This week on EMU’s Debuts, we’re celebrating the release of Andrea Wang‘s new picture book, THE NIAN MONSTER. It’s a wonderfully spun tale that tells how one young girl, Xingling, saves the Chinese New Year when the Nian Monster threatens to eat everyone and everything in sight! Yikes!
Go out and get a copy so you can see how this clever girl uses her wits and knack for snacks to trick the Nian Monster!
Enrollment is now open for my upcoming online course with the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. INTRODUCTION TO WRITING PICTURE BOOKS is an 8-week course that introduces new writers to the world of picture books! Through the course, we’ll talk about idea generation, structure, character development, language, the balance of art and text, and revision. Everyone will work on their own quarter project and engage in creative writing exercises. And this all happens in a safe environment where folks can exercise their creativity!
What better way to start off the new year than with a meaningful and fun learning experience! Click HERE for more details.
This year, my local SCBWI chapter (SCBWI Central-Coastal CA) is doing a special event for its reading community and “published and listed” members (PALS). I’m proud to be a part of this event and love the idea of supporting local charities, encouraging reading and helping booksellers and authors promote their books. From their website:
Today on EMUS Debuts, I share some book promotion links that I’ve found helpful as I move forward in planning events for my upcoming book releases.
Book promotion can be a bit mind-boggling for many authors (including myself!). Each book requires its own special promotional events, so my hope is to share resources and help other writers who are experiencing that feeling of “swirling the drain” as they plan for their book release.
Enjoy!
Over at EMUS Debuts this week, we’re celebrating the launch of Elaine Vickers’s middle-grade novel, LIKE MAGIC! Author Jason Gallaher asked the EMUS if we had any significant friendships that had changed our lives. Of course, I just had to talk about my husband, Mark.
Read Jason’s piece here (and get to laugh at my high school homecoming dance picture!)
I just wanted to remind folks of this terrific Halloween event being put on by Curious City. What a great way to put stories into the hands of children! Read all about it here!
This week on EMU’S DEBUTS, we’re celebrating the release of Elly Swartz’s debut novel, FINDING PERFECT.
We have many terrific posts about Elly’s middle-grade novel, a story about an OCD girl determined to have a perfect family. I especially enjoyed today’s post, were Hayley Barrett asks, “What advice would you give your 12-year old self?” I think it’s interesting to pause for a moment and think about yourself at a younger age, consider where you were then and how far you’ve come to where you are now.
What would you say to your younger self?
This week EMU’S DEBUTS has been celebrating the launch of Donna Janell Bowman’s debut picture book, STEP RIGHT UP. It’s a fabulous picture book biography about Doc and Jim Key and how they began the humane treatment of animals movement. Every day, a new post has been made to give insight into the creation of this wonderful book.
Today, Cynthia Levinson lets readers get to know some of the EMUS a little more closely by sharing stories and pictures of their own pets. I’ve always said that behind every great author there’s a cat (or dog or horse or some furry, finned or feathered creature!). Enjoy Cynthia’s post here!
Donna Janell Bowman’s debut picture book is out! STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS is a beautiful story about the relationship between a man and a horse and how that relationship began the humane movement.
Read an interview with Donna Janell Bowman here and an interview with her editor here.
Fellow EMLA author Maria Gianferrari is giving a free copy of her book, OFFICER KATZ AND HOUNDINI: A TALE OF TWO TAILS on Goodreads. Check it out here!
And check-out Trick or Reaters‘ terrific alternative to candy giveaways at Halloween—free STORIES!
Terry Pierce 
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