Beth Anderson's Blog, page 17
March 26, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “Connecting the Past to the Present with Back Matter” by Colleen Paeff
When I saw the title of this book, I had to know more! A story about stinks? Right up my alley! Or should I say “Smelly” Kelly’s subway tunnel! 
Back matter is a chance for authors to present all sorts of ideas. Here, Colleen Paeff shares how she used back matter to connect the history in the story to today’s world and make The Great Stink, which releases Aug. 31, even more meaningful. Thanks, Colleen!
Colleen is also offering a giveaway! Please leave a comment after the post for a chance to wi...
March 19, 2021
Special Feature: “Where Writing Begins” with Tina Barrett, Kindergarten Teacher!
What a special treat I have for you today! Where does writing begin? With a voice. With ideas. With lines or letters. AND usually, with an encourager. How many of us trace our love of writing back to a teacher or multiple teachers? I know I do! In the beginning of February, Tina Barrett sent me an email and shared that her Kindergarten students had published a book entitled “How to Help the World” through Student Treasures. She invited me, as a fellow author, to send a short congratulations vid...
March 12, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “Kid Friendly Facts” by Chana Stiefel
Facts can be loads of fun. But often they’re dropped in as info dumps. And many times dates, places, sizes, costs and such don’t hold much meaning for kids. So what does an author do with all those fascinating facts? Chana Stiefel sorted through them and found a way to bring the ones vital to the story into a child’s world. Thanks for sharing your process, Chana!
And thanks for offering a GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a signed copy of LET LIBERTY RISE, leave a comment below.
The winner of Julie ...
Behind the Scenes: “Kid Friendly Facts”
Facts can be loads of fun. But often they’re dropped in as info dumps. And many times dates, places, sizes, costs and such don’t hold much meaning for kids. So what does an author do with all those fascinating facts? Chana Stiefel sorted through them and found a way to bring the ones vital to the story into a child’s world. Thanks for sharing your process, Chana!
And thanks for offering a GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a signed copy of LET LIBERTY RISE, leave a comment below.
The winner of Julie ...
March 5, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “BACK MATTER? How a Character-Driven Picture Book Became Informational Fiction,” by Julie Rowan-Zoch
It’s such a pleasure to share critique partner Julie Rowan-Zoch’s debut picture book as author/illustrator! What fun to see this story develop over time, and, as the die-hard nonfiction person in our local critique group, so cool to see the nonfiction element grow stronger and even inspire back matter! Thank you, Julie, for sharing how this came to be!
Also…thanks to Julie for offering a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win your very own copy of I’M A HARE, SO THERE!
Congrat...
February 26, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “Mining Your Mentor Texts” by Lindsey McDivitt
Mining is a perfect metaphor to talk about using mentor texts because mentor texts can offer gems of all sorts for a writer. Thanks to Lindsey McDivitt for drilling down into how she used mentor texts as aids for writing as she tackled a bio on Nelson Mandela.
AND thank you, Lindsey for offering a GIVEAWAY to win a copy of A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: NELSON MANDELA’S HOPE FOR HIS NATION! Just leave a comment after the post to enter!
The winner of DON’T HUG DOUG from Carrie Finison is Patricia Tilton...
February 19, 2021
Mining for Heart: “Breaking the Rules” by Carrie Finison
There are lots of rules about writing for children and breaking them usually results in rejections. But…like in most aspects of life, if you do it right, that story might just turn out for the better. Thank you, Carrie Finison, for sharing your process in DON’T HUG DOUG!
And thank you for offering a GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of DON’T HUG DOUG.
The winner of Susan Kusel’s THE PASSOVER GUEST is…. Maria Marshall! Congratulations!
Mining for Heart by Breaking the Ru...
February 12, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “Where and When?” by Susan Kusel
Today we get a peek into the process of taking a classic story and changing it up with a different time and place. Thank you, Susan Kusel, for sharing your meticulous research process for THE PASSOVER GUEST!
AND thank you for offering a GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post for a chance to win a copy of THE PASSOVER GUEST!
The Passover Guest – Where and When? by Susan Kusel
When I was a child, my mother read me the picture book version of I.L. Peretz’s The Magician, adapted by Uri Shulevitz...
January 29, 2021
Behind the Scenes: “Prompts Can Spark Stories” by Rosie Pova
Have you ever wondered if an idea sparked by a prompt can result in a publishable story? Well, here’s your answer! Thank you, Rosie Pova, for sharing the process of shaping SUNDAY RAIN from the spark of a prompt.
Rosie is offering a swag giveaway x 3! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win some swag!
Prompts Can Spark Stories by Rosie Pova
In the summer of 2016 an above-the-slush-pile submission opportunity to an editor opened up through my 12 x 12 membership. I certainly wanted to try...
January 15, 2021
Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball
I’m not into basketball, and I’ve never heard of Elgin Baylor, but after seeing this book on so many “BEST of 2020” lists, I took a look. Jen Bryant – stellar! Frank Morrison – amazing! Welcome to a new year and my first Perfect Picture Book Friday recommendation ABOVE THE RIM, winner of the 2021 Orbis Pictus Award.
The winner of Keila Dawson’s giveaway celebrating the launch of OPENING THE ROAD is Rhonda Brown. Congratulations! (OPENING THE ROAD is a great companion and segue to today’s PPBF fe...
