Your Writing Year in Review: Reflecting on 2025
Before we launch into the new year with fresh goals and shiny new ideas, let’s take a moment to pause and look back. The end of the year is an…
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Giving Thanks for Mentors, Critique Partners, & Book Friends
As writers, we often focus so intently on craft, revisions, and submission strategy that we forget to pause and appreciate the people who walk this path with us. But the…
The Illustrator Is Not Your Employee: Writing for Collaboration
One of the most common misconceptions among picture book writers — especially those new to the field — is that the author “hires” an illustrator. In traditional publishing, this isn’t…
Writing Nonfiction for Young Readers
Nonfiction picture books have never been more vibrant, imaginative, or in demand. From lyrical biographies to explorations of science, history, and nature, today’s nonfiction for young readers offers facts that…
What Makes a Picture Book Work? A Layered Look
When a picture book works—really works—it feels almost effortless. The story flows, the voice sings, and the art and text come together in perfect harmony. But behind that seemingly simple…
Prepping for Picture Book Month: Research, Draft, Polish, Submit
November is National Picture Book Month—a time to celebrate the format, share your favorites, and lean into all the discussions and recommendations generated by libraries, bookstores, and book bloggers worldwide,…
The Comparison Trap: How to Stay in Your Own Creative Lane
It’s an all-too-familiar feeling: you’re scrolling through social media and see another picture book deal announcement. Someone got an agent. Someone else won a contest. Meanwhile, your manuscript is still…
The Rejection Reframe: What “No” Can Teach You
Rejection is part of the writing life—but that doesn’t make it easy. Whether it’s a form letter, a kind pass, or a stack of unanswered submissions, hearing “no” can feel…
The Power of the Page Turn
A well-placed page turn in a picture book can feel like magic. It’s the invisible hand that guides your reader through the story, creates suspense, emphasizes a punchline—or delivers an…
When the Fix Breaks the Story: Avoiding Over-Editing
Revision is my favorite part of crafting a picture book, and it’s essential to great writing—but this week I want to talk about what happens when it goes too far.…
