Oooo, here's another fun activity for kids. Oct. 11 seems far away now, but mark your calendar. @fallforthebook.bsky.social has loads of excitement for everyone. I'm thrilled to be part of it! Stay tuned for more info soon.

I always, always do educator guides. As a former teacher, I know how much educators appreciate them. And, wow, teaching is an incredibly hectic job!

Thank you @deborahkalb.bsky.social for this fun chance to talk about PLANT-tastic plants! When I first started out on this topic, I had NO idea that I was going to become such a plant lover convert! Has that ever happened to anyone else?

I love this adorable shop. And, how fun is it to poke around in a plant and gift shop?

What do you really know about plants? Come to the US Botanic Garden to find out! (real samples and fun swag). usbg.swoogo.com/Be-LEAF-It-o... #WashingtonDCEvents #BotanicGarden #PlantLovers #PlantFacts #USBotanicGarden #FamilyFunDC #LearnWithPlants #annmcallumbooks #thingstodowithkids

Thank you for posting, Beth! My book comes out in less than two weeks. The writing and researching of it was challenging but amazing. What an honor to have a book coming out on May 20!

Now, a place where it's all organized! Check out books, how to sign up for a program--virtual or in-person--and of course, awesome news. Here's the website address: annmccallumbooks.com See you there!

Just in.. a review from Kirkus. Thank you!! Find the full review here: www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews... #Plantlovers #LearnwithPlants #FantasticFlora #Annmccallumbooks #Kidsandplants #Plantbooksforkids

I hope you'll join me at the U.S. Botanic Garden on May 30 at 3:00 p.m. I'll be sharing Be-LEAF it or Not: Unearthing Plant Truths, an on-site drop-in family program. All are welcome! Check out details at usbg.swoogo.com/Be-LEAF-It-o... #plantbooks #plantfun #fantasticflora

Thank you Katie Narita and Chalk&Ink for the fun podcast. If you have some time on a walk or in your car, here's the link to the podcast: www.buzzsprout.com/1335571/epis...

Thank you @fairfaxlibrary and the anonymous patrons who have already put a hold on this book two months ahead of its release! You made my day. :) #nonfiction #plants #plantsforkids #kidsbooks

So thrilled to have my post included in @nerdy_bookclub 's post today. And what a joy to 'dig' into these wonderful books for spring! See the post here: tinyurl.com/eus233a8

Happy first day of spring. Time to think about plants! Fantastic Flora coming soon (preorders available). The flowers are from our yard and are here already. #plantsforkids #plantbooks #Fantasticflora #newkidsbooks

The first review has rolled in. Thank you, Booklist! @candlewickpress.bsky.social #fantasticflora #kidsplants #stemforkids #plantsforkids

I don't know about you, but I plan to celebrate the joy of reading this week (hopefully every week!).

Thanks for the shout-out. I'm getting pretty excited. And besides, I'd rather think about spring and plants at this point versus winter!

I love this book!

What is it about those little orange banners that make me go WOW!!?

When I was given this advanced copy, I realized why I enjoy reading so much. A beautiful, lyrical book that is as fun to read as it is heartwarming. Characters find joy in the types of books they read along with where and when they decide to open a book. A celebration of the written word!

Great deal on this week! All preorders at B&N are 25% off! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantastic-... @candlewickpress.bsky.social

This year, World Read Aloud Day is Feb. 5. Authors donate their time to come into schools virtually to share the joy of reading. Here's the link for free downloads, info, etc. www.litworld.org/worldreadalo.... Also, a list of participating authors is at docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

@skypitch.bsky.social DOING HER PART (nf, pb) In 1905, workers finished installing the first telephone service in Killeen, Texas. Born that same year, Oveta Culp Hobby came to be nicknamed “Miss Spark-plug.” Energetic and bright, she grew up to ignite change during some of the world’s darkest days.

Ooooo, so excited to share the cover to FANTASTIC FLORA: THE WORLD'S BIGGEST, BADDEST, AND SMELLIEST PLANTS. Pre-sale on now... Releasing this spring and canNOT wait!

Fun at Reston Founders Day with @amstephens_ and @joanwaites. If I look cold it's because it WAS cold. Maybe the last of winter weather??

The life of an author...

Sunday morning (ish) bread! I'm ready for the week.

