By Susan Wroble (Note that a version of this post first appeared in RMC Kite Tales, Spring 2023) Have you ever noticed the disclaimers on some book reviews posted to book blogs or Goodreads? “I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all … Continue reading Building Writerly Resources: Putting Edelweiss to Work
Nonfiction Picture Books: Not to be Missed Nonfiction (RMC 2023)
By Susan Wroble The Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI is one of those truly great organizations, filled with people who willingly share their knowledge to support others. It was the reason I stepped in to volunteer for the chapter’s leadership team—I wanted to keep this organization going. In the nearly two years since then, one … Continue reading Nonfiction Picture Books: Not to be Missed Nonfiction (RMC 2023)
Building Writerly Resources: The Secret to Children’s Publishing? Persistence.
Psssst… Want to know the secret of children’s book publishing? At the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI’s panel at the CCIRA literacy conference in February, authors and illustrators shared some of the stories behind their stories. The answer? It’s simple and painful, both. Persistence. For some, persistence has meant staying focused over time. Author/Illustrator Kaz Windness is truly … Continue reading Building Writerly Resources: The Secret to Children’s Publishing? Persistence.
Building Writerly Resources: The Secret Agent Files
“Why,” asked a woman near me, “is it so very hard now to find agents who want to represent picture books? I can find plenty of agents for Middle Grade and YA, even for graphic novels and author/illustrator books. But finding one to come to our conference that represent author-only picture books is getting really … Continue reading Building Writerly Resources: The Secret Agent Files
In the Garden: Barbara Carroll Roberts’ book—A ROSE NAMED PEACE
September 2022. When we bought a house in Denver, it came with a garden, and a history. The home had belonged to Matt and Elaine Mateyka, and Matt had made a second career (according the neighbors, his first was in the CIA) as a television gardener. Matt had died two decades earlier, but the bones … Continue reading In the Garden: Barbara Carroll Roberts’ book—A ROSE NAMED PEACE
Building Writerly Resources: Lessons from the Booksellers
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to attend three different events hosted by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI that focused on relationships with booksellers. First, RMC’s Perfect Partners webinar featured a panel of five local Indie booksellers: Juli Guyer of BookBar and The Bookies Lauren Casey of Second Star to the Right Jerilyn Patterson of The Wandering Jellyfish … Continue reading Building Writerly Resources: Lessons from the Booksellers
On Writing: Stepping UP
By Susan Wroble, August 2021 I love the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I’ve been a member for a very long time (since 2004), but for most of the first decade and a half, I would attend the regional conferences, and write and file. It was only … Continue reading On Writing: Stepping UP
On Growing Roses: Cultivars for Use in Colorado’s Post-Japanese Beetle Life
By Susan Wroble, May 2020 What’s a rose lover to do? Japanese Beetles invaded the Denver area in 2006 and have exploded in numbers ever since. While some home gardeners are ripping out their rose beds, Colorado State University’s Dr. Whitney Cranshaw had a much better plan. Dr. Cranshaw, a Professor of Entomology, undertook a … Continue reading On Growing Roses: Cultivars for Use in Colorado’s Post-Japanese Beetle Life
Exploring the Human-Animal bond: Hathaway—How Did She Know?
Summer, 2019 One Friday this summer, I was giving a presentation with Hathaway to the student researchers at the University of Colorado — specifically, for those working at the Gary Pavilion, in the psychiatric unit. This is a completely separate building from the main Children’s Hospital, but the same parking lot. I was annoyed at … Continue reading Exploring the Human-Animal bond: Hathaway—How Did She Know?
Building Writerly Resources: A Review of Selected Recent Picture Books (2019)
June 2019 This review was originally prepared for a June 2019 Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI Denver South Connect & Critique group meeting. I hope you find it helpful. Note on page lengths: First is listed page length (including endpapers), second is the number of pages on which the story actually unfolds. Backmatter is not … Continue reading Building Writerly Resources: A Review of Selected Recent Picture Books (2019)
Susan Wroble 