SCBWI – Page 2 – My Pilgrimage to Publication and Beyond

Jen’s Ultimate List of #KidLit Resources

Featured Image: Four year old Jen being a total Gilligan in South Padre Island circa 1988. I’ve aimed for this blog to be a safe harbor for those seeking traditional publication, especially #kidlit creators. After years and years of navigating these rough waters, I’m giving myself a promotion… You can call me The Skipper, atContinueContinue reading “Jen’s Ultimate List of #KidLit Resources”

The Juggle Struggle

Jemma in gold, sequined Mouse ears with a red bow, Jen in pink sequined mouse ears with a pink bow, at Chef Mickey's at Walt Disney World

The month of April was nearly more than I could juggle! Submitting to contests, a big family Disney World Vacation, and my first ever SCBWI Conference were some of the most brightly highlighted in my calendar. First, I applied for the #PBChat Mentorship program. Boy, did I put my whole heart into that application! AndContinueContinue reading “The Juggle Struggle”

Feelin’ Lucky

Jemma coloring with markers, drawing a St. Patrick's Day rainbow

I woke up this morning to the best news I’ve received to date in my journey to publication! I am a Grand Prize Winner of #Storystorm! And I needed a win… But what does this all mean, Basil? Well, it means I’ve been paired with a literary agent who will take the time to lookContinueContinue reading “Feelin’ Lucky”

StoryStorm, 12×12, PBParty, Oh My!

A Flight of Cool Chardonnays at The Metro Wine Bar and Bistro in Oklahoma City

It’s been an all-consuming January! Every free thought has been devoted to how can I get this year started off perfectly? StoryStorm headed up by Tara Lazar has been a joyful, daily reminder to keep ideas flowing and has introduced me to tons of Picture Book authors I didn’t know. All in all, a veryContinueContinue reading “StoryStorm, 12×12, PBParty, Oh My!”

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Jemma in her Grinch pajamas sipping egg nog out of her Grinch cup excited about her copy of Tammi Sauer's Wordy Birdy Meets Mr. Cougarpants

I spent the first few weeks of December carting my daughter back and forth to Choir practice. “Practice” turned into massively long rehearsals, which I found annoying because she’s SEVEN. When I signed her up for choir I didn’t know I was signing up for a Christmas Musical! We’re talking choreography, five songs, and speakingContinueContinue reading “All Is Calm, All Is Bright”

Cornucopia of Continuation

A glimpse into The Funny Women of Kidlit Confab where Tammi Sauer and Francis Gilbert talked with Bethany Hegedus

So much has happened the past few weeks! Nothing HUGE but a conglomeration of little things… I completed a significant round of querying for GG and have had only a few rejections. It’s been several weeks now. Hopeful. I also queried a very personal, sort of historic in theme, Young Adult Poem to a handfulContinueContinue reading “Cornucopia of Continuation”

Death of the Storybook

Jen's vast collection of Little Golden Books, Board Books, and other Story Books, most of which were from Jen's childhood. Divided out semi-organized on black shelves.

Yes, it’s very dark and depressing. And, no. No one told me until now. I completely missed the funeral. There was no kindly written obituary or eulogy. Just a collective decision among the publishing world, I suppose. Apparently, the concept and therefore the genre of Storybook is dead. Extinct. I grew up reading storybooks. TheseContinueContinue reading “Death of the Storybook”