Hurry, hurry, hurry to a New Jersey SCBWI event!

Many of my writer friends have been to the NJ SCBWI events. For those of you who are interested, but not quite sure which event is best for you, Kathy Temean gives a wonderful overview. Kathy is the regional advisor for the NJSCBWI chapter. She and Laurie Wallmark work dilligently to provide members with a slew of interesting workshops, first page sessions, intensives and the annual conference. They provide wonderful access to top-notch editors, agents and art directors. You simply can't get this opportunity elsewhere. So, what is best for you? The networking dinners? First page sessions (which led to the publication of my book)? The writer's intensives? Check out Kathy's blog for a description of the events. Just a warning though...it's hard to choose just one!

Would you like to see your picture book in a million Cheerios boxes?

Did you enter the Cheerios New Author writing contest? 2011 was the fifth year that Cheerios/Simon & Schuster held a writing contest for previously unpublished picture book writers. The winning prize was $5,000 cash and a book published by Simon & Schuster!

My friend, Tara Lazar (The Monstore, Alladin/Simon & Schuster, 2013) interviewed winner Laurie Isop. Laurie won the Cheerios New Author contest in 2009 and her book debuted this July in a million Cheerios boxes. Wow - talk about an introduction!

Laurie explains the process and talks about her idea for How Do You Hug a Porcupine? A great premise, and the idea was born while chatting around the dinner table.

Check out Tara's interview with Laurie and you'll be inspired to enter the next Cheerios New Author contest too! Good luck!

Does Your Book Title Pop?

If you are like most writers, your head is full of book titles. Titles may seem to be the easy part, and the title is often the impetutus for writing the book. But does your book title stand out? Jan Fields, Institute of Children's Literature, has an interestesting article on the art of book titles. Jan has broken it down into several categories:


* Titles Are Not Labels

* Titles Should Be True-ish

* Titles Need Memorable 'Oomph"

* Bait And Switch With Care



Check out the article in Institute of Children's Literature, and use your title to tempt the buyers.

NJ SCBWI Conference and Industry Report

As always, the June NJ SCBWI conference was FANTASTIC! Kathy Temean, Laurie Wallmark and the gang do a terrific job. The days are full of interesting workshops, a great line-up of editors/agents, brainstorming, the chance to catch up with old friends, and meet new ones. Each year, David Carumba presents an industry report. This year, Kathy Temean has graciously provided an overview of David's report on her blog.

A quick look at the questions asked of 30 editors and agents:

* what are editors buying?
* the current trend? new trends?
* the impact and crossover appeal of YA?
* how does the bankruptcy of Borders affect the market?

Check out Kathy's blog for the details.

Happy July!

Is Your Picture Book Character Flawed?

Rob Sanders writes a terrific blog on the art of picture books. In this post, he describes the necessity of a flawed character who makes a reader feel connected. The interview with Tammi Sauer (who has 5 picture books debuting just in 2012!) describes the three characteristics http://robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/ that Tammi thinks are essential to picture book characters: active, relatable and flawed. Check out the post and take the quiz. Have you perfected the imperfect?

Highlights Gallant Kid: June Issue

I'm happy to announce that my article, Gallant Kid: Katie Stagliano appears in the June issue of Highlights Magazine. Katie is AMAZING! It all started with one seedling. Katie planted the cabbage seed as part of a school program - that one seedling grew into a 40 lb. cabbage! She donated the cabbage to a homeless shelter, and launched her dream of Katie's Krops. Katie now has seven gardens and has donated over 5,000 pounds of vegetables to shelters and soup kitchens. A team of volunteers assists in watering, weeding and finding land for more gardens. Check out her website http://www.katieskrops.com/ for a good dose of inspiration. As Katie said, "We can make a huge difference in the fight against hunger."

Tonight You Are My Baby and Scholastic Books!

I'm thrilled to announce that Scholastic Books will now offer my book, Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift (HarperCollins Publishers) in their catalog and school book fairs. Scholastic provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to have books in their schools, and I'm delighted that Tonight You Are My Baby has been chosen as a holiday offering. Look for the book at a school near you !