The Graveyard Book

I know it's been a while since I have posted, but there hasn't been much to blog about. This past Thursday was my monthly RACWI (Rochester Area Children Writers and Illustrators) meeting. It was our annual first pages critique night. I got some really good feedback from experienced writers and published authors. My goal of submitting my next story to publishers by April 1st is starting to seem attainable.

As a side note I have been reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman so I will be ready for our March meeting of RACWI when we will be taking a look at last year's Newbery winner (The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman) and Caldecott winner (The House in the Night illustrated by Beth Krommes). While I read The Graveyard Book I am making numerous notes on post-its so I can go into the meeting knowing what I am talking about. I strongly feel that the premise of the story is inappropriate for a younger audience. I prefer to see the Newbery awarded to a book that is appropriate for a wider age range of children. But that may just be me. But I can honestly say I have put my negative bias aside as I analyze it as a piece of children's literature.