tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62116749796964608082024-03-14T02:33:06.506-04:00Sylvia Liu LandChildren's Lit and Other Fun StuffSylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-57989962801811745092022-02-04T08:36:00.004-05:002022-02-04T09:34:48.108-05:00Introducing My Dad's Memoir: The House Arrest of Zhang Xueliang<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgalXmLgNvqE447rE2XUqfLEX2BPxHWfeFVBNZlhEqFLCvCbN2xJwu7l7O-9BHF9_varjVDn3PxIGwd_72Vjw2_HNb8DISOCn8JzW_JRIiFNnl6CcftGqLY1_byIayxxTIKXD9aMmY9ljV4Iq-8aZqbo4oOPK-19y_eYbjp7rdyRj1YyiVX2vPWxjPqow=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgalXmLgNvqE447rE2XUqfLEX2BPxHWfeFVBNZlhEqFLCvCbN2xJwu7l7O-9BHF9_varjVDn3PxIGwd_72Vjw2_HNb8DISOCn8JzW_JRIiFNnl6CcftGqLY1_byIayxxTIKXD9aMmY9ljV4Iq-8aZqbo4oOPK-19y_eYbjp7rdyRj1YyiVX2vPWxjPqow=w400-h640" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cover design by Robin Locke Monda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I'm please to announce that my father Bernard Liu's memoir is published!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <i>The House Arrest of Zhang Xueliang: A Memoir of Growing Up with China's Most Famous Political Prisoner,</i> my dad recounts his experience living with one of the most consequential figures in modern Chinese history, Zhang Xueliang, when he was under house arrest under his father's (my grandfather's) supervision, from 1936 to 1962. His family (including his siblings Bohan, Phillip, Theresa, Frank, and Alex) had a unique perspective on Zhang Xueliang, and the memoir also includes recollections of Phillip, Theresa, and Frank.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the Story (from the jacket copy):</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Chinese General Zhang Xueliang kidnapped Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the Xi’an Incident of 1931 and forced a truce between the Communists and the Nationalists to join forces to fight the Japanese, he changed the course of Chinese history. For his actions, Zhang Xueliang was placed under house arrest for fifty years, where he remained secluded from public view. Chief Special Agent Liu Yiguang of the Guomindang Intelligence Agency was charged with the day-to-day supervision of Zhang Xueliang for the first twenty-five years of that house arrest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this memoir, Bernard Liu shares his story of growing up as the third of six children of Liu Yiguang. Between 1936 and 1962, Zhang Xueliang lived in the Liu family compound—ten locations in ten years in mainland China and two locations in fifteen years in Taiwan. The author ate meals with Zhang Xueliang, heard his stories and jokes, played poker and card games with him, and witnessed twenty-five years of his life that were largely unknown to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What's New in the English-language edition:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My dad published a version of his memoir in Chinese (<i>House Arrest Days of Zhang Xueliang</i>, People's Publishing House 2018). He reserved the right to publish it in English. The English-language version includes more anecdotes, photos, and recollections from some of my father's siblings. He included photos from his family albums, such as this photo of Zhang Xueliang playing cards with his mistress Zhao Yidi, and my aunt, Theresa Walker.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM5msrVWu833SiWEfiJamMZY5SjBNOfSoOlW9lcKeS86dVIV89f9THr4zx-T1ym3zRJVLOc9A8c9AiCtq9cvCbpmQogCmfKNaE6Wa0hA0-AmYleN5zLyUVxICwMLmGVoc92prTvZjpPyb0zFOe6JC7yenTEljCqg6agT6RYsY0j1JGyBIYb1LTWtxH3w=s1624" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="1189" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM5msrVWu833SiWEfiJamMZY5SjBNOfSoOlW9lcKeS86dVIV89f9THr4zx-T1ym3zRJVLOc9A8c9AiCtq9cvCbpmQogCmfKNaE6Wa0hA0-AmYleN5zLyUVxICwMLmGVoc92prTvZjpPyb0zFOe6JC7yenTEljCqg6agT6RYsY0j1JGyBIYb1LTWtxH3w=w293-h400" width="293" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">About the Author: </span></b><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">My dad, Bernard Liu, is a retired civil engineer who grew up in China and Taiwan. The memoir describes the years between ages five and 30. He emigrated to the United States in 1963, lived there for ten years, and spent the bulk of his career (23 years) designing large hydroelectric projects in Caracas, Venezuela. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">ORDER IT NOW! </span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Order the Print Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Arrest-Zhang-Xueliang-Political/dp/B09RLSBN26/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-arrest-of-zhang-xueliang-bernard-liu/1140956331" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | your local bookseller</div><div>Free Int'l Delivery to Most Countries: <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-House-Arrest-of-Zhang-Xueliang-Bernard-Liu/9798985567908" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></div><div>Order the E-Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Arrest-Zhang-Xueliang-Political-ebook/dp/B09RLXVWYX/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-arrest-of-zhang-xueliang-bernard-liu/1140956331" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-house-arrest-of-zhang-xueliang" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div><div><i>links also at</i><i> <a href="https://zhangxuelianghousearrest.square.site" target="_blank">the book's website</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>If you liked this post, you may also enjoy:</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2013/06/Fan-Han-Jie-Story.html">Family Album: Lt. General Fan Han Jie, My Grandfather</a></i></li></ul></div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-71465854404547812812021-09-11T20:00:00.103-04:002021-09-27T14:58:49.012-04:00My Pitch Wars 2021 MG Mentor Wish List<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxzN3tEBwGs/YTaX1BbUV1I/AAAAAAAAVvo/ErjcTuKVBXci_Ee3U7Vp199yyy27-K8eACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/MG-solomentor-wishlistgfx-banner.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="1200" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxzN3tEBwGs/YTaX1BbUV1I/AAAAAAAAVvo/ErjcTuKVBXci_Ee3U7Vp199yyy27-K8eACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h256/MG-solomentor-wishlistgfx-banner.gif" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />Hello middle grade writers! </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />I'm thrilled to be a Pitch Wars middle grade mentor again for 2021. I can't wait to read your middle grade fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, and horror, as well as graphic novels. <br /><br />I have a particular interest in writers who identify with traditionally marginalized communities. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What is Pitch Wars?</b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://pitchwars.org" target="_blank">Pitch Wars</a> is a mentoring program where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each to spend three months revising their manuscript. It ends in February with an Agent Showcase, where agents can read a pitch/first page and can request to read more. Writers can apply to four mentors with a query, synopsis, and first chapter. Find out more about the application process <a href="https://pitchwars.org/new-start-here/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What I'm Looking For</b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I want to be entertained, moved, and shown a world I haven't seen before. Your manuscript doesn't have to be perfect, but it will show significant promise in premise, voice, and craft, and leave me with all the feels. I lean toward commercial and high concept (with an emotional core), rather than literary and quiet.<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fantasy</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbc5kam4jZI/YTQmHjNNCyI/AAAAAAAAVvY/jXQzSiwSdeYcXM_3yXPj2_OSZwa6LNFfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/spirited%2Baway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A movie still from Spirited Away, a young girl (Chihiro) running in the forefront over a bridge. In the background are all the spirits and denizens of the underworld including a giant baby waving goodbye" border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1920" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbc5kam4jZI/YTQmHjNNCyI/AAAAAAAAVvY/jXQzSiwSdeYcXM_3yXPj2_OSZwa6LNFfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h346/spirited%2Baway.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">scene from my favorite Studio Ghibly film, <i>Spirited Away</i>, written and directed by Hayao Miyasake</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love fantasies, whether grounded, second world, or high fantasy. Some specific stories I’d love to see:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>non-European myth- or folklore- based stories like <i>When You Trap a Tiger</i> by Tae Keller or <i>Cece Rios and the Desert of Storms</i> by Kaela Rivera</span><span> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">a story that feels like a Hayao Miyasake movie (<i>Spirited Away</i> is my favorite)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">fairytale retellings or stories that feel like folklore, like <i>Sweep</i> by Jonathan Auxier or<i> The House with Chicken Legs</i> by Sophie Anderson </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">contemporary stories with fantastical elements (magical realism, fabulism, urban fantasy) like <i>Pashmina</i> by Nidhi Chanani</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">sweet and fun magic like <i>Midsummer Mayhem</i> by Rajani LaRocca, or <i>Eva Evergreen</i> by Julie Abe</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dragons, zombies, mermaids, cryptids, ghosts</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Science Fiction</b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNCZOuP3-3A/YTQhBdDZ75I/AAAAAAAAVvI/FfPYdLHbzg8V-70jLjpgHp3Bs7J9Qj7ggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A moody sci-fi setting of a spaceship flying in front of another ship-like structure with a strong solar flare behind it. Overall colors are green, purple, orange, and umbers." border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="2048" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNCZOuP3-3A/YTQhBdDZ75I/AAAAAAAAVvI/FfPYdLHbzg8V-70jLjpgHp3Bs7J9Qj7ggCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h368/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stunning illustration by my talented friend © <a href="https://kathrynaultnoble.com" target="_blank">Kathryn Ault Noble </a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love all science fiction, so send me your space opera and adventure, sci-fantasy, cyberpunk, biotech, dystopian, time travel, superhero, and high-tech stories. I'd love a story with:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">adventure and myth, like <i>Dragon Pearl</i> by Yoon Ha Lee or <i>Sal and Gabi Break the Universe</i> by Carlos Hernandez</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">smart kids in difficult situation</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">s, like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Lion of Mars</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Jennifer L. Holm or </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Cleo Porter and the Body Electric</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Jake Burt</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dystopian environmental stories, like <i>Dry</i> by Neal Shusterman, or ones with cli-fi themes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">robots and mechas</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">a thought-provoking premise (favorite adult sci-fi books: <i>The Murderbot Diaries</i> by Martha Wells, <i>Blackfish City </i>by Sam J. Miller, anything by Ted Chiang; recent favorite YA sci-fi: <i>The Ones We’re Meant to Find</i> by Joan He; favorite movies/shows: <i>Blade Runner 2049, Blade Runner, The Expanse, BSG, Altered Carbon, The Good Place</i>)</span></li></ul><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Contemporary</b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL6WYaOv6iQ/YS6cF5Ct-9I/AAAAAAAAVrA/RnBY5gVmkU8v3Sl_lgpmP89NZA0aTEY1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AYH4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Illustration of a boy in a blue hoodie and yellow shorts walking down a park path on an autumn day, looking at an eager corgi giving him a stick" border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="2048" height="526" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL6WYaOv6iQ/YS6cF5Ct-9I/AAAAAAAAVrA/RnBY5gVmkU8v3Sl_lgpmP89NZA0aTEY1QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h526/AYH4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">illustration by my talented AMM mentee © <a href="https://ayhashitate.com" target="_blank">Annette Hashitate</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is the category I'll be most picky with. We might not be the best match if your story is quiet. I'm drawn to stories with an interesting hook and strong characters, such as:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">funny protagonists with passionate interests like <i>Lupe Wong Won’t Dance</i> by Donna Barbra Higuera and <i>Stand Up Yumi Chung</i> by Jessica Kim </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">social justice stories like <i>Efrén Divided</i> by Ernesto Cisneros or <i>From the Desk of Zoe Washington</i> by Janae Marks</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">complex stories with LGBTQ+ themes like <i>King and the Dragonflies</i> by Kacen Callender</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">graphic novels (some favs: <i>New Kid</i> by Jerry Craft, <i>Real Friends</i> by Shannon Hale)</span></span></li></ul><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Horror</b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iprF-TlIQ/YS-mGm04vfI/AAAAAAAAVtc/QaVSOrPMO-MzIfcSgzfdM7v8Z4GftnvawCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/attack-the-block-sequel-john-boyega.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Movie still from Attack the Block showing a group of teens in front of a building, wearing leather jackets and jeans, looking up at some unseen threat, in defensive stances, ready to rumble" border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iprF-TlIQ/YS-mGm04vfI/AAAAAAAAVtc/QaVSOrPMO-MzIfcSgzfdM7v8Z4GftnvawCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/attack-the-block-sequel-john-boyega.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">send me a story like the chaotic British horror-sci-fi-comedy, <i>Attack the Block</i>, with John Boyega</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love spooky MGs that are chilling and creepy, like <i>The Absence of Sparrows</i> by Kurt Kirchmeier, <i>Doll Bones</i> by Holly Black, <i>The Night Gardener</i> by Jonathan Auxier, <i>Splendors and Glooms</i>, by Laura Amy Schlitz, or <i>Coraline</i> by Neil Gaiman. <i>Something Wicked This Way Comes</i> by Ray Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite middle grade novels. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Throw in some creepy ghosts or supernatural creatures, and I’m hooked. I also love funny horror (like the movie, <i>Attack the Block</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Overall</b> </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Diverse casts and writers writing from their own experiences are a plus. I'd love to see stories where the marginalization is not the focus of the story. For potentially hidden marginalizations (such as LGBTQ+, disabled, or neurodivergent characters), authors should never feel pressure to disclose their marginalizations.<br /><br />Themes I love in all genres: found family, epic friendships, family dynamics, puzzles, and mysteries. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having an art and illustration background, I welcome graphic novels and highly illustrated novels. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After picking last year's mentee, I wrote about the factors that went into my decision making in my email newsletter, <a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=66f413a961" target="_blank">What I've Learned as a Pitch Wars Mentor</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What I'm Not Looking For</b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don't have firm "no's," but you're less likely to be chosen if you submit stories with themes and topics too close to what I'm working on or may work on in the near future (to avoid conflicts of interest): Chinese myth-based fantasy, sea turtles, pirates, or cruise ships. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm not the best fit for verse novels. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(Edited: if you have any questions about whether your manuscript might have specific conflicts with the topics mentioned above, feel free to DM me).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>About Me</b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8eM8t3PsDA/YS9ywK0ehwI/AAAAAAAAVrI/TZBBQM1_TzYOIn9RYKVLAp9dWYKnmOPlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Sylvia%2BLiu%2Bheadshot%2B2021%2B%25C2%25A9%2BK.%2BWoodard%2BPhotography.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1601" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8eM8t3PsDA/YS9ywK0ehwI/AAAAAAAAVrI/TZBBQM1_TzYOIn9RYKVLAp9dWYKnmOPlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sylvia%2BLiu%2Bheadshot%2B2021%2B%25C2%25A9%2BK.%2BWoodard%2BPhotography.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm a former environmental attorney turned middle grade and picture book author (with a detour as a children's illustrator). I was born in Chicago to Chinese immigrant parents and grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. I returned to the U.S. for college and law school, and my ten-year legal career (federal appellate, legislative, and policy work) focused on marine conservation, environmental justice, and Native American rights and tribal sovereignty. I quit the law to become a children's illustrator, which led to writing picture books and middle grade. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />Find out more at my website <a href="http://enjoyingplanetearth.com/" style="color: #954f72;">enjoyingplanetearth.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My books include:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53967229" style="color: #954f72;">Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation</a> (Razorbill/PRH June 2022) (upper MG sci-fi): in a near future where teens' brains are connected to the multiweb, a girl uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that may involve her mom at the helm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/manatees-best-friend-9781338662269.html" style="color: #954f72;">Manatee's Best Friend </a>(Scholastic Aug 2021) (contemporary MG): a girl must overcome shyness and an accidental viral video to save her manatee and dolphin friends while making new friends<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/a-morning-with-grandpa" style="color: #954f72;">A Morning with Grandpa</a>, illustrated by Christina Forshay (Lee & Low Books 2016) (PB): a young girl and her grandfather teach each other yoga and tai chi, but each are bad at the other thing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other works:</span> adult sci-fi short story in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54638060-don-t-touch-that" target="_blank">Don't Touch That: An Anthology of Parenthood in SFF</a>, ed. Jaymee Goh (forthcoming); poem in <a href="https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/17900" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">ThankU: Poems of Gratitude</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, ed. Miranda Paul, illus. Marlena Myles (Lerner Books 2019); creative nonfiction memoir essay, "Your Life in Airplane Rides," <a href="https://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/" target="_blank">Potomac Review</a> (Spring 2018).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I co-run the kid lit resource website, <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com./" style="color: #954f72;">Kidlit411</a> and am represented by <a href="https://twitter.com/marchsoloway" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">Jennifer March Soloway</a> of Andrea Brown Literaray Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What a Mentorship Would Look Like</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />I've been lucky to have mentors who've helped me throughout my writing career, and I want to give back and help others achieve their writing dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I began writing novels 8-9 years ago, I threw myself into classes, conferences, and found critique partners. I was a mentee in <a href="http://authormentormatch.com/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">Author Mentor Match</a> in Spring 2018 for my upper MG sci-fi novel (my mentor was Newbery Award-winner <a href="https://www.taekeller.com/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">Tae Keller</a>), which helped me land my agent, Jennifer March Soloway in January 2019. Since then, Jennifer sold two of my middle grade novels, including the AMM one. I continue to learn from my critique partners (published and pre-published MG and YA authors). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 2020, I mentored two middle grade authors (a graphic novel in Author Mentor Match and a fantasy in Pitch Wars), and both of them signed with agents soon after (see their testimonials below). I teach a writing studio at The <a href="https://the-muse.org/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">Muse Writers Center</a> in Virginia.<br /><br />Writing novels can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve learned you can build a community that will help you grow as a writer and be there for you through the wonderful highs and frustrating slogs and disappointments. Having a professional a bit ahead of you in the creative journey believe in your work wholeheartedly and spend time to work with your whole novel is an incredible gift. Sometimes that’s all you need to push you to the next level, and I hope to do that for someone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>How I Mentor</b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />As a mentor I will help achieve your story vision. I'll provide an edit letter gushing about the things I love and sharing big picture feedback (character and narrative arcs, themes and conflicts, plot holes, pacing, etc.) and craft tips and line edits if needed. I also provide plotting and character development resources. We'll tailor communications to your preferred style (whether it's email, texts, calls, or carrier pigeons) and figure out a revision plan. I'll do a second round read/review and work with you on your query and pitch for the Agent Showcase.