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Fiction for Hire–Second Try Is the Charm
Almost a year ago, I posted about my first fiction for hire book, which ended up getting accepted by the editors but rejected by the set creators/reviewers (that only happens to about 2 in 100 books in this line, so it was kind of crushing). I decided to give it another try. I submitted a
CLN’s Books for Breakfast and the Funny Things Children’s Writers Say
Saturday was the Children’s Literature Network’s annual Books for Breakfast event. It was a blast! Here’s a very brief slideshow to give you a taste of what it was like: pictures, laughter, door prizes, food, goody bags, a contest, authors, illustrators, and–most of all–books. Wonderful books! Twenty-five writers and artists had two minutes each to
wholly to be a fool for Randy
My husband Randy and I have been married 24 years today, which is pretty hard for me to believe! I am not good at love poems to people (somehow it’s much easier to write a love poem to a cranberry bush or a snowman or a pencil), so I’m sharing this e.e. cummings poem instead.
Getting Crafty With Promo Items (BookSpeak luggage tags)
I’ve blogged recently about promo items I’ve been creating through Vistaprint.com?(note: that is an affiliate link for me–please only use this link if I’m giving you helpful information!), and I thought I’d share how I made the luggage tags that I’ll be including in the swag bag for my table mates at the Children Literature
Reviews–Do They Matter?
I hope so, because BookSpeak! is definitely getting more buzz than Stampede! did. But Stampede got some lovely posts online from wonderful poetry people, a nice review in Booklist, and was a Minnesota Book Award Finalist. And it didn’t matter, sales-wise. I’d pull out my royalty statements for proof, but they’re so tear-stained I probably
Focusing in on My Word of the Year
Each year, I choose an annual theme, an idea I originally got from Steve and Vicki Palmquist of Children’s Literature Network. But it’s been so hectic lately I haven’t yet chosen mine for 2012. Which should be a good clue. I need to FOCUS! There are lots of ways I need to apply this theme
Poetry Friday: In Praise of Music, Dishsoap, and Pictures (by students)
Last week, I went to Marshall, MN, for a young writers conference. Kids from all over southwestern Minnesota came to the university there for a day of writing fun. It was an uneventful drive on a sunny, warm, January day (in Minnesota?!) through farm country. Becky Fjelland Davis gave a rousing keynote describing different writing
BookSpeak! A Proud Poetry Nerdie
In a few days, the Cybils finalists will be announced, and I’ll have six weeks to talk poetry books with my delightful co-judges! I’m excited to learn which books the first-round judges selected. Meanwhile, it was fun to have BookSpeak! Poems About Books named as a Poetry Nerdies winner (one of five–check them all out
A Done Deal Comes Undone
Last Wednesday, I mentioned that I was waiting to hear from a regional press about a possible nonfiction book assignment. I heard Thursday that I didn’t get the assignment. I’m bummed, but their reasoning made sense. I had been personally referred to the editor as a perfect fit for a book they had in mind.
Happy Holidays!
Cards are extra exciting for me since Lerner used art from my forthcoming book, A LEAF CAN BE…, for its holiday cards this year. They sent me a box to use for myself, so most of my people are getting a card with Violeta Dabija’s wonderful art on it!
We Are Woven (my Gift Tag poem)
I’ve posted before about Gift Tag, the new poetry e‑thology edited?and published by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. It’s only $2.99 (buy it from the link on poetrytagtime.com), a complete bargain for poetry lovers (and perhaps a converter for?kids who aren’t already poetry lovers). Today, I thought I’d share my poem. We each chose a
Poetry Friday: If a Tree Falls (by me, from BookSpeak!)
This post was originally scheduled to run November 18, while I was in Chicago. I apparently didn’t schedule it properly, because nothing published. But better late than never–here it is! ——————————————————————————— I’m in Chicago attending the NCTE convention tonight and tomorrow! In a panel called Poetry for Paupers tomorrow morning, organized by Poetry for Children’s
Chicago–Whew!
I got home last night from my whirlwind trip to Chicago for NCTE. Wow. I spent Wednesday and Thursday and Sunday with my daughter, Maddie, who came with me for college visits and fun (2 college visits, 2 hotels, 11 miles walked on Thursday, Cloud Gate, Field Museum, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, eating our
Poetry Friday Roundup: Starry Beach
Welcome to Poetry Friday! This is my first time hosting here at my new (and still being decorated) bloghome on WordPress, and I’m happy you’re here! Here’s a poem I wrote earlier this year. It’s part of a batch of seashell poems I wrote to submit to a themed magazine. None were accepted, but I’m
Happy Birthday, BookSpeak!
Today is the pub date of my second poetry collection with Clarion! Happy Birthday, BookSpeak! In BookSpeak!, 21 wild, wacky, and winsome poems showcase the magic on a single bookshelf. Characters plead for sequels, book jackets strut their stuff, and a raucous party starts when the lights go out at the bookstore! You can watch my book trailer
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Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms