Search the Site

Inkygirl

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 interviewsResources


Judy Blume, Simon & Schuster Children’s, and MY BIG NEWS (Part 1)

 February 16, 2014 edit: Also see Part 2 of my Judy Blume news!!!! You can see the official cover reveal today in: but S&S gave me permission to post the other middle grade covers here as well. THOSE ARE MY ILLUSTRATIONS. ME. AND JUDY BLUME. Huge thanks to Justin Chanda for inviting me to . . .



Interview: Carmella Van Vleet on middle grade novels, publication, writer advice and ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER (Holiday House, launches Feb. 14, 2014)

I met Carmella Van Vleet through MiGWriters, a wonderful critique group I discovered through the SCBWI message boards. Carmella is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous hands-on science and history books, including Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself (Nomad Press). She loves lists, cooking shows, exclamation points, and taekwondo . . .





Productivity tip: Use AwayFind to stop checking email so often

I mentioned earlier that I’d be sharing any tips and tools I’ve been using to help me focus. One of the biggest discoveries I made last year is a service called AwayFind. I used to check email obsessively throughout the day. At first it was because I didn’t want to miss . . .



How To Create and Write A Book In (Yes I said IN) Minecraft, plus Minecraft and literacy

Visiting Gaming Edus, a Minecraft server for educators and students; thanks to children’s book author & educator Liam O’Donnell for the invite. Everyone’s been super-helpful, and one of the students even built me a small stone home complete with helpful signs! You can find out more about GamingEdus here: http://www.gamingedus.org When I . . .






Poll Results: Kids’ Books For Adults?

After reading a New York Times article about adult-themed children’s book parodies for adults, I asked you all how you felt about kids’ books for adults. Thanks to all who participated. Most of you are neutral to iffy about them. One person says that children’s book parodies make a fair amount of . . .