Things are growing, and growing green, in our neck of the woods at last. Gosh, is it nice to see those white-and-blush magnolia blossoms popping! With new beginnings in the air, it feels like a good time to throw open the windows and let some book news out into the spring breeze. Here are the latest author happenings from Chicagoland!
Starlin Cover Reveal
Today is the day! The covers of the first two books in my brand new Starlin chapter book series (illustrated by Katie Crumpton, Beaming Books) have been released - and they are adorable!
The covers were revealed on Instagram by Kaytlin Westbrook, a pediatric speech and language pathologist, who shares about AAC and children’s books at @kayts.communication.corner. Kayt’s posts are so joyful - she provides such fun and engaging ideas for supporting children in using AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). What a wonderful partner for spreading the good news about Starlin, a chapter book series with a main character who uses AAC!
Here are the covers of the first two books… eeps, I’m so excited!
I grew up on The Babysitters Club, so it’s an absolute dream come true to have a chapter book series! Starlin, the main character of the series (which publishes this fall), is an imaginative disabled girl, who uses two tray-top switches, which connect to her communication device. With her switches, Starlin scans through and finds the words she wants to say. Then, when her message is ready, she chooses “speak display,” and her words are spoken aloud.
Thank you, Kayt, for sharing Starlin with your friends and followers this week! Check out the complete cover reveal slideshow at @kayts.communication.corner. Then return to Kayt’s page on Monday, April 13, for our Author Q&A conversation. (And while you are there, follow Kayt, of course!)
So, what can you expect from the Starlin books? Without further ado, here are summaries of the forthcoming titles, plus pre-order info!
Starlin: Picture Day Drama
It's picture day at Hillbrook Elementary, and Starlin — a multimodal communicator and wheelchair user — is ready to shine. Last year's school picture was an epic disaster, but she's determined to take a dazzling one this time around. As she boards the bus, however, a storm ruins her brilliant look! Can Starlin improvise and find a new sparkling style in time for her close-up? Starlin: Picture Day Drama is filled with imagination, family, and friendship.
Pre-order (Hardcover or Paperback) HERE!
Starlin: Concert Queen
The holiday concert is right around the corner, and Starlin — a multimodal communicator and wheelchair user — can't wait to show off her star power. Inspired by the Queen of Jazz, Starlin practices her bells along with Ella Fitzgerald's "Jingle Bells" until she's rocking them from start to finish. But when her friend Livie tries out for the solo too, Starlin worries she'll miss out on her chance to deliver holiday cheer. Can Starlin score the jazzy solo, or will a bit of improv save the day? Starlin: Concert Queen is about persevering when something isn't immediately easy — and learning to adjust expectations to include friends.
Pre-order (Hardcover or Paperback) HERE!
If you’d like to support the series (which would be wonderful!), you can 1) pre-order both books from the book seller of your choice, and/or 2) repost the pre-order slides on Instagram. Pre-orders demonstrate excitement for the books, which can pave the way for future Starlin stories. Thank you so much for checking them out!
Storytelling in Springfield, IL
In March, I attended the Illinois Reading Council’s annual conference in Springfield, IL. It’s a really wonderful event. My first stop on site? Working the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Illinois booth, to talk to educators about bringing in Illinois authors into their schools for school visits.
Then that afternoon, long-time critique partner and friend Clothilde Ewing and I presented to a room of educators on the topic of “igniting a love of writing through shared experiences and storytelling.” The conversation with educators warmed our hearts so much!
Whenever someone shares with me that they’d like to publish a children’s book, I immediately direct them to www.scbwi.org and encourage them to join. SCBWI provides resources, community, and events that will feed and enrich you at every stage of your journey.
A good place to start? Check out the “Events” tab, where you’ll find information on conferences and virtual and in-person events. Register for one that piques your interest - you will not regret it!
School Visit on Elaboration in Writing
In April, I chatted about elaboration with the coolest bunch of fifth graders… those in my daughter’s class! I’m relishing these final moments of her grade school experience, as it draws to a close. Wow, that happened fast.
I had a lot to say on the topic! When I embarked on the Starlin series, it was absolutely an exercise in elaboration. Picture books, my writing sweet spot, are usually about 500 words. However, each Starlin book is 5,000 words, with 10 chapters. So in this special classroom visit, I shared some of the techniques I’ve developed over the years to build out each moment and enhance stories with delicious details.
We talked about how adjectives, adverbs, and similies can change the entire tone and meaning of a sentence and story. We talked about slowing down our storytelling and revealing one detail at a time. We talked about injecting sensory details into each sentence to pull the reader close. We talked about fun writer tools, such as idioms, word play, and rhyme.
Then, the class put them into practice in several writing exercises. Each student had such a distinct writing voice - I am still thinking about their creative word choices, and craving the cheesy pizza that they described in tantalizing detail!
“Musicality in Manuscripts” Now Available
Speaking of writing voice… if you are a writer seeking to add music and voice to your stories, you might want to check out “Musicality in Manuscripts” - the webinar I recently presented to the 12 x 12 Challenge writing group, which is now available for purchase! Here’s a pic of me presenting and chatting with author and 12 x 12 founder extraordinaire, Julie Hedlund.
Presenting to the 12 x 12 group was a pinch-me moment. 12 x 12 has played an enormous role in my author journey, providing groves in the road by which I could navigate my personal path. What is included in the “Musicality in Manuscripts” webinar? Here’s a quick synopsis!
Let Music Be Your Guide! Musicality in Manuscripts celebrates the music inherent in picture books and provides ideas and tools for exploring and strengthening the musicality and voice in our manuscripts. Using the motif of a record as a framework, learn to play both sides of the vinyl - exploring the music that inspires us, honing in on creative sound and style, discussing musical tools, and identifying qualities to amplify in our work. Musicality in Manuscripts includes music samples, independent writing explorations, and ideas for approaching revision and works-in-progress with renewed energy and fresh ideas.
I was so delighted when I read 12 x 12 attendee feedback of the webinar! Here’s what participants had to say about the session:
"I’m going to be reviewing my notes from this webinar over and over and over… Also, can’t wait to read the picture books that were discussed. Thank you so much! This was fabulous to be given vocabulary to go with our intuitive sense of the sounds of our stories."
"All the time and effort you put into this webinar is astounding! It's like a college course. Thank you!"
"Thank you, Anitra - I really appreciate the analogy as it is readily applicable to picture books of all kinds. Thank you, Julie and Kelli! I will definitely watch the replay to make sure I captured all of the magical nuggets."
So nice, right? I loved creating this webinar and am thrilled that it has inspired writers to come at their stories from a different way. To enroll in the course, visit the purchase page HERE. And, if you attend, please let me know your thoughts and what resonated with you!
That’s it from me, and my writing companion Pancake (who is always stealing my seat), for now!
There are some exciting things happening in the next few months, which I’ll be sure to share. Until then, please drop me a line and let me know how you are doing this spring!