Lynne Marie Has Thoughts about Unlovable Main Characters

 by Sue Heavenrich

Being a bug-loving person, I often read books with characters who, if we met them in real life, we might swat with a broom.  One day I got into a conversation with Lynne Marie about picture books featuring “vermin.” In addition to being an author, Lynne Marie is the director of Rate Your Story and the Seasonal and Special Acquisitions Editor at The Little Press Publishing. Not only does she know a thing or two about picture books, she's written one with a main character who is a real rat! Before we get chatting about unlovable critters, let's check out Lynne Marie's book, The Palace Rat, illustrated by Eva Santana (‎Yeehoo Press, 2023).

Henri lives a pampered life in Versailles, the palace of King Louis the XIV! Cook serves Henri the tastiest tidbits. Tailor stitches up attire fit for … well, the King’s pet. The palace servants wait on Henri paw and food, but not everyone is happy to serve a … Rat! So they set out to rid the palace of vermin. 

Fortunately, he escapes an untimely demise and ends up in the company of country rodents. They take Henri in, and teach him basic survival skills while he plans his return to the palace. But can Henri adapt to a simple life? I don’t want to spoil the ending for you; you’ll have to read it and find out for yourself.

Me: Hi Lynne Marie and welcome to the GROG! You already know that I love slugs and bugs as characters in a book. But do you feel there are readers who are reluctant to buy books with unlovable animals as main characters?

Lynne Marie

Lynne: These characters do appeal to certain folks. There are people who gravitate towards creepy crawlies, and some who love monster stories. Others prefer bears and bunnies. But for some reason some people have a thing against rats. (my note: Despite that, the movie, Ratatouille  received a 96% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes.)  

And it’s not just rats. People also don’t like bugs, specifically spiders. They have preconceived notions about these creatures. This reluctance tends to disappear when you look at people who read STEM books featuring them. It could be that with nonfiction books, you’re  already appealing to a subset of people, most of whom will like bugs, for example.

Me: I realize you wrote The Palace Rat a long time ago. What made you choose the rat as the main character? 

Lynne: I went back to college a couple decades ago, and got to spend the summer in France. I was waiting on line at Versailles, gathering story ideas, and happened to see a rat running across the courtyard. That got me wondering: what if that rat was a relative of a rat from the French Revolution? Or a pet of the Sun King, Louis XIV? And what if it was dressed in finery, and dined on gourmet food at the palace?

And then I wondered: what would happen to a pampered rat if he escaped a plot to exterminate him and ended up in Avignon? In the countryside? I was thinking a bit “city rat/country rat,” only in this case the palace rat would be quite the snob.      

I wrote this story in 1998, as I was studying and spending time in France, but it was published just a couple of years ago. It may sound like a simple story, but there are a lot of layers, a lot of things a reader can take away from the tale:

• It introduces us to new places and a historical era;
• It examines the question of what true riches are; and
• It asks what brings people happiness. 

In Henri’s case, he discovers that what’s most important is paving your own path in life, having friends who appreciate you and finding your talent and audience.      

Me: There is no shortage of rodents in kid-lit. I remember reading about Ralph in The Mouse on the Motorcycle. 

Lynne: There are a few other literary rats, too, but often they are presented in a negative light. Templeton, the rat in Charlotte’s Web, helped save Wilbur the pig. But he had a number of undesirable traits that may not have endeared him to readers. Then there’s Scabbers, Ron Weasley’s pet rat in the Harry Potter books. Scabbers was old and scraggly, and eventually revealed to be the evil Peter Pettigrew. 

Here’s a thing about rats: most people don’t understand how fascinating they are. Scientists taught rats how to drive small cars, and discovered that the rats preferred driving over walking! (There's a video of them driving around on YouTube)

Me: Thanks for sharing that video with me. I found out that the rats liked their cars so much that they would take a longer route to the rewards if it meant they could drive! Like some people I know... 

