I Believe
in
Santa Claus

From the author ...

"The little poem that makes up I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS was originally created as a Christmas card, sent to my family and friends. The message resonated with more than one recipient, and several (I'm thinking especially of you, Barb!) encouraged me to make a book of it . But even though I had worked as a writer for many years and had managed my share of vexing creative projects to their happy completion, the seemingly simple matters of finding an illustrator (or illustrations) and a publisher seemed to be beyond my abilities.

"Then earlier this year, I was inspired by my daughter Caroline, who was pursuing a creative project of her own with extraordinary energy, focus, and initiative, coupled with an impressive ability to find necessary resources. I was further encouraged to learn that two friends who had been harboring book ideas for long periods of time had moved their work forward in 2010: Peter Vash published his third book, Mindful Eating, and Ron Phillips has been busy with booksignings and interviews for his biographical novel, Donnyboy.  Their examples motivated me to find a way to move I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS out of my head and into the marketplace

"The challenges remained daunting.  The "images" section of this website outlines how someone (i.e., me) who has almost no visual memory and can't draw even a stick figure found the help I needed to create an illustrated book. But in contrast, and in a happy surprise, the process of publishing turned out to be much easier and more efficient in 2011 than it had seemed in years earlier. By using every available moment and taking advantage of any and all opportunities, "I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS" has traveled from "I'm going to try to make it a book" to "Wow, people almost anywhere on earth can buy a copy" in less than three months.

"It's almost tempting to compare this breathtaking speed, global reach, and unbelievable sense of things getting done to the masterful mysteries of Santa Claus' own accomplishments. (Only kidding!) But of course, like all earthly achievements, what initially seems magical or miraculous is quite often more appropriately attributed to the help of others. It is very exciting and rewarding to see my little Christmas card of years ago begin its new spin around the world, and for that I especially thank my dear friend, Judy Gardiner, who preceded me into the universe of twenty-first century publishing and has been my mentor, guide, cheerleader and supporter throughout this process. Her book, Lavender, is available now." 

-Elizabeth Van Ness

 We believe in Santa because we believe in love!