Prompts to help you build the world of your story, game or app
Creating the world of your story is a very important piece of “research” that will help to make your reader part of the action, and will help to point out certain aspects of your characters and...
View ArticleUsing iBooks author to create a dual-language children’s picture book
For all of you who have an interest in children’s books, writing and technology – I’m pleased to announce that the first iPad book I created for a client using iBooks Author software is now in the...
View ArticleAn easier alternative to getting an ITIN for people self-publishing print or...
Getting an ITIN What is an ITIN and why would you want to get one? An ITIN is an international tax identification number assigned by the IRS to an individual. It’s essentially a way to help make sure...
View ArticleHow to make iTunes links to your content in the apple store – music, books...
For anyone who has published their e-books on the iBookstore, music through iTunes or uploaded an app to the apple store through iTunes Connect, you will likely have found that it’s not immediately...
View ArticleOne picture book author’s experience with publishing in Kindle e-book format...
Over the past couple of years, I have been pleased to be part of Denisa’s publishing journey. She has published her children’s picture book - The Martian’s House – in print format, and just recently...
View Article5 Common Mistakes that People Make When Writing For Children
I do a lot of manuscript reviews, and workshops in which I give feedback to new writers, or experienced writers with new manuscripts. There are often many similarities from project to project in what...
View ArticleNaNoCtober: a 30 day novel writing challenge
Every year November 1st sneaks up on me, and then I lament the fact that NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) overlaps with what is always my busiest month of the year. For me, November is when I...
View ArticleWhat the heck is happening to Penelope?
That’s right folks – Penelope is back in Book 2 of the 13th Floor picture book series. This is just a sneak peek at one of the first bits of artwork, but I’ll share more as soon as we’re finalizing the...
View ArticleCrystal’s Vancouver Island Events in November!
I’m headed to Vancouver Island this weekend for the first of 3 Holiday events where I will have my books for sale. For those of you wondering when Book 2 of the 13th Floor Series will be ready – the...
View ArticleInterview Series – Maude Stephany, Ghostwriter
Ghostwriting is something I’ve always found interesting. Who are these talented people who live their creative lives shrouded in a cloak of mystery? What do they do? How did they get into being a...
View ArticleSCBWI 2013 one-day conference fast approaching…
For those of you out there passionate about writing and illustrating for children, there’s a great event coming up that you won’t want to miss. SCBWI Canada West puts on a one day conference at the...
View ArticleRound of applause to all the young authors in Kamloops BC!
For several years now, I’ve been one of the lucky authors chosen to facilitate workshops at the Kamloops Young Authors Conference. This is a pretty special event, as students come from all over the...
View ArticleList of resources for those interested in writing for children
I often get inquiries from people who want to write for children but aren’t really sure where to start. I’ve collected up some of my favourite, most helpful sites to share with you all. If you have...
View ArticleSome book marketing resources…
Some resources from the Live Your Dream series that might come in handy for those who are wanting to publicize their books. Press Kit How to Create a Press Kit Your Website & Blogging Tips on...
View ArticleA collection of self publishing resources…
For anyone self publishing, or even just thinking about it, you may find the list of resources we’ve gathered helpful. The Business of Self Publishing Graphic Designers of Canada n9ne creative GoDaddy...
View ArticleRaindance Book Festival for Self-Published Authors
I was contacted by the organizers of the new Raindance Book Festival who said they are particularly interested in children’s book authors… so I promised to pass the details along to any of you looking...
View ArticleKamloops Writers Fair is coming up!
The Kamloops Writers Fair is quickly approaching (Nov. 1 & 2), and I’m immersing myself fully in the world of e-books as I prepare for my presentation. I’m collecting up any resources I think will...
View ArticleTHE SPARK – a poem about creativity
The Spark a poem about creativity © 2013 by Crystal Stranaghan Flitting like a moth my attention wanders. Drawn to the light but afraid to get too close. Burning to death in a flash of inspiration...
View ArticleAll About e-Books: The Good, The Bad and The Business – presented at Kamloops...
Welcome to everyone who was in my workshop on e-books at the Kamloops Writers Fair! And welcome to anyone who couldn’t make it there, but is still curious about what went on in the workshop. What was...
View ArticleInterview with Author & Storyteller Nan Gregory
I’ve had the pleasure of working with author and storyteller Nan Gregory to build her a website over the past few weeks. I have been impressed in the past both by Nan’s stories, and her speaking...
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