Donna

Picture book biographies—My most-viewed posts

We’re working to re-establish the blog archives and categories that got tangled up in the recent website import. For now, if you’re looking for past posts about nonfiction picture books or picture book biography (or ies), simply type those terms into the blog search box. You can also find the most-viewed posts below. *DISCLAIMER: These posts were… Read more »

The Debut Author Hero’s Journey

originally posted, February 2016. In The Writer’s Journey, Christopher Vogler offers the twelve common stages of plot that comprise the Hero’s Journey. I’m not the first to contend that every person, at every moment, is living his or her own hero’s journey. But, since we here on EMU’s Debuts are all about celebrating the up-and-coming… Read more »

Banishing the guilt

Originally published on EMU’s Debuts(www.emusdebuts.com) Yes, guilt. Many of us were conditioned for guilt at a very young age, but the grown-up writer version is what concerns me. Maybe it’s because I’m basically a people-pleaser. Perhaps you’re like me or know somebody like me. If anybody has a problem, I want to fix it for… Read more »

I’m Teaching a NF Picture Book Class! Join Me!

Children’s nonfiction is increasingly popular these days, especially in the picture book form. Yet, it’s difficult to find relevant instruction in writing books, workshops, or classes. With ever-changing styles and creative approaches, it is important to seek out up-to-date expertise on the subject. I’m thrilled to be teaching a six-week class about nonfiction picture books… Read more »

Hire me to Critique Your Manuscript

Call me a nerd, but I love critiquing others’ works. I think my inner bibliophile was meant to be an editor. Short of that, and after many years of actively critiquing and editing projects for colleagues, I am thrilled to finally expand my services more broadly. You can learn more about my critique services here. I… Read more »

Everything You Want to Know About School Visits

My fellow NARRATIVE ARChaeology authors and I put together a series of articles about school visits. Below are direct links. Click here for Why Invite a Non-Fiction Author to Speak at Your School Click here for Getting the Most Out of Your School Visit Click here for The Truth About What Authors Earn Click here for How to Pay… Read more »

Beautiful Jim Key—the Movie

UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE, AND I DO NOT RECEIVE UPDATES ABOUT ITs PRODUCTION. THE MOVIE IS BASED ON THE BOOK, BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY: THE LOST HISTORY OF THE WORLD’S SMARTEST HORSE, BY MIM EICHLER RIVAS. I’m as eager as you are, but I cannot answer move-related questions. That… Read more »

It’s Time for TLA 2017!

Next week brings the 2017 Texas Library Association conference in San Antonio, Texas. I look forward to the event every year. If you’ll be there, please find me and say hello. Below is my schedule. Stay tuned for more information about my latest co-venture with authors Cynthia Levinson and Susan Kralovansky, NARRATIVE ARChaeology: Teaching Kids… Read more »

“Educating” Beautiful Jim Key — the Dee Dee Effect

I had an interesting conversation recently about how I thought Beautiful Jim Key was “educated” or trained to exhibit his remarkable skills. I was asked if I believe that Jim learned the way a child would learn, or if I thought there might have been some undetected cues from Doc. Since Step Right Up: How… Read more »