Here is information on a great writing contest for my Michigan friends…“On behalf of the Write Michigan committee, I am delighted to announce the Second Annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest. Write Michigan is a statewide writing contest featuring $250 cash prizes for Judges’ and Readers’ Choice winners in each age category. Judges’ Choice runners-up receive $100. The top five stories in each… Read more »
Transformations Spirituality Center Wouldn’t you love to spend a weekend here? You can if you sign up for the SCBWI-MI Fall 2013 Revision Retreat. There are very few spaces left in an intimate retreat designed to move your picture book or novel to the next stage in development. Two tracks are offered: picture book revision… Read more »
Boni Ashburn You know how I love mentorships and you can’t get a better opportunity than this… SCBWI-MI proudly announces the 2014 Mentorship Program for Fiction Picture Books. This is a competition and the Grand Prize is a 12 month mentorship with acclaimed Michigan writer, Boni Ashburn, author of six fiction picture books including, Hush, Little Dragon, Over at the Castle, I Had… Read more »
Life Shrinks or Expands in Proportion to One’s Courage – anonymous Why is there a quote about courage under a title about the 2013 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles, you ask? Because I always need courage to sign up for a large conference. Here’s why:1. Money: my writing account will take a hit with this conference (you have a writing budget,… 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 »
Are you looking for something different to do with children this weekend? MooseWood Nature Center in Marquette, MI is hosting an event to celebrate the amazing ways animals prepare for winter. They will have exhibits and activities on this theme and yours truly will read and sign A Warm Winter Tail books. Sunday, November 11, 2-3pmMooseWood Nature Center at Presque… Read more »
Book signings are a great way to learn about a community Everyone who came through the door during my signing at Horizons Books in Traverse City, MI had a smile on their face. I know this is true because my signing table was in the path they had to travel to enter the store! Many… Read more »
If you are near Marquette this weekend, we’d love to see you at the official launch of A Warm Winter Tail on Sunday, October 14, 3-4pm, at the Peter White Public Library Common Room. I’ll give a short behind the scenes talk, we’ll read, have an activity, and enjoy a treat. Books will be available for purchase thanks… Read more »
Sometimes this is how the business of writing and publishing feels. But the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) tries very hard to make it feel more like this: …doable–with practice and focus. After an amazing international conference in LA this past weekend where 1200 people gathered to commune about making children’s books,… Read more »
My friend, Joseph Miller, who is a youth services librarian at the Ferndale Public Library in Michigan, shared the new summer reading club themes for 2014 and 2015. The general theme for 2014 is Science. The slogans are: FIZZ, BOOM, READ (Children) and Spark a Reaction (Teen). The general theme for summer 2015 is Heroes.Anyone out there have… Read more »
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
