Julie Hedlund and Tara Lazar Powerhouse Panel at Hollins University!

Prepare for some impressive names ahead! This fall's Hollins University MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating Picture Book Writing classes, taught by Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino and author Heidi Stemple, are hosting the creator of the 12x12 Challenge, Julie Hedlund, and creator of the Storystorm Challenge Tara Lazar for an online discussion on November 15th! The talk will be free and open to the public to attend online - email me at dulembaeo at hollins.edu to register and get the Zoom link!

Friday Links List

From The New Yorker: Interesting article on "How Ruth Krauss Made a New Kind of Children's Literature"

From Nathan Bransford: A great article on "How to create a great villain"

From the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, the Illustration West 63 Call for Entries is now open! The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024. CLICK HERE to learn more!

From Literary Hub: Looking After the Books: Remembering Children's Author Joan Aiken - a lovely article.

From PW: Comedian and actress Kate McKinnon is releasing a mid-grade novel called "The Millicent Quibb: School of Etiquette for Young Laides of Mad Science." I'm not usually into celebrity books, but the title seems promising. Read more about it HERE.

The Folklore Society has a marvelous talk coming up: Fairy Encounters in Medieval England with Jeremy Harte, Tuesday 8 October 2024 18:00-19:30 BST on Zoom - get tickets at HERE. (Do notice this is on British time!)

Jason Reynolds has been selected as one of this year's MacArthur Foundation Fellows - well earned!

From CrimeReads: A lovely article about rediscovering one's love for writing books through making books: "The Magic of Making Books" by Steph Post

Cece Bell at Hollins University!

Our Hollins University MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating Media class is hosting award-winning author/illustrator Cece Bell, author, cartoonist, and illustrator best known for her graphic novel El Deafo, the Rabbit and Robot series, and her spit out your drink funny picture books such as Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot! or I Yam a Donkey! She will be giving a talk about her latest picture book, Animal Albums, her inspiration, and methods on Tuesday, October 8th at 5:00pm EST in person in the Goodwin Dining Room. The public is also invited to attend for free online. To register and receive the Zoom link, email kidlit@hollins.edu.

Christyl Rosewater featured on "This is Criminal" Podcast

It was published in 2021, but I only just learned about this. Christyl "Kit" Rosewater's 2014 thesis for her MA in Children's Literature at Hollins University was turned into Episode #169 on the podcast "This is Criminal." It's titled "Masquerade":

The story of a cryptic children’s book, a real-life treasure hunt, and its very mysterious winner: “He refused to be on camera. It’s just his voice. His wife even asks that they disguise his voice, but she asks too late. The interview is already happening. And she faints.”

Click the image to go have a listen!

Art by Julienne Alexander

Coloring Page Tuesday - Halloween 2024

     I love the harvest side of Halloween—colored leaves, cinnamon, spice, and pumpkins!
     CLICK HERE for more Halloween-themed coloring pages.
     Remember, I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! Especially... my Halloween picture book, Lula's Brew! She's a witch who would rather be a famous chef!
     I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.


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New Fall Faculty!

We are also happy to welcome two new faculty members to our Hollins magic: Heidi Stemple and Brian Counihan! Heidi Stemple is the author of 50 books for children, most of them picture books. She has been steeped in the children’s book industry, giving writing workshops at conferences, literary events, universities, and at the Highlights Foundation, for almost 20 years. She has worked as a book doctor, a mentor, and critiquer for countless picture book writers from the pre-career level to some of the best authors in the business. She is also a full-time author, actively working in the business, currently working on revisions for 2 picture books, a verse novel, and the first of a chapter book series. She also happens to be the daughter of Jane Yolen, New York Times best-selling author of over 400 books for children, 20 of which they wrote together.

