Tag: publishing journey and tips

Please give a warm welcome to our guest, the very talented and passionate children’s book author, early literacy consultant, and founder of SmallTalk Learning, Dawn Prochovnic. A little history on my background with Dawn… I first met Dawn in the summer of July of 2022 during a virtual Peer Critique at SCBWI. Immediately, Dawn’s kind nature and deep concern for people, education, and children, was clear. So, when I saw her name in my applicant list for the 2024 feature interview lineup, I knew without a doubt I wanted to add her to our wonderful collection of voices and stories!

Before we jump into our interview, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.

411 ON FEATURE INTERVIEWS

What are feature interviews & WHO are they for?

Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.

Every month, I collaborate with industry professionals—authors, illustrators, editors, and agents— many of whom were or currently are also educators and librarians, to discuss all things publishing.

What can these interviews offer YOU?

These interviews give readers an up-close and personal look at the world of publishing from an array of different perspectives on every side of the desk and offer insight into tips, resources, and advice on how to

• stay current with market trends
• hook an agent or editor
• find writing community & other resources
• discover workshops, contests, and other events
• figure out which path of publication is right for you
• know if your agent is a good match

And more!

AND… if that’s not enough, every guest offers at least one giveaway prize—sometimes more. This means you have multiple opportunities to win prizes every month!

Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!

INTRODUCTION: THE MAGIC OF PUBLISHING!

Welcome to the blog, Dawn! I’m so glad you’re joining us today.   

I’m glad to be here. Thank you so much for having me! And thank you for such a kind introduction. 

My first question starts back at the beginning. I’d love to hear how you came to enter the truly MAGICAL world of kidlit publishing. How did it all begin? When did it all begin? Why did it all begin?

Back in the early 2000’s I had an idea for a series of stories that incorporated early childhood language concepts and American Sign Language/ASL. The stories were an extension of the materials I developed for the sign language and early literacy workshops I teach for hearing infants/toddlers, young children, and their grown-ups. 

I discovered early on that the most effective way to help people learn and remember particular signs was to teach them catchy songs they could sing and sign while they interacted with their babies and young children.  

-Yes! I love this! So very true.-

I wrote all kinds of ditties for this purpose, modeled after familiar children’s songs and rhymes like “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Soon, I discovered that preschoolers and elementary school children were also interested in learning sign language, and I developed an interest in expanding my reach beyond that which I could manage in my own classes. I wanted to share the joyful experience of signing with children and their grown-ups across the miles and decided the best way to do that would be to publish a handful of my workshop songs in the form of picture book stories. 

And so, my journey to publication began. 

Can you tell us a little bit about the steps involved in your publishing journey? Querying, contests, events, etc. What route of publishing did you decide on and why? Explain. *indie/traditional*

My journey to publication was long and winding, but fairly traditional. 

I initially approached my quest to become a published author in the same way I approached many other business endeavors. I began by putting out feelers to my network of friends and professional associates that I was in search of an illustrator and publisher to partner with/hire to help me get my books out into the world. This was LONG before self-publishing was “a thing,” and I soon discovered that was not how publishing was done.

The good news is that through this networking process I heard about the (since discontinued) Pacific Northwest Children’s Writing and Illustrating Conference.  

-How wonderful! I love learning things like this.-

I attended in the summer of 2004, full of enthusiasm and eager anticipation to get on with the business of getting my books published. I was completely naïve about how the publishing industry works, and I boldly asked every ignorant question I could think of. 

-Part of the learning process. I think this is a common phenomenon for most "passionate" people who start in kidlit- because they're excited and they care!-

Thank heavens I was completely unaware that the guest editor at the conference (Arthur A. Levine, the esteemed editor of the Harry Potter dynasty) was famous in publishing circles, or I might have died of embarrassment.

-Get out. So funny!-
-I know, right?!-

And, thank heavens that Arthur Levine was so kind and encouraging, or I might have set aside my goal of getting my books published (because truth be told, my stories were not ready for publication back then). 

