Welcome to my blog (scroll down to see individual posts), which was originally on a separate site at Inkygirl.com. I also have a separate Inkygirl newsletter on Substack at debbieohi.substack.com.
Also see: Inkygirl interviews – Resources
YOU’RE MY BOO by Kate Dopirak and Lesley Breen Withrow would make a wonderful holiday gift for a young reader. An ode to unconditional love, this reassuring and adorable story is like a hug in book form. Kate Dopirak loves walking her puppy, watching her sons play sports, and convincing her husband to share a cheese . . .
Thanks to Julie Foster Hedlund for featuring me on her 12 x 12 Picture Book blog this month! I talk about switching from my programmer/analyst career into the arts, Jeff Ridpath, how I taught myself skills that helped me become a children’s book professional, how I approach illustrating other people’s stories, . . .
I enjoy creating tiny doodles! This one is only 9 cm x 5.5 cm (about the size of a business card) and created with my new Platinum Preppy fountain pen with a fine point nib using a Carbon Black Ink cartridge, my Winsor & Newton portable watercolor set and a . . .
I’ve become obsessed with fountain pens. I used to dismiss them, having had some bad experiences with fountain pens leaking all over my hands with permanent black ink. My friend Michelle Leung, however, has gotten me hooked. This drove Jeff (my husband) a bit crazy, since he’s been a huge . . .
I’ve been grateful to Lawrence Schimel for his support and encouragement early in my career. We met online years before we finally met in person in NYC: Lawrence Schimel writes in both Spanish and English and has published over 100 books in various languages. In addition to his own writing, Lawrence . . .
To help encourage people to sign up for my email newsletter (in which I share art, writing & interesting links – you can unsubscribe anytime) and also to expand my Rafflecopter giveaways outside of Facebook, I’m doing a giveaway of my Peppermint Tea Fish found object doodle. This one-of-a-kind found object doodle on a . . .
LOVED Kate Blair‘s debut YA novel, TRANSFERRAL. Such a good read: great pacing, engaging characters, thought-provoking, thoroughly satisfying ending. Love the original twist on the dystopian theme. This would make an excellent holiday gift for a teen reader! For more info including reviews and awards, see the TRANSFERRAL page on the Dancing Cats . . .
NOTE: This is an updated version of a post I made a while back. For those illustrate as well as write, you’re welcome to download and print my free picture book thumbnail templates. So many people think that short = easy, especially when it comes to picture books. And while yes, . . .
