Category: Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes: “Expanding Your Book with Back Matter” by Kelly Rice Schmitt

November 21, 2023

Back matter in a book serves a multitude of purposes—it’s like a bonus book that can extend the journey, spark curiosity, and answer questions! If you’re a person who tends to skip over back matter or a writer who’s looking for ideas, here’s a great article from Kelly Rice Schmitt about all that back matter … More Behind the Scenes: “Expanding Your Book with Back Matter” by Kelly Rice Schmitt

Behind the Scenes: “‘Twas a Long Time Coming: A New Look for Benjamin Franklin” by Gretchen Woelfle

October 20, 2023

One look at my bookcase will tell you I’m a fan of Benjamin Franklin. That man was into everything! For a writer, no matter what you want to share about him, there’s the challenge of focus, scope, and finding the best way to tell the story. In this post, author Gretchen Woelfle shares how she … More Behind the Scenes: “‘Twas a Long Time Coming: A New Look for Benjamin Franklin” by Gretchen Woelfle

Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Book Trailer with Canva” by Kari Gonzalez

September 22, 2023

Technology. [sigh]  A challenge and a wonder! I’ve experienced the full-frustration-ready-to-explode load of trying to make a book trailer without the needed skillset. And…MANY hours later, the joy of the finished trailer.  If only I had had this post. Thanks, Kari Gonzalez for sharing how you made the trailer for your new release, HOW TO … More Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Book Trailer with Canva” by Kari Gonzalez

Behind the Scenes: “The Sweet Spot Where History and Fiction Meet” by Nancy Churnin

September 8, 2023

As a children’s author drawn to nonfiction topics, I know the most difficult part of writing a book about real people and events in the past is to figure out the best way to tell a story to make it matter and connect to kids today. THAT is everything. And that challenge can lead a … More Behind the Scenes: “The Sweet Spot Where History and Fiction Meet” by Nancy Churnin

Behind the Scenes: “Circular Thinking” by Sue Lowell Gallion

August 18, 2023

There’s nothing more fun than a book that is a shape! The first book of the nonfiction board book series by Sue Lowell Gallion and Lisk Feng (Phaidon Press) caught my eye immediately. It looks like a globe and stands up! One thing I didn’t think about was what that means for the writing. So … More Behind the Scenes: “Circular Thinking” by Sue Lowell Gallion

Behind the Scenes: “The Long Journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND” by Marsha Diane Arnold

August 4, 2023

I would bet just about every writer has been asked, “How long does it take you to write a book?” Well…it turns out every book has its own story of becoming. And if you peruse this blog, you’ll find many books that sprang from ideas or experiences many years earlier. Here, Marsha Diane Arnold shares … More Behind the Scenes: “The Long Journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND” by Marsha Diane Arnold

Behind the Scenes: “Start a Picture Book Marketing Group!” by Susan Johnston Taylor

June 30, 2023

When new authors learn that much of the marketing and promotion for their book will be left to them, it can be daunting for many who are not “natural salespeople.” In this post, Susan Johnston Taylor shares tips for starting a marketing group, a group of kid lit creators who band together to learn and … More Behind the Scenes: “Start a Picture Book Marketing Group!” by Susan Johnston Taylor

Behind the Scenes: “What’s the Big Idea?” by Donna McKinney

April 28, 2023

In today’s post, Donna McKinney hits one of my favorite topics—structure. I’m fascinated by the way playing with structure can open up your thinking and writing. Her book LIGHTS ON! started with a list of fascinating undersea creatures, but then she needed to find a way to shape the information to be engaging for kids. “What’s the … More Behind the Scenes: “What’s the Big Idea?” by Donna McKinney

Behind the Scenes: “Separating the Curds from the Whey in Search of Accurate Information” by Cathy Ogren

April 21, 2023

While every historical rabbit hole offers interesting tidbits and discoveries, there’s always the challenge of accuracy. It takes time and perseverance to sort it all out, but somehow, for me, it’s nerd-ily fascinating. In this post, Cathy Ogren shares how she searched out the facts for PEW! THE STINKY AND LEGEN-DAIRY GIFT FROM COLONEL THOMAS S. … More Behind the Scenes: “Separating the Curds from the Whey in Search of Accurate Information” by Cathy Ogren

Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower

March 31, 2023

How do you make a story about math and electricity comprehensible and relatable for kids? Author Jan Lower knew she needed to “show don’t tell,” but how? Finding connections for elementary aged children in the main character’s actions and processes, she crafted each sentence to build a child-friendly and engaging text. Here’s how Jan did … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower