It’s Official! (But Whatever Happened to That Hat?)

August 7, 2026 / / One comment

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Somewhere between the first blush of inspiration and the final published book, there’s “the announcement.”

Agents, in particular, love the announcement. It’s the best advertisement they can feature. Because if you can sell a James Preller book, you can sell anything!

This ran in PW, I believe. As an author, I’m firmly in the camp that doesn’t particularly follow “the business.” I can see how having a handle on what sells and what’s hot can be good information. But, yeah, I’m not really into “industry news.”

I do, to varying degrees, at different times, try to stay abreast of the best books.

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The folks at PW have been using this old photo — gotta be 15 years old at least — in every announcement. Boy, do I miss that hat! It was a wonder! It used to sit right on top of my actual head!

And, yes, that actual head is a little weather-beaten these days. The Irish eyes have gotten smaller, the lips thinner, the hair grayer. The whole thing just, collectively, worse. Such is life.

So, yeah, fine. Keep using that ancient photo, folks!

Nonetheless, here is the latest nugget of good news. I’m very impressed by illustrator Fred Blunt, though I’ve only seen the process that led us to the cover. He has a loose, energetic style that feels just right for the story. It’s actually a little book about verbs but it’s been decided, probably wisely, not to tell readers that.

“Hey, Kids! I know you’ve all been clamoring for more books about Parts of Speech!” 

Maybe keep that on the down low. 

Anyway, I’m very glad to be publishing again for emergent readers. I first broke out in 1994 with Hiccups for Elephant and Wake Me In Spring, and I’ve long had a special affection for the easy-to-read genre. Tricky to write, or to get right, and the pay isn’t great. Now with my “. . . and a Moose!” series — the third book is coming out in 2027, Two Astronauts and a Moose — I feel like I have some good, new, inexpensive books on school visits for the PreK-K crowd o go along with the new “Bigfoot and Dodo” series, Jigsaw Jones, Scary Tales, the upcoming “Survival Code” books, plus the assortment of middle-grade titles I’ve done over the years: Blood Mountain, Bystander, etc. 

Just wait until you see my upcoming picture book, What Dogs Don’t Know. I’m really, really happy with that one! Illustrated by Laura Sandoval.  That’s coming in 2027, too.

Category: the writing process / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Slime Time: There Will Be Math!

August 4, 2026 / / No comments

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Today I handed in my first draft & story map for an upcoming Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, tentatively titled, The Slime Machine. I believe it’s scheduled for Fall, 2027. 

You’d think that writing a book would involve words, not numbers, but ho-ho-ho. Where’d you ever get that silly idea? Without a map, confusion would reign and chaos would follow. 

This is the 3rd book I’ve done with the good people at Chooseco. And you’d probably assume that I’d know what I was doing by this point, but oh boy, not really! Every book is a puzzle and it’s not uncommon for me to write myself into a corner.

It reminded me of a scene from another new book coming out in 2027 (Simon & Schuster, February), Bigfoot and Dodo: Together at Last! At this point in the story, Dodo is tasked with painting the floor.

I’ve already given a hint as to how that ends up . . .

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Together at Last! was co-written with the very funny, very supportive Audrey Vernick, and illustrated by French punk rock artist, Joelle Dreidemy. What a team!

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Category: Bigfoot & Dodo, the writing process / Tags: , , , , , ,

A QUIZ: “Stay gold, Ponyboy”

August 2, 2026 / / No comments

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I had the great pleasure of seeing “The Outsiders” on Broadway last night. I enjoyed it even more than I expected. The stagecraft, choreography, and youthful vitality were especially impressive. It hones close to the original book.

And, of course, I loved the novel by S.E. Hinton, both times I read it. That great theme of a young man struggling to find himself, to realize there’s more to the world than the narrow hometown where he’s been raised, to finally break free and find himself.

If you can tell that story, you’ve got something. And it is a story that needs to be told over and over again in a thousand different settings.

Anyway, here’s a shirt they were selling in the lobby. 

And, yes, there will be a quiz:

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In one of my Scary Tales stories, i named a minor character after a character from The Outsiders. 

Can you name the character?

Can you name the story?

You’ll find it, along with two other stories, in this (cheap!) paperback collection. The answer is below. 

