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
One of the questions I get asked most is, “where do you get your ideas for stories?” As a nonfiction nerd, I’m always on the lookout for bits of history few know about—events that open our minds to understanding the past and the present. But there are all kinds of books and all kinds of … More Mining For Heart: “Inspired by a Magical Moment with a Bunny” by Nell Cross Beckerman
Setting is a key piece of story. For me, it requires lots of research. For author Sarah Hovorka, writing a fictional story based on a childhood memory, it required an awareness of how times have changed. Sarah offers a few examples, and … a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below the post for a chance … More Behind the Scenes: “Writing Childhood Stories for the Modern Market” by Sarah Hovorka
Welcome to Keila Dawson, a fellow member of Kid Lit For Growing Minds, a group of kid lit creators whose books cross curricular areas and support educators. Keila’s got a delicious activity to use with her latest release, YUMBO GUMBO, that brings math into the kitchen in the best way, merging learning, culture, and food! … More Especially for Educators: “Using Storytelling to Teach Math in the Primary Classroom” by Keila Dawson
Just in time for the start of a new school year! This post from author and teacher Zeena Pliska shares an activity for educators to help explore, examine, and evaluate classroom libraries. AND she’s offering a copy of her newest picture book, EGYPTIAN LULLABY. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to get in the … More Especially for Educators: “Recentering Diversity and Decentering White/Eurocentric Culture” by Zeena M. Pliska
We’re back! Welcome to 2023! What happens when your “so what?” or “heart” of your story is also the obstacle to writing it? “Drawing a blank” is agonizing to artists of all kinds and of all ages. Here Danielle Dufayet shares her latest book and how she battled her inner critic. Danielle is offering a … More Mining for Heart: “Silence Your Inner Critic with the ‘So What?'” by Danielle Dufayet
Here’s a fabulous post by author Lindsey McDivitt on how she used a “family story” and made it viable as a picture book manuscript by developing a plot with “doorways.” While some might call these by different names, such as hooks or layers, doorways is perfect, a way to welcome readers in. Read on to … More Behind the Scenes: “Adding Doorways into Your Story for Broader Appeal” by Lindsey McDivitt
I’ve been in a local critique group with Julie Rowan-Zoch for nine years (Oh wow, has it been that long!) and have had the good fortune to learn a lot of from her. It’s always fascinating to see another creator’s process, especially illustration, since it’s foreign to me. Here’s a great post from Julie sharing … More Behind the Scenes: “Composition 101” by Julie Rowan-Zoch
So many of us have manuscripts in a “drawer”—waiting for a block to clear or a better ending or a new take. I love hearing about the rare occasions when the lightning strikes and the manuscript emerges from doom with a revelation that transforms it. Here Jeanette Bradley shares how a manuscript became more than … More Mining for Heart: “The Heart Can Surprise You” by Jeanette Bradley
Every once in a while, kid lit creators get a chance to create a sequel to a picture book they’ve done and let their beloved characters live on. Yay! But there are a few important things to consider. Isabella Kung takes us through her process of creating a sequel to NO FUZZBALL!—her latest release, NO … More Behind the Scenes: “Writing a Picture Book Sequel” by Isabella Kung
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 