Inspirational Insights
Every month, I offer inspirations and writing tips for writers.
I also offer arts & crafts ideas, educational resources and fun facts!
Lastly, I offer book reviews, book buzz and giveaways for all.
Please subscribe!
I’ve been writing and directing original stage plays for a decade! But in 2020 something shifted. It was time to take my writing to the next level. I told my husband to give me one year to get a book published. It took 3 years before I signed the contract with Kar-Ben and another two years before my debut picture book finally hit the shelves in September of 2025.
I owe my gratitude to the support I received from my husband and my family and I am grateful for the friends I meet along the way. The kid lit community is so supportive and open to connection, I feel like I have found my people! I am especially grateful for my Shalom Writers critique group who continue to improve one another’s stories.
What I love most about Shalom Writers is the generosity of everyone in the group to contribute to the group their time and unique expertise. I am also grateful to all the speakers who have come to share their journeys with us. You have been instrumental to our creative growth and connection.
The road to publication is long and the rejections are many. If there is one advice I have for writers just starting out, it’s to find a community or a critique partner. You will help each other grow creatively until your work is ready for submission and, eventually, publication.
As an emerging author, I’m happy to share that the rewards make all the struggle worthwhile.
The rewards are not in the paycheck. For me, the rewards are when I see children’s eyes light up when they hold my book. When I hear parents tell me my book has become their nightly bedtime routine. And when I learn about children and adults who have gained new insight from my story.
In my newsletter, I aim to share creative inspiration for writers and parents. I review picture books and share the latest news from Shalom Writers. I hope you will enjoy!
Ilana’s Newsletter Archive
December ’25
An author’s life, photos from an author’s visit, fun facts about dogs, and Joy Wieder’s picture book, THE MOUSE WHO LOVED LATKES. READ
October ’25
Photos from my book launch, Reviews are coming in, an autumn arts & crafts project and Erica Lyon’s picture book, LILY’S HONG KONG HONEY CAKE. READ
September ’25
Inspiration from an old Jewish tradition, preparing for my book launch, and Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s picture book, FINDING FORGIVENESS. READ
July ’25
My inspiration from visiting the Charles Schulz museum, blog post on Kar-Ben and Ann Koffsky’s latest chapter book, THE PEDDLER AND THE PRESIDENT. READ
Books for Writers
The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson
Writing the Breakout Novel workbook by Donald Maass
Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold D. Underdown
On Writing by Stephen King
Websites for Writers
The Writing Barn – https://thewritingbarn.com
The Highlights Foundation – https://www.highlightsfoundation.org
The Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) – https://www.scbwi.org/
The Author’s Guild – https://authorsguild.org
Jane Friedmand – https://janefriedman.com
Favorite Quotes
I have only one reason to write…and that is to bring the dignity of the individual soul to the surface and shine a light upon it.”
~ Haruki Murakami
“When you set out to be a lawyer, you go to law school. You get a diploma for your effort. You pass the bar. In the text, it declares you officially a lawyer. You’re a writer the minute you say you are. Nobody gives you a diploma. You have to prove it, at least to yourself.”
~ J. R. Moehringer (THE TENDER BAR)
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
~ Paulo Coelho
Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be only afraid of standing still.
~ Chinese Proverb
A well-thought-out story doesn’t need to resemble real life. Life itself tries with all its might to resemble a well-crafted story
~ Isaac Babel