July 1, 2024 3:20 pm
Sure, it’s a cliché, but it’s a good one! After months of managing health issues between school visits, I’m finally announcing the daily winners from Storystorm. I will be emailing you over the coming days. Congratulations!
But before that, we have to talk.
Are you having a tough time in picture books? I am. Everyone I know is—mentees, critique partners, agents—I’m hearing it everywhere. Things are slower than usual in the already glacial pace of the publishing market. So, I’m here to tell you: it’s not you, it’s them.
We already know there’s nothing you can do to control what’s happening out there. What we can control is our own output. Keep your B.I.C. and “just keep swimming”. That is, write your butt off. (Wait, I thought Tara said to keep my butt in chair? I’m so confused!)
SCBWI featured an excellent “State of the Children’s Book Market 2024” webinar recently with Deborah Halverson. The playback is available at SCBWI.org and I encourage you to watch. There are indeed bright spots as we navigate through this rough patch. “Editors are craving humor to balance out the more earnest books” is one takeaway. Funny tales, character-driven manuscripts and intergenerational stories are wanted in picture books. And if you can get all three in one book, I suppose you’ve hit the trifecta!
But as always, don’t go writing to please the market. Write to please your muse. Shooting from the heart never goes out of style.
AND NOW, THE DAILY PRIZE WINNERS! Many thanks to Urania Smith and Mel Mwai for helping to randomly select.
I will be emailing winners directly to distribute the long-awaited prizes.
Thank you! I hope to be up and running here more often in the near future!
| 1 | Sally McClure | Picture book critique from Tara Lazar |
| 2 | Donna Cangelosi | Spot in picture book revision class from Julie Falatko |
| 3 | Todd Freer | Fiction picture book critique from Lisa Katzenberger |
| 4 | Sunny Walker | 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom and sticker pack from Courtney Pippin-Mathur |
| 5 | Denita Johnson | Signed copy of ALL THOSE BABIES from Mylisa Larsen |
| 6 | Cindy Greene | Copy of LUCY’S BLOOMS by Dawn Babb Prochovnic |
| 6 | J Lehson | Winner’s choice copy of WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? or WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? from Dawn Babb Prochovnic |
| 6 | Jim Chaize | 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” (for an individual, critique group, or classroom) with Dawn Babb Prochovnic |
| 7 | Carmela McCain Simmons | 30-minute Ask Me Anything with Cheryl Kim |
| 7 | Kristi Mahoney | 30-minute Ask Me Anything with Sylvia Chen |
| 7 | Susan Burdorf | One-hour Ask Me Anything with Zainab Khan |
| 7 | Dawn M. | 30-minute Ask Me Anything OR a MS critique (under 600-words non-rhyming Fiction/Nonfiction picture book/board book) with Marzieh Abbas |
| 7 | M. M. Sutanto | One-hour Ask Me Anything about websites or Canva OR a live picture book critique on Zoom with Stacy S. Jensen |
| 7 | Kathy Doherty | MS critique (under 600-words non-rhyming fiction picture book/board book) with option for Zoom brainstorming chat with Christina Shawn |
| 7 | Sheri Dillard | Manuscript critique (picture book, fiction, poetry or prose, rhyming okay, under 700 words) from Carol Joy Munro |
| 7 | Charlie Griffin | Picture book manuscript critique (max 600 word, non-rhyming, fiction) OR a copy of Peaches from Gabriele Davis |
| 7 | Debbie Allmand | $20 gift card to your favorite indie bookstore from Sara Holly Ackerman |
| 8 | Kalee Gwarjanski | Copy of MAKE WAY: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and Some Very Famous Ducklings from Angela Burke Kunkel |
| 9 | Marty Bellis | Fiction critique, an Ask Me Anything Zoom call, or a combo of the two from David McMullin |
| 10 | Melissa Hastings | PB critique with a 30-minute zoom call and a signed copy of ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP from Chiara Colombi |
| 10 | Helen Lysicatos | PB critique with a 30-minute zoom call and a signed copy of ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP from Chiara Colombi |
| 11 | tacy S. Jensen | A 60-min AMA and copy of REMEMBERING SUNDAYS WITH GRANDPA from Lauren H. Kerstein |
| 12 | Teresa Fales | Winner’s choice book copy one of Christine’s book from Christine Evans |
