Beth Anderson's Blog, page 12

Behind the Scenes: “Illustrating ‘A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth'” by Dow Phumiruk

If there ever was a dream team to share a Thai woman’s story with children, it’s Dow Phumiruk and Christina Soontornvat! Here we get to hear from Dow about the thought process of illustrating the story.

GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of A LIFFE OF SERVICE, just leave a comment below!

Behind the Scenes: Illustrating A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth by Dow Phumiruk

On September 20, I’ll be celebrating the release of A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tam...

Especially for Educators: “Nonfiction Mentor Texts for the Classroom” by Annette Whipple

In the classroom, I found that mentor sentences and mentor texts provided opportunities for student writers to amaze themselves and tackle many forms of writing with confidence. Now, as an author, I analyze mentor texts for my own learning. Thank you, Annette Whipple for this post for educators on using your nonfiction series in the classroom as mentor texts!

GIVEAWAY! Annette is offering one lucky winner the choice of one of her books in THE TRUTH ABOUT… series! Leave a comment below for a chan...

Mining for Heart: “Layering & Language- Moving Beyond Autobiography & Into the Universal” by Costantia Manoli

TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX hit me right in the heart! It’s truly a special picture book. Here’s a post from author Costantia Manoli all the way from Cyprus in which she shares how she built this story. 

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book!  

Layering and Language – Moving Beyond Autobiography and Into the Universal

by Costantia Manoli

‘Tomatoes in My Lunchbox’ is very much a story of the heart. Based on my own experiences (my mom did put tomatoes in my lunchbox an...

Mining for Heart: “Layering & Language- Moving Beyond Autobiography & Into the Universal” by Constantia Manoli

TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX hit me right in the heart! It’s truly a special picture book. Here’s a post from author Constantia Manoli all the way from Cyprus in which she shares how she built this story. 

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book!  

Layering and Language – Moving Beyond Autobiography and Into the Universal

by Constantia Manoli

‘Tomatoes in My Lunchbox’ is very much a story of the heart. Based on my own experiences (my mom did put tomatoes in my lunchbox ...

Behind the Scenes: “How a Single Photo Can Bring a Book into Focus” by Elisa Boxer

I love discovering old photos when I research a subject! They’re such an essential and valuable part of learning about another time and place. But they can also be the inspiration for the dive into the past or a driving push  through the writing process.  Here, Elisa Boxer shares how one photo sustained her as she wrote.

Elisa is offering a GIVEAWAY, too! Your choice of a signed copy of any one of her books, or a 30-minute ask-me-anything about publishing call. Just leave a comment below to enter ...

Behind the Scenes: “Finding My Agent on Twitter + Social Media Tips” by Margaret Aitken

Ahhh, social media…love it? hate it? Social media elicits a full range of emotions! Here’s Margaret Aitken’s positive approach and how she found her agent on Twitter. Congratulations to Margaret on her debut picture book OLD FRIENDS! 

Margaret is offering a GIVEAWAY of a picture book critique. If you’d like to enter, just leave a note in the comments below. 

Congratulations to Carmela McCain Simmons – winner of a critique from Megan Hoyt from last week’s post! 

Finding my Agent on Twitter +  Soci...

Behind the Scenes: “A Perfect Symphony, Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All” by Megan Hoyt

I can totally identify with the problem of finding so much goodness in a story that it becomes overwhelming! Megan Hoyt shares how she pulled multiple threads into one in THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL: HOW ISAAC STERN UNITED THE WORLD TO SAVE CARNEGIE HALL (releases 7/5/22).

Megan is offering a GIVEAWAY of a picture book critique to one lucky winner from those who leave a comment below.

A Perfect Symphony
Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All

by Megan Hoyt

Illustrated by Katie Hickey

There is ...

Especially for Educators: “Climb Aboard the Yellow Submarine: A Study in Research and Activism” by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

Here’s a great story of the birth of MIGHTY MAHI from Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, a story that sprang from project-based learning with excited and engaged  students. Authors will enjoy learning about the genesis of the book, and educators will surely find inspiration for their own classrooms. While Suzanne wrote the book as a result of the project, I think a project could also spring from many picture books. This was truly a hands-on, “hearts-in” endeavor!

“CLIMB ABOARD THE YELLOW SUBMARINE:  A Stud...

Especially for Educators: “Climb Aboard the Yellow Submarine: A Study in Research and Activism” by Suzanne Lipshaw

Here’s a great story of the birth of MIGHTY MAHI from Suzanne Lipshaw, a story that sprang from project-based learning with excited and engaged  students. Authors will enjoy learning about the genesis of the book, and educators will surely find inspiration for their own classrooms. While Suzanne wrote the book as a result of the project, I think a project could also spring from many picture books. This was truly a hands-on, “hearts-in” endeavor!

“CLIMB ABOARD THE YELLOW SUBMARINE:  A Study in Re...

Behind the Scenes: “Marketing Your Book” by Rochelle Melander

One aspect of publishing many struggle with is marketing and promotion. It’s hard to know how to put you and your beautiful new book out there. Here, Rochelle Melander shares some tips and strategies to get you focused, build a team, and launch your book into the world.

GIVEAWAY! Rochelle is offering a 30-minute consult to brainstorm marketing your book. Just leave a comment for a chance to win!

Congratulations to Anitha Kuppuswamy, winner of a limited edition art print and signed bookplate f...