Mina Witteman – author | editor | teacher of creative writing

Posts by Mina Witteman

Daily Distraction: Illustwriter – Writing Picture Books for Illustrators

Posted on November 20, 2014

We have a new writers workshop scheduled in Amsterdam: writing picture books for illustrators. But writers who would like to hone their picture book story telling craft are most welcome, too! What’s it all about? You are a fine artist, and you illustrations for children are just what they like. But building those into a picture book – that’s a different story. You may tell yourself you don’t want to be like those writers who try and draw their own characters, which may turn out quite awful. But deep down, you’d like to do a book all by yourself. Why not give it a try? Get help from two experienced children’s book writers and editors. What do you know about different age groups? What…

Daily Distraction: A Little Cheese Mouse

Posted on November 15, 2014

This is one of the too cute illustrations by illustrator Linda de Haan for my short story ‘Het kaasmuisje’ (‘The Little Cheese Mouse’), which was published this week in Het grote voorleesboek voor rond de 5 jaar (The Big Read-Aloud Book for 5-year-olds).   When Daan and his friends Samir and Carmen discover a teeny-weeny and very scared mouse at the After School Care, they think up a plan to keep the mouse safe from Miss Aicha – everyone knows adults don’t like mice! – but also from Meow, the fierce cat that stalks around at the care center. Will they succeed and find a way to let the mouse return to his den and his scrumptious chunks of cheese?

Daily Distraction – SCBWI School Visit Webinar

Posted on November 6, 2014

Originally posted on Writing and Illustrating:
Webinar – School Visits with Suzanne Morgan Williams Date/Time Date(s) – 11/12/2014 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm COST: $25.00 For All SCBWI Members – $30.00 Non-Members The best school visits are age appropriate, energetic, engage the students, and add value to the school’s curriculum. How do you design amazing presentations? Gain confidence in your performance, teaching, and negotiations? How do you get schools (or more schools) to hire you? Author, former teacher, and school presenter, Suzanne Morgan Williams, uses handouts, exercises, and the online presentation to help you plan programs based on your strengths, your books, and students’ needs. She’ll share her best tips for connecting with schools and negotiating fair deals. If you’re serious about giving presentations…

Daily Distraction: Amsterdam Book Launch of Mia’s Nest

Posted on October 26, 2014

Angela Pelaez Vargas and I were over the moon when we heard we could have the official book launch of Mia’s Nest at the Kinderboekwinkel in Amsterdam. Rietje Nivard, who has been running this children’s book store for over 40 years now, is an institution in the Netherlands. I don’t think there are more people in our country who know more about children’s books and who can speak about these books with more love than Rietje. If you ever visit Amsterdam, be sure to stop by the Kinderboekwinkel at Rozengracht 34! It’s easy to recognize: Tow Truck Pluck’s tow truck leads the way! Mia’s Nest with Tow Truck Pluck’s tow truck. Rietje Nivard and her staff created a beautiful window for our book, with the cutest drawing of…

Daily Distraction: Book Presentation Mia’s Nest

Posted on October 18, 2014

Presentatie Kinderboekwinkel

Daily Distraction: Prepare Your Portfolio – Illustrators’ Workshop with Doug Cushman!

Posted on October 9, 2014

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators The Netherlands is proud to announce an illustrators’ workshop in Amsterdam with award-winning illustrator/author Doug Cushman. In this true “hands on” day-long workshop, Doug will briefly discuss what is necessary for a professional illustration portfolio and then work one-on-one with each attendee for the rest of the day, discussing specific concerns, approaches and solutions to individual problems in their portfolios. Attendees are expected to be drawing and painting in the class, so bring your paint, your brushes, your pencils, your laptop! The workshop is the perfect preparation for the upcoming SCBWI Europolitan Conference in Amsterdam, where illustrators will have the opportunity to present their portfolios to publishing professionals like agents and Art Director Martha Rago of HarperCollins Children’s…