EPIC EIGHTEEN - Blog

An EPIC Year End Giveaway!

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:35:59 GMT

We, the authors and illustrators of the picture book debut group, Epic 18, bring you the…

And it will be EPIC, we tell you. You don't want to miss this because our 2018 group will be giving away EIGHTEEN prizes (because 18 was such a GREAT year). These will be variations of book pairings and book + gift packages. All authors and illustrators participating are listed at the end of this post, alongside their debut book.

The prizes will be posted on Twitter beginning Monday, November 12 through Wednesday, November 20. You can search by hashtag #epic18win and enter by Retweeting.

This will all culminate in a grand Twitter Event hosted by Matthew Winner (THE Matthew Winner) on Wednesday, November 28, 8pm EST. At this event (found under hashtag #epic18) we will talk about our debut year, highlights, and lessons learned. You don't want to miss it! Especially since Matthew will be announcing the winners. (I know, I know… Matthew Winner will announce the Winners. It's just too perfect.)

Rules:
To participate in the contest, RETWEET to win!
Participants can enter until Saturday, November 24th.
US Only unless otherwise specified.
You may enter for multiple prizes, but you can only win one prize.
Prizes will be mailed out to winners within one week following Twitter Event.

Authors and illustrators participating:

Beth Anderson AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET
Jen Betton HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG
Jeanette Bradley LOVE, MAMA
Aidan Cassie STERLING, BEST DOG EVER
Melanie Linden Chan MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN
Tina Wheatcraft Cho RICE FROM HEAVEN
Nina Victor Crittenden THREE LITTLE PUGS
Michelle Cusolito FLYING DEEP
Andi Diehn WAVES, MATTER, FORCES, and ENERGY
Viviane Elbee TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI
Margaret Chiu Greanias MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS
Hannah Holt THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY
Kerri Kokias SNOW SISTERS
Stephanie Parsley Ledyard PIE IS FOR SHARING
Elizabeth Lilly GERALDINE
Brenda Maier THE LITTLE RED FORT
Juana Martinez-Neal ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME
Shanda McCloskey DOLL-E 1.0
Christy Mihaly HEY, HEY, HAY
Kate Narita 100 BUGS! A COUNTING BOOK
Rachel Noble FINN'S FEATHER
Jessie Oliveros THE REMEMBER BALLOONS
Casey W. Robinson IVER AND ELLSWORTH
Traci Sorell WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA
Melissa Stoller SCARLET'S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow MOMMY'S KHIMAR
Patricia Valdez JOAN PROCTER, DRAGON DOCTOR
Dana Wulfekotte RABBIT AND POSSUM

Thank you all for following along on our most EPIC adventure- being published!
Good luck!
-The Epic Eighteeners

Release Day Fun with Scarlet's Magic Paintbrush by Melissa Stoller

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 16:30:00 GMT

I can’t believe that my debut picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, is out in the world!

On release day, I brought my author copy to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, my favorite museum in the world (which is about a ten-minute walk from my apartment in New York City). I’ve been visiting The Met since I was a little girl. I love all the galleries, including the Greek and Roman galleries, the Egyptian Wing, and the American Wing. But my favorite section of this vast collection contains the French Impressionists.

My idea for SCARLET came to me as I was standing at The Met in front of a Monet canvas. I wondered what it would be like to have a magic paintbrush and paint perfect pictures. Then I thought of many “what if” questions about that paintbrush, about perfection, and about finding one’s own creativity. That was in 2016, and finally in 2018, I’m holding my debut picture book. The magical illustrations by Sandie Sonke make me catch my breath with each page turn.

I really enjoyed visiting The Met with my book, and taking photos holding paintbrushes and the book in front of several of my favorite Monet paintings. And I’m hoping the museum bookstore will carry my book. That would be the continuation of this dream come true!

Thanks for reading about my debut picture book release and enjoying these photos. Good luck with your book journeys!

Melissa Stoller
SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Clear Fork Publishing, October 16, 2018
Available at www.Amazon.com and https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p66/ScarletMagicPaintbrush.html
www.MelissaStoller.com

Setting Publishing Goals by Melissa Stoller

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:30:00 GMT

Here’s a list of five goals I set to become a published author. Hopefully these ideas will be useful as you chart your own course toward publication.

1) Develop a writing habit:

I try to do some type of writing-related work almost every day. That could be writing a story draft, revising a manuscript, or writing a blog post. I also spend time commenting on my critique partners’ stories, reading KidLit blog posts, and working on marketing materials. A near-daily writing habit helps me stay focused on writing as a career.

2) Cultivate the craft of writing for children:

Over the years, I have taken many KidLit courses and workshops, attended conferences, and participated in writing challenges. Also, I spend a great deal of time reading picture books and chapter books. Reading and dissecting children’s books is such an important part of my learning. And taking advantage of opportunities to advance my writing skills is always a high priority.

3) Connect with other writers:

Connecting with members of the KidLit community has been a great joy. Everyone has been so helpful, giving of their time, and generous with support. I hope that I pay it forward as well! Also, I absolutely love connecting with my critique partners. Nothing beats a great critique group, either in person or online. Critique pals help make my stories better, and I enjoy immersing myself in their stories too. In addition, I volunteer with SCBWI Metro/NY, as well as with other writing groups. As we all know, writing can be a solitary business, so it’s invaluable to make connections with other creatives to share the journey.

4) Create a social media presence:

I started to create a social media presence slowly, with Facebook and a Facebook author page, and then added to my online presence with Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. I also host a blog at www.MelissaStoller.com/blog where I feature other authors discussing their thoughts about stories, creativity, and connection. Additionally, I added my books to Goodreads and try to stay active there by reviewing picture books and chapter books. I really enjoy connecting with people on social media and hope to continue to build my author platform.

5) Learn about book marketing strategies:

Marketing has been a huge learning curve since I don't have any prior experience in this area! Being part of the #Epic18 debut picture book group has been extremely helpful in terms of sharing ideas and getting support along the way. I also read everything I can about book launches, creating an author brand, and marketing strategies. And I stay connected to my Clear Fork Publishing family as well to share marketing tips and strategies. Fingers crossed that I’m getting the hang of it!
I hope this list of goals helps you set some of your own as you progress along your publication journey.

Melissa Stoller
SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Clear Fork Publishing, October 16, 2018
Available for pre-order at https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p66/ScarletMagicPaintbrush and https://amzn.to/2oNys3K
www.MelissaStoller.com

DOLL-E 1.0 in the classroom! By Shanda McCloskey

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 11:30:00 GMT

By Shanda McCloskey

Teachers have told me about many discussions around technology that emerged in their classrooms after reading DOLL-E 1.0. But even beyond that, I have been so impressed with creative educators who have come up with several AMAZING ways to use my book in the classroom! This post links to a few of those as well as my own free extension activities. I hope these ideas CHARGE you up!

https://www.thetechieteacher.net/2018/08/how-to-practice-making-connections-with.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/DOLL-E-10-by-McCloskey-19-Book-Extension-Activities-NO-PREP-3934182

Soon there will be a guide using a Makey Makey Inspired by DOLL-E 1.0!

Colleen Graves, Director of Community and Creative Content @MakeyMakey / Speaker/ Blogger/ Co-author of #bigmakerbook & #evilmakeybook is working on a making guide based on Doll-E 1.0! Follow her to catch it as soon as it comes out!

https://twitter.com/gravescolleen/status/1035244905902366720
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHRkvyHqYj/

And here are my FREE activities on my website:
http://www.shandamc.com/2018/08/robot-and-doll-e-1-0-activities-all-in-one-post/

This is a balancing robot STEM activity!

Drawing Doll-E 1.0 characters in steps!

A writing and illustrating activity!

And of course, coloring pages!

By Shanda McCloskey
DOLL E 1.0
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (May 1st 2018)
Available anywhere books are sold, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Doll-1-0-Shanda-McCloskey/dp/0316510319

How Educators Can Use Scarlet's Magic Paintbrush, by Melissa Stoller

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 11:30:00 GMT

I’m happy to write about how educators can use my debut picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, to enhance their lessons. There are three themes that will resonate most in the classroom or library: perfection, creativity, and imagination.

SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH tells the story of Scarlet, who paints perfect pictures with a magic paintbrush, until the brush disappears, and her own creativity must emerge. Teachers and librarians can discuss what it means to search for perfection, and how children don’t need to be perfect in school or in life.

Educators can also plan projects based around finding your own creativity. In the story, Scarlet tries to use different handmade brushes and painting methods. Art teachers could experiment with painting techniques as Scarlet did. Perhaps students will be inspired to paint their own masterpieces just like Scarlet.

