The query letter for my middle-grade novel, The Elephant Tree, was featured on Amy Trueblood’s Quite the Query this week. Most writers agree that writing a succinct summary of an entire book in a one-page query letter is hard work. Whole blogs (my favorite of course being Query Shark!) are devoted to the fine artContinue reading “Check Out My Story on Quite the Query”
Author Archives: Julie
I’m a Mentor Twice Over!
I’ve been lucky to have many mentors–teachers, friends, other writers–guide me on my writing journey. So I’m always delighted when I can give back to the writing community in some way. That’s why I’m so excited to announce that I will be a mentor for both TeenPit and Pitch Wars this year. I’m particularly thrilled about TeenPit becauseContinue reading “I’m a Mentor Twice Over!”
Lord Licorice – A spooky Halloween story for children
A couple of years ago, I wrote a spooky Halloween children’s story for my daughter and her friends as part of a Halloween slumber party. Now, I’m pleased to announce that it appears in the July 2016 issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk on Smashwords. It’s a fun little lower-middle grade adventure about girls who wakeContinue reading “Lord Licorice – A spooky Halloween story for children”
Mixed-Up Files post – Take a Reading Holiday
This week, I blogged over at From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors about some of the fabulous middle grade books I read over the holiday. I didn’t mention all the great YA I read, but let it be known that I visited with both Grisha and Raven Boys over the two week break asContinue reading “Mixed-Up Files post – Take a Reading Holiday”
Tackling Tough Topics with MG Readers
This week, I’m over at From the Mixed-Up Files talking with debut author Lisa Lewis Tyre about tackling tough topics with middle-grade readers. Her middle-grade novel, Last in a Long Line of Rebels is stunning. Check it out!
Taking a Leadership Role
As the amazing Elissa Cruz moves on to new adventures, four contributors to From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors have stepped up to fill her big beautiful shoes and lead the blog. I’m pleased to announce that I am one of those four. I’m both honored to take on a bigger role and excitedContinue reading “Taking a Leadership Role”
I’m a Pitch Wars Mentee!
I’m so excited to be a 2015 Pitch Wars mentee! This month, my middle-grade fantasy, QUEST FOR THE KALEVALA, was chosen by middle-grade author Juliana Brandt for Pitch Wars. What does this mean? For the next two months, Juliana and I will work together on revisions so that I can present my work to aContinue reading “I’m a Pitch Wars Mentee!”
Introducing Gather Here
I am beyond excited to finally announce a little project I’ve been working on with the amazing Valerie Stein and Mark Holtzen: Gather Here, Pacific Northwest History for Young People. We hope to support efforts in the education system to bring more local history into the classroom by telling stories aimed at a third toContinue reading “Introducing Gather Here”
2015 SCBWI-WWA Annual Conference
Our SCBWI Annual Conference took place over this past weekend right here in Redmond. It was a weekend of inspiration and community. Once again, I am so thankful to be a part of the amazing writing community here in Western Washington. As much as I loved our time in Finland, living in a place whereContinue reading “2015 SCBWI-WWA Annual Conference”
2015 Children’s Literature Conference
One of the great things about our recent repatriation is the wealth of conferences, festivals, and other book- and writing-related events available in the Western Washington region. So I was thrilled to attend Western Washington University’s 2015 Children’s Literature Festival in Bellingham, Washington in February. I shared some moments of inspiration in my Love-Letter toContinue reading “2015 Children’s Literature Conference”