I was invited to be on a radio show recently. Naturally, I was very excited because being invited is a big deal. To say things did not go as planned would be an understatement. I was as disappointed as a Kansas City Chiefs fan. This would have been an excellent opportunity to talk about my … Read more
With Valentine’s Day this week, I thought I would write a love letter to picture book writers. Picture books have always been a part of my life. When I was not reading them to my third grade students, I read them to my daughters and now I am reading picture books to my grandchildren. Is … Read more
This year World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) will be on February 5, 2025. It is an annual celebration bringing attention to the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud! Reading aloud to children is a fun way to connect with them and inspire their love for literature … Read more
Wrapping up children’s books for the holidays can be lots of fun. With some creativity you can add a personal touch to your gift book. From designing your own gift wrap to adding memorable trinkets, a book can be transformed into a much loved gift. Here are some creative ways to wrap children’s books. Wrap … Read more
Books make the best gifts for children and books bring us together. Think back to when you were a child. What are some of your memories of gifts you received? I think we are all likely to remember the big gifts, such as your first bike, special doll, or game. You are also likely to … Read more
What is National Author’s Day 2024? National Author’s Day is celebrated on November 1st each year to honor the contributions of authors worldwide. Whether it’s through novels, poems, essays, or academic works, authors play an important role in shaping our culture, educating readers, and providing entertainment. Authors have a unique ability to transport us to new worlds, introduce … Read more
As a former teacher, I believe that there is a lesson in most things. The lessons I have learned from writing Gertie Saves the Day and Two Wins for Wiley could fill a notebook or two. It has been just over two years now since my books were published. My life changed for the better and I … Read more
Friends, family and even strangers often ask me what is your day like? What does a day in the life of an author look like? It is nothing like you imagine. Most authors do not sit tirelessly at their computers writing. Writing is only one part of an author’s job. There are so many other … Read more
Do you want to know a writing secret? Writing is hard work and writers need and should take a break. I will be taking some time off from writing this blog for the month of August. I may even take a break from writing stories. Every writer needs time to rest, relax and regroup. I … Read more
We often get asked why we wrote Two Wins for Wiley. It was a beautiful collaboration with my daughter Caitlin. Caitlin is an acupuncturist and is the guest author of this blog post. In most cases, a children’s book is written by one author. If the author is fortunate enough to find a publisher, the … Read more
