Gillian has 3 Appearances Featured, 9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair, Sun. Sept. 26!

Very Exciting news!

I had a meeting with the coordinator of WEHO the West Hollywood Book Fair being held Sunday, September 26, 2010. I will be reading Sparky the Wonderfish on the Children's Stage at 12:00PM! I will be at the GLAWS, Greater Los Angeles Writers Society booth after that for an hour and a half selling books and merchandise as well as signing autographs...

As usual, there will be FREE stickers for the kids and Sparky coloring pages too!

And the New Sparky Costume will be there!!!

Come and see me!!!

Check out the links:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150276137930377

http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/?page_id=1889.

http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/

Gillian will be Featured 3 Times at the West Hollywood Book Fair Sun. Aug. 26th!

READING-Approximately 1:00PM Gillian will be reading Sparky on theKids Stage.

SIGNING-3:00PM to 4:30PM at the GLAWS Booth E7,8 Gillian will be autographing books, and selling books & merchandise. She will also give away FREE Stickers, Bookmarks, coloring pages and more!!!

SPEAKING-4:45PM to 5:45PM the "Evening Program" Suspense, Thriller Pavilion GLAWS Presents: Great Los Angeles Writers. Gillian will be one of nine authors chosen for this honor. Gillian has been very successful branding and marketing her Sparky the Wonderfish book. She will discuss marketing techniques which have taken her around the country for appearances, book events, charities, bookstore readings, Barnes and Noble and Borders Bookstores...

Spark the Gulf Hope & Literacy Tour is Looking for Sponsors and Investors!

I am planing a "Sparky the Wonderfish: Hope and Literacy Tour" (and documentary). We will use this "story of how love creates magic" to help rebuild the opportunities of literacy along the New Orleans disaster areas. Our project is aimed toward the educational wants and needs of the children effected by these disasters. I will read, conduct Q&A's... the kids will receive Sparky stickers, they will do coloring pages, interactive games and meet Sparky (costume)! I will donate books & supplies that the children need. We intend for Sparky to reach at least schools, libraries and hospitals. We also plan a Music Festival Fundraiser which will conclude this tour in New Orleans Parish next year. This SPARKY PROJECT will raise money to rebuild at least one new green school and library room devoted to this literacy program. Upon completion of this project, Sparky will leave behin an agenda for mentoring students to read & write, play and interact with books for years to come! Help me HELP those in need! I am looking for sponsors and investors who want to help make this dream come true -- and the dreams of children. Please contact me! Warm regards,

Gillian & Sparky

follow me: twitter.com/SparkTheGulf

watch video: Gillian Working for Charity & Literacy

Letters I received from President Obama & The Honorable Al Gore!

Check this out! My heros...

Pretty awesome, huh!?

One step closer to reading at The White House!

Sparky, Gillian and James Patterson have children's literacy in common!

I just tweeted that, my dear friend Diane A. gave me a book, Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet as a gift and said, "This is perfect for you and Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic." Boy, was she correct!

I just finished reading it. At the end of the book James Patterson describes his passion for his cause / website ReadKiddoRead.com - getting kids hooked on books. And his co-author is a children's book author!

I am going to contact them tomorrow to see if Sparky could help with this important mission. As you know, I have been working hard for literacy and the joy of reading and writing, as well!

Love and talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky

VOTE Gillian Lee Hutshing: Hardest Working for Charity and Literacy CONTEST!

I entered a contest to win $100,000 dollars from Revlon and Mitchum Deodorant for the "Hardest Working Person" in America. Promoting Charity and Literacy throughout the US and Beyond...

As you know, my passionate cause has always been Charity and Literacy, with a special passion
to give aid along the Gulf Coast...

If I win, I will be rewarded with $100,000 and will be the subject of a short film by the legendary Albert Maysles and co-filmmaker Bradley Kaplan.

Please try both links and VOTE!
VOTE Mitchum: Hardest Working Person site
Or
VOTE on YouTube!

Please VOTE every day...
The first round of voting ends July 18.
Finalists will be voted on from
July 19 through August 15th.

LA Times Festival of Books 2010: Me & Cathy, flip videos of GLAWS Booth #624 & Gillian!

Hello!

Well, we had the greatest time at the 15th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of books last weekend! I was chairman of this event for the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society at Booth #624... I sold lots of Sparky the Wonderfish books both at the event and since on Amazon.com

I was giving away stickers like nobody's business, I think I gave away over 500 stickers!

Parents told me their kids had seen them throught the campus and were trying to find out who was giving them out...

Here is a flip video and picture of me and seven year old Cathy Velarde... More images to come...

See you soon!

Gillian & Sparky

Showing GLAWS booth and authors...

Gillian at LATFOB says hello!

Gillian at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books UCLA campus, Sat. Sun. April 24,25!

Hi there-

Just a friendly reminder saying COME VISIT ME at the 30th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this coming weekend of April 24, 25 on the UCLA campus. I will be at the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS) Booth #624 ALL DAY both days! I am chairman for this event, which is the largest Book Fair on the west coast. It should be a blast!

Better yet CLICK the link, to buy a Sparky T-Shirt and WEAR it at the festival! Way to REPRESENT!!!

With love,

Gillian & Sparky

P.S. I will not be signing books as I am sold out at this time. But I will be there with buttons and other swag for purchase, as well as giving out FREE coloring sheets and stickers!!!

I hope to see you there!!!

Sparky at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 24,25!

I will be appearing with my children's picture book, Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB) Saturday & Sunday April 24,25 2010 on the UCLA campus. I will be at Booth #624 in Zone F with the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society. I will be there all day, both days!

Here is the link to check it out: http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

I really hope you will come and visit us there!!!

Gillian & Sparky

Gillian on Marketing Panel for GLAWS: Watch the VIDEO!

Hi There,

The panel went great. It was very fun and informative. I learned a lot from the 3 professionals who were on the panel following ours. Check out this flip video (in 2 parts) of what I had to share that day...

On the Author Panel: Gillian Lee Hutshing, Tom Ruck, Kathy Porter, Leslie Ann Moore, Frank Zanka. (On the Industry Professional Panel: Gayl Murphy, David Matheson, Marla Miller)

Talk soon,

Gillian

GLAWS Panel Pt. 1

GLAWS Panel Pt.2

Gillian on Marketing Panel for GLAWS Sat. March 20th 3:00PM!

Date: March 20th, 2010

Time: 3:00PM

Place: Palms Rancho-Park Library

Ray Bradbury Room-upstairs

2920 Overland Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90064

Hi there-

I was asked by GLAWS president, Tony Todaro to discuss the success of my children's picture book, Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic and to sit on a marketing panel for the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society.

There will be a panel of three marketing professionals, followed by a panel of six authors including me. It should be great information for those interested in being successful at sales and exposure. It's about more than just writing a good book these days...

Come give a listen!

Gillian

Reading and Coloring Sparky to Pre-K in Pasadena, California!

I had a wonderful, fun time reading Sparky and coloring Sparky the Wonderfish with kindergarten kids in Pasadena at 8:00AM on Tuesday March 2nd for Dr. Seuss's Birthday celebration! I also gave them Sparky stickers and postcards and all the kids wanted me to autograph everything. We all had a really great morning. I think Dr. Seuss would have liked it!

Here are some photos and flip!

Sparky & I Moved to Santa Clarita, California!

Hi everyone-

I got a new HD Flip camera for Christmas from my boyfriend Jimmy. And I just moved in with him... BIG news! I shot 3 videos on the last day of my move with my beloved FLIP CAMERA!

Wanna take a look? Check them out!!!

Gillian gets an award from GLAWS!

Certificate of Appreciation-

Awarded to:

Gillian Lee Hutshing, Advisory Board Member & Booksellers Chair

For Your Outstanding Service, Contribution of Time and Energy, and Dedicated Support of the Society's Mission and Vision.

From President of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, Tony Todaro

Christmas Morning 2009!

"The Brody Chronicles" Pt 1 & 2

I got an HD Flip camera for Christmas from my boyfriend Jimmy.

Here are the first two videos of our Christmas morning with his dog Brody & my parrot Henry.

Hope you think they're cute!

Gillian

Brody chronicles Pt.1

Photos from the WEHO Book Fair Oct.4!

Hi there!

The event at The WEHO Book Fair in West Hollywood, California was very successful and fun! For this event, no one could wear the NEW Sparky costume so he was suspended above my booth for all to see, from far and wide... People came to the booth and took photos, I heard people on their cell phones telling friends, "I'm by the the big fish!" I got many new fans for my newsletter as well as 4 more exciting new booking opportunities which I am discussing dates for now, including the Rosewood Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, The Children's Nature Institute, Huntley Preschool in Los Angeles, California, and With Wings & a Halo R.E.A.C.H. a Child!

I'll keep you posted!

Gillian

My 3rd Barnes & Noble Event at The Grove!!!

HI!

We previewed my new Sparky Costume to raves from the kids!

Check out the video and photos of the event...

Barnes & Noble The Grove LA (September 26th) Reading for over 200 Kids!

I spoke with Jon, manager at Barnes & Noble The Grove, he said they placed posters in the store for the event and that they posted the event online... Very exciting to now have my 3rd engagement at the flagship store in Southern California!!!

GLAWS moderating YA books Sept. 19, 2009!

GLAWS Moderating was fantastic! At the last minute an author had to drop out. We were scheduled to have two panels but because of this and the fact that two agents came to the event, we decided to have one big panel with all the young adult authors and the agents, Ashley Grayson Agency... And because we combined panels Judy (the other moderator) and I decided to combine our questions (which were very different).

We had very few questions during the Q & A which I took to mean that we answered those questions during the panel discussion.

...Since then the authors and GLAWS have written to say they thought it went very well and had a very good time. It was my first time moderating and I really enjoyed it!

Gillian & her pals celebrate the retirement of a great teacher!

Hi- I had to share, because I really love this photo of me, my friend Jimmy and his granddaughter Cathy, who is for sure one of Sparky's BIGGEST FANS! It was taken at a huge retirement party for Jimmy's sister Diane. She received a plaque for over 33 years of service to LA Unified School District, and they named this years scholarship fund in her honor!

My New Friend, Faith!

Hi again-

This is the little girl, Faith who I met at sushi up in Arroyo Grande last weekend over Labor Day. She and her sister were so sweet! I gave them both Sparky stickers and, signed postcards for them. Faith asked if I was on Twitter, I said yes. I hope she logs on and sees herself!

Talk soon!

G&S

Look NEW Sparky COSTUME!!! (Shot on iPhone)

Hi!

I was up north in Arroyo Grande for my friend Joanie's birthday.

We had a blast! One of the things we did was visit her sister who has made me a custom Sparky the Wonderfish costume. I had someone put it on at a party that night and the kids went CRAZY for it! The little boy, Thomas begged me to wear it and thought it was a real fish!!!

Take a look,

Love, Gillian & Sparky

Sparky bonding with MobiStories???

I received an email today from MobiStories saying, "Firstly congratulations on what looks to be a fabulous book with gorgeous illustrations and impeccable reviews."... "What we're doing is making it possible for kids to read more often and more easily by giving them books in a format they use everyday, can take wherever they're going, and view on pretty much anything with a screen, from an iPod to a 60" HDTV."

... That if I like what they are doing and might be interested in them creating either a traditional MobiStory version or an iPhone version with more interactivity (or both) of my book, they would like to discuss it! Like my work with Sparky, MobiStories has interest in a low carbon footprint as well... http://www.mobistories.com/

We'll keep you posted!

G & S

Trip to New Orleans Confirmed!!! (Sept 13-18, 2009)

Regarding my "Sparky the Wonderfish Hope & Literacy Tour: New Orleans", so much is happening very fast... I am traveling to Arroyo Grande to visit my friend Joanie September 4 thrugh 6, both for her birthday (I will also pick up my Sparky the Wonderfish Costume, made by her sister for my Sparky events) and plan for my New Orleans trip this month (Sept. 13 to 18 to meet and location scout). We are using this "story of how love creates magic" to help rebuild Hope & Literacy along the New Orleans disaster areas. The project is aimed toward the educational wants and needs of the children effected by these disasters. I will reach 20 schools, 5 libraries and 2 hospitals. I am planning a Concert Fundraiser to conclude my tour in New Orleans next year, which will raise money to build at least one new green school and library. I plan on a meeting with the "Make it Right" foundation... Upon completion of this project/documentary, I will leave behind an agenda of mentoring students to read & write at that school and library!

