As the director of the children’s literature department at HCS Publishing, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Jessica Hughes. Congratulations, Hughes, for the publication of Humble and Grumble: The Bumblebee Brothers! Hughes told me the inspiration for this story came from two real life bees at the park. One was buzzing around happily… Continue reading New HCS Release: Humble and Grumble
I know what you’re wondering. It’s the post before Christmas and I’m reviewing a book about different holiday? Yes, I am. Because I adore this book and I read it to my daughter even though we celebrate Christmas, because picture books are a wonderful way to teach diversity. All the more perfect if you are… Continue reading Book Review: Dreidel, Dreidel, Drediel!
(an excerpt from) Chapter 1: Redding High Natara stepped over the Celebrating 25 Years of Redding High flier that had joined the other fallen victims of bored students. This particular flier was illustrated with colorful drawings of creatures. She opened her dented gray locker to switch her books, then closed it to find Gladia leaning… Continue reading (WIP) from my fantasy novel Natara
Autumn Lady Through golden sunbeams, Over melancholy streams, And to a lonely hill I followed a wandering path. The wind, it sang Hushed words of sorrow For the change it scattered Across the land. Barren tree limbs brushed against Each other for comfort As their leaves fell gracefully towards Their rest. One… Continue reading (WIP) Autumn Lady
I was invited to join Dave Lee and his wife Aela Badiana for the second annual Atlanta Steampunk Expo this year from October 26-28. I had a truly wonderful time! First and foremost, a huge thank you to the incredible team who made this expo a grand experience. Thank you Bill Harrison and Naomi Grumwald-Eberhart… Continue reading Atlanta Steampunk Exposition: Victorian Nightmares
Welcome back, Michael Thompson! In our last interview we discussed your journey of becoming an author and focused on your most recent book World of the Orb. Congratulations on your newest publication, Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters. For more information about Michael Thompson, please visit his website. What is Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters about? Thanks Donna,… Continue reading Author Spotlight: Welcome back, Michael Thompson
A poem from my novel in verse I am working on to process my miscarriage. No More Tears I’ve realized my goal was no more tears. Perhaps because I fear those around me don’t want to see them. Perhaps because the unspoken rule to pull yourself together. Perhaps because when they come… Continue reading (WIP) No More Tears
I reached out to fellow authors/illustrators and asked them for a quick response to this question: How do you write good dialogue? Author A. LaFaye: Books have been written to answer that question, but I’ll try to be brief and borrow a line from Dickinson, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” People don’t… Continue reading Advice From Fellow Authors / Illustrators
This is the second book review from my random picture book game. (For those who missed my last post: I randomly grabbed two picture books from the library to do reviews for my blog. It’s not only a chance for me to find new treasures, it’s a fun challenge to do a review on a… Continue reading Book Review: There’s a Dragon Downstairs
While at the library grabbing books for my daughter in the picture book section, I decided to do an experiment. I reached out randomly and grabbed two books for myself to read and review. So far, I’ve reviewed books I purposefully chose and then decided I wanted blog about. These two upcoming reviews, and probably… Continue reading Book Review: Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson