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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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Meet the #MidWeekCritique Team
#MidWeekCritique is a monthly initiative started by children’s writer Lori M. Keating to giveaway 3 – non-rhyming PB critiques of up to 700 words. It’s gone over wonderfully, and Lori felt called to build a team to reach more writers each month. This past month I joined the #MidWeekCritique team along with April Berry and Elizabeth James. Learn more about the group and its founder, Lori M. Keating. To enter the weekly contest, follow the #MidWeekCritique hashtag each week on Twitter and comment with your favorite GIF! Lori M. Keating How long have you been writing picture books? The very first picture book I wrote (and illustrated) was for a…
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Introducing my Kid Lit Pitch Pie FREE resource
I’ve been a member of writing Twitter since 2010 and have participated in dozens of pitch events. But you know how long it took before I got my first heart? Ten years!! In 2021, I received my first ❤️ during PBPitch from a wonderful and kind agent. I submitted my story right away, and she requested several additional manuscripts! That’s when a buzz filled my heart and spoke to me, saying — this is possible! I began honing my pitch writing skills, learning more about the process, and dove right in. I studied successful pitches and trends during events and entered another pitch event. Four hearts this time and 7…
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Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 || Book Review: Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athlete by Mia Wenjen
Ten years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE. I’m so honored to be a book reviewer this year, and to share my #gifted book CHANGING THE GAME: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FEMALE ATHLETE by Mia Wenjen with you! #readyourworld A little about the book: CHANGING THE GAME: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FEMALE ATHLETE by Mia Wenjen shines a spotlight on seventeen Asian American female athlete trailblazers who attained high levels of success despite setbacks such as poverty, gender stereotypes, and racism. The book is an inspirational stepping…
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Bea Book Launch Updates + Swag Pack info!
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12 Days for Writers: Day 3
Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list for 2021. My writing successes in 2021! First and foremost… I’m showing up! Whether thinking of ideas while homeschooling my children or taking them to the park, or writing during…
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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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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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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…
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Sunflower Scribe Spotlight: Tiffany Laurencio, Illustrator
Today’s guest taking center stage is none other than talented illustrator, Tiffany Laurencio! Our e-book RIGHT THIS INSTANT was recently released at the MeeGenius Bookstore. When I learned I was being paired with Tiffany I was thrilled! She truly helps the words and characters come alive with her vibrant, whimsical illustrations. I was especially delighted at how Eli and Grandpa’s personalities are captured. I am honored to be sharing her interview with you today. Hello Tiffany! Let’s start things off by having you share your favorite flower? I have 2 favorite flowers! Is that okay? I love the combination of Hydrangeas and Sunflowers! Tell us a little about yourself? How did you get your start as…
