Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 203

Storystorm 2018: Idea Generation

Start 2018 with a batch of new story ideas by taking part in Storystorm.  At one point in time, this program, organized by author Tara Lazar, was known as PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) and took place in November.  But Tara wanted to expand it beyond picture books. Now all types of children’s writers participate.  […]

Research: An Opportunity to Set the Record Straight

Tuesday morning I was reading through various articles when I came across a piece on flaws in the traditional nativity narrative.  In short, looking at the original text and knowing a thing or two about the local culture allows contemporary translators and scholars to straighten out a few kinks concerning where the baby would have […]

Women of NASA

What do you get for Christmas when you’re a good children’s writer?  Fortunately, I live among people who know me well. My husband gave me the Women of NASA Lego set.  I’ve wanted this one ever since it was first announced.  I wrote about all but one of these women. My niece gave me bookends […]

Merry Christmas!

I’m going to be taking a few days off for Christmas.  Between his family, my family, and our family, we are celebrating tonight, Sunday and Monday.  And that doesn’t even include get togethers with friends. Take some time and recharge your creative batteries.  Get out there and interact and gather the inspiration you need for […]

Fiction or Nonfiction: An Opportunity to Craft the Best Story

Recently, I read a blog post, that I can’t seem to locate today, about a story that was loosely based on the author’s family.  It could have been written as a memoir but she chose to write fiction.  Why?  Because she felt it made a stronger story with greater reader appeal. That can be a […]

Best of Lists: An Opportunity to Learn

When you see a recommended books list online, do you check it out?  Or do you scroll on past?  I always make a point of seeing which books are listed, especially if the list overlaps with my own work. Recently, I read a Children’s Book Council post about the National Science Teachers Association list of […]

Titles and Wordplay: An Opportunity to Make Your Own Story

Recently I read a post about how illustrator Jake Parker came up with cover for The 12 Sleighs of Christmas.  Oh, it’s just like the 12 Days of Christmas.  Funny!   Before long, I too was playing with the title of the carol. The 12 Brays of Christmas, a Missouri mules picture book. The 12 Greys of […]

Book Covers Revealed

Merry Christmas to me!  Abdo Publishing recently posted my two most recent books with them. The Dakota Access Pipeline is a January release.  Here is the publisher’s description:  “The Dakota Access Pipeline follows the controversy surrounding the building of the pipeline and the associated month-long protests at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota.” […]

Happy Book Birthday: An Opportunity to Promote Your Work

Are you a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)?  If so, SCBWI has a new opportunity for PAL members to promote their books. Beginning in February 2018, the Happy Book Birthday program offers members the chance to announce new books in the month each is released. This opportunity is available to both […]

RIP Kathleen Karr

I have to admit that I’m a little bummed today.  I was on the treadmill catching up on my e-mail when I came across an obituary in a Publisher’s Weekly newsletter.  Author Kathleen Karr passed away on December 6th. Sadness. Although she is best known for her novels The Boxer and The Great Turkey Walk, my all […]