career development

Kidlit Social #85: The Final Kidlit Social: Ask Laura Anything!

On this final episode, Laura answers a wide range of questions about writing and publishing

Kidlit Social #84: Debut MG Authors Share Lessons Learned on Their Path to Publication

On this episode, Laura welcomes  Merriam Sarcia Saunders and Lee Y. Miao, two debut middle grade authors ready to share tips and advice from their publishing journey.

Kidlit Social #77: Meet Sarah Baker, SCBWI’s New Executive Director

In this episode, Laura welcomes Sarah Baker, the new Executive Director of the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

They talk about her ideas for making the Board of Directors more representative of members, updating SCBWI’s volunteer structures, making the whole organization more inclusive on a local and global scale and redesigning the SCBWI website. We also get Sarah’s best advice for aspiring and published authors and illustrators in the modern publishing industry.

Kidlit Social #76: April Cox on Self-Publishing the Right Way

On this episode, we welcome children’s book author and self-publishing coach April Cox.

April is the founder of Self-Publishing Made Simple, and Little Labradoodle Publishing. We dig into topics including how to know if self-publishing is right for you, common self-publishing mistakes, and the best places to spend your self-publishing marketing dollars.

Kidlit Social #73: Wildlife Author Laurel Neme on Building a Writing Career Around Your Passions

Meet wildlife author and journalist Laurel Neme, author of ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species, which has been featured on ABC News Nightline and NPR’s Science Friday.

She was just nominated (by National Geographic) for a Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting, together with her colleague, Jeff Barbee, for their series of articles on oil drilling in the Okavango. Laura and Laurel chat about how to use your passions to establish yourself as a specialist/expert in magazine and book publications (and build a career around those passions) and Laurel’s research techniques.

Kidlit Social #70: Industry Pros Reveal – How to Know When Your Manuscript is Ready to Submit

On this episode we welcome three respected industry pros, who will help you answer the question: Is My Manuscript is Ready to Submit?

You’ll discover the signs to look for when your work is submission ready, and why such knowledge is vital to keeping the doors open to submissions at overwhelmed publishers and literary agencies.

Kidlit Social #69: ‘Radical Solutions’ to Beat Fear, Doubt & Criticism and Thrive Creatively

On this inspirational episode, meet award-winning Middle Grade/YA author and creative writing professor Todd Mitchell. Todd joins us to share insights from his new book Breakthrough: How to Overcome Doubt, Fear, and Resistance to Be Your Ultimate Creative Self.

Todd offers up some amazing, radical, perspective-shifting solutions for how to enhance creativity, deal with doubt, procrastination, and criticism, and make creative endeavors more enjoyable and effective.

How Much Does a Children’s Author Make? How Do They Get Paid?

Ever wondered how to make money as a children’s writer? How much of each book sale goes to the author? In this post, we break down the way publishing pays authors and give the scoop on royalties, advances and more.

Kidlit Social #66: What Every Writer Needs to Know About Podcasts, Virtual Author Tours & Media Kits

If you’re frustrated, intimidated or just plain flummoxed by marketing, this episode of the Kidlit Social is essential viewing.

Author, podcaster, course creator and coach Janine Bolon shares her expertise on how authors can promote themselves via virtual podcast tours and by creating standout media kits. Janine is the host of numerous podcasts including The Thriving Solopreneur Show, 3 Minute Money Tip, and The Writers Hour: Creative Conversations with Janine Bolon.

Kidlit Social #65: Melissa Stewart on Creating Nonfiction for the Classroom

On this episode of The Kidlit Social, meet Melissa Stewart, author of “5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children’s Books”, along with dozens of kidlit nonfiction titles currently in use by school districts as part of their curricula.

Melissa discussed creating nonfiction for kids while keeping educators’ needs in mind – a vital skill as schools and libraries are the biggest market for children’s nonfiction.