Category: Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes: “A Case Study in Collaboration” by Lindsay Metcalf

November 6, 2020

Lindsay Metcalf is having a big year! Today she takes us behind the scenes again with another new release: NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY. This anthology was a team effort. Thank you, Lindsay for sharing how this collaborative effort came together. And also thank you for offering a signed copy as … More Behind the Scenes: “A Case Study in Collaboration” by Lindsay Metcalf

Behind the Scenes: “The Path to the Perfect Editor” by Lindsay Metcalf

October 30, 2020

Rejections never feel good, but sometimes, they actually serve us well. And Lindsay Metcalf’s post here is a great example. I hope you’ll take a few moments to read this outstanding post that proves that “breaking the rules” and defying traditional book categories can work with the right editor. Thank you, Lindsay for sharing your … More Behind the Scenes: “The Path to the Perfect Editor” by Lindsay Metcalf

Behind the Scenes: “Easy as Working with an AD” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

October 2, 2020

What a special treat to feature one of my local critique partners, Julie Rowan-Zoch! She’s guided me from the start! Here she shares her process of creating illustrations for Tom Lichtenheld’s text for Louis. Such a perfect match of text and art has resulted in an irresistible book! AND…Julie’s offering a giveaway! A copy of … More Behind the Scenes: “Easy as Working with an AD” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Behind the Scenes: “Working with an Editor from Start to Finish” by Lindsey McDivitt

September 18, 2020

Though working with an editor from start to finish sounds like a dream come true for most of us, the process exposes an author’s first attempts and the very rough beginnings of a manuscript. Here Lindsey McDivitt takes us through her experience of how her new picture book, Truth & Honor: The President Ford Story, … More Behind the Scenes: “Working with an Editor from Start to Finish” by Lindsey McDivitt

Behind the Scenes: “Why Have Faith in a Story” by Laurel Neme

September 4, 2020

We all need a reason to work through the hard parts. Laurel Neme found her reason in those who let her into their story, into what would become The Elephant’s New Shoe.  Laurel is doing a GIVEAWAY of a copy of the book as soon as it’s released October 6. To enter, just leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Have Faith in a Story” by Laurel Neme

Behind the Scenes: “The Voices in My Head” by Lauren Kerstein

August 28, 2020

Do you have a voice in your head that continually gets shut down? Do characters talk to you? Do you have a snarky editor on your shoulder that criticizes your work? Voices in your head? This all sounds normal to me! Here, Lauren Kerstein shares what happened when she let that voice out onto the … More Behind the Scenes: “The Voices in My Head” by Lauren Kerstein

Behind the Scenes: “Making the Cover of SOAKED!” by Abi Cushman

August 21, 2020

I loved the cover of SOAKED! from the moment I saw it! And now we get to hear the story behind it. It’s fascinating to see the effects of changes in expression, composition, and color. Thank you, Abi Cushman, for sharing the process of creating this fabulous cover! AND….ABI IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Cover of SOAKED!” by Abi Cushman

Behind the Scenes: “What’s in a Name?” by Jenna Grodzicki

August 14, 2020

Welcome, Jenna Grodzicki, author of WILD STYLE: AMAZING ANIMAL ADORNMENTS! When I first saw the book, my first thought was, great title! And that doesn’t come easy. It’s often the source of much agony for me. Here Jenna gives you a behind the scenes peek at how that title came to be.  AND Jenna is … More Behind the Scenes: “What’s in a Name?” by Jenna Grodzicki

Behind the Scenes: “Lessons from Kat and Juju” by Kataneh Vahdani

June 26, 2020

When Kataneh Vahdani jumped from the animation world into children’s literature, she found she had a lot to learn. But, with one look at her bio, you’ll see she doesn’t shy away from new experiences!  In this Behind the Scenes post, Kat shares lessons from her first picture book – the kind of lessons you … More Behind the Scenes: “Lessons from Kat and Juju” by Kataneh Vahdani