Thank you so much, Lynne, for joining us here on the GROG today. Folks can learn more about Lynne Marie's books and other ventures at her website, literallylynnemarie.com

Rats aren’t the only unlovable critters in books. There are picture books featuring cockroaches, slugs, snails, naked mole rats, dung beetles, skunks, and ugly fish. Sometimes all these characters need is for a reader to take them home from the library for a few weeks and read their stories. Who knows – you might be amazed to find yourself falling for an unlikely, and possibly slimy – or smelly – hero.

After reading The Palace Rat, you might want to read some of these books (and there are tons more - check your local library and bookstore):

Banned Books Week 2025 ~Christy Mihaly

We're in the middle of Banned Books Week. 

This year, banned books really need a week. Or a month or more. 

What is Banned Books Week? 

Banned Books Week is a time to "highlight the value of free and open access to information" and fighting censorship. The coalition of organizations sponsoring it work to defend our freedom of expression: The American Library Association (ALA), Authors Guild, PEN America, and many others. The 2025 theme is "Censorship Is So 1984."

Censorship is Rampant and Common -- especially in schools

Book banners target children's books in particular. PEN America's 2025 report on school book bans focuses on actions that make books unavailable to students based on their content. It found 6,870 instances of bans during the 2024-25 school year. Since 2021, it has recorded 22,810 instances of school book bans, across 45 states and 451 school districts.

Obeying in Advance

Many books disappear from the shelves when a school is "investigating" -- not pursuant to an official review process or legislative action, but rather because someone is worried that they'll get into trouble if they leave the book on the shelf. This "obeying in advance" locks books up based on fear, not facts. And the books stay locked up -- books removed in 2022 are still inaccessible today.

Fear-based "soft" book bans happen at all levels. I wrote a picture book about a dog, Patches, whose family has a new baby. It's called Patience, Patches! and it's about learning to love a younger sibling. As shown in the appealing illustrations by Sheryl Murray, the parents, whom the dog calls his "loud-laughing person" and his "soft-singing person," are both moms. Teachers have told me that even though students in their classrooms have two moms, I should not bring Patience, Patches! when I visit their school. They don't want to get into trouble. Of course I don't want these dedicated educators to get into trouble either. 

But ... Think of the kids! Think of the Constitution! What are we doing?

If you're a writer, a reader, a thinker who values free speech and open access to information, what can you do? Some suggestions: 

Educate yourself -- find out how you can help

• Know what's going on at your local schools and libraries. What process do librarians and those they report to follow when someone objects to a book? Some have forms to complete and committees to evaluate challenges. Others don't. Increasingly, those on the front lines are scared. Ask your librarian how you can stand with them. Show up at school board meetings or library board meetings? Write letters? Picket? PEN America has documented rising resistance to censorship as people learn more and stand up to show how access matters.

• Find out if your state has adopted a Right to Read Law, protecting access to diverse materials in public schools and libraries. If not, is someone sponsoring such a bill? Can you get involved? Visit the NCTE blog for information about legislation to protect the freedom to read.
• For more resources, visit the ALA advocacy page about the First Amendment and censorship.

Sign the Pledge

EveryLibrary is an organization building voter support for libraries. They invite you to sign this pledge this week, agreeing to vote in favor of libraries and the freedom to read. 

Attend Events

Every Library is hosting online panels, discussions, and presentations about banned books all week long. Check the schedule and join in. Or join a Right to Read Night.

Read Banned Books

And last but not least, READ FREELY. Reading banned books is activism. When censors prevent books from reaching readers, they seek to control their thoughts, or keep them from thinking. 

So -- read banned books. Read banned kids' books to children. 

Here are some titles recommended by GROGgers that appear on the current banned books lists: 

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is of course a classic that has been banned many times over many years. It is currently banned by the Monroe County, Tennessee, schools.

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, a coming-of-age novel inspired by the Black Live Matter movement, is under numerous bans, including in districts in Florida, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Iowa, and Tennessee.

Books in the popular The Hunger Games series were banned this year in Tennessee and Texas.

