I’ve just returned from the 2011 SCBWI-Michigan fall conference and even though this was my 6th fall conference with this group, I am still in awe of their comraderie, support and skill. If you are a children’s book writer and/or illustrator and you haven’t joined the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, do it today (www.scbwi.org)…. Read more »
The SCBWI-MI listserv group is discussing motivation and rewards. How do you keep yourself going during writing and revision? If you are like me, a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are the ticket to keeping my BIC (butt in chair). Refer to photo to the right. 🙂
So I decided to jump on the Twitter bandwagon because I wanted to see what the fuss is about. After one intro session, I learned it is easy to get immersed in twittertopia for too long — so many people, so much sharing! — but there is a ton of helpful information there. For instance, check… Read more »
I can now say there are few better feelings in life for a writer than to see actual drawings for her debut picture book. Even in the sketch phase, Christina Wald (www.christinawald.com) has drawn what I pictured in my mind as I wrote — without any conversation between us — and I’m in awe of her talent. I cannot wait to see the… Read more »
I love a good road trip. Family togetherness, lots of peanut butter and honey sandwiches at roadside parks, sampling gas station restrooms across the country…3,784 miles later (from northern Michigan to northern Montana and back) and we’ve all grown – and I don’t mean just larger kiesters from sitting. We heard hoary marmots whistle in Glacier National Park,… Read more »
Life. That’s what happened. Travel soccer, family visits, trip planning, ongoing negotiations with teenaged daughters over curfew and car use…just life. BUT, early every morning before all the summer mayhem begins, I’ve been writing. Danny, Emilio, Rafael, Father Timothy, Cookie…they are all living larger in my brain and on the pages and I’m excited to… Read more »
Shutta’s new picture book, MINE!, illustrated by Patrice Barton, is racking up the starred reviews — Publishers Weekly, the Library Journal — who knows what’s next? and the trailer is adorable..
For those of you about to do something that makes you nervous (public speaking, sending out your first manuscript, doing a book signing, etc.) Maria Sharapova, tennis star, has this to say, “If I’m nervous, it means I had to work hard to get there, whether it’s playing in a tournament or speaking at an event…. Read more »
I’m thrilled to announce Sylvan Dell will publish my fiction picture book, Warm in the Winter Tail. The scheduled release date is fall 2012 and Christina Wald will illustrate. Her work is beautiful and I can’t wait to see how she interprets the text. In addition to their reach into trade and educational markets, Sylvan Dell Publishing is… Read more »
I hestitate to share this info because every person who reads this book will become a better writer which creates more competition for me! Luckily, good triumphs over evil today and I’ve decided to pass along a recommendation for Cheryl Klein’s new book on writing called Second Sight. Cheryl (see how I’m on a first name basis with her since I read her book?) is senior editor… Read more »
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