One of the ways I 'keep it fresh' is to revise out of order. For the MG I'm working on, I typed THE END after the draft was complete. Now I'm going back to each chapter, out of order, to revise. It's either a great idea or a way to make the story into scrambled eggs. We'll see.

Big or extremely small, what's not to love about a bookstore? In this case, it was a fun project while watching TV.

Honoring International Women's Day! How incredible it was to research and interview these women--44 women profiled in these three books! @chireviewpress

It was Fantastic Flora: The Science of Plant Survival. It is FANTASTIC FLORA: THE WORLD'S BIGGEST, BADDEST, AND SMELLIEST PLANTS. Love it! Can't wait to see what the incredible @zoeingram.illustration does with the illustrations! Coming out in 2025 with @candlewickpress @mitkidspress

So honored to have HIGH FLYERS as one of the 2024 nominees for the Young Adult Virginia Author award. Very cool that the ceremony is about a month before the book is released in paperback, too. Event info here: rvalibrary.org/events/yava/...

Sooo good! It follows the book closely except at the end where things are truncated a little. Lucy Gray believes in people, but she's also a realist. Coriolanus Snow is a complex character, but you see glimmers of what he'll become. Worth a watch (and read)!

The joke never gets old! Writing "Eat Your Math Homework" was so much fun. Thanks SCBWI for highlighting (!) the joke.

Still reliving an awe-inspiring trip to Greece. So much of our own culture comes from this spot on the globe. Some of my favorite English words derived from Greek: dinosaur, phobia, marathon, and of course, democracy. Makes me appreciate those who came before.

Happy out-in-paperback book birthday THRILL SEEKERS (in two days)! Still thrilled when I think of interviewing and writing about these incredible women. Phew! @ChiReviewPress

For my webinar on all things nonfiction, the big picture is "Can NF change the world?" I say YES! See you virtually at the Writing Barn on Feb. 24. Registration here: thewritingbarn.com/class/connec... @thewritingbarn

#ThrillSeekers This picture has NOT been retouched. Sara Mudallal finds balance and joy by practicing parkour. I learned so much writing about her! @ChiReviewPress Thrill Seekers out in paperback next week!!

Word play... not just for the page! And yes, YE is a word.

Thrill Seekers is coming out in paperback! Came across pics and videos from when I was doing research. Since I was including skydivers in the book, I had to try tandem jumping myself. What a life-changer!! Their stories are here: shorturl.at/vDKVW @chireviewpress @mancinoroberta @melaniecurtis11

Remembering when Thrill Seekers first came out and the incredible women in the book gathered to share their stories. What a thrill! Now it's releasing in paperback, too! Video is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OPu...

Found this as I was aimlessly browsing... Can't resist reposting it. Too cute and so true!

I opened up my email and found a note from the Highlights Foundation... with my book "Thrill Seekers" featured as one of their library of books (I donated it the last time I was there). Very cool to be part of this excellent organization! @ChiReviewPress @HighlightsFound

When I set out to interview women for "Thrill Seekers," I had no idea how much the process of writing was going to change ME. Out in paperback Jan. 16! Order here: rb.gy/16nlm0 @ChiReviewPress @melaniecurtis11

Oooh, I can't wait to lead this webinar! I have soo many juicy tips and tricks for the genre that is so fun and rewarding to write. Sponsored by The Writing Barn on Feb. 24, 2024. Registration here: thewritingbarn.com/class/connec...

#LivingCreativelyAMS Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! It's been a heck of a year; grateful for all the ups and, hey, the downs are part of life. Best wishes to all!

I love Nonfiction. Why? Because it's fun to write ... AND, it can inspire change. Join me Feb.24, 2024 as we dive deep into the nitty gritty of how. Sponsored by @thewritingbarn. Registration here: tinyurl.com/4byb5td3

This mentorship program is so valuable! All kidlit genres covered. Great for anyone wanting to get to that next level. Registration open until Dec. 26. www.scbwi.org/events/MDDEW...

#thrillseekers. Loved, loved, loved interviewing this dynamo for "Thrill Seekers." She's probably outside more than she's in. Her story is fascinating... I hope you can check it out (Paperback comes out Jan.16, hardcover available now).

Can't wait!

Creative Coaching groups registration now OPEN! All kidlit genres covered. I'm taking care of nonfiction and, wow, I have sooo many great things planned! www.scbwi.org/regions/mddewv