Columnists
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January 27, 2020New Year's Resolutions for Authors and Illustrators to Try in 2020
By Naseem HrabI looove coming up with new year’s resolutions. There’s nothing like the reset button of a new year to help you recommit to your creative aspirations!Personally, I’d love to complete three picture ...
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December 23, 2019How You Get Paid Writing Children’s Books or: Math is Fun!
By Naseem HrabOne question I rarely get asked is how you get paid when you write and/or illustrate children’s books. I know people have a lot of questions regarding how much they might get paid, but how does the ...
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November 28, 2019What to Do When Your Story Already Exists in the World
By Naseem HrabWe all know that every story has already been told and our challenge, as writers, is to come up with new, original ways to tell stories. Unfortunately, sometimes you think you’ve done just that and, ...
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September 24, 2019The Art of the Deadline
By Naseem HrabEvery word I’m typing right now is late. Not a month late, or even a week late, but three days late. And with every tap, tap, tap on my keyboard, I feel a pang. Anxiety. Guilt. Racing thoughts. Why ...
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August 23, 2019Tough Love for People Who Are Better at Talking About Writing Instead of Actually Writing
By Naseem HrabI just binge-watched three seasons of Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian. If you’re not familiar with this incredible reality television show allow me to tell you about it: in each episode, two normies ...
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July 26, 2019The Truth About the Slush Pile
By Naseem HrabSit down and write a manuscript. Craft it for many months—maybe, even years. Print off manuscript at your mom’s house. Carefully wrap it with your hopes and dreams. Place it in an envelope purchased ...
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June 25, 2019A Few Key Things Every Newly Published Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Should Know!
By Naseem HrabThe title says it all, guys! Here’s a roundup of a bunch of things that newly published authors and illustrators should know. Whether it’s resources on negotiating contracts or where to do research ...
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May 06, 2019Moving On and Holding On: Writing Picture Books as Therapy
By Naseem HrabIs it just me or is closure overrated and nearly impossible to achieve? It sometimes feels like the more you try to shut out painful experiences, the more they wave their hands around and yell, “Look ...
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April 03, 2019Small Victories: How to Keep Writing When the Odds Seem Stacked Against You
By Naseem HrabEveryone thinks that once you get a book deal it’s all sunshine and rainbows: a beautiful book, great reviews, book launches! … But it’s not. Getting published often introduces you to a host of ...
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March 11, 2019Writing and illustrating children’s books: All the surprises
By Naseem HrabThe process of writing, illustrating and publishing a children’s book can be filled with surprises—good and bad! For example, I’m always surprised by how much my heart explodes when a friend sends ...