Category: Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney

October 25, 2024

In this post, author Donna McKinney addresses the challenge of finding the essential tension needed to pull readers through a nonfiction story and keep them turning pages. GIVEAWAY! Donna is giving away a copy of TINY TERN TAKES FLIGHT to one person who comments below! Congratulations to Lillie Pardo , winner of a copy of … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney

Behind the Scenes: “Facets of Light” by Karen M. Greenwald

October 11, 2024

When authors dig into history, we find all sorts of surprises, endless fascination, and so much relevance to our world today. The ability to vicariously explore the human experience of the past gives us perspective and can inspire us to meet present day challenges with hope, empathy, and perseverance. Author Karen Greenwald hears the past … More Behind the Scenes: “Facets of Light” by Karen M. Greenwald

Behind the Scenes: “How to Get an Expert Interview for Your Nonfiction PB” by Becca McMurdie

August 23, 2024

It’s always hard to approach an expert to ask for their time and expertise. And when you don’t have a track record and published titles to prove you’re bonafide, the real deal, worthy of trust, it can be truly daunting. In this post, debut author Becca McMurdie shares her approach and the sample letter that … More Behind the Scenes: “How to Get an Expert Interview for Your Nonfiction PB” by Becca McMurdie

Behind the Scenes: “A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction” by Nell Cross Beckerman

August 9, 2024

With a goal of writing a book for kids about volcanoes using lyrical language, author Nell Cross Beckerman not only researched for information, she also used her own and gathered more sensory input. Here’s how using her senses paid off in writing VOLCANOES. Congratulations to Claire Annette, winner of Lori Alexander’s giveaway of a picture … More Behind the Scenes: “A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction” by Nell Cross Beckerman

Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

August 2, 2024

Transforming a pile of information into story is a challenge. And then when you think you’ve done it, you learn it’s not working as you’d hoped. In this post, author Lori Alexander shares how she continued to revise until the story came alive. Her examples are informative, and the tips she leaves us with are … More Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

Behind the Scenes: “How to Navigate a King-Size Conference” by Kerry Aradhya

July 19, 2024

Sometimes a large professional conference can be as puzzling as that famous cube with all the squares. Never fear, author Kerry Aradhya, has some tips to help you make the most of a conference opportunity. AND…she’s offering a GIVEAWAY to one lucky person who comments on the post below—a copy of ERNO RUBIK AND HIS … More Behind the Scenes: “How to Navigate a King-Size Conference” by Kerry Aradhya

Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

June 28, 2024

In an article I wrote recently for GROG Blog about my experience with illustration notes with THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, my look back over the editorial revision process showed that when the text was clarified, the notes weren’t needed. In this post, Maria Marianayagam shares a very different experience. Once again, there are no … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

June 21, 2024

There are so many ways to tell a story. Author Julia Wasson tried many formats before she found the right voice and point of view for CAN YOU HEAR THE PLANTS SPEAK? And landing on just the right way proved magical!    Julia is offering a GIVEAWAY of a copy of CAN YOU HEAR THE … More Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt

June 14, 2024

Some topics and themes are “evergreen,” eternally relevant, but they present their own challenges. Check out this post from author Christine Van Zandt about how she handled a familiar topic and made it special.  GIVEAWAY! Christine is offering a copy MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS to one lucky person who leaves a comment below! Congratulations to Angela, … More Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt

Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Community” by Lynn Becker

June 7, 2024

There’s that saying “it takes a village.” So true for so many endeavors—and publishing a children’s book is one of them! Here’s a post from one of my local critique partners Lynn Becker who’s celebrating the release of her second book for kids.  GIVEAWAY! Lynn is offering a copy of JUNE MOON, a delightful board … More Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Community” by Lynn Becker