Front Paige Media Book Fair, Raleigh, NC Not every week was as exciting as this past week, but I thought I'd give you a glimpse of what happens after you publish a book. (Hint: It's called doing your best to share your book with the world). On Saturday, March 2, a room at the Raleigh… Continue reading An Extraordinary Week in the Life of a YA Author
As far as I can tell, one of the best uses of social media is meeting someone who you connect with. That was the case with Cate Touryan, author of the award-winning debut novel, Turning Toward Eden. I met Cate on Author Media, Thomas Umstattd, Jr. social platform. It turned out that we were both… Continue reading Meet Cate Touryan: Insights from the Author of Turning Toward Eden
Here are some upcoming writing events that might interest you or the teen in your life.Ten Steps on Your Path to PublicationWhen I moved to Matthews, NC a few years ago I was delighted to discover Matthews Christian library walking distance from my home. Of course, I introduced myself to the librarian, Tiffany Slack, and… Continue reading UPCOMING EVENTS!
I'm pleased to have Elliott Kurta return to my blog. He is now a busy sophomore so I appreciate him taking time from his studies and volunteer work to share his thoughts about Rosie Woods in Little Red Writing Hood.Audience: 1st – 5th graders; teachersIn 3 Words: imaginative, bite-sized, funnyOne Sentence Synopsis: Rosie Woods explores the five… Continue reading ROSIE WOODS IN LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD: Book Review and Author Interview by Guest Blogger Elliott Kurta
Do you remember back in July when I reviewed Joy Keller's book Frankenslime that is illustrated by my SCBWI-Carolinas friend, Ashley Belote?I had announced that the next book in this series, Valenslime (Feiwel and Friends, 2021), would be ready in time for Valentine's Day. I am here today with a review and the perfect present for your little sweetheart!REVIEWHere is… Continue reading VALENSLIME: A Picture Book Review and an Autographed Giveaway
In the "it's a small world department," my sister Barbara (who lives in Milwaukee) met Rochelle Melander at a July 4th picnic this past summer. After hearing Rochelle speak about her book, Mightier than The Sword (Beaming Books, 2021). Barbara told her that she should contact me because I love encouraging kids to write. (In case you didn't know,… Continue reading MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: AN ELA RESOURCE, AUTHOR INTERVIEW and A GIVEAWAY!
Congratulations to Joyce Hostetter who won THE HERO TWO DOORS DOWN and to Clara Gillow Clark who won PACO'S PAINTBRUSH. Clara Gillow Clark is the blogger from whom I won FOOD FIGHT FIESTA. (And no, I didn't rig the contest. Random.org always picks my winners!) ******* Several weeks ago when I blogged about teaching at Write 2… Continue reading Fundamental STEPS to Writing Historical Fiction– Highlights 2018
Congratulations to Deb Allmand who won the Audio book of Between the Lines on last week's blog. I'm excited about several upcoming teaching opportunities. In September I'll be presenting three workshops at the Write2Ignite Conference. Geared towards Christian writers who want to write for the children's and young adult market, as well as to teen writers,… Continue reading Coming Up on Write 2 Ignite!
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
I last blogged about my training to be a SmartARTS teaching artist last summer when I attended their training institute. Here's a column I wrote for The Greenville Journal about my first assignment. ********* Five minutes after I started talking to Gayla Day, the Administrator of the SmartARTS program at the Metropolitan Arts Council, I knew I’d… Continue reading SmartARTS: Art Integration at Work