Finally, the book lends itself to discussions about imagination. This book was inspired by my curiosity about the French Impressionists, particularly Monet. Standing in front of a Monet painting, I asked, “What if I had a magic paintbrush and could paint like Monet?” Students can ask their own “what if” questions. They can use their imaginations to wonder what they would do with a magic paintbrush, a magic pen, a magic pencil, or anything else magical. And they can imagine a story they might want to write based on those ideas.

I hope educators will enjoy reading my debut picture book and designing lessons and projects surrounding themes of perfection, creativity, and imagination. And I would be happy if SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH adds a bit of magic to their classrooms and libraries!

Melissa Stoller
SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Clear Fork Publishing, October 16, 2018
Available for pre-order at https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p66/ScarletMagicPaintbrush and https://amzn.to/2oNys3K
www.MelissaStoller.com

Using 100 BUGS! for educational activities by Kate Narita

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:30:00 GMT

Fall is around the corner. Students and teachers are back in school. Teachers, like students, are setting goals so that we can make this the best year possible for our students. One simple way to make the year better for our students, is to infuse each day with quality literature—not just during scheduled reading time. 100 Bugs! is a text that can be used throughout the elementary school day. This blogpost will highlight ways that 100 Bugs! can be used during K-5 math, science and writing blocks. In addition, I’ll talk about why 100 Bugs! is a perfect choice for book buddies. Common Core aligned PDFs featuring Suzanne Kaufman’s stunning art can be found for each activity by clicking the link. For ready-made click and print 100 Bugs! Common Core activities, please check out this link: http://www.katenarita.com/for-educators.html

K-2 ACTIVITIES

MATH: BUG TEN FRAMES
Kindergartners and first graders have to master the various combinations of ten such as: nine and one, eight and two, seven and three etc… After reading 100 Bugs! aloud to the class, students can complete the Bug Ten Frames. There are ten frames for each combination of ten and each ten frame features a different insect. Also, you can choose between ten frames that feature the turn-around addition facts or ten frames that feature the addition and the subtraction fact families.

WRITING: LADDER STORIES
Kate Narita and Suzanne Kaufman use a ladder or mirror structure in their book. That means that the second half of the story repeats what happens in the first half of the story. So 100 Bugs! starts off with sun rising, the kids getting out of bed and then they find these combinations of bugs: 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6. At noon, they find the five and five combination. Then, what happens? The text climbs back down the ladder. The kids find these combinations: 6 and 4, 7 and 3, 8 and 2, 9 and 1. Next, there’s the final combination of 10 and 1, followed by the kids in bed, and the moon rising. Other examples of picture books with a ladder or mirror structure are: Madame Martine by Sarah Brannen, When the Rain Came Down by David Shannon, Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and Old Bear and His Cub by Olivier Dunrea. Have students write their own stories using a ladder or mirror structure.

SCIENCE: BUILD-A-BUG
Have students build a bug with egg cartons, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, construction paper, toothpicks and other goodies. First, ask them to draw a picture of their new insect below. Remind them that all insects have a head, an abdomen and a thorax as well as six legs. Next, have them identify their bug’s super power. Finally, have them build their bugs!

3-5 ACTIVITIES

MATH: BUGS MEASURE UP
The Bugs Measure Up pdf features each insect in the book. Students have to measure the bugs to the nearest ¼ inch, then plot the buggy measurements on a line plot.

WRITING: BUG DEBATE
Pesticides harm insects. The following information is directly quoted from The Environmental Protection Agency’s 2017 report which focuses on pesticide usage throughout the world from 2008-2012.

“U.S. pesticide usage totaled over 1.1 billion pounds annually in both 2011 and 2012, with herbicides accounting for nearly 50% of total U.S. pesticide usage in 2011 and nearly 60% of usage in 2012 (see Table 3. 1). On average across all reported years (2008-2012), U.S. pesticide use accounted for approximately 23% of total pounds of pesticides applied, 25% of total pounds of herbicides applied, 43% of total pounds of fumigants applied, 12% of fungicides applied, and 6% of insecticides applied worldwide.”

Ask your students whether or not they think the farm featured in 100 Bugs! uses pesticides, why or why not. Should farmers use pesticides, why or why not? Randomly divide up the class into two sides and have one side argue for the use of pesticides and the other side argue against the use of pesticides. Then, have them switch sides. After the debate, students can write a persuasive essay about why or why not farmers should use pesticides. I’ve included the persuasive essay planners I use in my classroom below. If you’re looking to further explore the pesticide issue with your students, Melissa Stewart’s, www.melissastewart.com, A Place for Butterflies and the other A Place for companion books, are excellent resources. I use them each year in my classroom to teach cause and effect as well as problem and solution nonfiction text structures.

SCIENCE: INSECT TRADING CARDS
Students use the 100 Bugs! back matter and the internet to complete the insect trading cards. They’ll find out the insects’ Latin names, their habitat and their super powers. Then, kids can create cards for two insects of their own choosing. In the end, they can trade and sort their cards. This is a great activity to have around for early finishers.

BOOK BUDDIES: BUG HUNT

Looking for a fun book buddy activity for the 100th day of school? Print out 100 copies of Suzanne Kaufman’s bugs and hang them up around your school. Then, give each younger student an array of 100 bugs which is also included in the pdf. The older students can help the younger students mark the corresponding bug off on the array when younger students find the bugs flying all over the hallway.

I hope these activities will make your and your students’ school year more enjoyable!

Best wishes,
Kate Narita
Author of 100 Bugs! A Counting Book
Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Farrar Straus Giroux June 2018
www.katenarita.com

Extra files:
http://www.katenarita.com/for-educators.html

Book Giveaway Especially for Educators – WINNERS! #GeeEpic18

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 07:05:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone participating in our Giveaway Especial for Educators! #GeeEpic18.

We’re excited to report the winners!

First up, we will send postcards to every teacher requesting one for their class. That’s 418 of you! We won’t list all your names here. However, if you signed up for a note from an author, expect a postcard or letter to arrive at the address you provided in the next month.

In addition, twenty educators won book related swag:

Jane Chalifaux wins 30 Alma and How She Got Her Name stickers
Amber Stivers-Anders wins 20 bookmarks based on the book Matter
Jennifer Brenneman wins 30 bookmarks + classroom guide for Love, Mama
Kari Lynn wins 30 An Inconvenient Alphabet bookmarks
Mikal Brennan wins 30 bookplates and a classroom guide based on Hedgehog Needs A Hug
Anita Fentress wins 30 bookmarks plus 30 temporary tattoos based on Maximillian Villainous
Kara Marie Dibartolo wins a Doll-E 1.0 How-to-draw activity
Shanie Rucker wins 30 bookmarks and a classroom guide based on We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Dora Guzman wins 30 bookmarks and a classroom guide based on 100 Bugs! A Counting Book
Jackie Hart Ingram wins 30 bookmarks based on Pie Is for Sharing
MaryAlison Weintraub wins 30 I Am Famous stickers and 30 Shark Nate-O bookmarks
Pamela Scripture wins 30 Iver & Ellsworth bookmarks
Keva AnJanea Wallace wins 30 bookmarks based on Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean
Mary Gensch wins 30 bookmarks based on Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush
Shelly Kraal wins an educator/family discussion guide based on The Breaking News
Karma Jensen wins 30 bookmarks and a teaching guide based on The Little Red Fort
Jo A. Reed wins 30 bookmarks and stickers based on Hey, Hey, Hay!
Laurie Amrine wins an activity guide based on Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime
Cindy Thompson wins 30 stickers and bookmarks based on Sterling Best Dog Ever
Angie Wake wins 30 bookmarks and stickers based on The Three Little Pugs and Chicken Lily

And now for the book winners!

The second place winner, taking home seven titles: Sterling, Best Dog Ever, The Field, Adventures to School, The Three Little Pugs, Chicken Lily, Russel Wrestles the Relatives, and Let the Children March, is…

TINA SCAVO PIERCE

Congratulations, Tina!

And the grand prize winner, taking home these titles: The Diamond & The Boy, Alma and How She Got Her Name, La Princesa and the Pea, Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre, Forces, Energy, Waves, Matter, The Remember Balloons, Love Mama, An Inconvenient Alphabet, Hedgehog Needs a Hug, Maximillian Villainous, Mommy’s Khimar, Doll-E 1.0, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, Teach Your Giraffe to Ski, 100 Bugs! A Counting Book, Pie Is for Sharing, I Am Famous, Shark Nate-O, Iver & Elseworth, Moth and Wasp Soil and Ocean (x2), Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush, The Breaking News, Allie All Along, Rice From Heaven, Finn’s Feather, Flying Deep, The Little Red Fort, El fuertecito rojo, Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them), Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime!, Snow Sisters!, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, is…

ANN MENNONNO

Congratulations, Ann!

