Why are clichés ineffective? Why is simple language likely to make for a more popular book? Get the answers to these and other great writing-related questions at this cool post about how our brains respond to stories.
Seen in the wild
The Chinook Update is happy to report another book sighting, this one of two titles by member Andy Helman in the Sea-Tac airport terminal for Alaska Airlines. O is for Orca and 1,2,3, Moose are just waiting to go home with someone as Seattle souvenirs. Congrats!
Nina and Elizabeth are NEXT!
Congratulations and many huzzahs to our very own Nina Laden and Elizabeth Rose Stanton, whose new and upcoming picture books have been named to the Winter 2013-14 Kids Indie Next List! This means their books are leading the push for the latest slew of kids' books to hit the shelves this winter. Nina's book launches... Continue Reading →
Junie B. Jones author passes away
Barbara Park The beloved author of the Junie B. Jones series, who wrote more than 30 books––many featuring the feisty elementary-school heroine––passed away on Friday after a long illness. Lin Oliver, SCBWI founder, remembered Park today on her Facebook page with the following tribute: "Reflecting at this moment on Barbara Park, creator of many funny... Continue Reading →
Artsies & PB lovers: Check out this blog
Every two weeks we'll try to connect to you a few of the amazing websites and blogs that are out there for illustrators. The first is Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, also known as 7-imp. This lovely blog, which focuses primarily on illustration and picture books, is crafted by Jules Danielson. Julie received her Master’s... Continue Reading →
Editors play favorites
This week, Publisher's Weekly gave readers––and particularly children's book devotees––an early holiday gift. In a fascinating post, prominent children's book editors expounded on their personal favorite books they worked on. To hear the backstory of many beloved stories is something many of us will appreciate and enjoy. Happy pre-holidays! (Which reminds me. Have you registered... Continue Reading →
Seen in the wild
Our correspondent from far afield, Ann Belov, would like to report that she saw Nina Laden's book When Pigasso Met Mootisse at both the New York Historical Society Museum and the Philadelphia Art Museum. She will report on sitings of any other WWA member books she comes across in her travels—and you can, too! Send... Continue Reading →
Discover our now-famous illustrators on STQRY!
As part of the shindiggity fun around our first-ever public Illustrator's Exhibit now on public display at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, event coordinator and futurist Tina Hoggatt has introduced us to a spiffy way to check out the participating artists and their work online. It's at STQRY, which is... a new thingy.... Continue Reading →
Once upon a Nina
Does a feather remember it once was a bird? Does a book remember it once was a word? Member Nina Laden will answer these questions and more when she reads from her new book, ONCE UPON A MEMORY, at the Secret Garden Bookshop in Ballard at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Go get answers!
PiBoIdMo-palooza
Who's following PiBoIdMo over at Tara Lazar's blog? Some of our talented locals have awesome guest posts up on this November-long fest of work and inspiration for picture-book authors. Participant, member, and local PiBo author Laurie Thompson suggests this one from member Paul Schmid and this one from member Elizabeth Rose Stanton. Go, locals! Also,... Continue Reading →