Silvia Acevedo's Blog

Three years ago, I planted a cherry tree knowing it would need time to establish itself before producing a lot of fruit. This year it’s yielding its first bumper crop, and the inaugural pie I made from it is positively faaaabulous. [image error]

Since planting that cherry tree, I’ve added three raspberry bushes and one blueberry bush to my backyard. I plan to add more as I’ve found the benefits outstanding:

fresh, organic fruit that’s much tastier than store-boughtthe pleasure of watching something grow...

It’s been a wild ride since my husband and I created Fantasy Art Workshop’s Illustration Intensive back in 2016. We had just seven attendees that first year of our in-person workshop, but we gave it our all and continued to grow until we finally reached 77 attendees in June 2025. We’ve made more friends along the way than we ever imagined. We can’t say thank you enough to our core faculty, special guests, and all the people who devoted their time and energy to attend. 

At one time we imagined ou...

Friend and fellow author Valerie Biel runs a fun series on her blog called Strange But True, in which she asks authors to share the ways their research has taught them something new, encouraged a new hobby, or inspired them to travel.

I wrote how my need for a character to have a quiet, introspective moment led to her pulling out of her pocket a spinning top. As the typed words escaped my fingertips, I was surprised at the triggered memory. I loved loved loved spinning tops as a kid. The toy’s ...

I am so excited for this cover reveal of my latest book, MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE. This book has been a long time in the making, and I’m thrilled that it’s gotten its first pre-release editorial review–and it was FIVE STARS! OMG, the relief, let me tell you.

But first, here’s the cover, in all its glory:

Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo. Cover art by Jeff Miracola

Isn’t that just super? What third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-grader wouldn’t be enticed to pick that up? ha...

Today I am celebrating! On this day ten years ago, I launched the GOD AWFUL book series into the world and, people, let me tell you, it has changed my life.

When I started writing fiction in the mid-aughts, I knew it was a good change from what I’d been doing. Journalism is noble and worthy, and I’m grateful for my 25+ years  in it. But I did want to spread my wings and just have FUN. I’d almost forgotten what a BLAST writing could be until I sat down to write a little story that will finally se...

Do you ever find yourself taking fore-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ver on something and just feel like you’re never, ever, EVER going to finish?

I hope not, for your sake, but I will admit that I did, with a project that has taken years and years and years to get off the ground. It’s a writing project, of course, a middle grade, contemporary, illustrated fantasy that nearly saw publication years ago but the deal fell through. I decided to re-write it to see if I could revive it. I did, but ooooof OMG, it wa...

Haha OMG I had such a good time at Boswell Books this weekend as I saw old friends, read aloud from THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA, and answered smart questions from the audience during my author visit. It was such a fun, lively, and costumed(!) event as part of larger festivities along Downer Ave on Milwaukee’s east side. The Downer Ave Haunted Halloween festival brings out families fully dressed for a safe trick-or-treat experience, and it was just a blast. Enjoy the pictures below, and I hope ...

What fun to be back on radio! Many thanks to Sandy Maxx, host of the “What’s On Tap” culture and creativity show on Newsradio 620 WTMJ for bringing me on to talk about my creative endeavors. We talked about my upcoming events for THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA book and also about the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration Intensive that I co-run with my husband, Jeff Miracola.Hear (and see!) my chat by clicking HERE. I have two six-minute segments starting at 6:00 and 15:50. Enjoy!

What’s On T...

What an amazing evening at Daydream Believer Books and Gifts! I met a delightful, outgoing, and inquisitive young lady, eight years old, whom I’ll call Miss P who’d read my story and a bunch more in The Haunted States of America and had so many great questions and comments during my talk. Miss P had a quick answer to my question why might it be that the illustrations in the book are all black and white (“Because it’s scarier!” Yes, that’s one great reason.), and she had her own super questions a...

Release day for THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA was absolutely wonderful. I’m truly  grateful for a sublime day.

The book-birthday celebrations started by chatting about the book with the lovely ladies of The Morning Blend TV talk show on WTMJ, Milwaukee’s NBC affiliate. Hosts Molly Fay and Tiffany Ogle expertly talk through any topic. Here’s how we looked on the yellow couch:

And here’s how the segment turned out! Click below and enjoy.

Next I went to my local, independent bookstore, Boswell...