Inspiration for Writers -- Six Great Sites to Visit

1.  Today, Laurie Halse Anderson begins her WRITE FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY CHALLENGE.  I'm in.  Are you?

2.  Have you seen some of the great middle grade books coming out?  There are new ones by Gordon Korman, Rebecca Stead, Walter Dean Myers,  Bruce Coville, Tom Angleberger and many others.  Check out the list at FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES.

3.  Kate Messner's blog for teachers who write is going strong.  Today's post is a Q & A with published authors. 

4.  Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog is always brimming with industry news, interviews, opportunities, giveaways, etc.  I've followed it for years!

5.  I'm a big fan of Katie Davis' podcast, Brain Burps About Books.  It's chock full of industry info, interviews, book reviews and so much more.

6.  If you're not able to attend the sold-out S.C.B.W.I. Conference in L.A., you can get interviews and recaps at their OFFICIAL BLOG SITE.  I plan to check it out daily and live vicariously until I absolutely, positively get there next summer.  (I'd so hoped to see the Golden Kite Award winners receive their honors at the luncheon since I was on the committee to choose the winners with Julia Durango and Steve Watkins.) But I was already away most of the summer here.

What sites inspire YOU to write and keep writing?

Four Things on a Friday . . .

1.  A million bazillion years ago, I worked as an editor at a greeting card company near Philadelphia, so I had my eye on several cartoonists.  (It was a very painful condition for my eye.)

My favorite cartoonist then and now is Mark Parisi of Off the Mark.  He has over 7,000 cartoons.  If you don't want to look at all 7,000, this one is my favorite.

2.  The president.  Now, I know the president is usually doing serious stuff, like running the country and dealing with other people running other countries, but sometimes he takes a break to do something really nice, like read Where the Wild Things Are to a bunch of kids.  He makes the best faces, hand gestures and roaring/gnashing sounds.  (Even his dog seemed interested.)

  

3.  Katie Davis is the Queen of Awesome.  As if creating a weekly podcast about children's books (Brain Burps About Books) were not enough, she's celebrating National Poetry Month by hosting a different poet each day on her bloggity blog. 

There's a mecca of poets over on Katie's blog:  Jane Yolen, Lee Wardlaw, Bobbi Katz, Marilyn Singer, Laura Purdie Salas, Gail Carson Levine and many more.  You'll find advice, samples, tips, a podcast, video and much more.

Check out Alan Katz's super fun video:

4.  Finally, if Corey Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, wasn't your hero before, he's everyone's hero now.  He rescued a woman from her home, which was engulfed in flames.  (By the way, he was my hero before!)

Have a most wonderful weekend!

A Few Fantastic Resources and Some Super News . . .

There are two things I look forward to on Wednesdays -- a new Modern Family episode and a fresh podcast from Katie Davis's Brain Burps About Books.  Episodes provide industry information, book reviews, marketing tips from Dianne de Las Casas and enough inspiration that I feel like I've attended a mini-conference.

So far in 2012, I've learned about Julie Hedlund's blog, Write Up My Life, and her innovative picture book challenge 12x12 in 2012.  (Have you written your January picture book?  I have!)

I learned about creating picture books from editor, Emma Dryden.  Oh, and check out the popovers the size of one's head! 

In a previous episode, I discovered a new favorite author -- Erica Perl -- and her hilarious book, When Life Gives You O.J.

From Katie's weekly podcast, I also learned how much author Nancy Werlin makes per year.  There was the interview with Newbery winners Linda Sue Park and Rebecca Stead.  Let's not forget the episodes about school visit tips, how to make a book trailer and Bruce Coville's harrowing escape from Egypt.

2.  Did you read this interview with Marla Frazee?  She's one of my favorite illustrators.  And Mrs. Biddlebox is one of my favorite books that she illustrated.  (She mentions it during the interview.)

In the interview, Ms. Frazee shares hard-earned wisdom that applies to both illustrators and writers.

3.  Agent Jill Corcoran offers rock-solid advice in her blog post:  What Makes a Book Sell?.  This post offers a great reminder of what we need to keep in mind when we write the next book . . . and how to begin writing the next book.  Thanks, Jill!

Onto the super news . . .

