Rhys Keller

June 25, 2019

When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 2

What's it like creating a manuscript that grips an agent, sells an editor, and excites an illustrator? What does an acquisition editor look for when judging the many manuscripts they receive? Come behind the curtain again with a second installment of the series, When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign - Teams Tell All - Part 2! This time, we learn all about creating a hook-y book that delights readers with TASTE YOUR WORDS.

June 11, 2019

When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 1

What makes a picture book shine? What separates a so-so story from a must have? What does an acquisition editor see in a great picture book manuscript? Picture book agents and editors are bombarded with manuscripts. Some are fresh twists on a classic idea. Others are revolutionary in every way. Yet, most picture book manuscripts never get off the ground if ever out of their author's head. Join along as we dive deep into picture books by interviewing recent picture book teams. We'll learn what made them shine and why the editor signed on the dotted line.

May 21, 2019

Interview with Author Elizabeth Gerlach

It's a privilege to introduce children's book author Elizabeth Gerlach. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, children and dogs. With a background in marketing, she only recently considered herself a writer. Elizabeth's life has taken surprising turns over the past few years that led her here. The Gerlach's lost one of their triplets in 2016 at just 3 years old and established the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation. She then developed a series of children’s books called Ben’s Adventures, about a young brother who uses a wheelchair. Both the foundation and books were prompted by the loss of her son. Elizabeth also blogs about the grieving process and has been published on a variety of websites. While not working on the Ben's Adventures series, she has been writing something more like a memoir but it's still taking shape.

April 30, 2019

Interview with Author Susan Schmid

It's a joy to have children's book author Susan Maupin Schmid by for an interview. Susan is the author of the 100 Dresses series from Random House, an avid seamstress, and a Mentor Mom for MOMSnext (a division of MOPS International). She considers her inner 10-year-old her greatest asset as a writer and mentor (except when said inner child wants to stay up late or play Animal Crossing). You can connect with Susan on SusanMaupinSchmid.com or on Twitter @maupinschmid.

April 15, 2019

Interview with Author Bonnie Clark

It's a joy and a pleasure to introduce an avid writer and true seize-the-day'er Bonnie Clark. Bonnie is a stay-at-gym mom of three kids and the lucky wife to a hairstylist. She lives in Canton, GA where she enjoys running, doing yoga, drinking coffee, writing and is often found behind a stack of books. Bonnie is an inventor and has been a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. She has been writing for children for about 4 years and is passionate about helping kids discover and like who they are. TASTE YOUR WORDS is her debut picture book, set to debut in 2020 with Worthy Kids/Ideals. Her literary agent, Adria M. Goetz from Martin Literary Management, negotiated the deal.

April 10, 2019

Rise of the Personal Brand – What Does Yours Say About You?

Branding is a big deal. Companies pay tens of thousands to millions of dollars on improving their brand, communicating their brand, and developing their brand. But most people don't fully understand what all the fuss is about. Some people think a brand is a logo or style. Others say it's a vibe. But a brand is so much more than both of those things and if you haven't faced your personal brand face-to-face, you're in for a rude awakening. Take your career, business, and life to the next level by examining your personal brand.

April 9, 2019

Why Life is Sacred – Imago Dei

Do you think all human life is sacred? Most people quickly respond with a head nod in the affirmative or, the more confident among us, with a stretched out arm. The World Health Organization estimates roughly 40 people commit suicide per second. That's 1 Million people ending their own life each year. By 2020, they expect this number to double and CBS News reports that over 10 Million people consider suicide each year. In 2017, Statista reports there were 1.28 Million violent crimes in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 650,000 babies were aborted in 2015 in the USA alone with approximately 56 Million babies aborted worldwide according to the Guttmacher Institute - Induced Abortions Worldwide. Between 1982 and 2011, a mass shooting occurred in the USA roughly once every 200 days and between 2011 and 2014 that reduced to once every 64 days. In the USA, nearly 2 Million cases of self-harm are reported each year which amounts to every 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males according to Healthy Place.

February 20, 2019

Write Captivating Stories to Build Your Author Platform or Brand

Is your work "good enough"? If you aren't asking this of yourself, you should be. Too often, we creatives are blind to our own abilities - our own limits. You've heard the saying before, "If it was easy, everyone would do it." Does that adage hold true for your work? Is it true regarding what you've just created and shared with that special literary agent or potential client? I hope it isn't, but if it is, relax. Let's work through the art of writing captivating stories so that you can put your best foot forward and build your platform for the long haul.