Hanging at Chula Vista‘s, Bonita-Sunnyside library!

My son made baklava for the first time 😋

Happening in a few days. Getting excited!

When I posted my last Ramekin of Chocolate Chips toast, a writer said, "Was that for me?" Because it could've been -- turns out she has a manuscript sale to celebrate. So, bring on the Ramekin of Chocolate Chips, because, my writers friends, projects are still selling. Keep at it! #Persistance

It was my honor to be a part of @sarashacter.bsky.social’s journey in creating this fantastic MG novel for kids ❤️📘🥳

Happy book birthday, Angela Cervantes 🥳👏📘

To celebrate Children’s Book Week, Chronicle Children's Books is open to unagented children’s book creators. www.chroniclebooks.com/pages/submis...

"In the last two years, 4 of the Big 5 publishers have launched imprints wholly devoted to a burgeoning category of fiction readers—'new adults.'"- Publishers Weekly, April 2026. My 2014 book about how to write New Adult fiction:

Congratulations to winner Emily Roberts!

2 days left to enter!

To celebrate my 30th year editing books for young readers, I'm giving away a FREE edit of a picture book manuscript (up to 900 words) or the first 20 pages of a chapter book, MG, YA, New Adult, or graphic novel (text only) manuscript. Go to DearEditor.com to enter! www.deareditor.com/2026/04/free...

Huzzah! Poured myself a ramekin of chocolate chips to celebrate a ⭐️book contract⭐️for a picture book writer I worked with! She rocked this story. I’m telling you, KEEP CREATING. Don’t be discouraged by the times. Book deals are still happening 🎉⭐️📗📘📙

The article about 1st quarter 2026 covers the hard stuff, but this is in it, too.

When you over-explain in your novel, you risk bogging down scenes, slowing the pacing of the whole story, and even losing readers altogether. But sometimes you need to explain things! Here's how to find a balance when you are writing your manuscript.

My son surprised me with a cake that says “12k views” after hearing a video I just posted is going strong on TikTok. What a supportive sweetie🥰🎂

Will publishers frown if you use A.I. for grammar and spell checking?

Looking forward to Saturday's workshop!

Will using A.I. to grammar and spell check your manuscript make publishers frown? We may have an answer. Read this and reader responses on DearEditor.com's post today: bit.ly/4s5e8sw

Good publishing news ⭐️📚

At the San Diego County Library in Vista this month. Fun!

A quick update on chapter book trends

Might co-author someday? Here’s a thing to know.

Cool! I answered 200 questions and found out my Top 5 Strengths. Clearly I was born to be an editor. Guiding writers, supporting their growth & goals & pushing them to improve, digging into the techniques of writing and storytelling. It's all here. No wonder I still love what I do after 30 years.

Just plunked a hot chocolate bomb in my Santa mug of hot milk.

Who else had pie for breakfast today? 🖐

Startled myself when perusing PW Children's Bookshelf newsletter and my face popped up. 🤣 So cool to get a writeup in PW.

Nestlé Coco in hot water v Nestlé Coco in hot milk. Verdict: both make me very happy.

Yay! I get to make a chocolate-chips-in-a-ramekin toast to an author who heard back from the acquisition meeting: it’s a YES! ✨ Persistence ✨

Proud to be on the Way-Word Writers Podcast! The nuances of revising a manuscript from the First draft to Final. youtu.be/Vy0LhenJHxg?...

Ha - Talk about an accountability self-hack! Just saw this quote from Colleen Hoover in an Elle Magazine article that announces new books she's writing. "The more pressure there is on me, the more likely I will get them done," Hoover tells the magazine. "So print that s***t."🤣

This 90-minute, in-depth presentation will cover the latest acquisition trends, current market needs, the launch of several new imprints, plus industry-wide efforts to navigate economic forces, AI, and book banning. Hear key insights essential for anyone looking to sell a book in today’s market!

Writing a scary story? Three pitfalls to avoid, and ways to avoid them.

Jodie Benveniste sent me a candy bar with a copy of her fab new YA novel Everything’s Absolutely Fine. The protagonst told her to send me chocolate. 😅 A perk of editing a book is bonding with the characters!

How to EFFECTIVELY write Multiple POVs. Telling a story through several characters’ viewpoints CAN be tricky but it’s SO worth it when you get it right.

Lovely day for editing on the patio. #peaceful #focused

Editing in the living room while two of my college boys do their homework on either side of me. I am content. 🥰

Free Authors Guild Zoom TODAY Oct 16 3pm PT/ 6pm ET about the Anthropic Settlement. Includes Q & A. If you cannot make it, they will have a recording. You don’t need to be a member: authorsguild.org/event/anthro...

A “No” from one editor is not necessarily a “No” from ALL editors at that imprint, today at DearEditor.com: bit.ly/3KTDedc

A “No” from one editor is not necessarily a “No” from ALL editors at that imprint, today at DearEditor.com: bit.ly/3KTDedc

What to consider when deciding to use your middle name in your author name, today at DearEditor.com: bit.ly/3VQPGwM

Demystify rejection letters: Five common reasons for rejection letters in novels and picture books, with solutions to address these issues in revision. Register: bit.ly/4pFFDIu

Avoid over-explaining in your fiction with these four tips from DearEditor.com: bit.ly/4nFjR5U

Writing Tip: Use your setting to reveal a character’s emotions and to force epiphanies. Choose it strategically and cleverly. #writingtips #writingadvice #amwriting #writing #deareditordotcom #DeborahHalversonBooks #kidlit #YAlit #youngadultfiction #MGlit #middlegradefiction #DearEditor

Deborah Halverson @deborahhalverson.bsky.social , Author and Freelance Editor, talk on Turning a "No" Into a "Yes" on Sept 27 on Zoom 2-4 PM. Replay available. Sign-up scbwi.org/events/San-d... #scbwi #kidlit #childrensbooks #writingtips #kidlitart #WritingCommunity #kidlitcreators #childrensbook

What a delight to receive this postcard from an author I’m working with. Writers make the mail fun!

Authors: You may be part of this class action lawsuit against an AI company that pirates books to train its AI. Read the Author’s Guild explainer.

Use “big words” in YA fiction? The Editor shares her advice in today’s DearEditor.com post at bit.ly/45wkDdV

A bus stop reminder to read, Downtown San Diego ❤️📚