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having recently published a middle grade novel and co-running the website <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a> for over 8 years, I'm familiar with marketing and social media and can help you navigate that aspect of publishing as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Mentee Testimonials</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p></blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">“I was incredibly lucky to work with Sylvia as my mentor. She is a skilled editor, a patient teacher, and an incredible champion. Sylvia's approach to revisions is very logical and organized. She taught me many new skills, such as reverse outlining, and had specific suggestions and creative ideas when I got stuck. Her eye for detail will keep you on your toes! Be prepared to work hard but know that she is also a genuinely kind and empathetic advocate for you.” </i><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-<b>Annette Hashitate,</b> <b>2020 Author Mentor Match mentee,</b> represented by Elizabeth Bennett, Transatlantic Agency, <i>Selfies by Sumie</i> (Viking 2023)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(Late-breaking news: Annette just announced the publication of her graphic novel!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSQBueGsXc8/YUFBwxG2K1I/AAAAAAAAVxw/tCXINsV8G2MS-XzUMVD0QggWJvKeVCNPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1504/Annette%2BHashitate.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1504" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSQBueGsXc8/YUFBwxG2K1I/AAAAAAAAVxw/tCXINsV8G2MS-XzUMVD0QggWJvKeVCNPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h182/Annette%2BHashitate.png" width="640" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>“The amount of work Sylvia put into this mentorship was mind-blowing. When I say she went above and beyond, I’m not exaggerating. She was with me for every step of this journey and the first person I called when I received an offer from my dream agent shortly after the showcase. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>You WILL come out of a mentorship with Sylvia with a stronger book, as well as with the tools to revise future books. She’s brilliant, grounded, humble and kind, and on top of all that, an expert on kidlit. I had the dream Pitch Wars experience, starting and ending with having the dream mentor. So if you want to level up as a writer, apply to Sylvia! (And sign up for her newsletter now so you can start getting tips!)”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-<b>Isi Hendrix,</b> <b>2020 Pitch Wars mentee,</b> represented by Peter Knapp of Park & Fine Literary and Media and in the UK by Claire Wilson of RCW.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(Here's <a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=5682389988" target="_blank">a link of to my past newsletters</a> Isi mentioned)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Ideal Mentee</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Your story doesn't have to be perfect; it can be a grand, weird mess, but you're passionate about it and believe in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You're not afraid to work hard and make major structural changes if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You are flexible enough to take constructive criticism and you've had experience receiving and implementing writing feedback. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>My criteria for picking a mentee:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love your story</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Your writing holds significant promise in premise, voice, and craft</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have a clear vision how I can help elevate the manuscript to the next level</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If I pick you, I absolutely believe you will get your work ready to query and obtain agent interest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">P.S. Don't self-reject! Unlike the agent querying process, I don't expect query-ready manuscripts. The point of the Pitch Wars mentorship is to get you there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below or use my contact form.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hope to see you in my in box!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to check out the other MG mentors' wishlists:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><iframe height="350" loading="lazy" src="https://pitchwars.org/mentorbloghop/2021wlbh/pw-mg.html" style="border: 3px solid #b4b4b4;" width="100%"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-1592528977558693152021-02-10T11:23:00.000-05:002021-02-10T11:23:54.393-05:00Newsletter Update: Reading Like a Writer & 5-Book Giveaway<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV3rOj3UMpc/YCQChcNbXkI/AAAAAAAAUqQ/3RqP7pwLCHYqeLz3ohoMA5A_DCnG3gMFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/giveaway%2Barc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="2048" height="612" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV3rOj3UMpc/YCQChcNbXkI/AAAAAAAAUqQ/3RqP7pwLCHYqeLz3ohoMA5A_DCnG3gMFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h612/giveaway%2Barc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>As I transition to providing content via my email newsletter, I'm posting here so subscribers to my blog (<a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com" target="_blank">Sylvia Liu Land</a>) can check it out. <p></p><p>My February post is <a href="https://mailchi.mp/a8d2677eb5b4/read-like-a-writer-5-book-giveaway" target="_blank">Reading as a Writer, plus a 5-ARC giveaway.</a> where I provide three tips on actively reading and learning from mentor texts (Copy the Masters, Identify the Midpoint, and Reverse Outline).</p><p>I'm also giving away these five books: </p><p><i>Amina's Voice</i>, by Hena Khan</p><p><i>Amina's Song, </i>by Hena Khan</p><p><i>Leaving Lymon</i>, by Lisa Cline-Ransome</p><p><i>Gloom Town</i>, by Ronald L. Smith</p><p><i>Raybearer, by </i>Jordan Ifueko</p><p>To enter, subscribe to my newsletter: <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/gjgRb66JMp?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" style="border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">eepurl.com/gM0Dwf</a> and reply to one of the welcoming emails with a favorite song you're listening to these days. U.S. addresses only. Ends February 19, 2021.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Previous newsletters include: </h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=2a52128661" style="color: #6db2d6; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Secret to Networking: The Four C's </a>- where I talk about curiosity, compassion, curation, and community, along with a big list of writers' and illustrators' communities</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/a0a56f0b24fa/advanced-tips-for-querying-agents-query-critique-giveaway" style="color: #6db2d6; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Advanced Tips for Querying Agents:</a> ways to find good agents, a good querying strategy, how to use Query Tracker to your advantage. </li></ul><br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=66f413a961" style="color: #6db2d6; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">What I've Learned as a Pitch Wars mentor</a>: the two big lessons I learned reading 185 submissions as a Pitch Wars MG mentor. My key takeaway for compelling opening lines and scenes.</li></ul></div>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-54182696778279830492020-11-01T16:09:00.004-05:002021-01-10T10:43:22.436-05:00Email Newsletter Update: Writing Tips & Other Goodies<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK-MGCQSw3I/X58hk1yr-HI/AAAAAAAAUHY/DYg99gUoDworr0u4VbTdbYnNFmabFZAbwCPcBGAsYHg/s1300/IMG_2681-725117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1300" height="622" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK-MGCQSw3I/X58hk1yr-HI/AAAAAAAAUHY/DYg99gUoDworr0u4VbTdbYnNFmabFZAbwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h622/IMG_2681-725117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UPDATED JAN 2021: Hello! I'm moving a lot of my writing tip posts to my personal email newsletter. My most recent posts:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=2a52128661" target="_blank">The Secret to Networking: The Four C's </a>- where I talk about curiosity, compassion, curation, and community, along with a big list of writers' and illustrators' communities</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://mailchi.mp/a0a56f0b24fa/advanced-tips-for-querying-agents-query-critique-giveaway" target="_blank">Advanced Tips for Querying Agents:</a> where I talk about ways to find good agents, a good querying strategy that works, how to use Query Tracker to your advantage. </li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c01461f241f84e67c0d8944e6&id=66f413a961" target="_blank">What I've Learned as a Pitch Wars mentor</a>: the two big lessons I learned reading 185 submissions to me as a Pitch Wars MG mentor. My key takeaway for compelling opening lines and scenes.</li></ul><br />Once a month, I will write about things I've learned on my writing or publication journey. Topics I plan to cover in the near future:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>What it Really Means to Network</li><li>Pantsing, Plotting, and Plantsing</li><li>Transitioning from writing picture books to novels</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>I'll also run a giveaway each month, whether it is a book or a critique.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're interested in getting these emails, please sign up for my newsletter at this link: <a href="http://eepurl.com/gM0Dwf">http://eepurl.com/gM0Dwf</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-50914093853409269182020-09-11T20:00:00.042-04:002020-11-01T16:09:35.947-05:00Pitch Wars 2020 Mentor Wish List: Sylvia Liu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25ISP35x9sQ/X0etQHZnEdI/AAAAAAAATo8/8lurvLU-y-guXOsgasKfin0SWf9vPmgIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-MG-Single-1181x529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Illustration of owl wearing beanie and face mask holding book and a cup of hot chocolate. Announcement says: I am a 2020 Middle Grade Mentor. The logo for Pitch Wars follows. www.pitchwars.org" border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="1181" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25ISP35x9sQ/X0etQHZnEdI/AAAAAAAATo8/8lurvLU-y-guXOsgasKfin0SWf9vPmgIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h286/2020-MG-Single-1181x529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello writers! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm so excited to be a Pitch Wars middle grade mentor for 2020. I'm open to<b> middle grade sci-fi, contemporary, and fantasy, as well as graphic novels and illustrated novels. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a particular interest in writers who identify with traditionally marginalized communities. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Wait... What is Pitch Wars?</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pitch Wars is a mentoring program where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each to spend three months revising their manuscript. It ends in February with an Agent Showcase, where agents can read a pitch/first page and can request to read more. Writers can apply to four mentors with a query, synopsis, and first chapter. Find out more about the application process <a href="https://pitchwars.org/new-start-here/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br /></span>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">What I'm Looking For</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">I want to be entertained, moved, and shown a world I haven't seen before. Your manuscript doesn't have to be perfect, but it will show significant promise in </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">premise, voice, and craft</b><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> and leave me with <b>all the feels</b>. I lean toward <b>commercial and high concept (with an emotional core)</b> rather than literary and quiet.</span></span><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Science Fiction</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4tsOjeAqdc/W3ND3LCDmHI/AAAAAAAAPYM/oGVyypfhr_c9InWyVaoZHAzzDE6kCN0yQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Futuristic sci-fi illustration by Kathryn Ault Noble: a girl stands on a pile of glittery garbage in a landfill. Foreground is dark, middle ground is brightly it in orange. Girl wears futuristic bright clothes and dark glasses. In the distance is a maglev train heading into a futuristic city scape with a flying vehicle in the distance. Overall colors are oranges and purples and black." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1152" height="323" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4tsOjeAqdc/W3ND3LCDmHI/AAAAAAAAPYM/oGVyypfhr_c9InWyVaoZHAzzDE6kCN0yQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h323/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">commissioned illo of my MG <i>Hana Hsu</i> when it was a WIP © <a href="https://kathrynaultnoble.com/">Kathryn Ault Noble</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>I love all science fiction, so send me your space opera and adventure, sci-fantasy, cyberpunk, biotech, dystopian, time travel, and high tech stories. </span><span>I'd love a story with:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">adventure and myth like</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> Dragon Pearl</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Yoon Ha Lee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">a ragtag band of misfits or antiheroes (a MG version of Firefly or Dark Matter!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">kids in peril in space like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Last </i><i style="font-family: inherit;">Day</i><i style="font-family: inherit;"> on Mars</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Kevin Emerson </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dystopian environmental themes like <i>Dry</i> by Neal Shusterman</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a cool, thought-provoking premise (some favorite adult sci-fi books: </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Murderbot Diaries</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Martha Wells, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Blackfish City</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Sam J. Miller, and anything by Ted Chiang; favorite movies/shows include Blade Runner, The Expanse, BSG, Altered Carbon, The Good Place; if you have a MG version of any of these, send it over!)</span></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Contemporary</span></b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEAASFe8KaE/XzlRXpuB8HI/AAAAAAAAThU/bMRbTaAs2rMNaSGCoUgsOj4rWsjyT5dvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rain-Boots.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Illustration by Annette Hashitate of a girl carrying an umbrella in the rain, looking down on her smartphone. Colors are muted green, gray, and purple. Girl's umbrella and raincoat are green, wearing black galoshes, walking slick city street that recedes into the horizon with a lone palm tree on the side near the buildings. Digital painting that looks like pastels." border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="850" height="347" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEAASFe8KaE/XzlRXpuB8HI/AAAAAAAAThU/bMRbTaAs2rMNaSGCoUgsOj4rWsjyT5dvgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h347/Rain-Boots.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">illo from my cool AMM mentee © <a href="https://ayhashitate.com/">Annette Hashitate</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Give me quirky kids, coming of age, and friendship and family stories. Social justice and environmental themes are great, as long as they are not preachy. Make me laugh, make me cry, or better yet, make me do both. Some recent favorites:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">immigration stories like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Front Desk </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Kelly Yang and </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Pie in the Sky</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Remy Lai</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">graphic novel memoirs like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">New Kid</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Jerry Craft, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Real Friends</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Shannon Hale, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Be Prepared </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Vera Brosgol </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">entertaining environmental stories like <i>Hoot</i> by Carl Hiassan </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">STEM-themed stories with heart like <i>The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl</i> by Stacy McAnulty or <i>The Science of Breakable Things</i> by Tae Keller</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">MCs with passionate interests like <i>Lupe Wong Won't Dance</i> by Donna Barbra Higuera and <i style="font-family: inherit;">Stand Up Yumi Chung</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Jessica Kim </span></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fantasy</span></b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HA8kjBEsZFs/Xzk1eUw56II/AAAAAAAATg8/5h53EyqkZ88pfXqruiPwbXgNNSob1-LswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Polar%2BBears%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCity.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Illustration by Sylvia Liu. Dreamlike image: birds eye view of giant polar bears wandering through a stylized and deserted city scape (buildings are basically rectangular blocs), covered in snow. Colors are muted blues and pale yellows. Digital illustration that looks like pastels." border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="725" height="395" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HA8kjBEsZFs/Xzk1eUw56II/AAAAAAAATg8/5h53EyqkZ88pfXqruiPwbXgNNSob1-LswCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h395/Polar%2BBears%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCity.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have a long list of loves and some topics that are less likely to interest me. Send me:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">non-European myth- or folklore- based stories like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">When You Trap a Tiger</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Tae Keller, <i>The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez,</i> by Adrianna Cuevas, or any book from Rick Riordan Presents, such as </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Carlos Hernandez </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">fairytale retellings or stories that feel like folklore, like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sweep </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Jonathan Auxier or </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The House with Chicken Legs</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Sophie Anderson </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">moody vibes like The Umbrella Academy or Stranger Things</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">contemporary stories with fantastical elements (magical realism, fabulism, urban fantasy) like <i>Pashmina </i>by Nidhi Chanani</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">magical circuses (</span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Something Wicked This Way Comes </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Ray Bradbury is an all-time favorite)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">sweet and fun magic like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Savvy </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Ingrid Law or </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The 11:11 Wish</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Kim Tomsic</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">steampunk like </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Clockwork Three </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Matthew Kirby or </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Invention of Hugo Cabret</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Brian Selznick</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dragons, zombies, mermaids, cryptids, ghosts, witches (bonus points if they're misunderstood)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="font-family: inherit;">I am less likely to connect with</u><span style="font-family: inherit;">: some portal fantasies,* a series of adventures without an emotional driver,** dream worlds, fairies,*** talking animals.****</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">portal fantasies work for me when the first & secondary worlds are both important to the story & fully realized; they don't work for me if the regular world is just a framing device to get a character into a secondary world. Dream worlds tend to be portals, so the same reasons apply. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
**I enjoy reading fantastical adventures when they're driven by both external and internal needs/goals. I'm not as interested if it's just a series of fun adventures in a strange land.</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">***(amended: I'm open to unusually told fairy stories. I'm not as interested in the fanciful fairies you might find in younger MG)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">**** (amended: I don't mind people MCs who can talk to and understand animals. I'm not as interested in a world populated by animal MCs)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Basically, you can try me with any of your fantasies; I will be pickier with the ones listed in my "less likely to connect with" group.</span></div>
<div>
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<ul>
</ul>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Overall </span></h3>
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diverse casts and #ownvoices from marginalized backgrounds are a plus. I'd love to see stories where the marginalization is not the focus, but the characters having adventures or facing world-ending threats happen to be Asian, Latinx, Black, Native American/indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, or neurodivergent. For potentially hidden marginalizations (such as LGBTQ+, disabled, or neurodivergent characters), authors should never feel pressure to explain or out themselves with an #ownvoices label; I'm just happy to see those characters in a story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Themes I love in all genres:</b> found family, band of friends, family and friendship dynamics, puzzles & mysteries </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having an art and illustration background, I welcome graphic novels and highly illustrated novels. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: purple;">What I'm Not Looking For</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don't have any firm "no's," but you're less likely to be chosen if you submit:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">historical fiction (1980s to present is fine; if I was alive, it's not historical!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">certain types of fantasies (some portal fantasies, fairies, dream worlds, see above)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-size: large;">novels-in-verse </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-size: large;">stories with themes and topics too close to what I'm currently working on (to avoid conflicts of interest), which include Chinese myth-based fantasy and sentient AI</span></span></li></ul>
