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I’m sure many of my readers have much more important things to do than celebrate curiosity with me as they recover from serious flooding or support the victims in so many states. But it’s especially during hard times we must look for the light. So today I share this monthly newsletter knowing some of you watch for it.

Thanks for reading! And this month, I’m giving away TWO books!

Lucky 13?

I’ve just met my thirteenth book deadline for 2024. This one was a total of about 5,000 words. I had a month to research and write the book to the publisher’s specifications. (Some of the early manuscripts I wrote earlier in the year were very, very short.) I’ll share more details about the projects when I’m allowed to.

If you are a kidlit writer and interested in assignments from editors, I’m teaching a workshop on it. No platform or agent needed. See below for a link!

Next Up

I’m really excited to return to my sample chapters for a historical nonfiction middle grade book and complete the proposal for submissions. It began as a picture book in 2019. It’s been out on submission with my agent since 2021 with a bit of interest in seeing it as a middle grade. For the past year I’ve worked on this on-and-off around other projects. (Mostly off due to the 13 projects mentioned above.)

With two new books (see below), I will spend a bit of time promoting them. If you haven’t requested either book at your local library, I hope you will. (And then I’d appreciate if you could leave an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads!)

In addition to that writing project, I have some presentations to prepare for some fall and winter events. Here you see just five of the ten events currently scheduled through the end of the year. Invitations are arriving for next year, too. I suspect it’ll be a busy spring!

Please keep reading for TWO GIVEAWAYS!

CHOMP! with Discount and Free Shipping

I’m thrilled Chomp! The Truth About Sharks will be in readers’ hands in just days! (Mine too! I can’t wait to get my author copies!) It comes out October 15! There’s so much shark-fear, I’m hoping my book helps dispel some myths about these amazing fish. Read to the end for a giveaway!

Want a personalized copy and a 10% discount? Email Nook Books of Lancaster, PA by emailing them at hello@nooks.gallery. They will provide a 10% discount for pre-orders of Chomp! And if your order totals over $25, you get free shipping while supporting a small business! (Or pick it up in the store.) In your email just tell them what book(s) you'd like. (They can get just about any book. You don’t have to order $25 of my books for the discount.) Just mention Chomp! The Truth About Sharks and my name, and let them know if you prefer hardcover or paperback.

Chomp! The Truth About Sharks

Christmas (in October)

My just-released book has arrived! It’s called Christmas. This book is part of the Celebrations & Festivals series. This is my very first fictional book. When I was invited to write the book, the editors at Words & Pictures asked me to write a story authentic to my life including religious and cultural traditions. So…I did.

The book description:

Charlie and his sisters Emily and Lou are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they light their advent wreath, play with their nativity set, make Christmas cookies and treats, attend a Christmas Eve service, and open presents and stockings on Christmas morning.

The book includes 16 pages of additional information about Christmas. It includes Christmas celebrations around the world, a recipe, craft, and more. My book, and the series, is a great way to learn about Celebrations & Festivals you don’t celebrate!

Read to the end for a giveaway!

Christmas

Good to Know

Spider Web Craft

I included a fun spider STEM activity in Scurry! The Truth About Spiders, but if you’re also looking for a simpler craft, this salt and glue spider web is gorgeous! » https://teachbesideme.com/glue-and-salt-spiderweb-craft/

Middle Grade Expository Nonfiction Book Pitches

Book pitches can be tough. Kirsten W. Larson shares some writers’ expository middle grade nonfiction pitches and shares why they work. » https://kirstenwlarson.com/2024/09/20/winning-expository-book-pitches-examples-and-analysis/

Get Published!

No platform? No problem! SCBWI Indiana is hosting a workshop about work-for-hire kidlit writing. And I get to teach it! Get Your Foot in the Door: Work-for-Hire Writing Assignments. Learn more» https://www.scbwi.org/events/get-your-foot-in-the-door-work-for-hire-writing-assignments

Celebrate Curiosity

Did you know sharks are fish, but they’re quite unique? Sharks have teeth-like denticles covering their bodies instead of scales. They also stay afloat differently than other fish. Sharks have huge, oily livers that help them float in water!

KidLit Nonfiction Recommendation

Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill reminds us that crows may be common, but they’re highly unique. I highly recommend this book! (Please note: There’s another picture book with the same title. I haven’t read that one, but do recommend the one noted above by Butterworth and Gill.) » https://amzn.to/47TmJoT

My Recent Blog Posts

Whether you're looking for fabulous nonfiction children's books for your students or children, a gift for someone (of any age), or a mentor text for your own writing, it can be difficult to know where to start. Consider examining nonfiction book award winners and nominations. I created a list for you! » https://www.annettewhipple.com/2024/09/nonfiction-childrens-book-award-list.html

May I serve your community?

I love exciting others about reading, writing, history, science, and life! I speak to children at schools and all ages at community events focusing on women’s topics, family literacy, and history. Maybe I can help your group celebrate curiosity!

2024 Schedule

October 5: Collinswood Book Festival, Collinswood, NJ
October 23: Children's Book Mastery, online
October 26: Book-or-Treat at Towne Book Center, Collegeville, PA
November 2: 8 & Under 2024, SCBWI (Eastern PA), online
November 9: Get Your Foot in the Door: Work-for-Hire Writing, SCBWI Indiana, online
November 19: Storybounders Book Club, online
November 23: KSLA Book Fair at Barnes and Noble, Wyomissing, PA
December 2: Keystone State Literacy Conference, Hershey, PA
December 13: MomCo, Willowdale Chapel, West Grove, PA

Learn about my events!

Thanks so much for reading to the end! Now it’s time for the giveaway!

GIVEAWAYS

Exclusive Giveaway

To enter this giveaway, you must be a subscriber with a US mailing address. (If you received this in your email, you already subscribe. Found it another way? Just enter your email address here if you need to subscribe or click the button below.)

You get to choose! Would you rather win Christmas or Chomp? Tell me in a comment AND tell me who you will read it with. (If you don’t have a preference, you may state that, too!) I’ll sign a copy and send it to the winner (or a person they choose to receive it in the US.)

Winners will be announced in the next newsletter. Geri S. was September’s winner!

Thank you for all of your support! If you would like a signed bookplate for any of my books, let me know with an email or a message!