Silvia Acevedo's Blog

Friend and fellow author Valerie Biel runs a fun series on her blog called Strange But True, in which she asks authors to share the ways their research has taught them something new, encouraged a new hobby, or inspired them to travel.

I wrote how my need for a character to have a quiet, introspective moment led to her pulling out of her pocket a spinning top. As the typed words escaped my fingertips, I was surprised at the triggered memory. I loved loved loved spinning tops as a kid. The toy’s ...

I am so excited for this cover reveal of my latest book, MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE. This book has been a long time in the making, and I’m thrilled that it’s gotten its first pre-release editorial review–and it was FIVE STARS! OMG, the relief, let me tell you.

But first, here’s the cover, in all its glory:

Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo. Cover art by Jeff Miracola

Isn’t that just super? What third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-grader wouldn’t be enticed to pick that up? ha...

Today I am celebrating! On this day ten years ago, I launched the GOD AWFUL book series into the world and, people, let me tell you, it has changed my life.

When I started writing fiction in the mid-aughts, I knew it was a good change from what I’d been doing. Journalism is noble and worthy, and I’m grateful for my 25+ years  in it. But I did want to spread my wings and just have FUN. I’d almost forgotten what a BLAST writing could be until I sat down to write a little story that will finally se...

Do you ever find yourself taking fore-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ver on something and just feel like you’re never, ever, EVER going to finish?

I hope not, for your sake, but I will admit that I did, with a project that has taken years and years and years to get off the ground. It’s a writing project, of course, a middle grade, contemporary, illustrated fantasy that nearly saw publication years ago but the deal fell through. I decided to re-write it to see if I could revive it. I did, but ooooof OMG, it wa...

Haha OMG I had such a good time at Boswell Books this weekend as I saw old friends, read aloud from THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA, and answered smart questions from the audience during my author visit. It was such a fun, lively, and costumed(!) event as part of larger festivities along Downer Ave on Milwaukee’s east side. The Downer Ave Haunted Halloween festival brings out families fully dressed for a safe trick-or-treat experience, and it was just a blast. Enjoy the pictures below, and I hope ...

What fun to be back on radio! Many thanks to Sandy Maxx, host of the “What’s On Tap” culture and creativity show on Newsradio 620 WTMJ for bringing me on to talk about my creative endeavors. We talked about my upcoming events for THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA book and also about the Fantasy Art Workshop Illustration Intensive that I co-run with my husband, Jeff Miracola.Hear (and see!) my chat by clicking HERE. I have two six-minute segments starting at 6:00 and 15:50. Enjoy!

What’s On T...

What an amazing evening at Daydream Believer Books and Gifts! I met a delightful, outgoing, and inquisitive young lady, eight years old, whom I’ll call Miss P who’d read my story and a bunch more in The Haunted States of America and had so many great questions and comments during my talk. Miss P had a quick answer to my question why might it be that the illustrations in the book are all black and white (“Because it’s scarier!” Yes, that’s one great reason.), and she had her own super questions a...

Release day for THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA was absolutely wonderful. I’m truly  grateful for a sublime day.

The book-birthday celebrations started by chatting about the book with the lovely ladies of The Morning Blend TV talk show on WTMJ, Milwaukee’s NBC affiliate. Hosts Molly Fay and Tiffany Ogle expertly talk through any topic. Here’s how we looked on the yellow couch:

And here’s how the segment turned out! Click below and enjoy.

Next I went to my local, independent bookstore, Boswell...

Wow wow woweee wow!

THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA releases tomorrow, July 9, 2024! That means Spooky Season officially starts tomorrow and you can pick up this title for all the shiver-loving readers in your life! Whoo HOOO!

I love Spooky Season. Halloween. Terror Time. Whatever you like to call it, when autumn’s cold creeps in, when the world is a little grayer and grimmer, when people’s thoughts turn to the dead–and dread–of October. Bwaaahahaa.

I am sooo excited about the release of THE HAUN...

A few blog posts back, I told y’all I was joining a book club put on by my local independent bookstore, Boswell Book Company. They run a handful of clubs, each focusing on a different genre. Tonight was their last one for my group, which focused on general book club fiction and held at a local pub/restaurant, as the bookseller who led it is moving away. A few of the participants are carrying on.

So how my experience? I really enjoyed it, actually. It encouraged me to read books I might not have ...