Will the Sixth Try Be the Charm?
As I dig into a brand-new novel, this one in verse, some words of encouragement for those facing rejection.
Going It Alone as an Autistic Woman Writer: #kidlitwomen
Thoughts for #kidlitwomen on the experience of an autistic author (me) and ways to make publishing a friendlier place for neurodiverse writers.
The Go-It-Alone Challenge: Editing
Tips for how a self-publishing author can find an editor who shares the passion for the book to create a professional-level product.
Women as Avenging Angels
A discussion of sexual harassment in children's publishing and, for inspiration, a roundup of two recent movies featuring women who fight back.
A New Project Finished!
Last Friday, I typed the words "THE END" into a new young adult manuscript that I've been working on for most of the past year. I started it at the…
Autism Representation and a Reviewer’s Dilemma
Examining autism representation in a new middle grade novel with an autistic secondary character and why we need #ownvoices.
It’s Here! The 2017 We’re the People Summer Reading List
Several years ago, a group of teachers, librarians, and reviewers with long experience in diversity and children's literature got together to create the We're the People Summer Reading List. Our…
The Dearly Departed
Parallels between my favorite eateries that have gone out of business and fresh, brave small press publishers of young adult books that couldn't survive.
Yes, age discrimination is a thing.
Too Old to Write?
Why authors' careers shouldn't be as short as professional athletes' -- and what we have to contribute whatever our age.
Advocating for Chicano Children’s Authors and Representation at the PEN World Voices Festival
A write-up of the PEN World Voices Festival highlighting the Tomás Rivera Award and the need for better representation of Mexican Americans in children's books.