Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

June 28, 2024

In an article I wrote recently for GROG Blog about my experience with illustration notes with THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, my look back over the editorial revision process showed that when the text was clarified, the notes weren’t needed. In this post, Maria Marianayagam shares a very different experience. Once again, there are no … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

June 21, 2024

There are so many ways to tell a story. Author Julia Wasson tried many formats before she found the right voice and point of view for CAN YOU HEAR THE PLANTS SPEAK? And landing on just the right way proved magical!    Julia is offering a GIVEAWAY of a copy of CAN YOU HEAR THE … More Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt

June 14, 2024

Some topics and themes are “evergreen,” eternally relevant, but they present their own challenges. Check out this post from author Christine Van Zandt about how she handled a familiar topic and made it special.  GIVEAWAY! Christine is offering a copy MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS to one lucky person who leaves a comment below! Congratulations to Angela, … More Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt

Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Community” by Lynn Becker

June 7, 2024

There’s that saying “it takes a village.” So true for so many endeavors—and publishing a children’s book is one of them! Here’s a post from one of my local critique partners Lynn Becker who’s celebrating the release of her second book for kids.  GIVEAWAY! Lynn is offering a copy of JUNE MOON, a delightful board … More Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Community” by Lynn Becker

Behind the Scenes: “A Grand Idea requires Perseverance, Determination, and Courage!” by Megan Hoyt

May 31, 2024

Finding the focus and creating impact is always a huge challenge when faced with piles of research. I understand Megan Hoyt’s struggle with landing on just the right way to tell a story! In this post, Megan shares how she worked through a few ideas until she found what worked. GIVEAWAY! Megan is offering one … More Behind the Scenes: “A Grand Idea requires Perseverance, Determination, and Courage!” by Megan Hoyt

Mining For Heart: “Inspired by a Magical Moment with a Bunny” by Nell Cross Beckerman

May 24, 2024

One of the questions I get asked most is, “where do you get your ideas for stories?” As a nonfiction nerd, I’m always on the lookout for bits of history few know about—events that open our minds to understanding the past and the present. But there are all kinds of books and all kinds of … More Mining For Heart: “Inspired by a Magical Moment with a Bunny” by Nell Cross Beckerman

Behind the Scenes: “Top 10 Things to Know About Writing a Basic—but Effective—Author Bio for Promotion” by Laura Stegman

May 17, 2024

Sharing your books with the public takes authors and illustrators into a whole new world. So much to think about and so much to learn. In this post, author Laura Stegman share tips for writing an author bio for promotion, an excellent place to start.  GIVEAWAY! Laura is offering a copy of Summer of L.U.C.K. … More Behind the Scenes: “Top 10 Things to Know About Writing a Basic—but Effective—Author Bio for Promotion” by Laura Stegman

Behind the Scenes: “Using Learnings from Readers When Writing a Follow-up Title” by Katy Tanis

May 10, 2024

Sometimes authors get a chance to follow up a book with another title as part of a duo, trilogy, or series. Here are a few tips from Katy Tanis sharing how she used the response from the first book to inform a second one!  Congratulations to 2 winners of blog post giveaways:   Lori Alexander, you’ve … More Behind the Scenes: “Using Learnings from Readers When Writing a Follow-up Title” by Katy Tanis

Behind the Scenes: “The Bounty of Primary Sources” by Beth Anderson

May 3, 2024

Here’s a bit of the story behind the story of THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE: BIAS, TRUTH, AND A MIGHTY MOOSE! Research is definitely an adventure. All of you who do it know the lure of the rabbit hole and the joy of surprises that add richness to the writing. Letters seem like a lost … More Behind the Scenes: “The Bounty of Primary Sources” by Beth Anderson

Mining for Heart: “Lyrical Nonfiction: The Heartbeat of My Writing Life” by Randi Sonenshine

April 28, 2024

That sneaky octopus has been hiding for a day or two, but fear not…author Randi Sonenshine is here with a post on how she lured that fascinating and elusive creature out with lyrical nonfiction!  Randi’s offering a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of THE DEN THAT OCTOPUS … More Mining for Heart: “Lyrical Nonfiction: The Heartbeat of My Writing Life” by Randi Sonenshine