A human being just age 74 hot dogs—and buns—in ten minutes. Why? Because he could. That’s the challenge of competitive eating, to see how much of a food you can chow down, as fast as possible, mostly to beat the eaters lined up next to you but also because you thrive on the self-competition. This […]
Meet Wiley
Today is publication day for Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies. Huzzah! Friends and family have been sending me the most wonderful wishes and congratulations all week, making this event feel like one big party. And what is a party without guests? Meet Wiley, a surprise party guest sent to me by Barbara Fisch and […]
Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch
Hello, all! My new book Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies hits stores July 5, and I’m hoping you can help me spread the word about my 7-day virtual book launch! From June 29-July 5 on my writers’ advice website DearEditor.com, I’m featuring daily “Free First Chapter Critique” giveaways, free downloads, excerpts from the book, […]
Real Life Is Real Inspiration
People often ask writers where they get the ideas for their stories. For me, the simple answer is “From real life.” Both of my published YA novels and the novel I’m currently working on are fictional amalgams of many events in my life, people I’ve met, and news items I’ve read or watched. As things […]
Give the gift of Prom
Got an old prom dress or bridesmaid gown in your closet? Please consider donating it to a special needs student. “A Night to Remember” is a full-scale, memory-making prom for specials needs students. Watch this video to see for yourself how much this event can mean to a young person. (But have tissues in hands, […]
Soooooooo close…..
Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies update: 8 pages left to write, Monday deadline. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
Something About Mary
There are so many great things about working in the children’s book corner of the publishing world, but hovering at the top has to be its incredible sense of community. I’ve felt it since Day One of my journey from editorial assistant to editor to author, teacher, and freelance editor. It’s the force behind my […]
News: See Big Mouth on “Good Morning Connecticut”
My novel Big Mouth was featured today in Katie Davis’s Thanksgiving book round-up on “Good Morning Connecticut” (ABC affiliate WTNH)! See the four-minute segment here on the GMC website: “Books Give Kids Good Thanksgiving Message.” Katie’s podcast, “Brain Burps for Books,” promotes children’s literature and the business of writing for young people. With episodes like […]
Swimming with the (BIG!) Fishies
Surfing is far more hazardous than I suspected. During Lesson #1, my friends and I shuffle-shuffle-shuffled our feet to ward off the lurking stingrays that stung a man near us just after we finished our lesson… and that stung 60 beachgoers at that spot the next day. During Lesson #2, this past Sunday, we swam […]
Did Someone Say, ‘Nathan’s Famous’?
I’m getting this in just under the wire. Alas, that’s ‘under the wire’ for ME. When anyone else reads this blog post, it’ll probably be tomorrow instead of an hour shy of tomorrow, and thus TOO LATE for you to do what I just did. That is, enter the ‘Nathan’s Famous You Be the Judge […]
Interview for SCBWI’s “Industry PROfiles”
The Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators has just posted an on-line interview with me. I’m very excited, because I just love SCBWI. It’s the go-to organization for all the wonderful folks who create the words and images in children’s books. The interview focuses on my literary journey from playroom to publishing house to […]
Announcing DearEditor.com
What do you do when Fate slips six more hours into your day? You launch a new website, that’s what. I’m excited to announce the launch of www.DearEditor.com, a writers’ advice website where writers, published or not, can ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry and get direct answers and actionable […]
Announcing Dear-Editor.com
What do you do when Fate slips six more hours into your day? You launch a new website, that’s what. I’m excited to announce the launch of www.Dear-Editor.com, a writers’ advice website where writers, published or not, can ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry and get direct answers and actionable […]
Good People, Part 1
80% of adolescents report being bullied during their school years. Eighty out of one hundred kids. It’s shocking. And it’s the reason I know about Joe Wocjik. Some people seem put on this earth to make a difference. Joe Wocjik is one of them. Along with having been a foster parent to more than 100 […]
Shout-Out to Ms. Miller’s Class!
A big HEY! to Ms. Miller’s students! Thanks so much for a fun ‘virtual visit.’ I love that technology made it possible for us to get together and talk books. Here are links to those blog posts I told you about: “Odd” Jobs (or, I Was a Pro Video Game Player) “Behind-the-Books” blog series (with […]
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