Karlin Gray

Autumn is book festival time! So I’ll be taking a few weeks off from blogging.
In September & October, I will be at the following book festivals. If you are in the area, pop in, say hi, and get signed copies of books from a wide range of authors and illustrators. Remember—authors are more than happy to sign books with "Happy Birthday" "Happy Holidays", or “Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!”. Non-plastic, no-batteries-needed gifts!

Salem Literary Festival: Salem, MA, September 21, 12-2pm

Saugatuck Story Fest: Westport, CT, September 28, 10-1pm

Boston BookFest: Boston, MA, October 19, 11-1pm

Jerry Craft is an author and illustrator. New Kid is his middle-grade graphic novel that has earned five starred reviews, including one from Booklist magazine, which called it "possibly one of the most important graphic novels of the year." Kirkus Reviews called it "an engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in America."

He is the creator of Mama's Boyz, a comic strip that was distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1995-2013, and won five African American Literary Awards. Jerry is a co-founder of the Schomburg's Annual Black Comic Book Festival. He was born in Harlem and grew up in nearby Washington Heights. He is a graduate of The Fieldston School and received his B.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts.

So what are Jerry’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Most of my drawing and writing is done in the studio in my home. But when it's nice out, I like to grab my laptop and sit in the gazebo that I put up in my backyard. Occasionally, I'll also go to the beach which is ten minutes from where I live.

My favorite mentor text:

As a kid, I wasn't a book reader, I mainly read Marvel Comics, so I really can't pull a book from my youth. But I think the graphic novels that inspired me most when developing New Kid were Smile by Raina Telgemeier, American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, and Stitches by David Small.

My favorite writing tip:

The tip that changed the way I write is to "show it, don't tell it." For example, in New Kid, instead of saying that Jordan was nervous about meeting Drew for the first time, I had a scene where he was staring at Drew in class, and whenever he looked up, Jordan turned his head to avoid eye contact. Let the reader figure it out.

My favorite marketing tip:

I almost always have a hat or shirt that has my most recent book on it. For New Kid I actually have caps, shirts and backpacks.

My favorite book event of the year:

Wow, that's tough. Since New Kid came out in February, and even a few months before, my publisher (HarperCollins) has sent me to some really cool events all over the country. But I have to say that the one that is nearest and dearest to me is the one that I have done the longest which is the Hudson Children's Book Festival held on the first Saturday of May in Hudson, New York. I've also never missed the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival held every October. And I'm one of the co-founders of the Schomburg's Annual Black Comic Book Festival in Harlem in January.

To learn more about Jerry, visit his website.

As always, if you have read the author's work, consider writing a quick review using the links above.

Jodi McKay lives in Michigan with her husband, son, and two furry friends. She is the PAL coordinator for SCBWI-MI and is active in several online writing groups. She has two books published by Albert Whitman & Co., WHERE ARE THE WORDS? (2016) and, PENCIL'S PERFECT PICTURE (May, 2019).

So what are Jodi’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Outside, although I become easily distracted out there.
 

My favorite mentor text: 

Ooh, I hope it's okay to name a few! For humor- Elwood Bigfoot by Jill Esbaum, for heart- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, and for narrative non-fiction- The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman.
 

My favorite writing tip:

Write down what your intention is for your manuscript (to entertain, evoke feelings, offer an opportunity to reflect) as well as what the main question of the story is (Ex. How do you make a friend, what happens when you lose your lovey, etc.) and keep it by your computer. It's helpful to be reminded of both and it will keep your writing focused.
 

My favorite marketing tip:

For marketing I would suggest being careful with how you spend your money. Book swag is really fun to hand out, but take note of what people want and what they pass by. From a promotional stand-point I would say, connect with people. This may be bookstore owners, social media buddies, teachers, your local librarian, parents. Don't try to sell your book, try to connect over books in general. Build relationships based on your love of reading and you will find these people becoming champions of both you and your books!
 

My favorite book event of the year:

I really enjoy the yearly SCBWI conferences. They are a great way to hit the refresh button and stir up the creative flow.
 

To learn more about Jodi, visit her website.

As always, if you have read the author's work, consider writing a quick review using the links above.

Mia Wenjen blogs at Pragmatic Mom on diverse children's books. She is the author of the picture book, Sumo Joe, illustrated by Nat Iwata. She also wrote Best #OwnVoices Children's Books: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Aged 1-12, a resource to find diverse books. Her book, How To Coach Girls, co-authored with Alison Foley, focuses on helping coaches keep girls in sports. She is a co-creator of Multicultural Children's Book Day, a non-profit celebrating diversity in children's books, and also a co-founder of Aquent, the world's largest company staffing creative, digital and marketing talent with 37 offices around the world. She lives in Boston with her husband, three kids, and Golden Retriever.

So what are Mia’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

In my office at home which is drenched in light. The house my husband restored for our family was a mess but I fell in love with the house because of this space and it became my home office. I made the bookshelves 9 inches so it only fits chapter/middle grade books. I have an old wall unit for picture books in my basement.

