Crystal Kite Award Finalists & Two Giveaway Opportunities

It's been a minute! Between wrapping up the end of the school year and kicking off summer with the family the blog has been a bit hard to prioritize. But I'm back!

One of the most amazing surprises in recent weeks has been the announcement that my debut, OLLIE, THE ACORN, AND THE MIGHTY IDEA, illustrated by Kaz Windness (one of my favorite humans) and pubbed by Page Street Kids has been named as one of the 6 finalists in the New England category for the SCBWI Crystal Kite awards.

This award is peer-given annually and while I am thrilled to see Ollie in the running, I am even happier to see the company he is in. These other creators are friends and incredibly talented. I am a fan of their work and delighted to see them honored as well. If you have not checked out their books yet, you absolutely should add them to your TBR pile or next library haul.

And while I talking about company I am honored to be in, I have to mention my PB Rising Stars pals who also are in the running for Crystal Kite awards in their own divisions. Through this amazing mentorship program I have been able to share my kidlit knowledge and befriend a whole community of creatives. If you have not heard of PB Rising Stars you should check it out and put it on your radar for next year when they will be opening applications for mentorships.

In the meantime, Ebony Lynn Mudd, one of the founders of the program and all around kidlit rockstar, is offering a free month of classes at her online program, PB Retreat to one lucky winner who votes for the Crystal Kite awards. You do not have to vote for me or any of the PB Rising Stars entries, just vote! The rules to enter are below. This is an amazing opportunity to support fellow creators and possibly win access to an INCREDIBLE resource.

You can head on over to Insta and her post, here!

So, if you are an SCBWI member head here to cast your votes before the 7/18 deadline.

I'd be thrilled and grateful if you wanted to send your vote my way in the New England category, but there is no wrong choice. And remember you can vote for one book in EACH category. Vote for whichever books speak to you the most!

And now GIVEAWAY time! You already have the chance to win a month of classes from Ebony over on Instagram, but I thought I'd sweeten the pot for making it to the end of the post.

I am happy to offer one random winner their choice of:

1. One of my picture books

2. A non rhyming, fiction, pb manuscript critique

3. A 30-minute Ask Me Anything call

The choice is yours! To enter, simply leave a comment on which prize you would choose.