Sometimes the writing life throws punches. I’m not even talking about the 1100-plus rejections that I’ve received. For me it’s the smaller disappointments. The lack
Category: Writing
Interview: Mary Flower, Publishing Contracts Consultant
When I needed to find a professional to review a contract I had been offered, a number of people suggested Mary Flower, a veteran lawyer
Challenge Yourself to a Year in Picture Books
By Carrie Charley Brown Writing allows me to turn my internal reflections into external expression at my own pace. That must be why I connect
Meet Tracey Fern, Talented #kidlit Author
I contacted Tracey Fern after reading her amazingly beautiful Dare the Wind: The Record-Breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud. I love interviewing
The Art of Critiquing
By Dana Nuenighoff If you’re a writer, you know that critiquing is one of the many important steps in the process. You don’t just sit
Advice from a kid: Miranda at age 9 and at age 13
Nine-year-old Miranda and I went for a walk. She told me what she thinks about books. Here’s what she said. Topics that some kids like
Fiction: A Safe Place to Feel
A couple of months back one of my writing groups had an email discussion that went something like this. Details have been changed to shield
What a Review Can Do for You
By Carrie Charley Brown As authors, we’d all prefer a five star book review over four, right? 1st place over runner up? A Kirkus starred
PiBoIdMo 2015 is Coming!
By Amy Courage Linus Pauling, the noted American chemist said, “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” I’m
Cover Reveal for THE SLEEPOVER!
Some of my favorite ideas come in the shower, waiting for the conditioner to work its magic. So there I was, trying to brainstorm new
The Complexities of Diversity
By Almitra Clay Let me guess: you’re white, right? For those of you who aren’t, I hope you can excuse me for addressing the white
Picture Book Boot Camp
How do you keep your spirits up as a writer or illustrator with the isolating nature of the craft? We can go to conferences, retreats,
Duking it Out with Bertha
By Carrie Charley Brown No…there is not a cat-fight going on down here in Texas. Ever since John Cusick’s keynote speech at NJ SCBWI Conference,
Why I Write Science Fiction and Fantasy
I’ve Been Reflecting As a kid, I loved science fiction. We were a Star Trek household. My father was a science teacher, and he loved any
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