The end of the Western calendar year, always means ‘Best of” lists. It can be an exciting time and it can also be a disappointing time too.
I was very grateful to have both Zhen Yu and the Snake and Counting [Read More]
Rejections are sometimes bitter, but rejections are sometimes bittersweet.
Today I got a long awaited response to a picture book exclusive submission. An exclusive is when an acquiring editor/ publishing house is the only one that is sent that [Read More]
Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with trying to market my books and I find myself wishing that I had more than just a shoestring budget. I have 2 new books (PB #2 and #3 for me) out in little over [Read More]
When people ask me if I’m working on any new projects, I don’t always know how to answer this. Which also makes the question, how is your book coming difficult to answer too.
I’m always working on several projects. I have [Read More]
This might be a review or it might be old news, but there is much to learn about publishing.
When I was a child, my mother was a US history teacher. She had a graduate degree in United States Constitutional History [Read More]
Picture books are for kids, but they aren’t just for kids. While picture books are short and presumably written in language that is fairly accessible, they’re deceptively complex. They are concise. Every word matters, but structure, rhythm, plot, emotional resonance, [Read More]
When I finally decided to try to start a career in children’s books, I imagined a rich and rewarding creative life of long walks where I do my best thinking and then school visits and brainstorming sessions with other authors [Read More]
Book publishing isn’t a quick process. I don’t think there’s another industry like it.
Many years ago, I was a lawyer. It’s not hard to imagine what the response would have been been had I adopted the publishing practice of waiting [Read More]
Imposter syndrome is real and I feel it acutely now. I’ve volunteered to be a mentor for PB Rising Stars!
I’m really excited, but considering I signed my first PB contract (first kidlit contract) in 2021 it feels a bit [Read More]
Book titles change at various stages of the publishing process. I love coming up with titles. I like to think that I’m good at it. After all, I titled (or was the final say on) most article as the editor-in-chief [Read More]
