Meeting one of my Zoom critique partners Elise Derstine in real life is so fun! Thanks to 12 x 12 Challenge we met virtually, and thanks to the scbwi Marvelous Midwest Conference we met in person! #MMW2024 #12x12Challenge #kidlit

The scbwi Marvelous Midwest Conference was great! I loved learning from breakout sessions, connecting with fellow #12x12Challenge members, & meeting #SCBWI writers, illustrators & publishing professionals. #mmw2024 Julie Hedlund SONG AFTER SONG is out now! @elisehderstine Melissa Chupp

Wow. An honorable mention as a "queen of creativity" for my #SpringFlingKidlit story! I tip my crown to all the winners. 👑 Thanks Ciara has two books coming Fall 2024 & Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez.

#PB Benny zips around the house like a mosquito on a sugar high, unable to focus on his art show. When his energy buzzes out of control, he becomes a MOSQUITO IN A BURRITO! Tightly wrapping up in a blanket calms his body and helps his mind zoom in on his big plan. #kidlitpit #SEL

Hot chocolate + Snuggles w/Grandpa = Happy place. Archer learns to pull this feeling out anytime he’s anxious with a cup of imaginary☕& 3 breaths to cool it. When Grandpa has a hospital stay, Archer finds even more solace with HOT CHOCOLATE IN YOUR POCKET. #KidLitPit #PB #SEL

#PB Under the bed during a game of hide and seek, Gemma finds a forgotten pearl, perfect for playtime. When she discovers it’s missing from Mom’s necklace, the precious pearl leads Gemma to a cherished family tradition, bonding generations of women with love and pearls. #JoyPit

Under the bed during a game of hide & seek, Gemma finds a forgotten pearl, perfect for playtime. When she discovers it’s missing from Mom’s necklace, the precious pearl leads Gemma to a cherished family tradition, bonding generations of women with love & pearls. #PBPitch

A karate belt test sparks worries & WHIFFS! These pesky what-if critters won’t let up. When Whiffs can’t be defeated by roundhouse kicks, this karate kid creates a mindful kata (series of moves) to combat anxious thoughts & karate chop their way to a better mindset. #PBPitch #SEL

Mabel gets her hands into everything. She mushes muck & flings fingers into frosting. The 1st time she marvels at the moon, she must touch it to find out how it feels, but how? 🌙 Reaching the moon, she finds its wonder not only fills her hands, but her heart. 🌙 #PBPitch #L

Preston won’t eat spaghetti. He hides oodles of noodles under his bed until a monster of a meal comes to life:  a giant NOODLE POODLE!  Strung along on a neighborhood rampage, Preston must stop the 🍜 🐩 before his spaghetti secret swallows him up & ruins everything. #PBPitch

Hot chocolate + Snuggles w/Grandpa = Happy place Archer learns he can pull this feeling out anytime he’s anxious with a cup of imaginary ☕ & 3 breaths to cool it. When Grandpa has a hospital stay, Archer finds even more solace with HOT CHOCOLATE IN YOUR POCKET.  #PBPitch #SEL

While M muttered 𝑚𝑚𝑚 while munching macaroni & P made 𝑝𝑢ℎ-𝑝𝑢ℎ-𝑝𝑢ℎ while popping popcorn, C was quiet. From A to Z, all of the letters found their sound – except C. LOST AT C, he learns to follow his joy. With K & S, C finds a way to have not 1 sound, but 2! #PBPitch

Benny zips around the house like a mosquito on a sugar high, unable to focus on his art show. When his energy buzzes out of control, he becomes a MOSQUITO IN A BURRITO! Tightly wrapping up in a blanket calms his body & helps his mind zoom in on his big plan. #PBPitch #SEL

The final #PBPitch was fun, as always! I’m sad to see the tradition end. But, onward we go! ✍️ 📚 🎉

📚#PBBookATeers - Promotion group for PB authors📚 If you're a traditionally published author with a picture book coming out in 2024-25, join our co-marketing group to help promote and support your work!

I’m all smiles for this cover reveal!My super talented critique partner, Katie Reinert *Pre-order Ready to Smile Again now*, has her 1st picture book coming out in spring!

MADISON-AREA FOLKS: I'm leading an in-person workshop about how to add heart to picture book manuscripts Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at Arts+Literature Laboratory. Cost is $14, and you can register via the link below. This is an in-person-only event, that won't be recorded. hisawyer.com/arts-literatur…

I'm Trick-or-Treating @ #seasonsofkidlit.com!

My critique partner is on 🔥🔥🔥 with her first 2 picture books on the way!! It's no surprise to me - Katie Reinert *Pre-order Ready to Smile Again now* is an exceptionally talented and versatile #kidlit writer.