| 13 | Hilary Margitich | A 30-minute virtual school visit and one 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom from Laurel Neme |
| 13 | Mari Miyagi | A 30-minute virtual school visit and one 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom from Laurel Neme |
| 14 | Tanya Konerman | one copy of SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILTY BELT and one Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat from Sharon Giltrow |
| 14 | Joyce Uglow | one copy of SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILTY BELT and one Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat from Sharon Giltrow |
| 15 | Jenny Boyd | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 15 | Amy Houts | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 15 | Sara Fajardo | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 15 | Rachelle Burk | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 15 | Cheryl Coate | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 15 | Diane Mittler | one copy of Love Made More from Colleen Rowan Kosinski |
| 16 | Angel Gantnier | LOVE GROWS from Ruth Spiro |
| 16 | Alicia Shawn Gagnon | HOW TO EXPLAIN CODING TO A GROWN-UP from Ruth Spiro |
| 17 | Lucretia Schafroth | 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom or one picture book/early reader critique from Melissa H. Mwai |
| 18 | kelliearted | One copy of MIGHTY MUDDY US from Charles Santoso |
| 18 | susaninez0905 | One copy of MIGHTY MUDDY US from Charles Santoso |
| 18 | Fiona Bannatyne | One copy of MIGHTY MUDDY US from Charles Santoso |
| 19 | Lisa K Davis (lisakdaviswriting) | One copy of LOUIS from Julie Rowan-Zoch |
| 19 | Marie Prins | One copy of I’M A HARE, SO THERE! from Julie Rowan-Zoch |
| 19 | Amy Mucci (brightwishbooks) | One copy of NOT ALL SHEEP ARE BORING! from Julie Rowan-Zoch |
| 20 | Marci Chorpash Hersel (marcihersel) | One copy of ALPHABUDDIES: G IS FIRST! from Karen Kane |
| 20 | Judy Abelove Shemtob | One copy ALPHABUDDIES: G IS FIRST! from Karen Kane |
| 21 | Colleen Owen Murphy |
One signed copy of WHO IS TIBET’S EXILED LEADER? THE 14TH DALAI LAMA or a critique of a nonfiction picture book manuscript under 1,000 words with Teresa Ho Robeson
|
| 22 | Bethanny Parker | A PB critique with career consultation (20 min Zoom) with Maria Marianayagum |
| 23 | Linda K Chavez | One signed copy of one of her books (winner’s choice) from Adriana Hernández Bergstrom |
| 24 | Ashley Bankhead | 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom or one picture book critique with Gabi Snydeer |
| 25 | Laurie Seaford | One copy of her book A WALK THROUGH THE REDWOODS and a virtual classroom with Brigitte Rodguez |
| 26 | Marlena Leach | 30-minute AMA on Zoom and a signed copy of LET’S FLY! with Chana Stiefel |
| 27 | Alison McGauley | One signed copy of SOURGRASS from Hope Lim |
| 27 | Angela De Groot | One signed copy of SOURGRASS from Hope Lim |
| 28 | Heidi K Yates (Heidikyates) | One of either a picture book critique or a signed copy of any of his books from Josh Funk |
| 28 | Sharon Dalgleish (sharonkdal) | One of either a picture book critique or a signed copy of any of his books from Josh Funk |
| 28 | Jessica Iwanski | One of either a picture book critique or a signed copy of any of his books from Josh Funk |
| 29 | Wendy Greenley | Choice of a signed copy of MAKE MORE S’MORES (US addresses only) or a picture book critique from Cathy Ballou Measley |
| 30 | All Story Storm Participants |
Free e-book on how to use the structure of a picture book—a process called Spreading—to scaffold your writing process from Simone Kaplan
|
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM 2024
Tags:
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.
Yes, my agent has been saying the same thing. I wish I could write funny, but…
Just keep writing.
By colleenrkosinski on July 1, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Thanks for doing what you do.
By bbwritesright on July 1, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Thank you for the gift of Storystorm, and for the bonus story scaffold e-book! Wishing you all the best— Chris Bailey
>
By crbwriter on July 1, 2024 at 3:39 pm
Thank you so much! I appreciate your time and efforts! Be well! Mari
By mrbellasgmailcom on July 1, 2024 at 3:41 pm
Thanks for everything you do, and the reminder about the market. Congrats to all of the winners!
