Writing and Developing Children's Books

A good sense of humor has served me well in writing for children, and certainly in navigating the book-development process. Troubleshooting and problem solving come easily to me, and the end product makes the so-called trouble worthwhile. I have a lot of fun, especially when called upon for ideas.

I've written books for tots and middle-grade readers, developed and edited hundreds more on a variety of non-fiction subjects, including science, nature, biography, and Native American cultures, and adapted classic fiction for the young-adult audience. For babies and tots, I've written storybooks in novelty formats: board books, plush books, interactive cloth with sound, and felt. Target markets for my work include schools and libraries, book clubs and book fairs, specialty and mass markets.

As a consulting book developer for SoftPlay, Inc., I conceptualize content for new as well as tried-and-true formats. Collaborating with marketing and sales, educators, designers, illustrators, and sound engineers, I've been involved in all aspects of concept development, from initiating ideas and titles to writing copy for packaging and editing parent guides, to reviewing production samples. As the storywriter, I craft simple narratives, often in rhyme, featuring proprietary characters or licensed properties such as Elmo, Dora, Clifford, and Fisher-Price's Little People.