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Browse: Home / creativity

creativity

Jan

9

2026

An Original Essay by 2026 PNBA Book Award Winner Aron Nels Steinke

Like most writers and cartoonists I spend an excessive amount of time in my head. I’m sensitive and self-critical. I love people, but people also make me anxious. In conversation I have to choose my words very carefully, and therefore, I rarely feel like I have anything clever to say in the moment. My voice …

Apr

16

2025

Imagine a Door by Laura Stanfill

Imagine a Door is the writing book you need: a step-by-step guide for writers to navigate the world of publishing, told with bravery and honesty by a true maverick of independent publishing. Stanfill spares no detail in describing her journey as the founder and publisher of Forest Avenue Press. This book contains vital information, especially if …

Sep

20

2024

Time to Make Art by Jeff Mack

It’s time to make art! But the young girl in this picture book has a few questions first. “What should I use to make art?” “Paint,” says painter Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. “Wood,” says carver Ellen Neel. “Stone,” says an ancient stone sculptor from Teotihuacán. Can art be something you eat? Something useful? Nothing at …

May

15

2024

Sashiko’s Stitches by Sanae Ishida

Sashiko’s Stitches is a new picture book from local favorite Sanae Ishida (Little Kunoichi: The Ninja Girl). Sashiko is a little girl with overwhelming fears and worries. One day, her mother teaches her about a style of decorative traditional Japanese stitching also called sashiko, which was originally used to repair fishermen’s clothes. As Sashiko begins …

Jun

1

2021

“Snark Sells”: (Surprising) Blind Dates with Books from A Good Book

From A Good Book in Sumner, WA: It’s been one of those “making sh*t up” weeks. We do Blind Date books at the bookstore, and they’ve morphed from traditional blind date sorts of profile to Snark in a Brown Paper Wrap. It turns out that snark sells. Over the last few years, I’ve done more …

May

18

2021

Hang In There: What to Read for Quarantine Fatigue

The sun might be shining, vaccination rates are going up, and hope is definitely springing, but some good books to keep you company are always a good idea. You’ve got this! Here’s a list compiled earlier this year by the good people of the Country Bookshelf in Bozeman, MT. Wintering by Katherine May released during the …

Jan

17

2020

Dylan Meconis by Chris Higgins

New Worlds: An Essay by 2020
PNBA Award Winner Dylan Meconis

Like many children who suffer from an abundance of imagination and a shortfall of social skills, I was always on the lookout for a door into a more magical world. Narnia, Middle Earth, Starfleet, Sherwood Forest– I wasn’t picky. Anywhere with spaceships, swordfights, or telepathic dragons would do. Reality stubbornly refused to provide me with …

Dec

30

2019

Making Comics

Making Comics by Lynda Barry

This book is for all sleeping inner artists who want a how-to manual. Barry lays out the tools for reimagining stories with drawing lessons and creative exercises. Also perfect for anyone who appreciates deep thoughts on art, storytelling, and creativity. –Raissa, King’s Books, Tacoma, WA Start something new or make a creative resolution with help …

Aug

22

2019

Find Your Artistic Voice

Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon

Lisa Congdon has a guide to harnessing that inner wildness. Find Your Artistic Voice not only has a picture of a tiger on the front, but it also has a whole bunch of insightful commentary and ideas about how to discover, shape, and realize that unique voice that is you. Sure, being an artist is …

Sep

21

2018

Seattle Stores’ Sanae Ishida Picture Book Promo

Sanae Ishida celebrates her third children’s picture book with a special promotion starting this Saturday at seven Seattle independent bookstores: Elliot Bay Book Company Kinokuniya Books Lake Forest Park Third Place Books Liberty Bay Books Phinney Books Queen Anne Book Company University Book Store Sanae is dropping off an amazing hand-made kame (turtle) submarine like …

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