Category: Picture Book (Page 3 of 7)

When a Writer Doesn’t Have Time for Writing and New Books from Katie L. Carroll

October 13, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

I have been longing to get back into creative mode. I’ve got a revision of my YA psychological thriller Hamlet retelling that has been inching along so very slowly. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starts in a few weeks, and I really want to draft my next YA during November.

However, with two book releases this fall (and approximately a thousand soccer games for my kids), there’s been little time for the actual book writing and revising. It’s a case of the writer not getting to actually write. The fact is being an author means marketing our books, and being an indie author means producing our books as well. I’ll get back into the fun stuff eventually.

The good news is that WITCH TEST is out in the world and spreading all kinds witchy, crow, Halloween vibes. It recently hit #1 in all its categories on Kobo, so that was super exciting! Thank you so much to all who have read, reviewed it, or shared it. Posting reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other book retailers is so helpful to authors because it increases the chance of new readers finding it.

MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS comes out in 12 days! It’s available for pre-order at all the usual places, like Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and Kobo. I’ll soon be getting the listing up on my Purchase Books page for those of you who are interested in signed copies. I’ve probably mentioned this before, but MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS makes for a great Christmas gift for any moms you know. I still can’t get over the beautiful illustrations by Phoebe Cho.

Here’s a little video I created for it. How’s your fall going?

@katielcarrollauthor
Mommy’s Night Before Christmas by Katie L. Carrol with illustrations by Phoebe Cho is the perfect gift for all the moms (and the kids). #mommysnightbeforechristmas #picturebook #christmasbooks #giftsforher #booktok
♬ We Wish You a Merry Christmas (music box) – yostimar

MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Cover Reveal

July 8, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

There’s so much going on right now as I prepare for my two fall releases and work on revisions for my Hamlet-inspired YA psychological thriller that’s coming out next year! Plus, it’s summer, so that means adventures and vacations with the family.

Today, though, I’m focusing on my upcoming picture book MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Consider this a reason to have a Christmas in July celebration because I’m revealing the gorgeous cover and one of my favorite spreads in the book. There is something so magical about seeing the words come to life through illustrations!

I was so happy to work with illustrator Phoebe Cho. Her vision for the characters and setting matched up with mine and more. She brought a really beautiful mix of classic Christmas nostalgia and a modern, realistic twist. So here it is!

Do you love it as much as I do?

Some of you long-time readers may remember my take on Clement C. Moore’s classic poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” that I shared each year at Christmastime. This version is quite similar (I did make a few edits to the text), but the illustrations take it to a whole new level.

It definitely can be read to kids (I’ve read it to mine a bunch of times and it always makes them laugh), but it’s truly a picture book for parents. One of my favorite spreads really demonstrates the kind of humor I was going for and shows you Santa himself!

I hissed, “Get off my roof, your reindeer too.”
With a shake of my hands, waved off his crew.
He grinned. “Don’t end up on my naughty list.”
Clearly this guy wasn’t getting my gist.
Mommy’s night before christmas

I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family! The book comes out October 25 and is starting to pop up on retailers for pre-order. I’m working with a marketing firm and am looking for a few published picture book authors to read it early and provide blurbs. If that’s you and you’re interested in MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, let me know at katielcarroll @ yahoo.com.

About MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS:

‘Twas the night before Christmas…

In this humorous take on the classic Christmas poem by Clement C. Moore, the concept of the serene night before Christmas is turned on its head. Instead of visions of sugar plums, the children are teething and playing loudly. There are presents to be wrapped and ornaments to be mended. Just when Mommy and Daddy take a moment to relax, a noise outside alerts them to a surprise visitor. But Mommy’s determined not to let anyone–not even Santa Claus himself–disturb the sleeping children on Christmas Eve.

Children and parents alike will be entertained and delighted by this new classic Christmas story! The perfect gift for all the moms who make Christmas so special.

Pre-order now from Bookshop, Amazon (hardcover or ebook), Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or Book Depository (for international folks).

Picture Book Recommendations for Adults

April 27, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

I’ve been doing a series of videos on TikTok (find me @katielcarrollauthor) where I recommend picture books for adults, even if they don’t have children to read to. I truly believe that picture books are for all ages. They have such a unique way of presenting the world to us, and the illustrations can be beautiful works of art.

I mentioned in my post “What Nonfiction Picture Books Teach Us About How Rich A Billionaire Is” how I often turn to nonfiction picture books when I want to begin learning about a new topic. They have a way of breaking down information into clear, concise explanations.

Sneak peek of the cover of MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

In my videos, I’ve been focusing on fiction, mostly because my upcoming picture book MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, illustrated by Phoebe Cho, is fiction. This book truly is geared more toward adults—think GO THE F*** TO SLEEP without any swearing—though it is fun for kids as well…my kiddos like it!

