In my new business, Imaginarium Author Solutions, Ellen and I do a lot of school visit consulting for authors and illustrators. Last week, I observed several pretty famous authors/illustrators at their school visits. Not only did it confirm what Ellen and I are recommending, but I got a few new ideas, too. I love learning! But I had to share with you one thing I learned from Loren Long that BLEW MY MIND (because how did I not know this after being a book reviewer for 15 years!?). Maybe...
12 days ago • 2 min read
I’m back to my usual middle grade reading, but I got a few friends to help me review February MG books. Yay for smart, bookish friends and asking for help! I’m feeling hopeful for spring. How about you? This newsletter is sponsored by Reading Simplified. You’ve Tried It All… But They’re STILL Struggling to Read Traditional reading methods are too slow for struggling students. What if your student could make years of progress in just 12 weeks—without endless drills or complex programs? Join...
26 days ago • 1 min read
I go through reading burnout phases from time to time. Do you? So, I've been taking a break from my kidlit reading for a few weeks and reading adult nonfiction books. One recent book I loved is Cues by Vanessa van Edwards --it's great for introverts and extroverts alike. Have you read it? How do you switch up your reading when you need to re-energize your reading life? What do you tell your readers when they’re in a “nothing is good” phase? I did sneak in some kidlit nonfiction a few weeks...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, creative friends. We have an exciting announcement to share today! But First, Why Your Book Sales Matter We know some authors and illustrators who don’t see the need to help publishers sell their books. This is a mistake. Book sales are important for these reasons: Editors/publishers look at these numbers before offering you the next deal. If they do buy your manuscript, your last book’s sales numbers will affect the amount the publisher offers for the new deal. What you sell...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
I've been reading about neuroplasticity and how gratitude changes your brain. With the busyness of having three jobs, Imagination Soup, Imaginarium Author Solutions, and writing new manuscripts, I've been out of the journaling habit. So it goes sometimes, right? But I'm renewing that habit...I even treated myself to a shiny new journal! To support my brain and mental health, I'm writing down the things I'm grateful for-- the things that carry me and support me. Here are a few things from my...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Writing - Closing the Loop Like many of you, I'm obsessed with mysteries—novels, detective series, and crime podcasts. People love a good mystery because we crave resolution. A mystery presents us with an open loop—an unresolved puzzle. We need to close the loop to feel satisfied. But writing, especially long-form projects like novels, forces us to live with an open loop for months or even years. That lingering uncertainty can feel pretty discouraging. When you sit down to work on your novel,...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Big news in the children's publishing industry. This morning, the Newbery and Caldecott medal and honor books were awarded by the American Library Association Youth Media. (Along with more awards, too!) The below image gives you a hint. Check out the winners! What do you think? Who did they miss? If you want to refresh your memory of what won in the past, here are the last two years winners: 2024 Newbery & Caldecott Awards 2023 Newbery & Caldecott Awards Have a great week, and happy reading!...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Are your readers making reading goals and reflecting on who they are as readers? It's empowering to set goals, take steps to achieve those goals, and reflect on your progress. (I think reflection is one of the most powerful tools we can teach children, don't you?) It may be helpful to discuss the Rights of the Readers with your students and children and read about my process for goal setting with kids. New Picture Books (Ages 4 - 8) The new year in picture books features funny, sweet, and...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello, creative friends! Author / Illustrator Life Are you in a season of wintering? I (Melissa) had coffee with a group of SCBWI writers and illustrators last week, and they talked about how it’s hard to be creative during heavy times. It’s true. We have to have grace with ourselves in these seasons. In the book Wintering by Katherine May, she writes, “We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.” We hope...
2 months ago • 1 min read