Mischief Managed: Harry Potter Bathroom Graffiti
Actual bathroom graffiti advises graffiti artists: “screw all this relationship stuff on the wall. What we should really focus on is Harry Potter because those books are cooler than we’ll ever be.”
Paper Call: MLA, January 3-6, 2013, Boston
Each year the Children’s Literature Assocation is guaranteed one session at the MLA and can submit proposals for up to two more.* If you would like to propose a session topic, by June 17th please send the ChLA/MLA Liaison (Philip Nel: philnel@ksu.edu): (1) a short description of your proposal idea, and, if relevant, (2) the
Why Meghan Can’t Read
In an op-ed piece that the Wall Street Journal published as an article, Meghan Cox Gurdon criticizes contemporary young adult fiction for its darkness. As she writes, “it is … possible–indeed, likely–that books focusing on pathologies help normalize them and, in the case of self-harm, may even spread their plausibility and likelihood to young people
Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: biography outtakes, Part 7
The good news. I’m making progress, and – currently up to Chapter 20 (of 28) – have cut far more (already) than I did on the last round of revisions. I have a clearer sense of The Purple Crayon and a Hole to Dig: The Lives of Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss (UP Mississippi, June 2012).
Hey, Kids! Try Some Candy Tobacco!
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco began selling Camel Orbs, Camel Sticks and Camel Strips earlier this year. “The Orbs look like Tic Tacs, the Sticks look like toothpicks and the Strips look like breath strips,” said Susan Westof, tobacco prevention specialist, with the Jefferson County Public Health Department. … “The products are packaged in a way that makes
How to Write a Book
Since I’m an English professor and this advice derives from my experience, the following will be more pertinent to writers of non-fiction than it will to writers of fiction. For good advice on fiction (and on writing in general), please read Elmore Leonard’s “Ten Rules for Writing Fiction.” 1. There is no one foolproof way
Crockett Johnson & Ruth Krauss: biography outtakes, Part 6
If the Drying-Paint Watchers’ Association has a website, they’re about to face some competition! I’m publishing more cuts from the biography of Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss (due out from UP Mississippi next year). Â Today, we’ll look at some of the notes I’ve omitted. Â I’ve also been making cuts to the body of the manuscript,
Rapture Party Mix
If you’re like me, when you heard that the world would be ending this Saturday, your first thought was: but what music would be appropriate for the occasion? Â And, if I were to throw a party, what sort of songs might be on the playlist? Â Well, your musical worries are over. Â (Do feel free keep
Introvert Impersonates Extrovert
How I learned to be an extrovert.
Those Who Can, Teach. Those Who Cannot, Pass Laws About Teaching
A plea to end the war on education.