1.  In addition to the starred Kirkus review for Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen:  “This tale will have readers cheering for the resilient, resourceful Olivia,” Publisher's Weekly just released a fabulous review of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen:  ". . . this tender, triumphant novel . . ."

With these lovely reviews coming in, Ken Jennings' blurb on the back cover and my Jeopardy!-obsessed, 84-year-old dad's whole-hearted endorsement, I can't wait for Olivia to make her way into the world on March 13th!

2.  On Goodreads, a school librarian in Illinois, Mrs. B, posted this review of How to Survive Middle School:  "I definitely expect this to appear on the Rebecca Caudill list in the next 2-3 years . . .  I read it because a 6th grade girl brought it back in and said it was the best book she ever read."

Well, a few days ago, an e-mail (that landed in my spam folder!) began with one of my favorite words:  "Congratulations!" 

The e-mail went on:  "I am pleased to inform you that How to Survive Middle School is among the 20 books on the Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award shortlist for 2013."

The Illinois State Reading List for grades 4-8!  Could you hear me whooping and hollering at your house?  I sure was loud enough.  Our dogs heard me!

Five years worth of books are considered for this list.  A dedicated committee of hard-working professionals narrow the choices down to 50 books.  Finally, the committee meets at the end of January and selects the 20 books that will appear on the list.

Mrs. B, from Goodreads, I'm so glad your sweet prediction for my book came true.

I leave you with a quote from the late author Rebecca Caudill, for whom the award is named:

“The first essential in any book is that it have something significant to say --a book that leaves the reader with bigger ideas than when he began reading - that stimulates his thinking, stretches his mind, deepens his feelings. A good book sticks to your ribs.”  -- Rebecca Caudill

Want to Write a Picture Book in 2012?

How about 12 picture books?

The inspiring Julie Hedlund has created a vibrant community of writers pledging to write 12 picture books -- one per month -- in 2012.

12x12 in '12

There will be an industry professional blogging at the beginning of each month, offering information and inspiration.  There will be giveaways that will help us reach our goals.  There is an active Facebook page.   A Twitter group. 

Want to join the fun?

Check out the F.A.Q. of 12x12 in 2012 to join.  And be sure to do it by January 29th so you will be eligible to win the great prizes.

How did I hear about this very cool community?  On Katie Davis's Brain Burps Podcast about Children's Literature, of course.

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY . . .

Psst.  Have you heard?

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY IS MARCH 7th!

On World Read Aloud Day, several children's book authors will Skype with students and read to them from their books FOR FREE!

I participated in this wonderful event last year, the event's inaugural year.  Virtually, I visited six schools in five states, without ever getting out of my bunny slippers.  Read about it here.

Enthusiastic students from Oak Brook, IL

If you'd like an author to read to your students via Skype on World Read Aloud Day, check out Kate Messner's blog, where she lists the authors who are available.

Who started World Read Aloud Day?  Why super hero, literacy advocate Pam Allyn, of course.  Read more at LitWorld.   Their motto is:  "Words changing worlds." 

How did I hear about Pam Allyn?  On author/illustrator, Katie Davis's, Brain Burps Podcast.  I love this podcast.  I've learned so much about the industry from these fun, informative podcasts, brimming with interviews.  Thanks, Katie!

And thanks to everyone involved in creating and supporting World Read Aloud Day.  So far, I'll be Skyping with students from five schools in five different states.  Can't wait!  Hmm, I know my bunny slippers are around here somewhere.

Podcasts for Children's Book Nerds

Since I never seem to have enough time to read everything I want to, I started listening to books in my car.  That led to downloading and listening to podcasts.

I discovered two great ones I'd love to share:

1.  Wordplaypodcast by Nathan Bransford, James Dashner and Jeff Savage.  This podcast comes out weekly.  There is often a fun, fascinating guest, and once a month they create an episode for young writers. 

2.  Author/illustrator, Katie Davis, has been creating her Brain Burps Podcast for some time, so there are a lot of episodes to choose from.  So far, I've listened to Bruce Coville share his experiences in Egypt during the mass protests, Rebecca Stead and Linda Sue Park talk about winning the Newbery and Nancy Werlin share how much she earns annually. 

These podcasts help me learn more about my field while I'm in the car, working out at the gym or simply taking a walk.

Please share your favorite podcast in the comment section.