We want to celebrate YOU! Here’s some recent good news!

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March 2023

Writers

⇒Judy Campbell-Smith’s picture book, ICE CREAM EVERYWHERE: SWEET STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, will be published by Sleeping Bear Press in Spring 2024, and it will be illustrated by Lucy Semple.

February 2023

Writers

⇒Jude Atwood is excited to announce that his debut novel, MAYBE THERE ARE WITCHES, will be published June 13, 2023 by Fitzroy Books. 

⇒Susi Schaefer‘s third picture book, THE GLOW SHOW, will lighten up the deep on May 2, 2023! 

Fall 2023 

Writers

⇒Katrina Tangen’s picture book is officially getting published!  COPY THAT, COPY CAT!: Inventions Inspired by Animals is a STEM nonfiction book with riddles about biomimicry. It was illustrated by Giulia Orecchia, and it will be published by Barefoot Books in Fall 2023.

Illustrators

⇒Shiho Pate is illustrating The Rescues, written by Tommy Greenwald and Charlie Greenwald. These easy-to-read chapter books highlight the humor and love in a found family of rescue pets. Red Comet Press has bought world rights to The Rescues in a two-book deal. The first book is slated for fall 2023.

Feb 2023

E.L. Tenenbaum’s New book, SHADOW & CROWN, the first of the ROYAL & PIPER Trilogy, was released this week! February 21st. @ELTenenbaum on Instagram/Twitter

January 2023

Writers

⇒Kathleen Troy currently has two middle grade books available on Amazon: Dylan’s Dilemma and Dylan’s Dream. These are the stories of an American Cocker Spaniel, originally from South Korea.  He is sent to live with Casey, a twelve-year-old boy in California.  Of course, there are adventures and misadventures.  The two of them become involved with Search and Rescue. Dylan’s Dog Squad is the next book in this series, which is coming soon.

Never Believe A Lie Twice (YA)  Sage (13) is a down-and-out con artist who is sent to live with family he never knew he had.  One of them happens to be a murderer and wants him very, very dead.

Never Believe In Luck Twice  (See above.) This is a short story.  Sage has to make a decision that will affect the rest of his life. Since he has always relied on his deck of lucky cards to make a decision for him,  he cuts the deck and prays for an ace.

Coming soon:  Never Believe A Con Artist Twice

IG: @kathleentroyauthor

November 2022

Writer and Illustrator

⇒A new children’s picture book for 4-9-year-olds,  RASMOOSE THE CHRISTMAS MOOSE, is available this holiday season. It is written by Helle Brisson and illustrated by Helle Urban. This first book in a series tells the story of how a lost, clumsy, insecure young moose makes new friends, learns to face life’s challenges, and finds his purpose as Santa’s helper and saves Christmas. Visit our interactive website for downloadable games, the original theme song, and ordering information.  

On 11/20, RASMOOSE THE CHRISTMAS MOOSE was selected as Finalist for American Writing Awards in  three categories: Best Children’s-Picture Book; Best Cover Design-Fiction; Animals/Pets General.

Writers

⇒Margo Sorenson met with the adult book club at Hope Lutheran Church, Palm Desert, CA about her YA/Crossover Adult novel, SECRETS IN TRANSLATION (Fitzroy Books, 2018). The meeting was on November 22, and Margo shared the backstory of the book and her childhood in la bella Italia.

September 2022

Writers

Carlene Griffith released the 2nd book in her ROSE MAIDELAIDEN series September 1st on Kindle Vella. It’s called ROSE MAIDELAIDEN: THE UNOFFICIAL TALE OF HOW THE LILY GOT ITS NAME. After all the Episodes are published, she will compile them into a book that will be available on Amazon.com.

⇒Three of Ilana Rogel-Wieder’s submissions were acquired by Highlights High-Five magazine, which will be published in their 2023 issues.