My favorite mentor text:

My favorite book in the world is Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Every chapter is a short story that introduces a living, breathing character that stays with you forever, and the book is more than a sum of its parts. 

My favorite writing tip:

Believe in yourself and know that writing is a process of continuous improvement, like the Japanese term "kaizen." Editing is "kaizen." Writing every day is also "kaizen." I watched a webinar with a famous editor who said not to attempt to write in rhyme unless you majored in English and knew all about esoteric forms of poetry. I majored in History and Science, but the first picture book that came to life in my head, came out in rhyme and became Sumo Joe. I don't know much about poetry but used rhythm and beat, like percussion, to lead the way for my story.

My favorite marketing tip:

Collaboration combined with a greater cause or commonality is a really effective way to meet people through social media. It can be with other authors, illustrators, or bloggers. Or it can be around that cause or social justice issue. 

My favorite book event of the year:

Multicultural Children's Book Day coming up January 31, 2020. This is our 7th year of celebrating diversity in children's books!

To learn more about Mia and her work, visit her website.

As always, if you have read the author’s work, consider writing a quick review using the links above.

Heidi Stemple didn't want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn't until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than 25 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children. Her books include Counting Birds, You Nest Here With Me, Not All Princesses Dress In Pink, Fly With Me, A Kite For Moon, and this fall, Eek You Reek. 

Heidi lives and writes in a new house on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with two cats who lives inside, and a dozen deer, a family of bears, three coyotes, two bobcats, a gray fox, tons of birds, and some very fat groundhogs who live outside. Once a year, she calls owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 

So, what are Heidi's 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Highlights Foundation 

My favorite mentor text:

Wow—I have so many! I mean boxes and boxes of them! Today,  (teaching nonfiction this week) I think it is: Water Is Water by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin

My favorite writing tip:

Read everything you write aloud.

My favorite marketing tip:

It costs nothing to be awesome—don't be difficult or a diva. You are selling yourself as much as you are your books.

My favorite book event of the year:

This year? The party I threw for my mom's (author Jane Yolen) 365th book at the Carle Museum. 

 
To learn more about Heidi and her work, visit her website.

As always, if you have read the author’s books, please take a moment to write a quick review using the links above.

Casey W. Robinson's debut picture book IVER & ELLSWORTH, published in 2018 by Ripple Grove Press, was named a finalist for SCBWI's Crystal Kite Award. Casey is Co-Director of the New England Regional Spring Conference 2020. She is also an alum of the New England Young Writer's Conference at Bread Loaf and co-founder of its Kindred Spirit Scholars program, which aims to make the conference more inclusive and more representative of the diversity of New England. 

So, what are Casey’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Standing at my kitchen island, which might be the only place in my house I can reliably clear of clutter. I type, pace around my house, then type some more. Moving my body helps me think.  

My favorite mentor text: 

At the moment, I am in love with LUBNA AND PEBBLE, written by Wendy Meddour and illustrated by Daniel Egneus. A story that centers on the refugee crisis, its childlike simplicity is layered with complex emotion and brought to life by gorgeous illustrations. Picture book perfection.

My favorite writing tip:

If you have only 15 minutes to write, use all of those 15 minutes to write. Set a timer. Turn off your phone. (Not silenced, off.) Block out the distractions. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish if you don't wait for that perfect block of uninterrupted time.

My favorite marketing tip:

One of the best ways to market your books is to encourage the people who love your books to talk about them, whether that's through online reviews, library requests, or recommendations to friends. I lucked out when I befriended the owner of my local indie bookstore (@SilUnicornActon) who happens to love IVER & ELLSWORTH. He has championed my book in so many wonderful and surprising ways, including mentions in newspaper articles, prominent store display, and hosting my launch party. But even better than resulting sales is knowing that someone who knows A LOT about books believes in yours—that is fuel I carry around in my pocket.

My favorite book event of the year:

The New England Regional Spring Conference held in Springfield, MA in early May. (Full disclosure: I am Conference Co-Director for the 2020 conference!)The New England SCBWI region is so large and vibrant, yet the conference manages to feel close-knit and intimate. It's worth checking out if you've never been. Next year's theme will be "Finding Joy in the Journey" – mark your calendars for May 1-3, 2020 at the Sheraton in Springfield, MA. Hope to see you there!

To learn more about Casey and her work, visit her website. If you have read Casey’s book, take a minute to leave a review at the link above.

Susan McElroy Montanari was a finalist in two categories for the 2010 Tassy Walden Award for New Voices in Children's Literature in Connecticut: one for her middle grade novel, The Day Sasquatch Ate My Journal and the other for her picture book My Dog's A Chicken, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf and published by Schwartz & Wade. Her other books include Goldilocks for Dinner (new this month!), Who's The Grossest of Them All, Hip-Hop Lollipop, and The Halloween Tree (to be published August 6, 2019). Susan lives in Savannah, Georgia, where she resides with her husband, Dan, and a cat named Tybee.  