Note: It has been my singular vision... what I want from my book of 'love creating magic' is to encourage and give back... I am thrilled to see it earnestly taking hold!

Gillian and Sparky the Wonderfish

See you soon!

Barnes & Noble Photos from Long Beach Sat. 8-22-09!

Hello-

The book event went well. I was told not that many kids go to this location.

The kids that were there were pretty cute. The parents said it would be OK to show photos.

This week coming up I don't have any specific Sparky events planned so I will be continuing my NOLA research for my Sparky Hope & Literacy tour. I also sold autographed books to a woman who is going to auction them to raise money for autism. That feels good!

Enjoy the photos!

Gillian

Totz Only Event Photos 8-20-09!

Hi -

We shot video for the most part, so I only have a couple of still photos from this event.

We had a good time! I had merchandise with me as well as books, coloring pages and stickers, creepers, bibs, book bags, buttons etc. 35 kids were there as well as 20 parents... Totz Only is a very cute store, I recommend it highly!!! Very great and original clothes and toys on sale there!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish

iPhone Video Barnes & Noble - The Grove, Kids Entering... 8-18-09

Hello-

We have begun filming events leading up to my Gulf Coast, New Orleans Parish Documentary, "Sparky the Wonderfish Hope & Literacy Tour". Most of what we shot today is on a bigger HD camera so it sits on the hard drive for awhile... Suffice it to say, I wanted to show a little something from todays event so I grabbed an iPhone and shot the 100+ kids just starting to arrive... It was a great event! We all had fun. I read Sparky twice due to popular demand and new people coming in... We also COLORED Sparky and I gave FREE stickers! The book pages were projected on a big screen behind me so, the kids had better viewing!

Check it out!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky

Sparky at the 8th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair (Sun. October 4, 2009 - All Day)!

8TH ANNUAL WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR

8TH ANNUAL WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR

Sunday, October 4, 2009 10AM to 6PM West Hollywood Park 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood

400+ AUTHORS & ARTISTS Literary legends, celebrity guests, poets, storytellers & LA authors

CHILDREN’S AREA Kids’ Stage with storytelling, music, theater & dance. Arts, crafts & games hosted by exhibitors

***Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish will receive BOOTH Assignments soon and will keep you posted!

Roz Helfand
Coordinator
West Hollywood Book Fair
323-848-6515
rhelfand@weho.org

Gillian Reads & Signs at TOTZ ONLY, (August 20, 11:00AM)!

FREE EVENT

presents

SPECIAL AUTHOR EVENT Storytelling, Singing, and Booksigning GILLIAN LEE HUTSHING "SPARKY THE WONDERFISH" Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:00 am - 12:00 pm About The Book. . . Sparky the Wonderfish: A Story of How Love Creates Magic is a charming true story of triumph over adversity. Based on a true story, Sparky the Wonderfish, is about a little girl who manages to save a tiny feeder fish from becoming dinner for six ferocious Oscar fish. Although feeder fish aren't expected to live longer than days, the real-life Sparky lived happily for thirteen years in his bowl, and thanks to the little girl in the story, the fictional Sparky thrives as well, About The Author. . . Gillian Lee Hutshing knows a good story when she sees one. As a feature film editor in Los Angeles, she has worked with acclaimed director's Sir Ridley Scott, Peter Weir, Kevin Costner among others. Sparky the Wonderfish is a story of how love creates magic. Gillian is currently working on a series of books to teach children big words in a fun and humorous way. She is also involved in many children's charities and literacy programs throughout the US. To Learn More About Gillian Hutshing, Visit Her Website: www.gillianleehutshing.com FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT TOTZ ONLY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.totzonly.com We hope to see you there.... Your Friends @