~THE PITCH IT TO ME CHALLENGE~

Yes, you read that correctly. The Pitch It To Me Challenge is back and kicking off this WONDERful blog’s new year! But before we view the new round of pitches, let’s take a moment to congratulate Shannon Stocker on her big win in the last round with her pitch for Rinda Beach’s story, SAFETY POWER SUPER STARS. Can “U” say a million thanks to Rinda and Shannon for stepping up to the plate?

This time we have two lovely challengers that I could spend all day talking about (but I won’t since I should really get to the point). The first is author/illustrator Patricia Saunders, whose debut picture book, MOTHER TERESA: THE LITTLE PENCIL IN GOD’S HAND, came out last year with Spork/Clear Fork Publishing. She sends us her pitch for another picture book manuscript, AMY HEARS THE BIRDSONG AIRS: AMERICAN COMPOSER AMY CHENEY BEACH, a story that captured my attention with its soft, poetic flow.

Patricia and I are in for a tough challenge, though, because guess who I asked to be our super guest-star pitcher? None other than the extraordinary Dr. Mira Reisberg, AKA The Picture Book Whisperer, an editor and art director at Spork Children’s Books, and the director/instructor/”fairy godmother” at The Children’s Book Academy. Oh, and she just happens to be an author and illustrator, too! Yes, I really did it this time. I brought in the ultimate challenger.

If you want to know more about Patricia and Mira (and trust me, you do), make sure to check out the photos, information, social media links, and selected book titles below. You might even have time to jump in on Mira’s upcoming illustration course at CBA. Tina and I both assist in the course, and I can’t say enough about what it did for my own writing career.

Now for the challenge! Take a look at the three pitches in the voting box. They are in no particular order so you’ll never know whose is whose (the author’s, mine, or our special guest-star pitcher). Vote for your favorite, and if you are so inclined, leave a comment, too. We love hearing from our readers!

You have until February 1, 2020, to cast your vote. Please vote only once, but feel free to tell your friends about us and get them in on the action.

 

ABOUT PATRICIA SAUNDERS:

Patricia Ann Saunders was born into an Air Force family living and travelling all over the United States, South America and Japan. Today she resides in Texas. Retired from teaching art, she now includes author/illustrator as part of her creativity. What could be more fun than to spend time doing what she loves? Only to spend time with her wonderful family.

Patricia’s Book, MOTHER TERESA: THE LITTLE PENCIL IN GOD’S HAND is available through Amazon, or on the Clear Fork Publishing website.

Connect with Patricia at www.patriciasaunders.com, or on Twitter @writersaunders.

 

ABOUT DR. MIRA REISBERG:

Mira Reisberg has a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children’s literature. She is an acquiring Editor and Art Director at Clearfork/Spork and is also the Director of the Children’s Book Academy. Her students have published over 370 books and won every major North American award. Mira’s 8 published children’s books have won awards and sold over 600,000 copies. She lives in a 100 year-old house in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two cats.

Mira has been instrumental in helping many authors and illustrators get published and teaches many of the courses at the Children’s Book Academy, including the upcoming Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Books with HMH Acquiring Art Director & Senior Designer, Andrea Miller. She is proud to have edited and art directed the following books:

 

 

 

 

 

Connect with Mira at www.mirareisberg.com, on Twitter @MiraReisberg, or through the Children’s Book Academy at www.childrensbookacademy.com

CONCLUDING REMARKS:

It’s so much fun to be in another Pitch It To Me Challenge! Thank you, dear readers, for joining in and casting a vote. And thanks to Patricia Saunders and Dr. Mira Reisberg for sharing your time and words with us to make this blog all the more WONDERful. Until next time . . .