Protected: Amina Jordan-Mendez on finding space for the full expression of self
2021-08-04
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
7 writers on ‘Lessons I learnt from my first book’
2021-08-04
Often, as first-time writers, we struggle, stumble, and get stuck. And yet this path has been walked upon by many who have come before us. When we look back, we can see some of the pitfalls and ways around them. Valley of Writers has put together a list of lessonsMore
First book – Kaja Kvernbakken on being a first time writer in Norway
2021-06-23
Getting your first book published is one of the highlights of any author’s life. But what is it like in different countries? What are the nuances that we can learn from by talking to writers in different countries and cultures? I spoke to Kaja Kvernbakken, a Norwegian writer and writingMore
Zukiswa Wanner on building a power network as an author & finding time to write
2021-04-28
South African novelist, Zukiswa Wanner, is one of the busiest people I know. In 2020, she was named African Literary Person of the Year by Brittle Paper, one of the leading blogs on African literature. As if to seal this award, a few days later, she was named one ofMore
Anna Kang on how to create great picture books
2021-04-25
Anna Kang’s debut picture book, You Are (Not) Small, was published in 2014. She has, since then, published seven more books, all illustrated by her husband, Christopher Weyant. You Are (Not) Small has won several awards, including the 2015 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, and was listed as one of the NPR BestMore
Want to Publish an Audiobook? A Few Lessons from Shane Robitaille’s Journey
2020-08-26
In February 2020, Shane Robitaille released his third book and first novel, Rockit Crew: The Adventures of Teenage Hip-Hop Misfits. He was as excited as any author would be when this sort of thing happens and had a string of promotional events laid out for the following months. Then COVID-19More
Things to Consider Before Applying for an MFA
2020-07-27
I first heard about MFA programs when I took a writing class at Cornell University as an undergrad. Back then, I was still a Government major who thought I would go into the non-profit world or politics. I knew I wanted to tell Zimbabwean stories and fight for female empowerment.More
‘Believe in Yourself’ – Advice on writing from a Sixth Grade Author
2020-07-20
Daisy Rolland of Easthampton MA was only 10 years old when her first book: “How to Enjoy Sweetland: Your Essential Guide to Sweets,” came out in December 2018. It is a sweet-lovers guide for children. In it, Daisy gives tips on making your own sweets, eating them, hiding them and,More
Steve Bernstein on Self-Publishing as a Route to a Publishing Contract
2020-06-14
Steve Bernstein never imagined himself a writer. He says his sister Amy, who died about twenty years ago, was the writer in the family. Towards the end of 2019, Bernstein signed a publishing contract for what started off as a self-published project. What changed that moved him from a non-writerMore