So here are five picture books I think adults should read and a short video about each: IN A JAR by Deborah Marcero; BEEKLE by Dan Santat; WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN AGAIN by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam; THE DIGGER AND THE FLOWER by Joseph Kuefler; and SOAKED! by Abi Cushman.

@katielcarrollauthor
#booktok #picturebook #inajar #readaloud #bookrecommendations #bookrec #booktoker #childrensbook #picturebookrecs #picturebookswelove
♬ original sound – Katie L. Carroll

@katielcarrollauthor
#bookrecommendations #booktok #booktoker #picturebook #picturebookrecs #beekle #kidlit @katielcarrollauthor
♬ original sound – Katie L. Carroll

@katielcarrollauthor
Picture book recommendations for adults #booktok #picturebook #bookrecommendations #picturebookrecs #kidlit #dragon #childrensbook @katielcarrollauthor @katielcarrollauthor
♬ original sound – Katie L. Carroll

@katielcarrollauthor
The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler #bookrecs #picturebook #picturebookrecs #booktok #picturebookrecommendation #bookreview #constructionvehicles #flowers #childrensbooks @katielcarrollauthor @katielcarrollauthor @katielcarrollauthor
♬ original sound – Katie L. Carroll

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdV5f5RT/

World Wide Writeathon Fundraiser & NESCBWI Conference Registration

March 18, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

Lots of irons in the fire going on here! I’ll be making a very exciting book announcement soon, so stay tuned for that. I’m also getting very close to being able to share illustration and cover news for my upcoming picture book MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I also have a lot of book release news cooking for next year (I know it’s only March, but publishing thinks ahead!).

Today, I’m highlighting two upcoming events that are of interest to fellow writers. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 10 a.m. (ET), you can join me, Julie Zantopoulos, Katlyn Duncan, and Amber McManus for the World Wide Writeathon Fundraiser Sprint. Grab you WIP and get some work done with us!

The charity for the sprint is Rescue.org and our fundraiser will help the fleeing families of the Ukraine. Learn more about the charity here: https://help.rescue.org/donate/ukraine-acq.

The second event is the New England SCBWI 2022 Regional Conference , which takes place April 29 – May 1, 2022. Registration opens today! The theme is “find your star, let it shine.” This conference is once again virtual, so you can attend from anywhere (and in your pajamas if you’d like).

I’ll be teaching an intensive workshop called “What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing.” I’m really excited to share what I’ve learned about this booming sector of the publishing world and give attendees a guide to start their own self-publishing journey.

There are a ton of other amazing workshops and keynotes from a distinguished group of kidlit creators, including Jane Yolen, Padma Venkataraman, Tara Lazar, Heidi Stemple, Rajani LaRocca, and John Parra. Check out all the workshop options, faculty bios, and registration on the NESCBWI conference page.

You can always check out my Events page for all my upcoming author events and don’t forget you can now buy ebooks and signed print books directly from me on my Purchase Books page. What have you been working on lately?

Ebook Redistribution and Author Updates

February 28, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

Quick announcement about ebook availability. I’m redoing how I distribute some of my ebooks, so there’s a chance those titles won’t be available on some retailers for a limited time. I am now selling all my ebooks directly on my Purchase Books page, where you can also order signed paperbacks, and none of those listings will be affected. The Amazon listings also shouldn’t be affected, so you can find them there as well.

Is it just me or is this year quickly flying by in a big ball of stress? Let me be honest on here for a second (I’m always pretty honest here), I have felt very stressed out this year. The world is feeling ugly and I’m constantly worried about keeping my family healthy, and I’m guessing I’m not the only one feeling this way. It makes it hard to focus, so I keep telling myself writing books for young people is always important–maybe even more so in trying times.

So I’ve been doing my best to take the moments I have for work and keep my head down to make the most of them. Still, I’ve hardly written anything new this year. I have so many solid ideas waiting in the wings. Lots of projects in the works, though. One of these weeks, I’m going to dig into revisions of that NaNoWriMo book of mine, the young adult Hamlet-inspired tale of a teen mourning the loss of her sister. Here’s a little mood board I put together for it.

The illustrations for my upcoming picture book MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS are coming along. Soon I’ll be able to share some of what the very talented illustrator Phoebe Cho has been working on for that book. I’m also working on fun marketing and release details for the October publish date.

Events for 2022 are coming along as well. I have a few writing workshops lined up to teach, and I’m hoping to have some in-person books events and festivals lined up for when the weather warms up. I recently did a virtual author visit for my son’s 5th-grade class, and they wrote me the sweetest thank-you letters, many of them sharing the story ideas they came up during the guided writing exercise I did with them.

Believe it or not, I’m making publishing plans for 2023 already. I have one other book that might come out this year and even more planned for next year. So I guess it’s okay that I haven’t been writing much. I’m working…in between sick days and snow days and stressing out about war. Also taking a moment to appreciate how lucky I am…always important to practice gratitude.

What’s on your mind lately? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.