by Bryan Patrick Avery

It’s been a hectic (but still fun) year for me. This Fall, my 20th book will be published. I was talking to a friend about this milestone and they asked me a question I hadn’t considered: “Do you ever get burned out?” The question stumped me for a moment. Then, I realized that, no, I don’t get burned out. 

​Chapter Books
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
Magic Tree House #7: Sunset of the Sabertooth by Mary Pope Osborne
The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith, illustrated by Mari Lobo

​Middle Grade Mysteries
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Murder on the Safari Star by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Chester Keene Cracks the Code by Kekla Magoon

​Graphic Novels
School Trip by Jerry Craft
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

Novels in Verse
Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
 
I have a lot of books on my shelves but, lately, these are the ones I’ve been turning to for inspiration in my own writing. Give one or two (or all) of them a try.
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Well, that’s all for this month. Happy writing and have a magical month.

​By Melissa Stoller
 
Where I live, July means summer fun in the sun! Summertime often means a break from school, time for family vacation and activities, delicious summer treats, and more. 
 
Here are seasonal prompts to help you make the most of your writing time this month:

Image from Canva



1) Think about your childhood summer plans. Did they include time at the beach, a lake, or a mountain retreat? Did you eat s’mores in front of a camp fire and tell ghost stories? Did you have a favorite ice cream shop? Remember a specific summer setting and brainstorm a paragraph based on that place. 

2) Did you have a job during your summers? What do you remember most about these experiences? Could you include any facts into a current or future manuscript? Think about a past boss or co-worker and draft a character sketch.  

3) Did you attend summer camp or other types of lessons or programs? Could any of those memories of your experiences work their way into a story draft? Think of one possible main character from a summer camp and write a first line.  
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I hope these summer prompts help you find and cultivate sizzling summer ideas this month. Let me know in the comments! 
 

​MELISSA’S BIO:
 
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency.
 
 
CONNECT WITH MELISSA:
 
https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog 
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
www.twitter.com/melissastoller
www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
 

By Shirin Shamsi
Often times writing can be a solitary experience - at least that’s how I write. Solitary and alone with my thoughts, I escape into my world of imagination. I dig deep as I step into my zone of: 

Writing
Reading
Scribbling
Sketching
Doodling
Dreaming

But then there are times when I attend conferences, to meet others, to learn, to be inspired, and to receive confirmation that what we are doing is important. It’s where I meet others who have a shared love of books, of reading, of writing - my bookish people! I recently attended the American Library Association Annual Conference, which happened to be in my own back yard - Chicago. There were fifteen thousand in attendance throughout the week-long event. It was huge. It was magnificent. 

I was overwhelmed with feelings of joy and gratitude. Meeting librarians, educators, and authors from across the country was simply magical! It was a time of replenishment, of in-person meetings and connection with friends some whom I’ve only ever known online. I highly recommend you take time out of your solitary work to sign up for an event in your area. Whether it be an annual conference or a regional event, it’s important to connect with other writers, and also with librarians and educators. 

One mother came clutching my book in her hands, tears in her eyes. She thanked me for writing my book. She thanked me for allowing her daughter to feel seen in the pages of my story. I was lost for words, overcome with emotion, and overwhelmed with gratitude.

It’s why I write. It’s why we write.