Beth Anderson's Blog, page 14
March 18, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “One Research Dive, Two Books” by Meeg Pincus
Who doesn’t love a 2-for-1 deal?! If you’re really lucky, the solution to your story idea that results in “too much information” just might be two books! Kid lit writer Meeg Pincus was paying attention and, in solving her manuscript problem, found two “solutions”!
And we have a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of MAKE WAY FOR ANIMALS!
Congratulations to Linda Skeers who won a copy of TO THE FRONT! in the giveaway from Christopher Cyr!
“One Research Dive, Two Books...
March 11, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “Face to Face with Clara Barton” by Christopher Cyr
As a child, I read a biography about Clara Barton. In those days bios were “MG” books with possibly a couple line drawings, but otherwise, no illustrations. Wow! have bios for children changed! Now we have incredible art to bring stories of people from the past to life. And the new bio of Clara Barton, TO THE FRONT! CLARA BARTON BRAVES THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM written by Claudia Friddell and illustrated by Christopher Cyr, is gorgeous! I LOVE this post in which illustrator Christopher Cyr shares ...
March 4, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “Collaborating with Kids in Writing a Nonfiction Picture Book” by Christy Mihaly
We’ve got a really special post today on the collaboration between an author and students. Christy Mihaly shares how THE SUPREME COURT AND US sprang from this partnership. And to celebrate US History in the classroom, we’re teaming up for a special 2-BOOK GIVEAWAY for educators and librarians!
There are multiple ways to enter the EDUCATOR / LIBRARIAN 2-BOOK USHistory GIVEAWAY of THE SUPREME COURT & US + REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT. (Winner announced 3/11, US addresses)
On Twitter accounts @CM...February 25, 2022
Mining for Heart: “Writing About Historical Events: 3 Tips for Adding Heart” by Jill Esbaum
Jill Esbaum is one of the incredible children’s authors I met at my first writing retreat. She shared her knowledge, encouraged us, and made me think this crazy writing for children idea just might be possible. I’m grateful to know Jill and excited to share this post about crafting heart in her fabulous new release, JACK KNIGHT’S BRAVE FLIGHT—HOW ONE GUTSY PILOT SAVED THE U.S. AIR MAIL SERVICE.
Jill is also offering a giveaway! Leave a comment after the post for a chance to win a copy of JACK K...
February 18, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “The Dive and Soar of Picture Book Writing” by Brooke Hartman
I doubt I’m the only one who has received feedback that a story is “flat.” In this post, Brooke Hartman shares how she enhanced the highs and lows, the dive and soar, to bring emotional impact to the pages of her two upcoming releases.
AND Brooke is offering a fabulous GIVEAWAY: signed copied of her 4 books, plus swag! Just leave a comment after the post for a chance to win.
Congratulations to Marla Yablon – you’ve won a copy of The Leaping Laddoo from Harshita Jerath!
The Dive and Soar of pi...
February 11, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “From Life to Story: Connecting Cultures” by Harshita Jerath
I’ve always been a fan of familiar stories told through other cultures. Harshita Jerath as created a delightful new version of the familiar Gingerbread Man by shifting the setting to India. Here she tells how that idea sprang from real life experiences and her efforts to connect her children to her native land.
Harshita is offering a GIVEAWAY! A copy of her debut picture book, THE LEAPING LADDOO. Just leave a comment below for a chance to win.
“From Life to Story: Connecting Cultures” by Hars...
February 4, 2022
Especially for Educators: “A Treasure Trove for Teaching Writing” by Julie Danneberg
Julie Danneberg’s post has inspired me to add a NEW CATEGORY to my blog! From the start, my intent with this blog was to offer quality content for kid lit creators, and also for educators. So many of us kid lit people are/were educators inspired to write by our experiences in the classroom. Much of what we share is meaningful to those who teach writing and students of all ages. I’ll let Julie explain the potential she sees for using blog posts featuring real-world writing experiences in the clas...
January 28, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “Designing the Cover” by Susan Reagan
It’s truly special when I get to share a post from an illustrator who brought my words to life on the page. The illustration process is fascinating to me! I’m so grateful for Susan Reagan’s gorgeous work. And for her willingness to share a piece of her process here—the cover! The crucial cover! Think about how often you pick up or put down a book based on the cover. I loved learning about her process!
We’re celebrating the Feb. 1 release of REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT: LEADING THE MINUTE WOM...
January 21, 2022
Mining for Heart: “Making Learning Real in Traditional Expository Nonfiction” by Julie Danneberg
Writing expository nonfiction has its own challenges, and finding “heart” may be one of them. Julie Danneberg shares her approach to this genre and how she brings it home to middle grade readers. Her post might send you directly to your closet!
Don’t miss Julie’s GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE SCIENCE OF FASHION.
Congratulations to Lindsay Metcalf , the winner of last week’s giveaway AIN’T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME ‘ROUND, from Kathlyn Kirkwood.
Making Learning ...
January 14, 2022
Behind the Scenes: “The Research Roller Coaster” by Kathlyn Kirkwood
Even when YOU are part of the story, research can be a challenge. Kathlyn Kirkwood shares a few of the ups and downs she experienced in the research phase of her debut book, AIN’T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME ‘ROUND: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day. This middle-grade memoir about her teen years in Memphis in the late ’60s shares how she transformed and became actively involved in the civil rights movement .
Kathlyn is offering a giveaway! Just leave a comment after the post to enter....