-I'm so glad you had this positive experience. This can make all the difference. Finding kind people in publishing to give you that extra push. For me, it was an agent- Jennifer March Soloway. I queried her WAYYYYY before I should have been sending my work out *I just didn't know it yet* I hadn't had my work revised or looked at by CP yet- *I didn't even have CP yet or know they existed.* But she was kind and encouraging and helped point me in the right direction.-
-I met Jennifer at a writing conference in Portland several years back. I found her to be kind and delightful as well.-

After that conference I formed a critique group and I joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators / SCBWI.  With the support of these groups, I worked diligently on one of my stories, SEE THE COLORS, and when I felt it was ready, I submitted my first manuscript to Arthur A. Levine Books, which was an imprint of Scholastic back then. Arthur was once again, kind and encouraging, and I will always treasure the personal letter he sent to me, gently declining my story . Over the next several years I continued to do the work of a writer,   inventing new stories (many of them unrelated to my original signing idea), revising, and asking for critique over and over again. I was helped and encouraged along the way by the other writers in my critique group and by the many talented authors and editors I met at other writing conferences. 

-So beautiful. I love your commitment.-
-Thank you, Chelsea. I love your positive energy and enthusiasm.-

As I developed an inventory of manuscripts that were ready for submission, I studied publishing houses and began the task of submitting my work. Over time, the editorial correspondence I received shifted from form letters to personalized notes with suggestions for revision and/or ideas for other publishers that might be a better fit for my work. The message was coming through: Several of my stories were publishable; I just needed to find the right publisher. 

I initially approached my quest to become a published author in the same way I approached many other business endeavors. I began by putting out feelers to my network of friends and professional associates that I was in search of an illustrator and publisher to partner with/hire to help me get my books out into the world.

As I developed an inventory of manuscripts that were ready for submission, I studied publishing houses and began the task of submitting my work. Over time, the editorial correspondence I received shifted from form letters to personalized notes with suggestions for revision and/or ideas for other publishers that might be a better fit for my work. The message was coming through: Several of my stories were publishable; I just needed to find the right publisher.

What would you say was the pivotal point for your publishing career? Did you have any -AHA- moments where things just clicked? 

The pivotal moment that comes to mind is when, at long last, a door to the just-right publishing house opened. I went to an author book sale/signing event called “Book Blast” in October 2007 at one of our local middle schools. It was a dark and stormy night. I almost didn’t go. My kids were squabbling. It would have been easier to stay at home. Thank goodness my daughter desperately wanted to meet one of the exhibiting authors, Bart King, the author of one of her favorite books at the time, “The Big Book of Girl Stuff.” So I piled the kids in the minivan, and we went to Book Blast. And then I met David. David Michael Slater. His picture books had an educational element to them. I could see my signing stories being a good fit for his publisher. I told him about that aspect of my writing, and he was kind enough to put me in touch with his editor at Abdo Publishing Group. And the rest, as they say, is history.  

-This is truly a fascinating- and wonderful- story!-

When did you make your first book deal, and what publishing house did you sign with for that deal?

Abdo was a great fit for my signing stories, and I had several manuscripts that were ready for consideration. On January 22, 2008, at 12:02 PM, I received an email from an editor who would eventually offer me contracts for a total of 16 books with Abdo.

-Holy-guacamole- that's a lot of books!-
-Indeed! It was a great run ; )-

I am still grateful to both Bart and David for their role in my journey to publication, and to Abdo for publishing so many of my stories. 

When did you sign with your agent?

I signed with my very first agent on February 29th, 2024, just this past year, and nearly 20 years since I attended my first writing conference. Gaby Cabezut, with The Seymour Agency, is relatively new to agenting, but not new to the industry. I’m very grateful to now have such a kind, capable, and committed partner traveling alongside me on this journey. I’m looking forward to the many good things we will bring into the world, together.

-This is remarkable. What a journey. And you stuck it out! Congratulations, Dawn!!
-Thank you, Chelsea. I feel very lucky to have connected with Gaby before she buttoned down on being open to submissions. It was serendipity!-

Can you share some of your favorite moments of the publishing journey?

There are so many favorite moments I’ve had in this journey, but one that comes immediately to mind is the first opportunity to hold my first published books in hand and share them with young readers. 

My first book launch event was at the West Slope Community Library, a short walk from my home and next door to our local elementary school, where my children attended at the time. The community and my family and friends came out in full force. It was such a jubilant celebration.

-I'll bet it was!-

(As you might be able to guess from the pictures, one of the stories I read that evening has a “hat” theme!)

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

Now that we’ve touched on the highs of publishing, let’s talk a little about the lows. What challenges have you faced on your publishing journey? How were/are you able to overcome them? 

I’m pretty sure I could write an entire book on this subject alone! There have been so many challenges along the way. 

Although I’ve definitely developed thick skin, rejection can wear away at you. Some highlights:

Over the years I’ve had a handful of agents “lead me on,” with detailed notes, high praise and encouragement, but not offer representation. I’ve had others love one of my stories, ask for more work and then ghost me. Others have sent a form rejection 2-3 years after I submitted to them. I’ve had acquiring editors deliver really harsh critiques at writing conferences, and I’ve had several manuscripts make it all the way through acquisitions only to have someone higher up put a nix on the project. I actually think the “close calls” have been harder for me than all the other rejections combined. One in particular was when an editor took one of my manuscripts all the way to the publisher with a sticky note naming the (famous) illustrator envisioned for the story. The publisher must have ended up declining since I got the manuscript back with the sticky note “conversation” still attached. So. Close. Happily, that story (THE NEST WHERE I LIKE TO REST) did eventually get published and actually was a finalist for Oregon’s annual book awards. I’ve overcome each of these obstacles by putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. Day by day. Step by step.  

-Fantastic words of wisdom. And way to go, Dawn. Never giving up! You are amazing.-
-Thank you, Chelsea :)-

Was there anything in particular that really helped you that you’d like to encourage other writers to look into?

My best advice to other writers is to get yourself a writing buddy and exchange creative writing goals and goal reports with your buddy on a regular basis. 

-Great advice!-

My longtime critique partner, Sara T. Behrman (whose debut picture book just came out this past April), and I have been exchanging creative writing goals with each other for nearly 20 years. I credit our shared discipline with that practice for helping keep me on track when I’m feeling unmotivated, frustrated, or otherwise experiencing a creative struggle. I rarely complete all of my weekly goals, but having them in front of me, knowing that I will be reporting my progress to someone week after week, helps me stay on track. 

What words of wisdom would you share with an author or illustrator considering pursuing kidlit publishing?

I’d say my main words of wisdom would be to develop and articulate a mission statement and a strong creative vision for your books and for your career. Begin by giving some deep thought to why you’re doing the work that you do.
 
Many years ago, I wrote the following mission statement related to my writing work: 

I write to teach, empower, process, and persuade. 

When I wrote this mission statement, the word empower was meant to convey that I wanted to write books that empower my readers. There have been times, however, that adhering to my writing practices and routines has helped empower me, particularly during periods of time filled with uncertainty and powerlessness. 
I also encourage others (in any walk of life) to really think about, envision, and articulate what it is you want to create and accomplish. Some years ago, I wrote the following vision statement to help guide and shape my creative work: 
 
My Vivid Description of the Future: 
-Kids and parents who sign will seek out my sign language stories.
-My publisher will be passionate and informed about my projects.
-Educators and librarians will read my stories to the kids they serve.
-Because of my books, more and more libraries will contact me to request classes to teach them how to sign with their kids.
-My books will open doors for me to travel to new places, meet new people and continue to provide opportunities for me to teach and encourage others.
-My stories and workshops will bring the power of language and literacy to children.

-I love all of these, Dawn!-

Ideally, one’s vision and vivid description of the future becomes a living, breathing document that changes and develops over time, just as we each change, develop and grow over time. In fact, it’s about time for me to revisit my own envisioned future, as much of the above has since come to be!

The other thing I would share is a sentiment that was shared with me back when I was in grad school. One of my projects involved working with a local entrepreneur, and at the end of the project she gave me a tea mug with the following sentiment:

Do What You Love. Love What You Do. Strive to Be True to Yourself.  

I think that’s a really important sentiment for writers and illustrators, too.