They Called Us Enemy, George Takei's graphic memoir (with Justin Eisinger et al.) of his time in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, is banned in Monroe County, Tennessee. 

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson, an adorable and fact-based picture book about a pair of male penguins who adopt an egg (and the hatched chick), has been a frequent target of banners. It is now banned in Tennessee (Monroe County), "banned pending investigation" in Florida, and "banned by restriction" in a North Carolina school district.

Other frequently banned books: 

• The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
• The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
• Gender Queer, Maia Kobabe
• The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
• Looking for Alaska, John Green
• Water for Elephants, Elana K. Arnold

Some of the classics you can hardly believe they banned:

• Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, Judy Bloom
• Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
• Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
• The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
• The Wizard of Oz, Frank L. Baum

And announcing the winner of the 2025 Irony Award: 

Three school districts have recently seen fit to ban George Orwell's 1984. If you can't read about it, it isn't happening, right?

For more banned book titles, check out PEN America's database. 

And please don't believe it when you hear bans are "good" for authors -- they are terrible because they keep our books out of the hands of the readers that we're writing for. And no, censorship does not increase sales. Bans remove books from shelves.

Thank you for reading!

What I Have Learned So Far About Trust and Truth in Indie Publishing by Todd Burleson

In my first post for the GROG Blog, I shared what I had learned about stepping into the world of independent publishing, choosing an editor, launching a Kickstarter campaign, and discovering communities like Reedsy. That was the beginning of my journey.

This time, I would like to share what happened next. Two areas in particular have taught me lessons that might be useful for other writers, whether you are publishing independently or traditionally:

1. Trusting beta readers with a manuscript that has been more than a decade in the making.
2. Wrestling with cover design and learning how to make the outside of a book feel as true as the inside.

My son Jack experiencing flight for the first time, the same feeling I had when I sent the manuscript to beta readers.

Trusting Others With the Story

After thirteen years of shaping this story, handing it to beta readers felt both thrilling and terrifying. I did not choose my readers casually. Colleagues brought professional expertise. Friends knew me well enough to be honest and kind to me. Children, the very audience I was writing for, helped me see what rang true and what did not.

To make it easier for them, I prepared different file formats, including PDFs, ePubs, and print copies for adults, as well as simple tablet-ready files for kids. I created feedback forms that felt like conversations rather than assignments. Parents were invited to read alongside their children, allowing questions to be discussed together.

What I have received so far has been thoughtful and respectful, full of insights that push me to refine characters and settings. It has reminded me that feedback is not just about affirmation. It is about making the story more lifelike and rich.

Waiting for feedback is not idle. It is the work of trust.

For me, the real lesson is that independent publishing is not only about control. It also requires the courage to let go and trust others with the story.

One of my early cover drafts. Beautiful, but not the right fit.

Finding the Outside of the Book

While feedback was coming in, I faced another challenge: the cover.

My first experiments in Canva were clumsy but thrilling. For the first time, the manuscript looked like a book. But early designs worried me. Would they look unprofessional, too homemade, not worthy of the years I had invested?

I experimented with AI images and hired a designer whose work I admired. Neither approach fit. The results were too fantastical, too young, or too far from the tone of a story grounded in WWII Dayton, Ohio.

The lesson was clear: talent is not enough. Fit and truth matter most.

In the end, I returned to my own drafts, layering figures, planes, and backgrounds like a collage. I used ChatGPT as a critique partner, asking it to respond as a professional cover designer. The feedback was concrete and immediate. It was not perfect, but it helped me move forward.

A cover is not just decoration. It is the invitation to the story inside.

Would I have preferred to hire a professional? Absolutely. But working independently often means picking your battles. I invested in the best editor I could afford, which meant learning to stretch myself in other areas of my work.

Lessons for Any Writer

Independent publishing has stretched me in ways I never expected. It has asked for patience, humility, and the willingness to learn skills I had never practiced before.

For any writer, regardless of publishing path, two lessons stand out:

• Trust others with your story. Beta readers, editors, and critique partners are essential to the writing process.
• Stay grounded in truth. Do not chase trends. Make sure the inside and outside of the book reflect the story you believe in.

