So, how did you spend the start of this new month? I entered Mindy Alyse Weiss’ annual #PB Party with hundreds of other picture book crafters and over 1000+ picture book stories and illustrations! This is the first year I’ve participated so I’m looking forward to the process and comradery with other PB authors and illustrators.

Lots of people tell me they want to write a book and I always tell them to find other persons in the craft. For those that want to write picture books, #PB Party would be a great first start. Even if you missed the submission deadline for this year, you can still join in and cheer others on, make new friends, and learn tips/tricks of the trade about writing, querying, etc.

I’ve got a writing bucket list and I’m dying to have a story that includes a loveable spider character. Maybe it’s my love for Charlotte’s Web or perhaps it is the adorableness of Edgar, Allan, and Poe from Joe Troiano’s Spookley the Square Pumpkin, I’m not quite sure, but I am really interested in a spider character. So naturally, my 2023 #PB Party submission had an adorable spider in it. He’s not the main character, but he’s got a big impact on the outcome.

Here’s a silly Dollar Tree spider I bought several Halloween ago. He’s been my character inspiration for this story ever since. He’s in need of a name and now’s the perfect time to do that. Any ideas?