6/ He's asked me NOT to get it critiqued or run it by beta readers, that he's happy to provide feedback.

Goal: to get it into good enough shape to warrant a contract.

So now I'm just WRITING. ❤️💛💙💚🧡

Wish me luck, eh?

5/ My editor at Simon & Schuster expressed in seeing anything I was working on. Around a month ago, I told him about two books I've been working on; he is interested in both! Going to focus on one at a time.

He likes my detailed synopsis & writing samples, asked me to send him a rough draft. cont'd

4/ I connected with my awesome agent Ginger Knowlton (Curtis Brown Ltd) with my MG novel writing. We got close a few times! But no contracts. 😢

Once I started doing picture books, I stopped submitted MG.

But now? I'M WORKING ON MG AGAIN!!!!

cont'd

3/ As much as I have been enjoying writing/illus picture books, more & more I've been missing longer form writing.

I have been paid for my writing in the past (nonfiction, short fiction, poetry) & have edited a book for Writers Digest Books, was columnist for Writersmarket.com.

cont'd

2/ Since being discovered as an artist (not as a writer!) in 2010 at the SCBWI Summer Conference, I have focused on picture books. Tho I've made attempts to work on my MG novels, it always took the back burner, never enough time for me to focus on MG. I decided to just embrace PBs. 🩷

But....
cont'd

If you aren't interested in my work but are looking for my #BlueSkyTips, #CommunityPolls, #KidLit posts, and ramblings about my various geeky interests, pls follow my MAIN acct at @debbieohi.com instead.

For both accts, pls don't count on DMs to reach me. Instead: debbieohi.com/contact Thanks! - D.

Thanks to those who have offered to be beta readers, but JP has actually asked me to send the rough draft directly to him, NOT to get it critiqued or run it past beta readers.

After working together on picture books for 15 yrs, I trust him. Plus I suspect he knows that I'm prone to over-thinking. 😊