II veteran’s cap, which never left his head.
In book two, Rachael (she just turned 11 and is the main character) discovers that Mr. H (that's what she calls him) was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Thought it was a cool way to introduce a little WWII history to the children.
Mr H shows Rachael his office, which is filled with black and white photos from the war and his shadow box with his medals/ribbons. She begins asking him questions. He's an excerpt.
“Who are all these men, Mr. H? Does this have anything to do with the cap you always wear?”
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Super cool! Glad this is taking off for you!
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
It's off to a slow start, but it's getting there. What can I expect, for I am an unknown author and self-published. So it's gonna take some time to get word around to my little readers.
I'm trying to plan some library readings, etc. to get some exposure.
It's exciting though and I'm having a blast. And I now have ten book reviews on Amazon. Those really help tremendously.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
