August 28, 2017
Some children’s books entertain for a few minutes and are quickly forgotten. Others stay with both children and adults long after the final page. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, is one of those rare picture books. Beneath its simple premise is a surprisingly clever lesson in suspense, storytelling, illustration, curiosity, and perseverance.
August 27, 2017
It's been said every sentence is a persuasive argument that succeeds or fails in convincing the reader to read the next. Agree or disagree?
Frankly, I don't agree (completely) because the reader is complex, having a multi-dimensional purpose for reading. One aspect may be truly that each good sentence does cause the reader to continue on. But at the same time, the reader, once personally invested through time, money, promise, or any other act of will may continue reading not for that purposes alone. I listen to audio books during my commute. I have literally finished books only to be able to say I finished them, not because they provided some revolutionary insight or emotional experience. I simply wanted to finish what I started.
August 24, 2017
R.J. Batla was one of the first authors I connected with while building my own author platform. Over the years, he has been a genuine encouragement and friend throughout the publishing journey. A lifelong fan of fantasy, worldbuilding, and storytelling, R.J. writes epic fantasy inspired by imagination, family, faith, and adventure. In this interview, we discuss creative growth, self-publishing, writing discipline, and what aspiring authors can learn from the long road of becoming a writer.
August 23, 2017
Depression is a very real, very damaging, very painful experience that can be short term or long term and have long lasting consequences. This perspective of author depression in no way is intended to come across flippantly as if to compare on the same level as chronic or acute depression. An author, however, can learn a great deal about how to process the feelings and thoughts encountered during the road to publication by examining depressive symptoms.
August 22, 2017
Books are often treated like products, but the best books do far more than fill shelf space or generate sales. A meaningful story can challenge beliefs, shape emotions, create connection, inspire change, and stay with readers for years after the final page. That is why writing books is not simply about producing content. Great books provide an experience — one that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
August 21, 2017
Some creative ideas arrive quietly. At first they seem small — easy to ignore, easy to postpone, easy to dismiss as unrealistic. But the longer they stay with us, the more difficult they become to silence. What begins as curiosity slowly turns into obsession. We think about the idea constantly, research it, revisit it, and eventually share it carefully with someone we trust. For many writers and creators, that is how the process begins. Not with certainty, but with a growing sense that something meaningful needs to be made.
August 20, 2017
Writers often spend most of their time talking about finished books, but some of the most valuable insights come from the work happening behind the scenes — revision, rejection, publishing, editing, and learning how stories evolve before readers ever see them. In this interview, author James Conan shares his thoughts on short stories, publishing, creative growth, digital storytelling, rejection, and what it really takes to improve as a writer over time.
August 19, 2017
Alicia Arlandis is an illustrator from Valencia, Spain, a beautiful city near the coast. She's been interested in art for as long as she can remember and has been illustrating for over twelve years. Alicia loves drawing, painting, reading, and teaching, both older people and children. She is a graphic designer and illustrator that loves continual learning in both areas. To learn more about her, check out Alicia's website and Alicia's Twitter account.