Brian Counihan is a local artist whose work brings people together. He is an artist in-residence for the city of Roanoke leading community engagement projects, and is the organizer of the Daisy Art Parade. Brian earned an undergraduate degree in painting and printmaking in Ireland, a post graduate degree from Northwestern University and he has continued to learn ever since by taking on new and interesting projects. Brian has won Ireland’s national portrait competition, worked in New York as a decorative finish artist, painted backdrops in Chicago, taught studio classes at Lynchburg College and Randolph Women College and is founding faculty of Community High School in Roanoke. Now, when he is not teaching humanities or studio art, he builds giant puppets for parades. As an educator, Brian encourages students to follow their curiosity, and to seek the happy accidents that help us learn and grow.

Courses already underway this fall are:
• Writing Picture Books with Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino or Heidi Stemple (2 groups)
• Illustration Media with Brian Counihan
• Contemporary Picture Books with me, Dr. Elizabeth "e" Dulemba

Want to learn more about our graduate programs? CLICK HERE!
Stay in touch! Subscribe to our KidLit Newsletter HERE!

Saving Turtles

Hollins campus is gorgeous and a refuge for all kinds of wildlife. We regularly encounter deer, groundhogs, cranes and herons, skunks, occassionally bears, and snapper turtles. However, this baby snapper turtle was not where it should have been. So, I picked it up and carried it down to the creek that runs along one side of campus and feeds into our lovely pond.I put the little dude/dudette down and off they scurried towards the water!This was very happy-making!

Symphony Under the Stars!

This past weekend, the Roanoke Symphony put on a FREE concert at Elmwood Park downtown called Symphony Under the Stars! Methinks it was a bit popular...
I had dinner beforehand with my friend Maryanne at Lucky, so we were a bit late in getting there. But we saw friends, so somehow ended up with fun seats anyhow. Folks brought chairs, others sat on the cement walls of the ampitheater, while others put out blankets on the grassy areas in between. I brought cushions to sit on the cement wall. It worked out GREAT, even getting there late! This was our view:The symphony director is David S. Wiley and he did a great job! He even switched into a shimmery silver jacket for the second half of the show!Added bonus - ballet dancers from the South West Virginia Ballet performed an excerpt from Peter and the Wolf, which was delightful but put that musical earwork back in my head for the night - you know the one. They played patriotic music, honoring our military in the audience; music from The Sound of Music and Jurrasic Park and other crowd favorites. All said, it was absolutely lovely! And best yet, when it was time to go, we walked home!
I LOVE living in Roanoke!

Publishing Victory Wall!

Every year our students, alumni, and faculty publish amazing books - and there are so many of them! I've begun a "Victory Wall" on the bulletin board across from my office, and we also have a Book Launch Party each summer to help everyone celebrate both in person and online.
     This year's Victory Wall looks pretty amazing! Some standouts this year were Ashley Wolff's My Towering Tree. Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino's The Haunted States of America. And Dhonielle Clayton's collection of Fairies Never Lie. There were many more, of course, so I hope you'll check them ALL out! They're also available online at Bookshop.org!

Want to learn more about our graduate programs? CLICK HERE!
Stay in touch! Subscribe to our KidLit Newsletter HERE!

Coloring Page Tuesday - Loving Lizards

     I love lizards. Lizards love lizards!
     I know Valentine's Day is a ways away, but it is never too soon for love. CLICK HERE for more coloring pages
     Remember, I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! Especially... Merbaby's Lullaby! Click the cover to learn about this sweet lullaby board book written by New York Times Best-selling author, Jane Yolen! Makes a GREAT baby shower gift!
     I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.


Sign up for KidLit News (formerly e's news)!

Natasha Trethewey at the Taubman Museum of Art!

