Guest Post by Eric Grissom As a kid, my life was a bit of a whirlwind. My parents divorced when I was five, and
Category: educational
FOOD AND FAMILY IN PICTURE BOOKS…PLUS A GIVEAWAY!
Guest Post by Patricia Tanumihardja Chances are you’ve read a picture book or two with food themes in the last year. While they’ve been around
Spotlight on Contemporary YA Fiction: Five POWERFUL Novels
The spotlight for this post is 5 powerful contemporary novels: Invisible Son, Give Me a Sign, When it All Syncs Up, Ander & Santi Were Here, and True True. All are realistic, compelling, and mind-expanding, the kind of novels that draw you in and don’t let go.
Just One Pebble: Interview with Picture Book Author Dianna Wilson Sirkovski
Just One Pebble is the inspirational story of how nine-year-old Braeden Mannering started a non-profit organization called Brae’s Brown Bags in an effort to end hunger. Dianna Wilson Sirkovski came across Braedan’s story on (link to website) and says, “The story reached out and wrapped its fingers around my heart.”
Celebrating Indigenous North American Life and Contributions…with Kidlit!
In my eyes, there’s nothing like an exquisitely written piece of children’s nonfiction in its ability to teach things and light a fire in a
Why Picture Book Authors Make the Best Marketers
Marketing is the part of being an author that most people dread. But did you know that many of the same skills you use to WRITE a great children’s book can also help you market it?
The Thing To Remember About Stargazing: A Lesson in Learning to Rewrite/Revise/Recycle
Guest Post by Matt Forrest Esenwine This is a story about four books and a poem, and how interconnected the publishing life can be. Folks
American vs British English: A Helpful Guide for Writers and Teachers
This post is inspired by The London Eye Mystery, a middle grade novel popular on both sides of the pond by talented Irish author Siobhan Dowd (who sadly, passed away in 2007). First in an award-winning two-book series, it features relatable, memorable, and unique kid sleuths.
The Gift of Highlights
by Danna Zeiger Last year, PJ Library gave me the greatest gift I could never give myself: the gift of treating myself seriously and calling
Don’t Let ALMOST Sabotage Your Plot!!
If almost works in real life, why doesn’t it work in our novels? It’s no fun for readers when a scene builds up tension and … almost happens.
TOP 5 STEPS FOR EVALUATING ONLINE WRITING CONFERENCES
You’ve just received another email for an online writers’ conference. How do you know if it’s right for you? Will it really advance your writing career? Is there such a thing as a free conference? I’m the host of Picture Book Summit, and I’ve worked in the online conference space since 2011.
Writing YA? Stressing Over Structure? Check Out Jessica Brody’s New Book: Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel, The Ultimate Guide to Writing a YA Bestseller
Let’s warm up with a True or False Pop Quiz about Story Structure:
Interview with Jacqueline Jules – Author of Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember
Laura: Jacqueline, I’m honored to welcome you back to Writers’ Rumpus to discuss this deeply touching book. After reading it, I can truly say you’ve more than achieved your goal of “honoring the lives lost and the resiliency of a city that rebuilt within a year.” What was your inspiration for creating this heartfelt collection of poems?
Wild Blue: Taming A Big-kid Bike. A Review
The word “taming” in the title Wild Blue: Taming A Big-kid Bike, written by Dashka Slater, is a clue to the metaphor that energizes this heartfelt story. When
WRITERS' RUMPUS 