News!

Just heard from my Viking editor, the lovely Catherine Frank, who said she received her advance copy of SOPHIE'S FISH this weekend. Haven't seen mine yet, but I'm guessing it'll show up in the next day or two.

I'm very excited about this picture book, which hits the shelves on March 15. I dedicated it to Rick Walton, who has inspired and helped so many local writers. And I want to give Linda Bethers, who was in a picture book writing class with me, a big shout out for helping me find my way to the ending.

Yay for whopping fish stories!

her, i admire

today rick walton and i are going to visit our friend barbara (aka bea) williams, which makes me happy. bea is the original grand dame of utah children's writers. for years i've respected her generosity and talent, and now i find myself especially admiring her longevity in the field.

the longer you're around the world of books, the more sharply you realize how tough it is to have a writing life like bea's. even the hottest careers invariably slow down. people who couldn't miss suddenly can't place a manuscript. it's inevitable, natural. and yet bea kept working it for decades. i'm in utter awe of this.

really, i feel honored to know her.