Pulitzer Prize-winner and Hollins University alumna Natasha Trethewey did a reading at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke, Virginia on Friday, in celebration of the new edition of the Artemis Journal. Trethewey served two terms as the 19th Poet Laureate of the United States under Barack Obama from 2012-2014. Meanwhile, the Artemis Journal has been publishing since 1977. Begun as an advocate of civil rights and in defense of domestic abuse victims, Artemis "highlights the voices of artists and writers who uphold the values of the Greek lunar goddess for which the journal was named." The journal brings together an annual showcase of exceptional writing and art primarly from creators in the Blue Ridge Mountains.      While Trethewey has offered one of her poems for the publication every year, she rarely makes it to town to do an actual reading. Luckily, this year she did! It was part of her celebrating her forthcoming release, The House of Being (Why I Write) (April 2025).
     I had the pleasure of having lunch with librarian Sheila Umberger, the director of our Roanoke libraries, and Jeri Rogers, the founder and editor of the journal, a few months ago when the idea of inviting Trethewey to town was first being discussed. What a pleasure it was to be around such dynamic women who make such powerful things happen in the community. Because truly, this was a magical event. First, the Taubman is such a lovely and welcoming space, and the area where Trethewey spoke was filled with gold chairs, color-lit walls, and smiling faces as she read poem after breathtaking poem.      I attended with several neighborhood friends, Julie, Don, and new neighbors Allan, Ginger, and Laurie; however, I somehow didn't get a photo of us, but did get a photo of Emily and James, our Hollins Registrar and my boss, the currently-titled director of graduate studies. They've become good friends. In all, there were tons of people I knew at the event from Hollins and the neighborhood; so, me being me, I had fun flitting around like a social butterfly saying 'hi' to everyone.      You can purchase a copy of this year's Artemis Journal by clicking HERE.

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Creative Writing Parties and Dunk-a-Dean

I have landed in such a marvelous place here at Hollins University. I'm constantly reminded by how lucky I am to be here. A good example was this past Friday. The Creative Writing department threw a party for undergraduate and graduate students to let them meet the faculty and learn more about the program. Since my office is on the main floor in the English building, I joined in and had wonderful conversations with the brilliant students studying here. Many didn't know about our graduate studies in children's literature and illustration, so I got to tell them about it. But mostly, I just enjoyed catching up with my colleagues after everyones' busy summers, and meeting these bright new minds.
     So, I was already smiling as I headed to lunch - yes, I get a lovely lunch in our Moody Dining Hall every day - when I came across this. My friend Chanelle (not shown) had set up a fundraiser for our on-campus food pantry to help students in need, by bringing in a dunking booth! It cost $5 for three balls to throw at the red dot. The Moody cashier, Tammy, dunked Chanelle on her first try! So funny!
     I've already established that I have a crap throwing arm, so I purchased three balls and handed them out to eager students. That, and it would feel a bit weird to dunk a friend with evil glee!
     Needless to say, I had a big smile on my face as I left the dining hall and they were still at it. I hope they raised scads of money (I'm pretty sure they did). And this was all before 1:00pm on a gorgeous, sunny day at beautiful Hollins! And then there was the Natasha Trethewey reading that evening (that I talk about in another post). What a happy day!

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Convocation Fall 2024!

Some days are just better than others, and Tuesday was simply one of those days! It began with a "State of the University" lecture by our always inspiring President Hinton (we're doing well!), followed by break-out sessions on specific topics concerning the university. Those ended just in time for a white table-cloth barbeque lunch on The Quad at the center of campus. (Sadly, I didn't get any photos of that!) It was a perfect day in the 70s and not a dark cloud in the sky and I was feeling every bit of that "Hollins magic" I talk so much about.
     Back at my office I was thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to be greeted by our now year-round students in our MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating - the very first year-round class! I am so giddy to have our students on campus with me year-round, I can't even tell you! My inner Mama Bear is all fuzzy happy. But I couldn't talk long, because there was more! We had to get ready for convocation!
     I love putting on my academic robes, it makes me so happy. We all line up on the quad (already cleaned up from lunch). Here I am with (from the left) our new Biology Professor Shaun Davis; our retiring Museum Director Jenine Culligan; Librarian Maryke Barber; me; and Economics Professor Pablo Hernandez. Hollins seniors get to don their own hand-crafted robes for convocation and we all line up in front of the Cocke (administration) building to head over to the chapel. The chapel is gorgeous inside and has great acoustics for the chorus led by Shelbie Wahl-Fouts. They sang twice in between more inspiring talks given by President Hinton, the Student-body President, and others. I always walk away from these events standing a little bit taller.
     From there we headed back to the Quad where the seniors celebrate another annual ritual, the spraying of the champagne to kick off the new academic year! They paint their bottles to go with their colorful robes, shake them up, and on the count of three, POP!!! (I'm pretty sure this isn't the kind of champagne you would want to drink.) There's lots of screaming and laughing and faculty make sure not to stand too close. But there is not a frown in sight during this joyous affair!! And that was the day as a wrap - a very good day!!!

