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Author Archive



Poll Results: What Editors and Agents Look For In Social Media

In prep for my Social Media Masterclass for Authors and Illustrators at SCBWI-Midwest, I posted a survey for editors, agents and art directors and 25 responded. Only one freelance art director responded (feel free browse art directors’ responses in the similar poll in 2014, which also includes responses from editors . . .



I CAN SEE! Igor, double eye surgery and seeing the world with new eyes

[Edited December 14, 2018: I created this post because it’s the kind of personal viewpoint I was hoping to find while researching for my own eye surgery. Please note that every situation is different – talk to a medical expert before making your own decisions. I am NOT a medical . . .



Rogue Squirrel Blamed as 12,000 Lose Power in Upstate New York

I’m not the only one who has had power cut off because of squirrels! Apparently thousands of people in upstate New York have been affected by a squirrel who managed to knock out three substations. See the article on nbcnewyork.com. Thanks to my friend Susie Ghahremani for the heads-up!



Talking about Evil Squirrels at the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA

o those who came here because of my Illustrator Intensive session at the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles – WELCOME! The image above is from my slideshow presentation when I talked about how recurring themes in creative journals can be harvested for picture books, and thus how SQUIRRELS became . . .



Gratitude: Lee Wardlaw

Lee Wardlaw was the very first children’s book professional who ever showed an interest in me and my work. Lee’s early encouragement meant SO much to me and she helped me get to the next stage in my career: Lee critiqued two of my middle grade novels and after she worked . . .




Gratitude: Patricia J. Murphy

A Gratitude Post – Some facts about Patricia J. Murphy: 1. When I was a nervous newbie at an early SCBWI conference where I didn’t know many people, Patricia took me under wing and introduced me to people, invited me to sit with her and others (including other nervous newbies) at . . .



Gratitude

My life has had its ups and downs but these days it’s mostly been ups, and I’m grateful. I so wish we could save up these kinds of moments to take out when we most need them, don’t you? Appreciating what I have and the people in my life.