Before my first books were published, I was under the illusion that finding a publisher was the big, hairy, audacious goal. But I soon came to learn that after I signed with a publisher, the bulk of the work was still ahead of me: editing, more revision, more research, development and refinement of the back matter, input about design elements, marketing, etc. But finally, the wonderful opportunity to share my stories with readers, and the opportunity to inspire other writers. That is what makes it all worthwhile. 

I’ve overcome each of these [publishing] obstacles by putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. Day by day. Step by step

My best advice to other writers is to get yourself a writing buddy and exchange creative writing goals and goal reports with your buddy on a regular basis… I credit our shared discipline with that practice for helping keep me on track when I’m feeling unmotivated, frustrated, or otherwise experiencing a creative struggle.

Develop and articulate a mission statement and a strong creative vision for your books and for your career. Begin by giving some deep thought to why you’re doing the work that you do.

Do What You Love. Love What You Do. Strive to Be True to Yourself.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES

Dawn, you are such an accomplished *and busy* person with so much drive, motivation, and care for everything you pursue. I’d love to know more about what drives you- and your writing!

Can you tell us the story behind the stories? If you’re up for it, I’d love to hear a brief summary, from your words, of what each of your books is about *or as many as you’d care to share.*  What inspired it? What does it mean to you? And what do you hope it will give your reader?

Thank you for such kind words, Chelsea. 

My most recent book, and a story that is very dear to my heart, Lucy’s Blooms, grew out of memories and emotions that surfaced when I gazed at a little glass bird that sits on my desk, a gift from my beloved Gram, coupled with an experience I had in my own garden. 

One day, as I diligently tended to the flowers in my carefully prepared flowerbeds, I observed two additional plants that had independently sprouted in a patch of soil that bordered my front walkway. I didn’t know what these plants were, only that they were beautiful and thriving. Eventually, more experienced gardeners informed me that these plants were actually weeds, and I was advised to pull them. 

This vigorous and lively pair of weeds brought me such joy as I passed by them day after day, I couldn’t fathom the idea of discarding them. Instead, I nurtured them. I watered them, I talked to them, and I admired them as they grew and grew…and grew.

As I reflected on this experience, I considered the impact of socially constructed labels, such as beauty and worth, and how these labels impact our everyday actions.  I became fascinated by dandelions, in particular, because they are widely considered to be an invasive nuisance that should be controlled/eliminated, and yet, every part of a dandelion (root, leaves, petals, etc.) is edible, they are rich in nutrients, and they are known to have healthful, curative properties. Plus, they are easy to grow, resilient, wildly familiar to (and beloved by) children, and in my view, absolutely beautiful.

-I am in love with this line of thought. And I completely agree.-
-Thank you, Chelsea! I think we are kindred spirits!-

And thus was planted, the seeds of Lucy’s Blooms.

My son’s imaginative play inspired Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? One day, back when he was bitsy (he’s now a senior in college), he raced around the house with a pirate patch on his eye and a diaper on his bum, repeatedly asking in a raspy little toddler voice, “Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?” I knew immediately this was the title for a book, and I started drafting a manuscript soon after. I worked on that story off and on for over a decade before getting it right. 

The companion book, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, came from a self-assigned creative writing exercise after receiving a decline from an editor who loved my Pirate story, but whose sales team felt it would only appeal to boys, cutting the potential readership in half.

Although I disagreed with the sales team’s assessment, I eventually brainstormed a list of different characters to try out for the story, one of which was a cowgirl. As soon as that idea came to mind, I found myself transported to a time when my then college-aged daughter was in grade school, and her wardrobe included a bright pink pair of cowgirl boots. I paged through old photos and found the one I was looking for: A photo of my daughter dressed-up for her western-themed grade school carnival. 

I now had the kernel of a very clear new character in my mind’s eye. This character was unique and separate from the Pirate character that I couldn’t let go of, and she had her own story to tell.

WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? spilled onto the page with urgency.  

My Cowgirl story eventually landed me a two-book contract with a publisher that had a knack for publishing western-themed books and decided to acquire both Cowgirl and Pirate. Yee-Haw and Yarrrr!  

My next scheduled book, (Mama’s Home!, Familius, 2026), is a lyrical story about a child’s joy of welcoming Mama and a new sibling home. From eager anticipation and preparations for Mama’s return to sharing meals, playtime activities, and treasured routines, this sweet poem captures the special relationship between mother and child. I wrote the first draft of that story on a scrap of paper in my pocket as I once again watched my son engage in imaginative play, this time at our local children’s museum. It went through many twists and turns and subsequent revisions before finding a publishing home, and I anticipate there will be more changes to come during the forthcoming editorial and illustration processes. 

Interior of LUCY’S BLOOMS, illustration by Alice Brereton

I adore every single page of Lucy’s Blooms, but the image above is one of my very favorites. For me it captures the essence of Lucy’s unconditional love for her blooms. 

Interior of WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY?, illustration by Jacob Souva

Jacob Souva’s art is amazing. It’s really difficult to narrow down my favorites, but this image on the copyright page of Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? makes me laugh every time I see it. It’s the perfect set-up for the silliness and humor to come.  

Interior of WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY?, illustration by Jacob Souva

Similarly, I love this image on the title page of Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? It’s a perfect example of the magical collaboration between author and illustrator. I could have never imagined a more humorous crab character!

RESOURCES, EDUCATION & ASL

I know literacy is important to you. Can you share about some of the different organizations you’re a part of and the resources you provide- including your resources for ASL? 

As I mentioned a bit earlier, my first published books grew out of my work as an early literacy consultant. I’ve provided consulting services and instructional workshops on a variety of literacy-related topics including infant/toddler sign language, literacy/early literacy enrichment, and creative writing for a wide variety of organizations over the past two decades including: The Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children; Early Head Start; Oregon Child Development Coalition; the Parent/Child Preschool Network, the Oregon and Washington Library Associations, Wordstock (now the Portland Book Festival), Willamette Writers, The Loft, and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/ SCBWI. You can find a more comprehensive list of past clients HERE.

I originally started my blog as a way to easily share class enrichment materials with my clients. Eventually, those enrichment materials expanded to resources to support each of my books. The easiest way to access these materials is via the resources tab on my blog. From there you can jump to materials such as “Start to Finish Story Time," which provides detailed lesson plans that incorporate early childhood language themes and American Sign Language/ASL handshapes for key vocabulary words and the alphabet and “Start to Finish Story Time, Expanded,” which provides curriculum-aligned educators’ guides; themed art projects and activity guides such as readers’ theater scripts and pirate and cowgirl name generators; YouTube playlists that include animated book trailers with original songs (the companion song to Lucy’s Blooms is a work of art in its own right) and fascinating facts such as info about animal poop science; and some things that are simply fun, like links to Pinterest boards related to potty humor, including a link to a toilet flushing sound loop!

I also have several features on my blog to support writers. Some of my most popular features are:

Birth Stories for Books: Post About Paths to Publication.

Have Swag Will Travel: Tips for Planning Book Events.

The Writers’ Life.

This landing page will get you to a summary of all of my series posts.

It’s my hope that my blog is a helpful resource to everyone who visits.  

-Wow! You have so many great things to offer here! Thanks so much for sharing this with our readers today.-

VISITS & EVENTS

I saw on your website that you have an events and appearances section. What kinds of visits do you offer, who do you offer them to, and how can guests book them? *Virtual/in-person/both* libraries, schools, etc.*

I consider engaging directly with young readers and writers among the supreme joys of being an author. I offer a full gamut of author visits and special appearances for schools, libraries, bookstores, community organizations, etc., and I will virtually visit (and when possible, visit in-person) with students anywhere in the world to talk about writing books, finding ideas, character development, and more! 

-VERY cool.-

I participate annually in World Read Aloud Day and make every effort to find a way to go where I am invited to share my passion for reading and writing books. I even have free, self-guided author talks and young writers workshops that educators can request from me. The details of all of my offerings are available on the author visit tab of my website: https://www.dawnprochovnic.com/p/school-visits.html

If a guest wanted to hear/see a video recording of your story, where could they go?

Folks can find links to recorded book readings on my website, or they can head straight to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dprochovnic  

Some highlights include: a recording of me reading Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? from my bathroom (!) and a reading of Lucy’s Blooms from my garden. You’ll also find an ASL-interpreted reading of Lucy’s Blooms provided by my friends and colleagues at Baby Fingers, LLC. 

