Category Archives: Resources

ODDS and ENDS for a new month

Happy October! Many things are going on this month that may have gotten buried in your inbox or desktop. Let me unclutter them for you. Nominations open today and close in just two weeks on October 15th. If you are … Continue reading

Posted in Awards, Middle Grade News, New Release, Resources | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

WRITING DAY WORKSHOPS

Longtime Writer’s Digest Editor, Chuck Sambuchino manages these one day learning experiences. I went to a recent event in Colorado but many are scheduled throughout the United States and occasionally Canada through 2020. I often don’t have 3-5 days to … Continue reading

Posted in Critiques, Literary Agents, Publishing, Resources, Writing | 4 Comments

The Battle with Non-Readers

When I first started this blog back in 2012, I featured a combination of writing tips, reviews, and reflections on my own writing. I also touched upon the needs of middle grade readers. Seven years later reviews have overtaken the … Continue reading

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KIDS AND PLEASURE READING

Are you frustrated with the lack of pleasure reading your tweens or teens are doing? Parents and teachers have all heard the excuses: I have too much homework. I’d rather play sports. There aren’t any books I like. I’ll just … Continue reading

Posted in New Release, non fiction, Reading, Resources | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

A Bright Place to Connect with Books: BRIGHTLY

Brightly is an ambitious project to help moms and dads raise lifelong readers.  Created by parents and avid bookworms, the effort is a partnership with Penguin Random House. The site is filled with book recommendations, reading tips, author essays and … Continue reading

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FIVE FOR THE FUTURE

I raced through the five Cybils finalists earlier this month giving me an opportunity to tackle the healthy stack of books in my TBR (to be read) pile. I also have an eye on the future and books yet to … Continue reading

Posted in New Release, Resources, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Middle Grade News

It’s been a busy month for me as I finish up final edits on four manuscripts. I won’t go into the messy details that got me into this way of writing because I have other news to share. The annual … Continue reading

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June Happenings

Where has almost half the year gone? The days seem to pass by without stopping. Hopefully it will slow down long enough for you to check out two great events coming up… I’ll be participating from 9 a.m., Friday June … Continue reading

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‘Bloom’ing Book Report

The dreaded book report is something we all have dealt with either as a teacher, parent, or student. It’s no wonder with some of these droll assignments:                                                  Summarize the plot of the book in three paragraphs.                                                           Describe your … Continue reading

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Harrison Demchick and Ambitious Enterprises

Earlier this month I won a contest through the wonderful blog PROJECT MAYHEM – The Maniac Minds of Middle Grade Writers. The prize was a review of a synopsis and the first few pages of my manuscript followed by a … Continue reading

Posted in Critiques, Editing, Resources | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments