INK Sisters Write

Dear Kim, You know how much I love writing (and receiving) my weekly INK SISTERS letter. This week, however, we must stop the presses. Hold our quills in the air and roll out the welcome mat. This week, Dear Kim, we share our blog with two new writers from the 2016 Debut Author Bash. Follow the Debut Author Bash on Twitter at #16DABash The 2016 Debut Author Bash is a month-long party celebrating new authors. Today we welcome author, Brooks Benjamin to the blog. Brooks  teaches reading and writing by day and is a brilliant author by night. (Maybe not so much "by night", but "by weird hours that fit around a crazy teacher schedule" just doesn't have the same ring.) His first novel,  MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS  (Delacorte/Random House) hit the shelves this spring. I learned about the book during the winter of 2013/2014 when Brooks and I participated in #PitchWars. His humorous and heartwarming middle grade novel was a favorite. With ...

So I learned a LOAD of useful information on the 2015 State of Children’s Books from an Amazing Editors Panel at the NY15SCBWI Conference. Check out what the experts had to say. J ustin Chanda , VP & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 3 imprints of S&S BEST ADVICE: “We’re growing generations of readers.” MY TAKE: Start them young and they will read with you for life!! Laura Godwin , VP & Publisher of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Imprint of Macmillian, 5 imprints She thinks we’ll see a Picture Book Renaissance, and here’s why: picture books are on the upswing. Social media allows authors to push their own books and other books—it’s great publicity for everyone all around. MY TAKE: I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again and again. Writers and Illustrators are soooo GREAT and FRIENDLY. We are ALL in this together, so lets spread the word!! Beverly Horowitz , VP & Publisher, Dela...