Not much brain space for anything else while doing the line edits for the second book in the Boreas series. Boreas en de duizend eilanden (Boreas and the Thousand Islands) is scheduled to come out mid-April and I am really excited about that. Working hard now to have the manuscript back on my editor’s desk by Monday morning. I’m good with deadlines, they spur me on and keep me away from procrastination. And my editor Marlous is the coolest in the world. I love shaping and polishing my books with her. Rereading the manuscript brings back many memories of good times on the water, too. Sailing, snorkeling, and in general just hanging out with people who also love the water. Like my super cool friend Kirsten…
Mina Witteman – author | editor | teacher of creative writing
Posts from the “Children’s books” Category
Daily Distraction: Illustwriter – Writing Picture Books for Illustrators
Mina Witteman
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…
Categories: Books, Children's books
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?
Categories: Books, Children's books
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…
Categories: Books, Children's books
Daily Distraction: Prepare Your Portfolio – Illustrators’ Workshop with Doug Cushman!
Mina Witteman
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…
Tagged: ABC Treehouse, Amsterdam, Doug Cushman, Illustrators, SCBWI, Workshop
Mia’s nest is out! Mia’s nest is a Dutch Little Golden Book about a girl with tangles in her hair. When her mom decides it’s time to have Mia’s hair cut short, she needs to find a way to prevent that. Because short hair is silly, short hair is for boys and boys are silly. Will anyone help Mia to keep her hair long? Find out in Mia’s nest! The story idea and illustrations for this wonderful and sweet Little Golden Book are from the amazing, talented Angela Pelaez Vargas. I added the words and I am beyond proud that Angela let me share in this delightful project of hers. We will see more of her soon, as she is one of the most talented illustrators…
Duty calls. My publisher eagerly awaits the final version of my middle grade novel BOREAS, so I have locked myself away in the not so proverbial tower to spend my days writing and revising. Publication of DARK FIBER will resume on August 18. I wish you all a fruitful and inspirational summer or winter!
Categories: Books, Children's books
Mina Witteman 