picture books

TWO TIPS FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS (nothing to do with writing!)

Hello, everyone! Important question: where did 2023 go?? I can’t believe it’s already holiday time. I hope you’ve been staying safe and healthy, wherever you are…especially during these tough times in the world. I love what MLK Jr. once said: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate;… Read more »

How Do Bestsellers Happen?!

Hello, I hope you’re doing well! I just love this time of year, when the colder weather gives me a good excuse to guzzle giant mugs of hot cocoa with homemade whipped cream…YUM. Before I get to the main topic of this post (“How Do Bestsellers Happen?!”), here are some very cool updates. GOLDEN POPPY… Read more »

Money Talk (in publishing & in general)

Hello! I hope this finds you well. This post will cover the taboo topic of money – in fact, I’ll go on at length towards the bottom. But first, let’s start with some fun updates. THANKS TO YOU My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who bought a copy of Rosa’s Song or borrowed the… Read more »

Happy birthday to ROSA’S SONG!

IT’S HERE!! Happy book birthday to Rosa’s Song!!🥳🎶 The book is now out in the world, and it’s a story celebrating childhood friendships, even those that end much too soon. Book production requires a huge team of creative people, so kudos to the immensely talented illustrator Pascal Campion, our brilliant editor Maria, and everyone at… Read more »

Great news (and not-so-great news)

Hello, friends! I have some great news and not-so-great news. Does this feel like déjà vu? That’s because IT IS!! I wrote a similar thing with the release of The Paper Kingdom two years ago… *sigh* Let’s begin with the not-so-great news… The pandemic impacts yet another book launch! Due to supply chain and shipping… Read more »

Pre-order Giveaway for ROSA’S SONG

Dearest Gentle Reader, did you miss me? (Ha! That’s a quote from the Netflix show, Bridgerton.) My goodness, the world is a crazy place right now. I hope you’re staying healthy AND sane. I also hope for peace in Ukraine and a safer world in the months to come. I have to admit that the… Read more »

Finally…some details!

Hello, friends! How are you?? Boy, when the world first started shutting down last March, I thought this uncertainty would only last a few weeks, so I left a drawer full of tasty snacks in my desk at work, expecting to be reunited with my gourmet cookies before they began rotting. NEARLY TWO YEARS LATER… Read more »

2020 has been quite a year…

Hello, all! I hope you’re staying healthy and well as we soldier through these unusual times. And as the end of this crazy year approaches, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you – my friends, family, readers, subscribers and fellow creators — for all your book love for The Paper Kingdom…. Read more »

It’s a HOT summer

Hello! I hope you’re staying safe, strong, and sane during this time of continued uncertainty. Is it crazy hot where you are? We’ve been having some blistering days (and wildfires) in California. What a nutty summer (and a nutty year). UPDATES These past few months of lockdown have been some of the busiest months in… Read more »

Checking in (plus Reading Guide & Activity)

Hello, and how are you these days? (If you want to skip down to the Reading Guide & Activity, scroll past the photos of my backyard below.) I hope you’re staying safe and healthy, and also staying sane. I know it’s really hard to remain cool and calm when the news is full of awful… Read more »