Independent publishing may seem like a form of control, but in reality, it demands courage —the courage to let your work leave your hands and live in the world.

A glimpse at my work over the past thirteen years, from drafts to research notes to cover iterations.

These lessons are still unfolding for me, which is why they are worth sharing now. Publishing is not only about finishing a manuscript. It is about releasing it into the world in ways that require both trust and truth.
I look forward to sharing the next installment in this process.

I would love to hear from you, what part of your own publishing journey has taught you the most, and what you wish you had known sooner?

Back to School Fears VS Back to Writing Fears by Tina Cho

 

It’s the 12^th day of school, and I’m still seeing and hearing cries and tears. Most of you know, I teach kindergarten, and so I’ve dealt with sooooo many first day fears. However, in kindergarten, first day fears last wayyyyy longer than the first day. Geesh, it’s the 12^th day of school, and my team is still dealing with criers.

Here are some excuses and whines for their crying.

**I MISS MY MOMMY. I tell them I miss my mommy too.

I want to go home! I tell them I want to go home too.

I can’t do it! (the work) I tell them, yes, you can!

My tummy wants to go home! I say, Sometimes tummies hurt if you’re hungry or if you need to use the bathroom. Take a break.

I’m hungry. I say, eat a bigger breakfast! We’ll eat lunch soon.

He/she won’t play with me. I say, then play with someone else. There’s a playground full of kids.

Then there’s the silent ESL crying kid because he/she doesn’t really know what you’re saying. I use my limited Spanish or Google translator app. There’s always a way!

So why am I telling you all this? Because as adults or adult writers, we’re just big, giant kindergartners. It’s Fall. It’s time to get back to the keyboard and write. WAAAH! Do I hear you crying? Whining? Are you fearful? Procrastinating? Is a scary editor with a due date waiting for your manuscript? HA! Are you lost? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Back to my kindergartner scenario, here are some writing fears, and you may notice some similarities with our five-year-old friends!

Fear #1: I want my mommy because I’m scared of the blank page. I say, then write a list of things you want to say in your story/article or a list of things to write for the next day. OR leave off a little of today’s task for tomorrow to get your brain in gear. Then go call a family member and tell them what you accomplished or will accomplish.

Fear #2: I just want to be home all cozy. I can’t think of any ideas; therefore, I won’t write. I say, Ideas are all around. You just need to get into your past kindergarten self. Be curious like a kid. Hang out with children and see what they talk about. Scour your surroundings. What cool/interesting things are in your area to write about? Scroll Pinterest. Take a shower. Seriously. Ideas seep in when you least expect it.

Fear #3: I can’t do it. I just don’t know. I say, Yes you can! Get into the positive mindset that you CAN do it. Take little steps. Hang inspirational quotes in your writing space.

Fear #4: I’m hungry. I can’t focus. Have a good set of writing snacks and drinks available. You can use them to reward yourself too. Set a timer. Write 100 words. Give yourself a snack award J

Fear #5: I’m lonely. I have no writing friends. I say, There are lots of writers and authors out there. Find a group! Attend/join a critique group. Join a Facebook writers’ group. Find an in-person group. If there are none in your area, start one!

Fear #6: The publisher doesn’t want my story. I say, Then find another publisher. There are many publishers of books and children’s magazines that want stories! If you're a member of SCBWI, don't forget to check The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children on the SCBWI resources website.

Fear #7: I don’t speak the publishing language. I say, There’s a book or class or blog for that. You can learn how to write and in different genres! Just google “writing classes” and a host of sites pop up. Find one relevant to you.

Fear #8: I don't know how to market my book. Take small steps. Today, tell someone in person or online about your book or a story you're writing. Or just post a photo.  

Do you relate to any of those fears? Are you being a big whining, writing kindergartner? The children of the world need great stories to inspire them to become kind humans who care.

