Brian Gehrlein's Blog

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

This is going to be a very different sort of post and I'm kind of excited about that. Today, I'd like to share something I wrote that has a lot to do with...well, what we do.

Before I share a bit more context, I wanted to let you know I'm having a flash sale on critiques that will end on September 1st. If you'd like a 25% written or Zoom critique, fill out the registration form using the promo code "Backtoschool25off." I'd love to be part...

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

Oh, my goodness. School starts tomorrow!? Our eldest son, Peter, is officially beginning kindergarten and I begin year ten in education and year six as an English Language Arts teacher. Just wow. It seems to go faster and faster and here we are yet again.

As much as I love summer freedom I tend to get caught up in the back-to-school excitement and feel a sense of renewal with the approach of autumn. In the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, "l...

Happy Saturday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

Today's Agent Spotlight features Senior Literary Agent and Agent Mentor, Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency. This interview is packed FULL of exceptional content and I can't wait for everyone to hear what Heather has to share! We do have a giveaway for this post but be sure to read the Spotlight Interview before seeing what Heather is offering for one lucky participant.

Before we dive into our time with Heather, there are just a f...

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight! This teacher has fully activated Summer Break Mode.

So far we have enjoyed the change of pace and taken advantage of the increased family time with Peter and Albee. There's been morning walks, trips to the pool, zoo, and library...and a steady stream of Panera sips (if you know you know).

Even if you're not on a summer vacation, I hope life has presented opportunities to continue your picture book author journey in some capacity. ...

Happy Sunday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

I'm super pumped to share another Author Spotlight and this time it's extra special...a DEBUT picture book! I've had a handful of debut picture books find their way to this here blog and they always have a special place in my heart. Today's picture book is Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea written by Andrew Hacket, and illustrated by Kaz Windness--what a PHENOMENAL team!

Before we jump into this Author Spotlight with Andrew, we have s...

Happy Sunday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

Fact: space is awesome.

Other fact: you are currently reading this sentence from space. Yes, that's right. We're in space. Everything in the created universe is part of space. You're just sitting there in your adorable chair with your tea or coffee or other beverage if you're reading this at night...you're just sitting there on a rock that's floating in space. As if your anxiety didn't need any help. It's okay. You're not alone. Take a b...

Happy Saturday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

Here in Kansas City spring has sprung. There are blossoms on trees, rabbits are bounding in meadows...and I'm increasingly desperate for summer break. We just wrapped up our Spring Break and had a lot of fun as a family. One of the things we did was visit a new children's literature museum called The Rabbit Hole. This place is AMAZING. If you're within a drive of Kansas City, I highly recommend giving them a visit. The entire space is de...

Sometimes it's Wednesday. Sometimes it is not. Sometimes Brian emerges from his dormant cocoon after like six months and posts random Agent Spotlights...

Consider me well-rested. Except that I'm not. This father-husband-teacher-author-critiquer-wolf-enthusiast is anything but well-rested. Alas, I have not been blissfully enshrined within my own silk. I have not been awaiting metamorphosis. But I have been busy with some pretty awesome picture book stuff since my last post...

Jennifer Mattson ...

Happy Saturday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!

It is the end of July...how did the time go so fast? Why is time going faster every year? Why is Twitter now just a letter "X!?" WHAT IS THE MEANING OF IT ALL?!

These are the somber questions one contemplates when the days get shorter and the death of summer seems imminent. There are random Halloween displays and generic Fall decor in stores. There are teacher-triggering back-to-school commercials popping up on social media and TV. I sudde...