ERLederer.com

July 2022 was kinda rough. I broke both my kneecaps in a freak accident at the beach, and was then sentenced to two months – immobile – in my family room.

After a week or so the heavy meds wore off, but I was still seriously stuck. I watched movies, read, did stitchery and lost my mind. Oy vey – sitting still is soooo hard. My family and friends were great, but there was only so much they could do for me. So, brilliant that she is (and sick of my whining, I’m sure) my daughter suggested I write that book I was always talking about.

Okay, I figured – what do I have to lose? And so Charlie’s Patchwork Portal was born. I started in late July and finished my first draft in October of that year. The drawings followed, slowly, as did reviews. It’s been quite the process since then.

Now, three years later, Charlie has been reviewed by innumerable friends and family members, by reps of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and my awesome writer’s group. I’ve gotten invaluable feedback from so many, young and not so.young. My sons have proven themselves over and over again as eagle eye reviewers of my artwork.

And so, here we are, on the eve of my first book’s official release. I am so thankful for everyone’s support and assistance, and can’t wait to see where this journey leads me!