Debbie Wagenbach | The Grouchies

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"Grouchies" Gallery
Created & Published by Debbie

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ABOUT "The Grouchies"
"Updates from the President of "The Grouchies"

07/25/07

07/26/07
to
09/29/08

09/29/08

01/27/09


02/24/09

03/07/09

03/09/09


03/10/09

03/28/09

05/01/09

05/12/09

06/06/09

06/19/09

06/29/09


10/01/09

10/15/09


11/21/09


12/10/09

01/27/10

08/13/10

10/15/11

"Miss Debbie"
at 13 months

I've been rhyming since
I was a wee tot. I loved
my "Mother Goose"
book. Remember the
black and white
checkerboard edition?

The idea for the story, "The Grouchies" is born!

The name of the game was "revise, revise, and revise, again! I learned another new "R"
word ... Rejection :-) Many thanks to all my professional co-workers, friends, and family who
read and re-read The Grouchies and gave me wonderful suggestions for editorial
development. Your love and support throughout this process will never be forgotten.

With fingers crossed, The Grouchies takes flight via U.S. Mail to a possible publisher.

Today I received a phone call from a "REAL" editor who asked me if it was snowing in Iowa.
(I was hoping she wasn't calling to chat about the weather and thankfully, she wasn't.) By the
end of our conversation, she had offered me a contract with her publisher to turn my
manuscript of The Grouchies into a real book! Of course, these are my words to describe
this most magical moment. I told her I was speechless, but for those of you who know me,
you know this didn't last long! Needless to say, I wasn't very productive for my employer the
rest of the day. Sorry!

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I've learned a few in the past month and
look forward to learning many more in the future. I'll keep you posted on The Grouchies.
Check back soon!

Today I was asked by a library patron if The Grouchies was an auto-biography. I bet this
won't be the last time I am asked this question, so here's the answer. YES! (sort of) ...

Look for my newest brainstorm ... Coming Soon ... The Grouchies Gallery. I hope it will
make you smile!

Am I fast or what? Check out the Grouchies Gallery page. Come back often! I will add
more pictures to the Grouchies Gallery as my collection builds. I would love to know if you
are as excited about The Grouchies as I am. E -mail me when you have the chance. Look
for more fun grouchie activities in the coming months!

The Frownie Grouchie has the most votes so far. Keep those e-mails coming!

I've just returned from a marvelous Children's Book conference in Ames, Iowa. I met Jane
Cobb, the wonderful Canadian author of "I'm a Little Teapot" and Laura Vaccaro Seeger, a
talented author and illustrator from New York who has won a Caldecott honor award for her
book, "First the Egg." They both encouraged me with a warm welcome to the world of
Children's Book writing. Adding to the excitement of the week was an e-mail from my
Publisher with a sneak peek of the cover art (in color) of The Grouchies. I can't share it yet,
but just as soon as I can it will be front and center on my website. I can pass along that Steve
Mack, an awesome illustrator from Canada has designed an adorable cover and is working
on the pictures for The Grouchies. I can't describe how thrilled I am to have him as the
illustrator of my first picture book! Does this sound like I'm expecting to have more than one
book published? I'm hoping so!

My book is in the 2009 Magination Press Catalog ! The Grouchies will be released in
October. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

The Grouchies are going on the road! My first two author presentations will be this month.
I'm scheduled for an appearance at the library on Saturday, June 20 at 10:00. On Thursday,
June 25, I will visit Next Step's summer school class. Since these presentations are
pre-book, it may be a little challenging, but I know it will be fun! I am so blessed.

Pre-order a copy of The Grouchies for that special little "grouchie" in your life. You may
order it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or my publisher, Magination Press.

Today, the grouchies got me as I walked in to work. My water spilled, the hall was blocked, a
patron called me, "jerk." The vacuum cleaner was plugged up to the very top. I was mad,
then I was sad, oh when would all this stop! Storytime came. It helped to chase the
grouchies far away. I felt better. Then, I laughed when a Mom stopped me to say. "My son
is three and you should know, you are the girl he loves. You're not Miss Debbie at our
house, you're just the girl he loves!" The grouchies didn't stand a chance against my little
prince. They departed in a "poof." They left no fingerprints. The moral of this story is that
sweetness conquers all. My prince didn't have a big white horse, but I felt ten feet tall! Thank
you, Nathan! I love you, too!

Funny coincidence! I just found out that "National Grouch Day" is October 15, the release
day for The Grouchies. Okay, now I'm officially counting down the days ... 14 more to go!

Today The Grouchies are released from their hiding place. They're traveling internationally
at quite a rapid pace. To shield yourself from grouchies "cheer" and gloomy, grumpy wiles;
jump out of bed and arm yourself with bright and cheery smiles! Release Day! Yay! Get
your copy of The Grouchies, today! And, the journey continues ...

I have been very busy with marketing and promoting The Grouchies. The presentations and
readings are going well. "Grouchie" fever is spreading! Kids are delightful! At a school
presentation, an elementary student asked me if I was going to throw a fit if my other books
received rejection letters. H-m-m-m, what a thought. Okay, I said I wouldn't! But nobody can
see me or hear me in my closet, right?

Two years ago today I said farewell to my dear grandmother. At age 91, she left a trail of
precious memories that are even more precious today. She was tiny (5'2"), feisty, and had a
heart of pure gold. As I think of her today, the word encourager comes to mind. I love and
miss you, Grandma!

Happy Anniversary to The Grouchies! One year ago today, I was offered a contract for my
first Children's book. I just learned that after a little over two months in print The Grouchies is
in its second printing for both the Hardcover and Paperback! I am blessed beyond what I
deserve. Yay!

I celebrated my 25th anniversary of City employment today. In the past month, The
Grouchies has won two awards: Mom's Choice Gold Award for Children's Picture Books
and iParenting Media Award. The excitement continues!

Today is "National Grouch Day" and the 2nd anniversary of The Grouchies' release.
Grouch-Fest 2011 will happen today from 10-Noon at Burlington By The Book.

ORDER
INFORMATION

A special thank-you to my dear friend and
co-worker, Sam for her professional artistic
depiction of "The Grouchies." Sam
surprised me with this drawing in 2007.
Sam is one of my highly esteemed "editors."

Before Steve Mack became my illustrator ...

I had a trio of awesome illustrators!

LYDIA
My Niece -- Age 8

ELISE
My Niece -- Age 6