Like I said in my last blog, I was at SCBWI (Society of Children Book Writer's and Illustrators) last weekend and I met many interesting people. I don't really feel that I learned much more than I knew before about writing picture books, but I now feel that I need to find an agent. I'm not sure if having a book coming out will help in this matter, but I'm surely going to flaunt it. Why not.

I have also set my sites on a laptop and projector for school visits. I don't know if it would be necessary, but certainly fun to show how I create images. We'll see about that one.

I always find it interesting where ideas come form. At the conference, an editor said she would love to see a book about dead animals. Now, I don't know if she was really serious or not, but I now have an idea for a book. I plan to pitch it to her some day.

Lastly, I would like to add that I am now a fan of Adam Rex. He spoke at the conference and held a breakout session on writing. Let's just say he impressed me.

Just briefly because I need to leave, but I spent the day at the SCBWI conference yesterday (that's the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators). I found it rather interesting. I'll tell you more after today's conference.

Ok gang, here's what has been happening. I got a proof copy of my book. Very exciting and it looks very good. I was surprised how much of the edges were cut off. It was more than the bleed around the edge, but it still looks good. Now I just have to wait until September when it comes out.

The other day, I was checking Google to see where my website would rank on a search. It came up first. But then I was bored, so I started checking out the other Steve Grittons in the world (surprisingly, there is more than one of me). I stumbled upon Amazon.com, low and behold, my book is on there already. That was just very cool! I now have a book that you can pre-order!

Now, I'm continuing to work on other stories and trying to find time to send them out. I am very anxious to do another book. I am trying to develop some characters that could pop up in more than one book. I have two ideas for these characters. I just have to figure out how to sell it to a publisher. I always wondered how "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus" or "Duck! Rabbit!" got pitched to a publisher.

Until next time,
Steve.