books

Tag

April 15, 2019

How Bonnie Clark Got Her Picture Book Taste Your Words Published

Picture book author Bonnie Clark joined me to discuss her debut children’s book, TASTE YOUR WORDS, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, balancing writing with parenting, and navigating the traditional publishing process. In this interview, Bonnie shares how the book idea originated, what helped her secure representation, and the habits and mindset that kept her moving through rejection, revisions, and publication.

January 31, 2019

Interview with Author Heather Macht

Welcome to the (virtual) interview platform, Heather Macht! Heather is the author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW (Pelican, 2019) and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015). She has a degree in Fine Arts, is an active member of the SCBWI, and is the Assistant Administrator, the Newsletter Coordinator, and a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story. She loves spending her Saturday’s in bookstores or in libraries with friends. Heather is happily married and currently resides in Florida next door to a quiet beach. When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, reading poetry, and watching scary movies with her husband and children.

January 16, 2019

Interview with Author / Illustrator Abi Cushman

I've been so excited to share this interview with the #writingcommunity! Abi Cushman is an award winning children's book author and illustrator based in Connecticut. Her debut picture book, Soaked, comes out Summer 2020 from Viking Children's Books. You can find her on Twitter @AbiCushman or Instagram @Abi.Cushman. Are you ready to gleam some insight from, and share in the journey of, this talented lady? Let's go!

January 8, 2019

Valeria Wicker on The Ugly Doodles, Literary Agents, and Traditional Publishing

Children’s book author and illustrator Valeria Wicker joined me for a second interview to discuss her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, and what the traditional publishing journey actually looks like behind the scenes. We talked about creativity, self-doubt, illustration, submissions, editor feedback, and the emotional highs and lows of getting a picture book deal. If you haven't read my first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory.

August 22, 2018

Interview with Author Stephanie Campisi

I'm pleased to introduce Stephanie Campisi, an Australian-born, Washington-based picture book author who lives in a self-described haunted house in a haunted town - creepy! Stephanie is a copywriter by day; think 9am-5pm (and beyond) writing ads and labels for every day products. Her latest picture book, Luis and Tabitha, is about two star-crossed cat lovers. She has two more picture books coming out in 2019, holds an honors degree in linguistics from the University of Melbourne, and keeps busy in the gym or tending to various animals on her property.

August 3, 2018

Interview with Author Lisa Wheeler

What a joy it is to be able to glean experience from successful and prolific author Lisa Wheeler. She grew up near Pittsburgh, PA but has been in Michigan since she was almost 16. Though she has written all her life, Lisa didn’t attempt publication until the age of 32. (See, YOU are in good company!) After nearly 4 years and about 225 rejections, she sold her first book. She credits the support and encouragement of her husband, Glen, for taking those first baby steps and never looking back. Lisa totally loves the world of children’s books and says she "cannot imagine any other life".

July 31, 2018

5 Essential Writing Strategies for Authors

Great writing rarely happens by accident. Whether you’re writing novels, children’s books, or short stories, there are a handful of foundational storytelling strategies that consistently separate engaging authors from forgettable ones. These writing strategies will help you create stronger openings, better characters, tighter plots, and more emotionally compelling stories.

July 18, 2018

Interview with Illustrator Valeria Wicker

Today, we have the incredibly talented Valeria Wicker here sharing insights and advice from her journey as an illustrator. She was born in Rome, Italy and graduated from art school with the intent of becoming a fashion designer. After moving to the United States, her passion evolved into writing and illustrating children's books. She has illustrated picture books for independent authors and embraced the children’s literature community through the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). With English as her second language, she works restlessly to hone her writing skills.