So what are Susan’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

The second floor of my local library, back between the stacks. It is so quiet there I can disappear into the world I'm trying to create. When I try to write at home there are too many distractions.

My favorite mentor text:

I know it is cliché, but it's Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. This book really speaks to children and their need to have some control over their world.

My favorite writing tip:

Don't discuss an idea with anyone until you have, at least, the first draft completed. If you tell the story too soon you give up some of your energy to complete it. And if their reaction is negative it could completely deflate the notion before it gets a chance to take shape.

My biggest marketing tip: 

Become active on social media. I know I have bought books after seeing them on Twitter!

My favorite book event of the year:

BEA New York City (Book Expo America) - I only got to go to it once, but it was exciting to see all those new books, authors, publishers, and agents in one place.

To learn more about Susan and her work, visit her website. And, if you would like to review Susan’s books, click the book links above.

Jenna Grodzicki is the author of Finn Finds a Friend (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017), Pixie's Adventure (eTreasures Publishing, 2017), and the I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food (Millbrook Press, October 2019). She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two crazy awesome kids. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and a Master's in Education from the University of New England. She recently traded in her librarian hat to become a full time writer. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found at her desk, drinking iced coffee and working on her next story.

So, what are Jenna’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

My office. I have a beautiful writing space filled with a big desk, about a million books, pictures of my family, and fun little knickknacks. And iced coffee. There must always be iced coffee. 

My favorite mentor texts

Books by Melissa Stewart. Her books have been so helpful with my nonfiction writing. I especially love No Monkeys, No Chocolate and Feathers: Not Just for Flying.

My favorite writing tip:

A quote from the author Shannon Hale: "When writing a first draft, I have to remind myself constantly that I'm only shoveling sand into a box so later I can build castles." I personally have to remind myself of this so frequently that I posted the quote on the wall in my office.

My favorite marketing tip:

Be authentic on social media. Engage with other writers and educators in a meaningful way. Share posts you think will be helpful to others. And always be kind.

My favorite book event of the year:

The annual NESCBWI conference. It's a great place to connect with other writers and hone your craft.

To learn more about Jenna and her work, visit her website.

A former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher, Cynthia Levinson holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University and also attended the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. She is the author of several books for young readers, including We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March; Watch Out for Flying Kids! How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community; and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Do All the Good You Can.

What are Cynthia’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Anyplace where I can look out a window.

My favorite mentor text:

Anything by Patricia MacLachlan or Elizabeth Partridge.

My favorite writing tip:

Take a walk.

My favorite marketing tip:

Promote good books by other people.

My favorite book event of the year:

Appearing on Broadway for a talkback after a play that drew on a book I wrote!

To learn more about Cynthia and her work, visit her website.

Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of MY HEART and THE BOOK OF MISTAKES, which received four starred reviews, numerous awards, and has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and more.  She also illustrated ADRIAN SIMCOX DOES NOT HAVE A HORSE, written by Marcy Campbell.  She lives in Olympia, WA, with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

What are Corinna’s 5 Favorites?:

My favorite place to write:

Any place that is quiet, where I won't be interrupted!  Which can be hard to come by these days.  I love early mornings at home the best, when my husband is already at work and my daughter hasn't woken up yet.  But I've discovered that airplane rides and late nights can work too. I wrote THE BOOK OF MISTAKES at 3 am, post stomach flu.  The house was quiet and I was (literally and figuratively) empty. And in that environment, the entire first half of the story arrived quite suddenly and almost exactly as it appears in the book.  Though the second half of the book took another year to sort out/write.   

My favorite mentor text: 

Perhaps Extra Yarn or The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip.  Though there are SO many books that  I adore,  I don't have just one favorite. School's First Day of School is brilliant.  And everything by Julie Fogliano fills me with joy.

My favorite writing tip:

When I'm writing, I try my best to be an empty vessel.  Meaning, to not think of any book that I'm writing as "my" story but to approach it as though this is a story that has chosen to come into the world through me.  And so my job (and my responsibility to the story)  is to be the best listener that I can be.   If I'm not a little surprised, I'm usually doing something wrong, being too controlling. I've found that most of the best stories and poems have a life of their own, and my job is to stay out of the way.

My favorite marketing tip:

I try to focus on making work that comes from the heart, that speaks to the world we live in right now.  And hopefully, from there, marketing in it's various forms becomes easier.  It helps when I've been able to take myself out of the book in the writing process, because then it becomes less about this being "my" book and more about this being a book that is going to have it's own life in the world.  From there,  the rest of what happens is really about that book's relationship with the world.  What that particular book is meant to be.  This isn't practical, or necessarily helpful advice, because I don't really think that the world needs more stuff, and  I've never been interested in trying to convince people to buy something that they don't really want or need. 

My favorite book event of the year:

I haven't really been to that many book events.  But I love going to friend's book launches and I love librarians and library conferences!

 To learn more about Corinna and her work, visit her website.