<div>
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</div>
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<h2>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">About Me</span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHSybbLUUbg/Xzk9vk5-CYI/AAAAAAAAThI/oaGFJyv-7042PMaYabUlRqKt3hQYAO3_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sylvia%2BLiu%2Bprofile%2B2019.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Profile photo of author Sylvia Liu" border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="381" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHSybbLUUbg/Xzk9vk5-CYI/AAAAAAAAThI/oaGFJyv-7042PMaYabUlRqKt3hQYAO3_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w190-h200/Sylvia%2BLiu%2Bprofile%2B2019.png" width="190" /></a></div>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm a former environmental attorney turned middle grade and picture book author (with a detour as a children's illustrator). I was born in Chicago to Chinese immigrant parents and grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. I returned to the U.S. for college and law school, and my ten-year legal career (federal appellate, legislative, and policy work) focused on marine conservation, environmental justice, and Native American rights and tribal sovereignty. I quit the law to become a children's illustrator, which led to writing picture books and middle grade. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find out more at my main website <a href="http://enjoyingplanetearth.com/">enjoyingplanetearth.com</a>.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My books include:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53967229">Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation</a></i><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> (Razorbill/PRH 2022) (upper MG sci-fi): in a near future where teens' brains are connected to the multiweb, a girl uncovers a high tech conspiracy that may involve her mom at the helm. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52664805-manatee-s-best-friend"><i>Manatee's Best Friend</i> </a>(Scholastic 2021) (contemporary MG): a girl must overcome shyness and an accidental viral video to save her manatee and dolphin friends while making new friends of her own</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/a-morning-with-grandpa">A Morning with Grandpa</a>,</i> illustrated by Christina Forshay (Lee & Low Books 2016) (PB): a young girl and her grandfather teach each other yoga and tai chi, but each are bad at the other thing</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I co-run the kid lit resource website, <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com./">Kidlit411</a> and am</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> represented by <a href="https://twitter.com/marchsoloway" target="_blank">Jennifer March Soloway</a> of Andrea Brown Agency.</span></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">What a Mentorship Would Look Like</span></span></h2></div><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I've been lucky to have mentors and teachers who've helped me throughout my writing career and I want to give back and help others achieve their writing dreams.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I began writing novels 7-8 years ago, I threw myself into classes, conferences, and found critique partners. I was a mentee in <a href="http://authormentormatch.com" target="_blank">Author Mentor Match</a> in Spring 2018 for my upper MG sci-fi novel (my mentor was <a href="https://www.taekeller.com" target="_blank">Tae Keller</a>), which landed me my agent, Jennifer March Soloway in January 2019. Since then, Jennifer sold two of my middle grade novels, including the AMM novel. I continue to learn from my critique partners (published and pre-published MG and YA authors) and an advanced writing studio at The <a href="https://the-muse.org" target="_blank">Muse Writers Center</a> in Virginia.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am currently mentoring a middle grade graphic novelist through Author Mentor Match, and last year I mentored a high school student through The Muse.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>Writing novels can be hard and lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve learned you can build a community that will help you grow as a writer and be there for you through the wonderful highs and frustrating slogs and disappointments. Having a professional a bit ahead of you in the creative journey believe in your work wholeheartedly and spend time to work with your whole novel is an incredible gift. Sometimes that’s all you need to push you to the next level, and I hope to do that for someone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How I Mentor</span></h3>
<div><br /></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">As a mentor I will help achieve your story vision. I'll provide an edit letter gushing about the things I love and sharing big picture feedback (character and narrative arcs, themes and conflicts, plot holes, pacing, etc.) and craft tips and line edits if needed. We'll tailor communications to your preferred style (whether it's email, phone calls, or carrier pigeons) and figure out a revision plan. I'll do a second round read/review and work with you on your query and pitch for the Agent Showcase.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having been published as a picture book author and co-running the website <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a>, I'm familiar with marketing and social media and can help you navigate that aspect of publishing as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here's what my AMM mentee says about me:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I was incredibly lucky to work with Sylvia as my mentor. She is a skilled editor, a patient teacher, and an incredible champion. Sylvia's approach to revisions is very logical and organized. She taught me many new skills, such as reverse outlining, and had specific suggestions and creative ideas when I got stuck. Her eye for detail will keep you on your toes! Be prepared to work hard but know that she is also a genuinely kind and empathetic advocate for you. -Annette Hashitate</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></span></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-size: large;">My Ideal Mentee</span></span></h3></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Your story doesn't have to be perfect; it can be a grand, weird mess, but you're passionate about it and believe in it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You're not afraid to work hard and make major structural changes if needed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You are flexible enough to take constructive criticism and you've had experience receiving and implementing writing feedback. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My criteria for picking a mentee will be:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love your story</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Your writing holds significant promise in premise, voice, and craft</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have a clear vision how I can help elevate the manuscript to the next level</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If I pick you, I absolutely believe you will get your work ready to query and obtain agent interest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>P.S. Don't self reject! </b>Unlike the agent querying process, I don't expect query-ready manuscripts. The point of the Pitch Wars mentorship is to get you there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below or use my contact form.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hope to see you in my in box!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>P.P.S. </b>I will be online at a MG #AskMentor chat on Twitter on Thursday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. EST, and at an all-mentors chat on Saturday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m. EST.</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><ul><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></ul>
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<p><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pitch Wars 2020 Middle Grade Mentors' Wish Lists</span></strong></p>
<ol id="pwmbh">
<li><a href="http://www.kcheld.com/pitch-wars.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">K.C. Held and Shana Targosz</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://jessicavitalis.com/welcome-to-pitch-wars-2020/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Jessica Vitalis and Julie Artz</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.erinentradakelly.com/pitch-wars/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Erin Entrada Kelly</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.rochellehassan.com/blog/pitch-wars-2020-wishlist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Rochelle Hassan</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://georgejreije.com/?p=242" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">George Jreije and Long Quan Nguyen</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lisamooreramee.com/pitchwarswishlist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Lisa Moore Ramee</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sofiyapasternack.com/pitchwars" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Sofiya Pasternack</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2020/09/Sylvia-Liu-Pitchwars-MG-Mentor-Wishlist.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Sylvia Liu</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.rebeccapetruck.com/post/pitch-wars-mg-2020-wish-list" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Rebecca Petruck</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://rajanilarocca.com/blog/the-pitch-wars-2020-team-pita-mentor-wish-list" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Rajani LaRocca and Remy Lai</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://reeseeschmann.com/pitch-wars/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Reese Eschmann and Christina Li</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tjohler.com/post/tj-s-2020-pitchwars-wishlist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">TJ Ohler</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.darlenepcampos.com/post/hello-pitch-wars-friends" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Darlene P. Campos</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://gaildvillanueva.com/pitch-wars-2020-wish-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Gail D. Villanueva</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://chadlucaswrites.com/news/pitch-wars-2020-wishlist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Chad Lucas</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.shakirahbourne.com/post/2020-pitchwars-wishlist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Shakirah Bourne</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://iamericbell.com/pitch-wars-2020-wishlist/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Eric Bell</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://kimlongauthor.com/2020krakenbeewishlist/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Kim Long and Jennifer L. Brown</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://adriannacuevas.com/pitch-wars-2020-wishlist/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top"><span style="font-size: large;">Adrianna Cuevas and Sarah Kapit</span></a></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="https://pitchwars.org/pitch-wars-2020-mentor-blog-hop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_top">Click here to view all Pitch Wars 2020 Mentors' Wish Lists</a></span></p><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-44273625534287999192020-05-22T11:04:00.003-04:002020-09-10T14:04:10.452-04:00Creative Life During a Pandemic & Publishing News<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0gdag_f8_I/XsbPpXqfXYI/AAAAAAAAS8w/VxKK4NgMVYcs92i6t9ETlw6aWcYY65zmgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/plague%2Bmask%2Bbird%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1271" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0gdag_f8_I/XsbPpXqfXYI/AAAAAAAAS8w/VxKK4NgMVYcs92i6t9ETlw6aWcYY65zmgCPcBGAsYHg/s640/plague%2Bmask%2Bbird%2B3.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How does one stay creative during a pandemic?<br />
<br />
My answer is compartmentalizing. I know there's a global crisis going on and I try to keep up to date on the latest science and recommendations, but as a concerned citizen, my primary role is to stay at home. I'm grateful for the ability to do that and to keep my family and myself reasonably safe and healthy.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br />
I've managed for the most part to carve out time to do what I love, writing and connecting with my writing friends. Getting lost in writing or art is a great way to keep worries at bay. I started working on a new middle grade project and began doodling again. Coincidentally, the past two months have been a time of great publishing news, for which I'm so grateful: a book deal, a cover reveal, and a paperback release.<br />
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It's strange to celebrate during a time when there's so much death, economic pain, and uncertainty, but I'm putting this out as part of this blog's documentation of my creative journey (looking at the side bar, I realize this blog is 10 years old!).<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Great Publishing News: A Book Deal!</span></b></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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As the lockdowns began, I received an offer to publish my middle grade science fiction novel, HANA HSU AND THE GHOST CRAB NATION from Julie Rosenberg at Razorbill, for Summer 2022 publication. This is a dream come true:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiEdjoFNIPA/XsfYkfJ2GqI/AAAAAAAAS9c/LQPQZBvjE5MKv67X5KK7SheLvLAGJTvowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hana%2BHsu%2BPW%2Bannouncement.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiEdjoFNIPA/XsfYkfJ2GqI/AAAAAAAAS9c/LQPQZBvjE5MKv67X5KK7SheLvLAGJTvowCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Hana%2BHsu%2BPW%2Bannouncement.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm so incredibly grateful for my agent,<a href="https://twitter.com/marchsoloway"> Jennifer March Soloway,</a> from Andrea Brown Literary Agency, for making this happen. Also, all my critique partners and writing friends, who I listed in my announcement tweet:<br />
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I’m SO excited HANA HSU AND THE GHOST CRAB NATION will be a book, with <a href="https://twitter.com/JulieARosenberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JulieARosenberg</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbillBooks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbillBooks</a>! A girl fights a neural-net conspiracy with the help of new friends, hackers & bird bots. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/marchsoloway?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marchsoloway</a> for finding the perfect home for my story. 🐦🦀🐝 <a href="https://t.co/pYgPKxhtru">pic.twitter.com/pYgPKxhtru</a></div>
— Sylvia Liu (@artsylliu) <a href="https://twitter.com/artsylliu/status/1255992101529096192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">More Good News: A Cover Reveal </span></b></h2>
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At the end of April, I was thrilled to <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2020/04/Kidlit411-Cover-Reveal-Manatees-Best-Friend.html">reveal the cover of my middle grade novel</a>, MANATEE'S BEST FRIEND, coming out with Scholastic in April 2021. I love this adorable cover that perfectly captures Becca, my main character, and her love of manatees and dolphins. The cover was designed by Stephanie Yang and the art made by Scott Dorman.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5GZdL8fjhE/XsfcAlaq89I/AAAAAAAAS9w/eZX4roxPB48GeEm7ERVXBbV9X0qxlNKOgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/ManateesBestFriend-RGB..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5GZdL8fjhE/XsfcAlaq89I/AAAAAAAAS9w/eZX4roxPB48GeEm7ERVXBbV9X0qxlNKOgCPcBGAsYHg/s640/ManateesBestFriend-RGB..jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Please consider <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49202804-manatee-s-best-friend">adding the book to your Goodreads list</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">And Yet More: A Morning with Grandpa Paperback Release</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); color: purple;"> </span></h2>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">With the release of the <a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/a-morning-with-grandpa">paperback edition of </a></span><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/a-morning-with-grandpa"><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">A </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><i>Morning</i></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> with Grandpa</i></a><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">, illustrated by Christina Forshay (Lee & Low Books 2016) in mid-April, my book got a bump of interest. Some cool things:</span></div>
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<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">A college friend told me the book was being used in an All School Read at his son's elementary school in Los Angeles, California.</span></li>
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<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">The book was included in a subscription box by <a href="https://storiesofacolorfulworld.com/">Stories of a Colorful World</a>. I got a sample of the box, which was adorable (I'm giving this away via Twitter- <a href="https://twitter.com/artsylliu/status/1263110803537960966">enter by end of Saturday, May 23</a>)</span></li>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Through this all, I'm continually buoyed by my writing communities: The Muse Writers Center (a picture book class I teach and a novel writing workshop I take- and <a href="https://the-muse.org/">THEIR CLASSES ARE ONLINE</a> this summer); my long-time critique group, the Penguin Posse; Kidlit411; and new MG and YA author friends who will be releasing books in 2021 and 2022. </span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">And--one other cool thing is I'm an <a href="http://authormentormatch.com/">Author Mentor Match</a> mentor this round. My</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> mentee </span><a href="https://ayhashitate.com/" style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Annette Hashitate</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> has a graphic novel in the works which is fun, funny, and heartfelt. She's working so hard on the revision and I can't wait until she's ready to query it. Here's a brief preview:</span></div>
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I'm so excited I will be mentoring <a href="https://twitter.com/annettehash1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@annettehash1</a> and her MG graphic novel, SELFIES BY SUMIE for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/authormentormatch?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#authormentormatch</a>! This is such a fun story about a Japanese girl who moves to the U.S. while navigating new friendships and accidental viral video fame. Welcome to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMMfam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AMMfam</a>! <a href="https://t.co/mzsffxOROv">pic.twitter.com/mzsffxOROv</a></div>
— Sylvia Liu (@artsylliu) <a href="https://twitter.com/artsylliu/status/1234924577500909574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
In helping Annette, I've learned a lot about kid lit graphic novels and compiled a <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2017/01/Kidlit411-Graphic-Novels.html">new resource page at Kidlit411 for Graphic Novels</a>.</div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Tell me how you've stayed creative during this time. Any good, simple recipes (I've never cooked so many meals in a row before)? </span></div>
<span><!--more--></span></div>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-45622403071603265932019-12-16T10:29:00.000-05:002020-08-18T22:21:46.006-04:002019 Wrap Up: Book News and a Giveaway of 2020 Releases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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2019 was a banner year for me, creatively. To celebrate, I'm giving away <span style="color: purple;"><b>TWO</b></span> pre-orders of highly anticipated 2020 PB, MG, and YA releases. Read on for my recap and info about the giveaway.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">1. Signed with my agent, Jennifer March Soloway</span></h2>
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About six years ago, I switched focus from illustration and picture books to novel writing. I took classes, wrote practice novels, connected with mentors and critique partners (see my <a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2018/12/2018-roundup-cheers-to-my-creative.html" target="_blank">2018 Roundup: Cheers to My Creative Community</a>), and wrote a speculative middle grade novel, which I queried in the fall of 2018. In January, I accepted an offer of representation from Jennifer March Soloway, of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, who I met the previous spring at an ABLA <a href="https://www.bigsurchildrenswriters.com/">Big Sur writing workshop</a>. In the year we've been together, Jennifer has proven to be everything I hoped for in an agent<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">—</span>responsive, communicative, an excellent editor, and so supportive.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">2. A poem in THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE</span></b></h2>
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In September, one of my poems was published in the anthology picture book, THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE, edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles (Lerner Books 2019). I'm humbled my poem is alongside works by poets like Jane Yolen, Margarita Engle, Joseph Bruchac, and more. Each poem touches on thankfulness and is in a different poetic form (haiku, sonnet, etc).</div>
