Behind the Scenes: “Making the Most of Delays and Detours” by Nora Nickum 

September 25, 2026

Though delays and challenges are frustrating, author Nora Nickum found that embracing them resulted in a better book in multiple ways for WILD MEDICINE: INVENTING WAYS TO SAVE ENDANGERED ANIMALS. Patience, perseverance, and continued learning paid off!! GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of WILD MEDICINE: INVENTING WAYS TO … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Most of Delays and Detours” by Nora Nickum 

Behind the Scenes: “Listening for the Music in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE” by Jason Peterson

September 18, 2026

Here’s a terrific post from author Jason Peterson on finding the balance between details of a life and “the feel” of that life in the world in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE: THE UNSTOPPABLE MUSIC OF CEDELL DAVIS. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to get in on the giveaway for a copy of BLUES WITH … More Behind the Scenes: “Listening for the Music in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE” by Jason Peterson

My Writing Journey: “An Author’s Battle with TMI—Too Much Information!” by Beth Anderson

September 11, 2026

In this year of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, it’s truly an honor to share a little-known piece of history in THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, releasing 9/29/26. Here’s a peek behind the scenes of the writing and how I wrestled with TOO MUCH INFORMATION—an … More My Writing Journey: “An Author’s Battle with TMI—Too Much Information!” by Beth Anderson

Behind the Scenes: “Creative Risks: Stepping Out of The Comfort Zone” by Heidi Yates

September 4, 2026

Love this post from debut author Heidi Yates on taking creative risks and trying something new. MONSTER MANNERS A-Z is a fabulous, fun, fresh alphabet book with well chosen behavior tips for kids today. Congratulations, Heidi! And thank you for sharing your journey out of the comfort zone! GIVEAWAY!! Be sure to leave a comment … More Behind the Scenes: “Creative Risks: Stepping Out of The Comfort Zone” by Heidi Yates

Mining for Heart: “How a Patchwork Quilt Reflects a Patchwork World” by Ann McCallum Staats

August 28, 2026

Just as perspective led to Karen Nyberg’s global quilt project from space, author Ann McCallum Staats found the heart of A QUILT OF STARS: ASTRONAUT KAREN NYBERG STITCHES A DREAM by exploring perspective. In this fascinating story, a bit of tradition and old-fashioned skills find their place in space! GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for … More Mining for Heart: “How a Patchwork Quilt Reflects a Patchwork World” by Ann McCallum Staats

Mining For Heart: “How Past Memories Helped Me Find the Emotional Core of WINTER SOLSTICE HILL” by Cathy Ogren

August 21, 2026

When an author can embed the emotional core of their connection to a story, it’s easy for readers to connect and bring something special from it to their own lives. Author Cathy Ogren is really good at mining her memories, and in this post she shares how that played a role in writing WINTER SOLSTICE … More Mining For Heart: “How Past Memories Helped Me Find the Emotional Core of WINTER SOLSTICE HILL” by Cathy Ogren

Especially for Educators: “Celebrate All Kinds of Minds in Your Classroom” by Keila Dawson

August 14, 2026

NO BRAIN THE SAME is the third book in a terrific series that I would have loved to have had when I was teaching. You can find posts on the previous two on this blog here: NO WORLD TOO BIG and NO VOICE TOO SMALL. In this article, author Keila Dawson shares a GIVEAWAY! To … More Especially for Educators: “Celebrate All Kinds of Minds in Your Classroom” by Keila Dawson

#AmericanRevolution250: “A Revolutionary Metaphor!” by Barbara Carroll Roberts

August 7, 2026

In this post, author Barbara Carroll Roberts shares a very special moment in our history. To ensure the significance of this moment wasn’t overlooked, the congress used a powerful metaphor. And today you can not only ready about it in WHEN GEORGE WASHINGTON BOWED TO THE NEW NATION, you can also see it preserved in … More #AmericanRevolution250: “A Revolutionary Metaphor!” by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Distinct Cast of Characters” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

July 31, 2026

What a treat to share the work of another one of my critique partners, author/illustrator Julie Rowan-Zoch! I am endlessly fascinated by the illustration process and always enjoy learning how it plays out. Julie is SO skilled at characterization, and the extra nods to other illustrators and books adds a secret layer for observant children’s … More Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Distinct Cast of Characters” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Mining for Heart: “Tune + Topic = the Heartbeat of Story” by Lynn Becker

July 24, 2026

As one of author Lynn Becker’s critique partners, I have to tell you that her tuneful stories can keep you humming and tapping long after the meeting! But it’s not all fun and songs, she tweaks and fine-tunes until every word is just right and the story sings! Congratulations on this fabulous book, Lynn! And … More Mining for Heart: “Tune + Topic = the Heartbeat of Story” by Lynn Becker