It's Writers Wednesday...

And I've been hearing a lot of questions from new and/or unpublished writers on the topic of self-publishing. The pros and cons of going the self-publishing route need to be carefully considered before a decision is made. I urge writers to begin by honestly answering a couple of questions:

• Why are you writing?
• What outcome do you expect from having a book in print?

Understanding your motives and clarifying your goals will go a long way to helping you make a decision that will work for you. Then do your homework.

To help you get started, you'll find this post, "If You Are Considering Self-Publishing" by Bev Cooke a worthwhile read. The post is at Harold D. Underdown's blog, "Information About Writing, Illustrating and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon.

For more on the topic, be sure to read the guest post by Stephanie Gunning, former senior editor at Bantam-Doubleday-Dell titled: "Is Self-Publishing an Impediment to Landing a Publishing Contract?"at The Savvy Book Marketer.

If you have a teen or tween science-fiction fan in the house, you should check out Jen Robinson's Book Page for her comprehensive review of The Web of Titan: A Galahad Book. It is the second in the series by Dom Testa which began with The Comet's Curse.

I touched upon linking poetry and the science of growing things in my previous post and low and behold, I'm treated to a wonderful book, courtesy of Anastasia Suen's Blog - Picture Book of the Day. She has a thoughtful review of Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature written by Sarah C. Campbell plus some great lesson ideas for the classroom.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "It was hot." Dreams by Caldecott winning author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats.

I just came in from walking in my garden. Blackberries and blueberries are in flower, promising delicious treats to come. The vegetables are reaching eagerly for the sun with shiny green leaves still damp with the morning dew. It put me in mind of some garden-themed children's books and what with this being National Poetry Month, I'll offer these suggestions:

For a Spring Poetry Unit: Busy in the Garden written by George Shannon, pictures by Sam Williams. This fun collection of lively poetry and riddles in a picture book format will delight children. Adults will enjoy the jokes and puns that Shannon has incorporated into his work.

Need a science/literature crossover book? I Heard It from Alice Zucchini: poems about the Garden written by Juanita Havill, pictures by Christine Davenier. This collection of twenty seasonal poems gives a smart nod to the science of growing things in some of the works and relishes whimsy in others.

Just for the nonsense of it all. Slugs in Love written by Susan Pearson, pictures by Kevin O'Malley. No star-crossed lovers in a Shakespeare tragedy here, despite that fact that it seems never the twain shall meet. Marylou and Herbie leave poetic love notes to each other in slime all over the garden, but continue to miss each other until one fateful day in the tomato patch.

Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted at Papertigers blog.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "It was hot."

It's Writer's Wednesday -- here some Helpful Writing Tips.

Children's magazines are great places to be published. You'll find up-to-date information on many of the best-known periodicals in the April 1st post titled Magazine Submissions at Pen and Ink. Susan Berger provides a brief summary for all of you with a poem, article, etc. that's looking for a home.

At Tales from the Rushmore Kid, the blog of Tina Nichols Coury, agent Mark McVeigh shared a Revision Tip of the Day. You can find more of Mark's wisdom at The McVeigh Agency Blog.

Writers are always urged to know the Children's Book Market. What better place to find information then at the Publisher's Weekly post on Children's Bestsellers 2009.

While we are on the subject of marketing, every writer must be prepared to get out there and talk to the public. For writers of children's books, that can often mean school visits. There is a great March 19th post on the topic by Jacqueline Vick titled The Challenges of Putting on a Children's Literacy Presentation at Writers in Residence.

In honor of National Poetry Month, I put together a new list of poetry books I'd like to acquire. Here are a couple of my selections:

• African Acrostics: a word in edgewise written by Avis Harley, photographs by Deborah Noyes. This book is a collection of brilliant color photographs paired with short acrostic poems. Readers in grades 4-7 will enjoy the poetry and the word games incorporated into the verses as they decode the messages cleverly tucked into first, last or diagonal letters in the lines.
  
• All the World by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee is a delightful read-aloud for the kindergarten and 1st graders with each poem inviting the readers to explore their world.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "In the days when farmers worked with ox and sled and cut the dark with lantern light, there lived a boy who loved snow more than anything in the world." Caldecott Medal Book: Snowflake Bentley, written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian.

Spring has Sprung and the Poets are in bloom!

Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted this week by Kate Coombs at Book Aunt.

While we're on the subject of Poetry, let me remind you to check out Thirty Poets, Thirty Days at GottaBook where you will find previously unpublished poetry by your favorite poets.

And there's more...at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

Fridays Famous First: Can you identify the title and author for this first line?
"In the days when farmers worked with ox and sled and cut the dark with lantern light, there lived a boy who loved snow more than anything in the world."

It's Writer's Wednesday. Yes, I know the post says Thursday, but my system went down and my post was delayed.

Get your pencils sharpened...get your mouse in motion because it's coming...2010 National Picture Book Writing Week. Check out the fun at Paula Yoo. And as a bonus, beginning April 1st, she will be inspiring picture book writers with daily posts. Don't miss it!

I just finished reviewing a picture book manuscript for a fellow writer. If you don't have someone to offer suggestions on your work, you can find help at SCBWI Critique Connections.

And...you'll find some thought-provoking tips at Ten Rules for Writing Fiction: Part One and Part Two.