Literary agent, Mary Kole, who specializes in children’s literature at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, recently completed her 5-part Novel Beginnings Workshop. Her thoughtful critiques of 5 submitted novel openers are brimming with tips on writing beginnings that hook your readers. Stop by her blog to read these detailed critiques AND to have a look… Read more »
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Audrey Vernick on Brainstorming and The Bufflalo’s Bucket List
Last summer when I traveled to Uganda I was quite picky about my traveling companions. They had to be fun, hardy and have a LOT of heart. That’s why Audrey Vernick’s buffalo made the cut. After all, if he could handle kindergarten, he could handle most anything. Sure enough, I found that this treasure of… Read more »
A Very Special Picture Book Peek Week …
… is coming this July. Watch for it! (What is a Picture Book Peek Week? Find out here.)
LitWorld: Spark a LitSummer
LitWorld is such a terrific organization. You might remember, they sponsored World Read Aloud Day. Here are easy ways to help with their summer endeavor. LitWorld is spreading the power of story from Kenya to Harlem and we need your help sparking our LitSummer! We are calling out to our community to donate books and… Read more »
Revising Beyond the Critique
Last week I brought a new picture book manuscript to my critique group. They loved it (YIPPEE!) with the exception of one minor detail – the opening line. Unanimously it “didn’t work” for them which is critique-speak for “we hated it and we didn’t know how to fix it.” My mission: Rewrite the opening line…. Read more »
Points From PB Peeks: What Happens Right Before Your Ending?
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned Allyn Johnston’s and Marla Frazee’s wise words about picture book endings. Yes, endings should disarm us. They must have a touch of mystery, a touch of magic and space for the reader to fill in or ponder. But let me offer this: Equally as important is what… Read more »
Writing Book Review: Second Sight
Second Sight: An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adultsby Cheryl B. Klein Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Asterisk Books (March 9, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0615420826 When I received the request to support Scholastic (Arthur A. Levine Books) editor, Cheryl Klein, in her endeavor to publish this book, I… Read more »
Children’s Author Chris Barton Takes on a New Identity
Bestselling children’s author, Chris Barton, is known for his award-winning picture books The Day Glo Brothers and Shark Vs. Train. But these days, he’s donning a new disguise – or genre, if you will. His young-adult book Can I See Your I.D.? True Stories of False Identities recently hit bookstore shelves with rave reviews. Publisher’s… Read more »
A Lovely Acrostic Thank You …
… from the kids at Pembroke Hill & Village Schools in Pembroke, NH and their wonderful librarian, Sue Demanche.
Picture Book Peek Week #11 Begins April 25th!!
Spring Has Sprung – Peek Week #11 – April 25th! It’s a Petunia Popping Picture Book Peek Week – Free critique of a selected picture book manuscript It begins April 25th!Here’s how it works: Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in the comment section of this blog post anytime… Read more »
My Books
