Here’s an excerpt from a short story I started writing for a contest … and never finished đ I’d like to continue it, but I can’t decide now if I want to finish it as a short story or keep going and make it a novel. Aria walked as quickly as she could over the… Continue reading Aria and The Great Wizard
Sarah King is among the many I know through Hollins University. More about her and her incredible art can be found at her website. As you will see, she is a talented artist. Her picture book about a guinea pig is wonderful, and she even reveals a little about her upcoming picture book! Tell us… Continue reading Author/Illustrator Spotlight: Sarah King
The NCTE Orbis Pictus Award recognizes excellence in the promotion of nonfiction in childrenâs books. It was established in 1989 and named after the book Orbis Sensualium Pictus (or The World of Things Obvious to the Senses Drawn in Pictures) by John Amos Comenius. The Orbis Pictus was published in 1657 and considered to be… Continue reading Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans
This is from 642 Things to Write About by the San Fransisco Writers’ Grotto. My husband bought it for me as a way to encourage me to keep writing. He is the exact kind of encouragement and support a writer needs! –“Write a scene in which a woman is fired after only a week on… Continue reading Writing Prompt – A Fired Waitress
Please joing me in congratulating Caroline on her newest release John Ronaldâs Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkien! Caroline is a childrenâs book author. To date she has published three picture books, Holy Mole!, Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief, and John Ronaldâs Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkien. She lives… Continue reading Author Spotlight: Caroline McAlister
CeCe Bell won a Newbery Honor in 2015 for her graphic children’s novel El Deafo. It is a must read! I had the pleasure of attending her talk on how El Deafo came to be at Hollins University. I spoke with her at length afterwards. She is an absolute delight, and her genuine smile and… Continue reading Book Review: El Deafo by CeCe Bell
I hesitate to show this work in progress, but I did warn you would see works in progress that aren’t perfect. This is a small piece with an unknown future. I dealt with a lot of unexpected emotions after the birth of my child. The great thing about being a writer is allowing my experiences… Continue reading Three Leviathans
My picture book Midnight Forest will be published by HCS Publishing next month. I specifically designed it with the visually impaired in mind. When you browse picture books either online or at book stores, it’s easy to get lost in the whimsical world of the imagination. For the majority of buyers, font size and illustration… Continue reading Why picture books for the visually impaired?
Michael is a fellow Hollins student in the MFA in Children’s Literature program. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and read his works in our classes. He has published several stories, including one he wrote during one of our summer classes. This delightful interview gives you a taste of the wit and… Continue reading Author Spotlight: Michael M. Jones
I hesitate to put a negative book review on my blog for many reasons. I keep coming back to the fact that not everyone likes the same books, and that’s what makes a diverse literary world. This book won the Newbery Award, which means an entire board disagrees with me! And that’s ok. Because it… Continue reading Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos book review