I first met Cathy Ballou Mealey when we participated together in the book marketing group, #Epic18. I love the adorable antics in her debut picture book, WHEN A TREE GROWS, which released on April 2, 2019 (illustrated by Kasia Nowowiejksa). Read on for Cathy's thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to r

This post was originally published on the Children's Book Academy blog. ​I work with many writing groups that perform varied functions. I’m part of several outstanding critique groups and I value my critique partners tremendously. I’m also a member of a few marketing groups that offer invaluable assistance surrounding a book’s debut year promotion and beyond. This weekend, at the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in New York City, I met in person for the first time many of m

I can't wait to get my copy of author Viviane Elbee's adorable debut picture book, TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI (illustrated by Danni Gowdy). I met Viviane through #EPIC18, the group of debut picture book authors and illustrators, and I'm thrilled to feature her on the blog today. Here are her thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. STORIES – Discuss what inspires your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects. Anything can spark a

I'm happy to be featuring Beth Anderson, another #Epic18 debut picture book author pal. Her picture book, AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, is a must for anyone interested in a fascinating look at language and spelling, as well as the friendship between Ben Franklin and Noah Webster. I look forward to adding this to my picture book collection. Here are Beth's thoughts on stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. STORIES – Discuss what inspires

I first got to know Margaret through our involvement with the Debut Picture Book Study Group. And now I'm thrilled that we're both members of #Epic18, a group of authors and illustrators with debut picture books releasing in 2018. I absolutely love Margaret's book, MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS, illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow, and I can't wait to add a copy to my picture book collection! Here are Margaret's thoughts on stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. STORIES – D

My #EPIC18 friend Christy Mihaly is chatting on the blog today! Epic18 is a wonderful group of 2018 debut picture book authors and illustrators. Christy's debut, HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines that Make Them), releasing in August, is fabulous. I love this story and the clever title too! Here are some insights into Christy's process. STORIES -- Discuss what inspires your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects. Thank you for inviti

I'm happy to interview my #EPIC18 friend Jen Betton! Epic Eighteen is a group of debut picture book writers and illustrators with books published in 2018. Jen has two 2018 titles - HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, that she wrote and illustrated, and TWILIGHT CHANT, written by Holly Thompson and illustrated by Jen. Happy book birthday to both! Here are Jen's thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection: STORIES – Discuss what inspires your ideas and stories, and share the

This post was first published on the #EPIC18READS blog. I am proud to be a member of Epic18, a group of authors and illustrators with debut picture books releasing in 2018. My debut picture book, SCARLET'S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, releases from Clear Fork Publishing in August, 2018! My typical writing day truly is not typical. My work patterns change every day to meet my most pressing writing-related needs, my deadlines, my inspiration, my other daily life priorities, and my mood. E

I'm happy to showcase fellow Epic Eighteen member Andi Diehn! Andi is a debut picture book author - her new books, WAVES, ENERGY, MATTER, and FORCES, are part of the Picture Book Science Series with Nomad Press. Read on for Andi's thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection! STORIES – Discuss what inspires your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects. First of all, thank you for having me as a guest blogger on your site! I have hug

I'm delighted to feature my #Epic18 friend Cate Berry today! Her debut picture book is absolutely adorable and it's definitely required bedtime reading. Here are her thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection! STORIES – Discuss what inspires your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects. What a great question. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where my stories come from lately. Every year in January I do this semi-cheesy ritu

A year ago at the end of 2017, I started this blog -- This Writing Life: Stories, Creativity, and Connection. My second blog post was a gratitude cloud based on learning from Julie Hedlund's 12 Days for Christmas for Writers series. And here we are --- a year later! I have lots to be grateful for from 2017: Family Friends The KidLit Writing Community My Clear Fork Publishing Family The Children's Book Academy 12 x 12 StoryStorm SCBWI Conferences This Blog!!! My debut chapter