Your homework--#1 on your to do list: Write down a topic or idea you’re interested in pursuing. Grab an award snack or drink for later. Set a goal. Brainstorm/research/write. Award yourself. Repeat daily. From this kindergarten teacher--You can do it!

 

Tina Cho is the award-winning author of six picture books--RICE FROM HEAVEN: THE SECRET MISSION TO FEED NORTH KOREANS, KOREAN CELEBRATIONS, MY BREAKFAST WITH JESUS, THE OCEAN CALLS: A HAENYEO MERMAID STORY (4 starred reviews, JLG, Freeman Honor Award), GOD’S LITTLE ASTRONOMER, GOD’S LITTLE OCEANOGRAPHER, and the forthcoming THE PRINCESS AND THE GRAIN OF RICE (Feb. 2026) and GOD’S LITTLE ZOOLOGIST (2027). Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW received five starred reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, The Horn Book), an SCBWI Golden Kite Award, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, SLJ Best Graphic Novels List 2024, Kirkus Best Middle Grade 2024, & Booklist Editors’ Choice 2024 & the Freeman Book Honor Award/NCTAsia). She’s a kindergarten teacher by day and an author by night. You can visit her website at www.tinamcho.com  or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. 

 

Brianne Farley Answers Questions About Worms, Sandwiches, and Art for STEM

 by Sue Heavenrich

The first time I read Worm Makes a Sandwich, I laughed out loud – because, seriously, how can a worm even make a sandwich? Author/illustrator, Brianne Farley points this out:

Worms don’t have hands!

They cannot make sandwiches!

And yet. Worm is SO earnest. He so much wants to make a sandwich. He just needs one thing…

And then he’s all ready… nope. He needs one more thing… or three.

Some of the things he needs (garbage, dirt) are not for your sandwich. But that tomato is. All worm needs is for you to slice that tomato. And maybe do just a couple more things.

Other than that, he’s got this covered. He is definitely making you a sandwich!

The second time I read Worm Makes a Sandwich, I slowed down. I didn’t want to get indigestion! 

Spending more time on the page allowed me to savor the words and enjoy the mouthfeel of reading them aloud. Spending more time on the page gave me the chance to dive into the illustrations. And that’s when I knew I just had to talk to Brianne! I caught up to her last month just before lunchtime. She and Hank (her dog) were hanging out in her creative space in her home. I am so grateful that Brianne was open to answering a few questions about sandwiches and making art.

Me: I love that Worm Makes a Sandwich is all about the process of composting! Do you have a science background?

Brianne (pronounced BREE-in): I thought about going into medical illustration and have a strong interest in biology. I even took ecology classes in college. I ended up with a degree in English and art, and then went on to get my MFA in illustration. But my science brain is curious. I like knowing how things work, and I like doing research. That’s a good thing, because every book takes me in a new research direction. And that’s because illustrations tell half the story, so I need to know all that stuff!

Me: I love that you are telling the story of composting through the point-of-view of an expert composter: a worm. What made you decide to write from the POV of the worm? And how did you land on their voice? 

photo by Michael Poehlman

Brianne: At one point in my life I lived in a small house with a small yard and a small garden. I had gotten a tumbler composter, but the winters were cold and the tumbler froze solid. I wondered how I could compost through frigid weather. I decided to try my hand at vermicomposting, so I ordered a worm bin and a thousand wiggly worms. It was fun and super-engaging. I found that I loved talking about my worms and also about composting.

When I decided to write about compost, I took videos of my compost so I could get a closer look at the critters helping to decompose my kitchen scraps. I also took photos of tomatoes growing in my garden, so I could capture the various stages over the season.

The process of composting provides the structure for my story, but I didn’t want it to be straight nonfiction. I got thinking about how I could make it narrative and landed on the concept of making a sandwich. Worms journey (from making compost to growing the tomato for the sandwich) is like any creative journey we have. We start with a Great Idea! And then we realize all the work that has to happen for that idea to take shape. And we face that moment when, like Worm, we ask: How can I even do this? 

