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What Makes a Picture Book Manuscript Submission-Ready?
“How do I know if/when my manuscript is ready to submit?” As a children’s book author, editor, and educator, this is one of the most common questions I hear from...
Read MoreShout-Outs, Giveaways and Reciprocity
One of the things I love best about being a member of the children’s lit industry is the spirit of community with which we support one another. Unlike many other...
Read MoreThe Mash-Up Method: Creating New Ideas by Combining the Unexpected
Sometimes the most original ideas come from combining two completely unrelated concepts. This “mash-up” approach invites you to think outside the box and create something fresh and surprising. By juxtaposing...
Read MoreTop 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Picture Books
Hello, fellow writers! When it comes to crafting picture books, there are some common pitfalls that can trip up even the most experienced authors. By being aware of these mistakes,...
Read MoreWriting Goals for the New Year
I prefer setting goals to making resolutions. Somehow they feel more positive and attainable, less like resolving not to do something and more like committing to a new behavior or...
Read MoreThe Series Series, Part 6: Tracking Plot Details
When it comes to maintaining continuity of plot details in a series, it can be helpful to create a scene chart or a storyboard for each story as well as...
Read MoreMaintaining Sanity, Focus and Productivity During the Holidays
Writing is hard enough. On any given day I wrestle with hundreds of distractions – some real, like my children’s needs or my other professional commitments, some self-imposed, like checking...
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