Pulling out my coziest socks, admiring the lights around the neighborhood, making little people-shaped ginger cookies to devour… ah yes, it must be time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Contest! Are you tired of me raving about her contests yet? There’s something so freeing and FUN about having a limited amount of time and aContinue reading “Holiday Contest 2020”
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#KidLitHoliYAY: Day 4
I am so excited to host the fourth day of #KidLitHoliyay with some of my Critique Sisters: Maryna Doughty, Dedra Davis, Sarah Meade, Sarah Heaton, and Ciara O’Neal! And I am very excited to feature HAPPY LLAMAKAH! by Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Lydia Nichols I love this book. It’s sweet, it rhymes, it’s punny, itContinue reading “#KidLitHoliYAY: Day 4”
Happy Halloweensie!
[UPDATE: THRILLED to share that this story was given an Honorable Mention for Great Read for Younger Readers!] It’s one of my favorite times of year: Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie contest for children’s writers! I love these contests. They challenge my brain to think in new ways and almost always inspire multiple stories. Plus, thisContinue reading “Happy Halloweensie!”
Talking about BIG things with little kids
Another deviation from writing for fun but very necessary things. Some of this is copied and pasted from my school social work blog (you’ll probably pick up on that vibe). Big things are going on. Big things that are terrifying and overwhelming. As adults, when we can’t wrap our minds around them, how can weContinue reading “Talking about BIG things with little kids”
Showing Up for Yourself
Sometimes I like to think that there is a parallel universe where parallel-universe-Nicole is still going to work and interacting with extended family members in person and grocery shopping without a mask while listening to news updates about our first female president. I hope she’s happy. She has a lot to be grateful for. And,Continue reading “Showing Up for Yourself”
Resources for Talking with Young Children about COVID-19
You may or may not know that I am a mama to two toddlers and a school social worker currently working with Early Childhood/Preschool-aged children. I know this blog is supposed to be about writing but if there was ever a time for a crossover-episode, this is it. So here goes: How are you supposedContinue reading “Resources for Talking with Young Children about COVID-19”
Happy Halloweensie!
Susanna Leonard Hill, a true kidlit treasure, hosts these amazing holiday contests that challenge writers to think creatively and efficiently. With a limit of 100 words, I wanted to try some free verse this year. But then I wanted to see it rhyme. Rhyming is SO HARD!! I won’t even tell you how many “practice”Continue reading “Happy Halloweensie!”
Read what you write
I have read over 350 picture books so far this year. I think it’s one of the most important exercises I can undertake as a picture book writer for so many reasons but here are a few of my favorite: I keep track of every book I read which means I have a database –Continue reading “Read what you write”
Official Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest 2019
Do you know Kaitlyn Sanchez? If you’re in the world of kidlit, she’s a good person to know. She’s passionate, helpful, creative, and extremely hard working. And, lucky for all of us, she and Lydia Lukidis have put on a contest full of amazing prizes! You can check it out for yourself here! With a photoContinue reading “Official Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest 2019”
A reason to dance
Hey picture book writers, Need a reason to throw a dance party? Oh, I see you are already dancing. Good for you. That’s why you write for kids. Well, if you need ANOTHER reason for a dance party, please turn your attention to the #PBCritiqueFest!! 35 critiques are being given away! THIRTY-FIVE! By authors! Illustrators!Continue reading “A reason to dance”
