Hannah's Publishing Updates - Winter 2025

In my fall publishing update, I explained why it takes so long (years!) for picture books to be published. What is an eager author to do in the "waiting time?"

1. If you're writing a picture book, but not illustrating, you count down the days until your amazing illustrator signs onto your project!

If you tuned in back in Winter '25 - plans have changed since then! My publisher is currently in talks with a super-talented artist for this story... and I hope I can officially share the name soon! Stay tuned!

2. You start to think about all of the fantastic ways you'll share your book once it comes out.

I'm excited to plan my book launch, book school visits, have a table at book festivals, and pair mosaic projects with read alongs.

3. Work on your other projects! Every author I know has multiple projects that they're working on at any given time. Me? I'm working a multi-POV middle grade novel, a choose-your-own-path picture book featuring a sleepy sloth, and several other picture books. I'm also completing an illustration course through the School of Visual Storytelling because I'd love to illustrate my own stories one day!

4. Catch up on your reading! One of the best ways to become a better writer is to keep reading, reading, and reading in your genre (AND outside your genre!). And that brings me to:

What I'm currently reading:

1. Lolo & Birdie books by Angela Dominguez (see my daughter's Lolo and Birdie fan art --> )

2. Olivetti by Allie Millington

3. The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon

4. I just finished Neshama by Marcella Pixley (OMG SO GOOD!)

And because who doesn't love lists... more lists!

What I'm loving:

1. The Good Hang podcast by Amy Poehler

2. My kids' drawings (always)!

3. My favorite cold-weather meal: Grilled Cheese and Southwest Tomato & Black Bean Soup

What I'm grateful for:

1. Indie bookstores

2. My writing critique group, "The Treehouse"

3. Family get-togethers