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Debbie’s Blog

Welcome to my new blog, which now includes content from many of the blogs I’ve created over the years. You can now also access content via category from this one page instead of having to search for my individual blogs, which were scattered over various platforms and websites.

2013 SCBWI-Montreal Conference Report (Part 2): Peggy Collins, Illustrator Critiques with Laurent Linn & David Diaz, Crystal Kite Presentation, Faculty Dinner, Sat night Schmooze

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 (Check the SCBWI Canada East website for info about upcoming events; see my conference photos on Flickr and Facebook) So yesterday, I inadvertently omitted Peggy Collins from the Bookstore Book Bash collage. This is especially embarrassing since Peggy was one of the people I most enjoyed meeting in person at SCBWI-Montreal! . . .



I’m illustrating SEA-MONKEY AND BOB by Aaron Reynolds for Simon & Schuster BFYR!

I am delighted to announce that I’m illustrating SEA-MONKEY AND BOB, a new picture book by Aaron Reynolds (author of CREEPY CARROTS and the recently released CARNIVORES), scheduled for publication in Fall 2015. Veryvery excited about this project for so many reasons, including: 1. I love Aaron’s work! Check out his . . .



Work deadline organization: My new book deadline custom cork board

With multiple book projects coming up, I’ve been looking for a way of listing upcoming deadlines in such a way that I could visually scan everything at a glance from where I sit at my desk. I do have digital tools like CulturedCode’s Things and Evernote to help me with day-to-day task organization and . . .



Quickie Poll Results: Strange Things That People Use As Bookmarks

Earlier in the weekend, I asked what you used as bookmarks in the last print book that you read. 42% said that you just used a regular bookmark. 9% said you fold back the corner of a page (GAH!!!). 6% said you didn’t use any bookmark. The rest used irregular . . .



Interview with Moira Allen, author and founder of Writing-World.com

 Moira Allen is the editor of Writing-World.com, and has written nearly 400 articles, serving as a columnist and regular contributor for such publications as The Writer, Entrepreneur, Writer’s Digest, and Byline. Those of you who have been following my projects from the very beginning will be familiar with Inkspot, one of the very first . . .



Quickie Poll Results: Ending Peekers and Emoticon Parentheses

Last weekend, I asked on Twitter how many people sometimes peeked at the ending while they were reading a book. 67% of you said YES. Shame on you cheaters! (Ok, I secretly admit that I’ve done it once. BUT ONLY ONCE.) Another quickie survey question I asked a while back was . . .




Sept. 22-28, 2013 is Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is the national book community’s annual celebration of the freedom of read. The event was launched in 1982 in response to the surge in number of challenges to books in schools, libraries and bookstores. You can find a list of the 10 most challenged titles of 2012 on the Banned . . .




Interview: Lisa Dalrymple and Suzanne Del Rizzo on the making of SKINK ON THE BRINK (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Title: SKINK ON THE BRINK Author: Lisa Dalrymple – Illustrator: Suzanne Del Rizzo Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside –  June 2013 I first heard about Skink On The Brink at a CANSCAIP meeting. Not only was the title intriguing, but I love the inspiring publication success story (details below). Lisa and Suzanne are popular children’s book presenters; their activity . . .