Step Right Up is promoted on PBS Kids!
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Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Author Visit
Click to download a photo-free PDF of this article School author visits can be fun and enlightening, and studies have shown that they inspire students to read and write more. Meeting a “real live author” is like Dorothy pulling back the curtain to meet the Wizard behind the world of Oz. But organizing an event… Read more »
Begin with a Plan: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books
This post was originally published on February 20, 2023, on NFFest.com as part of their 2023 Nonfiction Fest month. After reading this post, pop over to NFFest and read the other informative posts by fabulous nonfiction authors. ************************************************************************************ I know the struggle well. You research like Ken Burns—widely and deeply— and then face the itty… Read more »
Select sources & quote sources for King of the Tightrope
What happens when there’s not enough space in a picture book for the Sources? They’re moved here, for ready access. So, here ya go, dear readers. A condensed list of the sources I accessed during my research for King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagara, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, and published by… Read more »
Hear pronunciations for the French terms in King of the Tightrope
Hello, readers! When you open up King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagara, you’ll notice that the story is peppered with French words and phrases. It’s fun to guess the pronunciations, but here are some audio pronunciations to help you get the readings just right. s’amuser! (have fun!) Grand-père—grandfather Fléchis—inflect or bend… Read more »
Do You Need Permission to Write About Somebody?
Some of the most common questions I hear from picture book biography writers: Q: Do I need permission to write about somebody, living or dead? A: Permission is technically not required if the biography subject is/was a public figure, unless their estate has created a kind of legal fortress. There are rare cases in… Read more »
September Class Registering Now — Writing Picture Book Biographies that Shine
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION I am smitten with picture book biographies. In fact, while pursuing an MFA in Writing (Children’s and YA focus) from Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), I even focused my critical thesis on creative approaches to picture book biographies and the often-fuzzy nonfiction line. Since then, I have been honored… Read more »
Education Grants for Books, Author Visits, School Programs, Professional Development & More
I love visiting schools and meeting librarians, teachers, and students. But many schools can’t afford author visits. In fact, many schools don’t have the budget for new books, enrichment programs, or professional development. That’s why I scoured resources and compiled this mega list of grants for schools and classrooms. There are plenty more than what… Read more »
Available for Critiques or Ongoing Coaching
Click here or on the Critique page in the above menu to learn more about my critique and coaching options. Let’s work together to make your manuscript sparkle.
