Cover Reveal: Forever Fries

Cover Reveal: Forever Fries

I’m excited to share the cover art of my debut middle-grade verse novel, Forever Fries, illustrated by the award-winning illustrator and comics creator Jenn Woodall!

It’s coming from Orca Book Publishers on March 16, 2027, and I can’t wait. This book has been a work of love for many years. It’s loosely based on personal and family experiences, although it’s firmly fiction, and it proudly features a protagonist who shares my identity elements. Here’s a blurb:

How can one bite matter so much?

It feels impossible for thirteen-year-old Marley to cross the street and meet her crush, Chloe, at Forever Fries. Not because she’s nervous about the date (although she is), but because fries are on Marley’s No-Eat list. But she made a promise to her eating-disorder therapist to try this forbidden food in a safe situation…with Chloe. As Marley builds up the courage to enter Forever Fries, she is haunted by the memories that shaped her relationship with food. Marley knows she can heal, and maybe today, she can eat one fry.

This middle-grade novel told in verse is a powerful exploration of disordered eating recovery.

I’m honoured by these advanced reviews of my book:

Forever Fries sculpts its own unique space in the novel-in-verse universe. With great empathy and understanding of her subject matter, Karen Krossing portrays Marley’s struggle with disordered eating and body image in a kid-friendly, accessible manner. The playful structure of the narrative, the variety of poetry styles and the well-drawn, authentic characters invite the reader to immerse themselves in Marley’s challenges as well as her joys.”
Cordelia Jensen, author of Lilac and the Switchback

“Forever Fries is a deeply empathetic portrayal of Marley, who faces her eating disorder with bravery and hope.”
Laura Shovan, author of The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary

    

Available for Pre-order Now

Upcoming Workshops

Upcoming Workshops

WorkPlay Story Writing Workshop

Calling writers aged 9 to 12 in Richmond Hill, Ontario! I’ll be hosting a WorkPlay Story Writing Workshop weekly from July 22 to August 12, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Richvale Branch of the Richmond Hill Public Library, and I would love to see you there.

Spark your imagination in this hands-on workshop. You’ll write your own mystery story, create fantastical worlds and the characters who live in them, and develop stories about real people—including you! With fresh and inspiring story-starters, you’ll have fun with words and develop your creative writing skills.

I can’t wait!

Feeling It: Creating Emotional Depth in Your Novel

I’m happy to announce my next workshop with Whale Rock Workshops. I’ll be co-teaching Feeling It: Creating Emotional Depth in Your Novel with author and poet Laura Shovan for the second time.

“I just didn’t connect with the character.”
“The character didn’t resonate with me.”

How many times do writers hear these phrases when submitting to editors and agents? These dreaded, vague responses can often leave writers scratching their heads. Was it the writing? The plotting? How can they write stories that readers can’t resist?

Emotionally deep stories grab readers’ attention and encourage them to care about the characters and their world. It’s one way to improve your writing and craft stories that readers (and agents and editors) connect to. Join us for a deep-dive into getting your characters’ emotions on the page.

Participants are expected to bring a chapter from a novel at any stage of development. Each session will tackle different ways to achieve emotional depth, whether you are connecting emotionally to your writer self, your characters, or your story ideas. Sessions will include exercises and side-writing assignments and will explore drafting and revising to achieve emotional depth. Participants will have homework to complete between sessions.

Each participant will walk away with a chapter of greater emotional depth as well as the tools needed to tackle all their manuscripts.

Participants will submit ten, double-spaced pages and receive feedback from one of the instructors.

This workshop is for you if:

  • You are writing a middle grade or young adult novel.
  • You are writing a memoir.
  • You love plot and/or dialogue, but struggle with getting to your character’s heart.
  • You’ve received the dreaded “I just didn’t connect…” feedback on your manuscript.
  • You would like to explore new ways of emotional connection in your writing practice.
  • You are gearing up for submission and want to be sure your book hits the emotional highs and lows.
  • You are a novelist looking to enhance your skills.

You will complete this workshop with:

  • A deeper understanding of the importance of getting emotions onto the page.
  • Practical tools and techniques to help you infuse your work with emotional resonance.
  • New ideas and inspiration for how to take your project and writing to deeper places.
Agent News

Agent News

Today, I’m celebrating my agent for the last six years. Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown has offered friendship, guidance, and constant encouragement through both joys and challenges. Together, we’ve launched five books that are precious to me—One Tiny Bubble, Monster vs. Boy, My Street Remembers, One Cosmic Rock, and The Cloud That Stuck. Plus, we have three more in the works—Forever Fries, My Creek Speaks, and one more picture book that hasn’t been announced yet. What a journey it’s been together! I’m grateful for every moment.

This year marks Ginger’s 40th year at Curtis Brown, and she’s decided it’s finally time to join her partner in retirement. I’ll greatly miss working with Ginger, but I’m glad she’ll be exploring new adventures in good company.