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My short, simple poem, "Thanks in Advance (for Not Squishing Me)," is a Tyburn, a form with a specific rhyming scheme (and also the name of a historical type of poem used to protest executions). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reproduced by permission of Lerner Publishing art © Marlene Myles</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">3. A Middle Grade Book Deal</span></b></h2>
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To cap off the year, in November, I was thrilled to announce the sale of MANATEE'S BEST FRIEND, to Scholastic for publication in Spring 2021. In this middle grade novel, a 12-year-old girl finds her voice to save manatees. I am so excited to work with my editor Maya Marlette and am grateful for Jennifer March Soloway for bringing us together.<br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">In Kidlit411 interviews, we ask our authors whether their journey to publication was long and winding or short and sweet. Mine has been both. Long and winding because when I quit my job as an environmental attorney 15 years ago to become a children's illustrator, I had no idea I'd end up a middle grade author. Short and sweet because this past year has gone by in a blur. I've had a great time and owe so much to my writing communities, including <a href="https://the-muse.org/">The Muse Writers Center</a>, <a href="http://www.authormentormatch.com/">Author Mentor Match</a>, <a href="https://www.breakthroughwriters.com/">Breakthrough Writers Boot Camp</a>, <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">SCBWI</a>, and my long-time critique group, the Penguin Posse. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Giveaway of Two Highly Anticipated 2020 Books</span></h2>
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To celebrate, I'm giving away a pre-order of your choice of <b><span style="color: purple;">TWO</span></b> of these amazing books coming out in 2020 from my writer friends and/or agent-mates. (If you win, you choose two books and I'll pre-order them for you). I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THESE BOOKS.<br />
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<b>PICTURE BOOK</b></div>
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<b>Two Bicycles in Beijing,</b> by Teresa Robeson, illustrated by Junji Wu (Albert Whitman & Co, April 1, 2020) Two bicycles are separated from a shop and one chases the other, exploring the sights and sounds of Beijing. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780807507643" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/two-bicycles-in-beijing-teresa-robeson/1133989114" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Bicycles-Beijing-Teresa-Robeson/dp/0807507644" target="_blank">Amazon</a>).<br />
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<b>MIDDLE GRADE</b></div>
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<b>When You Trap a Tiger,</b> by Tae Keller (Random House for Young Readers, Jan. 28, 2020) A girl discovers a family secret when she makes a deal with a magical tiger from her grandmother's stories. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715700" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-you-trap-a-tiger-tae-keller/1132077921" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-You-Trap-Tiger-Keller/dp/1524715700">Amazon</a>)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">art © Jedit (@9jedit), design © Katrina Damkoehler</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Eva Evergreen: Semi-Magical Witch,</b> by Julie Abe (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Aug. 4, 2020). A young witch must pass a coming-of-age test or risk losing her magic forever. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eva-evergreen-semi-magical-witch-julie-abe/1135269446?ean=9780316493888" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eva-evergreen-semi-magical-witch-julie-abe/1135269446" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Evergreen-Semi-Magical-Witch/dp/0316493880">Amazon</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Cover design © Karina Granda illustration © Shan Jiang </span></span></td></tr>
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<b>YOUNG ADULT</b></div>
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<b>Foul is Fair</b>, by Hannah Capin (Wednesday Books, Feb. 18, 2020) A bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for girls who've had enough. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250239549" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/foul-is-fair-hannah-capin/1131253935" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foul-Fair-Novel-Hannah-Capin/dp/1250239540">Amazon</a>)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3BS_Hk2lc0/XfEvr0UteDI/AAAAAAAAR24/WD0Nv30IbDk_BcmfJi6RUDEMdw4Y60VYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Foul%2Bis%2BFair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3BS_Hk2lc0/XfEvr0UteDI/AAAAAAAAR24/WD0Nv30IbDk_BcmfJi6RUDEMdw4Y60VYACPcBGAYYCw/s400/Foul%2Bis%2BFair.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art © Ada Buchholz, design © Olga Grlic</td></tr>
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<b>Cemetery Boys, </b>by Aiden Thomas (Swoon Reads, June 9, 2020) A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his conservative Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250250469" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cemetery-boys-aiden-thomas/1132278940" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Boys-Aiden-Thomas-ebook/dp/B07TVZXQ5V">Amazon</a>)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.952941);"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Cover © Mars Lauderbaugh, art direction by Liz Dresner</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>This is My America,</b> by Kim Johnson (Random House Books for Young Readers, July 28, 2020). <i>Dear Martin </i>meets <i>Just Mercy</i> in this unflinching yet uplifting novel that explores racial injustice in the American criminal system. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593118764" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-is-my-america-kim-johnson/1134674814" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-My-America-Kim-Johnson/dp/0593118766">Amazon</a>)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpGV9VXd5zM/XfExbroFeYI/AAAAAAAAR3M/8weCE4FaJtAY5oWb2NukcpDWIGaA-PMdwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/This%2Bis%2Bmy%2Bamerica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpGV9VXd5zM/XfExbroFeYI/AAAAAAAAR3M/8weCE4FaJtAY5oWb2NukcpDWIGaA-PMdwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/This%2Bis%2Bmy%2Bamerica.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10);">design © Ray Shappell, illustration © Chuck Styles</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Private Lessons, </b>by Cynthia Salaysay (Candlewick Press May 12, 2020) In a standout debut for the #metoo era, a young pianist devotes herself to her art and to the demanding, charismatic teacher she idolizes. (Preorder links: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781536209600" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/private-lessons-cynthia-salaysay/1133016553" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Private-Lessons-Cynthia-Salaysay-ebook/dp/B07X9XWHQS">Amazon</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0awUSL7ZP2M/XfVNpToJh7I/AAAAAAAAR6k/eb4yWYT35hsNZMROVUKplbNyo6It-AKnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PRIVATE%2BLESSONS%252C%2Bby%2BCynthia%2BSalaysay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0awUSL7ZP2M/XfVNpToJh7I/AAAAAAAAR6k/eb4yWYT35hsNZMROVUKplbNyo6It-AKnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/PRIVATE%2BLESSONS%252C%2Bby%2BCynthia%2BSalaysay.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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To enter the giveaway, sign up below. You can earn up to four entries by (1) commenting on this blog post, (2) following me on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/artsylliu">@artsylliu</a>), (3) sharing on social media, and/or (4) <a href="http://eepurl.com/gM0Dwf">signing up for my mailing list</a>. A winner will be picked on Friday, Dec. 20.<br />
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<i>If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2018/07/Making-a-Sci-Fi-Illustration-Part-1.html"><i>My Adventure into MG Sci-Fi: the Making of an Illustration</i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/02/Cat-portraits-by-Sylvia-Liu.html?showComment=1459688557289"><i>Cats on My Mind: A 5-Day #artchallenge</i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2018/12/2018-roundup-cheers-to-my-creative.html"><i>2018 Roundup: Cheers to My Creative Community</i></a></li>
</ul>
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<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-37546319120104908082019-03-29T08:58:00.001-04:002020-08-18T22:22:56.115-04:00How to Make a Picture Book Trailer: NOAH NOASAURUS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8B9aWeeKKM/XJ4SiWFzn1I/AAAAAAAAQSs/OOrjtqyg6IkM8C9mJPtaxL3S5RIzbtfpQCLcBGAs/s1600/youtube%2Bscreenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="909" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8B9aWeeKKM/XJ4SiWFzn1I/AAAAAAAAQSs/OOrjtqyg6IkM8C9mJPtaxL3S5RIzbtfpQCLcBGAs/s640/youtube%2Bscreenshot.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My critique and Kidlit411 partner <a href="https://www.elainekielykearns.com/" target="_blank">Elaine Kiely Kearns's</a> picture book, <a href="https://www.albertwhitman.com/book/noah-noasaurus/" target="_blank">NOAH NOASAURUS</a>, illustrated by<a href="https://www.shannonassociates.com/colinjack" target="_blank"> Colin Jack</a> (Albert Whitman) debuts on April 1. As part of the marketing effort, I made her book trailer using software that comes pre-installed on any Mac.<br />
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This is the trailer that we made:</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ydDhEtVlTRM" width="560"></iframe>
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For those of you who are enterprising and don't mind putting in a bit of time, you too can make your own picture book trailer using iMovie and Keynote (the Apple version of Powerpoint). You'll also need some familiarity with Photoshop or your illustrator's help. Briefly, this is the process:<br />
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<b>How to Make a Book Trailer using Apple Software & Photoshop </b></h2>
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<b>1. Write a script</b>. Elaine wrote the script for the trailer after studying a bunch of other trailers and figuring out what works. She sent me the text and suggested accompanying images. Her script was so awesome that I didn't change a thing.<br />
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<b>2.</b> <b>Compile a rough trailer in iMovie</b>.<br />
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<li>Import still images from the book (get permission from your publisher) and play around with the text/font options in iMovie to lay out your basic video. Aim to keep each image up for 3.5 to 4 seconds and the overall trailer to run under 1 minute. </li>
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<li>Decide which images you want to animate (you'll do that in Keynote). For all the rest, play with the iMovie camera panning options like the Ken Burns effect to make the still images feel dynamic.</li>
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<li>For audio, either record a voice-over (get a friend, child, or yourself to voice the text) or find copyright free music and lay down a track. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music" target="_blank">YouTube has an audio library of free downloadable music</a> and other services provide copyright free music for free or for a subscription fee (Google "copyright free music")</li>
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<li>Note: You don't need to have animated elements. You could make your whole trailer in iMovie.</li>
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3) <b>Animate sequences in Keynote </b></div>
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Keynote is Apple's version of Powerpoint that comes installed in Macs. For the images you want to animate, do the following:</div>
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<li>In Photoshop, separate the foreground characters from the background, or ask your illustrator to provide them in separate files. The characters should be saved with a transparent background in a png file. Fill in the background in the areas where you've cut out the character.</li>
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<li>In Keynote, create a new slideshow. On a blank slide, insert the background image and the character image you want to animate. Click on the character image and select "Animate." Play with the different ways the element can move (fly into the screen, jiggle, bounce, move, etc.) and play with the timing. When you are happy, export the file as a movie. It should be a clip about 4-7 seconds long.</li>
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<li>Import the movie clip into iMovie, replacing the still image with the animated sequence. Trim the movie clip to about 4 seconds (trim it in iMovie or play with the timing in Keynote before exporting it). </li>
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<li>Repeat for all animated sequences.</li>
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4) <b>Enjoy the trailer.</b></div>
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That's it.<br />
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I learned how to make a trailer when my book, A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, illustrated by <a href="http://www.christinaforshay.com/" target="_blank">Christina Forshay</a> (Lee & Low Books 2016) came out.<br />
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At the time, Christina learned how to animate in Keynote and we worked together to create our trailer. We used a slightly more complicated way to animate (importing just the animated character sequence into iMovie while using the still image in iMovie as the background). This was our trailer:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BgGR8zD1rR8" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Let me know if you have any questions. If you're handy with Photoshop, iMovie, and Keynote, it's gratifying to make your own book trailer.<br />
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Don't forget to buy Elaine's book at <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780807557037" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Noah-Noasaurus-Elaine-Kiely-Kearns/dp/080755703X/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/noah-noasaurus-elaine-kiely-kearns/1129391658" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, or<br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Noah-Noasaurus-Elaine-Kiely-Kearns/9780807557037" target="_blank">Book Depository</a> (free worldwide shipping)!<br />
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-29287069764930449642019-01-09T14:54:00.002-05:002020-08-18T22:23:12.996-04:00Happy New Year 2019 - Plus Agent News!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbvdis0vrqA/XDT8Zhl3M2I/AAAAAAAAQAU/tBr5sX0YaLwdv4gnm3Z0YwgxB1SI0VH_ACKgBGAs/s1600/Penguin%2Bholiday%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbvdis0vrqA/XDT8Zhl3M2I/AAAAAAAAQAU/tBr5sX0YaLwdv4gnm3Z0YwgxB1SI0VH_ACKgBGAs/s640/Penguin%2Bholiday%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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Last year, my New Year's resolutions were to (1) declutter and simplify my house (getting ahead of the Marie Kondo curve, at least in intentions) and (2) focus on writing, specifically finishing and querying my MG novel.</div>
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I totally failed in the first but completed the second. I am now represented by <a href="https://twitter.com/marchsoloway" target="_blank">Jennifer March Soloway</a> of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, a dream come true! I am so thrilled and honored that she is my agent.<br />
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One day, I'll write a How I Got My Agent post, but now I'll get right to my 2019 resolutions:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Creative</span></b></h2>
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1) Revise my MG novel so we can go on submissions.<br />
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2) Finish drafting my next novel that has been in the works for several years.<br />
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3) Build up my email newsletter. To that end, if you're interested, please sign up for my newsletter which will include news about my creative efforts plus good links and general recommendations (today I sent out one with my favorite books and TV shows from 2018). <a href="http://eepurl.com/bRbhRb" target="_blank">Here's the sign up form.</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Personal</span></b></h2>
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3) I hope to remain as present as possible with my family and stay accident-free, especially on my left side. Last August, I had a freak kitchen knife-to-toe accident that severed a tendon resulting in surgery and I ended the year with a sprained knee from skiing. Yeah. I now have an impressive collection of boots, braces, and crutches.<br />
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4) I hope to achieve a balance between caring/raging about what's going on and working productively. 2017 was a full-rage year while 2018 was much more productive. I realize how privileged I am to be able to mute the news every once in awhile, but 2019 will be continue to be a dangerous year for our democratic institutions.<br />
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What about you? What's on your plate for 2019? What's your motivating word or phrase?<br />
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Mine will be <b><span style="color: purple;">ONWARD AND UPWARD.</span></b><br />
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-6400828665432431852018-12-04T15:48:00.000-05:002020-08-18T22:24:40.931-04:002018 Roundup: Cheers to My Creative Community<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00Sict2zX0o/XAar_8uChaI/AAAAAAAAP2s/sWgvpNaYVRsISPSiK9RhFmRXYyYfuzdbACLcBGAs/s1600/Big%2BWave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00Sict2zX0o/XAar_8uChaI/AAAAAAAAP2s/sWgvpNaYVRsISPSiK9RhFmRXYyYfuzdbACLcBGAs/s640/Big%2BWave.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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2018 was another great year for my creative communities. I'm always blown away by how generous my writing friends are. Here are some of the awesome people I've connected with on my writing journey this year (and some of their super cool books coming out in 2019!):<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">1. My Picture Book Critique Group</span>,<span style="font-size: large;"> with 3 picture books coming out in 2019</span></b></h3>
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Going on our sixth year, my picture book critique group, <a href="https://penguinpossewriters.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">the Penguin Posse</a>, started out as a group of unpublished and un-agented authors. By the end of next year, almost all of us will have agents or books out. I'm so psyched for these 2019 releases:<br />
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<b>Elaine Kiely Kearns, her debut PB, <a href="https://www.albertwhitman.com/book/noah-noasaurus/" target="_blank">NOAH NOASAURUS</a></b><i>, </i>illustrated by Colin Jack (Albert Whitman, April 1, 2019)<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtV2gdZn0fw/XAbHtesfKUI/AAAAAAAAP3E/kOZgXiqVe_Q3LoFpiNHsGbddHkjnec3TQCLcBGAs/s1600/29744270_10216018441158657_1853841425818451212_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="1124" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtV2gdZn0fw/XAbHtesfKUI/AAAAAAAAP3E/kOZgXiqVe_Q3LoFpiNHsGbddHkjnec3TQCLcBGAs/s640/29744270_10216018441158657_1853841425818451212_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Teresa Robeson, her debut PB, QUEEN OF PHYSICS, </b>illustrated by Rebecca Huang (Sterling, Fall 2019)<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHzRQCUBEEM/XAbHSo-LvcI/AAAAAAAAP28/dJwRRrZNi8U36G1z0iCkcRfSVMP6imJCgCLcBGAs/s1600/41677672_10156737129896598_8564526394405552128_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHzRQCUBEEM/XAbHSo-LvcI/AAAAAAAAP28/dJwRRrZNi8U36G1z0iCkcRfSVMP6imJCgCLcBGAs/s640/41677672_10156737129896598_8564526394405552128_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Reneé LaTulippe & Sylvia Liu, our poems in THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE,</b> edited by Miranda Paul & illustrated by Marlena Myles (Lerner/Millbrook, Fall 2019) (both Reneé and I have poems in this anthology. I definitely have imposter syndrome being a part of this lineup: Jane Yolen, Young People's Poet Laureate Margarita Engle, and others!)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eBLq8T7I0U/XAbIQYdqw5I/AAAAAAAAP3M/Ox6jSQOISQA-nVcwpZQc0XrFT7as8_nSQCLcBGAs/s1600/32807431_10156432823004837_174041536646873088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="824" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eBLq8T7I0U/XAbIQYdqw5I/AAAAAAAAP3M/Ox6jSQOISQA-nVcwpZQc0XrFT7as8_nSQCLcBGAs/s640/32807431_10156432823004837_174041536646873088_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">2. The Muse Writers Center </span></b><br />
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This year, I workshopped my MG novel at <a href="http://the-muse.org/" target="_blank">The Muse Writers Center</a>, a writing center in Norfolk, VA, where I take classes as well as teach a picture book class. One workshop was led by <a href="http://www.ellenbryson.com/public_html/" target="_blank">Ellen Bryson</a> (<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780805091922/ellen-bryson/transformation-bartholomew-fortuno" target="_blank">The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno</a>) before she moved to Paris, and my current one is led by <a href="http://lydianetzer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lydia Netzer</a> (<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250047021" target="_blank">How to Tell Toledo From the Night Sky</a>, <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250007070" target="_blank">Shine Shine Shine</a>).</div>
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My wonderful critique partners from these workshops include: <a href="https://www.hannahcapin.com/" target="_blank">Hannah Capin</a>, <a href="https://www.jessicagracekelley.com/" target="_blank">Jessica Grace Kelley</a>, Chris Braig, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.engebrigtsen" target="_blank">Kim Engebrigsten</a>, Bernadette Bartlett, Elaine Panneton, <a href="https://twitter.com/EmpressAwesome" target="_blank">Lauren Fobbs</a> Brittany Page, Michelle Ross, Sarah Hill, and Suzanne Burns. A special shoutout to Hannah and Jessica who've read my story multiple times, having overlapped in both workshops.</div>