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Honoring the Hollins U Mission

President Hinton is a ROCK STAR and we are so lucky to have her leading us! Every talk she gives is equally as inspiring and uplifting as this one. I'm so proud to be working with her at Hollins U!

Washington, DC! Part 2

I had to go see what the Eastern Market turns into on a Saturday, and by golly they weren't kidding! Remember the "before" view from my last post? Well, check out the transformation a day makes! Inside, was a full-time market full of fish-mongers, butchers, delis,and wonderful things to purchase that I wish I could get where I live!
Julie and I set out to explore and went all over the place, and after seeing this masterpiece by Henry Moore, we headed to the official Sculpture Garden (I love sculpture gardens.)There, I found a Lichtenstein almost identical to the one that sits outside the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. It felt like a sign. So Stan is now in the sculpture garden near the Lichtenstein, so he got to enjoy my DC adventure too. We stopped to enjoy a spot o' tea in the café there by the fountain before moving on.      DC is a very walkable town, but I have to admit, despite walking/working out every day, I am not in as good shape as I would like. So the pure excitement and adrenalin of this beautiful city kept me going! Truly, I think the word "awesome" was created for DC specifically. I'm used to European cities with their tight pathways and ancient architecture. Well, DC has its own thing going on. It is newer, yet GRAND,breathtaking, clean, well-cared for, and it made me feel patriotic just to be there. This is OUR capital, and it is IMPRESSIVE. I'm jealous that France gets to ride her bike all over this city every day. (Here are France and Julie.)      Since the trip was all about researching books, it felt appropriate to go to the Library of Congress, a place I'd never been. How inspiring that it is just behind the Capital Building - it reflects the importance literacy, education, and intelligent contemplation had on the formation and foundation of this country.      I have to say, I was completely blown away when we walked into the Library of Congress.I literally got chill bumps and tears in my eyes.What an awe-inspiring place!Not one inch of the building hadn't been made beautiful in its construction. This was the ceiling.And there were lovely quotes inset everywhere.As a student, France used to do her research at the LoC, and you can still reserve a spot today (if you don't mind folks staring at you from above).It was very humbling to think that my books are most likely available here, being stored deep in the bowels of this amazing edifice. France, Julie and I were so impressed, we agreed to take a picture from below (something women rarely do for obvious reasons) just to show the grandeur above us.       They were hosting a show of Thomas Jefferson's personal library. It was so interesting to see the books he'd read. He was not a perfect man, by any means, but he was certainly a well-read man! There was even a Scottish connection in his collection with the philosopher HUME, whose house and sculpture I used to pass all the time in Edinburgh.      What a wonderful trip to pair with the Building Stories exhibit. This is what I'll do with my students when they join me later this year.
     Afterwards, we decided to visit my parent's old stomping grounds. My mom spent a semester at Georgetown University when she was in college. Wow.
And she and my dad used to eat burgers at The Tombs.Here's to you, Mom and Dad!      From there it was time to catch the train back to Roanoke from Union Station. It was a very quick trip, but so worth it! And now I know how to help my students make the most of it as well. I can't wait to return with them!

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