Matthew Cordell is the illustrator of over 25 books for children including picture books, novels, and works of poetry. Several of which he has also written, including New York Times Notable picture book, HELLO! HELLO!. Matthew lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children. . . .
Henry Herz writes fantasy and science fiction for children with his two sons, and his first traditionally published picture book, Monster Goose Nursery Rhymes, launched from Pelican Publishing earlier this year. He is a SCBWI member and hosts a kidlit blog. You can find out more about Henry and his books: Birchtreepub.com – Blog – Kidlit Creature . . .
Henry Herz writes fantasy and science fiction for children with his two sons, and his first traditionally published picture book, Monster Goose Nursery Rhymes, launched from Pelican Publishing earlier this year. He is a SCBWI member and hosts a kidlit blog. You can find out more about Henry and his books: Birchtreepub.com – Blog – Kidlit Creature . . .
Just finished reading Uncle Montague’s Tales Of Terror by Chris Priestley, with wonderfully creepy illustrations by David Roberts. I’ve always been a fan of scary stories ever since I was little and I used to write a lot of scary, sinister short stories in grade school. My eighth grade teacher attended my I’M BORED . . .
Skyping with 115 first-graders at A. Blair McPherson School in Edmonton, Alberta Although I’ve used Skype before, I resisted doing Skype classroom visits until recently because I wasn’t confident about the technology working properly. Since I first tried Skype, however, broadband services have improved and more schools are starting to . . .
A tip for aspiring children’s book writers and illustrators: Try not to let yourself get sucked into too much fussing over preparation and ritual. Make a routine and then stick to it. Now to follow my own advice…
Juana Martinez-Neal, who won last year’s SCBWI Summer Illustrator Portfolio Showcase, has a fantastic step-by-step post about how to put together a children’s illustrator portfolio. Lots of specific tips and resource links plus visual examples from other illustrators (hey, like ME :-).
Continuing my series on working with Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers on two new books… POSTS SO FAR: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 (Summary: After I finished illustrations for I’M BORED, Simon & Schuster BFYR offered me two blank contracts. This series is about my own experience working with S&S BFYR . . .
I tend to get the same sorts of questions in person and email over and over, so I’ve started compiling some of my answers in a FAQ, for those interested. The latest is advice for those entering the SCBWI Illustration Portfolio Showcase. As some of you already know, doing this . . .
So how are you all doing with your writing challenges, whatever they may be? Thanks to Tara Lazar for inviting me to be one of her guest bloggers during PiBoIdMo month (Picture Book Idea Month). Click on the image to the left or go to Tara’s blog to see my VERY . . .