Several years ago, my then five-year-old grandson told me about his first venture on the climbing wall. I feigned concern for his safety, though I knew he had been harnessed and tethered. “Rowan, that sounds too dangerous,” I said. “I’m not sure you’re big enough. What if you slip and Read more

Conflict can be a disagreement or clash between ideas, principles, or people.  It can also be a situation that involves two opposing things that are difficult or impossible to exist or be true at the same time. 

Does your picture book need conflict?  That depends.

Is your book a concept Read more

I have had the opportunity to critique hundreds of manuscripts and help their authors make improvements. I see five problems more often than any others.

1. It’s a slight story that won’t sell.

A slight story is one that has little substance or significance. The plot is Read more

Hi Linda.

What would you call a longer picture book, word count anything from 1000 to 2000 words; one that has beautiful sophisticated illustrations.

I’m thinking of something like The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Or When Jessie sailed Across the Sea.

Does this genre Read more