Me: Yes, there is a great spread where Worm faces his “dark night of the soul.” He sees himself as a failure and says, “Maybe I can’t make a sandwich. Maybe I should try again when I’m bigger.”

Brianne: When I visit schools, I hear and see how early on in the process kids get frustrated in making art. They can see what the final product should look like, but it’s not coming out the way they envisioned it. Or it’s not happening fast enough. I try to let them know that frustration is a part of what we (artists) all go through – it’s part of the creative process.

Me:  One of the things I remember teaching my students in science class was how to glean information from various sources in their book: text, illustrations, captions, charts and graphs. So I love how you integrate science information in your illustrations. My favorite was the page with the list of foods that worm prefers: apple cores, mushy grapes… a great list on its own. But YOU add to that list by labeling additional items in the illustration: grass clippings, dry leaves, etc. You do this on a couple other spreads, too. 

Brianne: The gorgeous thing about picture books is that the text and illustrations combine to work as a whole. With this story, I started with way too much information and spent a lot of time cutting text. I wanted it to be easy and fun to read aloud. But I also love picture books with detailed illustrations you can come back to again and again, so I snuck a lot of that information back into the art for kids to discover on second and third readings. I had to keep telling myself that I didn’t have to write everything there is to know about compost – just enough to get readers interested. I also want kids to see where their food comes from.

Me: I love back matter in picture books! In yours, you explain what compost is, how to do it, and why people should compost.

Brianne: Yes, I really wanted to address some misconceptions about compost. The biggest misconception is that compost smells. It doesn’t! Another thing I wanted to make sure kids come away with is the understanding that we don’t have to send all that wonderful organic matter to the landfill. The bacteria in landfills create gases that contribute to global warming – we shouldn’t feed them. Also, if you make compost, you could grow a delicious tomato. Or you could give your compost to a neighbor who will share their yummy tomatoes with you.

Me: Thank you Brianne. This has been absolutely delightful, and all this talking about sandwiches has made me hungry! 

Brianne: Me, too. I’m having a bagel with cream cheese and cucumbers and shredded carrots on top.

Me: How funny! Mine is hummus with sliced cucumbers!

Note: No worms were harmed in the making of our sandwiches. You can find out more about Brianne and her wonderful books and art at her website, www.briannefarley.com

Everything I’ve Learned So Far About Independent Publishing by Todd Burleson

Coming Soon!

I should begin with a confession: I am no expert on independent publishing. I’m very much a beginner. My earlier publishing experience was with a major publisher, and that book was nonfiction. It wasn’t the book I most wanted to write—in fact, I would have loved for it to have been the story I’m working on now. But when a publisher approaches you and asks you to write a book, and you are a struggling teacher, you say yes. It turned out to be a tremendous experience. I earned a little income from it—not much—but what I gained was an inside look at the publishing process. It was an opportunity I’ll always be grateful for.

This time is different. When I chose to publish independently, the reasons went deeper. I wanted control. I didn’t want someone I would never meet deciding on my cover. I didn’t want someone else to have the final say over my story. And after working on this book for more than thirteen years, I wanted it to move into the world at a pace that felt right to me.

“Independent publishing feels like managing a project as much as writing a book.”

What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much independent publishing feels like managing a project as much as writing a book. I knew it would be hard work—anything worth doing usually is—but I wasn’t prepared for the cost.

I learned quickly that in publishing, you get what you pay for. Early on, I decided my priority was to work with a professional editor. Through Reedsy, a platform that connects writers with editors, designers, and illustrators, I found someone with national recognition and a strong track record. She was expensive, but I knew this was where I wanted to invest.

To help cover the cost, I launched a Kickstarter campaign. Asking for help does not come easily to me. But Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing platform—if you don’t meet your goal, you don’t receive a dime. That reality pushed me to research every aspect of how to run a successful campaign. I studied other authors’ projects, learned how to structure levels and rewards, and spent hours figuring out shipping, pricing, and what kinds of extras would make sense. At times it felt overwhelming, like nonsense piled on top of the actual work of writing a book.

