RIP Cynthia Chapman Willis
My dear friend and critique partner, Cynthia Chapman Willis died on March 3rd. I am heartbroken. For those of you who didn't know Cindy, it's not too late to get to know her. She left behind two...
View ArticleClik here to view.
North Carolina Reading Association Conference 2014
On March 18th, I led a workshop at NCRA called, "A Writer's Toolbox and How to Apply It In the Classroom." Here's the official description:See inside author Shannon Hitchcock's Writer's Toolbox. Learn...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The ALAN Review: A New Voice In Historical Fiction
Here's a selfie of me holding the Winter 2014 issue of The ALAN Review:On pages 62-65 is an article about me called, "Shannon Hitchcock: A New Voice in Historical Fiction." The article was written by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Looking for the History in Historical Fiction
When presenting to students and teachers about my book, The Ballad of Jessie Pearl, I always mention Jim Murphy's non-fiction title, Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never Ending Search for a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Crystal Kite Finalist!
TheBallad of Jessie Pearlis a finalist for the Southeast Region's Crystal Kite Award. Other finalists include:Anubis Speaks by Vicky Alvear ShecterOlivia Twisted by Vivi BarnesWild Discoveries: Wacky...
View ArticleClik here to view.
THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL WINS THE CRYSTAL KITE AWARD FOR THE SOUTHEAST REGION!
I am thrilled and amazed that my book won the Crystal Kite for the southeast region, (Florida, Georgia, SC, NC, and Alabama). That means my book earned a sticker. And though I'm much too old for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Debut Year In Review!
THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL recently won the Crystal Kite Award for the Southeast Region. That was the perfect way to end my debut year. Looking back, here are some of the highlights:Pre-publication: My...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Orlando SCBWI Conference Review
The Orlando conference was held on Disney property at The Dolphin. I snapped the above picture just outside my bedroom window.I took a Middle Grade Novel Workshop with author Deborah Wiles and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Summertime's Calling Me!
My writing life has been derailed this week by a visit from the Crown Prince, aka my son, Alex.Alex came home to get his wisdom teeth extracted, and I've been his chauffeur, nurse, cook, and maid. As...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What Is A Text Set And How Can Having One Benefit An Author?
A text set is a collection of materials to supplement the study of a topic, a picture book, or a novel. A good overview can be found here.Emily Roderique, M.Ed. English III Teacher, recently developed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Interview With Author and Musician Joni Klein-Higger
Joni Klein-Higger is a children's book author, songwriter, and musical theater playwright. Her children's musical Recycle was just released by Guardian Angel Publishing.Joni, How did you first get into...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Remembering Cynthia Chapman Willis
Cynthia Chapman WillisI worried when Cindy died about what would happen to her stories. Over the past couple of years, I had critiqued two novels that she had been working on, but never got the chance...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Ballad of Jessie Pearl Featured on SCBWI Blog
Lee Wind posted a very nice interview with me about winning the Crystal Kite Award for the southeast region. You can read it on the Official SCBWI Blog:And in case you missed it, I wrote an article for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Revolution by Deborah Wiles
I recently heard Deborah Wiles speak at the SCBWI Orlando Conference, and was thrilled to get an autographed copy of her latest novel. This is from the book jacket:It's 1964, and Sunny's town is being...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Putting the Personal In History - Augusta Scattergood and Shannon Hitchcock
A photo with Augusta Scattergood following our presentation, Putting the Personal in History, at the Bloomingdale Public Library in Valrico, Florida.Here's the official description:SCBWI FLORIDATAMPA...
View ArticleClik here to view.
104th Annual NCTE Convention
The NCTE conference was held at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center. I snapped this picture in the Atrium.I was on a panel called, "Linking Young Adult Literature and Non-Fiction," with authors...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Raising A Reader
I met Aimee Reid, author of MAMA'S DAY WITH LITTLE GRAY, at the Miami SCBWI Conference.Aimee asked me to write a post for her blog on raising a reader. I took her up on that challenge because my son is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Winning A Crystal Kite!
At the Miami SCBWI Conference, my book THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL was awarded the Crystal Kite Award for the Southeast Region. Chris Cheng, who is the originator of the Crystal Kite Awards, made the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sydney Taylor Award Blog Tour - ISABEL'S WAR by Lila Perl
An Interview With Lizzie Skurnick (Sydney Taylor Award Blog Tour) Presented by the Association of Jewish LibrariesLizzie Skurnick Books is the publisher of ISABEL’S WAR by Lila Perl, which has been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
WRITING A PUBLISHABLE PICTURE BOOK
When I first started writing, I began with picture books because I thought they were easier. HA! They are not. In fact, a clever picture book is one of the hardest things to write. More and more...
View Article