Picture books, like all art forms, are subject to shifts in theme, style, and format.  While I’ve been voraciously reading children’s books lately, I’ve become aware of several interesting trends.   Once upon a time, there was a world in which a picture book could be as long as 1,500 words. It seems we do not […]

I’m so excited — the wait is over!  My illustrator emailed the initial pencil sketches for “Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape.”  My next step is to go through the picture book template to see how the illustrations match up with the text.  The pictures and words have to fit so the story flows seamlessly from page

This aspect of my research is absolutely fascinating!  Many different styles can be used by talented artists to conjure images that bring an author’s words to life.  Every word in a picture book matters, but it is the illustrations that make the story come alive, especially for children who can’t yet read.  A big part

Virtually every children’s book requires illustrations. Before picking an illustrator, you need to decide on an illustration style.  Depending on the subject and tone of the book, one style might be more appropriate than another.  I read a multitude of books, checked out artist websites, and scrolled through portfolios of agencies representing illustrators to figure

Every relationship between an author and illustrator is unique, with its own quirks and challenges. Both commit to the book and work together toward the common goal of making it the best it can be. As in every relationship, there is a give-and-take and doing whatever needs to be done to move the process forward

I have always been drawn to traditional methods of painting and illustration.  Since this is my first book and is meant to be a memorial to Charlie, I wanted the pictures to be realistic.  After poring over art portfolios from many illustrators, I made a short list of my favorites.  I sent query letters and

In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool that can help authors connect with their readers, build their brand, and promote their books.  By creating a strong social media presence, authors can increase their visibility, grow their audience, and boost book sales.  Social media also provides an excellent opportunity for authors to engage

As an author, having a strong online presence is essential. Social media is a crucial part of that presence. With so many social media platforms available, I decided to invest my time in Facebook and Instagram. Facebook has been the biggest social media platform for many years (surprise, surprise!). An Author Page on Facebook is