Most of my faithful blog readers know that I've been working on a novel for many years. What you might not know is that novel started as a picture book. Although that is another story, I continue to love picture books. Recently, I've reviewed a number of nonfiction picture books including some biographies. It appears to be a growing… Continue reading Two Picture Book Workshops at SCBWI-C
Congratulations to Carrie Schmidt and Becky Scharnhorst who each won a copy of When We Were Alone from last weeks blog. ******** Two weeks ago I attended the fall SCBWI-Carolinas conference. In the next few posts I'll share some of my highlights with you. First up was the writing intensive with Vicki Selvaggio on Friday morning.… Continue reading Analyzing the Successes of the Past and Present for Creating Unique Stories of the Future: Intensive Workshop with Vicki Selvaggio
Today I'm delighted to introduce you to Viviane Elbee and her debut picture book, TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI (Albert Whitman, November 2018). I met Viviane in 2010 when she attended the Charlotte, NC critique group which I led. She came to our group brimming with ideas but without the writing or publishing experience to bring… Continue reading You Heard it Here First: Viviane Elbee's Cover Reveal!
When I read in the SCBWI-Carolinas Facebook Pal Group that Tara Cattie Luebbe's debut picture book was coming out in March, I asked if she wanted to share her path to publication. She not only agreed, but offered to give away a copy of each book! Details on how to enter the giveaways are below.… Continue reading Two Sisters + Two Debut Picture Books = Two Great Giveaways!
This is a busy week on my blog. TWO giveaways running concurrently! WARNING: Reading this book will make you stay up late and the characters will haunt you long after you finish reading it. Readers of my blog are no strangers to Alan Gratz's books. You're a click away from seeing what I thought of… Continue reading REFUGEE- A Review and Giveaway- Part I
As many of you know, I enjoy featuring my fellow writers' accomplishments. In that vein, I bring you news from my dear friend, Linda Phillips. Just for the record, Linda and I met 18 years ago when Fran Davis, the regional advisor for SCBW (there was no I back then) asked us to put together… Continue reading You Heard it Here First–Linda Phillips' Second Novel Finds a Home!
Congratulations to Connie Saunders who won Sheri Levy's Starting Over ARC. ******** Teresa Fannin and Bonnie Adamson, the SCBWI-Carolinas Regional Advisors, co-ordinated another great annual conference. For those of you who were unable to attend, here are some of my takeaways: From two time Newberry Honor award winner Gary Schmidt's breakout session on Narrator and POV: Make… Continue reading TAKEAWAYS from SCBWI-CAROLINAS 2017
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!
Congratulations to Joan Edwards who won a critique from Gayle Krause from last week's blog. ******* You pick up a book at the library or bookstore and start reading it. Maybe it catches your interest, maybe it doesn't. But one thing is for sure, if you're not a writer, you have no idea how much… Continue reading Re-Vision
Congratulations to Jessica Jacobson, a new blog subscriber, who won SOLDIER BOYS from last week's blog. When Alan Gratz, a prolific NC author, presented a workshop at SCBWI-Carolinas in 2010 on Plot and Pacing, my blog was only a few years old and I was learning how to review books. Fast forward to 2016, and I've… Continue reading Liberty: A Review with a Focus on Writing Craft