Cover reveal ๐! My solo picture bk I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS launches from
@SimonKIDS
Sept.17, 2024. Don't you love
@LaurentLinn
's design? Pre-order & I'll send you a thank you gift. Details + cover process:
#IWantToReadAllTheBooks
I've become convinced that getting published is more about intelligent persistence than raw talent. Take a break if you need to, but persevere. Connect with kindred spirits in the community. Appreciate the journey. Read constantly. Your time will come.
To children's book authors & illustrators: I'm compiling a list of kidlit creators who enjoy interacting w/educators on Twitter (esp when educators tag them about sharing their books with students). If you're one of these creators, pls reply - thanks!
To those disheartened re: publisher rejections: I started submitting mss to kidlit publishers in 1995. During the 15 yrs before my 1st children's book contract, I sometimes felt like giving up. Take a break if you need to, but PERSEVERE. Your time will come.
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking rep: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Makes sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
Picture book AUTHORS: YOU can help change industry practice by suggesting to your publisher that the book's byline read "Written by (author), illustrated by (illus)" or "By (author) & (illus)". Other ways to help: Art
@jabberworks
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking rep: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Makes sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
I want to read ALL THE BOOKS. RT if you do, too! ๐๐๐
Random winner picked 8/27 to win this doodle. Drawn with
@DesiderataPens
Daedalus (fountain pen that uses a dip nib):
Despite it all, I'm here 'til the lights go out. After spending too much time trying out too many new platforms, I still find Twitter the best place to connect with educators and librarians. There is still so much Good here & ways to help boost the Good. โค๏ธ
Main reason I am staying on Twitter is because I find it the best place to connect with educator & librarian friends. IF YOU ARE A KIDLIT CREATOR who is remaining ACTIVE on Twitter for similar reasons, pls reply so educators can see? Thx!โค๏ธ
*NEW* on my blog: Mastodon - Is It A Good Alternative To Twitter?
Includes reasons why I won't be switching but also things I *do* like about Mastodon, balancing social media vs creative time, more.
A tip for those looking for ways to enjoy using social media more: Support others in the kidlit community. Give good karma and it will come back to you.
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking rep: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Makes sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
To those disheartened re: publisher rejections: I started submitting mss to kidlit publishers in 1995. During the 15 yrs before my 1st children's book contract, I sometimes felt like giving up. Take a break if you need to, but PERSEVERE. Your time will come.
To those disheartened re: publisher rejections: I started submitting mss to kidlit publishers in 1995. During the 15 yrs before my 1st children's book contract, I sometimes felt like giving up. Take a break if you need to, but PERSEVERE. Your time will come.
It can be so hard NOT to compare yourself to others sometimes, esp when browsing social media. To avoid getting sucked into a black hole of envy/resentment, try VERY hard to focus on enjoying your own journey at your own pace. Find your own joy.
"Read. That's the single best thing an aspiring writer can do for his or her work. I once heard an editor say, 'Read a thousand books of the genre you're interested in. THEN write yours.'โ -
@LindaSuePark
Interested in creating picture books? Free how-to templates, step-by-step guides re: how I created each of my picture books, advice for young writers & illustrators from book creators, and more:
I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS. ๐๐๐
RT if you do, too!
I'll pick a random winner Jan.9 & send them this doodle. Art created with a Platinum Century 3776 fountain pen inked with Sailor Yama-Dori. Added a bit of extra colour with Prismacolor pencil crayons.
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking representation: Reply w/one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and Instagram URL. Make sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking representation: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Makes sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested!
Some days, reading the news makes me feel like Iโm in a (badly written) dystopian YA. How I cope: (1) read books that give me hope, and (2) help create books that give hope.
Educators: If you have
#DonorsChoose
or
#ClearTheList
, pls reply w/your location + link, (please do NOT DM your link, thx). To all: I encourage you to pick an educator, help w/one item? Or if can't afford, help RT one or more? cont'd
To creators who feel like they're spinning their wheels, that nothing they do seems to make a difference: Believe me, I've been there. Still go there sometimes. My advice: focus on what you enjoy, always be learning, limit time on social media. cont'd
Tip for those posting good news about picture books & tagging author: Pls tag/mention ILLUSTRATOR too, esp if you are using their art to help promote a book. For info re: how you can get involved:
@picturesmeanb
#PicturesMeanBusiness
MY BOX OF "I'M SORRY" BOOKS JUST ARRIVED!!!!!!!!
In celebration, I am giving away a signed/doodled copy + an "I Want To Read All The Books" PENDANT! RT to enter (US/Canada). Winner announced Fri. Am now going to update my blog post at
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking representation: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Makes sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested!
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking rep: Reply with one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and/or Instagram URL. Make sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
I FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF MY MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL TODAY. It's still an ugly duckling and I have SO much I want to revise before letting anyone read it & I have no idea if it will ever be published but OMIGOSH I am so happy right now. ๐๐ญโค๏ธ cont'd
When it's a challenge staying positive on social media, I try to focus on passing on good karma instead of bad. What also helps me (in case this helps others): I seek out those who inspire me to be a better person instead of trying to pull me & others down.
To kidlit ILLUSTRATORS seeking representation: Reply w/one (1) tweet that includes 1 image (I advise your name be in image somewhere) + link to your portfolio and Instagram URL. Make sure it's easy to find your contact info, if agents are interested! cont'd
Gentle reminder to authors & publishers of illustrated books launching this week: Remember to credit/tag the ILLUSTRATOR, esp if you're using their art in promotional materials. See
#PicturesMeanBusiness
: Illus:
@jabberworks
To succeed longterm in this biz, you need to develop a thick skin & be able to handle rejection. If you never feel insecure, it means you're never stepping out of your comfort zone. Stop worrying what they think. Be brave. Embrace your own journey.
