I met children’s author and indie publisher Donna L. Martin through a #BookHero school library book drive I coordinate every March with fellow kidlit authors
Tag: writing
Show and Tell: Back to School Books
September may be shouting “Back to the books!” but let’s be real— kid-lit writers (hi, that’s us) never actually put them down. The shelves keep
Where Are the Women? Interview With Author-Illustrator Janice Hechter…And a Giveaway!
“An inspiring true story of female empowerment.” -KIRKUS REVIEWS
A Warbler’s Journey: A Picture Book by Noted Naturalist Scott Weidensaul
“No one who reads this can remain unmoved by this tiny bird’s tenacity; this is sure to create avid new bird-watchers.” – Kirkus Imagine a
Bibsy Cross Might Be Too Much for Some, But She’s Everything to Me!
This past November, something kind of amazing and once-in-a-blue-moon happened. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) had its annual conference in my home
Helping Writers and Readers Cope
The themes in picture books are intended to assist children in dealing with the world around them, and authors benefit in the same way. These
2025 Caldecott Contender: The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
School buses have been an inspiration for lots of picture books over the years. Just peruse any children’s library and you’ll find stories about nervous
Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall Are Back At It…With STELLA & MARIGOLD!
One of the great highlights of my summer, besides attending a fantastic writing retreat in the green mountains of Vermont, was receiving an advanced reader copy of Stella & Marigold from Chronicle Books (thank you from the bottom of my book-loving heart, Chronicle). It’s the first book in a brand-new early reader series for children 6-9 years old, by the magical author-illustrator duo Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall.
The 2024 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you’re invited to peruse my 2024 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review! As another year draws to a close, I continue to marvel at the variety and quality of our posts, and thank all of our authors and readers for your commitment to our kidlit blog. Once again, I’ve been honored and challenged to highlight one post from each of our talented contributors with an image, date link, and brief summary. Enjoy!!
December Picture Book Opportunities
Online events, classes, and contests for picture book writers and illustrators for December, 2024
Interview With Debut Picture Book Author Madhu Messenger…And a Giveaway!
There’s not a social event I love more in this world than a wedding–the exquisite clothes, mouth-watering morsels of food, music, dancing, and beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime moments between family and friends.
November Picture Book Opportunities
Events, courses, and contests for picture book writers and illustrators happening or starting in November, 2024
Gregory Maguire on Defeating Writers Block
Like many of you, I follow certain authors on Facebook where insights into their personalities, current works, and nuggets of wisdom are available. Gregory Maguire,
October Picture Book Opportunities
Online contests, challenges, and courses for picture book creators for October, 2024
WRITERS' RUMPUS 