1. What brought you to children’s books? How long have you been writing? My creative background is in filmmaking. Years after film school, ideas came to me that seemed suited to books. Children’s picture books and silent short films are very similar to me. When I read Uri Shulevitz’s book, WRITING WITH PICTURES: HOW TO WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE CHILDREN’S BOOKS, it was such a positive confirmation. Within the book, he wrote about the similarities between picture books and films. (

On behalf of the Rate Your Story Team, I'm excited to announce that the 2021 Annual Rate Your Story Does Your Story Shine? Writing Contest. While the contest officially runs August 1- 31st, we will be open for early submissions starting July 15th, so don't fret if you are away in August! To read all of the contest details please visit our contest page by clicking HERE. This contest is open to all! First prizes winners in each of our three categories will win a skip-the-slus