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Answer: I named a character “Soda Pop” in the story, One Eyed Doll. No real reason, just a little tribute. It’s a thing that writers do. I guess they call them “Easter eggs” nowadays.

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Category: Current Events, Scary Tales / Tags: , , , , , , ,

I’m So Proud of Children’s Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen . . . Who Is Running for Assembly in the State of Wisconsin!

July 22, 2026 / / 2 comments

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I first met Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen at a publishing dinner hosted by Macmillan at an ALA conference in Chicago. This must have been about 10 years ago. Since that time, we’ve kept in touch and, yes, mostly commiserated with each about publishing in general and the world at large. We’ve tried to support each other in a profession that can be extremely challenging.

Stephanie is a terrific writer, wise about the ways of the world, and a friend. 

I was so pleased to read that she has decided to make the bold leap of running for public office. No longer content to sit unhappily on the sidelines, Stephanie is entering the fray in an effort to make a positive difference in our world.

How cool is that? How admirable? How brave?

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Wisconsin is a long way from my home in Troy, NY, so I’m not going to get into the local politics of it all. Instead, I’ll refer you to Stephanie’s website . . . and a link to how you can support her efforts, should you be so inclined.

It’s an inspiring battle that she’s taken on, and I’m 100% sure she’s doing it for all the right reasons. 

I need to buy that shirt!

Click here for more about Stephanie . . .

Click here to learn about the priorities she stands for . . .

Click here for sign up for her mailing list to stay connected . . . and to DONATE if you have that capability.

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As the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 70,

Stephanie will listen, learning what matters most to voters.

Once in Madison, she will fight for changes that address those priorities.

 

Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen’s lifelong connection to rural Wisconsin

shapes her commitment

to honest leadership, public service, and community advocacy.

Her campaign focuses on supporting working families,

strengthening public education, protecting the environment,

and creating opportunities that help local communities thrive.

 

 

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ADDENDUM: To order the shirt, available for a limited time, go here.

Category: Around the Web / Tags: , , ,

INTRODUCING . . . the “Bigfoot & Dodo” Series!

July 20, 2026 / / 2 comments
Books take forever and the waiting is *not* the hardest part.
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Just for fun, Audrey Vernick and I started writing together about 10 years ago — we bonded over our love of James Marshall’s “George and Martha” books. We worked on and off and, though we finished more than a dozen stories, never succeeded in getting anything published. Sometimes we took breaks; sometimes we got newly energized, moving in unexpected directions. We laughed and learned as we went. About our craft and about each other. And after a long while, it became clear we’d probably never get anything published together. Just wasn’t in the cards. And it truly didn’t matter. Because in the process, we became really good friends. I’m crazy about Audrey & grateful she puts up with me.
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And then one day, out of the blue, we were offered a three-book contract in a new format for us, a marriage between an early reader and a graphic novel. The first book comes out in February, the day after my 66th birthday. It is hilariously illustrated by Joëlle Dreidemy, who is exactly the French punk-rock illustrator our project needed.
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As Basho wisely wrote, “The journey itself is home.”
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The journey has been more than enough. We never needed to “get there.” There will be no massive paychecks. But I’m so glad we’ll get a few books out of the trip!
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OFFICIAL INFO ABOUT THE TITLES from Simon & Schuster . . .
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>> Star Chapter Books are the perfect bridge for kids moving beyond beginning readers but not yet ready for longer chapter books. With short chapters, bold two-color illustrations, and fast-paced, funny stories, these confidence-building books make reading fun and rewarding.
Meet Bigfoot, a real-live bigfoot! Meet Dodo, a real-live dodo bird. That’s right—two creatures thought not to exist!
But these two kooky characters make for a daffy and delightful duo who discover the only way to feed their endless love of cupcakes is to find gainful employment, a.k.a. a job! Who will ever hire this hairbrained pair?
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Each Star Chapter Book is 112 pages long, divided into six to eight short chapters with illustrated panels on every page to keep kids engaged from start to finish. This highly visual early chapter book format supports the transition from leveled readers to chapter books, making Star Chapter Books a perfect fit for independent reading, classroom libraries, or shared story time. <<
Category: Bigfoot & Dodo, the writing process / Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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