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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Author, Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky
Hello and welcome to my ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’ blog series. My goal is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome Author, Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky. Enjoying writing throughout her life, Dianna wrote her first picture book, titled “James’ Reading Rescue,” at the age of 61. Uncertain about its quality and lacking knowledge about the craft of writing picture books, she decided to reach out to a Canadian children’s author through the author’s website. This wonderful woman took the time to read Dianna’s story and provided feedback that set her on the…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Author and Translator, Gabriella Aldeman
Hello and welcome to my ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’ blog series. My goal is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome Author and Translator, Gabriella Aldeman. Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author and professional translator of children’s books and academic resources. Her books include Paula’s Patches (Free Spirit, 2023) and Squawk of Spanish (Charlesbridge, 2024). She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband, two children, and a guinea pig named Giuseppe. Please visit her at www.writebetween.com or on social media @write_between. 1 – What inspired you to pursue a career in…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Certified Book Coach, Sara Gentry
Hello and welcome to my ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’ blog series. My goal is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome Certified Book Coach, Sara Gentry. 1 – What inspired you to pursue a career in book coaching? A decade ago, I would never have predicted I would become a book coach. I’ve always loved books and bookstores, and I’ve long been fascinated by the world of publishing, but since I have an advanced degree in mathematics, I thought I would continue teaching and researching in my field (mathematical biology). I never would…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Author and Illustrator, Laura Smetana
Hello and welcome to my ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’ blog series. My goal is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome Author and Illustrator, Laura Smetana. Laura Smetana is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. Her latest author-illustrated book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, is a joyful celebration of unconditional love with bold, watercolor collages of garden scenes and received a starred Kirkus review. Laura is also the author of Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia (illustrated by Elisabete B.…
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Book Review: Pedro and Daniel by Federico Erebia
I’m so honored to have received a digital ARC copy of PEDRO AND DANIEL by Federico Erebia. I read a lot, and in recent years there’s not been a book that’s touched my heart quite the same way as Pedro and Daniel. Pedro and Daniel releases June 6th, 2023, and is now available for pre-order! Please consider pre-ordering his book if you’d like to help support Federico and his debut. Other ways you can support Federico is by: A) Adding Pedro and Daniel to your ‘want to read’ list on Goodreads. B) Put in a library request at your local library. C) Add Pedro and Daniel to an Amazon wish list! D)…
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Bea Book Launch Updates + Swag Pack info!
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Carrie Karnes-Fannin, KidLit Creative
Hello and welcome to my ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’ blog series. My goal is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome Carrie Karnes-Fannin. She is is a full-time writer and occasional artist. When not writing or drawing, she enjoys photography, hiking, and re-reading the works of comedic genius Douglas Adams. She firmly believes “42” answers “the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything,” but unfortunately has mislaid her towel. She lives in the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia with her husband, plus two fur kids: a groovy dog named Bodhi,…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Sara Kruger, Children’s Picture Book and Middle Grade Writer
Hello and welcome to my new blog series, ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’. My goal with this series is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome picture book and middle grade writer, Sara Kruger. She’s been writing picture books on and off for nearly a dozen years, and actively querying for the last four years. One of her stories, Waiting for Faith, was featured in the winter 2023 edition of Little Thoughts Press and her MG micro fiction story, The Glitch, won third place in the 2023 Kids’ Choice Kidlit Writing…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Tara Trudel, Children’s Book Author and Songwriter
Hello and welcome to my new blog series, ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’. My goal with this series is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome our first participant, Children’s Author and Songwriter, Tara Trudel. Tara, can you please tell us how the idea for FRACTURED came about and a little more about your process as songwriter for kid’s books? FRACTURED combines my background in children’s songwriting, comedy, and musicfor kidlit. I wanted to write a family music album that was structured like a sketchcomedy show with elements like comedic characters, callbacks, and an…
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Grow Your Writing Resource: KidLit Podcasts
Do you spend considerable time in your car, out and about, or on the go? I spend extensive time daily in the school pick-up line or walking around the school. My children get out 45 minutes apart, and parking is a little daily dance of making sure you park on the right side of the road, so you don’t get stuck in traffic later on your way out. How do I best make use of my waiting time? Well, of course, writing is always my first choice, but sometimes it flows; other times, it just doesn’t. What I’ve found super helpful during these times is listening to podcasts. But how…
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My #50 PRECIOUS WORDS 2023 Entry | FROM SCAVENGER TO SILVER MEDALIST
My #50preciouswords entry this year is inspired by Carlo Paalam, a men’s flyweight boxer from the Philippines who won the Silver Medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. His story touched my heart and reminded me of similar endeavors as a young girl with my Lola. FROM SCAVENGER TO SILVER MEDALIST By Christine Alemshah [WC: 50, MG] The air buzzed. Music blasted. Crowds cheered. But Carlo Paalam’s razor-sharp eyes focused on one thing: his Olympic silver medal, melded from recycled gadgets — an ode to his former life as a scavenger. With parries, punches, and perseverance, Carlo freed his family from poverty. And proved no dream is impossible.
