We’re about to load up the car to visit family for Christmas but I wanted to take a moment and look back at my year writing-wise. It’s helpful to see where I’ve been to know where I’m going (or at least in what direction), and I encourage you to do the same.

This was the year I took a leap and invested in myself. I started off January by taking a Children’s Book Academy course as well as enrolling in a Writing Magic class. I learned a lot from both and ended up being inspired by Mira, the founder of CBA, to write a new picture book manuscript that earned a Golden Ticket to submit to three editors of houses I normally couldn’t submit to on my own. It’s also Girl Scout Cookie season so January was pretty packed, haha. Submissions: 1 YA, 1 sub (full request!); 3 PBs, 3 subs

February submissions: 3 PBs, 3 subs; 1 MG, 2 subs (another request!) and y’all know I can’t resist Susanna Hill’s ValenTINY writing contest.

March was Mardi Gras and more submissions: 1 MG, 5 subs (2 full requests!), 1 YA, 1 sub (contract offered and accepted with Owl Hollow Press!); 3 PBs, 5 subs; 1 BB, 1 sub. I entered the amazingly generous, Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest for the first time. I also wo’manned a table at the Mobile Literary Fest and did a reading (I’m slowly getting more comfortable with those, but gotta get better at making eye contact!).

April showers brought another writing contest, a Spring Fling from the lovely Kaitlyn Sanchez where I received Honorable Mention. I also helped plan Indie Bookstore Day with the Mobile Writers’ Guild and The Haunted Bookshop. Submissions: 1 MG, 1 sub; 1 PB, 1 sub; 1 YA, 1 sub.

The first week in May was NaPiBoWriWee or 7 picture book drafts in 7 days which was A LOT of fun and I ended up with 2 viable manuscripts and 1 magazine piece. Submissions: 1 YA, 1 sub (full request!); 3 magazine, 3 subs; 1 PB, 1 sub. I also started to work part time at The Haunted Bookshop, our local indie bookstore which is just the best.

With authors and critique partners Carrie Dalby & Joyce Scarbrough

In June, I was an instructor with two other fabulous ladies at the Lil’ Haints Creative Writing Summer Workshop. It was so much fun hearing ideas and brainstorming with young writers. I submitted 1 short story which was accepted for publication and just came out this October. I received a pitmad request as well as sent out 3 more picture book queries. I also submitted a chapter book to SCBWI’s Southern Breeze writing contest and won first place–WIK 2020, here I come!

July submissions: 1 MG, 1 sub; 1 PB, 1 sub

August submissions: 1 PBs, 2 subs; 1 CB, 1 sub; 1 MG, 1 sub; 1 BB, 1 sub

September: 1 MG, 4 subs (2 full requests which led to me signing with my new agent!); 1 YA, 1 sub; 1 PB, 1 sub; A picture book I submitted April of last year was accepted for publication!

October: my submissions stop because I sign with the amazing and intuitive Katelyn Detweiler of Jill Grinberg Literary Management and we’re busy working on my mg, Marvel & Happy. My short story, “The Levee and Bea Pearl” is published in OHP’s anthology, Cabinet of Curiosities. And my Publishers Weekly announcement for Bea Pearl released! I also helped judge A Fall Frenzy which was tough because there were SO MANY exceptional entries.

I now have a GoodReads page for THE EXISTENCE OF BEA PEARL, joined the #Roaring20sdebut group, and have my very own writerly newsletter! (The sign-up link is on my Contact page, if you’d like to see what that’s all about)

I’m sure I’ve forgotten things but I really need to help the kiddos pack–no telling what they’ll bring on their own. So I wish all of you the happiest of holidays and hope you take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished in 2019 too!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! It’s Fat Tuesday!

This year I participated in children’s author extraordinaire, Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest. It has a great backstory of how her contest came to be and fabulous entries so be sure to check out her website: https://viviankirkfield.com/2019/03/02/the-50preciouswords-writing-contest-is-open/

Since the contest runs during Carnival season this year, I chose that as my inspiration. I hope you enjoy!

Magical Mardi Gras (49 words)

First the boom, boom.

Then the clip, clop.

Batons on fire

pinwheel among the stars.

Do you see what’s coming next?

Mermaids shimmy in the air.

A giant dragon zigzags down the street,

smoke and fire blasting out its snout.

Hands up to catch beads and MoonPies

and magic.

Susanna Hill’s holiday contest has arrived–the festivities may officially begin! Complete rules are here but the gist is that it cannot exceed 250 words (mine’s at 243, whew!) and must have an act of heroism. Mine is a quiet sort of heroism, so we’ll see if it works. It’s my love letter to old-growth forests, the sacred Earth, and Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree which I’m unable to read without tears.

Thank you, Ms. Hill, for hosting these contests that exercise our writing muscles.

I hope y’all enjoy!

Little Oak

In a deep forest, the wind whispered adventures that made a little oak tremble with excitement.
Little Oak wanted a big adventure too. But his roots went deep into the earth.
One night a storm blew in on the daring wind.
CRACK!
Lightning struck the tallest tree. Squirrels fled to Little Oak’s branches.
“You’re so little that we should be safe here,” chittered one.
“I’m glad my smallness is good for something,” said Little Oak.
“This is a forest,” the squirrel reminded him. “Everything has a purpose.”
The next morning sunlight streamed where the other tree once stood.
“This could be my adventure!” Little Oak reached his limbs as high as he could.
Time wheeled by. Forest creatures used his growing branches for shelter. Gathered his acorns for food. Collected his leaves for warmth.
Oak knew that he would never have the adventures he had dreamed of.
“I hear something,” Squirrel whispered to Oak one day.
But Oak had stopped looking for adventure.
A child paused in front of Oak. “This is the one.”
“Good choice for our Yule log,” the father said.
“It needs an adventure,” the child whispered.
Startled, Oak’s limbs twitched and snow fell on the child’s head. The giggles sent joy through his bark.
“I have a purpose now” said Oak. “To be a light on cold, dark nights.”
“Oh, Oak. You’ve always had a purpose. You give so much for so many.”
What a grand adventure, thought Oak.