AN EXCITING LOOK AT MY WRITING YEAR: 2023

Hello book loving friends and welcome to my summary post for my writing year in 2023. Whether you love writing books, reading them, or more likely, both, it’s a pleasure to have you with me. If you’ve been following along my kidlit writing journey, you probably know this year has been busy busy- and next year is set to be EVEN busier. With 24 wonderful literary guests lined up for Feature Interviews on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog in 2024, shifting this special segment from once a month to bi-monthly (first and third Wednesday of the month), and an added monthly newsletter (the last Friday of each month) we’re on track for an amazing 2024. But before I jump ahead into the new year, I always like to take a moment to reflect on the progress of the journey. Each step counts. And each one should be appreciated- and celebrated! So, without further ado, here are the highlights.

JANUARY

It was a busy January with Tara Lazar’s Storystorm, Storyteller Academy’s Children’s Book Challenge Week, with special guest Author/Illustrator of Mixed A Colorful Story, Arree Chung, and a Feature Interview on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog with local Children’s Book Author of Bird and the Tree, Brittany Wuthrich. And we can’t forget the start of a new year with Julie Hedlund’s 12X12 Picture Book Challenge, SCBWI, Picture Book Society Critique Group, and webinar with Children’s Book Author and host of 12×12, Julie Hedlund and visiting guest literary agent with Andrea Brown Literary, Paige Terlip; How to Impress an Agent In Today’s Picture Book Market.

Are you a children’s writer or illustrator looking for answers on these topics?

How to self-publish children’s books
Where to find an illustrator
Where to find an author
How to handle commisions
How to promote your book

Read Brittany Wuthrich’s Feature Interview HERE

FEBRUARY

February was a fun-filled month of events! I enjoyed the January replay Bookchat on 12×12 with Children’s Book Author and host, Julie Hedlund and her guest, Children’s Book Author, Razeena Omar Gutta and attended February’s Book Chat live with 12×12 Featured author of Justice Makes a Difference, Dr. Artika Tyner. And, we can’t forget #PBPitch Twitter Event (now X) and February’s Feature Interview with local artist and freelance illustrator and library director, Alycia Neighbours, on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog.

Interested in finding out more about Alycia and learning answers to question like “Where can I find work as a freelance illustrator?” or simply want to see some of her artwork? Visit her Feature Interview HERE.

MARCH

March was another fun month of activity with Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest, which I entered with my story MONDAY MORNING CUPCAKES. On the blog this month, I enjoyed hosting visiting guest, Children’s Book Author, Janet S. Johnson.

Read Janet S. Johnson’s Feature Interview HERE.

APRIL

In April, I entered the PBParty Contest, hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss, with one of my picture books, and was awarded an Honorable Mention for 2023. I also entered the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez, with my entry WAKE UP WORLD, IT’S SPRING! and applied for the Picture Book Rising Stars Mentorship Program, founded and hosted by Ebony Mudd and Kailei Pew. And I enjoyed having visiting guest Children’s Book Author, Ellen Leventhal on my blog for a Feature Interview.

MAY

May is a time for hunkering down in the library… and putting finishing touches on all the preparations for Summer Reading Program. This month, I completed our prep for my library. And… I started writing a new middle-grade novel. I also enjoyed hosting TWO guests on my blog this month for a DOUBLE Feature Interview; Children’s Book Author Marzieh Abbas and special guest, Punjabi-Canadian illustrator and video game artist, Anu Chouhan.

Read more about Anu Chouhan and Marzieh Abbas’s publishing journeys in their Feature Interview HERE.

june-july

Summer is here! And the library is BUZZING with activity. This summer, our Summer Reading theme was ALL TOGETHER NOW. From community rock painting in the courtyard, to hosting local community markets and a variety of other fun activities for families, this summer kept me on my toes with delightful adventure. And not just inside the walls of the library… I also made multiple author visits and appearances at local bookstores, and had two author book signings with my book ADHD AND ME at different Barnes and Noble locations. One in Kentucky, one in Tennessee. I was also thrilled to have visiting Children’s Book Author, Nancy Churnin on the blog in June and Children’s Book Author, Aya Khalil in July.