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I can't wait to own <b>Hannah Capin's forthcoming book,</b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dead-queens-club-hannah-capin/1128780411" target="_blank"> </a><b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dead-queens-club-hannah-capin/1128780411" target="_blank">THE DEAD QUEEN'S CLUB</a> </b>(Inkyard Press, Jan. 29, 2019), a re-telling of the story King Henry VIII and his wives, set in high school:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKzsKFPIz5w/XAbNhGS8VzI/AAAAAAAAP3Y/V-Xf430RqAk3hIeE5DAw0Z-W7TrxyvCGQCLcBGAs/s1600/deadqueen%2527sclub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="269" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKzsKFPIz5w/XAbNhGS8VzI/AAAAAAAAP3Y/V-Xf430RqAk3hIeE5DAw0Z-W7TrxyvCGQCLcBGAs/s400/deadqueen%2527sclub.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">3. Author Mentor Match</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Last Spring, I was accepted as a mentee for <a href="http://www.authormentormatch.com/" target="_blank">Author Mentor Match</a>, a program that pairs published MG and YA authors with un-agented and unpublished MG & YA authors. This was a game changer for me. I got paired with <a href="http://www.taekeller.com/" target="_blank">Tae Keller</a>, MG author of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715663?aff=penguinrandom" target="_blank">The Science of Breakable Things</a> (Random House for Young Readers, 2018).</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Tae was an incredible mentor, giving me such helpful and detailed feedback in two rounds of revisions. Her first edit letter was 10 single-spaced pages, complete with graphs. With her help, I was able to significantly transform my middle grade manuscript currently on submission with agents. Everyone needs to read her debut MG novel immediately:</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAHyYnj1XH8/XAbQK5huflI/AAAAAAAAP3k/KdTe5Eeg7g0j7XIPmP-4ZXwOfvHl0q68gCKgBGAs/s1600/TheScienceOfBreakableThings_HiResFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAHyYnj1XH8/XAbQK5huflI/AAAAAAAAP3k/KdTe5Eeg7g0j7XIPmP-4ZXwOfvHl0q68gCKgBGAs/s400/TheScienceOfBreakableThings_HiResFinal.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Another author friend I met through Author Mentor Match was <a href="http://www.julieandbooks.com/" target="_blank">Julie Abe</a>, who also gave me great feedback on my manuscript. She had a big year, landing an agent and selling her book. Be on the lookout for her book, EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH (Little Brown Children's) in 2020:</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjG_46ATRY/XAbRWDRb_BI/AAAAAAAAP30/BuqIdCSi-gUDHN_tpCGbUOZrL7bssdZpACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/JulieAbe%2Bannouncement.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="695" height="92" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjG_46ATRY/XAbRWDRb_BI/AAAAAAAAP30/BuqIdCSi-gUDHN_tpCGbUOZrL7bssdZpACPcBGAYYCw/s640/JulieAbe%2Bannouncement.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">And special thanks to my writing friend <a href="https://twitter.com/klschroed" target="_blank">Kristen Schroeder</a> for clueing me into AMM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">In May, I attended the Big Sur in the Rockies conference, a workshop put on by <a href="https://www.andreabrownlit.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Brown Literary Agency</a>. One of my local picture book writing friends, Ginger Weddle, also went. This is a weekend where writers workshop their manuscripts with two professionals (authors, editors, or agents) in two workshops. I workshopped my MG novel with agent Jennifer March Soloway and author <a href="http://melaniecrowder.net/" target="_blank">Melanie Crowder </a>(The Lighthouse Between Worlds & many others). Both of these workshop leaders were amazing and I learned so much from them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">At Big Sur, I met the talented MG & PB author <a href="http://kimtomsic.com/" target="_blank">Kim Tomsic</a> (</span><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062654946/the-1111-wish/" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">The 11:11 Wish</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">), and we have since traded critiques on our manuscripts. Her forthcoming PB, <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781452159195" target="_blank">Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World</a>, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Chronicle Books, April 2019) looks great:</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRLBFNf_f_4/XAbZ3yqZNvI/AAAAAAAAP4I/H6HuZLCWahQdO5GYC-gV_fh8b0hN3aF8gCLcBGAs/s1600/GuitarGenius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1600" height="345" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRLBFNf_f_4/XAbZ3yqZNvI/AAAAAAAAP4I/H6HuZLCWahQdO5GYC-gV_fh8b0hN3aF8gCLcBGAs/s400/GuitarGenius.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Another highlight: I met Julie Hedlund, founder of the picture book </span><a href="http://12x12challenge.com/" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">12x12 Challenge</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, in person, for the first time since we became online friends six years ago.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTjmwsSUqtw/XAbX7sea4iI/AAAAAAAAP38/HMQAVqkoEAIWGoI2CTEpJAd2gldPDjOaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTjmwsSUqtw/XAbX7sea4iI/AAAAAAAAP38/HMQAVqkoEAIWGoI2CTEpJAd2gldPDjOaQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8809.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger Weddle, Julie Hedlund, and me</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>5. Kathryn Ault Noble</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">A really cool thing happened this summer. One of my illustrator friends, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katkankan/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ault Noble</a>, posted sci-fi images she was playing around with. I loved the vibe so much, and I've always admired Kathryn's work, so I commissioned her to make an illustration for my work in progress novel (who said you have to wait until you're published, right?). She ended up creating this amazing piece that I'm so in love with:</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMi55kpIR-g/XAcNDL9XPLI/AAAAAAAAP4s/7B7FSQekXPsKM6PHy8rSqiRBJWhflHSIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1152" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMi55kpIR-g/XAcNDL9XPLI/AAAAAAAAP4s/7B7FSQekXPsKM6PHy8rSqiRBJWhflHSIwCLcBGAs/s640/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Kathryn Ault Noble</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">I blogged about the making of this illustration: <a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2018/07/Making-a-Sci-Fi-Illustration-Part-1.html" target="_blank">My Adventure into MG Sci-Fi: The Making of An Illustration</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>6. KIDLIT411</b></span><br />
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Elaine and I continue to run the kid lit resource website <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a>. We're finishing our fifth year, and we continue to feature weekly author or illustrator interviews and share a weekly post with resource links. Managing our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/KIDLIT411/" target="_blank">Facebook group</a> of almost 7500 members is always fun & challenging. What I love about this venture is that I'm constantly meeting kid lit authors & illustrators, who inspire me.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>7. Breakthrough Writers Boot Camp</b></span><br />
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I joined editor and author <a href="https://www.breakthroughwriters.com/" target="_blank">Kate Brauning's Writer's Boot Camp</a>, a program that provides advanced writing craft tips to novelists and a community of writers. As a former editor of Entangled, Kate has a wealth of industry and editorial experience that she shares in weekly webinars and discussions.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>8. My Dad, Bernard Liu</b></span><br />
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This year, at age 84, my dad <a href="https://housearrestofzhangxueliang.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Bernard Liu</a> became a debut author with his Chinese-language memoir, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Arrest-Zhang-Xueliang-Chinese/dp/701018836X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543955203&sr=8-1&keywords=house+arrest+days+of+zhang+xueliang" target="_blank">HOUSE ARREST DAYS OF ZHANG XUELIANG</a> (People's Publishing House, 2018).<br />
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When he was growing up, from age 5 until 30, his father (my grandfather), Chief Special Agent Liu Yiguang, with the Guomingdang Secret Service, was in charge of the house arrest of the famous political prisoner, General Zhang Xueliang. Zhang was responsible for the 1936 Xi'an Incident, which marked a turning point in the Chinese Communist v. Nationalist civil war, that saved the Communist Party and changed Chinese history. In the Xi'an Incident, Zhang Xueliang kidnapped the Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek and forced him to agree to ally with the Communists to fight Japan, instead of eliminating the Communists as he planned. Today China views Zhang Xueliang as a hero.<br />
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After Chiang Kai-shek was released, he placed his former general under house arrest for the next 50 years. For the first 25 of those years, half in mainland China (during the Sino-Japanese war in World War II and the Communist v. Nationalist civil war) and half in Taiwan (where the KMT fled), my grandfather lived with Zhang Xueliang, his wife (and later mistress), and a huge retinue of security. My dad's memoir tells the story of these house arrest years, unknown to the general public until now.<br />
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He and I are working on the English translation (hopefully to be completed in 2019). If you read Chinese, check out his book.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgQEgVGWi_E/XAbldESmFcI/AAAAAAAAP4U/KjzNq2NRUQo4UwGjQtRKKn5j89kxEqTwQCLcBGAs/s1600/zhangxueliang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgQEgVGWi_E/XAbldESmFcI/AAAAAAAAP4U/KjzNq2NRUQo4UwGjQtRKKn5j89kxEqTwQCLcBGAs/s400/zhangxueliang.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>9. My Friends and Family</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">And through it all, my family & friends continue to support my writing and illustrating efforts, serving as beta readers and cheerleaders. My sister Vivian Liu gave me advice on the genetic science in my story, and my husband and daughters always had the most honest feedback. My college roommate Megan McDonald was another valued critique partner. She recently won the pitch session for her novel-in-progress at the Kauai Writer's Conference, so I'm looking forward to promising things for her next year!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">So I've concluded that it takes a village to be an author! I look forward to much more of the same in 2019.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-weight: normal;">What creative communities are you a part of that you're grateful for?</span></span></div>
Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-73069676457771650002018-07-20T10:07:00.001-04:002022-05-09T17:46:23.671-04:00My Adventure into MG Sci Fi: The Making of an Illustration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4tsOjeAqdc/W3ND3LCDmHI/AAAAAAAAPYI/nkYt78v5oNAJcrdEdeHfShgbFRF20ZWiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1152" height="326" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4tsOjeAqdc/W3ND3LCDmHI/AAAAAAAAPYI/nkYt78v5oNAJcrdEdeHfShgbFRF20ZWiwCLcBGAs/s640/Kathryn%2BAult%2BNoble%2Bfinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katkankan/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ault Noble</a></td></tr>
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This amazing image is created by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katkankan/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ault Noble</a> and represents a scene from my middle grade manuscript. I love it so much and want to share the story of its creation. This post is Part 1, about my end of the process. In the future, I'll post an interview with Kathryn for more insight on her creative process.<br />
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<b>The Story</b></h2>
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For the last year, I've been on a wild creative ride, writing a middle grade science fiction story that hits my 12-year old geeky sweet spot. After many years working on children's illustration, writing picture books, and a couple of novels, everything clicked and I drafted and revised this manuscript. I got an amazing mentorship with MG author <a href="http://www.taekeller.com/" target="_blank">Tae Keller</a> (go buy her book, <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715663" target="_blank">THE SCIENCE OF BREAKABLE THINGS</a>, immediately) through the <a href="http://authormentormatch.com/" target="_blank">Author Mentor Match</a> program, did several major revisions and umpteen minor ones and completed it.<br />
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<b>A Fortuitous Confluence of Interests</b></h2>
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In June, while working on my revisions, my friend and talented illustrator Kathryn Ault Noble posted some super cool sci-fi work on Instagram. Images like these:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WFHTNDljes/W1Hhmx9g5nI/AAAAAAAAPRA/gvIpkf5Mt9E1An1IZpDuNk6xNQseacRigCLcBGAs/s1600/sample%2B72%2Bb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1296" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WFHTNDljes/W1Hhmx9g5nI/AAAAAAAAPRA/gvIpkf5Mt9E1An1IZpDuNk6xNQseacRigCLcBGAs/s640/sample%2B72%2Bb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Kathryn Ault Noble</td></tr>
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Kathryn and I have become online friends through various kid lit groups. I've seen her work over the years and always loved how she constantly explores new styles and never rests on her many laurels. She's helped me with my portfolio, we featured her on <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2014/02/Kathryn-Ault-Noble-Illustrator-Spotlight.html" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a>, and we've generally commiserated over current events.<br />
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Something about these images prompted me to reach out to Kathryn and ask if she'd be interested in doing a commissioned illustration of a scene from my novel. I wanted to see how she would apply her skills and this cool aesthetic to my story. <br />
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Luckily for me, she was in a creative head space where she was exploring her 12-year old geeky sci-fi self too. We agreed to work together.<br />
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<b>The Adventure</b></h2>
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I call myself an illustrator, but working with Kathryn was a master class in illustration and the creative process. We spent a lot of time sharing images and styles we liked. Our shared Dropbox folder is a visual feast of sci-fi settings, concept art, middle grade covers, and art. We both were drawn to a retro sci-fi look, probably because we both grew up reading classic sci-fi novels. She read several chapters of my book to get a feel for the story.<br />
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She sent me hundreds of images of her work (sketches, styles, etc) so we could pick a direction. After an exploratory process, she sent me some quick ideas and I sent her some crude sketches back. She spent many hours researching whether my visual ideas had any basis in engineering and physics (for example, curved maglev tracks and futuristic cities). We discussed the news of the day (the immigrant children separated from their families) in between discussions of color palettes.<br />
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I had a specific idea for the sky and cloud treatment and found one of Kathryn's old pieces that had the feel I wanted. Coincidentally (or cosmically, maybe), I went for a walk on the beach and came across this scene:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkeC7-z0CLQ/W1AOWusz3xI/AAAAAAAAPPU/JA5ZGDE65gcJt-RDiUivOuuda6XUdTy4gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkeC7-z0CLQ/W1AOWusz3xI/AAAAAAAAPPU/JA5ZGDE65gcJt-RDiUivOuuda6XUdTy4gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9460.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer sunset in Virginia Beach</td></tr>
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As we agreed on a direction, we each went back to our respective creative caves. The end result was the fabulous illustration above. A closer view of a slightly earlier version, cropped:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upGkvnQi6_s/W1ARaZ83iNI/AAAAAAAAPQE/e_amv-yBiwwytun0JzOyq6SIhG9U40JwQCLcBGAs/s1600/final%2B20%2B72%2Bcrop%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1440" height="534" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upGkvnQi6_s/W1ARaZ83iNI/AAAAAAAAPQE/e_amv-yBiwwytun0JzOyq6SIhG9U40JwQCLcBGAs/s640/final%2B20%2B72%2Bcrop%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Kathryn Ault Noble</td></tr>
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And a closer look at City Center:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo7KkPWCl1Y/W1AStPDwncI/AAAAAAAAPQU/ZzS0pVUerDgR4_1p89Mn22bN7-ie33dYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Phadke%2Bwins%2Btwitter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo7KkPWCl1Y/W1AStPDwncI/AAAAAAAAPQU/ZzS0pVUerDgR4_1p89Mn22bN7-ie33dYQCLcBGAs/s640/Phadke%2Bwins%2Btwitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Kathryn Ault Noble</td></tr>
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<b>My Takeaway</b></h2>
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Sharing ideas and conversation with Kathryn as she worked on the illustration showed me the magic that happens in an ideal creative collaboration. While I provided the initial vision and some input along the way, the key thing I learned was to trust my instinct that Kathryn was the right person to bring my story to visual life and trust that her vast experience and skill set would do it justice. <br />
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What I love about the creative collaborative process is that an alchemy happens, where new things come into being that wouldn't have if we'd worked on our own. I also loved how we both approached this from a purely creative angle. We weren't looking to create an image that was going to sell (though Kathryn is very cognizant of the current trends in MG art and her art is totally fresh). We wanted to please our inner 12-year old geeks.<br />
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<b>We Don't Live in a Vacuum</b></h2>
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Because we did this project with the backdrop of some of the most disturbing news in a year and a half of disturbing news and researching the setting yielded heartbreaking real life images of children in garbage dumps, we agreed to donate our efforts (her time, my payment). Kathryn decided to make this her annual pro bono illustration and chose the ACLU as the recipient.<br />
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I couldn't be happier with the end result and our creative journey.<div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">May 2022 Update</span></b><br />
<br />Fast-forward to May 2022. My book , <i><a href="https://www.prince-books.com/book/9780593350393" target="_blank">Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation</a>, </i>will be published on June 21, 2022! As part of the pre-order campaign, Kathryn reworked the illustration to make it brighter for print purposes and to be more in line with the vibe of the current cover (art by Fiona Hsieh/ design by Jessica Jenkins). Here is the updated illustration that will be a prize for the pre-order giveaway:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeD4cUE530bbkYA5kmRuyHFOWR4O5r8bHDTrJBAtfQ3NUyYYYNhTKkhQ7IRu78YfBvdtiEGVWq_-mU8vUAGXnaG0Om-vGndEqJe8AVxrBW_qQgrZ1SqvvsuRe8u9yLA_vY6NbfbOWzbio5E-rNhtRCwQWIgy9ees4LAstJRz7rTaOuvdhfHitzXWZ4A/s3578/KAN%20print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2998" data-original-width="3578" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeD4cUE530bbkYA5kmRuyHFOWR4O5r8bHDTrJBAtfQ3NUyYYYNhTKkhQ7IRu78YfBvdtiEGVWq_-mU8vUAGXnaG0Om-vGndEqJe8AVxrBW_qQgrZ1SqvvsuRe8u9yLA_vY6NbfbOWzbio5E-rNhtRCwQWIgy9ees4LAstJRz7rTaOuvdhfHitzXWZ4A/w640-h536/KAN%20print.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br />
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Recently, Scholastic's blog came out with a post on <a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/brian-smith/17-18/five-authors-to-watch-in-2018/" target="_blank">5 Children's Book Authors to Watch in 2018</a>, all picture book authors with delightful and fun books -- but also all white men.<br />
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Given the dynamic and diverse community of picture book authors and illustrators working today, I decided to share my own list of #5towatch in 2018. These are authors and illustrators I've come to know either in person or online who have impressed me with their enormous dedication and talent, and whose new works I can't wait to read:<br />
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<b>1. Dow Phumiruk</b></div>
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<a href="http://artbydow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dow Phumiruk</a> debuted last year as an illustrator with her beautiful book, MAYA LIN: ARTIST-ARCHITECT OF LIGHT AND LINES, by Jeanne Walker Harvey (Henry Holt & Co. 2017)</div>
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and her upcoming debut as an author is MELA AND THE ELEPHANT, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2018). I've followed her for several years and we featured her in a <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2015/01/Kidlit411-Illustrator-Dow-Phumiruk.html" target="_blank">Kidlit411 spotlight in January 2015</a>. </div>
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<b>2. Andrea Loney</b></div>
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<a href="http://andreajloney.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Loney</a> won the Lee & Low New Voices Award in 2014. Her winning book, TAKE A PICTURE OF ME JAMES VANDERZEE! illustrated by Keith Mallett (Lee & Low Books) came out last year,</div>
