Rhys Keller

June 19, 2020

Magic Tree House Books – A Magical Motivator for Reading

If you're like me, it's not always easy finding books kids will love to read. Harder still is finding books we parents enjoy reading to them night after night, day after day. My wife, ever mindful of our children's development, was on the hunt for new reading material for them. She heard about Magic Tree House Books, by Mary Pope Osborne. Our friends loved them so we took a chance and bought the 28-book set (now there are 40 books in the series). We're glad we did.

May 24, 2020

Great Stories Leave Lasting Impressions

There are two primary camps when it comes to story telling - content generation and content consumption. Reader or writer. Baker or eater. Sure, we all do both, but one drives us. One we research. One we have goals and dreams about. The other is simply other. Regardless of the camp, lasting impressions are a game changer in the world of content. Here's why we should care and what we must do if we hope to leave lasting impressions with our readers.

March 24, 2020

Leaving a Career for a Love of Reading and Writing with Kaitlin Scirri

Have you ever considered leaving your day job for a life of reading and writing professionally? No doubt you have a passion for publishing, but what courageous steps have you taken to elevate it's priority in your life? How much time are you carving out to reach you goals? In this interview with traditionally published author, Kaitlin Scirri, see what barriers she chose to overcome and what life is like on the other side of the publishing curtain.

March 3, 2020

Author Illustrator Life with Shanda McCloskey

Wishing you were living that author illustrator life? Curious what it's like? Already consumed by books and looking for a little insight and encouragement? Children's picture book author and illustrator Shanda McCloskey shares her journey in this interview. Take a breath and grab some coffee because she's spilling the beans and taking us to school. Just make sure you've brought something to write (or draw) with...

December 3, 2019

Behind the Picture Book Grama’s Hug with Author and Illustrator Amy Nielander and Editor Courtney Burke

Would you leave a loved one without a hug? Come behind the picture book publishing scenes with author / illustrator Amy Nielander and her Page Street Kids Editor Courtney Burke where they share how GRAMA'S HUG went from #kidlit idea to bookshelf reality and how this whimsical story cut through the acquisition curtain.

November 19, 2019

Earth Hour and Saving the Planet with Author Nanette Heffernan and Editor Julie Bliven

Could you do something to help save the planet? Have you wondered why so many people around the world turn off their non-essential lights for one hour a year? Learn how a single author turned her passion into her business and why an editor signed on the dotted line in this behind-the-book interview of EARTH HOUR by Nanette Heffernan.

November 12, 2019

Love, Encouragement, and Purpose Behind Picture Book Brown Sugar Babe with Author Charlotte Watson Sherman and Editor Jes Negron

There are many books on the shelves, even more on back lists, but only a select number that pour heart and soul into the heart and souls of a community. While it may take many people to raise one child, BROWN SUGAR BABE is one picture book that can raise many people. Come behind the book with picture book author Charlotte Watson Sherman and acquisition editor, Jes Negron, as they share the love, encouragement, and purpose behind every word in BROWN SUGAR BABE.

November 5, 2019

Go, Girls, Go! Behind the Picture Book with Author and Editor Frances Gilbert

Curious what happens when a children's book editor for a big publishing house decides to write her own book? Looking for a new picture book that'll have your family chanting "Go, Girls, Go!" with eye-popping illustrations? Interested in knowing what tips an experienced editor would encourage you to consider for your picture book manuscripts? In this interview, we step behind the book with Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers (BFYR), Frances Gilbert, and learn how an editor views being an author.