Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 28

No 2 Books Come Together in the Same Way, Even in 1 Series

Last year I got to write two books in Abdo’s Making Media series. First I agreed to write Making Podcasts. They sent me the author’s guidelines, telling me about the format and what each book needed to include. I drafted an outline and the first chapter. Then I got a message. The author contracted to … Continue reading No 2 Books Come Together in the Same Way, Even in 1 Series →

How to Get Over Writer’s Block

Yesterday I wrote about working smart to get more done (click here to read that post). One of the things that I wrote about was having to finish a chapter and outline to turn in for my editor to review. This isn’t anything new. When you write, work-for-hire especially for the school library market, it … Continue reading How to Get Over Writer’s Block →

Working Smart

Last week, I had a deadline to meet. This time around I had to finish an outline and chapter 1 of a project and turn it in for my editor’s comments before I get going on the book. Then someone decided that challenging my Black Lives Matter, written with Duchess Harris, was the thing to … Continue reading Working Smart →

Reporting Book Bans

I’m not sure where we got the idea that a ban is good. It doesn’t guarantee income for the author. This is especially true if you write for young readers. Books that are library bound are expensive. Young readers will not rush out and buy them. That’s assuming that they have the means to shop, … Continue reading Reporting Book Bans →

Taking Steps Even if You Haven’t Been Banned

Most of what I found when I was trying to figure out what I needed to do as a writer with a challenged book was on what people can do to support teachers, librarians, and schools.  In truth, that makes sense.  Librarians and teachers are at the front line. Some of these suggestions I saw … Continue reading Taking Steps Even if You Haven’t Been Banned →

Make a Statement or Keep Quiet?

One of the things that surprised me about having my book challenged was when a fellow author told me that I should NOT under any circumstances make a statement.  This was advice from an online panel.  I looked but found this specific advice nowhere.  Although I did find the advice not to engage with trolls.  … Continue reading Make a Statement or Keep Quiet? →

What Is a Ban? A Challenge? A Review Process?

First things first, let’s make sure we are using terms in the same way.  Here are some common ones you see when book bans are being discussed: Challenge:  This is any request to restrict or remove a book.  Ban:  The removal of a book.   Some people really want to challenge this definition.  “If a book … Continue reading What Is a Ban? A Challenge? A Review Process? →

My Book Has Been Challenged!

As someone who has authored more than 50 books, bans and challenges have long been on my radar.  But then I got an email that grabbed my attention.  On September 2, 2024, I read: …I am a parent and educator in the Lehighton Area School District located in Lehighton, PA. At a recent board meeting, … Continue reading My Book Has Been Challenged! →

Self-Care for the Working Writer

Before I started writing this post, I signed and returned a contract for a book due in January. That means that between now and the 10th of January, I have 7 books due. That’s fourteen deadlines – 7 first chapters and their outlines plus 7 full manuscripts. I can also expect revision requests on at … Continue reading Self-Care for the Working Writer →

Inanimate Characters in Picture Books

Yesterday I had a critique group meeting. One of my writing friends had written a story about a girl who lost her backpack. Someone else picks it up and she spends the book working to get it back. NOTE: This is not what her book was about but I don’t want to summarize her plot … Continue reading Inanimate Characters in Picture Books →