Blogfish

Authors and Illustrators share children's book publishing information

It's All About...Fall Writing Prompts

author
Melissa Stoller
16 September, 2019
While it’s still technically the summer season in New York where I live, for me it’s back-to-school time for my children. And that means it’s back to my regular writing routine. Writing and revising beckon, but I’ll also be setting aside time for brainstorming ideas. The following writing...

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In Search of Eye-catching Picture Books

author
Sarah Momo Romero
10 September, 2019
Lately I’ve been venturing to my local library to escape the L.A. summer heat and have a little quiet time to myself while my parents visit to watch my new baby. This time, I didn’t have a theme in mind, but wanted to wander the picture book shelves and see which ones called out to me. It’s no...

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Why I Love Biographies and Nancy Churnin

author
Dr Mira Reisberg
01 September, 2019
Biographies for kids are a really special sub genre of nonfiction that I adore. They give great opportunities for adventurous writers to explore history, geography, creativity, overcoming obstacles, class, race, gender, disability, invention, the resilience of the human spirit and so much more....

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Beginning at the End

author
Bryan Patrick Avery
19 August, 2019
Every magic trick has, at its heart, one key effect. Of course, there might be several effects, but there is one moment in the trick that hits the hardest and leaves the greatest impact on the spectator. For example, in the classic chop cup routine, a small ball is removed from a cup by the...

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It's All About...Setting End of Summer Goals

author
Melissa Stoller
13 August, 2019
It’s already mid-August! The days are flying by. Here are some tips to ensure you meet your writing-related goals before the summer ends. WRITING I read a recent article about moving past perfection in your work. Check it out here! This applies well to getting that first draft or first...

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Kvelling About Former Students Books with Two New Videos and More... Mira Reisberg

author
Mira Reisberg
05 August, 2019
Not too long ago, we ran the Picture Book Palooza, which was pretty extraordinary. And apart from my upcoming Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books co-teacher/partner in crime, Sterling editor Rachael Stein, and our Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books...

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A Special Tone and Energy in Picture Books

author
Sarah Momo Romero
31 July, 2019
A couple of weeks ago, I was in the library of my hometown in Torrance, wandering the same children’s book aisles I used to spend hours in when I was little. The Katy Geisert library is a big two-story library, with the children’s books on the second floor. I always loved going up the huge spiral...

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Two Books That Get Their Series Started Off Right

author
Bryan Patrick Avery
23 July, 2019
For a magician, beginnings can be the hardest part of performing. There’s a fine line between seeming rushed and appearing to be too deliberate. I once saw the start of a magic show that took the magician nearly ten minutes before he performed his first trick. By the time he did, the spectators...

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It's All About--Summer Writing Prompts

author
Melissa Stoller
16 July, 2019
If you’re like me, it can be difficult in the summer to stay motivated and find time to write. My children are out of school, so my daily routine is different. And the lure of vacation, family outings, and the beach sometimes interferes with sitting down at my computer. With that said, I’m always...

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Love, Learning and Board Books

author
Sarah Momo Romero
02 July, 2019
Happy summertime everyone! Even though we’re experiencing June gloom here in L.A., June always marks the beginning of fun in the sun, barbecuing and splashing in the pool to cool down from the heat for me. This year is especially memorable as we welcomed our little baby boy in April. And with the...

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ABOUT

Our awesome lineup of authors & illustrators love sharing goodies that will help others!

  • 1st Mondays begin with Clear Fork/Spork editor/art director, former agent and former kidlit professor Mira Reisberg PhD who is also the Director of the Children's Book Academy.
  • 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
  • 3rd Mondays will feature Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.
  • 4th Mondays will feature the fabulous debut author/illustrator Sarah Momo Romero of 'Wake up Little Bat' fame.
  • 5th Mondays will be a mystery post from the vaults.