Last month, I blogged that I was going to to do two big challenges: the picture book marathon and the WordPress PostAWeek. I’ve pretty much been keeping up with the WordPress PostAWeek challenge. I think I’ve put up some good posts so far, but I’m still a little disappointed with the results. I was hoping to get a little more
TOM THUMB: THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF A MAN IN MINIATURE I just finished an advance reading copy of TOM THUMB: THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF A MAN IN MINIATURE by George Sullivan (Clarion; February, 2011; 208 pages; grades 5–9). Writing non-fiction is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, says author George Sullivan… “I like nonfiction because I’m
I recently signed up for NetGalley.com, which lets publishers connect their upcoming books with reviewers, media, librarians, booksellers, bloggers, and educators. It’s easy to use, helps me keep up with what’s happening in the market, and—lucky for you!—it allows me to share these new works I love with my blog readers! The first book I downloaded was one I’d heard
I have to admit, I’m a little more nervous about attending the SCBWI conference in NY this year. Yes, they’re going to have great speakers (Lois Lowry! Jane Yolen! R. L. Stine! Mo Willems! and plenty of other wonderful people!). And yes, there will be agents, editors, and publishers there. But I’ve gotten fairly used to that by going to so
I’m usually pretty big on reflecting on the past year, re-evaluating, and setting goals (not so much resolutions) around the start of each new year. Starting into this year, though, I just didn’t really have any. Am I just happy where I’m at—coasting along with magazine articles but no books contracted yet? Certainly not! But everything I came up with—everything
Most of my recent reading has been creative or narrative nonfiction. Before the holidays, I was reading THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. I’m in awe of, and frankly a little intimidated by, the level of detail they go into. I don’t think I’d ever be able to interview a subject enough to get
I’ve been working on and off for years on a biography for kids. It’s getting really close, but there’s still something missing. In a few weeks, though, I finally get to meet and interview the subject, Emmanuel Osofu Yeboah, in person! No, I’m not flying to his home in Ghana (bummer), but he’ll be in San Diego this month after
Recently, Vicki Cobb posted on the I.N.K. (Interesting Nonfiction for Kids) blog about writing to change the world. I’ve been pondering this post for days. On one hand I think all authors, especially those of us who right nonfiction for kids, are trying to change the world to some degree (maybe more than Vicki alludes, even). Yet that seems like
Oh, this is so much fun! Not only is there a brand-new book out from one of my all-time favorite authors, but I got to read an early copy (squeee!) and interview the author for my blog (huzzah)! First, let me gush a little about how much I enjoyed reading Alchemy and Meggy Swann. There’s an awful lot for readers
In my last post, I was so busy gushing about the conference awesomeness I forgot to mention the best news of all! My manuscript for ONE IS ENOUGH, a picture-book biography about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, was one of those nominated for the SCBWI Western Washington 2010 Outstanding Work-in-Progress awards! Here’s the official slide: This award is given by the faculty manuscript consultants,