By Laura Wippell on July 1, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for all you do!
By jumpbaby on July 1, 2024 at 3:48 pm
Cheryl A. Johnson
By jumpbaby on July 1, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Take care of yourself first, Tara 💗 Prizes can wait!
By Teresa 何 Robeson on July 1, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Congratulations, all. Take care of yourself, Tara!
By Karin Larson on July 1, 2024 at 3:53 pm
I am so grateful for Story Storm! The 30 days of prompts inspired some great story ideas. Thank you for all the heart and effort you put into this gift to your fellow writers in the trenches.
By Deep Frees Studios on July 1, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you,Tara, for the ebook—so sweet of you to think of everyone! Please take care of yourself! 🥰
By Donna Rossman on July 1, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Congratulations to all. Also, thank you, Tara, for another inspiring Storystorm.
By judyrubin13 on July 1, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Thank you. -Kassy
By Kassy Keppol on July 1, 2024 at 4:09 pm
I am thrilled to win Love Made More. Thank you so much! Congrats to all the winners. I enjoyed every single day!
By amyhouts on July 1, 2024 at 4:09 pm
“Just keep swimming,” is my writing mantra. Thank you, Tara, for the update on the current state of kidlit publishing, and also for Story Storm and PRIZES. Congratulations to all the Story Storm winners.
By Angela De Groot on July 1, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Ooh! Ooh! Just realized I’m a prize-winner. Thank you Tara and Hope Lim.
By Angela De Groot on July 1, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Thank you for another great StoryStorm and your continuous encouragement. Sending thanks to Simone, too, for her free e-book about picture book structuring.
By Janet Frenck Sheets on July 1, 2024 at 4:27 pm
thank you looking forward to WordPress document from Simone Kaplan.
By sheriradovich0384 on July 1, 2024 at 4:39 pm
A Big Congratulations to all the winners!!!
By gregoryfulgione on July 1, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Hope this is the beginning of feeling much better, Tara! Still working off the great list of ideas I generated in Story Storm!
By robincurrie1 on July 1, 2024 at 4:56 pm
SO COOL!
By Charles Trevino on July 1, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Glad you are feeling better. Congrats to all the winners.
By rosihollinbeck on July 1, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Congratulations to everyone!!
By Patricia Tiffany Morris on July 1, 2024 at 6:17 pm
congrats to all
By kiwijenny on July 1, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Thanks for all you do, Tara! Stay well!
By Melissa Luery Trempe on July 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm
I do love a great Christmas in July celebration! SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILTY BELT looks like an amazing book. I am looking forward to reading it and to my AMA with the talented Sharon Giltrow. Thank you, Tara!
By Joyce P. Uglow on July 1, 2024 at 8:14 pm
Thank you Tara for creating this stimulating challenge each year! Congrats to all the winners! I hope you’re doing well, Tara. Kaye
By Kaye Baillie on July 1, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Many thanks Tara! You always go above and beyond to help the Kidlit Community. Take care! Hope you are able to come to the shore and relax this summer! ⛱️🔆📖📚❤️
By seschipper on July 1, 2024 at 9:04 pm
Congrats to all! I think I will need to watch the webinar! Thank you!!!
By Angie on July 1, 2024 at 11:24 pm
Congrats everyone! Thanks Tara!
By leslieevatayloe on July 2, 2024 at 6:26 am
Thank you Tara, for all you do for writers. Take care.
By eleanorannpeterson on July 2, 2024 at 8:18 am
Congratulations to all and especially you, Tara, for hosting another fabulous StoryStorm! Thanks for your encouraging post, too. Take care of yourself, Tara!
By Jenny Boyd on July 2, 2024 at 8:36 am
Thank you so much, Tara! It was a wonderful StoryStorm event again this year. You really are incredible! I’m hoping the health issues are much improved and you can enjoy the summer and keep writing your wonderful humorous picture books! Blessings to you, and many thanks!
By writeremmcbride on July 2, 2024 at 10:53 am
Hi Tara!
<
div>I wanted to send a quick ema
By Becky Scharnhorst on July 2, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Oh wow! On top of the brilliant Storystorm event, I won a fabulous prize! Thank you so much Tara and Josh Funk! I’m so excited!