There were moments I doubted myself, moments I wondered if anyone would care enough to pledge. It was stressful to put my vision out in public and risk failure. But slowly, support came in.

“In the end, more than $4,000 was pledged by people who believed in the story. That support feels like success already, even before a single reader has turned a page.”

Now I am anxiously waiting for the return of my developmental edit—the kind that digs into the big picture, the characters, and the heart of the story. I feel nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once. And part of me wonders how I will balance this next stage with my life as a school librarian heading into a new year. Independent publishing doesn’t happen in isolation—it presses into every part of your time and energy.

If another writer asked me what I’ve learned so far, I would say this: independent publishing is not for the faint of heart. Writers want to write, but this path asks for much more—fundraising, websites, community-building, marketing, design, layout, typesetting, printing, platforms, and even decisions about audiobooks. The list feels endless. But none of it is wasted.

Reedsy has hundreds of free resources. They are also an incredible place where you can be connected with some of the leading editors, designers, and artists to help make your book come to fruition.

My best advice is to find a community. For me, Reedsy has been a lifeline. I stumbled onto it by accident—a friend who isn’t even a writer mentioned it to me. That makes me think there may be many other writers out there who simply don’t know it exists.

Reedsy isn’t just a place to connect with professional editors, designers, and illustrators. They also offer a wide array of free resources for writers, self-publishers, and independent authors. A few highlights I’ve found especially helpful:

• Reedsy Studio Book Editor – a free online tool where you can write, organize, format, and export your manuscript for print or ebook platforms. It even lets you collaborate with others in real time.

• Free Learning Courses – over fifty 10-day email courses on everything from plotting a novel to marketing, distribution, editing, and design. These bite-sized lessons are practical and easy to fit into daily life.

• Articles, Guides, and Webinars – their blog is constantly updated with industry trends and advice, and there’s also a library of webinars with expert talks on publishing and craft.

• Weekly Writing Prompts & Contests – if you’re looking for accountability or a spark of inspiration, they provide prompts and even cash-prize contests with the chance of publication.

• Community Support – forums, newsletters, and ways to connect with other writers who are also figuring out the indie path.

All of this is free once you create an account. It’s one of those rare places online where the depth and quality of resources genuinely surprised me.

“Independent publishing has democratized the industry. It’s simply another way to get your story into the hands of readers.”

I also believe the old stigma around independent publishing has faded. Many indie authors have found great success, some even moving into traditional publishing. More importantly, independent publishing has democratized the industry. It’s simply another way to get your story into the hands of readers. And isn’t that what all of us are really after?

My main characters: Jamie and Ken.

This book is written for readers ages ten to fourteen, but I hope it speaks to anyone. With only three more years left to work with students in that age group, I want them to have this story in their hands. It’s not just a story I believe in, it’s an invitation to see our nation’s history and reflect on it in light of today.

That’s why I chose this path. And while I am still learning, I can already say: it has been worth it.

And this is only the beginning. As I move through the next stages—final edits, layout, printing, and beyond—I’ll continue to share what I learn. I hope that by documenting the process, I can encourage and equip other writers who may be considering the same path.

If you would like to take a look behind the scenes of my book, I've built a comprehensive website that will delight anyone who is interested in history, storytelling, photography, and aviation. I still love exploring it! HERE is the link.

---

If you’ve walked the independent publishing path yourself, what’s one lesson you wish you had known at the beginning?

"Back to Cool (School)" Picture Books & Ideas to Create a Positive Classroom Climate - by Kathy Halsey

  

Back to school? How about back to cool? Let’s make the re-entry to school fun and memorable with new books and interactive activities. These ideas promote thoughtful ways to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment for all. I hope you find some intersectionality between your books and their usefulness in back to school units, or you get ideas for new projects that fit the back to school theme!

 Books for Everybody to Pair & Share

As a former teacher and librarian, I remember scrolling over student lists, making diacritical marks in order to pronounce everyone's name correctly and noting who had nicknames or wanted to be called something different. Students of all ages  know the feeling  of people stumbling over their names.