[Kermit the frog Gif:

via GIPHY

]

To all the educators out there, we wish you a very happy school year! Thanks for the important work you do!

A HUGE Book Giveaway Especially for Educators! (Update: Second Prize Pack Added!)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 18:35:59 GMT

It’s August! Back-to-school time is here or just around the corner, and Epic 18 wants to show our thanks to EDUCATORS!

Teachers and librarians, you rock! You fill your classrooms with knowledge, kindness, and curiosity. You care about students and connect children with books. We know many of you spend personal money on class supplies. We’d like to help.

We’re hosting a giveaway especially for educators.

Giveaway
Especially for
Educators

#GEEepic18

One elementary school teacher or librarian will win 37 recently released picture books! 37 new books!

Others will win goodies like bookmarks, stickers, and classroom guides.

But that’s not all! Every educator entering has the option of receiving a postcard from a picture book author personally addressed to their class (well, up to the first 1,000 teachers...we aren’t super human). That’s right. Everyone has a chance to win something!

The giveaway is open August 1st – August 27th. Grand prize winner announced September 4th.

See the end of this post for a complete prize summary.

Thank you for the important work you do, and have a great school year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize details:
Grand prize, 37 picture books! The Diamond & The Boy*, Alma and How She Got Her Name, La Princesa and the Pea, Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre, Forces, Energy, Waves, Matter, The Remember Balloons, Love Mama, An Inconvenient Alphabet*, Hedgehog Needs a Hug, Maximillian Villainous, Mommy’s Khimar, Doll-E 1.0, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga*, Teach Your Giraffe to Ski*, 100 Bugs! A Counting Book, Pie Is for Sharing, I Am Famous, Shark Nate-O, Iver & Elseworth, Moth and Wasp Soil and Ocean (x2), Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush*, The Breaking News, Allie All Along, Rice From Heaven, Finn’s Feather, Flying Deep, The Little Red Fort, El fuertecito rojo, Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them), Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime!, Snow Sisters!, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor

*Books with an asterisk have not been released and will ship around their publication date.

THIS JUST IN.... (Updated August 12th)
Our contest is so popular, and we have so many new amazing books to share, that there will be a Second Prize Winner who will receive the following 7 picture books: Sterling Best Dog Ever, The Field, Adventures to School, The Three Little Pugs, Chicken Lily, Russel Wrestles the Relatives, and Let the Children March.

Other prizes: Alma and How She Got her Name 30 stickers, Love Mama 30 bookmarks and a classroom guide, Matter 20 bookmarks, Maximillian Villainous 30 bookmarks and temporary tattoos plus a classroom guide, Hedgehog Needs a Hug classroom guide, How-to-draw Doll-E 1.0 activity, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga poster plus bookmarks and classroom guide, Teach Your Giraffe to Ski 30 bookmarks, 100 Bugs! A Counting Book 30 bookmark and activity guide, Pie is for Sharing 30 bookmarks, Shark Nate-O 30 bookmarks, I Am Famous 30 stickers, Iver and Ellsworth 30 bookmarks, Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean 30 book marks and stickers (x2), The Breaking News Educator/Family Discussion Guide, The Little Red Fort 30 bookmarks and teaching guide, Hey, Hey, Hay! 30 bookmarks, Penguin and Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime activity guide, An Inconvenient Alphabet 30 bookmarks, Sterling Best Dog Ever 30 bookmarks and 30 stickers, The Three Little Pugs 30 bookmarks and 30 stickers, Chicken Lily 30 bookmarks and 30 stickers, Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush 30 bookmarks and 30 stickers

A personalized post card addressed to an elementary school class (Limit one postcard per educator, upto the first 1,000 teachers requesting one. US addresses only).

"How I Met My (Awesome) Editor" by Christy Mihaly

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 16:47:56 GMT

This is a photo of the office of my editor, Grace Maccarone, which she took as she was editing Hey, Hey, Hay! I was thrilled to see how she was working to make my book happen. Photo credit: G. Maccarone.

