Picture Book
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview PLUS 20 Book Giveaway: Thad Krasnesky
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews blog series in 2024. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. This month I’m honored to participate in Flashlight Press’ 20th-anniversary celebration and feature one of their authors, Thad Krasnesky, and his fabulous book, Pterodactyl Show and Tell. As part of the anniversary celebration, Flashlight Press is giving away 20 copies of the book! So, without further adieu and fanfare of virtual trumpets, I introduce you to the fabulous Thad Krasnesky. Please stay tuned to learn how you can win a copy of his book Pterodactyl Show and Tell, illustrated by Tanya Leonello. Thad has won multiple awards for writing…
- Author Interviews, Creator Interview Series, Grow Your Writing, Picture Book, Publications, Sunflower Scribe Spotlight
#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Author, Stacey Bartlett
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews blog series in 2024. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Today, I welcome Author, Stacey Bartlett. Stacey was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and currently lives in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina with her four children and two rescue dogs. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a BS in psychology and has been a homeschool teacher for over twenty years. Stacey loves to read and to write stories that bring hope to her readers’ hearts. Stacey’s work appears in the eleventh edition (2024) of County Lines Literary Journal,…
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How I landed my Agent and a seven picture book deal!
Yes, you read that right… seven picture book deal. Writing that out, I can scarcely believe it myself. Please read on to find out how this deal and landing an Agent came about. I’ve been writing and submitting my picture books for a long time. You might remember my epiphany post in 2010 if you are a longtime blog reader. Wow, have I grown as a writer since then!! So, where do I begin? As I shared in my epiphany post, I discovered my passion for publishing my picture books when I was in the 4th grade. I had the opportunity to write, illustrate, and bind my first picture book. I was…
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12 x 12 in 2021 – Back after a long break!
It’s official! I’ve signed up for the 12 x 12 Challenge hosted by Julie Hedlund! My first time doing so since 2013. I had started participating the previous year, in fact here is my original badge from 2012. I can hardly believe it’s been that long! So far I have 1 full draft, 2 partials & 2 revisions under my belt for 2021. 12×12 will be the extra boost needed to stay motivated this year! There’s still time to sign up if you’d like to join in on this fun picture book writing journey. Now-Feb. 28, 2021. What is this challenge all about?The premise is simple. Write 12 full picture books…
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Epic! App for Kids: The netflix for children’s books and research gold for writers
Raise your hand if you have young children? Now keep your hand raised if you also like to write books for children? Still have your hand in the air? Then you NEED to try Epic! An amazing app available on apple and android smart devices. They have thousands of children’s ebook titles available, and are adding more each day including huge, mega popular titles and characters such as “Ramona”, “Peter Rabbit” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” Here’s what my evenings look like now that we have Epic in our home. First, I set up a profile for my daughter and I to read together. Her current favorite books include “Old MacDonald’s Letter Farm”, “Duck Goes…
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Picture Book research at Barnes and Noble
This past sunday, I was able to get out and do something I haven’t done in quite awhile! I walked into a yummy book-scented Barnes and Noble complete with a cd section ala Blockbuster Music, and headed to read some popular picture books! Of course, whenever I pass anything that might of interest to my little one, I get distracted. I mean, come on, what 22 month old wouldn’t enjoy a soft barnyard full of chickens, ducks, cows, and pigs? Then again, maybe it delighted me just as much! I finally made my way to the picture book section, and pulled out these five fun stories — and devoured them!…
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Back to School Picture Book Reads
Back to school time is here! I like to start off the school year with a healthy mixture of themed picture books. “Starting school” is the obvious choice, and I always include a few books on the topic in the bunch. I also like to share picture books with other important themes such as friendship, self-esteem, manners, and also books that are just pure fun. Here are five of my favorites. I love sharing Clifford the Big Red Dog with children, especially when he is a not-so-big puppy, just like them. Jane Yolen’s ‘How Do Dinosaurs’ books are always delightful reads that deal with relevant concepts for 3-6 year old…
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Library Days: Rancho Santa Margarita Library
My latest library visit led my to Rancho Santa Margarita Library in you guessed it — Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. This visit happened shortly after the LA13SCBWI Summer Conference, so I was really in need of a decompression day. I started my day with a manicure at the Luxe Organic Nail & Spa and had my nails painted with my latest color obsession — mint! I love that they use organic products and natural cleaning products. Not all of their polish is organic but they do have some options that are. Then I headed for a sushi lunch at Sake Sushi. Can you see the steam rising from my lightly…
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Virtual Book Launch Party for Right This Instant
I am hosting a Facebook Virtual Book Launch Party for my recently released MeeGenius picture e-book tomorrow from 4-8pm. If you’d like to attend please click here. I will be buzzing around sharing tid-bits about the book, activity ideas, and more. Stop by on the hour for Q&A and a chance to win a $10.00 itunes gift card. The winner will be announced at the end of the launch. You can purchase RIGHT THIS INSTANT online at http://tinyurl.com/righthisinstant on your computer or on the MeeGenius App for iphone, ipad, or android. It is currently listed under the ‘New and Noteworthy’ section. You have to scroll down quite a ways to find it listed…
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My first picture book ever written
Yesterday I visited my Mom in Pinon Hills, CA. We ate delicious organic plums from her local co-op and celebrated her soon-to-be born baby bull terrier puppies. We also rummaged around in old boxes and shared old memories. That’s when we found the picture book that started it all “Kimberly’s Time Machine”, written by 10 year old yours truly. This book single-handedly stirred up the creative-writing bug in me for years to come! I did all the writing and illustrations. I even went through revisions with my editor (teacher). The story was about a young girl who built a time machine to visit the future, and all the mishaps…
