James Preller

From the latest issue of Publishers Weekly . . .

I've written the first book (still to be illustrated and designed), am currently in the cogitating/research/ditherment phase of Book #2.

Spotted on a recent school visit. Love a well-worn, battered & spindled & mutilated book. The ultimate compliment.

https://www.jamespreller.com/2025/06/01/behind-the-scenes-all-this-work-for-one-lousy-joke/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKv009leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFBUDBNODlZVWlqemE0SU5aAR79AtDYjyD6m1Z9Dh7bv3DGHoFpPIfxUV_DoP_zo4QC_8zGhLTMOJU3AJUn8g_aem_lpWcWG1LNZ1qvawaACFo3w

BEHIND THE SCENES: All This Work for One Joke! | James Preller's Blog Today I want to put a spotlight on all the effort that went into a single page from my upcoming beginning reader, Two Ballerinas . . . and a Moose. It took us a while to get it right and, amazingly, I think we did. Believe me, that’s not always the case. Sometimes the more we revise and tinker, th...

Happy to learn that EXIT 13: THE WHISPERING PINES was among the nominated titles for the Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards, grades 3-5. For this book, I simply tried to write the most wildly entertaining story I could conjure, which isn't always my goal. I'm glad that so many readers found & enjoyed this book, beautifully illustrated by Kevin Keele.

R.L. Stine posted this the other day and it's too perfect not to share.

https://www.jamespreller.com/2025/05/09/fan-mail-wednesday-342-a-drawing-from-amber/

FAN MAIL WEDNESDAY #342: A Drawing from Amber | James Preller's Blog What a nice surprise to receive a letter and a drawing from Amber in Illinois, who named Wake Me In Spring her favorite book. Illustrator Jeffrey Scherer and I published that one back in 1994 and it’s still one of my favorites, too.

https://www.jamespreller.com/2025/05/07/fan-mail-wednesday-341-my-pen-pal-jaquan-plus-some-actual-free-writing-advice/

FAN MAIL WEDNESDAY #341: My Pen Pal Jaquan (Plus Some Actual FREE Writing Advice!) | James Preller's Blog Back in February of 2018, I received a piece of fan mail from Jaquan. It was partly in braille, a first for me. And it would become the first of many, many missives we’ve passed along over the years. You see, Jaquan is a dedicated, passionate writer. He’s been sending me stories all this time. T...

I'll be there. Please say hello!

Note: Every child gets a coupon for a FREE BOOK.

SNEAK PEEK of the book you didn't know you needed. Coming in August, I think: TWO BALLERINAS . . . AND A MOOSE!

Illustrated by Abigail Burch.

Paperback cover. Won't be out for a long while, but for me a big improvement over the HC edition.