August 2022

Writers

⇒Judy Campbell-Smith celebrates her reading of AJ’S NEIGHBORHOOD at the Claremont Forum Bookstore on August 14 as part of their Summer Reading Program. Located in Claremont Village: 586 W 1st St, Claremont CA. 

Twitter: @j_campbellsmith

Website: www.JudyCampbellSmith.com

June 2022

Writers

⇒Carla Mino’s first book CRYSTAL HEALING: A Guide for Writers releases on June 23, 2022. Also, on June 13, 2022, she is launching her “Write Your Bestseller Book in 90 days” Creative Coaching Program.

⇒D. K. Posner is excited that her self-published YA novel REMY (by D.K. Posner) has been released on Amazon and Bookbaby.

Website: Dkposner.com

⇒Gayle Gaviola is thrilled to announce that she’s signed with Brent Taylor of Triada US for author representation, and to bring to life her first novel — a YA enemies-to-lovers romcom with a Filipina American lead inspired by her personal upbringing as a military brat.

IG: @gaylegavs

May 2022

Illustrators

⇒Lauren Gallegos has two upcoming books: Baa Baa Tap Sheep, coming out May 15th from Sleeping Bear Press and Time For School (American Girl), coming out May 3rd from Little Golden Books.

Website: http://www.laurengallegos.com

Instagram: @lauren.gallegos

Writers

⇒Gea Meijering’s middle grade graphic novel, Hacking the Code, is celebrating its first year anniversary this month by producing an audiobook.

⇒Gayle Gaviola will be published in Growing Up Asian in America, a new book from Simon & Schuster’s MTV Books imprint, which is coming out on May 15, 2022. The personal nonfiction essay Gayle wrote inspired the YA  manuscript she shared at Tahquitz.

IG: @gaylegavs

⇒Lauren Gallegos has two upcoming books: Baa Baa Tap Sheep, coming out May 15th from Sleeping Bear Press and Time For School (American Girl), coming out May 3rd, 2022 from Little Golden Books. www.laurengallegos.com

⇒Russ Thompson received a positive review from Foreword Clarion Reviews for All Alone. It’s a high-interest novel for teens about a tenth-grader who contends with loneliness, family conflicts, and school troubles. https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/all-alone/

⇒The release date for Heather Buchta’s YA novel, Chasing After Knight, has been moved to May 10, 2022. It’s a funny, romantic novel about a girl trying to make amends with a former best friend who is now an A-list movie star.

April 2022

Illustrators

⇒Gea Meijering’s middle grade graphic novel, Hacking the Code, is celebrating its first year anniversary this month. An audiobook is now available. Instagram: @hacking.the.code.

Website: http://www.icarepress.com. TikTok: @hackingthecode

⇒Shiho Pate is illustrating The Rescues, written by Tommy Greenwald and Charlie Greenwald. These easy-to-read chapter books highlight the humor and love in a found family of rescue pets. Red Comet Press has bought world rights to The Rescues in a two-book deal. The first book is slated for fall 2023. 

Instagram and Twitter: @shihopate;

Website: http://shihopate.com

Writers

⇒The release date for Heather Buchta’s YA novel, Chasing After Knight, has been moved to May 10, 2022. It’s a funny, romantic novel about a girl trying to make amends with a former best friend who is now an A-list movie star.

⇒Debra Garfinkle’s middle grade novel, Violet and the Pie of Life, came out in paperback in March 2022. She also has a story in the middle grade anthology Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories, which was published on April 20, 2022. Locals Henry Herz and Stacia Deutsch also have stories in the anthology. Website: http://www.DebraLGreen.com 

⇒Gayle Gaviola will be published in Growing Up Asian in America, a new book from Simon & Schuster’s MTV Books imprint, which is coming out on May 15. The personal nonfiction essay Gayle wrote inspired the YA  manuscript she shared at Tahquitz. Instagram: @gaylegavs

⇒Congratulations to Lori Polydoros. Her newest book, Quake Chasers: 15 Women Reocking Earthquake Science, has just been released by Chicago Review Press. It explores the lives of fifteen diverse, contemporary female scientists with a variety of specialties related to earthquake science.  Instagram: @polydoroslori. Twitter: @lori_polydoros.

⇒Russ Thompson received a four-out-of-five rating from Foreword Clarion Reviews for All Alone, a high-interest novel for teens about a tenth-grader who contends with loneliness, family conflicts, and school troubles. See the review at https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/all-alone/.

⇒Kathleen Troy currently has two middle grade books available on Amazon: Dylan’s Dilemma and Dylan’s Dream. These are the stories of an American Cocker Spaniel, originally from South Korea.  He is sent to live with Casey, a twelve-year-old boy in California.  Of course, there are adventures and misadventures.  The two of them become involved with Search and Rescue. Dylan’s Dog Squad is the next book in this series, which is coming soon.

March 2022

Illustrators

Susi Schaefer‘s picture book The Glow Show will be published from Sourcebooks eXplore inMay 2023!

Writers

Debra Garfinkle’s middle grade novel, Violet and the Pie of Life, came out in paperback in March 2022. She also has a story in the middle grade anthology Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories, which was published on April 20, 2022. Locals Henry Herz and Stacia Deutsch also have stories in the anthology.

Website: www.DebraLGreen.com

Heather Buchta’s newest YA novel, Chasing After Night, will be released April 26. It’s a “funny, romantic novel about a girl trying to make amends with a former best friend. The thing is, healing someone else’s broken heart has its complications, especially when he’s now an A-list movie star.”

Judy Campbell-Smith’s self-published picture book with illustrator Amanda Dowell, AJ’s Neighborhood, is now available for pre-order. The release date is March 29. Twitter: @j_campbellsmith. Instagram: @jcampbellsmith. Website: www.judycampbellsmith.com.

Marie Chan’s picture book biography, Mamie Tape: A Chinese-American Girl’s Fight to Go to School, was recently acquired by Ten Peaks Press, an imprint of Harvest House Publishers. It will be released in winter 2024.  Website: mariechan.com. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @mariechanbooks.

Ernesto Cisneros, winner of the 2021 Pura Belpre Award for Efren Divided, has released a new book, Falling Short, “…a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways.” He has received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly.

Erin Lagerberg’s short story, “Miniwashitu,” has been accepted by SCBWI for its upcoming middle-grade anthology, Haunted States of America.

Lori Polydoros has a young adult, non-fiction book coming out on April 26th called Quake Chasers: 15 Women Rocking Earthquake Science, which explores the lives of 15 diverse, contemporary female scientists with a variety of specialties related to earthquake science. With tenacity, intellect, and innovation, these women have crushed obstacles in society, in the lab, and out in the field. Their accomplishments leave aftershocks as they work toward revealing answers to the many riddles that lie behind earthquakes, saving lives by teaching us how to prepare for these terrifying disasters. Instagram: @polydoroslori. Twitter: @lori_polydoros.

Russ Thompson received a positive review in Kirkus Reviews for his third novel, Never Wanted, about a neglected and abused teen who is placed in foster care. He also received a positive review in BookLife Reviews for his most recent book, Overspray, about a teen who struggles to recover after his father dies. Website: www.bookstockpress.com.

January 2022

Writers

“Eyes on the Road,” by Esther Tenenbaum, was published in the January/February issue of Writer’s Digest. “Much like a cross-country road trip, writing a series can be quite the journey for both readers and writers. Here are five tips for planning and writing a series to get readers safely to the final destination and enjoy the ride along the way.”

Illustrators

Chuck Grieb is is featured on this month’s Imagine FX Magazine!

Andy Mitchell shared a new book coming in March! Preorder The Art of Alice and Martin Provensen

Heather Soodak‘s art is going to be in Centered on the Center 2022 at Huntington Beach Art center!

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