12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast 042 - Amanda Davis is Chasing the Light in Picture Book #podcast

Chasing the light no matter what you're writing! 12 x 12 member Amanda Davis has written fiction and nonfiction picture books on topics that run the gamut of experiences and feelings. No matter what she writes (or illustrates), she does it in a way that's relatable to her young readers. Discover how Amanda finds that balance in today's episode.  Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  What inspired her latest book, Chasing the Light As an illustrator, who or what determines if she illustrates her story or if someone else does. Why the publisher asked Amanda to change the ending of her book. How being an art educator influences her illustration style Her advice for finding your own illustration style (and your own writing voice) What story she submitted to a publisher herself instead of her agent submitting How she made a story about a parent with alcohol-use disorder kid-relatable How and why Amanda and her publisher had experts and psychologists read Sometimes Stormy before it was published Why she decided not to give up on her book How Amanda decides if she's going to submit a dummy with a project or not  Why she hasn't illustrated anyone else's work—yet The importance of accuracy in illustrations How she shifts from writing tough topics to lighter topics How she prepares for book talks with tough topic books Why she writes fiction and nonfiction and how she shifts between the two Her advice for writers who aspire to illustrate The importance of lifelong learning What picture book does Amanda wish she had written Books mentioned in this episode: Chasing the Light by Amanda Davis and Faryn Hughes https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97819583... Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97803992... Sometimes Stormy written and illustrated by Amanda Davis  https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97988855... 30,000 Stitches by Amanda Davis and Sally Wern Comport https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97815460... Moonlight Memories by Amanda Davis and Michelle Jing Chan https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97815460... The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic and Hadley Hooper https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97814521... My Brother's Butt is Haunted by Dan Poblocki and James Rey Sanchez https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97805937... Mr. S written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo https://bookshop.org/a/11334/97800630... Resources mentioned in this episode: Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat by NE-SCBWI https://www.scbwi.org/regions/newengl... At no cost to you, 12 x 12 may earn a commission on books purchased from the above links. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! #kidlit #author #writer #illustration #illustrator #alcoholusedisorder #picturebook #northernlights #nonfiction #picturebooks