Erin Dealey

SEASON’S READINGS*, friends!

(*Credit to Paul W. Hankins for that clever phrase.)

It feels like Christmas came early this year, thanks to the wonderful people at @scbwi 

who included THIS CRAZY BLOG on their main page BLOGROLL for the month– along with some incredible names in children’s publishing.

Wow!

(For those of you visiting for the first time, my blog series WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING–a BOOK! starts here. )

This morning I took a holiday stroll over to the sites that SCBWI recommended, and I highly recommend you do the same. As authors and illustrators–aka busy book-parents–, it’s so important for each of us to TAKE TIME from the hustle and bustle of our lives and READ.

•  I have followed editor Cheryl Klein’s BROOKLYN ARDEN blog for years and always come away with solid tips about craft: http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/
•  As a “closet illustrator” myself, I am inspired and amazed by the works of Anne Marie Perks: http://annemarieperks.tumblr.com/ .
• Jody Casella–whom you might recall as a guest blogger on WTEWYE–a BOOK! —writes about her experience as a debut author: http://www.jodycasella.com/ I love how she compares it to a Hero’s Journey.
• I soaked up the positive affirmations of Erin Brown Conroy –and ok, yes– her first name is fabulous– :   http://erinbrownconroy.wordpress.com/ but even more so:”Life is speckled with opportunity. Possibilities are open.”
•  I met Sue Ford (aka author Susan Uhlig) when I was an SCBWI co-Regional Advisor and believe me, she is is well qualified to share The Nitty Gritty of Children’s Writing: http://www.susanuhlig.com/the-nitty-gritty-of-childrens-writing/ Thanks Sue!
• I remember the star-struck thrill of meeting Emma Dryden when she was Vice President and publisher at Simon & Schuster, home to two of my picture books, so it’s always a treat to scroll through her blog, which overflows with Emma’s accumulated knowledge of children’s publishing:  http://emmaddryden.blogspot.com/
•  Author Tara Lazar and I met on Twitter, and I learn (and laugh) a lot from the gems she shares: http://taralazar.com/ 
•  And yes, Virginia– Kiri Østergaard Leonard ‘s gorgeous rendering of Sankta Lucia got my Swedish roots in the holiday spirit: http://kirileonard.com/blog/ .                                       (My mother would be truly pleased.)

So, my friends, I urge you to treat yourself to these musings and inspiration.

Reflect. Renew.

I have a feeling it will help us all

ReSee.

Isn’t that what Season’s Readings should do?

Happy Holidays to ALL!