I'm so excited to have Margaret Greanias helping me usher in another summer of #PBHOT62. I'm a big fan of her fun and unique voice. I met Margaret during 12x12 in its debut year so it seems fitting that by completing this challenge you have a chance win a copy of Margaret’s debut picture book (I've read it and her book is awesome!).

In case you missed my last post detailing 2018 PBHOT62 reading challenge for picture book writers this year's theme is libraries. The challenge is to read 25 picture books,following along with the bingo card below. Before we get to signing up, let's hear from Margaret!


1. What is your go to library? What do you love about it? My go to library is the library that is only a 5-minute drive from my house. I love it because I can get practically any book there. While it's a relatively small neighborhood library, it belongs to a larger network of county libraries from which I can easily search and request books online (they also take purchase requests and have a continously updated new picture books shelf!).

2. With your busy life, how do you fit reading in? As a picture book writer, I read a lot of picture books. Luckily, my kids love it when I read to them--so I get to read morning, noon, and especially night! ​

3. Your debut is coming out Aug 28th. Can you tell us a little bit about it? My debut picture book, MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS, is being published on August 28. Here's a short blurb: Maximillian Villainous doesn't have the heart to be a villain. When he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, his disapproving mother challenges Max and the bunny to become a devious duo. Otherwise... the bunny hops. Will they give into villainy, or will they find a way to stay good and still win the family's acceptance?

Thank you Margaret.  I encourage all of you to use this challenge to make friends with your librarians this summer (we are really nice people and we love to share books!). ​

Rules

• You have until August 31st to complete this challenge. 
• You must use a different picture book and different place shown on the bingo card below (25 in total to win the blackout prize).
•  If you want to read two or more picture books in one day go ahead but you must do so using a different place from the supplied list.
• Sharing online is optional.  I’ll be sharing on Instagram @Writer_Librarian,  Twitter under #PBHOT62. Feel free to friend me or follow me on Twitter or Instragram.

Prizes

• First one to Bingo black out wins a copy of Margaret's debut MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS (release date August 28, 2018). 
• $10 gift card for most unusual spot (chapters or amazon depending on where you live). 
• 5 critiques (picture book MS or 10 pages of a novel) by me for anyone that feels they did their best to complete the challenge.

​Sign Up

• ​Comment below with your name (first and last).  
• Join me on twitter each week to check in and discuss weekly topics

​
Twitter Party

• Week 1, June 29th-6th: #PBHOT62 intentions?
• Week 2, July 7th-13th: #AmReading what?
• Week 3, July 14th-20th: #AmReading where? Where is your favourite spot?
• Week 4, July 21st-27th : #AmReading at my library? Where? What do you love about it?
• Week 5, 28th-3rd: Are you there? It's me, #PBHOT62. How are you doing?
• Week 6, August 4th- 10th: #AmReading in the most unusual spot? Name it.
• Week 7, August 11th - 17th: #AmWinning. How many books have you read?
• Week 8, August 18th-24th : #AmReading in transit?
• Week 9, August 25-31st:  Are you still with me? What is your favorite moment from #PBHOT62?

Social Media Shareables:

• #PBHOT62, stay tuned to reading all summer long with this picture book reading challenge for picture book writers. www.renatraxel.com/blog
• Ready to work on your picture book writing goals? Check out #PBHOT62 challenge for picture book writers.  www.renatraxel.com/blog 
• Get ready to tune to picture book reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals! #PBHOT62  www.renatraxel.com/blog

#PBHOT62 is back for year two!!! Get ready to tune to reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals!

New this year #PBHOT62 will be moving to a BINGO style challenge. I’ll be sharing my reads on Instagram and Twitter vs blogging. There will also be Twitter Party questions sprinkled throughout. Without further ado here are the details…

This year’s theme is LIBRARIES!!!! That means I’ll be sharing my favourite libraries in addition to reading 62 books and I encourage you to do the same HOWEVER as promised there is an “easier” version. Your tasks are the following:

1. Ready your summer reads (for ideas see summer reading list ).
   
2. Set your intention (goals for the challenge).
   
3. Return on 29th to get your 25-square bingo card (we are playing for blackout).

What do I mean by intention? I believe to get the most out of #PBHOT62, our any challenge, you must first decide what you wish to accomplish. Here are my goals:

1. I have two picture book MS I’m focusing on this summer in which I want to find the emotional core/truth and bring it out. I’ll be paying attention to how each story makes me feel.
2. I wish to continue to grow my network of librarians and writers hence library visits and -connecting with all of your online (maybe even in-person).
3. Stretch my creative skills hence the places I pick will relate to the story in some way and/or the pictures I share will tell a story in itself.
4. Social media with purpose hence the Twitter Party chats.
5. Spread my love of picture books hence this challenge (and it doesn’t hurt to learn a thing or two in the process!).

What are your intentions? Think about them then come back on the 29th to sign up and share what you plan to accomplish by staying tuned to reading all summer long!
 
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask.
 
Stuck on what to read see my list here? Sticking with the library theme I’ve chosen a combination of new books published in the last five years combined with classic little golden books.

Twitter Party:

1. Week 1, June 29th-6th: #PBHOT62 intentions?
2. Week 2, July 7th-13th: #AmReading what?
3. Week 3, July 14th-20th: #AmReading where? Where is your favourite spot?
4. Week 4, July 21st-27th : #AmReading at my library? Where? What do you love about it?
5. Week 5, 28th-3rd: Are you there? It's me, #PBHOT62. How are you doing?
6. Week 6, August 4th- 10th: #AmReading in the most unusual spot? Name it.
7. Week 7, August 11th - 17th: #AmWinning. How many books have you read?
8. Week 8, August 18th-24th : #AmReading in transit?
9. Week 9, August 25-31st:  Are you still with me? What is your favorite moment from #PBHOT62?

 
Social Media Shareables:

• #PBHOT62, stay tuned to reading all summer long with this picture book reading challenge for picture book writers. https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74
• Ready to work on your picture book writing goals? Check out #PBHOT62 challenge for picture book writers. https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74
• Get ready to tune to picture book reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals! #PBHOT62  https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74

I have a rather ambitious summer reading list this year that includes 62 pictures (32 published in the last 5 years and 32 Little Golden Books), 8 novels for YA/MG and a handful of graphic novels and professional development books.  Below is a snapshot of my list, however, there is always room to pick up that one or two or three books that are calling to be read.

What about you? What are you planning to read this summer?