By sharonkdal on July 2, 2024 at 9:35 pm
Congratulations to all of the winners! Thanks, Tara, for all you do to help your fellow writers. I hope that you are feeling better now. Take care.
Martha
By 1marth1 on July 3, 2024 at 3:14 pm
Congratulations to the winners and thank you Tara for running Storystorm. I always am inspired and learn a great deal from the posts. Here’s to next year…
By MDalphin Williams Creative.Com on July 4, 2024 at 8:23 pm
What an exciting surprise! Huzzah!
By nycbgriffin on July 5, 2024 at 5:56 pm
Congrats to all the winners and many, many thanks to you, Tara, and to Urania and Mel for their help! I love Storystorm!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on July 5, 2024 at 7:46 pm
You’re a doll, Tara. Thanks for this market update and I wish you the best with your health issues. I know what it’s like to manage a chronic condition… Enjoy your prizes, Storystorm winners!
By poupettewriting on July 7, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Yay! Congrats to all :-). … and thank you Simone Kaplan for your e-book gift to all participants!
By Claudia Sloan on July 8, 2024 at 11:42 am
Thank you, Tara, for doing all that you do for the PB community. I so appreciate all the time and effort that goes into creating the amazing Storystorm challenge each year!
And this time around, I’m a fortunate recipient of Christmas in July! Thank you to Melissa Mwai for the generous donations — a critique and her latest PB prize — I’m looking forward to them!
By Lucretia Schafroth on July 8, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Thank you for all that you do, Tara! Thank you Charles Santoso 🙂 Congrats to all the winners!
By kelliearted on July 9, 2024 at 10:39 am
Thanks again for all of the time and effort you exert to make StoryStorm a success each year❣️
By seschipper on July 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Thanks for the shoutout, Tara!
By Melissa H. Mwai on July 11, 2024 at 11:25 am
Exciting! A friend told me I was on the winner’s list and forwarded the announcement to me. I searched my in box and spam and did not find the announcement of winners. I just want to make sure I don’t miss the opportunity for the Zoom call with Chana Stiefel and a signed copy of Let’s Fly. Thank you, Marlena Leach #26 on the winner’s list
By Marlena Leach on July 11, 2024 at 5:13 pm
A friend forwarded the announcement of winners to me, and I see I am on the list, #26! I did not see this email in my inbox, trash, or spam? I am looking forward to my “Ask Me Anything” Zoom call with Chana Stiefeil, and a signed copy of Let’s Fly!, her book. My email is marleach03@gmail.com Thanks for the win! Looking forward to Storystorm 2025!
By Marlena Leach on July 11, 2024 at 5:31 pm
I see I was chosen for a signed book by author Chana Stiefel titled, Let’s Fly!, and I also get a half hour Zoom call with her, AMA. A friend told me she saw my name on the winner’s list. I did not get an email about the drawing. Can you tell me when I should hear from the author for the Zoom call? Thanks for this lovely fun opportunity. Best regards, Marlena Leach marleach03@gmail.com
By Marlena Leach on July 29, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Hi Tara – I hope that your recent health issues have improved and that you’re feeling a bit better now. I’m very pleased and excited to have won a Storystorm prize (1.17.24 post)! I’m contacting you directly because I have not yet received any follow up email since you posted the winners. Just wondering how/ when to access Melissa Mwai, the individual from whom I won the picture book/early reader critique. Thank you. Best regards, Lucretia Schafroth
By Lucretia Schafroth on August 1, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Hi there! I hope you are doing well.
I was so excited to be a StoryStorm winner!
[image0.jpeg]
But now that a month has passed, Iâm a little worried that you might not have the correct email address or something like that.
If you are just not finished notifying people, then please forgive my impatience!!
I love this author and already know my book choice is Tumble.
Anyway, thanks a bunch for everything!!
Linda Chavez
Sent from my iPad
By lindakaychavezbooks on August 4, 2024 at 11:49 pm
When I just signed for Storystorm 2025, I finally read this winners post and discovered I won I’m A Hare, So There! by Julie Rowan-Zach. (WordPress had clicked off my notifications until I fixed them not too long ago.) If this book is still available, I’d love to receive it!
By Marie Prins on December 27, 2024 at 4:31 pm
My email is readingroom@eagle.ca
By Marie Prins on December 27, 2024 at 4:32 pm