Happy Holidays to one and all in what has been the most tumultuous year many of us have ever experienced. As 2020 draws to a close (phew!), at least one thing remains unchanged: it’s time once again for the annual Writers’ Rumpus Review!
Category: Publishing
Interview with Summer Rachel Short, debut author of The Mutant Mushroom Takeover
The book is a lightly spooky STEM novel that features eleven-year-old aspiring naturalist, Maggie, and her conspiracy theorist/YouTuber best friend, Nate, who have to solve the mystery surrounding a strange glow-in-the-dark fungus that’s spreading through their small town. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “packed to the gills with fun.”
Beautiful Board Books!
Candlewick Press has done it again. They are consistently publishing gorgeous books for all ages, from babies to young adults. I received the following board
INTERVIEW WITH RAJANI LAROCCA, AUTHOR OF SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH
I’ve had the great pleasure of attending two of Rajani LaRocca’s book launches – in person for MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, her award-winning debut middle grade novel
13 ways to Mooooove Your Book During a Pandemic
I missed my oldest son’s graduation, his Eagle Scout Court of Honor, two family reunions, and an anniversary trip to Italy with my husband. I had lots of practice with disappointed expectations. So, what could I do about this?
Hannah Salyer, Talented Debut #Kidlit Author/Illustrator
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: At a family event, my cousin and his daughter approached me wanting to connect me with the daughter’s friend who was having
Charnelle Barlow, #Kidlit Debut Illustrator
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: Charnelle, what beautiful illustrations you created for Alice Faye Duncan’s text, JUST LIKE A MAMA, a lyrical read aloud celebrating adopted children,
Technical pitfalls of self-publishing: what they don’t tell you.
Self-publishing through a platform that is set up to print and sell your children’s books online would be fabulous, if not for one huge drawback.
EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW by Shannon Takaoka
I thought I knew what this book was about, but it surpassed everything I imagined. I was lucky to receive an ARC of EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW by writer, editor, and public relations consultant Shannon Takaoka, but I strongly recommend you snap this up (or place a pre-order) when this young adult debut novel releases on October 13, 2020.
What My Past Manuscripts Have Taught Me
Encore post first published March, 2019. Shelving a story is a scary concept. You’ve put your heart and soul into this writing. Hours have been
Raquel Stecher on Marketing Children’s Books
Raquel, thank you so much for sharing some of your expertise. Your experiences at Candlewick Press will fascinate our readers who are authors, illustrators, and
Bridging the Gap: Why KidLit Needs More Upper-Middle Grade Books
Guest Post by Josh Roberts, author of debut middle grade novel THE WITCHES OF WILLOW COVE, available today from Owl Hollow Press. Josh may be
Screencastify for Authors
In the spirit of social distancing, I give you “How To Use Screencastify” for Authors. Screencastify is a simple way that you can make a
The Children’s Book Industry vs. the Pandemic
Publishers, agents, authors, and illustrators now heroically face an invisible foe. However, creative people have powerful solutions and wise workarounds to battle this hazard. The
The Talented and Lovely #Kidlit Author, Christy Mihaly
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Christy at Jane Yolen’s picture book boot camp at the Highlights Foundation in 2018, where she was one of those
Self Care in Writing
Writing is hard. The process of putting words on paper is far from easy. But it’s even worse when you try to put those words
