I'VE MOVED!

In an effort to keep things simple and better organized, I'm moving my blog to my new website. If you're a regular reader of my literary ramblings, please start looking for my posts here.

Thank you & Happy Holidays!

Enrollment is Open!

Enrollment is now open for my upcoming online course with the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. INTRODUCTION TO WRITING PICTURE BOOKS is an 8-week course that introduces new writers to the world of picture books! Through the course, we'll talk about idea generation, structure, character development, language, the balance of art and text, and revision. Everyone will work on their own quarter project and engage in creative writing exercises. And this all happens in a safe environment where folks can exercise their creativity!

What better way to start off the new year than with a meaningful and fun learning experience! Click HERE for more details.

PALS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

This year, my local SCBWI chapter (SCBWI Central-Coastal CA) is doing a special event for its reading community and “published and listed” members (PALS). I'm proud to be a part of this event and love the idea of supporting local charities, encouraging reading and helping booksellers and authors promote their books. From their website:

This holiday season you can share the joy of reading while supporting local authors, independent booksellers, and charities alike when you purchase titles from the list below as gifts or as a donation to a worthy cause.

Our goal for the month of November is to support local bookstores in the Central Coastal region
as well as our booksellers’ favorite charities,
and share books by our Published And Listed authors' and illustrators’.
​Purchase one or more for gift or charity!!

​You may order books using the PALS for the Holiday's Order Form posted on their website.

 

OR

Attend a Special Event! Help support our local PAL's by stopping by any of the stores below Saturday, November 26!

Book Promotion Ideas on EMUS DEBUTS

Today on EMUS Debuts, I share some book promotion links that I've found helpful as I move forward in planning events for my upcoming book releases.

Book promotion can be a bit mind-boggling for many authors (including myself!). Each book requires its own special promotional events, so my hope is to share resources and help other writers who are experiencing that feeling of "swirling the drain" as they plan for their book release.

Enjoy!

Book Release--LIKE MAGIC!

Over at EMUS Debuts this week, we're celebrating the launch of Elaine Vickers's middle-grade novel, LIKE MAGIC! Author Jason Gallaher asked the EMUS if we had any significant friendships that had changed our lives. Of course, I just had to talk about my husband, Mark.

Read Jason's piece here (and get to laugh at my high school homecoming dance picture!)

Happy Halloween!

 I just wanted to remind folks of this terrific Halloween event being put on by Curious City. What a great way to put stories into the hands of children! Read all about it here!

Or better yet, watch their video!

This week on EMU'S DEBUTS, we're celebrating the release of Elly Swartz's debut novel, FINDING PERFECT.

We have many terrific posts about Elly's middle-grade novel, a story about an OCD girl determined to have a perfect family. I especially enjoyed today's post, were Hayley Barrett asks, "What advice would you give your 12-year old self?" I think it's interesting to pause for a moment and think about yourself at a younger age, consider where you were then and how far you've come to where you are now.

What would you say to your younger self?