Blog

In the Mood for a Mystery?

7/31/2021

I have a new mystery out that I hope will be perfect for the back-to-school season.

It's set in St. Louis, Missouri, and stars two best friends, Ivy and Teddy, plus their beloved dogs.

If you happen to like mysteries, dogs, neighborhood drama, sad moments, and happy endings, check this one out.

I started writing it pre-Covid, when lockdowns were unimaginable. It's strange to me how much Ivy's broken leg and recovery remind me a little bit of how we've all had to stay strong and busy during these long months.

If you read it, lmk what you think! You can contact me right here.

Thank You, Wyoming Library Association!

2/25/2021

Someone just alerted me to the fact that our book Stay won first runner-up in Wyoming's Buckaroo Book Award. That has to be the best-named book contest in the USA! Thanks, Wyoming!

Is It Too Early to Think About Summer?

2/23/2021

Maybe it's early to think about summer, but why not? We're having so much fun with these classes. More information over here.

This and That

2/9/2021

Join us on Zoom on Monday, 2/22

How can it be February already? Well, it is. A couple of things:

1. Our next Master Class begins next week! More information on that is over here.

2. I have new book coming out in August! More on that over here.

3. Sarah and I hope you will join us and our friends at the Mazza Museum on February 22 for a Zoom meet-up. More on that right here!

4. Here's a photo of where I was a week ago today. If you want to guess, let me know!

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift?

11/29/2020

Looking for the perfect gift for a creative friend or relative? Or maybe you’re wondering what to ask Santa to bring you this year?

Consider a two-week online Master Class (six classes, $360). Our next Zoom class runs from January 4 to 15, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We’re also launching a series of single-session Master Classes (90 minutes, $95) for anyone looking to jumpstart a creative project in 2021.

Our classes attract participants from all over the world who want to write fiction, non-fiction, picture books, novels, memoirs, even self-help books. You bring the ideas. We’ll help you put them into words and images.

If you’re ordering a class for a friend, let us know and we’ll email a gift certificate on the day of your choosing. We plan to offer another two-week session in February and more single-session classes in 2021. Let us know if you’d like us to save you a spot!

Sign up for our two-week January Master Class (January 4-15) here.
Sign up for our first single-session 90-minute Master Class (January 11) here.

How Do You Mend a Broken Heart? Ask a Librarian

11/12/2020

Thanks to the Children's Book Council for asking Sarah and me to share our library love in the November/December issue of Knowledge magazine. Here's the link.

Want to Make a Book? Join Us Online!

7/28/2020

We're taking applications for our next Master Class! More information right here. If you have any questions or want to talk to former students, just let us know.

We've lost count of how many classes we've done now. Is it seven or eight? This much is clear: We're having an absolute blast watching students (age 8 to 77) write and illustrate books about everything from arrogant peacocks to swimming cats to a little girl who doesn't want to practice the piano.

If you have an idea for a book (and we know you do), please join us. We'll help you get started, work through the muddy middle, and bring it all together with art, design, and an Aha-moment for both you and your reader. (Note: Class size is limited so we can provide valuable one-on-one feedback to everyone.)

Now Accepting Applications for our July Master Class!

6/14/2020

Want to write a book in July? Want to illustrate it, too?
If you're between the ages of 8 and 108, you're invited to join our July Master Class.
Details right here.

Announcing Our Very First Master Class for Kids!

4/17/2020

Once upon a time there were a lot of kids who were stuck inside all summer because of a nasty virus. Rather than feel bored or cranky, these kids decided to be creative and productive. They signed up for a three-week online master class with award-winning author Kate Klise and her illustrator sister Sarah Klise.
With the Klise sisters' help and encouragement, the kids wrote picture books. They illustrated them, too!
The classes weren’t easy. In fact, they were downright challenging. Kate insisted the kids work like real authors. They had to think, write, rethink, rewrite, edit, and polish their stories. Sarah helped the kids bring their stories to life with art and design. She showed them how to sketch, draw, shadow, and create compelling visuals with characters and text.
Sound like fun? We think so, too. Here are the details:

The JUNIOR MASTER CLASS (ages 6-8) will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2-18, 2020 (six classes).

The SENIOR MASTER CLASS (ages 9-13) will meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, June 1-19, 2020 (nine classes).

A Publishing Day Party will be held via Zoom on Saturday, June 20. Attendance is optional, but we’d love to celebrate our young authors and illustrators in style with an open mic-style launch party.

All classes will be conducted via Zoom. Apply right here. Participation is limited. Send in your application now to guarantee a spot. Questions about the classes? Contact Kate Klise. Questions about applying or payment? Contact Sarah Klise. More classes coming in July and August. (Maybe one for adults. Interested? Let us know!)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (And Your Book)

4/15/2020

That's me (Kate) embracing my new hobby during this strange and surreal time. Don't worry. There was only one other person on the river and he was six feet away. In other news: A belated (but enthusiastic!) thank you to South Dakota readers for putting STAY: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List on the South Dakota Prairie Bud Reading List for 2019-2020. We hear voting has been extended till May. Carry on!

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