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For Writers
Writers WRITE…and sometimes we wait…
My first picture book, Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox began as an unsolicited submission to an editor’s “slush pile,” so I know the system works! This process, however, took 4 years before Goldie became a book.
Little Bo Peep Can’t Get To Sleep, took 2 years from acceptance to its release. I am happy to say both are still going strong and Goldie was recently reprinted in hardcover–after ten years!
While you’re waiting for editors to say YES, consider work-for-hire with Educational Publishers ( like my paired reader, Talk About a Great Invention!) or foreign publishers. My three lift-the-flap/novelty books with Korean publisher, Unibooks, were great fun to write, and good practice with various formats.
The absolute best Writing advice I can give you: Join SCBWI.org!
Writing Articles from the Blog
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it!
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!
Only engage, and then the mind grows heated.
BEGIN, and then the work will be completed.
- Goethe
Writing Videos
“Erin Dealey is an author who knows how to make her book presentations come alive! She involves children and parents in the storytelling and uses a variety of fun props, sound effects, and teaching techniques to make an entertaining and educational presentation.”
Kathy Fleming, Executive Director
Fairytale Town, Sacramento, CA
“Dear Erin, I have gotten soooooooooooooooooo much great feedback about your splendid performances–from teachers and kids! They really got your message about how THEY can be writers! Thank you! Thank You! My principal, Christy Vail, will be emailing you a rave “review”! I would love to have you next year to do a writing workshop with our fifth graders in conjunction with their WRITERS WORKSHOP”
Cary Kelly, Librarian
Sacramento Country Day School
“I wanted to thank you for a wonderful day at Williamson. The assemblies were a great start to the day…students were interested and motivated and enjoyed your sense of humor. I heard from the other teachers that the writing workshops were just as wonderful. The sessions were age appropriate and very motivating as well as enjoyable for the students. I heard that many students were asking for extra time for writing or writing homework….Miracles of miracles.”
Susanna Verplancken, Teacher
Reading is Fundamental Chairperson, Williamson Elementary
“The kids and staff are still buzzing about the assemblies yesterday. Erin Dealey was a HUGE hit! The bar has been set VERY high for any authors that visit us in the future! One of my 3rd grade teachers said she feels a lot of assemblies are a waste teaching time since they often are not tied in to curriculum, but she LOVED yours! She had been trying to illustrate to the kids how important it is to be animated when you give a presentation. She said that after watching you, her kids ‘got it!'”
Leona Johnson, Librarian
Joseph Sims Elementary (K-6), Elk Grove, CA
“Erin Dealey is a gifted presenter and teacher. She motivated our Students by sharing her knowledge and experience with appropriate humor and genuine concern for their developing skills. At one point, I looked over the entire audience of 4th and 5th graders and saw every child completely absorbed in her presentation. Every child had a smile on his or her face!”
Bruce McVicker, Teacher
Cottage Hill Elementary School, Grass Valley, CA
“Before heading to the assembly this morning, I prepped my class that this was an author visiting us to talk with all of us about what an author’s life is like. She’s probably not a performer, I know you’ll enjoy it and learn from it and I expect you to be the great audience members I know you can be. When we returned to class after our assembly, the class said to me, “You were so wrong! She was GREAT!” And she truly was. Erin had the attention of the whole 4th and 5th grade classes throughout and they were sorry to have to leave.”
Susie Patterson, Teacher
Cottage Hill Elementary School, Grass Valley, CA
“Hi Erin, Well, I am still hearing many kind and enthusiastic words about your visit here with us at Citrus Heights . Seriously, the kids want you back as soon as the next books come out! The teachers and parents just can’t say enough! I hope the day was a good one for you as well.”
Julie Korb, Media Tech
Citrus Heights Elementary School