Blogfish

Authors and Illustrators share children's book publishing information

2 Magical Books - Zombies Dont Eat Veggies and the Real Farmer in the Dell • HELPING OUR OWN & a FREE Illustration course

author
Dr Mira Reisberg
07 October, 2019
Find out about: 2 Magical Books - Zombies Don't Eat Veggies and the Real Farmer in the Dell • Help for injured illustrators • FREE illustration course As you've most likely gathered by now, I love my students very much. Here are two books from 5 extraordinary creatives who I've been fortunate...

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Kids Need Books that Show It’s Okay to Be Yourself

author
Bryan Patrick Avery
24 September, 2019
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, and nowhere is that truer than in the world of magic. Many of the best magicians have built their entire careers around the performing material created and perfected by magicians who came before them. Still, I wouldn’t dare don a dragon suit and...

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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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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.