Behind the Book: The Heart That Found You

When I became a mom through adoption, I started looking for children’s books that could help me talk to my daughter about how our family came to be.  I was looking for something gentle, joyful, and true to our story. As a single mom, I found that many books didn’t quite fit our reality and often centered on two-parent families. I remember reading aloud and instinctively editing as I went, which required skipping over father figures or changing pronouns to...

Monday Made Beautiful: Simple Pairings to Get You in the Holiday Mood

As the hustle of the holidays begins to peek around the corner, there’s something refreshing about slowing down and finding beauty in simplicity. This month, I’m continuing my seasonal cocktail and appetizer series with The Collective Book Studio and fellow author Jennifer Newens, featuring a pairing that’s understated, elegant, and just right for this time of year.   From her book, Monday Night Mocktails, I’m featuring the Peartini, a zero-proof cocktail that celebrates autumn pears in the most graceful way....

Falling for Midweek Gatherings: A Cozy Cocktail & Charcuterie Pairing

This season, I’m teaming up with The Collective Book Studio to share a three-part blog series featuring seasonal cocktail and appetizer pairings—one for each remaining month of the season.   To kick it off, we are celebrating the art of slowing down with a little midweek magic: a fall-inspired cocktail from the beautiful book, Wednesday Night Wine Down by Jennifer Newens, and a simple, yet elegant cheese and fruit board inspired by my cookbook, The Modern Hippie Table. Jennifer’s book...

Redefining the Alphabet with These ABCs Belong to Me! by Alicia McKenzie

When Alicia McKenzie first shared her manuscript for These ABCs Belong to Me!, we immediately felt its power. The book reclaims words that children often hear used against them and transforms them into affirmations of confidence and joy. From A to Z, Alicia’s writing celebrates every child’s right to define themselves with pride, a message that resonated deeply with our team from the very start. In this Q&A, Alicia shares the inspiration behind her debut picture book, the power of...

Rethink Publishing Culture

At The Collective Book Studio, we are rethinking publishing culture—we are creating a work environment that is collaborative, transparent, and inclusive. For authors, this means a partnership that goes beyond the transactional. Rather than giving up control of your manuscript, partnership publishing ensures you remain an active decision-maker throughout the process. Our model prioritizes shared investment and long-term support. Authors retain creative control while maximizing royalties, allowing artists to focus on their work without sacrificing the project’s quality and readership...

The Collective Book Studio’s Five Favorite Books About the Beach

In celebration of the July publication of Laura Atkins’ Bringing the Beach Home (illus. by Evgenia Penman), we compiled a list of our favorite books about the beach (all of which can also be enjoyed at the beach!). One Morning in Maine written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey This picture-book classic makes readers of all ages nostalgic for the simple adventures of summers past. The Maine coastline sets the stage for iconic pen illustrations, a dramatic lost tooth, and beach...