A Book Deal, Ava Lin 2, and a Giveaway!

Book/TV news and a multi-book giveaway (of other people's books!)

Oct 29, 2024

It’s been an overwhelming month! Here’s what I’ve been up to:

TV Writing

I had an amazing time in Pittsburgh for the kickoff of the Fred Rogers Writers’ Neighborhood fellowship. Through the fellowship, I’m meeting lots of TV writers and producers, plus getting to see behind the scenes of how these shows are created. I also love the connections I’ve made with the other fellows—it’s a wonderful group of creative writers!

Claire Norris, me, Annie Hentschel, Anise Overton, Sophie Nadel, Rupeshi Shah, Amanda Maisonave, Janine Sobeck Knighton

Ava Lin Book 2 is Coming!

I’ve been busy getting ready to launch Ava Lin, One of a Kind in January! In this book, Ava Lin’s quest to earn the most kindness tickets in her first-grade class—and claim a coveted reward—leads to unanticipated results.

I’ve created some special sticker sheets and I’m so pleased with them. Pre-order from Linden Tree to receive your signed copy and sticker sheet when the book releases!

Pre-Order

A New Book Deal

It’s officially announced! I’m excited to be working on a new STEAM picture book with the folks over at Workman Kids—and I’m thrilled that the wonderful @angelchangart is on board for illustrations. Get ready for some rhyming, skip counting, and animal facts in LOTS AND LOTS OF OCELOTS, coming in 2026!

So Many Events

I did tons of events this past month! Thank you to:

Linden Tree Books for a wonderful Educators’ Night
Hicklebee’s for amazing school visits and their famous Educators’ Night (plus I got to sign their wall!)
On Waverly for a Story Time Sunday—my first event with my dear friend and critique partner Faith Kazmi and her beautiful book, A BOX OF DREAMS!
Children’s Fairyland and Books on B for a fun Children’s Book Festival
Joy Culture Foundation for a lovely bilingual story time
And Barnes & Noble Burlingame for a sweet Halloween story time!

Kidlit Survival Guide Posts

Christine and I have posted lots of useful and relatable new posts on Kidlit Survival Guide this month:

• Paid Vs Promotional Visits
• Our Book Festival Setups
• Writing an Interactive Picture Book
• Publishing Lows

Giveaway

Let’s give away some books! This month, I’d like to give away a couple of books from creator friends that I love. HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Melissa Iwai is an adorable book about a red panda wondering why all panda stories are about giant pandas, and WHAT IS HOPE? by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic and illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell is an uplifting lyrical book about hope.

Like or comment for a chance to win! (U.S. shipping addresses only (?).)

Happy Halloween!

Okay, last but not least, have a wonderful Halloween! This year I made glass-blown pumpkins with my 8-year-old and couldn’t resist making one to match THE BOO CREW NEEDS YOU!