Of course, Ginger has left me in excellent hands with Elizabeth Harding as ship’s captain at Curtis Brown and my new agent Jazmia Young—a passionate advocate of books for children and youth, a maker of fancy cakes, a cat lover, and an agent with heart. I’m excited for this new partnership with Jazmia!

A Picture Book Primer

Want to Revise Your Picture Book Manuscript?

Thanks to writer and editor Jesse Weiner for hosting me on her Inksations blog! Please check out my guest post, “Deconstruction and Reconstruction: A Primer on Picture Book Revision.” Do you have a picture book manuscript you want to revise, but you’re unsure where to begin? My article will help deconstruct what you’ve written so you can reconstruct it with intention. While you’re there, please consider subscribing to Jesse’s newsletter, which is jam-packed with writing calls, gigs, articles, interviews, and more.

Looking for More Insights?

You can also check out my upcoming Revise Your Picture Book Manuscripts course through Whale Rock Workshops. I would love to see you there! For more info, go to Whale Rock Workshops or message me to chat.

Latest Reviews

One Cosmic Rock

“This vibrant, engaging book provides the perfect introduction to the last day of the dinosaurs and the resilience of life on Earth.”
Professor Paul M. Barrett, Natural History Museum, London, England

“A joyous, lyrical celebration of planetary life.”
Kirkus Reviews

Coming February 17, 2026!

The Cloud That Stuck

“A gentle, hopeful picture book about mental health and resilience, following Tansy as she learns to live with a cloud that won’t leave her side. With support, creativity, and self-acceptance, she discovers that even stormy days can bring growth, friendship, and beauty.”
MaiStoryBook

“A heartwarming and convincing tale for kids seeking to ride out life’s rainclouds.”
Kirkus Reviews

Coming April 14, 2026!

My Street Remembers

“In clear, age-appropriate language, My StreetRemembers acknowledges injustices and harm, and invites us to do better. This is a gorgeous, moving story for readers of all ages.”
Erin Dalton, Huckleberry B
ooks, Quill & Quire Notable Books 2025

“Local history comes alive when we think back to who lived on the land before our houses were built.”
Harriet Zaidman, Winnipeg Free Press, A Best Book of 2025

Available Now!

My Street Remembers: Interviews

My Street Remembers: Interviews

I’m honoured by this feature article in The Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Book News magazine. It was written with sensitivity by a writer I greatly admire—Heather Camlot. Her books are excellent, so please seek them out. In “A Road Less Travelled,” Heather speaks with illustrator Cathie Jamieson and me about how our unconventional teamwork shaped our new book, My Street Remembers.

You can read about how our unusual collaboration added six pages to the book and why that happened, Cathie’s creation process, symbolism in her illustrations, and how we can move beyond our cultural blinders.

Heather writes, “Relationships and connections are at the heart of My Street Remembers, through its marriage of words and illustrations and through the teamwork of the author and illustrator…. My Street Remembers is the result of distinct cultural identities and the sharing of perspectives. The book ends with the line, ‘What does your street remember?’ But the question is really an introduction, an invitation to readers to discover the diverse communities of their neighbourhood—past, present and future.”

You can read the full article by becoming a member of the CCBC—an organization well worth supporting—or by purchasing an individual copy.

Notable Book

In other news, My Street Remembers was a Quill & Quire Notable Book 2025 as well as a Winnipeg Free Press Best Book of 2025.

Radio Interviews

It was also on the radio! You can listen to our radio interviews here:

More Media Interviews

Education Resources

Upcoming Workshop and Mentorships

Revise Your Picture Book Manuscripts

Do you have picture book manuscripts that you’d like to revise with a small, committed group of writers dedicated to helping you produce your best work? Please check out my upcoming picture-book revision class through Whale Rock Workshops.

When

Wednesdays April 22 – June 24
(excluding May 27)
7:30 – 9:10 PM EST | Online

Level

All Levels

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

This in-depth, hands-on, nine-week workshop is limited to eight participants. You’ll use your own manuscripts to explore picture-book craft/revision, you’ll discuss craft elements you can apply to your own manuscripts, and you’ll participate in weekly online discussions that dive into picture book craft topics.

Our nine weeks together include:

    • An initial session on learning how to participate in a writer-centered critique group—one that centers on each writer’s needs and creates a safe, nurturing feedback experience. (This session is required for participation.)
    • Eight 80-minute workshop sessions facilitated by me where writers will offer and receive targeted, constructive feedback that inspires revisions and helps you meet your writing goals.
    • Two manuscript critiques per participant during the workshop sessions, including feedback from me.
    • Learning about picture book craft from me and one another’s creative efforts and insights.
    • Eight weekly online conversation prompts about picture book craft in a separate, online digital learning space exclusive to the group.

Build-Your-Own Whale Rock Mentorships

This winter, Whale Rock is introducing a build-your-own mentorship to meet your unique needs. These are immersive, writing experiences designed to offer writers one-on-one attention, feedback, and skill-building from expert, MFA-level faculty members, including me. Please go to Build-Your-Own Mentorships to check out the options, or message me to chat.

For more info and to register, go to: