Meet Betsy
Welcome to my virtual studio. As both a writer and designer, I’m driven by a curiosity about the world. In my studio, I take that curiosity and use it to create new worlds. I write for kids and adults as well as a good deal of freelance non-fiction. Explore to find out more about me, my books, and my thoughts on writing as well as the thoughts of friends who stop by the studio. If you’ve got something you’d like to share reach out to me through the contact form. I’d love to hear from you. Scroll down to read what’s been happening in the studio.
Judy Blume’s Puzzle
Judy Blume takes on first drafts like jigsaw puzzles. Instead of plotting everything out ahead of time or beginning on page one and writing through to the end, Blume begins by . . .
The Three Camps of Book Publishing
With 38 years of experience, Jim DeFilippi has done it all: traditional publishing with HarperCollins, independent publishing with, The Permanent Press, and direct publishing. So far his total book output is in the 30s— crime, humor, history, screenplays, stage dramas, even some poetry, and even a cookbook. Today, he gives us his take on the world of book publishing.
AMY CHU & JANET K. LEE, BRINGING SEA SIRENS TO LIFE
Last year, graphic novel sales drastically outpaced the growth rate of other print publishing. More and more readers are drawn to the marriage of art and storytelling that goes into books like Sea Sirens, a new middle-grade novel about a Vietnamese-American surfer and her water-loving cat. Spine sat down with Eisner Award-winning illustrator Janet K. Lee as well as writer and co-founder of Alpha Girl Comics Amy Chu to talk about bringing their graphic novel to life. . .