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as did her funny book about being true to oneself, BUNNYBEAR, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña (Albert Whitman & Co. 2017). Read more about her in the <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2017/02/Kidlit411-author-Andrea-Loney.html" target="_blank">Feb. 2017 Kidlit411 spotlight</a>. We'll have to wait until 2019 for her next book, DOUBLE BASS BLUES, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez (Knopf).</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IT2FXidPdOQ/Wm9YBXV6iqI/AAAAAAAAN6Y/hzVffrnTmu82pAIi8P55e0ikEfuc3xQdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Bunnybear%2Bcover%2B150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IT2FXidPdOQ/Wm9YBXV6iqI/AAAAAAAAN6Y/hzVffrnTmu82pAIi8P55e0ikEfuc3xQdwCLcBGAs/s400/Bunnybear%2Bcover%2B150.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>3. Daria Peoples-Riley</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.dariapeoples.com/" target="_blank">Daria Peoples-Riley</a> debuts as an author-illustrator in a story of a young black girl's dreams of ballet, THIS IS IT (Greenwillow Books, Feb. 6, 2018). I had seen early spreads of story in a critique group we were in together and they were amazing. Check out her <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2015/05/Kidlit411-Author-Illustrator-Daria-Peoples.html" target="_blank">Kidlit411 May 2015 spotlight</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qPY21LNeDQ/Wm9YJYfo4UI/AAAAAAAAN6c/fsU0RhpRUIEisZQm0ZlouRZkY7s5J9EXgCLcBGAs/s1600/this%2Bis%2Bit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qPY21LNeDQ/Wm9YJYfo4UI/AAAAAAAAN6c/fsU0RhpRUIEisZQm0ZlouRZkY7s5J9EXgCLcBGAs/s400/this%2Bis%2Bit.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<b>4. Vashti Harrison</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.vashtiharrison.com/books" target="_blank">Vashti Harrison</a> impressed me by the work she was posting on Instagram, and now she has a buzzed-about book that came out in December, LITTLE LEADERS: BOLD WOMEN IN BLACK HISTORY (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017) as well as more books in the works. Check out her <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2017/06/Kidlit411-Illustrator-Vashti-Harrison.html" target="_blank">Kidlit411 spotlight (June 2017)</a>. </div>
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<b>5. Maple Lam</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.maplelam.com/" target="_blank">Maple Lam</a> won an SCBWI illustration mentorship for her work in 2012, and since then has seen her career take off. She wrote and illustrated the adorable books, MY LITTLE SISTER AND ME (Harper Collins 2016) and TWO GIRLS WANT A PUPPY, by Ryan (Harper Collins 2015) </div>
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and has a couple new books coming out this year, FRENEMIES IN THE FAMILY, by Kathleen Krull (Crown Books for Young Readers, March 13, 2018) and WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A TOOLBOX, by John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino (Simon & Schuster, Fall 2018).</div>
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I met Maple in New Orleans in 2013 at a weekend retreat with three other amazingly talented illustrators, who are also ones to watch: <a href="http://www.jenbetton.com/" target="_blank">Jen Betton</a>, <a href="http://www.lisaanchin.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Anchin</a> and <a href="http://www.brookeboyntonhughes.com/" target="_blank">Brooke Boynton Hughes</a>.</div>
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<b>Bonus One to Watch: You Byun</b></div>
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And because I couldn't stop at five: <a href="http://youbyun.com/" target="_blank">You Byun</a> is an author-illustrator and illustrator who's entrancing illustrations captivated me with her picture book, DREAM FRIENDS (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2013) </div>
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and LITTLE BABY BUTTERCUP, by Linda Ashman (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015). I interviewed her on <a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2013/05/Dream-Friends-by-You-Byun-review.html" target="_blank">this blog in 2013</a>. Looking forward to seeing future work from her.</div>
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There are so many others to watch in 2018. Who are some of your #5towatch?</div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 36px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 36px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 36px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 36px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4634px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4634px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-22780471544413913302018-01-04T16:40:00.001-05:002018-01-29T14:00:52.514-05:00Happy New Year 2018: A Giveaway and Some Goals<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3vcovsWdY/Wk6bzrDQNAI/AAAAAAAANyw/YpXIKPD6I6U6zck95hff620tDgIdZY_mQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sylvia%252BLiu%252Bcat%252Bcharcoal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3vcovsWdY/Wk6bzrDQNAI/AAAAAAAANyw/YpXIKPD6I6U6zck95hff620tDgIdZY_mQCLcBGAs/s640/Sylvia%252BLiu%252Bcat%252Bcharcoal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b><b>Happy New Year 2018! </b> What are your creative goals this year? Mine are<br />
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1. DECLUTTER AND SIMPLIFY my house so that I can<br />
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2. FOCUS on my writing and illustrating. Specifically, I hope to finish my MG manuscript in the early part of the year, write/revise 2-3 PB manuscripts, and work on my portfolio.<br />
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I can already see the dilemma here, because (1) can be a great time suck of procrastination which could impede my progress in (2), but sometimes <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/science/positive-procrastination-not-an-oxymoron.html" target="_blank">procrastination can actually be productive</a>. We'll see.<br />
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<b>So if you are in a productive procrastinate-y mood, </b>here is a series of writing articles from one of my favorite authors, Hugh Howey, that gives a great overview of the entire writing journey. He provides great writing and drafting tips, as well as inspiration:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/writing-insights-part-one-becoming-a-writer/" target="_blank">Writing Insights Part One: Becoming a Writer</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/writing-insights-part-two-the-rough-draft/" target="_blank">Writing Insights Part Two: The Rough Draft</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/writing-insights-part-three-the-revision-process/" target="_blank">Writing Insights Part Three: The Revision Process</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/writing-insights-part-four-publishing-your-book/" target="_blank">Writing Insights Part Four: Publishing Your Book</a></li>
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<b>And a giveaway!</b> To celebrate the new year, I'm giving away a signed copy of my picture book, A Morning with Grandpa. </div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="aa5d9b67341" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/aa5d9b67341/" id="rcwidget_sg6l99mj" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<b><br /></b>Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-86372777751318512472017-10-20T13:22:00.002-04:002018-01-04T16:41:03.959-05:00Read Local Challenge Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this week I participated in a <a href="http://mddewv.scbwi.org/read-local/" target="_blank">Read Local Challenge Party</a>, at the Point O'View Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA. This is an effort organized by the SCBWI MD/DE/WV chapter to encourage students to read kid lit authors from MD, DE, WV, DC, and VA.<br />
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Here's the line up of participating authors:<br />
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SCBWI MD/DE/WV provided party games, favors, and posters, and local schools or libraries host a party with a local author. (Local libraries: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1RItoDrO6WlEZeJkm0O2LlkiDr0N-Ehoawi9TC3cvCRH1DA/viewform" target="_blank">host your own party in October or November!</a>)<br />
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It was lots of fun. Some photos from the evening:<br />
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<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-47091405508201239502017-09-27T15:00:00.000-04:002017-11-01T14:43:49.717-04:00School Visit Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most fulfilling things about being an author is visiting schools. I did a number of visits in DC and Virginia Beach last Spring, and I'm just getting around to posting some photos (the schools needed to get permission to share them).<br />
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<b>My Presentation</b><br />
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My presentation includes an interactive reading of my book (the kids act out the tai chi and yoga moves), breathing exercises, a tai chi lesson, and exercises for creating mental and physical resilience. It's an active 45 minutes that usually revs the kids up more than calms them down . . . it might be all that oxygen and movement.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening slide of my Power Point presentation</td></tr>
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One of the games I play with the kids is to ask them to guess which poses are tai chi and which are yoga, using my daughters as the models.<br />
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<b>Stonegate Elementary School, </b>Silver Spring, MD (April 2017)<br />
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I was thrilled to be invited to Stonegate Elementary School's annual Literary Festival, where they invite an author or illustrator to visit their school each day of a week. Some pictures from that day:<br />
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<b>Our Lady of Good Counsel</b>, Olney, MD (April 2017)<br />
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I was one of the speakers at Our Lady of Good Counsel's Health and Wellness Day. All grades from K - 8th grade cycled through my station for a 15-minute presentation, so that was quite an exhausting but fun day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the day, I signed bookmarks and Post It notes, which made me feel like a rock star.</td></tr>
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<b>Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, </b>Washington, D.C. (April 2017)<br />
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I also visited the Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, second grade, sponsored by the <a href="http://open book foundation" target="_blank">Open Book Foundation</a>, a DC-based nonprofit that brings authors to low-income schools and that provides a copy of the author's book to each participating child.<br />
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<b><br />Southside STEM Academy at Campostella</b>, Norfolk, VA (March 2017)<br />
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I spent a morning with the fourth and fifth graders of Southside STEM Academy at Campostella. The kids became rambunctious during this presentation, especially when we got to the "fighting" moves (chop, parry, punch)<br />
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<b>Shelton Park Elementary School,</b> Virginia Beach, VA (March 2017)<br />
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Another fun visit, with several crowded assemblies.<br />
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<b>Local Schools: </b>If you are interested in my coming to visit your school, please drop a line in my contact form, and I will send you details.<br />
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-50183129382832970662017-04-07T13:03:00.001-04:002017-07-25T08:51:04.484-04:00Happy Spring (and Big Catch Up Post)!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-tuxzciCfM/WOe6_Zcb8qI/AAAAAAAANBE/a601OUTX9QoJuDp0uDi02lQ3xp09507ywCLcB/s1600/raven%2Bsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-tuxzciCfM/WOe6_Zcb8qI/AAAAAAAANBE/a601OUTX9QoJuDp0uDi02lQ3xp09507ywCLcB/s640/raven%2Bsketch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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I just realized I'm very behind on this blog, as I've been busy with writing, illustrating, and running <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a> (plus daily life and tearing my hair out reading the news). So I've missed writing my usual round up posts:<br />
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<b>1. 2016 Highlights/Reflection </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What a year! 2016 was the year of my debut picture book, A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, illustrated by Christina Forshay (Lee & Low Books) finally came out. It was a whirlwind of activities and excitement, including a book trailer debut, <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2016/04/Kidlit411-Author-Sylvia-Liu-Blog-Tour.html" target="_blank">a blog tour</a>, a book launch party, DC events, and book signing at the ALA Convention. I am truly grateful for the whole experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's the book trailer that Christina and I made (we did it by learning how to animate using Keynote, which is Apple's Power Point software, and using iMovie):</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BgGR8zD1rR8" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>2. My 2017 Word/Resolutions</b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">What word do you pick to guide you for the year? I have picked Breathe and Balance and other mindful words in the past, but this year I'm going with FOCUS and ENJOY. I'm a notorious procrastinator, but this year I'm trying to be ruthless about things that don't matter. And I'm going to have fun while on this creative journey.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We live in a difficult political time. I've spent a lot of time writing/calling my representatives, meeting with them at local offices, and staying up to date. But I also do not enjoy letting a certain President live rent free in my head, so I limit the amount of time I spend on those things. </span></span></h3>
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<b>Looking Forward</b></div>
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Last year, I didn't spend as much time as I wanted to on creating new things. This year, I've been pretty diligent with:<br />
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<b>1. Writing</b><br />
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I've managed to stay focused on writing with the help of<br />
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<li>My trusty critique group </li>
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<li>The <a href="http://www.12x12challenge.com/" target="_blank">12x12 challenge</a>, where I've managed to write a PB draft each month so far (a record for me)</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.inkedvoices.com/" target="_blank">Inked Voices</a>, which has writing workshops with agents, and that has been a great way to get critiques</li>
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<li>A new in person critique group in the local area</li>
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<li>Re-audited <a href="http://www.reneelatulippe.com/writing-courses/" target="_blank">Renée LaTulippe's wonderful Lyrical Language Lab course</a>. I stopped half way through because of time constraints, but I did manage to write a few poems, including this one:</li>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6J2NAPxJS8/WJoDGEQdlXI/AAAAAAAAM0k/5_nIJeT_6uEUAmJvCSQZhwKse2Wl8iGjgCPcB/s1600/killer%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6J2NAPxJS8/WJoDGEQdlXI/AAAAAAAAM0k/5_nIJeT_6uEUAmJvCSQZhwKse2Wl8iGjgCPcB/s640/killer%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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<b>2. Illustration</b></div>
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I'm working on:<br />
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<li>Revamping my portfolio. I am excited to work on new pieces, from cute:</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDoqMoVOF5o/WOe_WshQWQI/AAAAAAAANBQ/7slIpfKcBo4Clyxr2lktA2fe8vt41dL3gCLcB/s1600/Geep%2Billo%2Bsample%2BS.Liu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDoqMoVOF5o/WOe_WshQWQI/AAAAAAAANBQ/7slIpfKcBo4Clyxr2lktA2fe8vt41dL3gCLcB/s640/Geep%2Billo%2Bsample%2BS.Liu.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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to moody (see the raven above).</div>
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<li>An exciting project in collaboration with <a href="https://twitter.com/klschroed" target="_blank">Kristen Schroeder</a>, which has resulted in a joint submission of a manuscript that she wrote and I am illustrating. </li>
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<li><a href="https://creatureartteacher.com/" target="_blank">Aaron Blaise's online character development course</a>. Here are a few of the sketches I did while following along: </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1NBNQNdIhfM/WNVlJwpv7wI/AAAAAAAAM-A/EVOFKENxVbU1EAgG-xQWs2xhGNDDjOxkQCPcB/s1600/character%2Bdesign%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1NBNQNdIhfM/WNVlJwpv7wI/AAAAAAAAM-A/EVOFKENxVbU1EAgG-xQWs2xhGNDDjOxkQCPcB/s400/character%2Bdesign%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liky3JYxHFg/WNVlbhvKrMI/AAAAAAAAM-I/HJX5TMDx3L8LsdI1XZrPtBvtWPJN0AYdQCPcB/s1600/character%2Bdesigns-%2Beyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liky3JYxHFg/WNVlbhvKrMI/AAAAAAAAM-I/HJX5TMDx3L8LsdI1XZrPtBvtWPJN0AYdQCPcB/s400/character%2Bdesigns-%2Beyes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Brezf9lmFFg/WNxaaPYYt_I/AAAAAAAAM_I/HlD2uR607esCibzLK2BqeW33Slz24lIUwCPcB/s1600/character%2Bfaces002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Brezf9lmFFg/WNxaaPYYt_I/AAAAAAAAM_I/HlD2uR607esCibzLK2BqeW33Slz24lIUwCPcB/s400/character%2Bfaces002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mabulousblog.com/" target="_blank">Meryl Ann Butler's Ocean View Arts course</a>. This Spring I took a studio drawing/painting class that went back to the basics. We drew in charcoal. For example, I did this sphere:</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6zfalPXB_E/WOfCfu_KZoI/AAAAAAAANBc/kRCl-lwoBfMeSb5UlW-sieH2V05W_O7jwCLcB/s1600/Spherecharcoalweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6zfalPXB_E/WOfCfu_KZoI/AAAAAAAANBc/kRCl-lwoBfMeSb5UlW-sieH2V05W_O7jwCLcB/s640/Spherecharcoalweb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<div>
which led me to do this drawing of Apollo:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8vjsCNhh04/WJyEB6m22nI/AAAAAAAAM1M/ZsrYl4tkOl49w7xZpGpO0gl4GHrkkIB3QCPcB/s1600/Apollo-sketch-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8vjsCNhh04/WJyEB6m22nI/AAAAAAAAM1M/ZsrYl4tkOl49w7xZpGpO0gl4GHrkkIB3QCPcB/s640/Apollo-sketch-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<b>3. School Visits</b></div>
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This Spring I've scheduled six school visits to present my book and demonstrate tai chi moves. Three are local, and I'm traveling to the DC area the week of April 24 for three other presentations. I've figured out a presentation that seems to engage the students, though in some cases, the tai chi part has left them more hyped up than calm. Here's the cover (so official!): </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tSiefI1Oc4/WOfDVHr29RI/AAAAAAAANBk/kOuDq9LU9bEN8HraRdi3NlbWibsbXKV4ACLcB/s1600/PPpoint%2Bcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tSiefI1Oc4/WOfDVHr29RI/AAAAAAAANBk/kOuDq9LU9bEN8HraRdi3NlbWibsbXKV4ACLcB/s640/PPpoint%2Bcover.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4. Teaching</b></div>
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Since last summer, I have taught a picture book writing class at <a href="http://www.the-muse.org/" target="_blank">The Muse Writer's Center</a> in Norfolk VA. The great benefit for me, besides sharing what I know about writing picture books, is that I am always reading new mentor texts and studying them/ breaking them down. So it's a continuing education for me as well.</div>
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So... what is your word for 2017? What has you excited about your creative journey?</div>
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-34395693681967732222017-01-25T13:45:00.001-05:002017-03-02T18:00:20.548-05:00A Venn Diagram of Trump's Cabinet & Executive Picks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<b>[CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE IT LARGER]</b><br />
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I normally post about children's writing and illustration, but these aren't normal times. A handy reference chart for Cabinet and Executive appointment watchers (updated Feb. 17).<br />
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You can also zoom in using the Scribd view:<br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/337546939/Trump-Picks-A-Venn-Diagram#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Trump Picks - A Venn Diagram on Scribd">Trump Picks - A Venn Diagram</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/196816296/sylliu#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View sylliu's profile on Scribd">sylliu</a> on Scribd</div>
