The Ghost Who Saved Halloween by Jen Anyong (+ GIVEAWAY)

Hello, Picture Book Builders people!

Today, the spooktacular Jen Anyong, author of the newly released book, The Ghost Who Saved Halloween, is here with a ghost post, errr I mean GUEST post.

Heeeeere’s Jen.

If you’re like me, sometimes you reflect on the people who’ve come into your life and made a big impact. Whether it’s a teacher you found especially encouraging, a coworker who made the daily grind feel a little less grindy, or like in my case, a big, boisterous collective of wise and generous creatives who’ve truly been a blessing.

I’m talking about the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), of course. And specifically, my beloved Oklahoma/Arkansas Region.

From my very first meeting back in September 2021, I found the people warm, joyful, and full of insight. A true powerhouse bunch of authors and illustrators, who I now get to call friends.

Over the last five years, I’ve showed up to as many meetings as possible, attended every conference and retreat our incredible leaders organized, and I can personally attest to this: it made all of the difference in the world!

Simply showing up did me so much good. But also, the access to the publishing industry and the opportunities to engage within it proved invaluable! In fact, I must credit SCBWI for helping me get my literary agent.

Over the course of two Spring Conferences, I secured critiques and one on one time with my now agent, Morgan Hughes. My very first Picture Book that sold to HarperCollins received its first stamp of approval at our Fall Retreat by editor Deborah Halverson —giving me confidence to elevate the story to my lead piece.

I’m living proof how commitment and persistence are integral for success in the publishing industry. In fact, I think my dear friend Tammi Sauer once said:

“The only people who never get published are the people who give up.”

Such wonderful wisdom from an all-time great! And YOU can hear more from her soon during a FREE Webinar Ready… Set… Go Structure! happening October 14, thanks to a Grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.

Now, if it sounds like I am rich in my SCBWI community, you would be correct. We comfort each other through tough passes and disappointments. We stay the course in the waiting seasons. We celebrate each other during the big wins. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!

These people spoke my name in rooms I’d never walked into. They helped position me strategically through incredible opportunities. And when it was my turn for a big win, they not only celebrated, but were uplifting —helping elevate me and my book to new heights I never expected! I am rich, indeed, and so very grateful.

BIO:

Jen has dreamed up stories of sorts since elementary school but fell in love with picture books while teaching at her daughter’s preschool. As she read aloud to the children ― their faces beaming with wonder ― Jen just knew she needed to write picture books! Most of her stories are inspired by her family. Between her mischievous dog, clever daughter, and humorous husband, you’ll find them laughing together, work-shopping all of the silliness that makes picture book magic.

To learn more about Jen and her books, please check out her website.

To order your very own copy of The Ghost Who Saved Halloween, visit her publisher’s page…if you dare. Mwhahahahaha!

GIVEAWAY:

When it comes to trick-or-treating, Jen is big on the treats. She is giving away a BOO-tiful signed copy of her book, The Ghost Who Saved Halloween. For a chance to win. please comment on this post. For an additional entry, please share a link to this post on Bluesky. Be sure to tag Tammi (@tammisauer.bsky.social) and Jen (@jenanyong.bsky.social).