Book:  The Power of Your Name

Author, Jyoti Gopal knows this feeling herself, and has a wonderful lyrical picture book hot off the presses August 26, that helps start a great conversation about names and how aspirational they can be. (Illustrator Olivia Sua's cut paper illustrations create vibrant worlds.)

 Classroom Activities/Ideas

Share Jyoti’s words from her interview with John Schu  Have you ever wondered where your name came from? Maybe you asked your grown-ups or maybe you took your name for granted and didn’t even think about it. In The Power of Your Name, we learn that names have stories, that each name is a feast of sounds, a gift, filled with promise, that it holds your family's heritage, hopes and dreams. Through the ABCs, this book celebrates the beauty of names and the fact that every name—including yours—is special. Whether your name is long, short, easy to pronounce, or often misheard like mine frequently is, this book will make you think about the story your name tells.

• Students can create a poster with markers or in Canva sharing what their name means along with the correct pronunciation. Students can then swap their posters with someone else . 

• Together each pair introduces the other to the rest of the class. Finally, add the posters to the classroom bulletin board where all can see them and practice pronunciation.

Book: A Season for Fishin’: A Fish Fry Tradition

Author Pamela Courtney has cooked up a book that centers family, learning a new skill, and contributing to the family tradition - cane fishing - as she catches her first bream. The prize? Her feeling of pride being part of her community and her own red fish fry apron. I’ve shared her debut book on the GROG before, but in this context the back matter with pronunciations from varied parishes in Louisiana fits the topic of identity and the importance of pronunciation. As Pam’s tante Lula says, “Folks been crisscrossin’, speakin’, and livin’ like the otherin’ for forever”. The spice of the vernacular of Louisiana is fascinating and fun to say aloud. (Illustrator Toni D. Chambers serves up delicious views of Ol Cane River country.)

Classroom Activities/Ideas

 After reading this engaging, lyrical book about the culture of Natchitoches, Louisiana, give students the option to choose one of the following options:

• Share a family tradition orally, in writing or as a “how-to” demonstration (if it’s a recipe or game).    

• Create a short slide show that shares unique family background and traditions,  or share a travelogue of family members who live in or outside the US including pronunciation for terms specific to the region. 

PreK -Second Grade

Books pairs are fun to share and these two winners have great activities built into them. For K-2 students, matching and grouping are core skills for classification, a key scientific process. These action-packed picture books highlight skills in observation and comparing and contrasting characteristics, core skills for both math and science. Both books include themes of classroom climate, SEL, and diversity. 

Book: We Match

Author: Chris Barton knows intuitively that kids notice when things match. Think about school spirit days when kids delight in matching outfits. Take that idea to the dog park where Button, a gray terrier, announces the commentary as dogs play ball and chase squirrels. Button observes that some like wet food, others prefer kibble; some wear sweaters; others destroy them. Button discovers more subtle ways the dogs match that also encourages readers to find for connections with their classmates. (Illustrator Sharon Glick creates the most "fetching" dogs.)

Book: Batter Up for the First Day of School

Author Bethany Hegudus, a bonafide baseball fan, creates a tried-and-true back to school picture book that hooks readers with baseball lingo, punny fun, and shares the schedule of a typical school day for young students The Twins, Hank and Erin, begin the day with some nerves, but excitement builds, and at the end of the day, the twins announce that, “Today was a home run!”(Illustrator Nomar Perez creates ballpark joy with his images.)

Classroom Activities/Ideas

Lucky for us, Bethany and Chris have hit a home run with their ready-made activities  students will enjoy.

Look at these adorable “We Match” playing cards from illustrator Nomar Perez! Students can create their own cards and compare their connections with other students.

Here’s an example of Chris and Sharon’s match session.

Bethany has a baseball card activity as a way the new classroom team can announce and share this year’s roster. Celebrate your MVPs here. 

Check out Bethany's MVP and his vital stats as an example to model! 

Readers, what books, book matches and activities do you recommend for a great back-to-cool? Let us know in the comments!