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-22470994904916727082016-11-16T12:45:00.002-05:002017-04-07T13:05:11.952-04:00Celebrating and Promoting Diversity in Children's Literature<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee & Low Books: 25 Years of Diversity</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's times like this when I am so proud that my first picture book is published by <a href="http://www.leeandlow.com/" target="_blank">Lee & Low Books</a>, the largest publisher of multicultural children's books in the United States. Lee & Low has dedicated itself to creating mirrors and windows for children to see themselves and learn about others since they started 25 years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything goes back to education and what a young child learns. Do they learn empathy, compassion and understanding? Or distrust and fear of the other? <a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books</a> has pushed for more diversity of views and cultures in all aspects of children's publishing, from the publishers to the creators to the consumers and gatekeepers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The kid lit resource website I help run, <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a>, has a page dedicated to websites, blogs, and articles about diversity. I'm reproducing some of those links here to help spread the word. So dive on in and help be the change you want to see in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Good Blogs and Websites</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">American Indians in Children's Literature</a> - provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.cbcdiversity.com/about" target="_blank">CBC Diversity</a> committee of the Children's Book Council devoted to encouraging diversity in children's and YA literature</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://pajka.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://disabilityinkidlit.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Disability in Kidlit</a> - reviews, guest posts, and discussions about the portrayal of disabilities in MG & YA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.diverse-pages.com/" target="_blank">Diverse Pages</a> promotes and discovers main characters of color in mainstream and indie publishing</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.diversifya.com/" target="_blank">DiversifYA</a> site with tools for authors to include and promote diversity in their YA work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.diversityinya.com/" target="_blank">DiversityinYA</a> - celebrating diversity in YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.leewind.org/" target="_blank">I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell do I Read?</a> (Lee Wind's blog)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://latinosinkidlit.com/" target="_blank">Latin@s in Kidlit</a> - exploring the world of Latino/a YA, MG, and children's literature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thelatinoauthor.com/" target="_blank">The Latino Author </a>- tips and tools for authors and emerging Latino authors</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" target="_blank">Multicultural Children's Book Day</a> - a day to celebrate multicultural books. 1/27/17</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/" target="_blank">Open Book</a> - blog of Lee & Low, publisher of multicultural children's books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://richincolor.com/" target="_blank">Rich in Color </a>- dedicated to reading, reviewing, and promoting YA with main characters of color or written by people of color</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books</a> - home of the campaign</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.oyate.org/" target="_blank">Oyate</a> - a Native American organization that evaluates books and curricula with Indian themes to ensure accuracy</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Writing Diverse Books</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2014/03/26/is-my-character-black-enough-advice-on-writing-cross-culturally/">Is My Character 'Black Enough'? Advice on Writing Cross-Culturally</a> by Stacy Whitman, Editorial Director & Publisher of Tu Books</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/08/the-secrets-of-writing-a-multicultural-childrens-book/" target="_blank">The Secrets of Writing a Multicultural Children's Book</a> interview with Tessa Strickland, founder and co-editor of Barefoot Books</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/marinaomi/an-illustrated-guide-to-writing-people-of-color" target="_blank">An Illustrated Guide to Writing People of Color</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><a href="http://www.publishing-hub.com/2014/09/considerate-craft-pitching-characters.html" target="_blank">Pub Hub: Considerate Craft: Pitching Characters (how to pitch diversity in a query)</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/oct/17/decline-of-issue-books-incidental-diversity" target="_blank">Diverse Characters: Corinne Duyvis on the Decline of Issue Books</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/2015/03/writing-about-minorities-for-non.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing about Minorities for Non-minorities</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://groggorg.blogspot.com/2015/10/first-peopleamerican-indiansnative.html" target="_blank">First People/American Indians/Native Americans in October/November + Year Round</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://mediadiversified.org/2013/12/07/you-cant-do-that-stories-have-to-be-about-white-people/" target="_blank">"You Can't do That! Stories Have to Be About White People"</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/feb/10/childrens-books-a-middle-class-ghetto?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">Children's Books: A Middle-Class Ghetto</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/03/08/diversity-within-diversity-moving-beyond-oppression/" target="_blank">Diversity within Diversity: Moving Beyond Oppression</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/media/2016/08/diversity-childrens-books-slavery-twitter" target="_blank">The Uncomfortable Truth about Children's Books</a></span></span><br />
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<b>Diversity in Publishing</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/the-apartheid-of-childrens-literature.html" target="_blank">The Apartheid of Children's Literature</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/where-are-the-people-of-color-in-childrens-books.html" target="_blank">Where are the People of Color in Children's Books</a>,</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.cbcdiversity.com/post/79552950971/diversity-101-the-multiracial-experience" target="_blank">Diversity 101: The Multiracial Experience</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2013/11/06/literary-agents-discuss-the-diversity-gap-in-publishing/" target="_blank">Agents Discuss Diversity Gap in Publishing</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.hbook.com/2014/11/blogs/read-roger/reviewing-race" target="_blank">Reviewing Race</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://flavorwire.com/502081/we-need-diverse-books-can-childrens-authors-end-publishing-industry-prejudice-and-change-the-way-america-reads/3" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books: Can Children's Authors End Publishing Industry Prejudice -- and Change the Way America Reads?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.diversityinya.com/2015/02/perceptions-of-diversity-in-book-reviews/" target="_blank">Perceptions of Diversity in Book Reviews</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.slj.com/2015/03/awards/a-crossover-year-the-2015-youth-media-awards-set-the-childrens-book-world-abuzz-where-do-we-go-from-here" target="_blank">The 2015 Youth Media Awards: A Crossover Year for Diversity</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/03/05/the-diversity-gap-in-childrens-publishing-2015/" target="_blank">The Diversity Gap in Children's Publishing, 2015</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/03/04/selection-is-privilege/" target="_blank">Selection is Privilege (a Librarian's View)</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="http://scwrite.blogspot.com/2015/06/dear-publishing-industry-fix-your-own.html" target="_blank">Dear Publishing Industry: Fix Your Own Racism Before You Beg for Diverse Books</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/about-us/the-diversity-baseline-survey" target="_blank">The Diversity Baseline Surve</a>y<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/diversity-is-magic-a-roundtable-on-childrens-literature-and-speculative-fiction" target="_blank">Diversity is Magic: A Roundtable on Children's Literature and Speculative Fiction</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.slj.com/2016/01/feature-articles/whats-trending-what-is-what-was-whats-soon-to-be-in-kid-lit/#_" target="_blank">What's Trending? What's New, What Was, What's Soon to Be in Kid Lit</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://readingwhilewhite.blogspot.com/2016/02/diversity-in-reviews-behind-scenes-with_2.html" target="_blank">Diversity in Reviews: Behind the Scenes with SLJ's "Gatekeeper"</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://pen.org/panel-discussion/little-black-sambo-gingerbread-man-roundtable-truth-and-honesty-literature" target="_blank">Little Black Sambo and The Gingerbread Man: Rountable on Truth and Honesty in Literature</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cbcdiversity.com/post/141153360148/i-just-dont-identify-with-the-character" target="_blank">"I Just Don't Connect with the Character"</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://writersrumpus.com/2016/09/30/how-to-support-the-diverse-books-movement/" target="_blank">How to Support the Diverse Books Movement</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.slj.com/2016/11/opinion/when-publishing-and-reviewing-diverse-books-is-expertise-overrated-opinion/" target="_blank">When Publishing and Reviewing Diverse Books, is Expertise Overrated?</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Gender & LGBTQ</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.com/2014/01/do-boys-get-all-fun-by-pippa-goodhart.html" target="_blank">Do Boys Get All the Fun?</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/lgbtq-you-how-to-support-your-students" target="_blank">LGBT & You: How to Support Your Students</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2014/09/30/swedish-picture-books-and-gender-ambiguity/" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2014/09/30/swedish-picture-books-and-gender-ambiguity/" target="_blank">Gender Matters? Swedish Picture Books and Gender Ambiguity</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span><a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/60203-the-22-best-feminist-picture-books-because-youre-never-too-old-to-be-saved-by-a" target="_blank">The 22 Best Feminist Picture Books, Because You're Never Too Old To Be Saved By A Princess</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cherylblackford.com/bookish-wisdom-blog/where-were-the-funny-women-writers" target="_blank">Where were the Funny Women Writers?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/66737-lgbtq-2015-an-lgbtq-publishing-wish-list.html" target="_blank">LGBTQ Publishing: An LGBTQ Publishing Wish List</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/the-gender-police-a-diary/" target="_blank">The Gender Police: A Diary</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/06/25/pride-month-fifteen-lgbtq-themed-books-for-readers-of-every-age/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/06/25/pride-month-fifteen-lgbtq-themed-books-for-readers-of-every-age/" target="_blank">Fifteen LGBTQ-Themed Books for Readers of Every Age</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/01/08/why-are-there-so-few-girls-in-childrens-books" target="_blank">Why Are There So Few Girls in Childrens' Books?</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Reading List</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/02/16/best-lgbt-childrens-books/" target="_blank">The Best LGBT Children's Books: A Sweet and Assuring Celebration of Diversity and Difference</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/best-books.html" target="_blank">Best Books by or About American Indians</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://groggorg.blogspot.com/2014/11/first-peoples-in-november-kid-lit.html" target="_blank">First Peoples in November: Kid Lit Heroes by Jan Godown Annino</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://offbeatfamilies.com/2010/05/offbeat-kidlit">A List of 20 Kid Lit Books Off the Beaten Path</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://humaneeducation.org/blog/2012/06/11/12-childrens-picture-books-that-challenge-traditional-gender-roles/" target="_blank">12 Children's Picture Books That Challenge Gender Roles</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=8235" target="_blank">Beloved Books: A Might Girl Community Favorites</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10940" target="_blank">Ignite Her Curiosity: 20 Books Starring Science-Loving Might Girls</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.parents.com/health/special-needs-now/great-new-picture-books-for-and-about-kids-with-special-needs/?utm_campaign=buffer&utm_content=buffera9cf2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6 New Picture Books For and About Kids with Special Needs</span></a><br />
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<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-18638517047812525242016-10-24T09:48:00.000-04:002018-01-29T21:04:17.160-05:00Mid-Atlantic SCBWI Meeting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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Just got back from a great weekend in northern Virginia for the annual Mid-Atlantic SCBWI conference. A quick recap:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Friday Illustrator Intensives</span></b></h3>
<b>1. Workshop with Viking Children's Books Art Director Nancy Brennan </b><br />
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Before we arrived, Nancy Brennan gave us an assignment to illustrate the opening spread of SURPRISE SOUP, by Mary Ann Rodman, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Viking Children's Books 2009). She gave us a working manuscript so the text is not the same as the published text. I came up with this piece:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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We got a lot of useful feedback on our pieces and heard about the business in general.<br />
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<b>2. Workshop with illustrator Lisa Falkenstern</b><br />
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The incredibly talented <a href="http://www.lisafalkenstern.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Falkenstern</a> taught a group of us how to make Sculpey sculptures of our characters for modeling purposes. I had fun making my pirate parrot:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Saturday Conference Highlights</span></b></h3>
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<b>Lin Oliver</b> shared her Ten Point Guide to Launching and Sustaining a Children's Book Career. A few highlights: "Define yourself as a professional." "Fail quickly and fail often." "As you succeed, send the elevator back down." "Write like a wolf eats."<br />
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<b>Agent Panel</b>. Emily Keyes (Fuse Literary), Carrie Hannifin (HSG Agency) , and Linda Epstein (Emerald City Literary) shared their expertise about queries, what they're looking for, and the agent-client relationship.</div>
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<b>Wendy Lamb</b>, Vice President and Publishing Director, Wendy Lamb Books, Penguin-Random House, gave an overview of the industry (children's books are still a bright spot), talked about voice and finding the unexpected. About her job: "A lot of what I do is inspire people to do way more work than they expected." </div>
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<b>Editor Panel. </b>Adrienne Sszpyrka (Running Press Kids), Christina Pulles (Sterling Children's Books), and Wendy Lamb (Wendy Lamb Books/Penguin-Random Books) shared craft tips on character development, voice, and storytelling in historical fiction. Wendy, on critics:<br />
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<b>Judith Viorst & Kwame Alexander,</b> both legends in their own rights, talked about their writing habits, inspirations, careers, and more. It was funny, moving, and inspiring to listen to them read their poems, share laughs, and have a great time.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Banner Contest: Honorable Mention</span></b></h3>
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Exciting news: I won an Honorable Mention for the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI's website banner contest. My entry is the one at the top of this post. </div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><br />New and Old Friends</span></h3>
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Having organized several local SCBWI events, I knew a lot more of the people from my area who were there. I also caught up with friends I met in past conferences, and it was fun to meet many new friends as well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB writers Debra Shumaker & Marcie Flinchum Atkins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustrator Mishka Jaeger and YA/MG writer Poppy Parfomak</td></tr>
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All in all, a fun, inspiring, successful weekend.<br />
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<i>If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:</i><br />
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<li><i><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/05/Sylvia-Liu-May-Book-Launch.html">A Whirlwind Month: Book Release, Blog Tour, Big Sur at Cape Cod</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/01/2015-in-review-health-hope-creativity.html">2015 in Review: Health, Hope, and Creativity</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2015/02/My-Early-Writings-and-Drawings.html">The Bad Picture Book Hop: My Early Drawing & Writing Attempts</a></li>
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<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-56904704360038246982016-09-06T16:37:00.000-04:002016-10-24T09:48:54.727-04:00Summer Roundup: ALA Conference, Classes, More<br />
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The summer has gone by in a flash, but here's a recap of the American Library Association (ALA) convention in Orlando and other kid lit activities that kept me busy.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">ALA Convention</span></h3>
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The ALA Convention was a dream come true as a debut author. Lee & Low Books invited me to join their line up of authors signing books, so I headed to Orlando for a weekend in late June with my older daughter. Not only was it thrilling to sign my book, but I got to meet so many kidlit friends and idols walking around the convention center. Some memories:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so official. My photo with all these amazing Lee & Low authors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My author signing table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends and kid lit luminaries (l-r) : Marsha Diane Arnold, Katy Duffield, Lane Smith, Jen Swanson, Minh Le, Dan Santat, Kathryn Otoshi, Kwame Alexander, Miranda Paul.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">Picture Book Writing Class at The Muse Writing Center</span></h3>
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This summer I taught a 6-session picture book writing class at <a href="http://www.the-muse.org/" target="_blank">The Muse</a>, a great local writing center where I've taken many workshops over the past few years. It was really fun to consolidate everything I knew about picture book writing and to work with talented students.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Workshops and Webinars on Author Platform Building</span></h3>
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This summer I also gave a workshop and did a joint webinar with my Kidlit411 partner in crime, <a href="http://www.elainekielykearns.com/" target="_blank">Elaine Kiely Kearns</a> for the SCBWI on social media and platform building. The in person workshop was part of a series of local Tidewater SCBWI events that Vanessa Barger and I have organized on a monthly basis for our area, and the webinar was presented by the Texas SCBWI.</div>
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Elaine and I talked about our experience building Kidilt411 from an idea to a well-respected kid lit resource website in 2.5 half years. Some cool milestones: 3400 Facebook members in our group; over 430,000 page views; and we've been listed on a number of "Best of" lists, including Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers in 2015 and 2016.</div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Summer Fun</span></b></h3>
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Along the way, our family had great fun. My daughters went to camp, we went to a lot of softball games, and had some fun family outings. But most of all, it was a summer of beautiful sunsets:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My local supermarket in June</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Beach, VA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Beach, VA </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem Fair, July 4th weekend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem Fiar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burlington, VT has the best sunsets I've seen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five cousins on the shores of Lake Burlington, VT</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">Onward and Upward</span></h3>
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Now that the girls are back at school, I've got time to devote myself again to writing and illustrating. What projects are you working on? Leave a comment!</div>
<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-81474763762623353682016-06-23T17:02:00.002-04:002016-09-07T16:11:49.866-04:00More Book Events: DC & Orlando<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: purple;">DC Events</span></b></h3>
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Fun with A MORNING WITH GRANDPA continues. I went to DC last week and had a book signing party at my friend's house as well as one of my first school visits with 100 first graders at Thomas Stone Elementary School at Mt. Rainer, MD:<br />
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It was really cute. My younger daughter came with me and was my helper. One of the students asked, awe-stricken, "Is that this illustrator?"<br />
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I also loved the thank you notes that they had pre-written:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Next up: Orlando</span></b></h3>
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I'll be a the ALA (American Library Association) Convention in Orlando, signing my book at the Lee & Low booth on Saturday, June 25, from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Any kid lit friends who are attending, please stop by! I was also<a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/06/23/interview-2013-new-voices-award-winner-sylvia-liu/" target="_blank"> featured on Lee & Low's blog today</a>. <a href="http://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/06/09/come-meet-lee-low-books-at-ala-2016/" target="_blank">Lee & Low's complete author line up can be found here</a>.<br />
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By the way, in response to the horrific massacre in Orlando, my friend Paula Yoo has organized a <a href="http://paulayoo.com/love-is-love-my-lgbtq-kidlit-book-donation-drive-for-the-orlando-youth-alliance/" target="_blank">book drive to benefit the Orlando Youth Alliance</a>, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ youth & teens. If you are a LGBTQ author with books for kids or teens, please consider donating them to this group.<br />
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I hope everyone has a happy and safe beginning of your summer!<br />
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PS An inspiring video I came across by Jason Silva, the son of my former high school English teacher:<br />
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<i>If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:</i><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/05/Sylvia-Liu-May-Book-Launch.html">A Whirlwind Month: Book Release, Blog Tour, Big Sur on Cape Cod</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/04/A-Morning-with-Grandpa-Release.html" target="_blank">Happy Spring: A Morning with Grandpa Release and Norfolk Academy Art Show 2016</a></li>
