Hello and welcome to the VERY FIRST edition of my Resources For My Readers newsletter where I’ll be sharing enrichment materials and fun extras related to my books, plus tips, insights, and info about children’s book publishing and the writing life.
Although I’ve blogged regularly for many years at www.dawnprochovnic.com, and the resources tab of my website has heaps of enrichment materials related to my books, writing a newsletter is a new adventure for me—and is a looonng time in coming (see below)!
Just like the early drafts of a picture book, the early stages of this newsletter are still a work-in-progress. I plan to include the sections reflected in the headings below in each issue, but the current format is still a working draft that will be refined over time as I learn more about what I want to say and what my readers most value and appreciate about this resource. I’d love to hear what you think!
Please visit my “About” page, if you want to learn a little more about me, the purpose and focus of this newsletter, and/or what might be included under the various section headings over time. If the content feels like a good fit for you, I hope you’ll consider subscribing and joining me on this journey.
Nov 29, 2025: Cowgirl Pirate Potty Party at BOLD Coffee & Books (11am)
Nov 30, 2025: 12X12 Scholarship deadline
Dec 13, 2025: Book sales and signing at the Lane Events Center in Eugene (10am-5pm)
Feb 4, 2026: World Read Aloud Day (Sign up here if you’d like to get on my schedule for a brief virtual author visit, and click here to access Kate Messner’s robust list of participating authors)
The kidlit community is vibrant and multi-faceted. I could dedicate an entire newsletter to the dozens (and dozens!) of opportunities to connect with other kidlit creators. (If you need a starting point, the Kidlit Survival Guide Substack newsletter gives a rundown of some options here).
My tip for you: Choose one community, and get involved.
I’ve long been a member and active participant in my SCBWI community, and in 2024 I decided to branch out a bit and join the 12x12 community. As a picture book author, I’m finding it a great place to be.
I barely skimmed the surface of the resources available in 12X12 my first year because:
1. There are so many choices, so it was a bit overwhelming
2. That year turned out to be a doozy of a time in my personal life
I’ve been able to engage a little more fully in 2025. Full disclosure: It’s STILL a bit overwhelming! (There are SO MANY resources and so little time!) Instead of getting worked up over that, I decided to choose a couple of specific areas to focus on and not sweat the rest. In 2025 I made a concerted effort to:
Watch the available webinars and book chats (usually on replay vs. live) — I only missed a couple of each
Actively engage in the private Facebook group
I’ve learned so much from the 12x12 community this past year, and I feel like I’ve also given back through my own contributions to the FB conversations. I plan to join again in 2026, and intend to make better use of web-based membership forum this go around. If you’re interested in learning more about 12X12, you can find info about membership options, here. (There are scholarship opportunities each year. The application deadline for this round ends on November 30, 2025.)
Folks who know me well, know that I love listening to live music and supporting indie artists. During the month of November alone, I had the joyful experience of attending house concerts and shows at small to mid-sized local venues featuring new-to-me singer/songwriter (and yodeler!), Alice Wallace; longtime favorites, Jonatha Brooke and Craig Carothers; Portland-area favorite Jacob Westfall; plus a big Moda Center blast-from-the bast shebang featuring Pat Benatar (still rocking at 72!), opening for one of my high school-era favorites, Bryan Adams. What a delight! Attending live music inspires me, fills me with joy, and gives me the opportunity to support other artists and creators. If you’re interested in learning about some of the other musicians I routinely follow, I keep a list updated, here.
Two of my current favorite books on craft are Dear Writer, by Maggie Smith and Imagine a Door, by Laura Stanfill (on Substack here).
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”
Fellow author, Kirsten Williams Larson, recently reminded me of this quote (often attributed to Voltaire, with a modern variation attributed to John Steinbeck). Kirsten and I are both members of Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 community (see above). Another 12x12 author, Christina Shawn, posted to one of our social media forums that she was trying to get a newsletter going, but was “stuck” in the phase of figuring out which platform to use.
I can relate. I’ve been stuck in that same spot for several years now. Seriously. Several years. Each time I’ve dipped my foot into the newsletter pool, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of comparing and contrasting different platforms and flamed out, setting the goal aside for another time.
Kirsten’s words to Christina were SO FREEING for me. She said, “...don’t feel like you have to make the perfect choice now. As you grow as a writer and your list grows, your needs might change. Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy of good. I used MailChimp for years, but recently transitioned to Kit. Another list I manage went from MailChimp to Substack. Choose whatever helps you get going the fastest.”
It’s been just under a month since I read those words and put them into action. The launch of this newsletter is the result. Thank you, Kirsten, Christina, and the 12x12, kidlit community for helping me get out of the rabbit hole!
In celebration of World Toilet Day, which was November 19, and my upcoming Cowgirl Pirate Potty Party coming up at BOLD Coffee & Books on November 29 (11 AM), how about some potty humor?!
Q: Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?
A: To get to the bottom!
Meet Pickle the Cat, my beloved office assistant. This picture is from a few years back, but it still rings true. She loves to be close to me when I write!
During the first quarter of 2026, paid subscription fees will be shared with the Oregon Food Bank. If you’ve found this newsletter helpful, please consider subscribing, or alternatively, donating directly to a food bank of your choice. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in this world, one newsletter, one book, one word at a time.
Stay tuned for next month’s issue, which will include:
Resources to help you plan your own potty-themed, sign language story time
A sneak peek into the making of my annual holiday greeting (view past greetings here)
A photo of me in my Cowgirl Santa Hat (+ recent author pic perils)
World Read Aloud Day updates
One of my favorite Mary Oliver quotes
And, more!
Thanks for reading! I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
[P.S. Typos are one of my super powers. I try to find ‘em and fix ‘em, but I’m rarely 100% successful! Know that they are not an indication of the level of care that went into creating this newsletter for you, but rather solid evidence that it’s human-made.]
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