Picture Books that Celebrate the Black Experience

Bryan Patrick Avery

17 February, 2020

It’s Black History Month, so I’ve spent a fair amount of time going through my bookshelf, pulling out some of my favorite books that celebrate Blackness in all it’s forms. I think it is critical that children of color see themselves in books, but not just in terms of fighting for equality. This...

It's All About--Moving Forward with an Idea

Melissa Stoller

11 February, 2020

Last month, I posted about finding writing ideas in winter. Now that you have hopefully identified several ideas, what’s next? Review some of your notes and then take one idea through this process: Brainstorm the idea - What thoughts come to mind? What plot points can you envision? Is there a...

Turning Ideas into Stories Shouting to Be Read

Maggie Brown

03 February, 2020

If you participated in Storystorm this January, chances are you have a bunch of ideas staring at you with big eyes, shouting, “Pick me! Pick me!” Even if you didn’t participate, I bet you have a list of unwritten ideas lurking somewhere. So, how do you decide which ideas deserve to be...

It's All About--Winter Writing Ideas

Melissa Stoller

28 January, 2020

Cheers to Winter 2020! Here are some suggestions to help generate story ideas during the winter season. Use your five senses as inspiration as you develop characters, plots, obstacles and twits for your latest manuscripts. 1) SIGHT – Take a winter walk in your neighborhood. Look closely at all...

When Words and Pictures Unite to Tell a Story

Bryan Patrick Avery

21 January, 2020

When Words and Pictures Unite to Tell a Story When I consider magic tricks for my repertoire, I look to include tricks that engage in more than one way. For example, my cups and balls routine tells a story, allowing me to combine a suspense and mystery with the magic and make for a more...

Reveling in Art from Former Students

Dr Mira Reisberg

06 January, 2020

Hello 2020! Hello children's book lovers. It's the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and the beginning of all sorts of brand new possibilities. I'm getting ready to teach another beauty, quirkiness, and laughter-filled illustration course next week, and it's got me thinking about all of our...

The Art of the Page Turn

Maggie Brown

31 December, 2019

By Maggie Brown This year, I was lucky enough to enroll in two Children’s Book Academy courses—The Craft and Business of Writing Picture Books and Middle Grade Mastery. I learned SO much and connected with fabulous writers and an amazing critique group. I must admit that I am a bit addicted to...

A Lovely Peek at - Go Girls, Go! by Frances Gilbert and Allison Black, a fun, smart, concept book

Dr Mira Reisberg

23 December, 2019

Hi there, it's Mira Reisberg here and I'm excited to share about one of my favorite new concept books Go Girls Go! written by Doubleday Children's Editor in Chief, Frances Gilbert, and illustrated by Allison Black. I had the pleasure of meeting Frances when I invited her to join us in one of our...

Suggestions for Your Bookshelf

Bryan Patrick Avery

16 December, 2019

Well, it’s December and another year is coming to a close. I’ve been reflecting on the work I’ve done in magic this year, including the new tricks I’ve added to my repertoire. This got me thinking about the many picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels I’ve added to my bookshelf...

IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . SETTING GOALS FOR 2020

Melissa Stoller

09 December, 2019

This New Year’s Eve, we will be ringing in a new year and a new decade. It’s an ideal time to take stock of goals and to make plans to achieve your creative dreams. Here are a few concrete steps to help celebrate 2020 with writing resolutions in mind: Start a Vision Board – gather words,...

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Authors and Illustrators share children's book publishing information

Picture Books that Celebrate the Black Experience

It's All About--Moving Forward with an Idea

Turning Ideas into Stories Shouting to Be Read

It's All About--Winter Writing Ideas

When Words and Pictures Unite to Tell a Story

Reveling in Art from Former Students

The Art of the Page Turn

A Lovely Peek at - Go Girls, Go! by Frances Gilbert and Allison Black, a fun, smart, concept book

Suggestions for Your Bookshelf

IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . SETTING GOALS FOR 2020

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