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February 21, 2022
*Well, excuuuse me, Princess
Welcome back, Open Book reader. Lovely to see you again, hope you’re doing well. As promised, I’m going to give some insight into what fuels all this nerdiness I’m brimming with. The relatively ...
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June 03, 2022
On Becoming an Acquiring Editor
For thirty years I was on the other side of the desk: submitting books to editors who didn’t reply or who took six months to reply, who replied with no-thank-you formulae, or who replied with suggestions ...
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June 21, 2022
In All Fairness Though
In all fairness though, and this is something that I've had thoughts about for a great long time, conflicted ones at best so I'm sure some of what I'm writing about I'll get wrong. Yesterday I wrote that ...
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June 15, 2022
Indigenous, Aboriginal, Indian, Native canadian and being a poet
So the challenge in being Nish and a writer or graphic novelist and I imagine anything creative that brings your work into the public light is being asked to represent the opinions of your people on stuff ...
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July 27, 2022
"This Incredible Period of Chaos and Change" Alexandra Mae Jones on Why She Loves Writing Young Adult Literature
In Alexandra Mae Jones' debut young adult novel, The Queen of Junk Island (Annick Press), 16-year old Dell is dealing with adult-sized challenges, both internal and external.In shock from the trauma ...
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August 09, 2022
Jodi Carmichael on Crafting Lou, a Girl with ADHD & Dyslexia Who is the Irresistible Hero of a New Middle Grade Novel
The irresistible protagonist of Jodi Carmichael's The U-nique Lou Fox (Pajama Press), Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O’Shaughnessy, is going to be a playwright, and nothing can stop her. Not her overlong ...
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September 01, 2022
The Joy of Building a List
Early on, when I still thought I’d be a writer rather than work in publishing, I remember coming across a lovely quote from Toni Morrison saying something along the lines of “If you can’t find the ...
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September 08, 2022
Naseem Hrab's Adorable Snail Party Picture Book is a Love Letter to Homebodies of All Ages
While everyone loves a special occasion, we all have different ideas about the perfect way to celebrate. Some people may love a big, boisterous party, but plenty of people find that all a bit overwhelming ...
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September 22, 2022
9 Kidlit Page-To-Screen Adaptations that are just as Good as the Book
Earlier in the month, I had the opportunity to see Lena Dunham’s spirited and loving adaptation of Catherine Called Birdy, Karen Cushman’s novel of the same name, at the Toronto International Film ...
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October 11, 2022
Excerpt: A New Friend Has a Dark Secret in Veteran KidLit Star Eric Walters' New Novel, Made 4 You
Eric Walters has written over 100—yes, you read that correctly—beloved books for young people, and won countless awards. Now a Member of the Order of Canada and a grandfather, Walters shows no sign ...