I had been writing fulltime for a couple of years (selling to magazines, and submitting manuscripts to editors and agents) when some kidlit friends told me about their favorite of all writing conferences and urged me to apply. I’m glad I took their advice, because that is where I met my editor!
The conference, Falling Leaves, is sponsored by the Eastern Upstate New York chapter of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and has been run for years by the talented writer Nancy Castaldo. It’s held at the old Silver Bay YMCA camp on Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. The setting is fabulously beautiful, the accommodations cozy, and the company unparalleled. Applicants must submit a manuscript or portfolio to be considered. About 30 are accepted to participate, which makes the gathering the perfect size for meaningful interaction with other writers and illustrators and the five or six editors who attend, critique, and present.

The Falling Leaves view Photo credit: Alisha Gabriel

So in November of 2014 I went to Falling Leaves. One of the presenters that year was Holiday House executive editor Grace Maccarone. Grace impressed me right away during the three-day gathering. We sat at the same table for the first night’s dinner. At Falling Leaves, the editors sit with participants at all meals, and everyone has a chance to talk informally over meals. Grace didn’t dominate our conversation. Rather, she asked what we participants hoped to get out of the conference, and she listened carefully to our responses. When she gave her presentation a couple days later, I noticed she incorporated our input into her talk.

I also listened carefully to Grace’s description of what she was looking for in manuscripts. I thought one of my manuscripts fit her criteria. (This is despite the fact that the Falling Leaves editor with whom I had my one-on-one critique loved a different manuscript—still unpublished today—but didn’t like this one.)

I revised and polished some more. A few months later, I sent the manuscript for Hey, Hey Hay (at that point subtitled, “Mower, Tedder, Baler, Hay!”) to Grace, and crossed my fingers. She pronounced it “adorable,” and a few months later we had a contract. When I attended the 2016 national SCBWI conference in New York, Grace invited me to her office on Madison Avenue (thrills!) and we had lunch. She reported that she’d signed the talented artist Joe Cepeda to illustrate the book. And now, three years after we signed, Hey, Hey, Hay! will be released in August. Hey, Hey!

The moral of the story? “Listen to your writing buddies!” Many thanks to my critique partners, to Grace, to Joe, and to the many others who helped make Hey, Hey, Hay! a reality.

Christy Mihaly
HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them) by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Holiday House, August 14, 2018
Available for pre-order now. See pre-order details on author website: http://www.christymihaly.com/hey-hey-hay.html

"How I Met My Publisher and Editor" by Melissa Stoller

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:00:00 GMT

I’ll always remember the story of how I met two of the most important people on my writing journey: my publisher and my editor.

I met my publisher, Callie Metler-Smith from Clear Fork Publishing, by sending her a query for a picture book about a squirrel. In that email, I mentioned that I also had a time-travel chapter book manuscript ready. Callie responded saying I should send the PB manuscript, but what really interested her was the time-travel story.

Callie bought my chapter book series. Book One, THE ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION: RETURN TO CONEY ISLAND, released in August 2017, and Book Two: THE LIBERTY BELL TRAIN RIDE, will come chugging down the tracks this year. And the squirrel story? I’m still revising that one!

At the same time, I was working on a manuscript about a girl who paints with a magic paintbrush. This story was inspired by my love of art history and the Impressionists specifically. I discovered that Callie is also an artist and is similarly fond of Impressionist painters. I pitched my story idea to Callie, and later signed a contract for my debut picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH!

With Callie Metler-Smith at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Then, enter my editor. I had been taking several classes and was an assistant for Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy (www.ChildrensBookAcademy). Lucky for me, Mira became an Art Director and Editor at Clear Fork, and is art directing and editing my picture book. And Mira paired me with one of her former students, the extremely talented illustrator Sandie Sonke (www.SandieSonkeIllustration.com). I am truly thrilled with the team on this manuscript!

It’s been a long journey, and I’m very excited that my debut picture book will be releasing soon! I am especially grateful to my mentors, Callie and Mira, for believing in this project and supporting me at every stage of the process.

Thanks for reading about how I met my publisher and editor! Good luck with your submission process!

Melissa Stoller
SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Clear Fork Publishing, August 2018
Available for pre-order at https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p66/ScarletMagicPaintbrush.
www.MelissaStoller.com