Hi Math is Everwhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest Hopefuls,

To check out where you’re submitting your gif-inspired kidlit story of 150 words or less, go here: https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest

Today we have our sixteenth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She’s one of the most helpful, inspiring, hilarious writers, and the creator of Storystorm…

🎉 Tara Lazar🎉

Tara is offering a picture book critique.

• What is your favorite thing about spring? 

It’s almost summer.

• Spring is full of surprises bursting forth, what’s something you’ve found surprising about the publishing industry?

It’s so big, but also very small.

• Can you tell us a bit about your next project?

Ross MacDonald will start illustrations for the 3rd “Private I” book soon! Time’s flying, so it will be here before you know it!

Tara’s Bio

Street magic performer. Hog-calling champion. Award-winning ice sculptor. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes quirky, humorous picture books where anything is possible. Tara is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Tara loves children’s books. Her goal is to create books that children love. She writes picture books and middle grade novels. She’s written short stories for Abe’s Peanut and is featured in Break These Rules, a book of life-lesson essays for teens, edited by author Luke Reynolds. In November 2009, Tara created PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) as the picture book writer’s answer to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). In 2017, PiBoIdMo’s name was changed to Storystorm and it’s now held on this blog every January…with nearly 2,000 participants from around the world. Tara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010. She has an inspirational story to share about overcoming a chronic illness to achieve your goals and dreams. Tara can speak to groups big and small, young and old—just contact her for more information. Tara is the co-chair of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature One-on-One Plus Conference and an SCBWI member. In 2017, she served as a picture book mentor for We Need Diverse Books and in 2019 she’s a #PBChat mentor. Tara speaks at conferences and events regarding picture books, writing, brainstorming techniques, and social media for authors. Her former career was in high-tech marketing and PR. Tara is a life-long New Jersey resident. She lives in Somerset County with her husband, two young daughters and the world’s cutest hamster, Ozzie.

• Email: tarakidlit (at) gmail (dot) com
• Twitter: @taralazar
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/taralazar
• Facebook: facebook.com/authortara
• Instagram: instagram.com/taralaser

Tara is one of the 18 wonderful prize donors for the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest 2020 that starts on April 7th. Make sure to follow her on social media, read her books, and review them to show your support! And get gif-searching or creating!

In the comments, tell us which of Tara’s books is your favorite or which one you’re most looking forward to!

Sincerely,

Kaitlyn and Ciara

If you need more info on the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, check here and make sure to share with all your writing and author-illustrator friends!