Today's the day! I'll be at the Coop Chicks in Chatham with my books. Stop by and support all the vendors!

#Questpit #Q

#Questpit #Q

#Questpit #Q

#Questpit #Q

I'm looking forward to reading to the kids! My books will be available to purchase at the library that day, and I'll be happy to autograph your copy! Debra Daugherty - Author of The Memory Jar, Grandpa's Barn, and Cows Can't Be Clowns.

#Questpitch #Q When Rudolph is injured, Polar Bear auditions for sleigh leader, but everyone knows polar bears can’t fly! If Polar Bear fails to convince Santa and the other reindeer that he’s up to the task, Christmas will be cancelled. But he has to learn how to fly first!

#Questpitch #Q Chandler enters her dog, Daisy, in a pet contest to prove she's not a mutt. Her friends' dogs can jump through hoops and count! How can Daisy win the contest if she doesn't know any tricks?

#Questpitch #Q When Elmer, a dachshund, and Dottie, a potbelly pig, share their favorite activities, they risk losing their friendship. Dottie snorts at playing ball and Elmer detests wallowing in the mud. Can this mismatched pair remain best buds, if they don’t like the same things?

#Questpitch #Q Scaredylocks is lost, and the Gators want to eat her! As she enters their house, Scaredylocks dares herself to be brave. Each dare challenges her to face her fears, but there’s one dare she refuses to do!

Saturday, May 2nd, I'll be at The Spring Fling with the Coop Chicks, 120 N. Main St., Chatham, IL from 10-4 PM. I'll be autographing copies of my picture books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn. A fun time for all!

Here's where I'll be Tuesday, April 28th - The Illinois State Board of Education SEC, the Azinia Bldg., 100 N. 1st St., Spfld, IL from 10-1 PM, autographing copies of my picture books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn. A fun time for all!

Here's where I'll be Saturday, autographing copies of my children's picture books, Cows Can't Be Clowns, The Memory Jar, and Grandpa's Barn. Stop by and say, "Hi."

Here's some fun clown jokes to celebrate World Circus Day.

HAPPY WORLD CIRCUS DAY! A great day to read Cows Can't Be Clowns to your kids.

The Sly Fox has autographed copies of my books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn.

Central Illinois Independent Bookstore Crawl April 25, 2026

Farmersville, Illinois - April 11th - 9AM-1PM. Lots of vendors and kid friendly activities. Off I-55 and along Route 66.

Along the Mother Road, Route 66, is Farmersville. This Saturday, there's a kid friendly event for the whole family. Lots of Vendors, including me, Children's Book Author Debra Daugherty.

Easter's not over in Farmersville, Illinois. Tons of fun for the whole family. I'll be there autographing my picture books.

Along Route 66 is Farmersville's Small-Town Dreamers Market, Saturday, April 11th, from 9AM-1PM. Tons of fun for the kids! I'll be there autographing my picture books, Cows Can't Be Clowns, The Memory Jar, and Grandpa's Barn. Hope to see you there!

Who else is driving a car with 100,000 or more miles?

Look what happened today! Hit 100,000 on 4/4/26. I purchased my Chevy Malibu new in 2010, and it has served me well. Oh, the places we've been...

Happy International Children’s Book Day! Take time today to read to your children.

Happy April Fool's Day! April is also National Humor Month. Some humorous picture books to read to the kids this month: BATHE THE CAT by Alice McGinty, EGGASAURUS by Jenny Wagh, COCK-A-DOODLE OPPS! by Lori Degman, & my book, COWS CAN'T BE CLOWNS. In the comments, add your favorite, funny kids' book.

Here's where I'll be today - autographing books. Lots of vendors!

I did a book signing today. I had two people ask about publishing. One person recited a poem she wrote. I've never had that happen before. I met the sweetest girl who bought The Memory Jar. She was thrilled that I signed it and thanked me when I was leaving. She made my day!

This week I have 2 events. Sat., March 28th, at The Grainery in Pleasant Plains,11-5, and Sun., March 29th, at the Auburn Community Center,10-4. Stop by my table where I'll be autographing my picture books, The Memory Jar, Grandpa's Barn, and Cows Can't Be Clowns and say, "Hi."

Check out HP Instant Ink, the hassle-free print subscription service that delivers cartridges to your door before you run out. Sign up using the link try.hpinstantink.com/mjw6hp or code mjw6hp and we both get months of service! I used to pay $80+ a month for ink. Now I pay $15.99 plus tax.

At book events, I give stickers to the kids. It brings their parents closer to my table where they can see my books. And with each book I sell, I let the buyer pick out stickers that match the book. The first three are for Grandpa's Barn, and the cow is for Cows Can't Be Clowns.

When I do book events, many people tell me, "I've written a story, but don't know how to get published." I explain how I began by joining SCBWI and suggest they check out their website. I made these business cards to give out so I don't have to write this info down for them.

This week I have 2 events. Sat., March 28th, at The Grainery in Pleasant Plains,11-5, and Sun., March 29th, at the Auburn Community Center,10-4. Stop by my table where I'll be autographing my picture books, The Memory Jar, Grandpa's Barn, and Cows Can't Be Clowns and say, "Hi."

HAPPY NATIONAL AG DAY!

Saturday, March 21st, I'll be at the Community Women's Club event at the KC Hall in New Berlin from 10-2, autographing copies of my picture books, The Memory Jar, Grandpa's Barn, and Cows Can't Be Clowns. Shop and dine. The ladies put out a delicious luncheon, and there will be several vendors there

Sunday, March 22nd, I'll be at the Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln from 11-4 for this vendor fair. I'll be autographing copies of my picture books, The Memory Jar, Grandpa's Barn, and Cows Can't Be Clowns. A great place to shop with over 30 vendors.

Good luck to all who entered!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! This is one of my favorite photos of Ireland from my trip there in 2012. Killarney National Park.

At the Illinois Reading Council. SCBWI-Illinois authors Srividhya Venkat, Jenny Wagh, Darcy Day Zoells, Alice McGinty, Sarah Aronson, Nicolle Hewitt, Sarah Shacter, Louann Brown, Juli Caveny, Pam Morgan, Debra Daugherty

SCBWI Illinois Authors at Saputo's in Springfield. Lisa Sukenic, Jenny Wagh, Debra Daugherty, Alice McGinty, Louann Mattes Brown, Sheila, Heidi Bee Roemer, Pamela Morgan, Juli Caveny, and Nicole.

My March newsletter just went out. I started it when The Memory Jar debuted. 3 years ago! If you'd like to subscribe, visit my website at https//writing-for-children.webnode.com and sign up. Thanks!

Support Indie Bookstores! Imprint & Ink, Lincoln, IL has autographed copies of my books. I met owner Julie Bates yesterday. When I contacted her last year about my picture books, she immediately wrote back, "I ordered them for my store." What all authors want to hear.

Michelle Ramlow wrote this intro for the Lucky Finds Market in IL. Debra will be on site with her delightful picture books — full of heart, imagination, and stories little readers love. This is a wonderful chance to meet the author, pick up signed copies, and spark a love of reading in the kiddos.

Has this happened to you? I'm a children's book author, not an illustrator. Yesterday, I rec. a rejection letter from an agent. I know she never read my ms. How? The rejection was for my illustrations. After hours researching this agent and writing the query, she could have at least read my work.

Happy Read Across America Day!

I watched the ALA hosted webinar with R. L. Stein on Tuesday, Feb. 24th. I had no idea he was so funny! Loved his jokes. He shared a quote that is so relatable to my writing. "A story has a beginning, a middle, and a twist." Inspired by his talk, the next day I wrote a #PB with a twist ending.

Monday, March 2nd, is Read Across America Day. Teachers, I'd be happy to do a free 20-minute zoom with your class that day and read one of my picture books to your students. Comment or DM, if interested. #teachers