What’s your favorite part of an author visit? 

I love most everything about author visits, but if I had to narrow it down, it would be the questions that kids ask and the notes they often write after school visits. 

-Ha! That’s two things! : )-
-Haha. I won't tell if you won't. Besides, who says you can't have two favorites?-

I looked back over some past author visit notes, and one student asked “Do you have any problems?” My first thought was “Where do I begin?!” 

I wrote back:  

You asked if I have any problems. I’m guessing you are wondering if I have any problems when I sit down to write my stories. Sometimes I get distracted from a particular writing project I should be working on. When I’m having difficulty focusing, sometimes I take a break. Other times, I do a writing exercise to help my creativity start flowing. I make writing goals for myself each week and I share those goals with a writing buddy. That seems to be the best thing that helps me stay on track.

Any last pieces of wisdom, encouragement, or something else you’d like to share with readers today?

This past year, I was honored with a major award in my state, the Walt Morey Young Readers Literacy Legacy Award, presented by Oregon Literary Arts in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers. 

To say that I was in shock and disbelief to receive this award is a major understatement. It was hard for me to comprehend how my name could have even been flagged for such a meaningful acknowledgment. 

As I worked on my remarks for the awards ceremony, it occurred to me that our body of work, our literary legacy, extends well beyond the books that we write and manage to get published. You can read my full remarks (and see a video of my acceptance speech here: https://www.dawnprochovnic.com/2023/04/the-literary-legacy-part-of-writing-life.html) but I will share some similar thoughts below: 
 
I wholeheartedly believe that each of us has the power to influence the literary landscape in our own communities, in our schools and libraries, and within our families.
 
Someone reading this blog likely read a book by a local author to a child today. Someone else made a purchase at an indie bookstore. I’ll bet someone volunteered at their local library, someone gifted a book to a classroom teacher, and someone wrote a kind letter that will be read and re-read again and again.
 
My fifth grade teacher held a reading contest back in 1978 that motivated me to read, and played a role in my eventually becoming an award-winning author. 
 
I challenge each person reading this blog to take one seemingly small action that might benefit a young reader, another children’s book creator, or another professional who gets books into the hands of young readers, such as a teacher, librarian, or bookseller. Imagine the legacy that together we’ll leave.    

-This was such a powerful note to end on. Thanks so much for joining us, Dawn.-
-Thank you so much for having me, Chelsea. It was a pleasure.-

But we’re not done JUST yet- there’s still one more item on the agenda, and that’s…
THE GIVEAWAY!

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is offering the following giveaway prizes to TWO winners:

A signed copy of her most recently published book, LUCY’S BLOOMS

OR

A 20-30 minute Virtual School Visit or Ask Me Anything for an individual or small group.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

• Subscribe to the blog/newsletter
• Like this blog post
• Comment below, letting me know you’ve done BOTH. (Please note: If the guest is offering more than one prize, please specify which prize you’d like in your comment.)

Deadline to enter: June 30^th, 202411:59 PM CST

And that’s it!

FAQ:

What if I was already subscribed to the blog? Does that mean I won’t qualify for the Prize Giveaway? Not at all! If you subscribed before this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your COMMENT below this post within the deadline (the current month/year entry was posted).

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased at your local library! Using the sponsored links below supports this blog.

Purchase Lucy’s Blooms

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• Leave a brief positive review of their work on places like Amazon, Goodreads & Barnes & Noble
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Connect with Dawn

dawnp@smalltalklearning.com

http://www.dawnprochovnic.com

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

Twitter/IG: @DawnProchovnic

Bluesky: @dawnprochovnic.bsky.social

Pinterest: @DawnProchovnic

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

YouTube: @dprochovnic

Looking for a specific topic? Browse this list to find a link to one of these topics/questions.

• Where to find FREE and PAID for writing memberships, craft workshops, contests, and other resources.
• How to query agents and editors and what they’re looking for.
• Where to find kidlit community and support from other writers or illustrators.
• Diversity, empathy, and kindness in kidlit and why it matters.
• Writing across genres.
• Pros and cons of small publishers, hybrid (or indie) publishing, and being agented vs. unagented.