Little did I know when I started posting about my publication journey that it would be 18 years before I could announce my book is up for preorder! In two weeks I'm launching HALF-TRUTHS at Park Road Books and I am super busy! Here's a peek into what's been happening in my neck of the… Continue reading Discover ‘Half-Truths’: My 18-Year Journey to Publication
Every author can't wait until they can reveal the cover of their forthcoming book. In the past, I have shared several of my friends covers: Linda Phillips' new cover for CRAZY, Stacey Bartlett's FREE SINGS THE SEA, and Vivian Elbee's I WANT MY BOOK BACK to name just three. NOW, IT'S MY TURN But first,… Continue reading YOU CAN SEE IT HERE FIRST!
I always enjoy supporting my fellow SCBWI-Carolinas writers, particularly those who live in Charlotte. Today I'm bringing you Chrystal D. Giles' debut novel, TAKE BACK THE BLOCK (2021: Random House Books for Young Readers).REVIEWI spent the morning of my eleventh birthday carrying a sign that read WE WERE HERE FIRST.How do you like that for a dynamic… Continue reading TAKE BACK THE BLOCK: A MIDDLE GRADE REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY
My teen blogger Elliott Kurta is now busy being a freshman in high school and doing his volunteer job at the library. So, we'll enjoy his book reviews whenever he has time to get them to me. ****REVIEW Young Elle is constantly shamed for being overweight;… Continue reading STARFISH: A Teen Review of a Middle-Grade Book
REVIEWIt’s summer, and eleven-year-old Laura Newman, “Noodle” to her friends, is excited to arrive at Camp Hillside, where she’ll stay for four weeks. Unfortunately, the trip goes awry before it even begins. Noodle’s sister, Jill, can’t come to summer camp with her, which means Noodle is going to be left by herself for an entire… Continue reading HURRICAMP A MG Book Review by Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta
REVIEWThe View from the Very Best House in Town (Walker Books, 2022) is a tale of friendship, told with a twist. Sam and Asha are both autistic and ostracized as a result. They’re each other’s best friends, playing soccer and their favorite videogame, Househaunt, together. As the summer ends and Sam and Asha are preparing to begin seventh… Continue reading THE VIEW FROM THE VERY BEST HOUSE IN TOWN: A Middle Grade Review by Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta
Elliott Kurta, who reviewed Under The Tangerine Tree on my last post, decided to follow up with an interview with the author, Esther Bandy. Take it away, Elliott and Esther!INTERVIEWELLIOTT: What inspired you to write Under the Tangerine Tree? Was it a single moment, conversation, or photo, or did it take a larger experience for the ideas… Continue reading UNDER THE TANGERINE TREE: Author Interview with Esther Bandy
I hope you enjoyed your holiday as much as I did. Mine was full of family and good food; now I'm back into my writing routine including sharing more books with you. Sandra Warren won Miep and the Famous Diary and Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc. Barbara Younger won Everyone Says Meow and Susan… Continue reading Snakes & Stones: A Middle Grade Review and Giveaway
Introducing Jo Hackl Over two years ago I had the pleasure of sharing Jo Hackl's path to publication. (Both Part I and Part II are great reading; Jo shared how she came up with the ideas for the book and the process of acquiring a publisher). Jo and I have been friends through SCBWI-Carolinas for over ten years, and… Continue reading Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe: A Review and ARC Giveway
Congratulations to Linda Andersen for winning Kathy Wiechman's ARC of NOT ON FIFTH STREET. ****** It is my pleasure to host Kathleen Burkinshaw on her TLCB Blooming Anniversary Tour. What has life been like for you since The Last Cherry Blossom was published? This past year has had wonderful, surreal moments as well as frenzied,… Continue reading Life After Publication: A Conversation with Kathleen Burkinshaw and a Great Giveaway!