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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.

Why Bluesky is my main social media platform

My main social media platform these days is Bluesky. If you’re here because of one of my posts about resources, feel free to go directly to the related Guide resource: My Unofficial Guide To Bluesky – Quickstart Guide – Tips on how to control what you see (& don’t see) . . .



How Agents, Art Reps, and Clients Find Illustrators (Survey Results, Part 2)

Earlier this year, I asked agents, artist representatives, and others how they found illustrators. Please note that this was an informal survey conducted across my social platforms, and not meant to represent all agents, art reps, and those who hire illustrators. Thanks to those who participated. Also see Part 1 . . .



A WARM & FUZZY interview with Scott Rothman and Brian Won

Warm and Fuzzy is a fun and adorable new picture book about two friends going on an adventure and about meeting anxiety with resilience, an open mind … and extra toilet paper. 😁 Written by Scott Rothman, the book is illustrated by my friend Brian Won. I met Brian through . . .



Interview with award-winning Darcy Pattison on NOT EXTINCT, advice for creators

Children’s books by author Darcy Pattison have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include an Irma Black Honor, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, two Eureka! Nonfiction Honors, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, and a Notable Social Studies Trade Book. . . .



Picture Books 101 (Part 1): Getting Started

Welcome to my Picture Books 101 post series, in which I talk about the basics of writing and illustrating picture books for young readers. This series is part of my Creating Picture Books resource. I began this series over on Substack, but have decided to post updated versions here on . . .



Why Michael Ian Black wrote I’M BUSY, plus our cover reveal!

Pre-order: Indiebound – Bookshop.org – Barnes & Noble – Indigo.ca – Amazon.ca – Amazon.com Please consider pre-ordering? Pre-ordering helps the author and illustrator in many ways. Pre-orders help let our publisher know there’s interest in the book, and might adjust print runs or marketing plans as a result. Pre-orders contribute . . .



DAWN PATROL: A Father & Daughter Surfing Story with Rob Sayegh Jr

Rob Sayegh Jr. is the author-illustrator and illustrator of numerous books for children, including the New York Times best-selling picture books I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared! by Seth Meyers and Cupig by Claire Tattersfield. Rob Sayegh Jr. creates playful illustrations, silly stories, and heartwarming characters to make people of all . . .



Debut MG novelist Heidi Stemple reads from The Poetry Of Car Mechanics

Happy launch day to my friend Heidi Stemple, whose debut middle grade novel launches from Wordsong today! The Poetry Of Car Mechanics is a novel-in-verse about 15-year-old Dylan, who seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather’s auto shop. When he rescues an injured hawk, he . . .



I was an Author Host at Biblio Bash 2025

I was honoured to be an Author Host at Toronto Library Foundation’s Biblio Bash at the Toronto Reference Library last week. This year’s annual black-tie event raised $1,070,1000 in support of the Toronto Public Library! Donations from Biblio Bash will be directed to youth programs and partnerships that support the social . . .



How Freelance Illustrators Find Work (Survey Results, Part 1)

Earlier this year, I asked freelance illustrators about their paid work and how they found it. Please note that this was an informal survey conducted across my social platforms, and not meant to represent all illustrators. Thanks to all those who participated! 209 illustrators participated. I created this polls mainly . . .