Read more about Nancy and her publishing journey in her Feature Interview HERE.

Read Aya Khalil’s Feature Interview HERE.

AUGUST

Summer reading is finally wrapping up… and I can BREATHE again. Which means… it’s time to rejuvenate my writing juices. This month I attended the Mini Picture Book Summit and registered for October’s special Picture Book Summit with Julie Hedlund, Nikki Grimes, Erin E. Stead and Philip C. Stead, Emma Walton Hamilton, Katie Davis, Angela Dalton and special guest, Julie Andrews! Joining me on the blog this month was guest Children’s Book Author, Jess Townes.

Learn more about Jess Townes author journey in her Feature Interview HERE.

SEPTEMBER

In September I was thrilled to be able to go on a Librarian & Author School Visit with my fellow librarian friend, Connie Clark, Children’s Librarian. We enjoyed visiting Ms. Garret’s first-grade classroom at Indian Lake Elementary School and talking about the history of books and libraries. I was also able to offer the class a copy of my book, ADHD AND ME, along with some activity sheets, color pages, and lesson plans, found on TEACHER CORNER of my website. This month, I also applied for the WNDB (we need diverse books) mentorship program and welcomed debuting Children’s Book Author of BIG TRUCK PLAYDATE, Laurie Carmody onto the blog to discuss all things kidlit and publishing.

Read more about Laurie Carmody’s books and journey at her Feature Interview HERE.

OCTOBER

October was a BIG month for me. I received requests for more work from TWO agents! Woo-hoo! I also entered the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez, with a neurodiverse story about music. I attended the Picture Book Summit and pre-summit Pajama Party. I had my first agent call! And I applied for a Writing Barn Scholarship. And I enjoyed hosting visiting guest Children’s Book Author, Heather Stigall, on the blog for a wonderful conversation about all things publishing. I also opened submissions for 2024 Feature Interview Lineup and received over 150 applications!

See my entry here.

Read Heather’s Feature Interview HERE.

NOVEMBER

This month I announced my final 24 finalists (out of over 150 applicants) for the 2024 Feature Interview Lineup on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog. I also welcomed Children’s Book author, Songju Ma Daemicke, onto the blog for a fascinating conversation on publishing. We discussed querying and rejections, cultural representation in books, publishing secrets and resources, the journey after publication, and more.

Check out Songju’s Feature Interview HERE.

DECEMBER

We’ve arrived at December. And it’s been a full year, littered with tiny wins and priceless experiences. Near misses? Sure. But there’s simply nothing like the journey! Continually growing and working toward your goals is the key to success. If you’re like me (that is, human) you’ll face minor setbacks, discouragements, and have moments where you may feel like throwing in the towel. On days like those, I like to remind myself of all the wonderful things I’ve been able to enjoy because of this community. So many precious moments shared. Something I’ve found to be very helpful when I’m dealing with these thoughts and feelings is to create a jar of positive things. That’s actually how my annual SUMMARY post came to be. Each small achievement or milestone adds up. And before you know it, you have a year FULL of successes! Keep in mind: not everyone’s successes will look the same. Why? Because we are all DIFFERENT. IMPORTANT: DON’T MEASURE YOURSELF WITH OTHER PEOPLE. It’s not an accurate measurement… because you will never BE that other person who you’re comparing yourself with. You’ll only ever be YOU. And what a special gift that is. So cherish it! Measure your successes, by your standard of the very special YOU who you are. Understand your limitations and respect them. Set up boundaries for yourself. And remember: HAVE FUN!

And now… here are some of the things that I’ve had happen this December. I was able to attend Adventure Beings at Your Library Summer Symposium with a number of outstanding speakers, founder and creator of Story Be Told, and former educator, with 30 years of summer reading under her belt, Jen Strauss, CSLP’s Managing Editor, Alyssa Graybeal, and West Baton Rouge Parish Library, Early Literacy Manual Chair, Angela Germany to name a few. I was also able to attend the QUERY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Insider Secrets to Soaring out of the Slush Pile webinar, live with with Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Hedlund.