From Idea to Picture Book - Fractured Fairy Tale version

This behind-the-scenes look at bookmaking focuses on my book Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates. I reveal a book's journey from idea to bound book, including:

- how writers get ideas, especially by wondering, 'What if...?'
- the research involved, even when writing fiction
​- planning and organizing before you write
- the writing process, including beginning-middle-end 
- revision, revision, and more revision
- the submissions and editorial process
- the sketch stage, including revisions
- how the final art was created
- how a book is printed/produced

Visuals include research materials, oodles of marked up manuscripts, sketches, and press sheets from the book. In discussing how one particular book was made, I hope to give students a sense of an author's average day/week. I ask the students many question as I go, inviting their participation. If time allows at the end, I engage the students in an interactive group writing project. The program lasts about 45 minutes, which includes time for questions. This presentation is best for grades 1-4. It supports Common Core Language Standard 5 and Reading Literature Standards 5 (grade 2) and 7.

I have worked as an editor at HarperCollins Children's books and as a children's bookseller and reviewer. I currently work at Studio Goodwin Sturges, a representative for children's book illustrators in Providence, RI, so I bring a well-rounded perspective to the bookmaking process.