@debradaugherty
Children's Book Author. Member SCBWI. SCBWI-IL representative for the Springfield area network. Author of The Memory Jar and Cows Can't Be Clowns. https://writing-for-children.webnode.com #authorvisit #schoolvisit #libraryvisit
Michelle Ramlow wrote this intro for the Lucky Finds Market in IL. Debra will be on site with her delightful picture books — full of heart, imagination, and stories little readers love. This is a wonderful chance to meet the author, pick up signed copies, and spark a love of reading in the kiddos.
Has this happened to you? I'm a children's book author, not an illustrator. Yesterday, I rec. a rejection letter from an agent. I know she never read my ms. How? The rejection was for my illustrations. After hours researching this agent and writing the query, she could have at least read my work.
I watched the ALA hosted webinar with R. L. Stein on Tuesday, Feb. 24th. I had no idea he was so funny! Loved his jokes. He shared a quote that is so relatable to my writing. "A story has a beginning, a middle, and a twist." Inspired by his talk, the next day I wrote a #PB with a twist ending.
Monday, March 2nd, is Read Across America Day. Teachers, I'd be happy to do a free 20-minute zoom with your class that day and read one of my picture books to your students. Comment or DM, if interested. #teachers
I'm excited to be traveling to Lincoln, IL on March 7th for the Lucky Finds Market. I'm a last-minute addition and will be selling autographed copies of my children's picture books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn. Come by for a fun time!
I received 2 rejections from 2 agents on a PB and a MG. Both agents wrote personal messages. One said, "Someone else is going to love this, so keep querying." The other wrote, "I could absolutely see this appealing to several of my colleagues at ___." I'm encouraged. I must be doing something right.
It's Random Acts of Kindness Day. Great books to read to your kids today: Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, Kindness is a Kite String by Michelle Schaub and recently published Start Your Engines by Katie S. Duffield.
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. A few years ago, I wrote a story about this special day. It won first place in a writing contest and is going to be published by Roan & Weatherford next year. So, in 2027, watch for Mr. Crumpet's Kindness Day Surprise. Today, spread kindness.
My monthly author newsletter went out today. If you'd like to receive one, send me your email address and I'll put you on my list. Or visit my website at authordebradaugherty.wordpress.com and fill out the form.
I signed up for the SCBWI-Illinois' Spring Thaw conference in April. Excited to pitch and offer first pages for three of my PB manuscripts.
Today's the day! Visit the Lincoln site in nearby New Salem, have a great meal at one of Petersburg's restaurants, then stop by the square to meet these amazing authors at Wildflower & Rose Bookstore.
Hello Writing Community! We are delighted to announce our Second Official Bluesky *** #MSWL Day *** February 26, 2026. 🎉🎉🎉
Agents + editors can post what they ✨wish✨ they had in their inboxes; writers can find their next best fit for querying.
Learn more: manuscriptwishlist.com/2025/01/the-...
Spend the day in Petersburg, IL and stop by the Wildflower & Rose Bookstore, 105 S. 7th, this Saturday from 3-5. There will be several local authors there autographing their books - including me!
#WorldReadAloudDay! I'm excited to be reading The Memory Jar and Cows Can't Be Clowns to the 2nd graders at Harmony School of Endeavor in Austin, TX. Four sessions throughout the day!
#MemoryOfAKiller Excited to watch Patrick Dempsey's series tonight on FOX. He plays a hired killer who has early onset Alzheimer's. Any subject on Alzheimer's reminds me of my Aunt Luella who inspired my children's book about memory loss, The Memory Jar. (My autographed photo of Patrick Dempsey.)
#WorldReadAloudDay is Wed, Feb 4th. I'm honored that Principal McRae of Harmony School of Endeavor in Austin, TX, has asked me to read to their 2nd graders. I have 4 zoom sessions scheduled, 1 for each classroom. I have family who live in Texas. Happy to give back to the community in this small way.
Every Jan. I revise my author media kit which includes my bio, my social media links, information about my books, book reviews and an author headshot. Unpublished authors - making a media kit is great practice for when you are. Start yours today! Helpful link: emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/what-go...
#Teachers #Librarians Schedule a Free 20 min Zoom-Virtual Author Visit for #WorldReadALOUDDay on February 4th! I'd love to read one of my #PBs to your students. DM for info. Books: Cows Can't Be Clowns. Grandpa's Barn. The Memory Jar.
The socks and candle are gifts I received from a writer in my critique group. So unique, but the words on the socks can't be true. Love the sentiment though.
Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance today at the American Legion in Jacksonville, Illinois. I was there autographing my picture books.
My final book event for the year is this Saturday, December 20th at the American Legion Post 279 in Jacksonville, Illinois. And there's no snow in the forecast!
Inside The Dome, AKA Scheels Sports Park, in Springfield, Illinois where I held a book event over the weekend during their archery tournament. This place is the size of two football fields. It is huge!
#readlocalillinois #ReadAloudDay I read The Memory Jar to The Farmingdale Elementary School's 2nd graders. Four classrooms! The students drew a favorite memory and wrote about it for their own memory jar. #authorvisits #PBs #Alzheimer #Dementia
I hope the snow forecast doesn't keep me home.
16th Annual "Christmas at Sugar Creek Vendor Fair"
Sat Nov 29, 2025, 10:00AM-3:00PM
Sugar Creek United Methodist, New City Road, Chatham, IL. I'll be there autographing my picture books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn. There will be lots of vendors! Fun for all!
I'm excited to be one of the vendors at tomorrow's event at Shepps in New Berlin. Books make super Christmas gifts, and I'll be there signing three of my picture books, The Memory Jar, Cows Can't Be Clowns, and Grandpa's Barn. Come by Shepps and check out all the vendors at this fun holiday event.
Family Reading Night at New Berlin Elementary School, November 19, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 PM. I'm excited to be a guest author and will be reading Cows Can't Be Clowns around 6:40 PM.
