I ADORE interacting with preschoolers. Topics zip around the room like hummingbirds. Here is an actual piece of dialogue from my most recent preschool visit in which we are reading A Warm Winter Tail and talking about adaptation to cold. Me: What season is it outside right now? Class: (silence)Me: Is it a hot season… Read more »
If you are a writer, you have to learn to deal with rejection. It is just part of the landscape. Here are two posts about rejection that might ease the sting. The first is by Darcy Pattison, an author who I appreciate for her honesty and insight. And, this post from Writer’s Digest’s Wendy Burt-Thomas may help… Read more »
The Michigan Reading Association (MRA) has selected 40 children’s and YA books written by Michigan authors to be part of the 2013/2014 Great Lakes Great Reads promotion. A Warm Winter Tail is one of 8 selected for the K-1st grade division. Children across Michigan will read each story and vote on their favorite. Winners will… Read more »
As a follow up to my post about the importance of attending conferences, let’s share success stories. I’m not limiting “success” to just a sold manuscript. Maybe you’ve formed a new relationship, had a great critique, advanced your career in some fashion as a result of attending a conference. Spill it! We’d love to hear. I’ll start:At my second ever… Read more »
People ask me if I think attending conferences is important in the children’s book writing world. My short answer is always, “YES!” The somewhat longer answer is not only do I think conferences are important, I consider them a crucial strategy for advancing my career. Here is why:1. 99% of the time, our communication with editors and potential agents happens over the… Read more »
The following article about independent bookstores is an interesting read: http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/12-stats-on-the-state-of-bookstores-in-america-todayThe bottom line? To continue to be effective resources, indies still need our support. Walk on in and buy a book today!
ASK FOR QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR VISIT I love questions at events. I really do. BUT, it can be very difficult to pick a questioner (“how about the boy in the blue shirt there? no, I meant that blue shirt…”) out of a sea of children popping up and down like the Frogger game at… Read more »
“PLAN FOR WORST CASE WONKY TECHNOLOGY DISASTERS” Are you kidding me? This is how I felt when I realized thirty minutes before my first presentation of five that my elderly laptop (tested at home) would suddenly not hold a charge from the electrical cord and the battery was dead. Thankfully, I had Dropboxed the Powerpoint presentation… Read more »
Bates Elementary School — such a respectful audience! I’ve just returned from a school and library visit trip (three elementary schools in Dexter MI and my hometown library and can truthfully say these visits are one of my favorite parts of being a children’s book author. I adore seeing how our book has contributed to understanding, broadened… Read more »
Ruth, author of the Ellie McDoodle chapter book series, is featured on Darcy Pattison’s new blog for 2nd and 3rd grade readers. We learn some cool behind the scenes stuff about Ellie (and Ruth). Stop by and let them know you were there!http://2ndgradereading.net/author-ruth-mcnally-barshaw-2nd-and-3rd-grade-books/
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