Anyone else cycle thru these four stages of writing? I'm ramping up to send out my scary mg Japanese yokai novel & guess which one I'm at now. ๐ Hopinghoping to be a DEBUT mg author! My history with rejections: Pls wish me luck!
If you're an educator who participates in crowd-sourced project like
#clearthelists
, feel free to reply w/your location, grade level(s) & link. To all: I encourage you to browse! Help an educator spread word about a request + (if u can afford) donate.๐งก
Woohoo,
@Crayola
just sent me two boxes of their new COLORS OF THE WORLD crayons!!!! Canโt wait to try these out. THANK YOU, CRAYOLA!!!!! ๐๐๐
I've learned NOT to be overly influenced by # Likes when it comes to posting art. My cute/happy art ALWAYS gets more Likes, but I enjoy developing my other illus styles as well. It's why I do most of my experimenting away from social media. ๐
To those disheartened re: publisher rejections: I started submitting mss to kidlit publishers in 1995. During the 15 yrs before my 1st children's book contract, I sometimes felt like giving up. Take a break if you need to, but PERSEVERE. Your time will come.
I've been hearing my keynote at
#scbwifl23
made some people cry, that it was what they needed to hear. For those who weren't there: my main msg was a reminder to prioritize your own mental health, to remember to breathe. Here's one of my slides.
VIDEO: Whenever I have to do smthg I hate (like sorting thru receipts for taxes ugh) I try to reward myself w/ breaks doing something for the Joy. My current joy: playing my (sadly neglected) harp. As you can see, I'm not great but it still makes me happy.
The more I find out about what educators are doing for young learners during the pandemic (through the frequent pivots, challenges, risks, at-home stresses), the more I'm blown away.
My advice for writers & illustrators: Don't just focus on getting published. Try to enjoy the journey, celebrate every success (no matter how small) and always make time to PLAY.
Whenever I start getting mired in the weeds, I re-read this letter from a young reader (which has been pinned up in my office for years now) to help ground me and remind me of WHY I DO THIS.
It's my birthday today! In celebration, I'm giving away a copy of
#SamAndEva
(). To enter, RT by Mar.30, 9 am EST; I'll choose a random RT. And THANK YOU so much to everyone who has encouraged and supported my work over the years! ๐๐
Reminder to all: When talking about books with illustrations, PLEASE CREDIT THE ILLUSTRATOR. Educators: you can help educate young readers about the importance of illustrators!
#PicturesMeanBusiness
(Cartoon by
@jabberworks
) cont'd
Here are just a few of the crayons Iโve been breaking these past few days. Iโll be giving ALL of these away between now and when
#GurpleAndPreen
: A Broken Crayon Cosmic Adventure by
@LindaSuePark
& me launches from
@SimonKIDS
Aug. 25th!
It's my BIRTHDAY today! A
#KidsDailyDebbieOhi
activity for kids of all ages: CAKE is one of the favourite things in the whole world. It would MAKE MY DAY if you would pls send me virtual cake? (a drawing or a photo etc) ๐
Gentle reminder: While many of you may be in "back to normal" mode, pls remember that there are still many others who are still undergoing heartache and stress because of the pandemic or pandemic fallout.
"Read. That's the single best thing an aspiring writer can do for his or her work. I once heard an editor say, 'Read a thousand books of the genre you're interested in. THEN write yours.'โ -
@LindaSuePark
Anyone else using
@duolingo
? I challenge you to share your languages page! I've been doing a few minutes a day for 689 days straight. Here's a screenshot of languages I've been learning. I'd do more Japanese, but the kanji is so hard!
It's been a sad time for my extended family & we lost someone dear to us yesterday. Finding art therapeutic these days, esp immersive VR art.
#VRArtLive
I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS! (especially after all the great books I saw at
#nerdcampmi
). RT if you do, too! ๐๐๐
I'll pick a random winner on July 16, will send this doodle. Art process video:
I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS. ๐๐๐
RT if you do, too!
I'll pick a random winner end of wk & send them this tiny piece of wearable original art. US/Canada.
My advice for writers & illustrators: Don't just focus on getting published. Try to enjoy the journey, celebrate every success (no matter how small), make time to PLAY. The latter can sometimes be a challenge but I've found it essential for my mental health.
I don't post about politics much, but I have to say that THIS is how I'm feeling about the U.S. election this week. I'm a Canadian; I can't imagine how stressed out you Americans are these days.
If you're an educator who participates in crowd-funding like
#clearthelist2022
, pls reply w/your location, grade level(s) & link. To all: I encourage you to browse! Help an educator spread word about a request + (if u can afford) donate.๐งก
#support_a_teacher
I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS.
RT if you do, too.
I'll send this original broken crayon doodle (
#64
in a series) to a random winner on Mon (3/18). For more broken crayons & info about
@Simonkids
@LindaSuePark
picture bk collab, see
My mom never felt comfortable enough with English to read me picture books when I was a child but instead, told me Japanese fairy tales at bedtime. Will always be grateful to her for helping me fall in love with stories & storytelling.
#HappyMothersDay
It's my birthday today! In celebration, I'm giving away a copy of
#SamAndEva
(). To enter, RT by Mar.30 9 am EST; I'll choose a random RT. And THANK YOU so much to everyone who has encouraged and supported my work over the years! ๐๐