I’ve been invited to speak at the Rochester Writers’ Conference on October 17, 2015 in Rochester Hills, MI and I’m excited to share the podium with an impressive line-up of authors and professionals. With lectures and workshops (including how to avoid bad sex scenes which is a topic I don’t often see in my children’s lit world!), there will… Read more »
Here are the two questions I find most often in my email inbox or am asked when I see people out in the world: “I want to write and/or illustrate children’s books. Where do I start?” or “I’ve written (or illustrated) a children’s book. How do I get it published? I often respond by saying “That’s a big… Read more »
If I start thinking about how many eyes (read: opinions) are needed to bring a book to a child, I can get overwhelmed to the point of resorting to cleaning the refrigerator. AAAGGGHHH! But, it is important to step back and remember to write for (NO! Not Santa!) this little girl. Me. The little girl who wanted… Read more »
When I accepted the invitation to speak at the 2015 Michigan Reading Association Summer Literature Conference on Mackinac Island, July 8th/9th seemed so far away. But now, here we are on the almost-eve of the conference and I’m really excited. Aside from the obvious way the Island captivates (no cars allowed!), it will be a treat… Read more »
This represents my feelings about speaking and signing books at the Michigan Reading Association conference this weekend! My presentations are:Literacy at the Intersection of Fiction and Nonfiction and Humor in the Classroom: Bring On the Funny. Please say hello if you are there!
Let’s go! Our Michigan SCBWI chapter has been busy creating a stellar spring conference for illustrators (and anyone interested in how art influences storytelling). Although I am drawing-challenged, I am particularly excited about the opportunity to learn how art moves story forward. Here’s a link to the registration and more information. Maybe I’ll see you… Read more »
It’s not about time management, it’s about energy management.” — Kat Cole, CEO of Cinnabon Having just returned from five… Read more »
Do you ever have that feeling that something amazing is about to happen? I do. In fact, I’ve been carrying around that feeling for seven days now. Every hour or so, the skin on the back of my neck tingles and I can feel how I’ll feel the moment the amazing thing is revealed. Weird,… Read more »
Remember that PiBoIdMo adventure I posted about recently? I love it because it gives me permission to throw ideas out there without mental-censoring. And the posts Tara Lazar has lined up by creative people are always inspiring. Today’s post, however, did more than inspire. It shifted my thinking on a point that has stuck in… Read more »
Raise your hand if you are aware of the We Need Diverse Books campaign. Many of us don’t realize how few books are either published or marketed with characters that represent diverse communities. Here are some sad stats about this: http://blog.leeandlow.com/2013/06/17/why-hasnt-the-number-of-multicultural-books-increased-in-eighteen-years/ Of course we all want to see ourselves in the books we read. But… Read more »
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
