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About
I love writing for children... and for childish adults.
I grew up in Rhode Island, went to college in Washington, D.C. and worked in the entertainment industry for many years. As a screenwriter, I’ve written for The Walt Disney Company, The Lifetime Channel, CBS Interactive and several independent producers. I wrote and co-produced the teen web series MY ALIBI, starring Alison Brie and the Webby Award-winning I HEART VAMPIRES.
My 9-year-old daughter came up with the "Spotty Dot" moniker after I'd read her a list of about one hundred other (vastly inferior) ideas I'd brainstormed. She helped me create the PARROT AND FIREFLY COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK and gives me feedback on all my stories and illustrations. I frequently rope my husband and 7-yr-old son into giving me story and illustration advice as well…. so I guess SDB is a family affair.
Here we all are, being ridiculous on a frozen lake in Mono County, California.
Contact
- Los Angeles, California, United States
For inquiries about author appearances, including school visits, or to request a discount on a large volume order, please email info@spottydotbooks.com.
Shop
Parrot and Firefly on t-shirts, tote bags, mugs and more....
what could be cuter?! Get it here:
SUPER CUTE MERCHANDISE
Order your copy of PARROT & FIREFLY from Amazon, HERE or Barnes & Noble, HERE.
To order multiple copies at a discounted rate, email info@spottydotbooks.com
School Visits
Due to COVID-19, I am only offering virtual visits at the moment. These can be done via Zoom, Google Meet, Skype or another video platform of your choice.
READ ALOUD AND Q & A (20-25 minutes, grades K-4)
I will read PARROT & FIREFLY and answer questions with your class, school, family, or homeschool group.
WRITING TO THE MOON (25-35 minutes, grades K-4)
For those who have already read PARROT & FIREFLY, I will present a slideshow and talk about my journey as a writer, my inspiration for the book and my creative process. This presentation's main themes are learning through mistakes and persisting through setbacks.
PRICING:
READ ALOUD AND Q & A - $45
WRITING TO THE MOON - $65
Note: A small number of free visits are available to underserved communities and to schools purchasing copies of PARROT & FIREFLY for their classrooms and libraries. Email info@spottydotbooks.com for availability.
READ ALOUD AND Q & A (20-25 minutes, grades K-4)
I will read PARROT & FIREFLY and answer questions with your class, school, family, or homeschool group.
WRITING TO THE MOON (25-35 minutes, grades K-4)
For those who have already read PARROT & FIREFLY, I will present a slideshow and talk about my journey as a writer, my inspiration for the book and my creative process. This presentation's main themes are learning through mistakes and persisting through setbacks.
PRICING:
READ ALOUD AND Q & A - $45
WRITING TO THE MOON - $65
Note: A small number of free visits are available to underserved communities and to schools purchasing copies of PARROT & FIREFLY for their classrooms and libraries. Email info@spottydotbooks.com for availability.
Services
Manuscript Critique
Learn MoreLine Editing
Learn MoreWriting Coach
Learn MorePublishing Coach
Learn MoreGhostwriting
Learn MoreBlog
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to me. I never share your information. The policy below outlines how your limited personal information is collected and how it is used when you use our website.You agree to the terms of this policy when you use this website.
Founded in 2020 and based in the United States of America, this website is an independently operated blog run by Julie Restivo Murphy (AKA Jules Murphy.) This website provides resources and ideas for educators and writers.
How Information is Collected:
• if you subscribe to the newsletter or blog posts
• if you leave a comment on the blog
Newsletter and Email Subscription:
If you decide to join the newsletter or email subscription via any of the many sign up forms located throughout this website, then your first name and email address are required. At the bottom of every email I send, you will find a link to unsubscribe. You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. If you are having trouble unsubscribing or would like to be removed from the newsletter, then simply send me an email at info@spottydotbooks.com asking to be removed. I currently use MailerLite as my email service provider (read their privacy policy here https://www.mailerlite.com/legal/privacy-policy). Your data is collected and then passed to them.
Your email and name are never sold or given away to a third party.
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Blog Comments
Love something you read on my blog? Then leaving a comment is a great way to do that! I personally love hearing your feedback. If you choose to leave a comment on a blog post, then please be aware that the comment is then public and visible to anyone who reads the comment section. Your email address is never shared or disclosed, but your name and comment will be visible to others.It is highly recommended that you avoid leaving detailed personal information in your comments.
I reserve the right to remove comments deemed as inappropriate, threatening, profane, or spammy without notice.
For schools and educators:
I do not collect data from anyone under the age of thirteen without parental consent. If a parent consents to their child signing up for the mailing list, I will use the email address to send notifications of newly published books. The email may address the child by name. The email address will not be sold to or shared with any third party.
If I become aware that I have unknowingly collected date from someone under the age of thirteen without parental consent, I will take steps to remove that data.
Student names or emails are never used for commercial purposes.
Parents can request deletion of student names or emails.
You will be notified of there is a privacy breach.