Submissions are now open for the March 2018 edition of the Happy Book Birthday program. This new SCBWI program invites all members to celebrate and promote their newly published work in the same month the book is released. From SCBWI: On the first Monday of each month, we will display all of the books together on… Read more »
Anyone who hangs around me long enough will hear me say, “You have to ask for what you want.” I don’t mean this in a self-serving way. What I mean is that the universe is busy. There are lots of people and creatures and big things going on all the darn time. (Sort of like… Read more »
Have you faced rejection on your picture book manuscript/s lately? Know that subjectivity ALWAYS plays a role in this. What one editor or agent loves another might not (and in this crowded market, ‘loving’ is almost always a prerequisite for acquisition). Also know that there is nothing you can do about subjectivity. However, there are… Read more »
creative commons We all want to be the conductor of our manuscripts. We want them to reflect our creativity, our voice, our idea. However, picture books are not solo pieces. Text plays with illustrations. Illustrations play with text. So, what happens when, as writers, we feel we need to offer something that is not text… Read more »
Do you want to make 2017 the year you: secure your first book contract? or your 21st? find your ideal agent? land a spot in a critique group that will push you to create your best work yet? explore a new genre or POV? attend your first big conference? or an event that has seemed out… Read more »
meme credit: Tim Fargo @alphabetsuccess I recently found Tim Fargo on Twitter and appreciate that almost all the quotes he shares resonate with me. This one by Abe spoke to an issue that is rumbling around in the picture book creating community right now: how to move your manuscript from “it’s good” to “I’m taking… Read more »
1. New book launching in 2017? Are you thinking about a book trailer? Do you worry that you don’t have the knowledge or expertise to do a great job? Check out this post by Therese Walsh, editor of Writer Unboxed (a stellar blog to follow, BTW) http://writerunboxed.com/2016/12/06/how-to-use-fiverr-to-create-a-book-trailer/She shares about Fiverr, an amazing resource for all kinds of creative… Read more »
I chose this image because this post is really about what comes BEFORE a steamy cup o’ coffee. This curated content is related to the work we need to accomplish BEFORE submitting to agents. Start with this fresh post Do I Need an Agent…by Giuseppe Castellano [from his website: Giuseppe Castellano is an award-winning Designer, Illustrator, and… Read more »
Content Curation is the act of discovering, gathering, and presenting digital content that surrounds specific subject matter. … Read more »
Editors do not want same old, same old. Believe me; I’ve heard that message loudly and clearly at every conference and retreat. To catch an editor (or agent) eye, we must stretch into new territory which means trying different approaches, twists, mash-ups, and/or upends. It’s the only way to produce work that has that “fresh”… Read more »
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
