Thursday, December 7, 2023
Our Stories, Our Legacy
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Two Options for the SCBWI Winter Conference - In-Person and Virtual!
The In-Person conference
Come and be inspired by renowned authors and illustrators, learn about the state of the children's book publishing industry from panels of agents, editors and art directors, dive deep into your craft with TWO three-hour Creative Labs, and get your work in front of industry professionals!
The Virtual conference
Can't make it to the In-Person Winter Conference in New York City? Join us at this online event featuring the recorded keynotes and panels from the New York Conference, a choice of three deep-dive Creative Labs, a live marketing pitch-off with the opportunity to win money to market your book PLUS networking and peer critique opportunities! Video recordings of all the Virtual Conference sessions will be made available to attendees for 30 days after the event under RESOURCES.
We hope you'll join us for one of these!
Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Interview with the members of PB Soar24
Written by Leah Moser & the members of PB Soar24
Splash! Ethelda Bleibtrey Makes Waves of Change by Elisa Boxer and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. A beautiful written biography about a woman who fought through the pain of polio to become an Olympic gold medal swimmer, and bring women equal rights.
About the Author
Leah Moser is a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book author. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children, and dog.
Leah is a member of the SCBWI community, 12x12 PB challenge, multiple picture book critique groups, PB Soar 24 (a promotional marketing group of authors debuting in 2024), and is a judge for Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest.
Additionally, Leah has recently launched her own freelance picture book editing company to help other writers! To work with Leah or learn about her available services, click here.
Leah is represented by Daniel Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency. Her debut picture book titled I Am a Thundercloud, illustrated by Marie Hermansson, will be released in April 2024 by Running Press Kids/Hachette. PREORDER HERE!
Connect with Leah and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Indigenous Reads Rising - a New Resource Celebrating Indigenous Children’s and Teen Literature from We Need Diverse Books
Indigenous Reads Rising is a excellent new hub of book lists (spanning picture books, middle grade, and young adult readers), resources (for teachers/librarians/readers and writers), and even includes a state-by-state list of resources! The website is “a celebration of Indigenous children’s literature of Native Nations, centering those within the United States and Canada.”
As they explain on the Indigenous Reads Rising's about page:
Less than 2 percent of children’s books published in the United States depict characters from Native, First Nations, and Indigenous communities, according to the 2019 statistics compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin. But the needle is moving. Every year, more stories are published by Native writers and illustrators, reflecting their cultures, Nations, and lived experiences, which is why we created Indigenous Reads Rising—to provide a resource where teachers, librarians, and readers can embrace these books.
While this site was founded with teachers and librarians in mind, every reader is welcome to explore our resources and book lists. Indigenous Reads Rising includes a variety of best practices articles and where to find more books by Native authors and illustrators, as well as extensive book lists organized by age category and topic. We also provide resources for Native writers and illustrators interested in honing their craft and applying for grants and mentorships.
Thanks to the team at We Need Diverse Books for creating Indigenous Reads Rising and maintaining it -- this is one to bookmark!
Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee
Thursday, November 23, 2023
More Ups Than Downs (plus a sneak peek!)
Written by Leah Moser
I was thinking about my road to publication the other day.
A line from one of my favorite picture books, I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, kept popping into my head:
I wish you more ups than downs.
Isn’t that what we all wish for on this writing journey? The ups are so exciting - literal dreams coming true. And the downs can be so deflating, defeating, and depressing.
Here's a glimpse into my own UP/DOWN moments:
UP - I write a manuscript
DOWN - My critique group has many edits and think it's a good “start”
UP - I rewrite my story, and it’s much stronger now!
UP - I want to query an agent
DOWN - An agent needs multiple manuscripts?
UP - Okay, I’m motivated. Let’s get writing! I got this!
DOWN - Is eight minutes an actual record to get an agent rejection?
DOWN - Why does my spreadsheet have so many red marks on it?
UP - OMG - An agent is interested in my work
UP - I SIGN WITH AN AGENT! (Shoutout to Daniel Cramer/Page Literary Agency)
DOWN - What do you mean an editor passes? I’m agented. Is that allowed?
DOWN - More no’s? How is this possible?
UP - A MAYBE from a publisher?! This is the best day EVER!
UP - A YES! AHHHHH! You bet I'll sign that contract.
DOWN - What? My book comes out in April 2024? But (checks calendar)... it’s only 2022?
Anyway, you get my point. This picture book writing business isn't for the faint of heart. The ups, the downs, the waiting… ugh, so much waiting.
But finally, it’s happening.
Without further ado, let me present a sneak peek spread from my debut picture book, I AM A THUNDERCLOUD (Running Press Kids, April 2024).
Property of Running Press Kids, 2024
This is one of my biggest UPs yet.
To see my words, Marie Hermansson’s art, and the entire Running Press Team’s vision come together is such a surreal feeling. As a writer, I don’t see the pictures as clearly in my head. But when I saw this, I shouted “YES - that’s it!” The colors, the emotion, the design...
Trust me, the DOWNS are still present, and there will be many more down the line (pun intended). But once in a while, you get an UP.
Embrace and celebrate the UPs, even the little ones: a strong draft, a champagne rejection, a publisher’s yes, a word choice that fits perfectly, or an agent asking for more work.
For all of you reading this, I wish you all more ups than downs on this writing adventure.
About the Author
Leah Moser is a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book author. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children, and dog.
Leah is a member of the SCBWI community, 12x12 PB challenge, multiple picture book critique groups, PB Soar 24 (a promotional marketing group of authors debuting in 2024), and is a judge for Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest.
Additionally, Leah has recently launched her own freelance picture book editing company to help other writers! To work with Leah or learn about her available services, click here.
Leah is represented by Daniel Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency. Her debut picture book titled I Am a Thundercloud, illustrated by Marie Hermansson, will be released in April 2024 by Running Press Kids/Hachette. PREORDER HERE!
Connect with Leah and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky.