The last year I have been so focused on my adult novel... The blood, the sweat, the anxiety. The edits, the rejections, the heartache. ...and then all of the sudden I wrote 6 picture books. 😮‍💨💃

I'm the president of the I-only-know-how-to-write-when-I'm-supposed-to-be-getting-something-ELSE-done club. Looking for new members. 😅

Whatever you do, do it with a little bit of grit and a whole lot of kindness.

To a writer, this might just be the next best thing to a Christmas miracle...

It's the week before Christmas and all through the house... I've got 3 self-imposed sub deadlines, last-minute shopping, a newsletter, holiday swim, practice refinishing our laundry room floor, homemade ornaments, a PB critique, and teacher gifts to finish! Tell me yours!

I have a book signing this afternoon, but in typical form I'm cramming it all in and our fam is off to the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree first!

The best thing is when I feel down about my writing, but then open a manuscript anyway only to fall in love with it all over again. You know what I mean🫶💪

I'm a glamorous multi award-winning author... I drive an 18yo Subaru. I have to fill out a time card for work. I finish my kids plates instead of having my own. I look for coupon codes for everything. I haven't cut my hair in 10mos. I get nervous just talking about my writing.

When you're struggling to finish, just remember who was brave enough to start. ❤️

Our FLASH SALE starts today! ⚡🎁🏷️ Use code FLASH25 for 20% off ALL SETS now through December 8th. Shop now 👉 tinyurl.com/3eur7b2r

The news is out! I'm starting a new book blog called PICTURE BOOK POSTCARDS. If you have a recently published or soon-to-be-published picture book, please consider featuring your book on my new blog. More details: aprilberrybooks.com/send-me-a-po...

We could all learn a thing or two from kids: Yesterday, I coaxed a kindergartner in the lunch room to eat his PB&J, and then I'd let him lock my wheelchair brakes. Today, he brought me this because this is how you make friends.

Brave enough to write a book. Brave enough to revise your book. Brave enough to get beta readers. Brave enough to query your book. Brave enough to sub your book. Brave enough to publish your book. There are so many moments where writers are tested. Be proud of where you are.

Today, I was told that I should be in the history books because I'm an author, a teacher, AND a coach. It was from a 7yo. . . but, hey, maybe that makes the compliment even more valuable. ❤️🙏🤩

You just can’t beat the feeling of getting a text from one of your friends who finds your book out in the wild (and face-out no less!!)

Today I get to help a local organization lead a workshop for a bunch of teachers about making disability a comfortable conversation. And if that isn't already cool enough, THEY ASKED ME TO BRING MY BOOK!!!!!

A blank page is an opportunity.

<<WHAT IF SHE CANNOT>> see her wheelchair know her mom is dead trust her own mind <<WHAT IF SHE CAN>> confront & accept her past find love see herself for the first time again  E OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #questpit #Q #A #DIS

She didn't know about the accident.  She didn't know about her paralysis.  She didn't even know about her dead mother.  But what if they told her? E OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #questpit #Q #A #DIS

🦽A woman who can't remember the accident.  💭A mind she no longer trusts.  🇫🇷A deep-dive into Paris.  ♌️A lioness.  👁️A blind man who helps her see the truth.  But only if she's brave enough to see herself for the first time again.  #questpit #Q #A #DIS

I keep telling myself that I'm not going #questpit... but, c'mon, who am I kidding?!?! Comment here so I can make a support thread!🫶

Behind every great book is a writer who never gave up. 💪❤️

Admittedly querying has got me down, as I'm continually reminded my writing style is *different* from that commercial beat all agents are seeking. But today, a stranger stopped me and said he's reading my memoir. He said he loves my writing style most of all. ❤️

@drenderturmaud.bsky.social is amazing, and @ryanraeharbuck.bsky.social is also amazing... so you know that this episode of @ymwjpodcast.bsky.social was absolute 🔥🔥🔥! I highly recommend you listen to it right away. Trust me, you're going to find it inspiring. ✨️

Between ghosting agents and editors and vanishing words and manuscripts, being a writer is the SPOOKIEST. Happy, Halloween, friends! 🎃👻🎃

Querying is like The Wizard of Oz. It's got you searching for a brain, a heart, some courage... but those things are already there inside of you. You've got this.

My mind is full of revising, querying, saving cats, punctuation, pacing, socials, metaphors, critiquing, comps, syntax, wishlists, marketing, and goo... ...but then I hear, "MOMMMMM!!!" And it all disappears.

My kiddo picked out the coolest pumpkin in all of the land.

I want to write the words of bird songs. Words that swirl in your mouth and linger like wine. Birthing life on a page and the power to taste sounds and smell feelings. But the world just wants a beach read.

It's clearly Halloween time at my writer's desk...😱🎃

Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying. Rejections mean you're trying.

Today I said hi to a 1st grader with a new haircut. "Wait, you still recognize me?! You know who I am??!!"

If at first you don't succeed... Try 797,839,847 times again (if you're a writer.)

Sometimes being a writer feels like raking the leaves in the middle of the fall in the middle of a w i n d s t o r m m m m

There's only one other wheelchair user at school, and she's 7. Today, she was eager to show me her brand-new, shiny purple chair, and was even more eager to point out the duct tape on mine. That sass will serve her well, no doubt. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

It's Monday late afternoon, and we're all running out the door to make it to swim practice on time, when a man arrives with a package. It's addressed to me and I have no idea. But when I cut open the tape, I can recognize that unmistakable scent of a book. 1/2

A Revision Poem It takes but only one sentence, not three. We don't ever need felt or seemed. We don't even need suddenly or began. All we need is a little courage to d e l e t e.

I know our manuscripts are ready to submit when we have done everything we can to polish it. But what if you're a perpetual tinkerer???

Be the ✨writer✨ you wish to see in the world. 🫶

When brand new toys don’t reflect Mavis or her friends, she sets out to be a wonderful toy un-maker. But when challenged by people’s opinions of her taking apart new toys, will she be able to show the world that different isn’t bad? #DVPit #PB #DIS

A paralyzed woman who can't remember her past must confront it or risk losing everything she never knew she wanted. #DVPit #A #DIS

MAVIS THE UN-MAKER has a vision. She has a purpose. She knows exactly what she's doing. But when others hide from her ghastly un-made toy creations, will Mavis be confident enough to keep un-making toys for her friends who need them most? STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS x THE INVISIBLE BOY #DVPit #PB #DIS

A journey of self-discovery and acceptance, but when your mind is a t h i e f and you can't even trust your own reflection. It's the THINGS WE CAN(NOT) E. OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #DVPit #A #DIS

She didn't know about the accident. She didn't know about her paralysis. She didn't even know about her dead mother. But what if they told her? E OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #DVPit #A #DIS

What if there were toys made for everyone, no matter how different we are or what we can’t do? Mavis is on a quest to be the best toy un-maker she can be, but just as long as those whispering onlookers don’t get in the way first. STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS x THE INVISIBLE BOY #DVPit #PB #DIS

🦽A woman who can't remember the accident 💭A mind she no longer trusts 🇫🇷A deep-dive into Paris ♌️A lioness 👁️A blind man who helps her see the truth But only if she's brave enough to see herself for the first time again. E OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #DVPIT #A #DIS

<<WHAT IF SHE CANNOT>> see her wheelchair know her mom is dead trust her own mind <<WHAT IF SHE CAN>> confront & accept her past find love see herself for the first time again E OLIPHANT x WHAT ALICE FORGOT #DVPit #A #DIS

When all the new bright and shiny toys in the world don’t reflect Mavis or her friends, she sets out to be a wonderful toy un-maker. But when Mavis is challenged by others’ thoughts of her taking apart brand new toys, will she be able to show the world that different isn’t bad? #DVPit #PB #DIS

Jolie can't forget what she can't remember. But once confronted with her past, she flees to Paris. With a little help from Ali, a blind ex-pat refugee, she might just be able to accept her disability. But only if she's brave enough to see her past for the first time again. #DVPit #A #DIS

MAVIS THE UN-MAKER takes apart toys. She cuts them and hammers them, she glues them and sews them just for her friends. But when others gasp at her dismantled creations, will they keep her from showing the world that not everyone is made like a brand-new toy? #DVPit #PB #DIS