I hope that no matter what you celebrate this season that you have a wonderful time with your family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I'm happy to announce that my latest animation - 26 LEAD SOLDIERS - was accepted into the 2019 Artfields competition in Lake City, SC. This event features nearly 400 entries chosen out of over 1000 submissions from artists across the southeast. Artfields occurs from April 26 - May 4, and during this time, all selected works will be in exhibition at various venues throughout the downtown area. There is also a Makers Market on April 27 - 28 that takes place during the festival. I'll pass along details as I learn them.

Here's a sneak peak at the work-in-progress cover from my upcoming book, NO SHOES FOR BIGFOOT. It's currently scheduled to be released in early February. I hope to have a debut signing to announce to you next month. This one was a lot of fun to make, and I can't wait to be able to share it with you!

As we wrap up the Thanksgiving holiday, I just wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for subscribing to this newsletter and supporting Alpha-Sketch: Art for the Smart. This is a one-man operation and my full-time job. Without the support of customers and schools, I could not continue. Whether you've hosted a school visit, implemented a book fundraiser, bought merchandise, or told a friend about Alpha-Sketch, you are appreciated. 

Here it is, the best sale I hold each year: S IS FOR SALE! There are LOTS of new items now up for sale at Alpha-Sketch.com. 

In addition to the offers listed below, I am adding a special bonus for newsletter subscribers ONLY. If you buy any four picture or activity books ($12 each), I will include a fifth picture/activity book of your choice for free (a $12 value)! Additionally, if you buy THE ALPHA-SKETCH CLASSROOM, I will give you a picture or activity book of your choice ($12 value) for free. To redeem your free offers, simply leave a note at checkout stating your choice. This sale is online only and ends on Saturday, December 1. 

I've had a great time visiting schools this fall. As a former classroom teacher, I absolutely love being able to work with students directly and share my passion for writing and illustrating. I don't take as many photos as I should, but here are a few from a recent visit to Boiling Springs Elementary in Spartanburg (SC) District Two. Special thanks to Ms. Atkins, their fantastic media specialist, for going above and beyond with her preparation. She had read several of my books to the students prior to the visit and even had them draw their own Alpha-Sketch illustrations! Not only that, but check out the fabulous Needles stand-ups Ms. Atkins made. 

The fall is always a busy time with lots of great craft shows popping up everywhere. My next shows are all in SC: 

November 29 - December 1 
Holiday Fair (Greenville, SC)

December 8
Tinsel Town Craft & Vendor Fair (Taylors, SC)

December 9
Crafty Feast (Columbia, SC)

December 15
Swamp Rabbit Cafe Holiday Flea (Greenville, SC)

I have a variety of Christmas items that are only sold at shows like Alpha-Sketch ornaments and snow globes. If you're in the area and looking for some unique gifts that aren't in my online store, be sure to stop by the Alpha-Sketch booth. 

Last month's newsletter featured a contest where you could guess what I was drawing with only 13 of the 26 letters shown. Thanks to everyone that played. The correct answer, as seen below, is a dachshund. All correct answers received were entered into a drawing for an exclusive magnet two-pack. The winner is...Ashley G. of NC!

It's time for a new contest! Here's another partially completed Alpha-Sketch illustration. Once you have a guess send it to braddparton@gmail.com. Guesses will be accepted through Dec. 7. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing for an exclusive magnet pack. Good luck!

Here's a cute reindeer activity/coloring sheet. I've also included a decoded version as well. I hope some of you can get a little classroom use out of this one! Permission to copy for classroom use is granted. Permission to re-distribute or sell is not.

If you work or volunteer at a school and are interested in an author visit or custom book fundraiser, please get in touch. I'm currently scheduling for the spring and into fall 2019. The school visits are reasonably priced and can possibly be free. The fundraisers involve a custom book being written/illustrated about what makes your school a great place. It includes custom drawings of your building, mascot, a town landmark, and more. The fundraiser also offers an Alpha-Sketch t-shirt (in SC: SC flag design; Elsewhere: currently a T-rex design). Each item sold earns your school $5 profit!

Welcome to what I hope is the best way to distribute this newsletter. Many subscribers to this list are from schools. Often times, school districts filter out newsletters to spam. Trying to attach a free worksheet makes it even more likely to be rerouted. Hopefully by housing the free worksheets as a downloadable .pdf here on the website, more people will have access. Anyway, enough shop talk. Thanks for stopping by. Here's what's been happening and what's on the way!

I'm having a great time visiting elementary and middle schools this fall. There are still a few openings in November and December, and spring is starting to fill up a bit as well. As a former educator, I realize that funding is often an issue at schools. Rates vary by location and whether it's a whole day or half day event. Many times school visits are actually free if a school decides to sell my pre-published books after the visit. All my presentations include an animated look at how I draw with letters, portions on looking for details, changing perspectives, a reading from one or more of my books, and a game where small prizes are awarded for guessing what I'm drawing one letter at a time. If you're looking for a fun, educational, and interactive presentation that promotes creativity, just let me know.  ​

I spent a lot of time this summer preparing custom books for schools to use as fundraisers. As a result I'm happy to say that I am able to take on more books for the spring. Some people have even started scheduling for fall of 2019. ​It's so much fun seeing how the students are reacting to learning that a book was written and illustrated about THEIR school that includes THEIR names. They get so excited! When they realize that the art is really puzzle-like since it's made with just the letters of the alphabet, the cool quotient rises even more. I'm so happy to have this opportunity and very grateful to all the support that schools are showing this unique project.

If you would like more information about having a custom book written and illustrated about your school, send me a message or call. There are no minimum orders and your school earns $5 per copy sold! 

I had a fantastic time at the North Carolina School Library Media Association Conference in Winston-Salem, NC earlier this month. It was great to meet so many dedicated media specialists from outside of my home state. Thanks especially to those that attended my session on THE ALPHA-SKETCH CLASSROOM. 

Here's a quick overview of where I'll be exhibiting in the coming months. This list does not include school visits. 

November 3
GCA Fall Festival (Simpsonsville, SC)

November 10
Snowflake Shoppe Craft & Vendor Fair (Taylors, SC)

November 16-18
Holly Jolly Holiday Fair (Anderson, SC)

November 24-25
Jamil Craft Show (Columbia, SC)

November 29 - December 1
Holiday Fair (Greenville, SC)

December 8
Tinsel Town Craft & Vendor Fair (Taylors, SC)

December 9
Crafty Feast (Columbia, SC)

December 15
Swamp Rabbit Cafe Holiday Flea (Greenville, SC; tentative)

I hope that you enjoy this free coloring sheet of a tiger! Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use, but not resale.
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This month I thought we would also have another contest! Pictured below is a partially completed Alpha-Sketch. It is missing 13 letters making it a little hard to decipher. If you think you know what is being drawn, send your guess via e-mail or message (not a comment). All correct entries will be entered into a drawing for an exclusive 2 magnet prize pack that will never be available for purchase. Entries will be accepted through November 2.

I have been pleasantly surprised by how well stickers have been doing at shows. I currently only have a few designs available, but have decided to add more like this cute little T-Rex. Look for three more designs coming soon. All of my stickers are professionally printed on high-grade vinyl and are weather-resistant. Stickers make a great addition to a greeting card without raising the postage. Made in the U.S.A.! 

Get yours today!

Also, to celebrate Halloween - one of my favorite holidays - any online store order of $13 or more will receive a free set of 13 Halloween bookmarks. To receive the bookmarks, just leave a note at checkout telling me what was your favorite childhood costume (mine was Godzilla!). Offer ends on October 31.

​Happy Halloween!

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