A House in the Woods – A Picture Book by Inga Moore

“A Little Pig had made a den for herself in the woods. Next door, another Little Pig had made himself a hut.” “But when the first Little Pig brought hr feather home to her den, she discovered that Bear had moved in–which she didn’t mind because she likes Bear.” To summarize: Because the animals had…

How to Create A Journal and Goal-Setting Book for Students & Writers

I am teaching Writing about Literature to College Freshmen This Year, and I Love My Job! But yesterday was the final date for 2 assignments to be submitted, and — you guessed it, I was forced to give some students the grade of  zero. Keep guessing — Yes! Today, some of those students were begging…

Jacki Kellum Workshop: Writing & Marketing A Picture Book

Here are a few of the topics that I am already fully prepared to teach to high school, college, and adults: Distinctions between end rhyme and internal rhyme Mix it up–don’t sing your readers to sleep. Surprise your readers with unique word patterns. Don’t be too predictable. Read what my editor Frances Gilbert, who is…

Jacki Kellum and The Donkey’s Song Are Coming to A Bookstore Near You

Although the Release Date for The Donkey’s Song was Postponed a Couple of Times, Frances Gilbert, Editor in Chief at Doubleday for Young Readers Assured Me Today that Donkey Is on Its Way:  “We’re nicely poised for your book’s publication….” She also added the following tidbit: “…and I got some wonderful feedback from our indie…

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard – Tips from a Pro

“WHEN YOU WRITE, you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner’s pick, a woodcarver’s gouge, a surgeon’s probe. You wield it, and it digs a path you follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory. Is it a dead end, or have you located the real subject? You…