Welcome Author Diana Murray – Giveaway Alert

Posted byauthorlaurablogPosted inUncategorizedTags:, ,

Today, I welcome author Diana Murray who brings us a double giveaway with her two most recent picture books, UNICORN NIGHT, illustrated by Luke Flowers and HELP MOM WORK FROM HOME, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. After the last year and a half of working from home, I’m guessing everyone will relate to this book. Diana has so many wonderful books already out, and as you’ll see in her “what’s next” portion of the interview, she has been busy! Readers, all you need to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post! I also recommend ordering these books from your favorite indie bookstore or your library!

What were you like at the target age of your audience?

I was extremely shy when I was little. We lived in an urban area but I loved nature and animals. When we went on fishing trips, I loved “helping” the squirrels by gathering acorns. I also loved digging for earthworms, picking onion grass, and observing ants carrying crumbs.

What inspires you?

When I was young, we moved around a lot, but I always lived in an apartment. I used to dream of having a backyard someday. Now I finally have one! So my favorite way to write is while sitting on the patio with my laptop, listening to birds, rustling leaves, and raindrops. I also like listening to instrumental jazz when I write (Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, and Wynton Marsalis). And of course, my kids are a constant source of inspiration, especially memories I have of them when they were little, as they are both teenagers now.

What’s something you hope readers will take away from your books?

For HELP MOM WORK FROM HOME, I hope moms and their kids can share the story together with nods of recognition, some laughs, and a warm hug.

For UNICORN NIGHT, I hope kids enjoy singing the unicorn bedtime song and get lulled to bed with sweet dreams.

What’s next for you?

My first daughter is the one who really inspired me to become a children’s book writer. We are now looking at colleges together! So that is a big life event.

In terms of other forthcoming books, there are lots that I’m excited about. SOMEDAY, MAYBE (Holt/Macmillan) illustrated by Jessica Gibson, is an optimistic look at the future and various jobs, SLEEP LITTLE DOZER (Random House) is a truck-themed book which got delayed and for which we are currently searching for a new illustrator, FIREHOUSE RAINBOW (Little Golden Books) illustrated by Rob McClurkan, is a color concept book about the diverse heroes at a firehouse, and GROGGLE’S MONSTER HALLOWEEN (Sky Pony) is a sequel to GROGGLE’S MONSTER VALENTINE with some wonderful new characters illustrated by Bats Langley. There will also be a third book in the UNICORN DAY series illustrated by Luke Flowers coming in 2022. I’ve seen some glimpses of the sketches and they are awesome! I also have a humorous Valentine themed early reader coming out with Step-into-Reading/Random House, and a few other things down the pipeline that I can’t announce quite yet.

To learn more about Diana and her books:

Twitter: @DianaMWrites Instagram: @dianamurrayauthor website: DianaMurray.com

Published by authorlaurablog

I'm a reading specialist from Chicago, now living in the beauty of the Roosevelt National Forest in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My first book "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" features a creative and curious girl who loves science, her little brother, and her very patient parents. I'm currently writing a MG novel and several picture books with STEM elements and dogs.

30 thoughts on “Welcome Author Diana Murray – Giveaway Alert”

  5. Before this post I didn’t know about this talented author. I am headed to see if my library loan system has her books. Unicorns have always been my favorite.

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  9. What a small world. Two of my author friends together in one space. Love both of your works and would love to add Diana’s book to my picture book collection. Way to go, ladies! 🙂

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    1. Thelia, thanks for stopping by the blog. Diana is a treasure and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to share all her upcoming news, her adorable photo and her amazing giveaway! Good luck in the giveaway.

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