The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers
Thursday, December 15th, 2011 Posted in Along Came Spider, Interviews & Appreciations, the writing process | No Comments »I've been enjoying Linda Perlstein's wonderful book, Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers, which you might recall from a previous post, here. I'm not really interested in conjuring up a new review for it, since most ...
Writing Process: Research to Feed Your Head
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 Posted in Along Came Spider, the writing process | No Comments »"Talent must be stimulated by facts and ideas." -- Robert McKee, Story For the most part, I don't talk about writing in global terms. It's an individual process, and it's not like I think I'm a master. I mean, sure, I've been ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #124 (School Visits 101, Travel Required)
Thursday, September 15th, 2011 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail, School Visits | 1 Comment »This isn't the sort of letter I normally share, but boy is it ever relevant to my life lately. This is the time of year when I field many inquiries about my availability for school visits. For educators who'd like help ...
Advice for Children’s Book Writers
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 Posted in Along Came Spider, the writing process | No Comments »I published my first children’s book in 1986, back when the Mets won their last World Series. So from time to time, perfect strangers will assume that I know my way around the block. They ask for directions, “Do you ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #96
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail, Justin Fisher Declares War!, bullying | No Comments »Dear Mr. Preller, My son bought your Along Came Spider book at the school bookfair. At first I thought he chose it for the cover art, but he assured me he had read the back and the story sounded appealing. As ...
“One of my go-to funny books for boys.”
Sunday, October 10th, 2010 Posted in Along Came Spider, Justin Fisher Declares War! | No Comments »Thought I'd share a few reviews for my middle grade novel (grades 3-5), Justin Fisher Declares War! Thanks to anyone who picks up this book and gives it a try. When I first wrote it, I thought of Justin as a ...
Does an Author Have Any Say on a Book Cover?
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 Posted in Along Came Spider, Justin Fisher Declares War! | 3 Comments »People frequently ask me, "Do you have any say over a book cover?" Big question, and the answers vary depending upon the clout of the author and the disposition of the publisher. Here's the new paperback cover for Along Came Spider (May, ...
What Is a Book for Boys? One Suggestion: “Patrick and Ted” by Geoffrey Hayes
Monday, October 26th, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Greatest Hits, Interviews & Appreciations, the writing process | 8 Comments »I've been dwelling lately on the concept of "books for boys." It's a huge topic, one that I can't possibly address in a single blog entry. I mean, yes, we're all aware of the gender gap in reading, that many ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #65 (Friday Edition)
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | No Comments »I debated whether I should include this or not, as it's something of a cheat. I am friends with the writer of this letter -- we'll call her Nell, as that's her name -- so she's biased in my favor. ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #59 (Thursday Edition!)
Thursday, September 10th, 2009 Posted in Along Came Spider, Fan Mail | 1 Comment »Check it out, y'all: Fan Mail Wednesday is busting out all over the place, spilling onto Thursday, causing a ruckus. My three kids started school yesterday: Maggie, 3rd grade; Gavin, 5th; and Nick, 11th. And after a long, wonderful, and ...