</ul>
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<br />Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-75867320292726252982016-05-20T15:33:00.004-04:002016-06-23T17:02:55.120-04:00A Whirlwind Month: Book Release, Blog Tour, Big Sur at Cape Cod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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May has been a whirlwind of book events, a blog tour, and an amazing writing conference. Although I knew it was coming for a couple of years, nothing quite prepared me for the blur of events. A recap:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"><a name='more'></a>BOOK LAUNCH AT PRINCE BOOKS</span></b></h3>
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On April 30, I had a book launch at Prince Books, in Norfolk, VA, coinciding with Independent Book Store Day. So many of my friends came to help celebrate, and we had a tai chi demo:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm acting like a real author signing my books</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign outside the store</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina Forshay made coloring pages</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tai chi demo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my good friends at the signing</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">BLOG TOUR</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">For a three weeks, I annoyed my Facebook friends by the seemingly nonstop coverage of A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, because we arranged a 14-stop blog tour.</span></span></h3>
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We first started with the debut of our trailer for the book on <a href="http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-trailer-premiere-morning-with_17.html" target="_blank">Watch. Connect. Read</a>., the blog of Mr. Schu, Scholastic's Ambassador for Libraries. Christina Forshay and I made the trailer ourselves, and we're pretty proud of ourselves for learning new animation skills:<br />
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Then we found ourselves on these sites. I tried not to repeat myself so each post focused on slightly different things.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">April 22 - <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2016/01/Kidlit411-weekly-issue2-Jan8-2016.html" target="_blank">Kidlit411</a> (about my career choices)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>April 25 - <a href="http://www.designofthepicturebook.com/a-morning-with-grandpa/" target="_blank">Design of the Picture Book</a> (Carter Higgins interviewed both Christina and me)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>April 27 - <a href="http://joannamarple.com/2016/04/author-interview-with-sylvia-liu-about-her-debut-pb-a-morning-with-grandpa/" target="_blank">Miss Marple's Musings</a> (Joanna Marple and I chatted about diversity)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>April 29 - <a href="https://susannahill.com/2016/04/29/perfect-picture-book-friday-a-morning-with-grandpa-plus-a-giveaway/" target="_blank">Susanna Leonard Hill </a> (benefits of yoga/ tai chi/ mindfulness for kids)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 1 - <a href="http://12x12challenge.com/2016/05/01/12-x-12-featured-author-may-2016-sylvia-liu/" target="_blank">12 x 12 Featured Author</a> (writing advice for Julie Hedlund's challenge)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 2 - <a href="http://inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2016/5/2/advice-for-writers-taxidermied-piranhas-and-family-memoriest.html" target="_blank">Inky Girl</a> (Debbie Ohi and I talked about my dad's debut memoir)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 3 - <a href="http://andreaskyberg.com/christina-forshays-studio-tour/" target="_blank">Tuesday Tours</a> (Christina Forshay talks shop with Andrea Skyberg)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">May 4 - <a href="http://napibowriwee.com/2016/05/04/napibowriwee-day-4-meet-childrens-book-author-artist-sylvia-liu/" target="_blank">NaPiBoWriWee</a> (social media, alien invasions, diversity with Paula Yoo)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 5 - <a href="https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/kudos-sylvia-liu-book-giveaway/" target="_blank">Writing and Illustrating</a> (with Kathy Temean)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">May 9 - <a href="http://www.karlingray.com/blog.htm?post=1029422" target="_blank">My First Picture Book Q & A</a> (in depth about writing the story with Karlin Gray)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 10 - <a href="http://www.reforemo.com/2016/05/author-sylvia-liu-talks-mentor-texts.html" target="_blank">ReFoReMo</a> (how I use mentor texts with Carrie Charley Brown)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 11 - <a href="https://threeshowsaturday.com/2016/05/11/blog-tour-a-morning-with-grandpa/" target="_blank">Three Show Saturday</a> (personal fun questions with Kizzy Roberts)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">May 12 - <a href="http://www.allthewonders.com/books/a-morning-with-grandpa/" target="_blank">All the Wonders</a> (Christina and I interview each other, with Matthew Winner)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>May 13 - <a href="http://www.nowaterriver.com/" target="_blank">No Water River</a> (Reneé LaTulippe reviews the book in her inimitable style) </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">BARNES & NOBLE BOOK EVENT</span></h3>
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A week after the Prince Book event, I had a story time at my local Barnes & Noble, with another tai chi demo. Even though the book is not carried in all B& it was great to see it at this store.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign in the window</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set up at the entrance to the kids section</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added the book to this shelf for the photo op</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing the book after story time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tai chi demo with the children</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">BIG SUR AT CAPE COD</span></h3>
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Last weekend, I attended a workshop put on by the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, one of the most highly respected agencies for children's literature. This was the first year they held it on the East Coast. About 50 writers and 9 faculty members (a mix of Andrea Brown agents, children's publishers, and published authors) attended.<br />
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We were each placed in two separate critique groups with one faculty member and 4 other writers. Each group met twice to critique each other's work, and time was provided to make changes between the groups. We also attended several panel discussions.<br />
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I was placed with agent Caryn Wiseman and editor Yolanda Scott (of Charlesbridge Publishing). They were both insightful, smart, and supportive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao3P6PNiqQs/Vz9cpHTe2QI/AAAAAAAALuo/Olgpu_tlTYQLjo8Iji_pK6_cwvOGXMGdwCKgB/s1600/AB%2Bagents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao3P6PNiqQs/Vz9cpHTe2QI/AAAAAAAALuo/Olgpu_tlTYQLjo8Iji_pK6_cwvOGXMGdwCKgB/s640/AB%2Bagents.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the faculty on a panel discussion</td></tr>
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In addition to the great feedback on my manuscripts, the best part of the conference was connecting with other kid lit people, especially three other members of my online critique group, Teresa Robeson, Alayne Kay Christian, and Victoria Warneck. We spent a lovely time together at the beach:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ-jSTTieek/Vz9cqE4ZKqI/AAAAAAAALuo/O7tYS_KOazUh_dArQmxBmDVDAu2rpdt-wCKgB/s1600/Penguins%2BAFODC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ-jSTTieek/Vz9cqE4ZKqI/AAAAAAAALuo/O7tYS_KOazUh_dArQmxBmDVDAu2rpdt-wCKgB/s640/Penguins%2BAFODC.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are contemplating our next picture book manuscripts</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdc9nUuNGzQ/Vz9cpOGGi2I/AAAAAAAALuo/uttIUdqahK4arV3pXGyvGHpY3A9q4iAeQCKgB/s1600/AB%2Bwalk%2Bbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdc9nUuNGzQ/Vz9cpOGGi2I/AAAAAAAALuo/uttIUdqahK4arV3pXGyvGHpY3A9q4iAeQCKgB/s640/AB%2Bwalk%2Bbeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also met other kid lit friends, both ones we had met at other conferences or online, or just new friends:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a memorable dinner where our table scarfed up lobster sliders as quickly as we could get them. </td></tr>
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I particularly enjoyed meeting one of the faculty, <a href="http://www.annesibleyobrien.com/" target="_blank">Anne Sibley O'Brien</a>, picture book author & illustrator known for her multicultural books. She met with the illustrators during one of the lunches and we had an informal mentorship session.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">FIELD DAY </span></b><span style="color: purple;">BOOK SALE</span></h3>
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While preparing for those events, I spent two weeks at the end of April organizing an annual used book sale at my daughters' school. We started off with about 3,500 donated books in boxes:</div>
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Which we sorted by topic:</div>
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And ended up with a pop up bookstore for five hours (on Field Day, which happened on the same day as my Barnes & Noble signing, so I ducked out of one to go to the other and back):</div>
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Then we dismantled it in a couple of hours and repacked all the unsold books to donate to charity. This year we made about $2,000, selling the books at $2 apiece (and doing a silent auction for baskets of books & items).</div>
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The best part of this job is just seeing all the wacky books that were donated, like this one:</div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">UPCOMING EVENTS</span></b></h3>
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So I'm enjoying a brief breather before the next round of activities, including a 25th college reunion (next weekend), family visits for a 6th grade graduation (mid-June), many weekends for travel softball (now thru mid-July), teaching a class on writing picture books at <a href="http://www.the-muse.org/" target="_blank">The Muse Writer's Center</a> (over the summer) and two more A MORNING WITH GRANDPA events:</div>
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<b>Monday, June 13:</b> A book signing party in Washington, DC</div>
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<b>Saturday, June 25:</b> I'm signing my book at the American Library Association convention in Orlando, FL</div>
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Life is tiring, busy, but good.</div>
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<i>If you liked this post, you may also enjoy:</i></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2015/11/Better-Books-Marin-2015-Recap.html" target="_blank">Better Books Marin 2015: A Conference to Remember</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2015/06/SCBWI-Creating-Your-Best-Dummy-Workshop-Review.html" target="_blank">Mid-South SCBWI Creating Your Best Dummy Workshop</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylvialiuland.com/2016/04/A-Morning-with-Grandpa-Release.html" target="_blank">A Morning with Grandpa Release and Norfolk Academy Art Show</a></li>
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-65622836276580506282016-04-11T11:38:00.000-04:002016-06-23T17:03:10.782-04:00Happy Spring: A Morning with Grandpa Release & Norfolk Academy Art Show 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qaqp_Oiec_M/Vwux6MR3ldI/AAAAAAAALk8/tJ9J9EHH30sFm9135eAgIrD-Wzxitf06A/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qaqp_Oiec_M/Vwux6MR3ldI/AAAAAAAALk8/tJ9J9EHH30sFm9135eAgIrD-Wzxitf06A/s640/IMG_1101.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Although it still feels like Winter, Spring is coming in with a bang for me.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>1.</b> <b>A MORNING WITH GRANDPA IS BEING RELEASED</b></span></h3>
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The official release date for A MORNING WITH GRANDPA, written by me and illustrated by <a href="http://www.christinaforshay.com/" target="_blank">Christina Forshay</a> (Lee & Low Books) is May 1, but books have already arrived at my local indie store,<a href="http://www.prince-books.com/" target="_blank"> Prince Books</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Morning-Grandpa-Sylvia-Liu/dp/1620141922" target="_blank">Amazon</a> is fulfilling orders.<br />
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So it's really real now! Seeing my book on the shelf at Prince Books (above) was a thrill.<br />
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I went in to sign some pre-orders:<br />
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And then this weekend, I got my box of author copies! Apollo was the first to enjoy them:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnl8n8htumk/Vwu1Y0MRk6I/AAAAAAAALlI/gRXjOKh6fFMLVwZXm1jPsEImKCJdO0Bng/s1600/apollo%2Bin%2Bbox%2Bbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnl8n8htumk/Vwu1Y0MRk6I/AAAAAAAALlI/gRXjOKh6fFMLVwZXm1jPsEImKCJdO0Bng/s400/apollo%2Bin%2Bbox%2Bbooks.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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I'm looking forward to my book signing party at Prince Books on Saturday, April 30, from 4-6 p.m. We've got a tai chi demo planned, which should be fun.<br />
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And to celebrate the launch, I will take part in a multi-stop blog tour, beginning on April 22, with the website I help run, <a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/" target="_blank">Kidit411</a>.<br />
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I'm also excited that my good friend Alayne Kay Christian gave a nice review of the book on her blog recently: <a href="https://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/unearth-your-protagonists-true-goal-plus-a-morning-with-grandpa-has-been-released/" target="_blank">Unearth Your Protagonist's True Goal, Plus A Morning with Grandpa Has Been Released!</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">2. MY PAINTINGS ARE IN THE ANNUAL NA ART SHOW</span></b></h3>
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Each year, I take part in my girls' school's annual art show, featuring about 80 local artists. I didn't have a lot of time this year to come up with four completely new pieces of work, so I re-worked a few older ones, and did a new collage piece:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUZzaSBkrx8/VwvCKp23izI/AAAAAAAALlg/OUIVu2kp1qM10UVvKm0n2yhiUikc-ghjQ/s1600/here%2Bbe%2Blionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUZzaSBkrx8/VwvCKp23izI/AAAAAAAALlg/OUIVu2kp1qM10UVvKm0n2yhiUikc-ghjQ/s640/here%2Bbe%2Blionfish.jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here Be Lionfish </i>© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d9KrQKx0nQ/VwvCKtdEl2I/AAAAAAAALlY/qOj5kU0SEq8p2qML-slXM0DoMv_bxZyfw/s1600/home%2Bpanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d9KrQKx0nQ/VwvCKtdEl2I/AAAAAAAALlY/qOj5kU0SEq8p2qML-slXM0DoMv_bxZyfw/s640/home%2Bpanda.jpg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Home </i>© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZygWZ18Rzc/VwvCLakrl2I/AAAAAAAALlk/00vyqOhUwGk1PX4ogaDHAmO_e9j2clpdA/s1600/stay%2Bpanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZygWZ18Rzc/VwvCLakrl2I/AAAAAAAALlk/00vyqOhUwGk1PX4ogaDHAmO_e9j2clpdA/s640/stay%2Bpanda.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stay </i>© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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This is the collage and painting technique I'm playing with now:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmSU0wSwxLo/VwvCKkxsY9I/AAAAAAAALlc/vPRMMvbAIAIbXQ0nWEDrqivIyHHYz5CJw/s1600/I%2Bdream%2Bof%2Bkraken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmSU0wSwxLo/VwvCKkxsY9I/AAAAAAAALlc/vPRMMvbAIAIbXQ0nWEDrqivIyHHYz5CJw/s640/I%2Bdream%2Bof%2Bkraken.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I Dream of Kraken </i>© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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The art show is the same day as my book signing, at Norfolk Academy, April 30, at 6 p.m. Hope my local friends will stop by one or the other, or both!<br />
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Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-36185215627829752102016-02-28T09:05:00.000-05:002016-06-23T17:03:25.190-04:00Cats on My Mind: A 5-Day #artchallenge<br />
This week I was tagged to do an #artchallenge on Facebook, which was to post five pieces of my art per day. It didn't have to be newly made art, but I decided to doodle my cute new kitty, Apollo:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mup3zS6a4HM/VszTWZurlcI/AAAAAAAALXI/hO-kAy4fajQ/s1600/kcat%2Bin%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mup3zS6a4HM/VszTWZurlcI/AAAAAAAALXI/hO-kAy4fajQ/s640/kcat%2Bin%2Bbox.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Then my sister asked me to do her two cats, Ezio and Pumpkin, so I did that for Day 2:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bX6EjygEmqs/Vs5z-hy6omI/AAAAAAAALXk/ddO7RvaVm4Q/s1600/Viv%2527s%2Bcats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bX6EjygEmqs/Vs5z-hy6omI/AAAAAAAALXk/ddO7RvaVm4Q/s640/Viv%2527s%2Bcats2.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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Having started this theme, I decided to paint a friend's kitty, Loki:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2nT-kWOJdg/Vs8VckKmdiI/AAAAAAAALX8/a1MPO8w7efQ/s1600/Loki%2Bkitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2nT-kWOJdg/Vs8VckKmdiI/AAAAAAAALX8/a1MPO8w7efQ/s640/Loki%2Bkitten.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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And my friend Elaine's cat Blaine:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj7WhYAe2xo/VtCETWodz2I/AAAAAAAALaM/oxMdx2zD0nk/s1600/Bailey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj7WhYAe2xo/VtCETWodz2I/AAAAAAAALaM/oxMdx2zD0nk/s640/Bailey2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu<br />
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Finally, my friend Yvonne's cat, Pip:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sttg4FKda-I/VtJTNdebvuI/AAAAAAAALag/tiIfaQS6sKg/s1600/Pip%2B-%2BYvonne%2527s%2Bcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sttg4FKda-I/VtJTNdebvuI/AAAAAAAALag/tiIfaQS6sKg/s640/Pip%2B-%2BYvonne%2527s%2Bcat.jpg" width="526" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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As you can see, I evolved from a cartoon style to a more painterly one. It was fun to revisit my artist roots of painting which is a different style than my illustrations.Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211674979696460808.post-79839206620359826422016-01-19T09:04:00.000-05:002016-02-28T09:05:53.261-05:00Meet Apollo: our new Siberian Kitten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0H8Zp4yyLU/Vp4-fJ6EpdI/AAAAAAAALLA/g6Y2hCfT0ZQ/s1600/Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0H8Zp4yyLU/Vp4-fJ6EpdI/AAAAAAAALLA/g6Y2hCfT0ZQ/s400/Apollo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Apollo is our new Siberian kitten. I never thought we would have a cat because my husband is very allergic to them. As a Christmas present, he researched hypoallergenic cats and this breed came up and now we have a cat. He is still somewhat allergic, but only when he handles him, and it's much better than most other breeds.<br />
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We got him when he was 13 weeks old, so we missed out on this cuteness of his early weeks (pictures from the breeder):<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SimIL4xrP1o/Vp4--Bs_ETI/AAAAAAAALMA/qnAwpvz5hqs/s1600/Apollo%2BLars%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SimIL4xrP1o/Vp4--Bs_ETI/AAAAAAAALMA/qnAwpvz5hqs/s400/Apollo%2BLars%2B5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HRN4q45VN4/Vp4-8UgrLxI/AAAAAAAALLI/Zca86V_poS4/s1600/Apollo%2BLars%2B10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HRN4q45VN4/Vp4-8UgrLxI/AAAAAAAALLI/Zca86V_poS4/s400/Apollo%2BLars%2B10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JHj1Qrn2s/Vp4-9OzFzEI/AAAAAAAALLY/revAxa2zecQ/s1600/Apollo%2BLars%2B13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JHj1Qrn2s/Vp4-9OzFzEI/AAAAAAAALLY/revAxa2zecQ/s400/Apollo%2BLars%2B13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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But now we have a more mature kitten, who is just as adorable:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g_qZlD8zcU/Vp4_wZqEFeI/AAAAAAAALNM/OUr6nvlySpQ/s1600/Apollo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g_qZlD8zcU/Vp4_wZqEFeI/AAAAAAAALNM/OUr6nvlySpQ/s400/Apollo%2B2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knbxSlVaUpY/Vp5AUx3e0bI/AAAAAAAALNY/ymc0gdotbGs/s1600/Apollo%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knbxSlVaUpY/Vp5AUx3e0bI/AAAAAAAALNY/ymc0gdotbGs/s400/Apollo%2B3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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He has already inspired me to do a bunch of sketches of him cat napping:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7-t4MmIaok/Vo1NFVwLFTI/AAAAAAAALBc/Fk3alIqTbyA/s1600/Apollo%2Basleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7-t4MmIaok/Vo1NFVwLFTI/AAAAAAAALBc/Fk3alIqTbyA/s640/Apollo%2Basleep.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5ySX8oBnE0/Vo7JIasl2YI/AAAAAAAALCQ/u2FX62rDQpQ/s1600/cat%2Bnap%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5ySX8oBnE0/Vo7JIasl2YI/AAAAAAAALCQ/u2FX62rDQpQ/s400/cat%2Bnap%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QutkWByH0zo/Vo7JIvGcTzI/AAAAAAAALCU/iLVZ17XG-Mo/s1600/cat%2Bnap%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QutkWByH0zo/Vo7JIvGcTzI/AAAAAAAALCU/iLVZ17XG-Mo/s400/cat%2Bnap%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ5uz357ihQ/VpAA057au6I/AAAAAAAALEI/gpzyZ9zlIWE/s1600/cat%2Bnap%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ5uz357ihQ/VpAA057au6I/AAAAAAAALEI/gpzyZ9zlIWE/s400/cat%2Bnap%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itFgn2-wmd4/VpAOlX8ZDaI/AAAAAAAALEY/h_gMiWDl4ew/s1600/cat%2Bnap%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itFgn2-wmd4/VpAOlX8ZDaI/AAAAAAAALEY/h_gMiWDl4ew/s400/cat%2Bnap%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Sylvia Liu</td></tr>
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You'll probably see a lot more of these sketches in the future.Sylvia Liuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193486117318739814noreply@blogger.com